The process of returning the land to its former and agreed-upon condition, following pipeline construction or maintenance activities, is known as reclamation in Canada and restoration in the U.S. On the Canadian prairies, Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement Program has been followed by the reclamation process—which began in late 2018, and has continued through 2019.

Following pipe installation, Enbridge’s environmental crews respond to any subsidence or drainage concerns that may lead to safety, environmental or landowner access issues. The reclamation process begins with the removal of construction debris and access ramps, and re-contouring the right of way to its original profile.

Once subsoil on the right-of-way has been re-contoured, the entire right-of-way is de-compacted where heavy equipment has been working in order to prepare the right-of-way for the replacement of stored topsoil.

Next, crews pull the stored topsoil piles back over the right of way and distribute it evenly in preparation for seeding and revegetation.

Straw bales are acquired from landowners, and strung out along the right-of-way or placed at the closest road crossing. Only landowner-approved bales are used.

A “bale buster” is used to disperse straw from the bales evenly over the right-of-way.

Cultivated lands are straw crimped to prepare for the planting of the next crop. Equipment makes a pass over the straw to “crimp” it into the freshly replaced topsoil, curbing erosion.

In addition to straw crimping activities, native prairie and hay lands areas are seeded while pasture land fences are repaired.