Pipeline Environmental Construction Monitoring

Project Summary

X-Terra Environmental Services Ltd. was commissioned in 2018 to complete environmental monitoring of construction activities on their 58km Mid-stream Product Pipeline. X-Terra conducted overall environmental monitoring for pipeline construction, HDD and reclamation operations between November 2018 and November 2019.  A key component of the project was the underground crossing of the North Saskatchewan River by horizontal directional drill, for which X-Terra conducted turbidity monitoring (both on-ice and utilizing jet boats) as part of the frac-out release plan. X-Terra conducted and managed all spill response, reporting documentation and clean-up efforts.

Upon completion of pipeline construction activities, X-Terra monitored all aspects of the reclamation efforts. This involved subsidence evaluation and re-shading, soil horizon separation, replacement and admixing evaluation, as well as erosion control planning, cover crop and native area seeding mix determination. The project required 10 environmental monitors, and due to the multiple components of the project being simultaneously constructed, diligent project management, client liaison and communication throughout the project was essential in its successful execution. X-Terra also provided Indigenous and Cultural Monitors for the North Saskatchewan River Valley and operations therein. 

Our Role

X-Terra conducted overall environmental monitoring and documentation of construction activities. Our role including biophysical component monitoring including rare plant surveys and wildlife surveys as well as activity setback establishment. Construction component monitoring included soil stripping and salvage planning, spill response and cleanup efforts, and permitting for de-watering the right-of-way as required. Reclamation monitoring included erosion control, subsidence evaluation and seed mix determination.

X-Terra compiled the details of all operations and completed a comprehensive As-Built report outlining the chronological sequence of events and operations to satisfy the requirements of the project regulatory permits and approval.

Services Provided

·      Pre-construction rare plant surveys, wildlife surveys, and nest sweeps

·      Indigenous and Cultural Monitoring

·      ROW de-watering permitting and documentation

·      HDD frac-out monitoring

·      North Saskatchewan River turbidity monitoring

·      Reclamation monitoring

·      Soil horizon replacement and documentation

·      ROW seeding management and documentation