EAP FAQ

• No
• Incidental activities and temporary uses shown on the authorized plan must comply with the Temporary Field Authorization Guidelines as amended from time to time. Incidental activities and temporary uses shown on the authorized plan which comply with the Temporary Field Authorization Guidelines shall be permitted during the term of this Short Term Licence of Occupation. This authorization is limited to: borrow pits, log decks, temporary work spaces, push outs and bank stabilization within identified sizing limits. The disposition holder must obtain a separate Temporary Field Authorization before commencing any incidental activities or temporary uses which are not shown on the authorized plan or which do not comply with the Temporary Field Authorization Guidelines.

• Plan deficiencies and/or discrepancies between the plan and the land list on the application form – applicants can review all of SRD’s plan requirements by reviewing the documents on the Plan Information webpage at srd.alberta.ca. In particular applicants should ensure that the land list information provided on the plan and application forms match.
• Wrong consent documentation attached or consent documentation that includes the wrong LAT report number or that has not been signed – applicants should ensure correctness of consent documentation by checking all consent documentation for correct LAT numbers (same as the LAT report being attached to an application), and by ensuring that the consent documentation being submitted has been signed by the consenting party.
• Wrong FNC documentation attached or documentation has not been signed – applicants should ensure FNC documentation correctness by checking for matching land locations and confirm that the documentation has been signed.
• Wrong LAT report attached or multiple LAT reports attached as one document – applicants should ensure LAT report correctness by checking that all references to the LAT report number in the application and attachments match the LAT report number being applied with.

• Disposition Plan Requirements

Upstream oil and gas activities include:

• oil and gas extraction sites
• pipelines that transport raw or crude oil and gas from an extraction site to a processing facility
• pipeline installations tied to pipelines that transport raw or crude oil and gas from an extraction site
• access roads for these extraction sites and upstream pipelines
• access roads for extraction sites

Downstream oil and gas activities include:

• processing facilities
• pipelines that transport from processing facilities
• pipeline installations tied to pipelines that transport processed oil and gas

Enhanced Approval Process

Upstream oil and gas activities for conventional and unconventional development that fall under MSL, LOC, PIL, PLA disposition types, excluding in-situ oil sands production and oil sands mines are applied for through the EAP. This includes certain upstream and downstream pipelines and pipeline installations (PLA and PIL), gas co-ops, and pipelines for which the pipeline project length (in km) multiplied by the outside pipe diameter (in mm) is less than an index value of 2,690.

Environmental Field Report

All disposition applications not being submitted through the EAP must use the EFR including but not limited to:

• In-situ oil sands production operations
• Oil sands mines
• Regulated pipelines
• Forestry LOCs
• Sand and gravel

Upstream and downstream pipeline and pipeline installation applications (PLA and PIL) for the oil and gas industry will use the EAP excluding in-situ and oil sand production operations, and regulated pipelines (for which the pipeline project length (in km) multiplied by the outside pipe diameter (in mm) equals or is greater than an index value of 2,690).

Training material is made available on the EAP web pages. This includes an online training module, manuals, guides, and other information for clients to support self-education and self-training.

As all land agents are used in different ways by companies, these roles need to be clarified by the company to their agents. The oil and gas company is responsible and accountable for approval and operational compliance. Land agents should ask their clients for direction.

Public Land Use Zones (PLUZ) have been included as part of the "Pre-Application Requirements and Information" document. If industry intends to operate in a PLUZ they need to contact the local Area Office for information and advice on their proposed activities.

Use the LAT Report number to get consent from occupants. The LAT Report number is unique and is linked to the disposition once issued. The LAT report number being used to track consent must match the LAT report being used in an EAP application package.

No application submission will be accepted through the EAP without completed First Nation consultation requirements.

A Caribou Protection Plan (CPP) will not be required for the dispositions issued through the EAP. The Integrated Standards and Guidelines have incorporated the requirements of the CPP into the approval standards and operating conditions.

Plans must follow the Digital Plan Submission Standards and Procedures document.

• Digital Plan Submission Standards and Procedures

Work continues between SRD and the ERCB to coordinate survey requirements further. Clients must understand the different survey requirements between SRD and the ERCB and plan their applications accordingly.

Under the EAP, applicants must ensure that all First Nation Consultation requirements have been met prior to applying for dispositions. A completed Lands Notification of Decision must be included within the disposition application package. This requirement for consultation is not new. What is different is that SRD will not process any applications unless documentation is provided that consultation requirements have been addressed.

Where consent is required, a letter or form reflecting the LAT Report Number and signed by the FMA holder indicating that they consent to withdrawal of the specified lands from the FMA must be attached. For more information please refer to the EAP Manual.

• EAP Manual

• EAP Forms

Dispositions approved before September 1, 2010 will be renewed and/or amended using the SRD processes in existence prior to September 1, 2010.

In an EAP application, a company that includes incidental activities on their application plan will gain authorization for the incidental activities included for the term of the short-term disposition. This encourages upfront planning. If temporary uses are not included in the EAP application plan, companies may still apply for a Temporary Field Authorization (TFA) under the current process as defined in the TFA Manual.

• TFA Manual

To get access to the Electronic Dispositions System, the Landscape Analysis Tool, and the Plan Confirmation Service follow the directions at:

• Access To Industry Online Services

Yes. The caribou layers in the LAT are supported by SRD and are the only maps used for planning for all types of land activities and approvals in caribou areas. Data in the LAT is not just for the EAP, but for all referrals administered by SRD.

Currently it is not possible to download data from the LAT. However, key wildlife data layers are available by searching "Wildlife Sensitivity Maps" at srd.alberta.ca.

It is part of Sustainable Resource Development’s (SRD) mandate to ensure sustainable resource development on public lands and enhance Alberta’s economic competitiveness. SRD is working with its partner ministries to streamline the regulatory framework for the upstream oil and gas sector. This means reducing red tape, sharing information and making it easier for Albertans and investors to work with government.

To support competitiveness, SRD streamlined disposition applications, standardized guidelines and improved the timing and effectiveness of land-use decisions. This will enable SRD staff to focus efforts on the compliance assurance and the performance monitoring functions at all levels.

The EAP creates a timely, more consistent and cost-effective disposition application planning and review process for industry and government. The EAP will:

• Provide up-front planning tools that identify landscape sensitivities
• Provide consistent standards, conditions, requirements, information and guidelines for industrial activity planning and operations
• Streamline approval processes and systems
• Shift SRD focus to compliance assurance

Sustainable Resource Development’s (SRD) and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) co-sponsored the project.

New and enhanced tools and processes will improve efficiency, consistency and certainty in our approval process.

• Web-based geospatial planning tools such as the Landscape Analysis Tool
• Integrated Standards and Guidelines (IS&G)
• Standard vs. non-standard application processing
• Compliance assurance and performance focus for field staff

Industry will submit disposition applications electronically. The system will route applications through a "standard" or “non-standard” route for a more consistent, transparent, clear, and timely review process for government and industry.

The EAP is designed for upstream and certain downstream oil and gas activities excluding in-situ and oil sands production operations that are approved under the four major upstream oil and gas disposition types:

• Mineral Surface Lease (MSL)
• Licence of Occupation (LOC)
• Pipeline Application (PLA)
• Pipeline Installation Lease (PIL)

Refer to the EAP webpage and EAP Manual to understand in scope and out of scope activities for the EAP. Other disposition types will be considered in the future. In the meantime, there will be no change in the way other disposition applications are managed.

The EAP took effect September 1, 2010.

Standard applications are those where all risks to landscape sensitivities will be mitigated to SRD’s Approval Standards as outlined on a valid LAT Report being submitted with an application.

Non-standard applications will be subject to an additional step – the field referral. Non-standard applications are those where industry chooses not to meet all SRD Approval Standards outlined on a valid LAT Report being submitted with an application.

Standard and non-standard application submissions will be subject to electronic validation and administrative and technical reviews.

Integrated Standards and Guidelines (IS&G) have been sanctioned by SRD. As a part of the IS&G, approval standards and operating conditions specific to the LAT report form the basis of the approval of dispositions. They ensure measurability and link to environmental and other outcomes for associated landscape values. This measurability supports SRD in the compliance assurance function.

No. AOAs are no longer being accepted by SRD. To harness the benefits of the AOA (i.e. landscape level planning), SRD will reconsider the best mechanism to enable landscape level planning in a future EAP release.

Current SRD compliance programs will be used for EAP dispositions.

The EAP incorporates key ILM principles, ensuring that activities on the landscape consider other values, use mitigation strategies, support stewardship through monitoring and reporting, and use a knowledge and science-based approach.

Integrated Land Management (ILM) will continue to provide a strategic, planned approach to the way we use land and resources.

SRD plans to transition all disposition approval processes to the EAP in the long term, and phase out the Environmental Field Report (EFR). For now, the main focus is continuous improvement and evaluation of in-situ activities for inclusion in the EAP.

The EAP Flowchart outlines the new process to be used by SRD and industry for in-scope activities and dispositions on public lands. The flowchart provides the context for the planning, approval, and compliance functions and the continuous improvement process.

• Enhanced Approval Process – Flowchart
• Enhanced Approval Process – Flowchart Descriptions

The LAT is a web-enabled geospatial mapping tool that will inform the oil and gas industry of baseline and sensitive features associated with the land location being considered for development. The LAT links a proposed disposition with the associated sensitivities, approval standards and operating conditions in a generated LAT report. The LAT report enables industry to plan their oil and gas activities and submit EAP applications.

Industry and SRD users can access the LAT online using a client ID. For more information on client IDs, see:

• User IDs & Client IDs for access to Industry Online Services

Using this tool, the applicant can identify any operational constraints based on the proposed location and activity through the applicable approval standards and operating conditions. Clients will be able to make informed decision before spending time and resources in the field. The tool does not eliminate the need for a site visit to ensure that activities being undertaken meet SRD standards and conditions appropriately.

The IS&G are a consolidation of over 200 existing SRD guidelines and documents into a set of provincial approval standards, operating conditions, pre-application requirements and information, and best management guidelines. The IS&G documents can be used by industry and government in planning, approval, and compliance functions.

For industry, the IS&G describes the minimal standards and conditions that must be met. For SRD, the IS&G will contribute to compliance assurance and identify best practices for protecting Alberta’s public land.

SRD sanctioned provincial approval standards and operating conditions will be applied across the province by SRD and provide industry and the GoA with certainty of land use requirements while planning activities and upon issuance of an EAP disposition.

Pre-application requirements and information provide the requirements and information related to pre-application and construction planning and provides clients direction on reservation, notation and wildlife survey requirements.

Best management guidelines also provide clients direction on how to meet approval standards and operating conditions.

The LAT incorporates specific information from a shapefile used by clients to plan their activities in a spatial context. The proposed disposition type, purpose type, and location included in a shapefile is used by the tool to generate a LAT report. The LAT report identifies the applicable provincial and sensitivity section approval standards and operating conditions that a proponent will be held accountable to by SRD upon issuance of a short-term disposition. For example, if a proposed disposition falls within a fescue grassland sub-region, the LAT Report will direct users to the specific approval standards and operating conditions that must be complied with if a short-term disposition has been issued by SRD.