Work is currently underway on construction of a new 17.3 km surface grade and 16.5 km of new tunnels for westbound rail traffic on the CP Rail mainline between Golden and Revelstoke, B.C. Most of the work is being conducted in Glacier National Park. Detailed plans and contract specifications for the reclamation of approximately 150 ha of surface disturbance were developed with the objectives of controlling erosion, providing a permanent vegetation cover and reintegrating the disturbed lands with the surrounding terrain to reduce the visual impact of the project. The plans were based on results from two years of reclamation research and were submitted to Parks Canada and the Federal Environmental Assessment Panel established for the project. The plans were approved in a detailed agreement between CP Rail and Parks Canada. Stringent reclamation standards have been established for the project. Major reclamation work was initiated with construction in 1984 with an extensive program of soil salvage and use, seeding and woody shrub planting.
This paper details the planning process for environmental protection and reclamation on the project. Details of the implementation of the planned program, now in it's third year, are presented. The project provides a unique example of how engineering design and environmental design can be integrated to
develop a program which is of benefit to all. Special reclamation techniques for stabilization and revegetation of steep slopes have been developed and are presented.