Formal consultations and external event activities

In February 2016, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Environment Agency, and Natural Resources Wales (together referred to as “the environment agencies”) consulted on proposed new guidance on “Requirements for Release of Nuclear Sites from Radioactive Substances Regulation” (for full details of the original consultation, please see the text against the grey background in the section beginning with "Overview" below).

We received comments from 22 organisations and individuals. 

These comments generally supported the environment agencies’ approach. 

Respondents also provided many suggestions for improving the detailed text of our guidance.

We analysed the consultation comments we received, and produced a report on how we planned to act on these comments (available in the Files section below).

We also carried out a two-year period of trial-use at three different sites:

• Dounreay in Scotland
• Trawsfynydd nuclear power station in Wales
• Winfrith in England

A number of themes emerged from the consultation comments, and the learning from the trial-use period, which prompted us to improve the structure and clarity of our guidance.

However, we did not identify the need for any substantive changes to our approach.

We have now published our new guidance entitled “Management of radioactive waste from decommissioning of nuclear sites: Guidance on Requirements for Release from Radioactive Substances Regulation”, also known as the GRR.  The full text of the GRR is available from:

https://www.sepa.org.uk/regulations/radioactive-substances/nuclear-industry

https://naturalresources.wales/guidance-and-advice/environmental-topics/waste-management/management-of-radioactive-waste-guidance/?lang=en

We have also published a brief non-technical summary of the GRR, which is available from:

https://www.sepa.org.uk/regulations/radioactive-substances/nuclear-industry

https://naturalresources.wales/guidance-and-advice/environmental-topics/waste-management/management-of-radioactive-waste-guidance/?lang=en

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/decommissioning-of-nuclear-sites-and-release-from-regulation

We sought comments from public bodies involved in management of the water environment, together with land and water managers, and commercial users about developing the second Scotland river basin management plan.

Comments received were supportive of the proposals set out in the consultation and additional suggestions that will be taken into account as we develop the second plan.

Summaries of the comments received and actions that will be taken are available at http://www.sepa.org.uk/water/river_basin_planning.aspx In 2014 we will consult on the changes that are proposed for the second plans that will be published in 2015.

We sought comments from public bodies involved in management of the water environment. together with land and water managers and commercial users about developing the second Solway Tweed river basin management plan.

Comments received were supportive of the proposals set out in the consultation and additional suggestions were collected that will be taken into account in the development of the second plan.

Summeries of the responses received and actions that will be taken are available at ; http://www.sepa.org.uk/water/river_basin_planning.aspx In 2014 we will consult on the changes that are proposed for the second plans that will be published in 2015.