Open Collections

Abstract

The Westside Pit reclamation project is an ongoing effort to reclaim a 15 hectare aggregate mine in Revelstoke, British Columbia. Operated by Terus Construction for over 20 years, the mine was the primary aggregate supplier for the surrounding community. Now depleted of extractable aggregates, Terus is working to fulfil the site’s designated end land use of “Wildlife Habitat” through strategic and innovative reclamation practices. The goal is to restore ecological value to the site to attract the wide variety of wildlife that occupy the surrounding Interior Cedar-Hemlock forest. The primary challenge in achieving this goal is the minimal natural topsoil formation on site that was further exacerbated by improper stripping and storage techniques. Therefore, the native soil available for reclamation consists of predominantly sandy, nutrient deficient soil that is unlikely to support a healthy and diverse vegetation community. To address this challenge, Terus partnered with Metro Vancouver to supply the site with municipal biosolids and with a local timber mill to supply wood fibre. These materials were mixed with the nutrient deficient native soil to create a Biosolids Growing Medium (BGM) rich in nutrients and organic matter. The BGM was spread rough and loose across the pit floor and seeded with a native grass and wildflower mix and planted with 1,000 saplings per hectare. Preliminary results, after one growing season, indicate significantly higher seed germination and plant growth where BGM was applied in comparison to an untreated control area. These early successes highlight the ability of biosolids to enhance soil fertility, increase water retention, and promote long term ecosystem recovery on challenging sites. Ongoing monitoring will assess native vegetation establishment, invasive species control, and wildlife use to ensure the project’s continued success and inform future reclamation decisions.