Environmental Site Assessment and Management
This course is an introduction to common practices within the management of contaminated sites in Alberta. The three part approach for the assessment management of contaminated sites will be covered including: Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment, and Risk Management Plans. Alberta Site Assessment standards and the Alberta Tier 1 and 2 soil and Groundwater Remediation Guidelines will also be covered. Additional topics will include differences between risk management and site remediation with examination of cost considerations within various site remediation components. Case studies will be used to provide a focus on contamination sources, characterization, transportation, and environmental fate in the environment.
Course at a glance
- This class has online synchronous lectures.
- Lecture-based, with group work and case study review; field work may be included.
- Aimed at individuals transitioning into the environmental field, as well as mid-level professionals in sectors involving environmental aspects, this course will also be of value to agrologists, biologists, engineers, industrial managers, foresters, technologists, and others who wish to update their skills and knowledge in this area.
- Recognized by the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA) as a senior agrology course related to entrance into the profession and to augment core knowledge requirements related to a practice area.
- This course may be recognized as educational or continuing professional development credits by ECO Canada, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), the Association of Alberta Forest Management Professionals (AAFMP), and the Association of Science & Engineering Technology Professionals Of Alberta (ASET).
What you will learn
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Understand the process for the assessment and management contaminated sites.
- Differentiate between different phases of the Environmental Site Assessment (Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment, and Site Remediation and Risk Management Plan).
- Understand Alberta’s regulatory framework for contaminated sites.
- Be able to plan and conduct different components of the environmental site assessment:
- Identify contaminants’ sources, characterization, transportation, and fate in the Environment Alberta Site Assessment Standards and Alberta Tier 1 and 2 Soil and Groundwater Remediation Guidelines.
- Understand and demonstrate how to perform data collection, interpretation, and analysis.
- Understand land use and buffer zones within remediation.
- Identify and apply a Remediation Action Plan (RAP)/Remediation Certificate.
This course has no prerequisites
Students from all educational backgrounds welcome. You can register for this course without applying and enrolling in a program.
Take note:
- There are two options available for the Recommended Textbook: University of Alberta and Vital Source.
Currently counts towards:
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└ core course
Applicants intending to enrol in a program are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to lock in their course requirements since they are prone to change.
*If you are already enroled in this program, please refer to your specific program requirements as outlined at the time of your admission: Bear Tracks > Academic Advisement.
Transferability

Associated Environmental Site Assessors of Canada (AESAC) is a nationwide association providing benefits and services to Canadian Environmental Site Assessors. This course is recognized by AESAC as "ESA-related courses" in the ESA Phase 1 Training section; course completion is worth 5 points (per course) toward the Certified Environmental Site Assessor (CESA) designation.
When will this course be offered?
New course schedules are released each June and November.
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Call Continuing Education Student Services Office at 780-492-3116
or Information Services and Technology (IST) at 780-492-9400