The AER supports enforcement activity for Alberta’s weed and agricultural pest laws to ensure well and facility sites meet regulatory standards. Effective May 1, 2026, the AER may issue reasonable care and measure (RCAM) orders, when necessary, under the Oil and Gas Conservation Act.
Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation fieldmen and municipal inspectors retain their responsibility to enforce compliance with weed and pest regulations. Once they have exhausted their enforcement tools, they can refer the issue to the AER for consideration and enforcement under an RCAM order.
The AER does not enforce weed and pest compliance on land outside its jurisdiction or on pipeline rights-of-way.
Roles and Responsibilities
Municipalities and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation
- Intake landowner and public concerns about weeds and pests.
- Inspect land for weeds and pests.
- Issue notices and orders under legislation.
- Work directly with landowners and operators to manage the issues.
- Determine when compliance and enforcement escalation is needed (i.e., where previous enforcement has failed to resolve the issue).
- Document and refer applicable weed and pest control issues to the AER for consideration and enforcement.
Alberta Energy Regulator
- Intakes and reviews escalated submissions from municipalities and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation.
- Issues RCAM orders as required for weed or pest issues on well and facility sites.
- Communicates the status and results of compliance with municipal inspectors or agricultural fieldmen.
Licensees and Approval Holders
Licensees and approval holders must control weeds and pests on their energy development sites in accordance with legislation and AER requirements. Failure to comply with an RCAM order may result in further enforcement action by the AER.
Landowners and the Public
Landowners and other members of the public should contact their local municipality regarding concerns about weeds or agricultural pests. Municipalities are the appropriate initial point of contact.
Referral Process
- A landowner or member of the public notifies their local municipal authority of a weed or pest issue on an energy development site.
- An agricultural fieldman or municipal inspector visits the site and verifies the weed or pest issue on the site.
- The fieldman or inspector uses their enforcement tools to address the noncompliance.
- Once fieldmen and inspectors have exhausted their enforcement tools, they can refer the issue to the AER if it concerns a well or facility site for consideration and enforcement under an RCAM order.
Referral Form
Fill out the Weed and Pest Referral form.
Questions
What changes have been made to provincial weed and pest control?
Effective May 1, 2026, the AER will be able to enforce compliance with requirements related to weeds and agricultural pests on well and facility sites. The AER may issue reasonable care and measures (RCAM) orders to support enforcement actions initiated by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation or by municipal authorities.
Is the AER responsible for provincial weed and pest enforcement?
No. Municipalities and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation remain responsible for inspection and enforcement under the Agricultural Pests Act and the Weed Control Act. The AER may become involved when municipal or Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation enforcement tools have failed to resolve a compliance issue concerning weeds and pests linked to an AER-regulated site.
Can the AER enforce weed control on well sites (as per section 12(1) of the Weed Control Act)?
Under the Oil and Gas Conservation Act, the AER may issue reasonable care and measures (RCAM) orders related to weeds and pests on well and facility sites within the AER’s jurisdiction.
Are there sites where the AER does not enforce compliance for weed and pest control?
The AER does not enforce weed and pest compliance on land outside its jurisdiction or on pipeline rights-of-way.
Who can I contact about the weeds on a lease that is on my property?
Landowners and other members of the public should contact their local municipality regarding concerns about weeds or agricultural pests. Municipalities are the appropriate initial point of contact.
What should operators know about controlling weeds and pests on their energy sites?
Licensees and approval holders are responsible for managing weeds and pests on their energy development sites in accordance with the Agricultural Pests Act, Weed Control Act, and AER requirements. Failure to comply with a reasonable care and measures (RCAM) order may result in further enforcement action by the AER.
