Dr. Steven Tannas, President of Tannas Conservation Services, and Jennifer Barker, O2 Planning + Design Inc., discuss ways to achieve success in the reclamation process. The information in this presentation is based on the extensive knowledge gained by doing reclamation work in the Calgary area, which involves the stabilization, contouring, maintenance, conditioning, reconstruction and re-vegetation of the land surface.
Some general questions that must be asked during the beginning stage of reclamation include: do the plant systems reintroduced to the environment act as an ecosystem? And is there enough plant diversity and healthy soil? Comprehensive aspects of reclamation include five components: a multidisciplinary team of professionals, pre-planning and site evaluation, scientific approach based design, overviewed by qualified environmental inspections, and a site specific monitoring program. The speakers address each of these components and use an example of a reclamation site which they both personally worked on.
Issues raised in the past by stakeholders include the fear that it is too costly, risky, hard and unnecessary. These concerns were addressed in the presentation. They explained that while the upfront costs were considerable, they were much less expensive than having a reclaimed site fail and needing to do it over again. The risk of site failure is strongly mitigated if the project is properly researched and the correct professionals are hired on from the beginning. They explain that while natural recovery is possible in specific instances with small land areas and minimal soil disturbance, the majority of reclamation needs to be done by professionals in order to recreate a viable ecosystem.
This presentation has been a part of the Canadian Land Reclamation Association Alberta Chapter AGM and Conference, from February 2014.
