The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has criticised the Ministry of Defence (MOD)’s handling of nuclear waste at a site near the Trident base in Faslane, on the River Clyde.
According to a report on the investigative journalism site The Ferret, SEPA staff visiting the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Coulport in August 2017 found untested waste material from submarines – some of it potentially radioactive – had become mixed with other waste.
The incident raises the possibility that radioactive waste could have been taken off site and disposed of in the same manner as non-radioactive waste. SEPA also said the MoD was in breach of its responsibilities with respect to the manner in which it should inform SEPA about waste incidents.
When an environmental incident occurs, there is an obligation to inform SEPA “without delay”, and to provide a written report within 14 days.
Documents released under freedom of information legislation seemingly show that no radioactive waste left the site, but this was only because civilian waste contractors refused to pick up the incorrectly processed waste.
In a letter sent to the MoD SEPA said it considered this type of incident “significant” and that it would have considered issuing a formal written warning if it had occurred on the watch of a civilian contractor.
In comments made to The Ferret, SEPA chief officer John Kenny said the incident highlighted concerns about the adequacy of arrangements for radioactive waste handling at the site.
SNP defence spokesperson Stewart McDonald MP called for the MOD to be made accountable to the Scottish Government for the environmental impact of its operations in Scotland. He said it wasn’t the first time the MoD appeared to have been in breach of safety guidelines, “so it seems lessons are not being learned,” he said.
