Edmonton... Legislative amendments introduced in the Alberta Legislature Nov. 21 will ensure companies are able to access the land when additional cleanup work is required.
Bill 53, the Surface Rights Amendment Act, presented by Peace River MLA Frank Oberle, is the result of changes made in 2003 to the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, which deal with land reclamation and remediation requirements.
If passed, Bill 53 will give the Surface Rights Board the authority to order re-entry on land to address reclamation and remediation work in situations where a company and a landowner or occupant cannot reach mutual agreement for access.
At present the Board has that authority for initial entry, but not to return to the site if additional reclamation or remediation work is required.
"Companies have a responsibility to clean up their sites and we want to ensure this happens in a timely manner," said Sustainable Resource Development Minister David Coutts, the minister responsible for the Surface Rights Board.
"In most cases, landowners and companies come to their own agreements but if this does not happen, we need a fair process to facilitate access to the land," Minister Coutts explained.
The Surface Rights Board ensures fair access to private and Crown land for industrial activities and, if required, sets the conditions of entry for industry and landowners or occupants.
More information on Bill 53 can be found at http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=bills_home.
(Source: ESAA Weekly News, November 23, 2005, www.esaa.org)
