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Unit 4 - Land Dispositions

Reclamation Certificate

Forest companies are responsible for reclamation of the area impacted from harvesting under the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. When the 20-year Forest Management Agreement is signed, it includes a 10-year Forest Management Plan; which has the reclamation plan within it.

Part of the Forest Management Plan is an Annual Work Schedule (AWS) outlining forest operations for the current year. This schedule includes where trees will be harvested, roads will be built, and reclamation is to be done.

Reclamation is restoring disturbed land to a healthy, resilient forest ecosystem, that includes establishing a desirable plant community based on the surrounding ecosystem. Not only is the harvested area reclaimed, but the roads used to access the timber must also be restored. Reclamation of roads includes the permanent removal of water crossings; re-contouring of road crown and ditches; and reseeding or planting of the former right-of-way. Disposition holders, including Forestry or Oil and Gas, may also work with other groups, such as First Nations or recreation groups in the reclamation process, taking their needs into consideration.


A variety of silviculture methods are used to restore the forests, including, but not limited to:
  • preparing the site for reclamation
  • planting trees or seeding
  • thinning vegetation and spraying herbicide to remove competition for seedlings
  • protecting the trees from insects and diseases

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Many requirements need to be met before a reclamation certificate is issued. These requirements may include a variety of documents such as reports, surveys, and tests.

The reclamation certificate is signed by a professional member with an association or college that licences professionals in reclamation. If a professional member prepares the document, it is authenticated by that member. If the document is prepared by someone else, the member must determine if they can rely on that document before completing professional sign-off on the reclamation certificate.

By signing-off on the reclamation certificate, the professional is indicating that they have supervised, reviewed, or surveyed the reclamation and it meets acceptable standards.

Reforestation is rigorously regulated by the Alberta Reforestation Standards Science Council. Every year, companies must report all of their harvesting and reforestation activities to maintain their license (disposition) to harvest timber. Plans and operations are audited on a regular basis to ensure that the forest is being managed in a sustainable manner. If the audit determines that operations are sustainable, products can carry the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) stamp, allowing products to be sold in most countries.