Orchalaw Farms 9726 Heritage Rd. Brampton, Ontario L6X 0A2 905

Orchalaw Farms
9726 Heritage Rd.
Brampton, Ontario
L6X 0A2
905 456 1879
Carl Laidlaw Orchards
9496 Heritage Rd
Brampton, Ontario
L6X OAI
905 459 5933
December 20, 2011.
National Energy Board
444 7th Ave. SW.,
Calgary, Alberta.
T2P 0X8
Attention: Debbie Kuchinski,
Dear Ms. Kuchinski,
In 1981, Trans-Canada Pipelines constructed a natural gas pipeline going
through our apple orchards. We recently learned that they will again construct a new
pipeline through our orchards. We are writing you to discuss the problems that we
encountered after the pipeline went through our orchard.
In 1981, we were compensated at a rate of $2000 per tree for the loss of
production over a 10 year period and for the cost of re-establishing a new tree.
Mr. Cliff Dudley and Mr. Gillespie assured us in good faith that the soil would be
replaced and that everything would be the same as before the pipeline went through.
Once everything was complete, we signed off on the project.
In the following Spring, we replanted the orchard with new trees where the
pipeline went through. However, we had challenges trying to re-establish the orchard.
The challenges were as follows:
1. Some of the trees we planted died off a year later. Tree replacement was much
higher than would normally be expected.
2. It took longer than 10 years to establish the trees to the same productive capacity as
the trees planted outside the pipeline area. In fact, these trees were about 65-75% as
productive and were somewhat stunted. We called Trans-Canada to voice our
concern, but they said it was not their problem since we had signed off.
3. The soil over top of the pipeline seemed to dry out quicker than the soil outside the
pipeline. This was probably due to the heat given off by the pipeline. We have
observed that snow melts off much quicker over the pipeline in the Spring and that
dandelions bloom much earlier. The heat given off by the pipeline delays the
hardening off of the apple trees in the Fall, causing increased Winter-kill, which would
account for the higher mortality rate and subsequent tree replanting issues.
4. After the pipeline went through, we observed some drainage problems due to
compaction and the disruption of tile drainage in the orchard.
From these challenges, we have come to the conclusion that re-establishment
will take longer than 10 years. The following practices will need to be done this time to
ensure better tree survival and more normal tree growth and production:
1. Instead of planting the following Spring, we will take an extra year to amend the soil
to ensure proper drainage by applying manure and replacing tiles where needed. We
will also work the soil to establish proper tilth and reduce soil compaction.
2. We will ask Trans-Canada to replace any soil removed with soil of the same texture.
We want to be assured that there will not be any subsoil mixed with the topsoil. We
will want them to fix areas where compaction has occurred.
3. Instead of using one year old nursery trees, we will use 2 year old trees, better
established for planting. This may mean that we need to order the trees 2 years in
advance. Older larger trees should be more winter-hardy.
4. We will test the soil for nutrient levels to balance the soil properly before replanting is
done.
5. We will need to be more vigilant in watching the soil moisture levels over the pipeline.
Irrigation is somewhat difficult to do especially since the pipeline angles through the
orchard.
In conclusion, we feel that we are somewhat more knowledgeable in re
establishing our orchards over the pipeline. This time we will not sign off until we know
Trans-Canada Pipelines have done due diligence in returning the orchard soils back to
their original state.
Yours Truly,
/;c4
cJ
Lrry and Heather Laidlaw
Orchalaw Farms
Mar Laidlaw
Carl Laidlaw Orchards