EIA AND LONG-TERM EVALUATION IN THE LICENSING PROCESS FOR RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL IN SLOVENIA

The discussion is about the validity of long-term environmental impact assessment (EIA) and its role in the licensing process for radioactive waste disposal in Slovenia. Owing to uncertainties associated with long-term evaluations an alternative approach is suggested for site selection for the repository. The idea behind the new approach is to integrate environmental planning with the optimisation of land-use as a basis for identifying the best site for the repository. This approach is to complement or, eventually, substitute the existing strictly regulatory concept relying upon criteria compliance tied with the performance assessment of the disposal system. It is expected that the new approach will more effectively build confidence among professionals and the public toward siting of radioactive waste disposal. The new approach suggests not to use dose and risk as individual numerical indicators for deciding about acceptability of the proposed disposal system, since they may vary greatly given the large uncertainties connected to future societal characteristics and human exposures. Instead, a concept of reasonable assurance together with the evaluation of interests and potentials for future land-use in the particular environment is suggested.