Effectiveness of Soil Conservation Procedures on Recent Major Pipeline Construction in Western Canada

The effectiveness of a soil conservation method employed on recent major pipeline construction in Western Canada was investigated. Prior to any major construction activities, topsoil was salvaged over the full right-of-way. Following pipeline lowering and backfilling, subsoils were ripped and debris was removed from the subsoil. The topsoil then was replaced, cultivated and fertilizer applied. Near the end of the first growing season after construction, vegetation, and soil characteristics were monitored. Data collected indicate that efforts to conserve soil quality were successful. Construction did not result in
impairment of topsoil or soil compaction. Depressed crop production was observed on the right-of-way in drier regions during the first growing season after construction. The depressed crop production was determined to be related to the very dry soil conditions on the right-of-way which resulted from the extensive working of soil. Effects of dry soil conditions along the right-of-way did not persist in the second growing season.