Neat and tidy, that’s the way industrial sites have traditionally been managed in the boreal forest. But this approach is increasingly being re-evaluated. Research suggests that although clearing woody materials from sites can provide short-term bene ts in terms of re control, longer-term goals like forest regeneration and biodiversity conservation are often not realized. This has prompted the Government of Alberta to explore new ways to promote enhanced reclamation of industrial sites while managing re risks. Similarly, proactive companies are seeking new reclamation tools in order to achieve a step change in their environmental performance. Woody materials (dead wood such as logs, branches and stumps) are a cost effective tool for realizing this step change. Research shows that the simple act of leaving woody material on reclaimed sites introduces microsites and variability. These microsites serve as critical habitat for a range of native plant species, seedlings, and microorganisms that are essential for the regeneration of forests. Woody material can also provide habitat for forest insects and mammals, and play a key role in nutrient cycles over time. Thus, woody materials represent a signi cant opportunity for reclaiming industrial sites (e.g., oil and gas sites).
To further clarify opportunities related to woody materials, we undertook a literature review to provide recommendations for incorporating woody material into reclamation programs. We used an integrated approach that included: 1) site visits to current in-situ oil sand operations; 2) a review of current policy and regulatory guidelines; 3) a review of scienti c research; and 4) the development of a series of management implications. These steps will serve as a guide to the use of woody material, and assist with e cient planning of reclamation programs. Our review of regulations suggests a gradual evolution in perception towards woody material. Until recently, companies were required to completely remove woody material from sites through piling and burning, as mandated by the Forest and Prairie Protection Act (FPPA). Regulations under the FPPA are designed to limit re risks in the province, and total disposal of woody material was traditionally seen as necessary to achieve this objective. However, recent changes in the 2010 Reclamation Criteria for Wellsites and Associated Facilities on Forested Lands permit, and even encourage, the use of woody material as a reclamation tool. These new criteria balance re risks and reclamation potential by requiring that excessive accumulation of material does not occur on sites, and that piles are not left following operations. The recommendations in this Woody Material Review are therefore focused on defining volume thresholds and techniques that will balance there concerns with reclamation potential. The techniques we identified for managing woody materials included: mulching, rough mulching, chunking, and using whole logs. For the purposes of this review, we focused our e orts on the two most common techniques, mulching, and utilizing whole logs.