Südranden

The geological siting area covers an area of around 24 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 the nearby deep borehole at Benken. The siting area also lies in the Tabular Jura, partly beneath a range of hills, which is favourable in terms of the reliability of geological field investigations. The host rock shows quiet bedding, with no indication of any zones with increased tectonic dissection. The configuration, with strata dipping slightly to the south, thus offers 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 for a deep geological repository for low- and intermediate-level waste in the Opalinus Clay could be constructed in the area shown in green.

Siting communities:
Canton Schaffhausen: Beringen, Guntmadingen, Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Neunkirch, Wilchingen

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: Benken, Dachsen, Feuerthalen, Flurlingen, Laufen-Uhwiesen, Marthalen, Rheinau, Trüllikon

Canton Schaffhausen: Gächlingen, Hallau, Löhningen, Oberhallau, Schaffhausen, Siblingen, Stetten, Trasadingen

Canton Thurgau: Schlatt

Further reading:

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

SR-1 

The area is located in the communities of Wilchingen and Hallau near an existing gravel-pit with an industrial plant. Access to the area is good. Given its location, the area can be seen from all sides and from the surrounding residential zones. The visual impact of the facility could be reduced by placing it in the gravel-pit.

SR-2

The area lies in the community of Beringen near an existing gravel-pit with a concrete plant. Some construction measures would be necessary to provide access. The facility would not be visible from the village of Beringen due to the presence of existing industrial structures, but would be clearly visible from higher-lying residential areas.

SR-3

The area lies in the community of Beringen near the refuse and sewage treatment plant. Some construction measures would be necessary to provide rail access. The area is mainly forested, which would necessitate clearing with replacement planting. Construction of the facility would make a side-hill cut necessary. The facility would be visible from Beringen.

• 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:



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Philip Birkhäuser

Tel. +41 (0)56 437 12 73