Managing Woody Materials on Industrial Sites: Meeting Economic, Ecological and Forest Health Goals

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 benefits in terms of fire 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 fire 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
significant 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 scientific
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 efficient 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 fire 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 fire 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 fire 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
efforts on the two most common techniques, mulching, and utilizing whole logs.