Circle Does: Pipelines
Large linear projects in Alberta are navigating a shifting landscape of Historical Resources Act requirements, and those changes can ripple into field hours, construction flexibility, and overall regulatory certainty.
In April 2024, the Historic Resources Management Branch (HRMB) released updated procedures for Large Scale Pipelines. If your project meets the index threshold (diameter in mm × length in km ≥ 2690) or is undergoing a provincial or federal environmental assessment, you are now on a four phase approval pathway. That means an Archaeological Sensitivity Model (ASM), pre construction HRIA requirements, and a Constraints Mapping Tool to help manage route changes once construction starts.
When everything lines up the way it should, the process gives you a predictable framework. But occasionally, a project slips through the cracks.
This year, one of our clients submitted what was very clearly a large scale pipeline. It was not flagged as such by the regulator, meaning no ASM, no buffer, and no Constraints Mapping Tool. The result? We ended up walking every metre of the alignment, and the client temporarily lost the ability to make even minor route adjustments without fresh approvals.
Working with ACSW, we found a practical workaround that allowed bundled modifications and restored construction flexibility. Still, this is exactly the kind of headache early foresight is meant to prevent.
Pipeline regulatory requirements are nuanced, and expectations can change based on location, project scale, and regional archaeological or palaeontological potential. Early engagement lets us map out the risks, recommend only what is truly warranted, and support your schedule, budget, and compliance without surprises.
Talk to Us Before You Break Ground
If you’re planning a pipeline, transmission line, telecom route, or any large linear project, we’re always happy to review your alignment early so you can move forward with clarity and fewer surprises. Reach out anytime: info@circleconsulting.ca or 403.984.8189
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