Participant Funding Program – Regular Funding Envelope
Funding Review Committee's Report

Allocation of Federal Funds of the Vision 2010 Redevelopment Project for Cameco Corporation's Port Hope Conversion Facility Regular Funding Envelope

The Participant Funding Program (PFP) is established pursuant to subsection 58(1.1) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (the Act), which states: For the purposes of this Act, the Minister shall establish a participant funding program to facilitate the participation of the public in comprehensive studies, mediations and assessments by review panels.

A funding review committee (FRC), independent from the environmental assessment (EA) process of the Vision 2010 Redevelopment Project for Cameco Corporation's Port Hope Conversion Facility (the Project) being conducted by means of a comprehensive study, was established to assess two funding applications received under the Participant Funding Program Regular Funding Envelope (RFE) for the Project and recommend funding awards to the President of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) with respect to these applications.

In March 2008, the Agency made $40,000 available under the PFPRFE to assist individuals and organizations to take part in the EA process of the Project. A FRC was established to review three applications received for consideration. On May 9, 2008, the President of the Agency approved the FRC's recommendation to award $34,400 to the three applicants.

On November 3, 2010, the Agency announced the availability of an additional $10,000 from the RFE to support public participation in the EA of the Project. The closing date for the public to submit an application for funding was December 6, 2010.

On December 13, 2010, the FRC reviewed two applications for funding amounting to $15,281.45. The FRC members were Mr. Paul Scott, retired Regional Director of the Agency's Pacific and Yukon Office, acting as Committee Chairperson; Ms. Patricia Larkin, Certified Environmental Educator; and Prof. Miriam Diamond, University of Toronto.

Background

Cameco Corporation (Cameco) proposed the Vision 2010 project which involves a comprehensive redevelopment of its Port Hope Conversion Facility located in Port Hope, Ontario. The Project consists of:

  • Decommissioning and demolishing approximately 20 old or underutilized buildings, removing contaminated soils, building materials and stored historical wastes, and constructing new replacement buildings. On-site plant operations would be maintained while the works are being carried out.

Three of the twenty buildings, that will be decommissioned include:

  • North UO2/Waste Recovery Building (Building No. 2);
  • Metals Plant (Building No. 5C); and
  • East UF6 (Building No. 27).

Each of these three buildings are Class 1B nuclear facilities used to refine or convert uranium with a capacity of more than 100 tonnes per year.

The Pier Buildings were always included in the scope of the Project, however, the project description of the Project was unclear as to whether they were included. The FRC was advised that these buildings are in fact being considered as part of the Project.

Under section 5 of the Act, an EA is required in relation to the Project as the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) may issue a permit or licence under subsection 24(2) of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.

The CNSC is the sole Responsible Authority. Health Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Environment Canada have been identified as the federal authorities providing expert advice to the CNSC for the assessment.

On October 19, 2006, a Notice of Commencement was posted on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry.

Eligibility

Under the PFP - RFE, funding may be provided to applicants to support their input to an EA. These activities must be linked to the EA of a proposed project through a comprehensive study, mediation or review panel.

To be eligible for funding, applicants must demonstrate that they meet one of the following eligibility criteria:

  • Have a direct, local interest in the Project, such as a residence in the area or historical or cultural ties to the area likely to be affected by the Project;
  • Have community knowledge or Aboriginal traditional knowledge relevant to the environmental assessment; or
  • Have expert information relevant to the anticipated environmental effects of the Project.

The applications received were deemed to have met at least one of these criteria.

Under the PFPRFE, applicants can request funding for expenditures related to:

  • Professional fees;
  • Staff salaries and benefits;
  • Travel expenses;
  • Administration and reporting;
  • Other expenses related to local collection and distribution of information;
  • Office supplies and telephone charges;
  • Rental of office space and meeting rooms;
  • Legal fees;
  • General media and advertising and promotion;
  • Purchase of information material; and
  • Other detailed expenses, with supporting information.

All of the applicants were found to be eligible for funding.

Rationale for Allocation

The FRC was pleased with the quality of the two applications. The FRC based its recommendations on the allocation of funding in light of the information provided in the applications, the nature of the activities being planned for this comprehensive study review process and their relevance to the completion of the review process, the costs of undertaking technical reviews and analysis, and finally, the amount of funding available.

Recommendation

The FRC recommends awarding a total of $10,000 to the two applicants to assist them participating in the EA process for the Project.

The Participant Funding Review Committee
Vision 2010 Redevelopment Project for Cameco Corporation's Port Hope Conversion Facility

Regular Funding Envelope

_____________________________________
Paul Scott, Committee Chairperson, Retired Regional Director of the Agency's Pacific and Yukon Office

_____________________________________
Patricia Larkin, Certified Environmental Educator

_____________________________________
Miriam Diamond, PhD, University of Toronto

Recommended Participant Funding Awards
Vision 2010 Redevelopment Project for Cameco Corporation's Port Hope Conversion Facility

Regular Funding Envelope

Applicant Total award amount recommended
Mr. Christopher Wallace (on behalf of The Pier Group, Port Hope) $5,600
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper $4,400
Total $10,000

Document Reference Number: 15

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