Evaluation of the impact of reclamation regulations and guidelines on ecological rehabilitation practices at the Estevan surface coal mines (1996-1999), Saskatchewan.

Residents' perceptions of ecological rehabilitation practices are based on knowledge of their immediate surroundings, their observations of and encounters with the local environment through cycling, hiking and hunting, among others. A portion of the residents are either current or retired employees of the mining company and demonstrated practical knowledge of mining and rehabilitation. Residents' perceptions of ecological rehabilitation practices take into consideration safety, soil, vegetation and water quality.

Out of the total number of 101 respondents, 28% rated ecological rehabilitation as excellent and very good. "It looks better, rolling and scenic, especially the area around Boundary Dam," a resident commented. Some of the spoil piles have been levelled, grass is flourishing and the land looks pretty much the same as what existed before disturbance. A local farmer noted that before rehabilitation, it was ugly and barren, and they have become accustomed to the piles for many years. Residents cited lack of extensive woody vegetation cover as a factor that impedes an ecologically diverse and aesthetically pleasing landscape. The benefits of planting trees and shrubs are not often realized until years after the legal responsibility for reclamation has passed.

One-third of the respondents rated rehabilitation as average and the same proportion viewed rehabilitation as either fair or poor (Table 3). Those who had lived in the Estevan area for a short period (1-10 years) rated the quality of rehabilitation work as poor or fair. This is attributed to 'first impression syndrome'. A local resident elaborated, "the nature of the spoils is an eye-sore, this is the first thing visitors see when they come to Estevan." A retail store manager stated categorically, "It is not happening fast enough. There is not an equal digging/ reclaiming ratio." "Some of the spoil piles have been levelled but still there is a lot to be done," a retired miner explained. SE regulators concurred that a serious breach of the 1996 Regulation for the Estevan area is that restoration is approximately two years behind schedule and, if this trend continues, the backlog of rehabilitation will increase.

Safety is very crucial to the success of reclamation. When residents were asked to recount knowledge of cases of death or injury to people who walk into rehabilitated areas, 85% asserted that they do not know of any (Table 4). This category of resident participated in some form of recreational activities in the area. Only 9% complained of a threat to life and wildlife due to occasional depressions and gaseous sinkholes. They reminisced about an incident where two children were gassed to death at an old mine in the 1980s. This incident left an indelible mark on this category of residents. However, officials of the mine emphasized that areas which pose a threat to life have warning signs and security fences to ward off trespassers. The remaining 6% of the respondents had no idea whether the rehabilitated areas pose any serious threat to life since they had not toured any of the areas to verify.

Residents called for effective compliance monitoring on the part of SE regulators. One local resident minced no words when he lamented, "I am tired of over-regulation, enforce the regulations that are in place." Residents are of the opinion that hefty fines or restrictions on further mining until all outstanding rehabilitation is completed will go a long way towards enforcing the regulations. Residents suggested that in case of default on the part of the operator, the province should hire a private agency to level the spoils and plant trees, and the mining company should bear the cost of reclamation. In view of this, residents suggested that a Resident Board or a Committee be formed to bridge the gap between mine executives and locals so that their views can be incorporated into reclamation programs.

Conclusion

This paper comments on a unique case of mine rehabilitation in Estevan, Southern Saskatchewan, where there is only one mining company and the reclamation guidelines are designed for the sensitive terrain and site-specific conditions of the area. The reclamation and licensing guidelines for Estevan provide detailed and systematic directions for reclaiming the three mine sites of Boundary Dam, Bienfait and Utility to a pre-determined land use objective. Site-specific evaluations of rehabilitation work by SE officials give credence to the fact that about 60% of the disturbed area has been leveled and 17% seeded with a seedling survival rate of 50%. Seeding has been difficult due to equipment problems and the harsh physical conditions. This influences the company's willingness and propensity to reclaim on a regular and continuous basis. Generally, SE regulators and residents rated reclamation work as average because it is not progressing fast enough.

In spite of the role of regulatory standards and guidelines for land reclamation in the Estevan area, there is a need for more rigorous research to be conducted into the soil properties in the area, to ascertain the extent of the problem of saline soil, clayey soils and the lack of organic matter. It must be emphasized that the science of mine rehabilitation in the Estevan area should evolve from simple revegetation activities to a discipline more reflective of ecologically sustainable rehabilitation, which will ultimately involve long-term management of the rehabilitated lands.

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RESEARCH NOTES include preliminary or summary descriptions of research methods and/or results that do not yet address their full theoretical, policy or practical implications. The intention is to provide researchers and practitioners with a forum for presenting interesting but preliminary ideas, methodologies, or results in the spirit of fostering reflection and dialogue.