Restoring peatlands in the in situ oil sands region of northern Alberta presents a set of challenges that have yet to be properly addressed. The lack of proven, cost-effective methods for restoring peatlands, coupled with a tightening regulatory environment suggest that peatland restoration will likely result in substantial long-term liability, possibly even limiting further development for the oil sands resource. Expanding the array of restoration methods and technologies for peatland management and restoration is of utmost urgency given the importance of energy sector to Canada’s overall economic wellbeing. Several peatland restoration trials on clay well pads as well as OSE pads will be presented. There are two contrasting approaches to restore clay pads. One approach is to completely remove clay cap and create a peat surface followed by donor moss transfer. The other approach is to remove most the clay cap to the surrounding peatland level, thus initiating early peatland development on rewetted mineral substrates. Both approaches have been applied on well pads with promising results. Adaptation of both methods had been used to address additional challenges such as a decommissioned airstrip and a winter road through a rich fen complex built with thick wood chips.
Several OSE peatland reclamation trials will also be presented and discussed.