Pioneer Professional Services Group

Due Diligence Assessment Services

Due diligence assessments are an essential part of acquisition and divestiture liability management. Knowledge of environmental liabilities and risk from past and present site-related operations can assist sales negotiations prior to an acquisition or divestment in the following ways: 

• Project Management (includes a variety of tasks such as planting and manual tending supervision)
• GPS data collection mapping
• Water resources management
• Mountain Pine Beetle Surveys
• Road and Block Layout
• Herbicide Monitoring
• Aerial Seeding Supervision
• Seismic Line Surveying
• Pre-Harvest Assessments
• Slash Pile Burning

Expertise:

• Professional staff, attention to detail and knowledge of technical and regulatory requirements
• Customized assessments to meet individual client requirements and project scale 
• Pioneer can further investigate and verify potential contamination concerns through Phase II Environmental Site Assessments

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Environmental Planning Services

Environmental planning is integral to successful and sustainable project development. Identification and mitigation of environmental impact, public and regulator communication, identification and interpretation of regulatory guidelines and proper reclamation planning ensures the protection of environmental resources and reduces proponent liability. 

Our capabilities include:

• Biophysical Impact Assessments (BIA) for Municipal development projects
• Environmental Assessment on First Nations Lands (IOGC)
• Oil Sands Exploration Plans (AB,SK)
• Environmental Field Reports
• Pre-construction Site Assessments
• Conservation and Reclamation Applications
• Environmental Protection Plans (AB, SK)
• Private Land Checklist and Project Proposal and Restoration Plans (SK)
• Schedule A (Pre) Site Assessments within Agricultural Land Reserve (BC) 
• Caribou Protection Plans
• Watercourse Crossing Assessment
• Water Well testing
• Wildlife, Vegetation and Soils Inventories
• Federal and Provincial Environmental Impact Assessments, Project Descriptions and Screening Reports

Expertise:

• Skilled professionals and technical staff ensure specialist knowledge in biophysical assessment, development of mitigation measures and public and regulator consultation
• Environmental regulatory applications integrated with land acquisition services ensures effective communication between all stakeholders
• Efficient and effective solutions to land and environmental challenges

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Environmental Site Assessment Services

Pioneer Professional Services Group provides Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) services to oil and gas, industrial and commercial industries. ESAs assist in reducing uncertainty about potential environmental liabilities and in making informed decisions about property transactions. Our client base includes energy companies, realtors, property developers, lending institutions and business owners.

Phase I ESAs

• Non-intrusive site investigation designed to assess the environmental condition of a site and/or buildings
• Includes a historical records review, site visit and personal interviews 

Phase II ESAs

• Confirm the findings of a Phase I ESA through quantitative sampling and analysis. Sampling of soil, surface water, building materials and/or air may be involved
• Groundwater monitoring and sampling may be required if potential for groundwater contamination exists
• Assessment tools may also be used to identify potential contaminant sources (e.g., USTs, sumps, salt water spills), to reduce uncertainty and to minimize assessment costs 
• If samples exceed regulatory guidelines, delineation to determine contaminant extent may be required.   Following thorough delineation, a remediation plan can be prepared and/or financial liability can be ascertained 

Note: In BC, Phase I and Phase II ESAs are referred to as Stage I and Stage II Preliminary Site Investigations (PSI).

Expertise:

• Meet CSA standards and Alberta Environment requirements for Phase I and II ESAs
• Completion of ESAs in all regions of the province including environmentally sensitive and remote locations
• ESA experience in conducting both groundwater and soils assessments involving a variety of contaminants including hydrocarbons, PAHs, solvents, salts, metals, asbestos, PCBs and glycols

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Gravel and Mining Services

Pioneer Professional Services Group is an industry-leading expert in aggregate exploration, obtaining sand and gravel pit approvals, registrations and reclamation certificates. Our knowledge of industry best practices, current regulatory requirements and environmental assessment can help reduce environmental liability and lower government security deposits on both public and private land. Pioneer’s capabilities include:

Exploration Services

Prepare Crown surface material exploration (SML) applications and obtain approvals. Explore for sand and gravel deposits using minimal disturbance such as electromagnetic, resistivity and/or ground penetrating radar.

Surface Material License and Lease Application Preparation– Public Land

Prepare detailed applications including Conservation and Reclamation (C&R) Plans.

Code of Practice for Pits – Private Land
Prepare Schedules and Activities Plans for pits on private land over 5 ha (12.5 acres) in size to obtain registration under Alberta Environment’s Code of Practice for Pits 

Water Resources Permitting
Prepare water resource applications under Alberta’s Water Act for washing operations, water diversion or creation of water bodies upon reclamation 

Municipal Development Permits
Obtain development permits required by municipalities to address hours of operation, road use, public consultation, etc.

Reclamation Certification

Assess pit site reclamation to obtain a Reclamation Certificate and/or make reclamation recommendations to ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines and equivalent land capability. A Reclamation Certificate must be obtained in order to absolve the operator of liability. 

Expertise:

• In-house industry experts and professional staff capable of handling all sand and gravel exploration, development and reclamation needs 
• Frequently able to reduce regulatory approval wait time and security deposits
• Manage operational changes to remain compliant under applicable regulations

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Soil & Groundwater Remediation Services

Pioneer Professional Services Group is experienced with remediation projects related to oil and gas, commercial and industrial operations. Pioneer provides proven, cost-effective soil and groundwater remediation plans. Remediation plans are developed based on client needs, hydro-geological site conditions, climatic conditions, contaminant type, contaminant concentration, extent of contamination, site location, government regulations and remediation costs.  Pioneer professionals have successfully completed both in situ and ex situ soil and groundwater remediation projects.

Soil treatment methods may include:

• Biopiles or land treatment
• Soil vapor extraction and bio-venting
• Excavation and offsite disposal

Groundwater may be treated by:

• Multi-phase extraction
• Pump and treat systems
• Air sparging or addition of oxygen products
• Passive filters that intercept the groundwater flow
• Monitored natural attenuation
• Some contaminated sites are either excessively expensive or impractical to remediate. A risk management approach can be developed to determine the best possible management strategy for minimizing the impacts on potential receptors.

Expertise:

• Remediation experience with contamination in bedrock, clays, silts and sands
• Pioneer remediates on-site, when appropriate, to reduce remediation costs
• Development of remediation pilot projects for unconventional remediation challenges
• Pioneer’s team of professional engineers, agrologists and biologists ensures all of your remediation and reclamation needs are met

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Surface Land Reclamation Services

Our team of environmental experts can see you through the complete reclamation process.  Pioneer has extensive experience developing, implementing and monitoring reclamation programs in oil and gas, oil sands and gravel industries. 

Our surface reclamation services include:

• Pre-construction site assessments (Schedule A’s in BC) enabling appropriate reclamation planning prior to development
• Coordination and completion of Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments, remediation and risk management
• Detailed site assessments (Schedule B’s in BC) to assess soils, vegetation and landscape in accordance with provincial reclamation criteria
• Communication with landowners and regulatory agencies to consult on site-specific issues
• Preparation of detailed reports including photographs and relevant diagrams
• Reclamation plans to mitigate site deficiencies
• Project management and subcontractor coordination (e.g. contouring, seeding, etc.)
• Design and implement vegetation monitoring programs and management plans
• Complete and submit Reclamation Certificate Applications (AB), Certificate of Restoration Applications (BC), Reclamation Assessment and Release Application (SK)
• Represent clients at regulatory inquiries and hearings

Expertise:

• Team of professional agrologists, biologists and engineers managing reclamation and remediation work
• Maintain a client specific reclamation project tracking database detailing project status, recommendations and costs 
• Field offices in key operating areas within western Canada ensures cost-effective assessments and detailed knowledge of regional reclamation requirements

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Wetland Assessment Services

Wetlands are ecologically significant areas that require detailed assessment and classification to successfully integrate them into sustainable project development.  Alberta Environment and local municipalities have adopted a “No Net Loss” policy towards protecting Alberta’s wetlands. Wetland assessments, classification and delineation are required when a residential, industrial or commercial development have the potential to impact a wetland or a water body.
Wetland compensation is required by Alberta Environment and local municipalities when an approval to impact a wetland is issued under the Water Act. Pioneer Professional Services Group provides the following fully integrated wetland services:

• Assessment and delineation
• Classification
• Historical wetland review
• Vegetation and rare plant surveys
• Restoration and monitoring
• Functions and values reclaiming
• Compensation applications
• Regulatory application assistance
• Engineering wetland and stormpond vegetation design and naturalization

Wetland restoration is an essential tool to protect and improve wetlands.  Restoration is a complex process that requires planning, implementation, monitoring, and management.  Restoring our lost and degraded wetlands to their natural state is essential to ensure the health of Alberta’s watersheds.

Expertise:

• Skilled professional biologists and technical staff ensure specific knowledge in wetland assessment, classification and delineation
• Development of customized mitigation measures, restoration and monitoring to ensure the recovery of altered or degraded wetlands
• Guidance and/or completion of Wetland Compensation Applications
• Efficient and integral solutions to accommodate wetlands within the urban landscape

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CBM Water- Well Testing Services

Alberta Environment requires Coal Bed Methane (CBM) developers to perform baseline water-well testing on water-wells within a 600-800m radius of all new or re-completed CBM wells.  Pioneer Professional Services Group provides professional, cost-effective CBM water-well testing to ensure compliance with applicable standards.

Water Well Capacity
A qualified water-well driller obtains all necessary well information such as construction details, non-pumping water levels, etc. A qualified driller performs pumping tests, records drawdown and recovery water levels, and notes observations during the test. 

Water Quality Data
A qualified field technician collects water samples, tests for field parameters, and acquires gas samples using a gas flow-through cell. An accredited laboratory analyzes the acquired samples for routine potability, bacteriological parameters, and compositional/isotopic gas analysis. 

Data Management and Reporting
All data is entered into Alberta Environment's Coal Bed Methane Groundwater Testing Template. A report is produced discussing the analytical results and makes relevant recommendations.  All CBM baseline reports are produced and stamped by an APEGGA professional.  Pioneer provides reports to Alberta Environment, the operator and the landowners within a timeline that meets regulatory requirements.

Our Expertise

Professional, technical staff with attention to detail and knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements.Pioneer has been conducting pre/post water-well testing and reporting for oil and gas operators throughout Alberta for over 6 years.

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Drilling Waste Disposal Services

Pioneer Professional Services Group provides our clients in Western Canada with comprehensive drilling waste disposal services including:

• Disposal method selection and recommendations based on regulations, site conditions, drilling requirements, analytical results and surrounding land-use
• Land and water source scouting including negotiation of land and water use agreements
• Sampling of drilling waste liquids and solids, source water and spread areas 
• Drilling Waste Disposal Notifications preparation and submission including consultation with applicable regulatory authorities (e.g., AB - EUB, ASRD, B.C. - OGC, MWALP, ALR)
• Disposal equipment and personnel for all types of drilling waste disposal options including:
• Sumpless drilling
• Land spraying
• Land spraying while drilling
• Pump off

Expertise:

• Full service land and environmental company capable of handling all your land acquisition, environmental planning, reclamation and remediation and drilling waste disposal needs
• Experienced project managers and technicians knowledgeable of current regulatory requirements and industry best practices

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Forestry

Since 1978, Pioneer Professional Services Group has provided comprehensive land and environmental services to a large range of industries within Canada’s natural resource sector. With the realization that there are so many policy, environmental, and land use issues facing forestry companies today, Pioneer has expanded our leading edge service package to help Canadian forestry companies succeed in the global market place. We achieve this by offering the following services:

• Project Management (includes a variety of tasks such as planting and manual tending supervision)
• GPS data collection mapping
• Water resources management
• Mountain Pine Beetle Surveys
• Road and Block Layout
• Herbicide Monitoring
• Aerial Seeding Supervision
• Seismic Line Surveying
• Pre-Harvest Assessments
• Slash Pile Burning

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