When TransCanada relocates a section of pipeline in the U.S., the associated landscape disturbance must be offset. This is usually accomplished through sensitive restoration of the existing landscape. It may also be achieved through the improvement of more distant ecosystems.

In Wisconsin, where wetland forests are an important natural resource, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the United States Army Corps of Engineers operate a kind of wetlands land bank program. The program allows companies like TransCanada to purchase wetland credits in one area of the state to offset land disturbances elsewhere.

In 2009, our ANR Pipeline project team needed to relocate a section of pipe on the north shore of Lake Butte des Morts, near the community of Oshkosh. The area included a forested wetland. Rather than purchase wetland credits in an area some 300 miles from our project site, we offered to restore part of the immediate wetlands forest. In this way, we hoped to benefit the local community directly.

Working closely with the engineers, we developed a detailed plan. Local feedback improved our plan further. For example, landowner advice led us to alter the mix of trees that we planted, reconsider the locations where we planted certain species and install game fencing to minimize damage from white-tailed deer.

We began the restoration in October with the planting of more than 200 trees in Winnebago County, Wisconsin. These trees, which are healthy and producing buds, will re-vegetate the forested wetland area affected by the pipe relocation. Although the restoration will not be completed for some time, the future looks bright for the project.