Footprint Assessment and Long-term Reclamation Planning

The purpose of this project was to assess the disturbance footprint and reclamation progress at the ConocoPhillips Surmont oil sands. This project was conducted in three phases: (1) a scoping study to inventory disturbed land suitable for reclamation, (2) development of a spatial geodatabase using data from the scoping study, and (3) implementation of a 5-year reclamation plan recommending strategies to minimize impacts to land disturbance. These activities supported reclamation targets, such as reducing fragmentation and linear disturbance.

As of 2009 imagery, 1077 ha had reached reclamation endpoints, with additional areas in progress or ready for reclamation, suggesting that reduction targets may have been met by 2011—though documentation from that year lacks full confidence. The study highlights the value of a spatial geodatabase in supporting reclamation planning and tracking environmental impacts on the CPC Surmont lease. By integrating updated disturbance and reclamation data, the database enables accurate footprint assessments, identification of restoration opportunities, and monitoring of progress over time.