Dounreay Second Consultation
Issued on 13 November 1997 - Ref 41/97

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) today begins the second consultation on the 1993 application by UKAEA to dispose of radioactive wastes from Dounreay. SEPA is consulting on the Dounreay Certificates of Authorisation that SEPA is minded to grant under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993.

Background

Following his consideration of the first round of consultation, The Secretary of State for Scotland noted that the authorisations had been significantly amended from those that were originally consulted upon and, as a result, invited SEPA to initiate a fresh consultation process.

Consultation Timescale

The consultation period begins on 17 November and ends on 23 February 1998. Any interested parties are invited to make submission within the above timescale.

‘SEPA invites interested parties to make submissions so that new authorisations can be issued’ said Professor David Mackay, SEPA’s North Region Director, ‘UKAEA is currently operating under outdated authorisations dating from as early as 1972 and, as the regulator, SEPA is minded to grant new authorisations as soon as possible. It is important that these authorisations reflect current thinking and that all views are taken into account. SEPA is committed to openness and accountability and this is an excellent opportunity for the issue to be debated fully and fairly.’

Documentation

The two-volume second consultation package is being sent to all respondents who made a substantive reply to the initial public consultation carried out in 1995/96. Copies are being placed in the National Library for Scotland; Scottish public libraries; all SEPA offices; Scottish Local Authorities’ Head Offices and the British Lending Library in order to ensure wide public access.

Volume One contains a brief introduction, copies of the draft certificates of Authorisation and an outline of the detailed reasoning behind SEPA’s decision on the first public consultation. Volume Two contains documentation from the first consultation package.

A press pack with a summary and chronology is available from SEPA Public Affairs. A copy of the Certificates of Authorisation SEPA is minded to grant along with summary details of the changes made to the Certificates of Authorisation that were subject to the first public consultation have been made available on the Internet at the SEPA website. not available

How to Respond

Responses to the consultation should be sent to:

Scottish Environment Protection Agency
PO Box 5708
Dingwall
IV15 9YS

SEPA will only take account of responses made in English or Scottish Gaelic.

Responses should be made as soon as possible, and no later than 23 February 1998.

What Happens Next?

At the end of the consultation period the submissions will be categorised, recorded and considered by SEPA staff. The decision will then go before SEPA’s North Board for consideration before being submitted to the main Agency Board for a decision. All SEPA Board meetings are open to the public. SEPA will then submit the Authorisations it is minded to grant to the Secretary of State for Scotland.

What are the changes SEPA has made?

The changes to the Certificates of Authorisation that which were originally consulted upon during the first consultation are:

• the authorised limits for most gaseous and liquid disposals be reduced so that they more closely reflect expected discharges
  
• a requirement for a thorough and exacting review of the performance of the radioactive waste treatment systems, plants and facilities with regard to the application of Best Practicable Means (BPM) for minimising discharges
  
• a requirement to use an ultrafiltration pilot plant for routine operations hence reducing radioactive discharges to the marine environment
  
• a requirement for the reporting of events relevant to SEPA’s functions
  
• a requirement for a compilation of an inventory of the radioactivity in terms of total alpha and total beta/gamma in all the waste disposed to the shallow land disposal facility (the Dounreay pits)
  
• the authorised limit for most liquid disposals further reduced
  
• a requirement for waste from the reprocessing of overseas nuclear material to be returned as soon as practicable and no later than 10 years
  
• the various processes that are carried out at Dounreay are explicitly identified in the authorisations
  
• a requirement to undertake a Best Practicable Environmental Option study (BPEO) on its decisions for waste management
  
• a requirement for a review of the means of removing waste from the reprocessing of overseas nuclear material and the ability of any originating country to receive the waste
  
• a requirement to eliminate all particulate matter above 0.1 micrometres from atmospheric discharges and above 60 micrometres from liquid discharges
  
• in September SEPA’s main board ratified a change to the return of waste clause such that it would apply to any overseas nuclear material brought to Dounreay after 21 August 1997
  

ENDS

SEPA Press Office contacts

Press Officer: Maggie Hamilton. Tel: 01786 457724 Mobile 0370 686073
Head of Public Affairs: Monica Straughan. Tel: 01786 457723 Mobile 0421 942498

SEPA Head Office, Erskine Court, The Castle Business Park, STIRLING FK9 4TR
Tel: 01786 457700 Fax: 01786 448040

Contact SEPA Public Affairs at publicrelations@sepa.org.uk

© SEPA 1997