AJM Environmental Inc. was retained by a major exploration & production company to assess whether satellite-derived image analysis could be used to enable the early detection of tree stress caused by infrastructure within two of their steam-assisted gravity drainage projects. The critical deliverable for this project was a report that detailed:

• An analysis of the benefits and limitations of different analysis frameworks (indices and classification analyses);

• An assessment of the benefits and limitations of different sources of imagery;

• An assessment of the predictive accuracy of different image analysis techniques; and

• Recommendation for ongoing analysis.

AJM has developed a strong working relationship with one of its international oil and gas exploration and production clients to assist their development team with overcoming environmental and regulatory challenges and approvals with new energy development projects, specifically on the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Suffield in southeastern Alberta.  

The current scope of work includes:

• Desktop review of background environmental data;

• Scouting of best routes and locations for placement of pipelines and well sites;

• Completion of field assessments including wetlands, wildlife, and vegetation;...

AJM was contracted by the City of Calgary’s Parks and Open Spaces Unit to produce a ten-year Habitat Management Plan for Douglasdale Natural Environment Park, a 47ha park located adjacent to the Bow River in southeast Calgary. The primary objective of a Habitat Management Plan is to outline a clear strategy and timeline for the management of the ecological health and function of the park, and to ensure that biodiversity and climate resilience outcomes can be achieved more effectively. 

The scope of work included reconnaissance site visits to the park and a thorough desktop review of background data, including ecological surveys, health assessments, biophysical impact assessments, historical aerial photos, and GIS data. AJM worked in collaboration with the City of Calgary to incorporate contributor engagement from various stakeholders, including public park users.

TC Energy retained AJM Environmental Inc. (AJM) to provide construction monitoring support for development of their KXL pipeline in southeastern Alberta. This scope of work included migratory bird nest sweeps, sensitive raptor nest monitoring, amphibian salvages, snake relocation and monitoring, and verifying rare plants and rare ecological communities.

AJM was approached by Paskwa Consultants Ltd. to perform a statistical analysis of vegetation survey data related to leafy spurge treatments on short notice. Data from eight sites, each with pre- and post-treatment surveys, were analyzed to assess the impact of different control methods on vegetation composition.

AJM conducted the following analyses:

• Comparison of leafy spurge cover;

• Comparison of functional group cover;

• Bray–Curtis Dissimilarity Analysis; and

• Shannon–Wiener Diversity Analysis.

Cenovus Energy Inc. retained AJM to develop and complete an Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) regulated Wetland Monitoring Program (WMP) for three of their steam assisted gravity drainage recovery projects: Christina Lake Thermal Project (CLTP), Narrows Lake Thermal Project (NLTP), and Foster Creek Thermal Project (FCTP). AJM started completion of this monitoring in 2016 and has been completing them annually since that time.  

The scope of work includes the following:  

• WMP proposal development for submission and approval by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER);

• Site selection and establishment; 

• Annual hydrology and vegetation monitoring; 

• Data analysis; and 

• Reporting, including comprehensive monitoring reports every three years for submission to the AER. 

AJM's involvement in integrity dig projects encompasses identifying environmental prerequisites for wildlife, wetlands, aquatic life, vegetation, and soil within Alberta. Initially, a thorough desktop review is performed to ascertain these requirements. The identification of wildlife requirements is conducted in accordance with the Public Lands Act, Wildlife Act, Species at Risk Act, and Migratory Birds Convention Act. Supporting field assessments for these acts involve Wildlife Surveys, Wildlife Sweeps, and Migratory Bird Nest Sweeps.

AJM has developed strong working relationship with clients as a member of their development teams (e.g., development engineers, surface land, facilities, earthworks, etc.) to handle the environmental and regulatory challenges with new energy development. Projects have included coordinating approvals (including, but not limited to, Water Act, Public Lands Act, Historical Resources Act, and Wildlife Act); providing updates to the development teams as to the status of environmental assessments and applications; conducting wetland, wildlife, vegetation, and archaeological field assessments; reviewing environmental assessment reports on clients’ behalf; and collecting and submitting environmental information for Directive 56 well license approvals.

Modified Harvest’s existing Wetland and Water Body Monitoring Program to be more in-line with industry standard. AJM was able to realize a decrease in the scope and potential cost of the monitoring program through a more focused data collection approach. Worked closely with the AER on the proposed modifications to the existing program to ensure buy-in from the regulator throughout the project.

Complete field wetland assessments including delineation and classification according to the then Alberta Wetland Classification System. Complete wetland heath assessments and ABWRET-A documentation to support both Code of Practice for Pipelines and Telecommunication Lines Crossing a Waterbody, and Water Act approvals for permanent disturbance. Work with regulators through new wetland assessment and reporting requirements, and guide clients through the various assessment and regulatory changes. Since 2012, AJM has completed over 200 COP notifications for pipelines crossing wetlands, 40 Water Act applications for wetland disturbance, and assessed approximately 500 lease sites and tie-in pipelines for wetland-related issues.