Vertex, Enviro Q&A Services, NAIT, & Innotech Alberta
March 2023
2020-RRRC-05-G
Executive Summary
In 2018, the Petroleum Technology Alliance of Canada (PTAC) initiated a multi-stage project on the reclamation certification process for sites that were constructed using imported mineral soil pads in peatlands, and upland sites with vegetation on a trajectory to approximate natural forest vegetation but with one or more reclamation deficiencies according to the forested land criteria. These sites cannot receive a reclamation certificate without additional scrutiny and professional justification under current regulatory criteria and policies. The goal of the overall project is to ensure that decisions made during the reclamation certification process result in the best possible ecological outcome (i.e., net environmental benefit) for these sites and surrounding region. This document is focused on upland sites; a separate document has been prepared for sites that were constructed using imported mineral soil pads in peatlands.