Industrial Development and Reclamation

Last review/updated: April 1, 2008

Photo of some machinery

A number of industrial activities are carried out on public land within Alberta.

This includes Mineral Surface Leases [MSL], Licences of Occupation [LOC], Pipeline Agreements [PLA], Pipeline Installation Leases [PIL], Easements [EZE], Vegetation Control Easements [VCE], and Rural Electrification Association Easements [REA].

Reclamation of industrial and commercial holdings is required for all public land.

Many activities, including upstream oil and gas, sand and gravel, oil sands, and coal operations, are defined as 'specified land' under the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (AEPEA). Reclamation clearance for these types of activities requires a reclamation certificate to be issued once the site is reclaimed. For information regarding reclamation of 'specified land', including the reclamation criteria and application forms currently in use, the following website should be visited: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/protenf/landrec/publications.html.

The application form for borrow operations, pits, quarries, and peat is still under review, so for the present time, clients can use the Request for Reclamation Certificate.

Other types of industrial and commercial activities have reclamation requirements that are not governed by AEPEA and therefore use of this land is termed 'non-specified'. Reclamation clearance is under the jurisdiction of other Acts, primarily the Public Lands Act, and these activities require a Letter of Clearance to be issued once the site is reclaimed.

The previous form can be used for asking for a holding to be cancelled by simply ticking off the second box stating that no entry has occurred at this site. No plan is required. Alternatively, you can submit a short request on your company letterhead stating no entry and requesting that the holding be cancelled.

All requests for reclamation closure on Public Land, whether by Letter of Clearance or Reclamation Certificate should be directed to the Lands Division, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. Requests may also be forwarded via e-mail to: Reclaim.Account@gov.ab.ca (electronic applications).

The document A Guide to: Reclamation Criteria for Wellsites and Associated Facilities - 2007 - Forested Lands in the Green Area  is now available for download

Information Sessions 2003 (Adobe PDF)
  Download PDF Area Operating Agreement (AOA) - overview of changes for new operating year - presented by John Begg (Size 1,370 KB)  
  Download PDF Compliance & Enforcement Program Update - presented by Todd Letwin (1,897 KB)  
  Download PDF Environmental Field Reports & Siting Information Report / Final Plans / Public Lands Handbooks - presented by Adolf Bruneski (Size 57 KB)  
  Download PDF Natural Recovery of Sites - presented by John Begg (Size 1,756 KB).  
  Download PDF Lands Division Issues and Updates - presented by Rose Radomsky and Dianne George (Size 378 KB)