Study of RC method on reclamation project in the uranium mine (Joint research)

To obtain public understanding on the uranium mining sites reclamation at Ningyo-toge Environmental Engineering Center, it is necessary to conduct appropriate Risk Communication (RC). In this study, to discuss the appropriate Risk communication method on the uranium mining sites reclamation, comparative investigation of risk communication cases which concern the siting of solid waste management facilities and nuclear facilities, and questionnaire survey on the risk perception of landfill were conducted. As a result of comparative investigation, information disclosure and the information supplement are important factor to obtain public trust on the siting plan and developer (government and company). However, it is necessary not only to offer information but also to foster information literacy at the same time. In the cases of best practice on consensus-building toward siting of facilities, there was suggestion that is importance to set up the public participation opportunity at an early planning stage to avoid adversary relationship between stakeholders. As assumption of the public participation, it is necessary the safety assurance of the siting plan and regional development plan cover a long period. As a result of questionnaire survey. It was shown that the almost people worried about health and the environmental impact of radioactive waste; moreover, there are a lot of ratios of the peoples who felt a dangerous and scary sensuously. Public trust on government was very low, Over 60 percent does not trust 'countermeasures at the accident' and nearly 70 percent does not trust the information disclosure at the accident'. 'Questions concern on public trust: countermeasures at the accident, information disclosure at the accident, environmental standard, and environmental technology show significant correlation with risk perception of landfill site. (author)