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Excellence in Land Reclamation: Reese Canyon Drill Site

Learn about the successful reclamation efforts at the Reese Canyon Drill Site, now part of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Explore the history, challenges faced, and innovative techniques utilized in this project.

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Excellence in Land Reclamation: Reese Canyon Drill Site

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  1. Earth Day Award NominationConocoPhillips Reese Canyon Drill Site Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

  2. Project History Overview • Exploration well drilled in 1997 when site was under State ownership • State accepted original reclamation efforts • Land ownership was transferred to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in 1999 • ConocoPhillips continued reclamation of the five acre site by seeding in 2002, monitoring in 2003, and replanting in 2004.

  3. Location information • 45 miles southeast of Escalante, UT • Located in remote area of the Kaiparowits Plateau • Area contains network of canyons with steep slopes and sandstone ledges • Surrounding vegetation is pinyon-juniper interspersed with sagebrush shrubland

  4. Reese Canyon Setting

  5. Original Reclamation Efforts – Phase 1 Site was regraded and seeded in 1997 with limited success Native, BLM approved seed mix was used Dark soils and south facing slopes presented challenges to restoration of the site

  6. Phase 2 Reclamation • Maxim Technologies contracted in 2002 to reseed site with mix of native shrubs, forbs, and grasses • Site was mulched for moisture retention • Baseline vegetation studies implemented to track project success • Moderate success due to drought conditions

  7. Phase 2 Reclamation

  8. Phase 2 Reclamation – Vegetation Studies

  9. Phase 3 Reclamation • ATC Associates contracted in 2004 to conduct further reclamation • Continued vegetation monitoring • Innovative strategies such as pocket planting implemented • Small and large woody debris added to site to retain soil moisture and slow erosion

  10. Phase 3 Reclamation – Pocket Plantings Pocket plantings

  11. Phase 3 Reclamation – Palmer penstemon

  12. Phase 3 Reclamation

  13. Phase 3 Reclamation

  14. Phase 4 Reclamation – 2005 Activities • ConocoPhillips/ATC Associates will conduct a reconnaissance trip this spring to determine extent of any erosion • Erosion control structures will be implemented as needed • Russian thistle seedlings will be removed • Annual vegetation monitoring data will be collected

  15. Award Justification • Continued commitment to reclamation of site regardless of state approval • Use of innovative techniques to achieve reclamation success • Establishment and seed production of native species on a site with poor growing conditions

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