Kevin Renkema and Dean MacKenzie, Vertex Professional Services Ltd.
February 2023
Executive Summary
In 2018, the Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC) initiated a multi-stage project on the reclamation certification process for sites that were constructed using imported mineral soil pads in peatlands (padded sites). Stage 1 of the project was completed in 2019 and identified knowledge gaps for making decisions to accept or reject requests for a change in land use for padded sites during the reclamation certification process. Stage 2 concluded in 2022 and included the publication of a decision framework and support tools to make decisions related to reclamation certification of padded sites. Stage 2, also re-iterated the knowledge gaps from Stage 1 as well as additional knowledge gaps. Stage 3 is the field research component of the project with four research objectives that addressed the knowledge gaps:
1. Determine factors that result in sustainable forest ecosystem development on padded sites, including access roads, in peatlands
2. Develop a mechanism for detecting and evaluating the effects of pads off-site
3. Determine factors that result in padded sites impacting surrounding peatland ecosystems in the long term and the extent and severity of these impacts
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of partial reclamation activities for alleviating off-site impacts resulting from pads left in place in peatlands
Initial site selection and a pilot study in 2021 to 2022, provided a padded site inventory and preliminary data for the first research objective.
Prior to completing the full research project, research objectives were re-evaluated, site selection was completed, and a sampling methodology was developed. These components of the project are described in this document and summarized below.
Based on the availability of sites for Stage 3 and learnings from the pilot study, it was determined that Objectives 1 to 3 could be addressed with minor revisions, while objective 4 likely cannot be addressed with the current pool of sites and may need to be deferred.
To select sites for Stage 3, the padded site inventory was analyzed and site characteristics assigned. A total of 63 sites were randomly selected from a narrowed down pool of 260 suitable sites. The 260 sites were compatible with the research objectives (e.g., abandoned prior to 2003, reclamation certified, not re-disturbed, padded and located in wetland), and characterized based on research variables (e.g., on-site vegetation cover, off-site wetland type, off-site impacts).
The sampling methodology developed allows for the collection of data for multiple research objectives at each site. Field measurements of vegetation, soil, hydrology, and water quality will be taken as one-time measurements at plots located on the pad and off-site wetland areas and trends may be evaluated using remote sensing.
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