Public Invited To Exhibitions About Particles

10th January 2007

Exhibitions about radioactive particles in the marine environment near Dounreay will open in Caithness next week.

The exhibitions will provide an update of information on the work carried out to date and provide information on a short list of eleven clean-up options identified.

The four-day series is part of a programme of events to involve members of the public in identifying the best practical environment option for a future strategy for particles and follows initial consultation carried out in 2006.

UKAEA has made good progress building up a fuller picture of the extent of the contamination and publication of the Dounreay Particles Advisory Group's 3rd report means the site is now in a position to seek views on a range of clean-up options.

The exhibitions will be held at:

� Royal Hotel, Thurso - 1030-2030hrs, Monday January 15
� Victoria Hall, Reay - 1230-2030hrs, Tuesday, January 16, 2007
� Castletown Drill Hall - 1030-2030hrs, Wednesday, January 17
� Mackays Hotel, Wick - 1030-2030hrs, Thursday, January 18

Independently-facilitated workshops will take place in February when various groups will look at the potential options in depth and views taken into account on the relative importance of the option criteria.

On-going studies, including the views from the consultation on the options will culminate in a recommendation for implementation of a preferred option to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) next year.