Land Access
The OWA is increasing our pace of work to address our inventory and protect public safety and the environment. With this increased pace of work, the OWA requires access to sites year-round, and may not be able to delay work because of agricultural activity.
Working with landowners
We work with landowners to minimize the impacts of closure work and aim to complete decommissioning and remove equipment so that landscape and environmental reclamation work can begin within three years of receiving a site, although timing may vary depending on the complexity of the project.
Our rights & obligations
The OWA does not take the place of the former operator, but has the legal right to access and work on any orphan site. As such, we have no legal obligations previously held by the operator, such as surface rental payments and property taxes.
We make every effort to limit our work to areas covered by the previous surface lease agreement and to minimize impacts outside the lease area. Should we need to use any off-lease area, the OWA will negotiate with landowners regarding additional compensation.
Town of Vermilion, Brennan Sub-division
The Tenwell #1 well in Vermillion’s Brennan Sub-division, near a playground, was decommissioned many years ago; however, the well continued to release minor amounts of methane. The OWA has completed the installation of an Automated Methane Mitigation System (AMMS) at the well and no further work outside of ongoing monitoring is anticipated.
The site is now under a long-range management plan with no expected changes to the current infrastructure on site for many years. The small volume of methane from the well is being gathered and is then fully combusted by a flameless heater with minor periodic maintenance required. Periodic environmental sampling events are also undertaken to ensure the site continues to present no safety issues to nearby residents.
In the spring/summer of 2024, the OWA plans to relocate the house that is immediately east of the well (5224 63rd Street). This lot will then be converted to an expansion of the current greenspace. The removal of the house will help accommodate access to the well in the future should the need ever arise.
Town of Vermilion, Brennan Sub-division
The Tenwell #1 well in Vermillion’s Brennan Sub-division, near a playground, was decommissioned many years ago; however, the well continued to release minor amounts of methane. The OWA has completed the installation of an Automated Methane Mitigation System (AMMS) at the well and no further work outside of ongoing monitoring is anticipated.
The site is now under a long-range management plan with no expected changes to the current infrastructure on site for many years. The small volume of methane from the well is being gathered and is then fully combusted by a flameless heater with minor periodic maintenance required. Periodic environmental sampling events are also undertaken to ensure the site continues to present no safety issues to nearby residents.
In the spring/summer of 2024, the OWA plans to relocate the house that is immediately east of the well (5224 63rd Street). This lot will then be converted to an expansion of the current greenspace. The removal of the house will help accommodate access to the well in the future should the need ever arise.
The Town of Diamond Valley
The OWA has postponed decommissioning activities on the Katana Resources British Dominion Well #3 which is located on the north-west edge of Diamond Valley near the Country Meadows subdivision. The OWA is re-evaluating its technical plans for the well through consultation with the AER and will notify residents in advance of any future work.
The Town of Diamond Valley
The OWA has postponed decommissioning activities on the Katana Resources British Dominion Well #3 which is located on the north-west edge of Diamond Valley near the Country Meadows subdivision. The OWA is re-evaluating its technical plans for the well through consultation with the AER and will notify residents in advance of any future work.
FAQs
What happens if I refuse to give the OWA access to my land for closure work?
While the OWA has the right to access the land under various orders and legislation, we understand that some landowners may have reasons they do not want us to undertake closure work. Where landowners deny access to their land, we will openly communicate toward a goal of mutual understanding that may lead to access. Where this cannot be achieved in a timely manner, the OWA will move on to other areas, and closure work on these sites will be delayed indefinitely. We are required to inform the Land and Property Rights Tribunal that work will not proceed due to denied access, at which time they are likely to suspend surface lease payments.
The Farmer’s Advocate has additional information that may be useful.