EJQ6 - Fall 2025 - Journal - Page 24
tally rede昀椀nes excess soil as a resource to be bene昀椀cially reused. This
framework was signi昀椀cantly enhanced by a key 2022 amendment,
O. Reg. 555/22, which speci昀椀cally addressed salt-impacted soil. This
amendment provides greater 昀氀exibility and clarity, o昀케cially designating salt-impacted soil as a reusable resource under speci昀椀c conditions,
rather than a waste. It empowers project leaders to divert vast quantities
of this material from land昀椀lls by allowing for its placement on industrial
or commercial properties and, with certain restrictions, on residential,
parkland, and institutional lands.
Crucially, the regulations mandate that these activities do not harm the
environment, with speci昀椀c rules preventing placement near sensitive
areas like potable wells and water bodies, thereby safeguarding our vital
water resources.
The importance of professional planning
Successfully reusing salt-impacted soil requires a structured and collaborative approach, encapsulated in a Salt-Impacted Landscape Plan.
This plan, developed by a quali昀椀ed professional such as a Professional Agrologist (P.Ag.), a member of the Ontario Association of Landscape
Architects (OALA), a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.), or a Profession-
al Engineer (P.Eng.), serves as the roadmap for a project.
It begins with a thorough site assessment, including soil testing for parameters like electrical conductivity (EC) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), to
characterize the degree of salt-impact and ensure regulatory compliance.
This detailed understanding allows for strategic on-site management.
For instance, the plan may specify placing salt-impacted soil at a depth of
1.5 metres or more below the topsoil to create a root zone that can support a
wider variety of plants. This collaborative planning process ensures all stakeholders are aligned, facilitating the safe and e昀昀ective reuse of soil in a way
that achieves sustainable outcomes.
Selecting the right vegetation
A critical component of any successful salt-impacted landscape is the selection of appropriate vegetation. Planting species that cannot tolerate elevated salinity is a recipe for failure, leading to poor growth and plant mortality.
Fortunately, nature provides a robust palette of salt-tolerant plants that can
thrive in these challenging conditions. These species are not only aesthetically pleasing but also play a vital functional role in stabilizing soil and preventing erosion.
E N V I RON M E N T J OURN A L QUA RT E RLY RE PORT • FA L L 2 02 5 • P AGE 2 4
