Industry Information

Information for energy companies proposing to work in Strathcona County.

Directive 56 notification letters sent to Strathcona County by energy companies are circulated through appropriate departments for comment. These comments are sent back to the energy company via a letter. The following list will provide you with information generally required by Strathcona County and the corresponding contacts within the municipality.

Strathcona County Protocol
Transportation and Agriculture Services
Planning & Development Services
Emergency Services
Utilities

Strathcona County Protocol

The Protocol outlines the municipality and community expectations of energy companies working in Strathcona County. Issues such as notification and consultation distances are outlined as well as expectations for flaring, water wells and their protection and pipelines. Strathcona County can assist in providing landowner addresses for notification purposes. Local or site specific concerns may also be identified.

Community Information

School bus routing: please notify personnel and contractors moving equipment along Strathcona County roads of school bus activities. The following individuals may be contacted for bussing routes and corresponding hours for the roads in use for a particular project. Elk Island Catholic Schools - Rick Grebenstein 780-449-6480 Elk Island Public Schools - Lisa Weder 780-417-8153.

Strathcona County can supply landowner addresses for notification purposes for wellsite, pipeline and facility proposals. Please fill out the Fee Based Information - Request Form and fax to 780-464-8194; there is a nominal fee for this service.

Further information
, Energy Exploration Liaison
780-416-6739

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Environmental and Open Space Planning
This branch identifies impact on environment, sensitive wildlife habitat, waterway issues or setbacks (Strathcona County Land Use Bylaw 8-2001, Section 6.6 Environmental Setbacks), tree clearing, bird surveys, reclamation, and if applicable, the level of priority landscape ecology assessment and associated precautions which may be required. In this regard, please reference the Wildlife Habitat Units map and a list of environmental conditions for migratory birds and local environmental consultants.

Utilities and Environmental Engineering
This branch identifies utilities and drainage - blockage and conflict with infrastructure or natural areas. Crossing agreements are required if pipelines or access roads are crossing Strathcona County water and/or sewer infrastructure. Specific routing within the County is required for pipelines.

Transportation and Agriculture Services
This branch covers setbacks on road allowances, access under roads and from roads to sites. They require engineer-stamped elevation and cross-section drawings of any road crossings. Strathcona County is the sole authority for roads within County borders except certain provincial highways which will be identified.

General guidelines for pipeline crossing approvals are as follows: 

In general, an unimproved or undeveloped County grid road may be considered for future upgrading. This upgrading will typically require a 20.0m (Class I or II) or 10.0m (Class III or IV) road right-of-way widening, which may fall on one side or the other of the original Government Road Allowance, or a combination of the two. Therefore, in order to facilitate future work with a minimum disturbance to the pipeline, a future road right-of-way zone of 60.0m or 40.0m (depending on roadway class) must be examined.

All pipeline crossings are to conform to Strathcona County's standards for roadway crossing as shown on Drawing Number B-15 Rural - Industrial Pipeline Crossings and Parallel Pipelines. Specifically:

  • If no depth is specified, the top of pipe elevation is to be a minimum of 1.8m below the lowest single most elevation within the 60.0m or 40.0m right-of-way zone.
  • The pipe is to be level throughout the 60.0m or 40.0m right-of-way zone.
  • Top of pipe elevation is to be labeled on the cross-section and profile.
  • Heavy wall pipe is to be utilized throughout the 60.0m or 40.0m right-of-way zone.
  • No open cuts are permitted.
  • Pipeline crossing signs are to be installed on both sides of the roadway at property (fence) line.
  • Roadway centreline profile information for 200m in either direction from the proposed crossing location is required to be submitted for review and acceptance to confirm minimum crossing elevations as compared to future profile improvements.
  • All elevations are to be geodetic.

General guidelines for wellsite and pipeline construction are as follows:

  • A Road Use Agreement must be in place prior to the commencement of your program or project. Please ensure the Transportation and Agriculture Services office at 780-417-7100 is provided a minimum of five (5) business days notice to make the appropriate arrangements.
  • A Temporary Traffic Control Plan meeting the minimum signing requirements in the TAC Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada for all activities within the road right-of-way must be submitted to Strathcona County for approval.
  • All activities within the road right-of-way must be carried out in compliance with the OH&S requirements with the applicant acting as the main contractor responsible for safety.

Access location and associated requirements will also be identified. Requests for approaches require a Property Access Approach - Application and should follow these general guidelines:

  • All access approaches on grid roads must be spaced 90.0 metres centerline to centerline, from or directly opposite to, any other roadway or access.
  • Access approaches are to have no less than 170.0 metres sight distance in both directions on 80 km/hr grid roads.
  • All access approaches are to be a minimum of 180.0 metres centerline to centerline from any major grid road intersection.
  • Wellsite access approaches are considered temporary and are subject to a $2000.00 deposit which will be returned upon removal of the approach to Strathcona County's standards.
  • All access approaches must have a final inspection completed by the Transportation and Agriculture Services department.

Further information
Planninganddevelopment@strathcona.ab.ca
780-464-6775

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Transportation and Agriculture Services

This department sets road bans, requires road clean-up and administers Road Use Agreements (RUAs). Strathcona County is the sole authority for the roads in the County and RUAs are required for hauling equipment.

Seasonal road bans are March through May (75%) and June through February (90%). During construction period, overweight-overdimensioned permits are required to move loads to provincial highways. Seasonal road weight restrictions will apply once construction is complete and full operation is underway. If any loads associated with the proposed work are greater than the posted road bans, then a RUA must be in place prior to the commencement of the project. If a RUA is required, a minimum of five (5) business days notice is necessary to make the appropriate arrangements.

This department sets, requires road clean-up and administers. Strathcona County is the sole authority for the roads in the County and RUAs are required for hauling equipment. Seasonal road bans are March through May (75%) and June through February (90%). During construction period, overweight-overdimensioned permits are required to move loads to provincial highways. Seasonal road weight restrictions will apply once construction is complete and full operation is underway. If any loads associated with the proposed work are greater than the posted road bans, then a RUA must be in place prior to the commencement of the project. If a RUA is required, a is necessary to make the appropriate arrangements.

When in or near a Strathcona County road right-of-way, traffic control at work sites is imperative i.e. warning signs of trucks turning, speed limits, etc. Please provide a copy of the Temporary Traffic Control plan to Strathcona County. For information regarding appropriate work zone signage, see the TAC Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada.

In 2007, Alberta Agriculture and Food declared Clubroot a pest by the Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation under the Alberta Agricultural Pests Act and released the Alberta Clubroot Management Plan.

Further information

780-417-7100

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Planning and Development Services

Land Management Services

This branch executes crossing agreements and compensation for Strathcona County lands. Crossing of any County lands, including roads, requires a crossing agreement.

Current Planning Services

This branch provides interpretation of the planning bylaw and impact of a proposal on existing or future development. Municipal setbacks (Strathcona County Land Use Bylaw 8-2001, Section 6.7 Setbacks from Pipelines) can affect future development by the landowner. Energy companies need to inform landowners about these regulations.

Strathcona County Maps Land ownership maps.

Further information

780-464-8080

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Emergency Services

The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) has regulations and directives for all licencees/operators to have comprehensive emergency response plans (ERP's) in place. Strathcona County Emergency Services (SCES) is the point of contact for discussion of emergency response-related matters.

SCES is trained for oil and gas incidents. However, it is the industrial company that is responsible for immediate and initial response.

Emergency Services's general expectations regarding new projects are:

  • Consult with SCES at the concept/design stage prior to making application to the ERCB. SCES aims to work collaboratively with the company to understand the project (e.g. location, risks, mitigation and response measures) and to comment on any concerns.

  • Following ERCB approval of the project, consult with SCES on draft ERP content such as points of contact and mutual expectations.

  • Submit the finalized ERP to SCES for comment, preferably as far in advance of commencement of the operations as practicable.

  • As part of a public consultation program, industry will review their ERPs (in draft or finalized form as appropriate) with the local area residents/businesses to provide them with the assurance that they are prepared and have the public's safety as a priority.

General guidelines for applications are as follows:

Please advise emergency services, through 9-1-1, at any time you are notifying the public of a Level 1, 2 or 3 emergency.

All oil & gas proposed projects.

Please ensure your crews can provide exact location and site access instructions to 9-1-1 should assistance be required.

All oil & gas proposed projects.

Please ensure continuous compliance with all applicable public safety & emergency response requirements at the Federal (i.e. NEB, CEPA), Provincial (i.e. TDG) & ERCB Directives (i.e. D-71, D-56).

All oil & gas proposed projects.

Please note that all fires involving injury or property damage are reportable to Emergency Services. This includes fire damage to process equipment, fires contained to the lease/property, or fires that may have been suppressed by company personnel. It specifically includes fires suppressed through the use of automated shut-down/suppression systems and when Emergency Services was not called to respond.

All oil & gas proposed projects with fixed facilities posing fire hazard (e.g. buildings, wellsite batteries, compressor stations).

Your company should be a member in good standing with a spill response cooperative, with an established record of active participation by multiple employees in spill exercises & training (or equivalent).

All oil & gas proposed projects where named water bodies are crossed by pipelines or where wells/facilities are constructed near to them.

Please consult with Emergency Services regarding the location of Line Block Valves, ESDV's and/or other control measures where pipelines pass near Urban Service Areas.

All pipelines containing hazardous materials.

Completion of the Enform "Well Ignition Training Course" for wellsite personnel is suggested.

All sour or sweet oil/gas well proposed project where any amount of H2S is indicated.

Completion of an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) & field deployment exercise within the preceding twelve calendar months by all personnel involved in the execution of the Emergency Response Plan is recommended.

Proposed well projects where any residences within or immediately adjacent to area of concern.

It is recommended that the county's burn information line (780-464-8464) be utilized to determine whether any non-emergency flaring activities are advisable given the weather conditions.

Wells, sometimes pipelines, where any flaring is indicated.

Emergency Services is to be consulted in regard to any proposed burning of trees/brush on the location(s) concerned. If the trees/brush cannot be removed and/or chipped, a site inspection may be required to determine if a burning permit can be issued.

Pipelines, seismic and wells where brush/trees are likely to be cleared. Reference map and FDM map with air photos to determine need.

The carrying of fire extinguishment equipment appropriate to the equipment and environment is strongly recommended. Notify 9-1-1 at the earliest possible opportunity in the event of fire or other emergency.

All seismic and pipeline construction.

It is recommended that the county's burn information line (780-464-8464) be utilized to determine the period when burning is permitted and correlate any pipeline welding activities accordingly. Establishment of a fire watch with extinguishment equipment/water is recommended.

All pipeline construction.

Further information

780-467-5216

Utilities

This department provides identification of, and proximity to, water and sewer mains and the authority responsible for those lines.

Further information
780-417-7144

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Last updated: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Page ID: 3473

County Hall: 2001 Sherwood Drive, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada T8A 3W7