Guidelines for Alternative Soil Handling Procedures During Pipeline Construction

The intent of this report is to provide a simple guideline to follow when dealing or confronted
with problem soils that require alternative soil handling procedures, while meeting the main criteria of achieving equivalent land capability as expressed in the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. It is the belief of the Soil Handling Review Committee that meeting the equivalent land capability objective may be achieved in more than one way. The procedures chosen should be based on a survey of the biophysical conditions along the pipeline route and the recommendations of a qualified professional with pedological expertise. The should also include recognition of physical construction constraints. The final accountability rests with the pipeline owner. The role of government is to review applications to ensure that reasonable plans are in place and to audit the final results for achievement of objectives.
Emphasis must be placed on the fact that guidelines are guidelines. They are a set of
principles or instructions set forth as a guide (Avis et al. 1979). Based on present knowledge and experience, they provide the best assessment about what will achieve the desired results. They are not a precise method, they do not ensure ideal results under all conditions and they are not in themselves a substitute for accountability.
Although these guidelines were approached from a perspective which included all ecological
areas and landuses, the main concern, and, therefore primary focus, is directed toward agricultural landuse.