Jura Ost

The geological siting area covers an area of around 27 square kilometres. The preferred host rock is the Opalinus Clay (with its confining units).

Understanding of the spatial conditions in the area is based on 2D seismic investigations and results from a deep borehole (Riniken). The siting area is located in a region that has partly been tectonically overprinted by the folding of the Jura mountains (precursory folding zone). For this reason, the host rock has areas with largely quiet bedding as well as zones with tectonic elements; these occur mainly in the marginal zones of the siting area.

In general, the host rock shows quiet bedding, with a slight dip to the south, and offers a certain degree of flexibility in terms of the layout of the disposal caverns and tunnels.

Overall, the siting area is evaluated as being very suitable. 

The underground installations of a deep geological repository for high-level waste in Opalinus Clay could be constructed in the area shown in orange.

Siting communities:
Canton Aargau: Brugg, Effingen, Elfingen, Gallenkirch, Linn, Mönthal, Oberbözberg, Remigen, Riniken, Unterbözberg, Villnachern, Zeihen

Planning perimeter for surface facilities

The required surface infrastructure (e.g. the portal of the access tunnel) could also be located outside this siting region. Working together with the affected Cantons and representatives from Germany, the Federal Government has defined planning zones (so-called planning perimeters) that include these additional areas. The planning perimeter extends up to 5 km around the geological siting region and should have good road or rail access. Mountainous and hilly zones and protected natural areas are restricting factors. The Federal Office of Energy announced the planning perimeters in provisional form on 10th December 2009; these were approved by the Federal Council on 30th November 2011.

Additional communities within the planning perimeter (besides the siting communities):

Canton Aargau: Birmenstorf, Birr, Böttstein, Bözen, Döttingen, Frick, Gansingen, Gebenstorf, Gipf-Oberfrick, Habsburg, Hausen, Herznach, Holderbank, Hornussen, Kaisten, Laufenburg, Lupfig, Mettauertal, Mülligen, Oeschgen, Rüfenach, Scherz, Schinznach-Bad, Schinznach-Dorf, Turgi, Ueken, Untersiggenthal, Veltheim, Villigen, Windisch, Wittnach, Würenlingen

A common planning perimeter was designated for siting regions that are suitable for both low- and intermediate-level and high-level waste.

Further reading:

What is the surface facility?
Participatory approach to identifying the siting areas
Requirements on the siting areas

JO-1

The area lies in the community of Hornussen in an agricultural zone to the south of the A3 motorway. It is adjacent to an industrial zone located in the community of Frick. Construction measures would be required to provide rail access to the area. The facility would not be visible from larger residential areas, but would be from a few individual buildings to the north of the motorway.

JO-2

The area lies in the community of Bözen and partly in Effingen in an agricultural zone along the A3 motorway. Accessing the area would require construction measures. The facility would be partly visible from residential areas. In particular, the surface facility for a HLW or combined repository would have to be partially embedded in the sloping terrain.

JO-3

The area lies in the community of Villigen and partly in Böttstein, in the immediate vicinity of ZWILAG and the Federal Government interim storage facility. A large part of the area was used previously for gravel quarrying and, since re-cultivation, has been used for agriculture. The cantonal road would have to be relocated. The facility would be only poorly visible from residential zones.

JO-4

The area lies in the community of Würenlingen, adjacent to ZWILAG and the Federal Government interim storage facility. It is mainly in a wooded area, meaning that clearing and replacement planting would be necessary. Accessing the area is straightforward. The facility would not be visible from residential zones.

• The Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) is responsible for the sectoral plan process. Further information and contact persons for questions on the sectoral plan can be found under: www.bfe.admin.ch/radioaktiveabfaelle

• The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) (until 31 December 2008: HSK) is the regulatory authority for all questions relating to safety. Further information can be found under: www.ensi.ch

• For questions to Nagra on your region:



• Philipp Senn     Tel. +41 (0)56 437 12 88