Solstice’s Aerial Perspective On Drones

Drones are a hot topic on social media and news stories, with an endless stream of breathtaking videos taken from places we never thought possible before. Drones are an amazing tool for photography and video, but drones have many more applications. Unmanned Air Vehicles (commonly referred to as drones or UAVs) are also taking us into the future of data collection. These high tech flying robots allow us to collect data from a wide array of sensors at unbelievable precision, speed, safety, and cost savings compared to conventional methods like manned aircraft and satellite.

UAVs have as much endless potential to solve industry challenges as they do options for moving freely around the sky. Sensor hardware for UAVshas become lighter and more durable without loss of accuracy. Processing large volumes of sensor data has become efficient and cost effective allowing quick turnaround for clients. Today low cost UAVs are able to collect weeks worth of data at industry standard accuracies in a single flight. UAVs can provide mapping, 3D modelling, volume calculations, and environmental analysis (plant health etc.).

Regulatory

With every new disruptive technology comes regulatory issues. When cars were first hitting the streets there were huge fears of the potential dangers of these new metal machines could cause. Once we started to mitigate the risks and implement a framework for vehicles to safely operate, they became common place and replaced horse drawn carriages allowing us to take advantage of their huge benefit in saving time on travel and carrying large loads of goods great distances.

UAVs are no different. Despite the huge potential of growth and revolution of many industries, UAVs are limited right now by the regulatory framework and misconstrued fears that UAVs will be used for evil instead of good. For every negative use for drones there are hundreds of revolutionary uses for UAVs. While Canada is a world leader in UAV legislation, we still have a long way to go before UAVs full potential can be harnessed. Currently the biggest hurdle in Canada is to obtain a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) which enables commercial UAV businesses to operate legally if they adhere to strict rules. Almost every SFOC across the country is different but some of the common rules are maintaining visual line of site, operating 100ft away from roads, structures, and people, and operating under 300ft and a safe distance from aerodromes.

This is a great start compared to the regulations in other countries like the USA which requires a full pilots licence and lengthy application process to operate UAVs commercially. What will set Canada apart from the rest of the world and take UAV’s to the next level of efficiency for surveying, inspections, and data collection is the ability to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). Transport Canada has been working with the industry to develop a framework from BVLOS operations and are expected to announce new regulations in 2017. Until then we must work within the regulations to take advantage of this revolutionary data collection tool.

Solstice’s Innovative approach

Solstice is exploring these possibilities with UAVs utilizing our existing strengths in remote sensing and GIS to save our clients time and money. With over 40 years combine experience in GIS & remote sensing we understand how to manage large amounts of data and turn raw data into actionable results and products for our clients. Whether that be from an unmanned or manned aircraft or satellite, we know data is data no matter the source. From innovative wetland mapping to superior data collection and 3D site re-creation for phase I site assessments & spill response, Solstice is on the forefront of what is possible with UAVs! Analysing and interpreting multispectral, thermal, LIDAR, and visual data collected from UAVs, manned aircraft and satellites into actionable data available to our clients via our custom web mapping portal. Allowing people from all levels of technical backgrounds to view the layers from any phone, tablet, or laptop.

Do you want to know more about our cost saving and innovate wetland mapping products, webportal or 3D Site reconstruction? Contact us now to see how Solstice expertise and experience can save you time and money on your next project.

Check back soon to see more in depth case studies of Solstice’s use of UAVs and remote sensing in the environmental industry.

Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve

Solstice Canada Corp. is pleased to announce the successful designation of the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve, in the Beaver Hills area east of Edmonton, Alberta’s second biosphere reserve and Canada’s 17th. This international designation from UNESCO recognizes the efforts of the Beaver Hills Initiative (BHI), a voluntary collaboration of federal, provincial and municipal governments, ENGOs, research and academic institutions, industry and the public in promoting sustainable development within the Beaver Hills. The designation allows the BHBR to share and learn from 564 other biosphere reserves in 109 countries, gaining from other’s experiences in protecting biodiversity and cultural heritage through sustainable development approaches.

Solstice Canada has been a proud supporter of the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve, serving as the lead consultant on preparation of the nomination document, and on the Land Management Framework, a central component of the BHI’s approach to sustainable development. Volunteers from Solstice Canada have helped in various citizen science, research and outreach activities within the Beaver Hills, contributing our passion for this amazing landscape to initiatives designed to involve members of the entire community in the future biosphere reserve. We look forward to continuing to contribute to the new Biosphere Reserve, and future efforts to sustain this ecologically and culturally significant area.

Checkout the official press release here 

http://www.beaverhills.ca/media/resources/Beaver_Hills_Biosphere_-_March_21_2016.pdf

Find BHI on Facebook and Twitter

www.facebook.com/BHIBiosphere

https://twitter.com/bhibiosphere

News Articles

https://uofa.ualberta.ca/news-and-events/newsarticles/2016/march/beaver-hills-area-named-unesco-biosphere-reserve

https://albertaculture.wordpress.com/2016/03/24/east-of-edmonton-on-the-beaver-hills-unesco-biosphere-reserve/

Toluene in Peatlands: Emerging Problems in the Oil and Gas Industry of Alberta

There are many challenges environmental consultants encounter during an investigation and one of them is being able to correctly identify contamination.  Hydrocarbons are common contaminants on oil and gas sites, but can also be found in soil as a result of natural processes.

One such hydrocarbon is toluene, and evaluators must use a combination of scientific knowledge and professional judgement to distinguish between real impacts and natural occurrences. Toluene is a constituent of crude oil and is a product of biogenesis, or natural production, particularly in peatlands which have high organic matter contents.

On February 25, Solstice Canada Corp. presented at the 2016 Canadian Land Reclamation Association Conference on the biogenesis of toluene underneath well pads on peatlands. In a recent series of Phase II environmental site assessments, Solstice discovered isolated appearances of toluene limited to the peat layers of a soil profile at several well sites. The high levels of toluene observed were not due to contamination typically observed at wellsites, it was isolated from other site contaminants, was not located in areas of potential concern, and did not appear to be a by-product of the breakdown of other common contamination. For these reasons toluene contamination at the sites seemed unlikely.

Haleigh Mines, a University of Alberta Augustana campus Environmental Science student, helped Solstice conduct a literature review on the presence of toluene in northern Alberta peatlands. Her review revealed that microbes in soil with low oxygen concentrations are responsible for the biodegradation of organic matter which produces toluene, and that this mechanism is especially prevalent in cold weather climates like here in Alberta[1]. Well pads are generally constructed and packed using clay backfill material and potentially creates a barrier preventing oxygen from diffusing into the peat. Solstice’s findings showed that toluene levels were considerably higher at the wellsites than in background locations and it appeared that toluene was accumulating beneath the pad in these anaerobic conditions. This is a previously undocumented effect that may have implications for remediation and reclamation planning.

The differentiation of natural toluene from contamination is an emerging issue in the oil and gas industry.  This is important because toluene is toxic to fish, freshwater invertebrates[2], and amphibians[3] at very low concentrations (in the parts per billion ranges) and is largely un-researched in peatlands leaving many questions to be answered. Solstice’s work was based on preliminary results mainly from data collected at bog ecositesand information for other ecosites remains unavailable. What would the implications be if the pads were in a fen? Is there any room for improvement in sampling design or analytical technique? What about the potential to develop a background-based guideline? What other apparent contaminants could arise from biogenesis in peatlands? How do contaminants specifically affect peatland receptors?

Alberta’s Tier 1 Guidelines[4] for peat are based on coarse mineral soil and is not representative of peatlands. Solstice speculated that under certain circumstances toluene accumulation under clay pads may be appropriately addressed during reclamation and may not require remediation, but each region is unique. Solstice Canada Corp. is currently conducting a meta-analysis by pooling data from other environmental assessments in the northern Alberta peatlands that had come across similar instances with elevated toluene under a well pad. More research is required to further establish the guidelines and a better understanding of several issues would be a key addition for the development of guidelines specific to peatlands.

[1]Jüttner, F. and J.J. Henatsch. 1986. Anoxic hypolimnion is a significant source of biogenic toluene. Nature, 323, 797-798. doi: 10.1038/323797a0

[2] Di Marzio W and Saenz ME. 2006. QSARS for aromatic hydrocarbons at several trophic levels. Environ Toxicol 21(2):118-24

[3] Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. 1999.  Canadian water quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life: Toluene. In: Canadian environmental quality guidelines, 1999, Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, Winnipeg.

[4] Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. (2014). Alberta Tier 1 soil and groundwater remediation guidelines. Edmonton, AB: Land and Forestry Policy Branch, Policy Division.

The Way Forward: Envisioning Treaty Rights in Modern Resource Management

- General

Join us on Feb 19-21 at UoA’s Augustana Campus to envision treaty rights in modern resource management!

Application of treaty rights to the management of natural resources is a highly topical issue, one that emphasizes the need for a more inclusive, collaborative approach and consideration of the perspective, knowledge and participation of First Nations. In Alberta, a collaborative management approach and a treaty implementation policy are still unrealized. This conference will bring together decision-makers, researchers, and practitioners to explore what the treaties promised First Nations about resource access, what more inclusive management might include and potential means to adopt such a model.

The Way Forward: Envisioning Treaty Rights in Modern Resource Management will examine the need and opportunity to incorporate treaty rights into Alberta’s natural resource management approach, featuring perspectives from First Nations leaders, leading researchers, lawyers and government regulators.

Recent announcements from both the federal and provincial governments suggest change in the way governments address treaty obligations, and relationships with Canada’s Aboriginal peoples. The Way Forward: Envisioning Treaty Rights in Modern Resource Management conference promises to be a great opportunity join First Nations leaders, leading researchers, lawyers and government regulators in a discussion about incorporation of treaty rights into Alberta’s natural resource management approach.  To join us for presentations and discussion with these leading researchers and practitioners, please take advantage of the early-bird registration, ending 31 January 2016.  For more information or to register, please see the attached reminder notice, or check the following websites:

When: February 19-21                   Where: University of Alberta, Augustana Campus, Camrose, AB

Confirmed Speakers:

• Dr. William Littlechild, Treaty 6 First Nation, Opening Welcome

• Charles Weasel Head, Blood Tribe, First Nations perspectives on treaty implementation

• Robert Janes, LLP, JFK Law Corp., Historic treaties in the modern world

• Clayton Leonard, LLP, MLT Law, The status quo and implications of not having a treaty implementation plan

• Dr. Patricia McCormack, University of Alberta, Faculty of Native Studies, Emeritus, What do the Alberta treaties say about First Nations access to natural resources?

• Dan Stuckless, Fort McKay Band Administration, The difficulty in maintaining the honour of the Crown in a discriminatory system

• Matthew Whitehead, Woodland Cree, Building Indigenous knowledge into Alberta’s natural resource management approach

• Kim Shade, Alberta Aboriginal Relations (GOA), Title TBA

• Dr. Daniel Sims, University of Alberta, Augustana, Assistant Professor, We are all treaty people: Lessons from non-treatied lands

• Doreen Somers, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, The Lower Athabasca Regional Plan consultation process

• Bill Snow, Stoney (Wesley) Band Administration, The South Saskatchewan regional planning process

• Susan Cardinal, Stoney (Wesley) Band Administration, Aboriginal consultation in Alberta’s Land Use Framework

• Karin Buss, Henning Byrne Law, The Crown’s duty to consult First Nations: Is it protecting treaty rights?

• Dee Patriquin & Melanie Daniels, Solstice Canada/TSAG, Define meaningful. How can the consultation system protect treaty rights?

• Allan Ehrlich, Mackenzie Valley Review Panel, Implementation of modern treaties:  How well does it work?

• Jeff Langlois, JFK Law, Trouble in Yukon’s Pelly River Watershed

For more information about the event and speakers: Click here.  To register: Click here

For more information, please contact Dr. Glynnis Hood (ghood@ualberta.ca) or Dr. Dee Patriquin (patriqui@ualberta.ca)

SHARE THIS Some interesting information on the new Peatland Reclamation Criteria!

The Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC) Resource Access & Ecological Issues Forum was held on November 23rd, 2015 in Calgary Alberta.  Some interesting data was reported during the Forum related to the Alberta Governments newly released:  Reclamation Criteria for Wellsites and Associated Facilities for Peatlands  (http://aep.alberta.ca/lands-forests/land-industrial/programs-and-services/reclamation-and-remediation/upstream-oil-and-gas-reclamation-and-remediation-program/documents/ReclamationCriteriaPeatlands-Oct2015.pdf)

Researchers at the NAIT Boreal Research Institute used a restored wellsite in the Peace River region to assess the new Peatland Reclamation Criteria.  The wellsite was originally padded over a deep organic soil during construction activities.  During the reclamation activities performed by NAIT the peatland was restored using 4 different treatments involving complete pad removal and partial pad removal.  Following the pad treatment peat donor material was harvested from adjacent lands and transferred for the re-vegetation of the wellsite.  A technical note on donor material harvesting and transfer was created by NAIT in 2012:  http://www.nait.ca/docs/1_Donor_Site_Harvesting_and_Moss_Transfer.pdf

Three years post-donor transfer (2015) the wellsite was assessed for reclamation success using the new Peatland Reclamation Criteria (link above).  The wellsite reclamation was a success and passed the new Criteria! 

In their assessment of the new Reclamation Criteria, the NAIT Boreal Research Institute discussed some of the challenges working with the new Criteria and offered suggestions for improvement and clarity going forward.  A couple key suggestions were:

•          Improve the chemistry assessment component of the reclamation criteria for EC/pH & provide some clarity and guidance on the methodology. 

•          1 m2 quadrants for the bryophyte canopy cover, and 10 m2 grid for the vascular plant plots may be functionally too large.

Additionally, one of the upcoming challenges with successfully implementing the new Peatland Reclamation Criteria will be the assessors knowledge of bryophyte identification.  Solstice is very pleased to have several experienced Byrophyte and Carex specialists on staff to support our clients peatland reclamation efforts.

For details on the research objectives conducted by the NAIT Boreal Research Institute on the new Peatland Reclamation Criteria:  http://auprf.ptac.org/ecological-2/assessing-peatland-restoration-success-to-meet-albertas-peatland-reclamation-criteria/