FAQS
Have a question about Solstice Wetland Mapper? See our Frequently Asked Questions Below!
Why do I need to know if wetlands are on my land?
Under the provincial Water Act, landowners do not “own” the water in any waterbody, including wetlands, even if the wetland or waterbody areas are not listed within a legal land survey. Since the implementation of the Alberta Wetland Policy in 2013, all impacts to wetlands must be mitigated following the mitigation hierarchy of prioritizing wetland avoidance first, followed by minimization, and as a last resort wetland replacement, where negative impacts cannot be avoided or mitigated. As such, any impacts to wetlands (including peatlands and swamps), such as draining, infilling, or other modifications, require that a provincial Water Act approval application, along with a Wetland Assessment and Impact Report, including a wetland mitigation and replacement plan, be completed and filed with Alberta Environment and Parks.
I don’t have any long-term standing water on my land, what is considered a wetland?
Under the Alberta Wetland Policy, wetlands are defined as any area of land that holds water for a long enough period of time to promote the formation of water altered soils, establishment of water loving plants and associated biological activity adapted to wet environments. These include mineral wetlands (shallow open water, marshes, and swamps) and peatlands (bogs and fens).
It is important to note that wetlands can take many different forms and may or may not contain standing water, as many temporary or seasonal wetlands only hold water for a short period of time (i.e., days to weeks) following a heavy rainfall or after spring melt. Additionally, many wetlands in agricultural areas of the province have been significantly altered due to agricultural production activities and may no longer resemble their natural form. As such, it can be very difficult to accurately identify and delineate wetland areas on the landscape.
What are the potential costs of wetlands on my land?
Wetland replacement or compensation costs for permanent impacts to a wetland vary depending on the location within the province, the size of the wetland, and the relative value of the wetland. The average cost of wetland replacement is between $10,500 to $19,400 per hectare, though it can range as high as $152, 000 per hectare, depending on the relative value of the wetland being impacted. Wetlands that are determined to have a high relative value require higher replacement (compensation) costs than wetlands with a lower relative value, which is based on the wetland replacement ratios set out under the Alberta Wetland Mitigation Directive (2018).
How quickly can results be generated ?
Using our cutting-edge approach to wetland classification, we are able to deliver a final mapping product within 60 hours after placing your order.
How much does Solstice’s Wetland Mapping save in field verification costs?
Field verification costs can vary depending on the number of wetlands on a property, but the cost savings are typically between 30-40%.
How accurate is the wetland mapping?
The mapping is up to 95% accurate.
Why cant I use the wetland merged inventory?
While the Alberta merged wetland inventory provides useful information about the potential number and distribution of wetlands in an area, the accuracy and resolution of the free data is variable, as it represents a composite of 35 different wetland inventories collected over a span of 17 years. As such, it generally does not contain sufficient accuracy and precision to help you predict the cost associated with replacing impacted wetlands.