Standards established
Alberta has taken steps to ensure that land reclamation work is completed to the same standard.
Since Jan. 1, members of six professional organizations must participate in all land remediation and reclamation work for oil and gas reclamation certificates.
Representatives from the professional groups must also endorse the work upon completion, following a joint practice standard that was developed by the regulatory organizations and the Alberta government.
Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act requires oil and gas operators to conserve and reclaim specified land and obtain a reclamation certificate after drilling and exploration work is complete.
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To obtain a reclamation certificate, the site must be assessed for contamination and cleaned to meet Alberta Environment’s standards. As well, the soil must be replaced and the site replanted.
The six professional organizations account for more than 50,000 professionals within Alberta, including agrologists, biologists, engineers, geoscientists and foresters.
Certificates are issued to operators when their sites have been successfully reclaimed.
For more information, visit www.environment.alberta.ca.
Service award
The Horse Industry Association of Alberta has presented Doug Milligan with its distinguished service award.
The award is presented to an individual who has significantly contributed to the continued development of the province’s horse industry.
Milligan became the first head of Alberta’s horse industry branch in 1974. During his 33-year career with the branch, he helped build Alberta’s reputation as a leader in the equine world.
Between 1974 and his retirement in 2007, he was involved in many key industry building programs and projects, marketing and promotional initiatives including the Alberta Horse Improvement Program, the Alberta Horse Evaluation System, annual evaluation days and extension programs geared to adults and producers.
He was also instrumental in numerous research programs and helped establish the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s equine health research fund.
Organic manuals
Canadian Organic Growers has launched a new series of technical manuals for organic agriculture.
The first manual is Living With Worms in Organic Sheep Production. It was written by veterinarian and farmer Dr. Peter Stockdale and deals with sheep health issues that stem from internal parasites.
Stockdale said the situation is challenging for organic sheep producers because treatments with conventional anthelmintics are allowed only when preventive measures fail.
The practical skills series and other organic handbooks are available from Canadian Organic Growers at www.cog.ca or by phoning 888-375-7383.
Living With Worms is also available through selected sheep and wool growers’ associations.
