The concepts important to the regulation of reclaimed land have been evolving and will continue to evolve. We have gone from emphasis on "equal to or greater than productivity" to emphasis on "capability". As the evolution of concepts relating to reclamation will continue, interim positions must be established. This is being done by the Department of Environment. At present reclamation criteria are set for five (5) year periods corresponding to periods of renewal for Development and Reclamation Approvals.
The usefulness of reclaimed land can now be documented. Success stories are evident. Swallows have come back to Whitewood. So have deer, coyotes and rodents. Yields of 45 bushels to the acre of certified barley seed have been grown on reclaimed land. Hay production up to 2 tons/acre in areas yielding the same or slightly lower have been obtained on reclaimed land. Sodic areas have yielded 1.5 tons/acre, a value respectable for similar soils in the same area. Reclaimed land can be useful. Goal posts are required. Industry needs to know what the overall rules of the game are. As much as the administrative levels of government have tried to provide industry with guidelines and standards political priorities have prevailed. Whenever I played football I always knew the rules, where the goal line was and how far I had to run to score points. T he big goal of reclamation is certification.
The provision of criteria and government needs will help industry determine its game plan. The requirements for expediting land use decisions include: a well understood process for resolving conflicts and a system which would permit the objective comparison of different land capabilities.