North of Lägern

The geological siting area covers an area of around 65 square kilometres. The host rock formations occurring within the area are the claystone sequence Brauner Dogger and 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 (Weiach). 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 increased tectonic dissection.

 

Overall, the siting area is evaluated as being suitable.

The underground installations for a deep geological repository for low- and intermediate-level waste in the host rocks Opalinus Clay and Brauner Dogger could be constructed in the area shown in green.

 

Siting communities:
Canton Zürich: Bachs, Bülach, Eglisau, Glattfelden, Hochfelden, Neerach, Niederweningen, Oberweningen, Schleinikon, Schöfflisdorf, Stadel, Weiach
Canton Aargau: Fisibach, Schneisingen, Siglistorf

 

 

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 Zürich: Bachenbülach, Dielsdorf, Embrach, Höri, Hüntwangen, Niederglatt, Niederhasli, Oberglatt, Rafz, Rorbas, Steinmaur, Wasterkingen, Wil, Winkel

Canton Schaffhausen: Buchberg, Rüdlingen

Canton Aargau: Ehrendingen, Endingen, Freienwil, Kaiserstuhl, Lengnau, Mellikon, Rekingen, Rümikon, Unterendingen, Wislikofen

A surface facility is required for the operation of a geological repository. A suitable site for the facility will be decided by the public and the authorities together with Nagra. Nagra has proposed four potential areas for the North of Lägern region and these will serve as the basis for discussions with the siting region. The exact delimitation of the area, its access and the specification of the underground access to the repository will be made at a later planning stage, after discussion with local stakeholders and licensing authorities. Different parts of the area marked in red will be used depending on the type of repository (HLW, L/ILW, combined).

Further reading:

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

NL-1

 

 

The area is located in the community of Mellikon and partly in Rekingen. The eastern section is used for agriculture, while the western section is in an industrial zone and is already developed with good access. Two factory buildings would have to be demolished to allow construction of the facility. The facility would not be clearly visible from residential areas.

 

NL-2

 

 

The area lies in the community of Weiach close to an existing gravel-pit. A small part is used today for agriculture. Construction measures would be required to provide access to the area. It is visible particularly from the north, but this could be minimised by lowering the facility to the level of the bottom of the gravel-pit.

 

NL-3

 

 

The area lies in the community of Glattfelden close to existing gravel quarrying zones; these are partly re-cultivated and used for agriculture. Rail access to the area would be costly. Given the topographic situation, the facility would not be visible from larger population centres.

 

NL-4

 

 

The area lies in the community of Glattfelden and partly in Bülach close to an existing gravel-pit. Access would be relatively straightforward using the existing transport axes. The area would not be visible from larger residential zones.

 

Clay-rich rock formations are particularly suitable for disposal of radioactive waste. For a low- and intermediate-level waste repository, the focus in the North of Lägeren region is on the Opalinus Clay. This formation is around 180 million years old; in the area it occurs at a depth of 450 to 780 metres below the surface and is around 110 metres thick. The potential host formation also includes the overlying "Brauner Dogger" clay sequence, which is 60 to 110 metres thick and located 400 to 725 metres below the surface.

Geological profile from north-north-west to south-south-east through the siting region North of Lägeren. The grey arrows mark the host rocks "Brauner Dogger" and Opalinus Clay.

• 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:



    Questions by E-Mail 

 
    Information by telephone    

• Simon Rinderknecht     Tel. +41 (0)56 437 12 99

2012 (20th January)	At a media conference held by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), Nagra announces its proposals for potential siting areas for the surface facility. These will serve as the basis for discussions within the framework of regional participation.
2011 (30th November)	The Federal Council decides to include the siting region North of Lägern in the further Sectoral Plan process. Stage 1 of the process is completed and Stage 2 initiated.
2010 (1st September)	Start of the public consultation phase on Stage 1 of the site selection process for deep geological repositories.
2010 (26th February)	The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) approves Nagra's proposed siting regions following a review of safety and engineering feasibility aspects.
2009 (10th December)	Announcement of the provisional planning perimeter by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE).
2008 (20th November)	Glattfelden. Together with the ENSI and Nagra, the SFOE provides information on the proposals for geological siting regions.
2008 (6th November)	Announcement by the SFOE of the proposed siting regions for deep geological repositories.
2008 (2nd April)	The Federal Council approves the conceptual part of the sectoral plan for deep geological repositories.
1993	Completion of the site investigations for low- and intermediate-level waste, comparative assessment of the results for the four sites, proposal of the Wellenberg site.
1991 – 1992	Regional seismic investigations between the river Aare and Lake Constance (2D seismics).
1988	Recognition by the Federal Council of the feasibility and safety of disposing of low- and intermediate-level waste in Switzerland.
1985	Submission of Project Gewähr to the federal authorities (demonstration of the feasibility and safety of disposing of all types of radioactive waste in Switzerland).
1982 – 1984	Regional seismic investigations in the area Olten – Schaffhausen.
1982 – 1983	Weiach (ZH) borehole.