Evaluation of Alternative Procedures and Equipment for Conserving Topsoil During Pipeline Construction in Western Canada

Topsoil conservation has become standard practice on pipeline construction in western Canada over the last 30 years. Pipeline contractors have used a variety of procedures and equipment with different results. Whereas some equipment is conventional, many contractors have specially modified conventional equipment or invented new machines to strip and replace topsoil faster and more efficiently.  These practices are evaluated from the perspective of practicality and 
effectiveness in conserving soil capability for agriculture. There is no one procedure or piece of equipment which is universally applicable to all situations. Rather, it is important to match the appropriate procedure and equipment to the field conditions experienced on the right-of-way. Skilled operators and inspectors are prerequisites to any successful topsoil conservation program.