Public Participation In Options For Dounreay Site End State

7th November 2006

ISSUED BY UKAEA, ON BEHALF OF THE DOUNREAY STAKEHOLDER GROUP

Options for the Dounreay site end state are the subject of a public consultation announced today.

While a final decision on the future use of the land does not need to be made for a number of years community views are being sought now to allow the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and its contractor, UKAEA, to finalise their plans for decommissioning the site with greater certainty.

The end state is the physical condition at the point when the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has finished its work.

The options for the end state are:

· Minimal restoration of the site
· Remaining a licensed site, cleared of redundant buildings
· Restored site, with natural attenuation
· Restored site, with early release of land
· Maximum practicable restoration

The NDA has asked the Dounreay Stakeholder Group (DSG) to collate the views of local people and organisations. UKAEA, on behalf of the DSG, has published a consultation document that summaries the issues, the work done so far and the feasible options for dealing with the closure of the site and this will be distributed to over 1000 stakeholders who have registered their interest. The document, and other relevant information, can also be found on the UKAEA website. The closing date for comments on the options is 19 January 2007.

John Farquhar, NDA regional director said, "This is an important opportunity for the community to give its view on what the Dounreay site should be used for once decommissioning is complete. The aim is to arrive at an end state that satisfies the desires of the community, is technically feasible and financially affordable, and is in line with national strategy. We want to hear what people have to say and will make every effort to take those views into account."

Doug Graham, UKAEA project manager said "The work that we have carried out to date has allowed us to consider a range of local values and opinions, and these have been taken into consideration when identifying the options that have been taken forward for consultation. It has been a pleasure to work with the Dounreay Stakeholder Group who have taken an active interest in the work we have done to date on their behalf, and I look forward to continuing that work into the new year."

Alastair MacDonald, Dounreay Stakeholder Group Chairman said "UKAEA has a very good reputation when it comes to public consultation and because of the amount of work already done the DSG was happy to allow the site operator to carry this work forward with a level of scrutiny by the stakeholder group. The DSG Environment Sub Group has been provided with updates at every opportunity, and is content with the way this work is progressing."