On November 28, 2018 the Canadian Urban Institute convened the second annual Excess Soil Symposium in Ajax, Ontario. The objectives of the event were to support beneficial reuse of excess soil in Ontario; discuss excess soil policy and regulation; share successful case studies, research, resources, lessons learned and to provide networking and learning opportunities.

The following topics related to the use of excess soil were discussed at the 2018 Symposium:

• Why does soil management matter?

• Successful pilot projects and case studies

• Advances in technology

• Advances in municipal by-laws and procurement

• Options to reduce illegal fill dumping

Read the 2018 Key Themes

• Michael Campbell, SCG Industries Limited – Advancement in Characterization

• Al Durand, SOiiL – The Dirt on Dirt in Ontario

• Kevin Goldberg, SoilFLO – Modernization of Soil Tracking

• Marc Hébert, Quebec Excess Soil Management Expert – Excess Soils on Québec Farmland

• Meggen Janes, Waterfront Toronto – Toronto Fill site

• Francine Kelly-Hooper, Stantec – Stormwater Management Pond Sediment

• Chris Lant & Derek Stephens, SCS Consulting Group Ltd. – Emerging Technology to Support Reuse

• Didi Pershouse, Author of Understanding Soil Health and Watershed Function – Growing Resilience: the Soil Carbon Sponge

The following resources were discussed at the Symposium:

• RCCAO Excess Soil Educational Videos:

  • Video 1: Financial and Environmental Benefits of Best Practices

  • Video 2: Words of Wisdom from a Watermain Contractor

  • Video 3: Big Bang for the Buck on Megprojects

• TRCA Soil Resources:

  • Preserving and Restoring Healthy Soil: Best Practices for Urban Construction

  • Construction Specifications for Implementing Compost Amended Planting Soil in Ontario

• Management of Excess Soil – A Guide for Best Management Practices

• Notes from Tom Halinski, Aird & Berlis – Tools and Challenges for Municipalities in Regulating Excess Soil

• Abstract from Marc Hébert, Quebec Excess Soil Management Expert – Reducing Illegal Practices with Strategic Communications

• Didi Pershouse’s website

• Soiil.com – A website that provides a soil matching service.

• CL:AIRE – A UK soil reuse model and smart regulation approach.