5 research outputs found
The Alberta Pipeline Environmental Steering Committee: A Model for Cooperative Resolution of Issues
In the past, industry and government independently conducted research and gathered information to address environmental issues. The results were not always mutually accepted."/jats:p" "jats:p"A number of emerging environmental issues arose in the mid 1980’s that demanded mutual resolution. As a result, the Alberta Pipeline Environmental Steering Committee was established in 1988."/jats:p" "jats:p"The Committee initially consisted of industry and government representatives. The membership has since been increased to include landowner representation, local government, federal interests and contractors."/jats:p" "jats:p"The Committee has four main purposes:"/jats:p" "jats:p"1. To assist government, industry and other interest groups in their pursuit of environmental protection and economical pipeline planning, construction, operation, abandonment and reclamation in Alberta;"/jats:p" "jats:p"2. To act as a vehicle for government to receive input from industry and other interest groups during policy formation;"/jats:p" "jats:p"3. To identify, prioritize and make recommendations for workable solutions on Alberta pipeline environmental issues and;"/jats:p" "jats:p"4. To help implement recommendations by organizations represented on the Committee."/jats:p" "jats:p"The benefits of this model are agreement on issue identification and mutual resolution. The success of the model has resulted in it being adopted for other sectors as well
Reclamation security deposits in Alberta
Alberta regulations require mining operators to post security deposits for reclamation. After fifteen years of administering the collection and refunding of security, the Land Conservation and Reclamation Council recognized the need to review procedures for security deposits. The key element is a “partial return” of security for reclamation work conducted prior to issuance of a final reclamation certificate for the site. The system is based on maintaining sufficient security to equal the remaining reclamation costs, returning “excess” security, removing security inequities between mines, providing a financial return and credit for reclamation work, limiting government liability, and functioning within existing legislation. The system was developed in conjunction with the mining industry, ensuring a cooperative, workable approach.Non UBCUnreviewedOthe
The Whitewood Mine lake construction project
Alberta's regulatory process for coal mine reclamation
utilizes a cooperative approach. The value of this approach will
increase through the 1990s as demand for public participation
increases. The Alberta Government Development and Reclamation
Review Committee, the County of Parkland, and TransAlta Utilities
Corporation cooperated to ensure that a useful lake and surrounding
landscape would be constructed to replace two lakes that had to be
drained in advance of mining at the Whitewood Mine. The goal of
the reclamation process is to achieve sustainable development.
This ensures that present day use of resources does not compromise
future land use. The replacement lake occupies 18.5 hectares
within a reclaimed area of 126 hectares. The lake and adjacent
land will be exchanged with the Alberta Government for the land
under the two drained lakes, as well as an additional quarter
section of land required by TransAlta for future mining. The
overall exchange will be for equivalent land areas. Through
numerous meetings of the three principals, the lake site was
designated to have the potential for development as a put-and-take
fishery, wildlife habitat area, day-use recreation area, and
parkland area. Special features incorporated in the lake design
were a picnic area, campsite, boat launch and beach. The design
process was started in 1982, construction was carried out in
1987/88, and the area surrounding the lake was revegetated in
1988/89. Monitoring of lake development and revegetation is ongoing.Non UBCUnreviewedOthe