Participatory approach to identifying the siting areas

January 2012 At a media conference held by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), Nagra announces potential siting areas for a surface facility in each of the six proposed repository siting regions.

From February 2012 Within the framework of regional participation, the public and the authorities in the siting regions discuss the proposals made by Nagra. They can also make their own suggestions and Nagra will consider whether these can be implemented. For each siting region, the aim is to agree on at least one siting area for the surface facility. The regions can also express their views on the layout and accessing of the facility.

From the end of 2012 Based on the results of the collaborative process, and in agreement with the region, Nagra designates at least one siting area per planning perimeter for further consideration in Stage 2 of the Sectoral Plan process.

How much weight is attached to the wishes and concerns of the regions?

The surface facility of a deep repository can be constructed at different locations; the layout is also flexible and it will be integrated as far as possible into the region. The wishes and concerns of the local people carry great weight. Nagra therefore works together with the potential siting regions in planning the location and layout of the surface facility, as specified in the Sectoral Plan for Deep Geological Repositories. Nagra will base its proposals for siting areas to be followed up for the surface facility on the results of this collaboration. The wishes of the public and the authorities will be taken into account in so far as they can be implemented safely and at reasonable cost.

Shaft installations are also required in addition to the surface facility. The associated small buildings at the surface are located above the repository. Their exact location will be decided at a later stage.