Peat

Overview

Peat is composed almost entirely of organic matter. It is a product of the partial decomposition of plants growing in wet conditions.

A peat operation is any opening or excavation in, or working of, the surface or subsurface of the ground for the purpose of extracting peat. A peat operation can include the following:

• working
• recovering
• opening up
• proving

A peat operation also includes its associated infrastructure.

Alberta’s government has a variety of policies and procedures that govern peat operations on public lands. These include guidance and information regarding applications , conservation and reclamation plans, and reporting.

Policy

In 2016, the we adopted a new peat policy that governs the allocation and management of peat resources on public land.

We used the integrated resource management system model to design the policy. The policy incorporates cumulative effects in the long-term management of peat resources.

• Allocation and Sustainable Management of Peat Resources on Public Land

Mapping resources

We mapped available peat resources with the least land use constraints. The map guides where peat operators can explore and apply for dispositions.

The mapping manages and reduces impacts to:

• sensitive lands
• fish and wildlife
• species at risk

The peat application area map can be found in the policy directive.

The Peat Application Area dataset depicts available land which may contain peat resources and the requirement of a peat application. Peat exploration is not allowed if there are environmental concerns for water, wildlife or parks. This product represents where a peat harvesting application can be submitted.

The Peat Application Area dataset was created to support the Allocation and Sustainable Management of Peat Resources on Public Land directive.

Exploration

The Process for the Administration and Maintenance of Applications and Dispositions for Peat Operations on Public Land is a general administrative process for:

• obtaining approval for peat exploration
• leasing public land for a peat operation

Exploration is required before applying to begin a peat operation. Exploration confirms whether peatland has sufficient quality and quantity of peat to support a viable commercial operation.

During the exploration phase, additional baseline environmental information must be collected.

Disposition applications

After exploration is completed, a disposition for a Surface Material Lease (SML) may be applied for.

More information is found in the Guide to Surface Materials Lease Information Requirements for Peat Operations.

The policy directive describes applying for a disposition for an SML for peat operations.

An operator must include the following for an application to be considered complete:

• biophysical report
• peat development and operations plan
• conservation and reclamation plan

Applications are submitted in the Electronic Disposition System (EDS).

Reclamation requirements

A variety of reclamation requirements helps government manage the province’s peat operations.

Conservation and reclamation plans

Operators must have conservation and reclamation plans for peat operations. These apply to operations on both public and private land.

More information is found in the Requirements for Conservation and Reclamation Plans for Peat Operations in Alberta.

The process for submitting the Conservation and Reclamation Plan (CRP) has changed, where the CRP is now uploaded using a link that is sent to the disposition holder or land agent. To get the link to upload the CRP, email with the SML disposition number to [email protected].

Reports

Historical operating reports (HORs)

HORs are required from operators who hold more than 500 hectares of disturbed lands approved prior to January 1, 2014. The HORs are reports on reclamation.

HORs must be submitted in 2019, 2021 and every 5 years thereafter until reclamation certification.

The submission deadline is March 31.

Email HORs to: [email protected].

Annual reports

Annual reports must be submitted every year on:

• active peat operations
• operations that have not yet received reclamation certification

These reports must include information about the following for each peat disposition:

• the quantities of peat removed
• the status of reclamation

The Annual Operating Report (AOR) Peat Operations is found on Surface disposition forms under the Pits section.

The annual submission deadline is March 31.

Attach completed AORs to the Annual Return submission in the Electronic Disposition System or email to: [email protected].