The plan approval procedure for facilities for ultimate radioactive waste storage

The main result to be mentioned is the fact that the projected work at Gorleben salt mine to prepare the abandoned shafts for use as an ultimate storage facility will require an operation plan approval under mining law, and plan approval under section 9 b of the atomic energy law. Thus, 'parallel' procedures to obtain the licenses required are to be initiated. There are no objections to be raised from the point of view of law or feasibility against structuring the plan approval procedure into various steps and stages, and proceeding towards licensing by way of preliminary plan approval subject to final approval. This will allow planning for practical work on site to be authorised in subsequent steps so that the parallel activities of prospecting and construction can be planned, examined, decided upon and carried out step by step. (orig./HSCH)