Cameco is committed to protecting the health and safety of people and the environment. Major new activities or projects that could impact the environment may require careful review through an environmental assessment.

Vision 2010

Vision 2010 is our plan to clean up, modernize, and improve the appearance of the Port Hope conversion facility. This is a large, long-term investment in Port Hope that builds on work now under way through the Port Hope Area Initiative to address historic low-level waste issues.

The project includes:
• removal and long-term storage of approximately 150,000 cubic metres of inherited waste materials
• removal of a number of the site's 30 buildings
• possible construction of new buildings to improve the look and efficiency of our site

Cameco engaged the community in shaping the Vision 2010 project. In 2005 and 2006, we contracted Gartner Lee Ltd. to conduct a series of community engagement initiatives and produce an independent advisory report with analysis of stakeholder opinions and suggestions.

The regulatory approval process for Vision 2010 began in June 2006 with submission of a project description to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). In May 2009, the CNSC released the final environmental assessment guidelines for the project.

In November 2009, Cameco submitted a project description related to removal of the buildings on the Centre Pier. In January 2010, the CNSC informed us that removal of the buildings on the land we lease from the Commissioners of the Port Hope Harbor should be incorporated into the EA for Vision 2010. A number of individuals and groups have expressed interest in touring the buildings on the Centre Pier. Unfortunately Cameco has been unable to accommodate all of the requests due to safety and security issues. This video tour has been produced to show the current condition of the buildings and give some background information on the history of the site.

In 2010 Cameco submitted the environmental impact statement for the project to the CNSC. The document underwent rigorous review by technical experts at a number of federal and provincial agencies. CNSC staff used the technical information found in that document to prepare a draft comprehensive study report, which was released to the public in 2011. The EA for vision 2010 is expected to conclude in mid-2012.

Once the regulatory approval process is complete and physical work begins, the project will be known as Vision in Motion.

Community Engagement

Consultation is a key part of the environmental assessment process. We have conducted a number of outreach activities to ensure that Port Hope residents and other stakeholders are kept informed as the project moves forward.

NGO Tour - Sept. 25, 2009

Cameco welcomed representatives from Families Against Radiation Exposure (FARE), Port Hope Community Health Concerns Committee and Lake Ontario Waterkeeper for a tour of the Port Hope conversion facility.

A total of 15 individuals from the three organizations participated in the tour. Each of these groups has received funding from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) to participate in the environmental assessment for Vision 2010.

Representatives from CEAA and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) were also present.

Valued Ecosystem Component Workshop - May 7, 2008

Cameco hosted a workshop to gather community input on valued ecosystem components (VECs) that should be considered as part of the EA. VECs are features of the environment selected to be a focus of the EA because of their ecological, social, and economic value, and their potential relationship to the environmental effects of the project.

Introductory Open House - March 18, 2008

Cameco held an open house to mark the launch of the environmental assessment for Vision 2010.

Representatives from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency were also present to provide information about the EA process. The project is currently the focus of a comprehensive study under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.