Commercial clean fill disposal at Marmot Pit

2026 Application Update

The 2026 commercial clean fill disposal application process has changed. Dates, fees, and required forms are different from the previous year. Please review the webpage carefully to ensure you are using the correct 2026 information before applying.

2026 Fee Notice

Effective Immediately, fees will be waived for all permitted clean fill being disposed at Marmot Pit through close of operations on June 11, 2026. This waiver will also apply retroactively to all clean fill disposed of since the pit opened May 4, 2026.

Beginning June 15, 2026, the disposal rate for clean fill will be $15/m³, a 25% reduction from the original posted rate.

As outlined in the Jasper Builders Guide (published March 2025), if a housing project requires disposal of excess fill, the option to dispose of clean fill in Marmot Pit may be available. Parks Canada Agency (PCA) has designated Marmot Pit as a site for commercial clean fill disposal for third party contractors operating within Jasper National Park.

Properties where the post-demolition confirmatory soil sampling results have met the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) Residential/Parkland Guidelines, and where the Development Permit for debris removal has been closed, contractors may apply to dispose of clean fill at Marmot Pit by following the steps outlined herein.

Please note that Marmot Pit is not a temporary storage location for fill and is only accessible to contractors during operating hours for permitted disposal of clean fill, not for extraction or collection. It is only for the permanent disposal of clean fill and should not be seen as a potential source of backfill during final site work.

This webpage outlines a six step process that contractors must follow before disposing of clean fill at Marmot Pit.

Step 1: Confirm that your material meets the clean fill criteria

Notes:

1. Only clean fill from within Jasper National Park will be accepted at Marmot Pit
2. All material is subject to approval at the sole discretion of Parks Canada

Step 2: Apply for a Clean Fill Disposal Permit

Contractors must obtain a Clean Fill Disposal Permit from Parks Canada Agency (PCA) before hauling any material to Marmot Pit. Permit Applications must include all supporting Phase II ESA reports, if applicable.

The Permit Application must be submitted at least 14 days before hauling begins to allow Parks Canada sufficient time for review and processing.

Submit a Clean Fill Disposal Permit Application now

* Please note this is an interim approval process and is subject to change at any time.

Contractor’s General Liability Insurance

If you do not have a business licence to work in Jasper National Park outside the townsite, please provide a copy of your Contractor’s General Liability Insurance.

Requirement: Proof of Third-Party Liability coverage with His Majesty the King, in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Environment for the purpose of the Parks Canada Agency as an additional named insured. Please indicate the following certificate holder: Parks Canada Agency.

Please email your insurance certificate to developpementjasper-jasperdevelopment@pc.gc.ca.

Step 3: Complete required Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I/II)

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

A Parks Canada Environmental Surveillance Officer will complete an initial screening of the application. A Phase I ESA may be required for project sites in Jasper National Park proposed as a source of clean fill. The Phase I ESA must be conducted by a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) and submitted to Parks Canada. If Areas of Potential Environmental Concern (APEC) are identified, a Phase II ESA may be required to verify the soil quality meets the applicable regulatory framework.

Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

A Phase II ESA and report will be required on project lands where the Phase I ESA identifies potential sources of contamination. In such cases, intrusive surface and subsurface soil sampling, using discrete grab samples (not composite), must be conducted to determine site characterization. The Phase II ESA and report must be completed by a Qualified Professional at the contractor’s expense. The final report must identify the location(s), type(s), and level(s) of contamination, compare them to the applicable Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) guidelines and Canada-Wide Standards (CWS), and include a recommendation on how-or if-the material can be considered clean.

Fill materials exceeding the CCME guidelines for Agricultural Land Use will not be accepted at Marmot Pit.

See environmental requirements for more information.

Step 4: Deliver Material

Marmot Pit operational hours for 2026

Hours of operation

Date	Hours
May 4, 2026 – October 15, 2026	Monday to Thursday, 7 am - 12 pm and 1 pm - 5 pm

Notes:

1. Dumping is not permitted on statutory or civic holidays, or outside of the designated operational hours
2. Operational hours are subject to change without notice.
3. At Parks Canada's discretion, clean fill may not be accepted immediately after a rainfall

Getting there:

Marmot Pit is located approximately 8km south of Jasper townsite. From Jasper, drive south on HWY 93 (the Icefields Parkway). About 500m past the Parks Canada gate turn right (west) onto HWY 93A. Take the first left turn (heading south) onto the Marmot Pit access road.

Important: Oversized vehicles need an overweight permit to use the Parkway. This permit is checked at the south gate and is included with the Clean Fill Disposal Permit.

Inspection Requirements:

The Contractor Representative is responsible to ensure material being brought to Marmot Pit matches the texture and appearance described in the permit.

For each load, drivers must present a valid clean fill disposal permit to the Pit Attendant, be able to describe the material they are hauling, and the source of its location. Drivers must also provide signature confirmation of each load for tracking purposes.

Each load will be visually inspected by a PC Representative before and after dumping to ensure only clean fill material is disposed of.

If unacceptable materials are identified, the load will be flagged and the contractor will be responsible for removing the material at their own expense.

Contractor use of the pit will be suspended until unacceptable material has been removed.

Step 5: Receive Invoice

To help offset the operating costs of this service, Parks Canada will becharging for the disposal of clean fill material at Marmot Pit. All loads willbe tracked by the Parks Canada attendant at the pit and recorded againstthe applicable permit. Contractors will be invoiced at each month end forclean fill disposed of during that billing period. Disposal rates will bedetermined by Parks Canada and may be subject to change.

Marmot Pit Clean Fill Disposal Rate = $15/m³

Note: Each load will be visually assessed as 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of the truck’s capacity, and billed accordingly

Step 6: Pay Invoice

Payment isrequired within 30 days of invoice date and can be made online or at the Parks Canada Administration Office (in-person, or by phone at 780-852-6220). Outstanding invoices will result in the suspension of active permits and/or delays in the processing or issuance of new permits.

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Parks Canada Agency rights and reservations

1. A Parks Canada Agency (PCA) Representative may conduct soil sampling or visual inspections at any time, either at the source location, Marmot Pit, or during material hauling.
2. Any material that does not meet the requirements outlined in this document or is deemed unsuitable by the PCA Representative will be rejected.
3. Material deposited at Marmot Pit that does not meet suitability requirements must be removed at the Contractor’s expense.
4. PCA reserves the right to change fee rates at any time.
5. PCA reserves the right to modify the outlined process and requirements at any time.
6. PCA reserves the right to prohibit the Contractor from using Marmot Pit indefinitely if, in PCA’s opinion, the Contractor fails to follow the prescribed processes and requirements for clean fill disposal or fails to remove any unsuitable material deposited at Marmot Pit.

Environmental requirements

Regulatory framework

The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) Soil Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Environment and Human Health, along with the Canada-Wide Standards (CWS) for Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soil, apply to the use of Marmot Pit.

All analytical results must be compared to the Agricultural Land Use criteria, unless otherwise directed by Parks Canada. To be approved as Clean Fill, material must meet all applicable CCME and CWS guideline values.

Contractor Representative

The contractor must designate an on-site Contractor Representative responsible for maintaining environmental controls and addressing any environmental concerns that may arise. The individual must be identified on all disposal applications, forms, manifests, tracking logs, and reports.

Qualified Professional

All environmental site inspections and testing conducted by the contractor must be directed, monitored, and documented by a Qualified Professional who meets the following requirements:

• A member in good standing of one of the following professional regulatory organizations:
  
  • Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA)
  • Alberta Society of Professional Biologists (ASPB)
  • Association of the Chemical Profession of Alberta (ACPA)
  • Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA)
  • Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET)
• Has a minimum of five years of relevant experience in Environmental Site Assessments
• Is covered by professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance
• Holds a valid business license with Jasper National Park

Soil sampling

If any portion of a site is deemed to be contaminated, all associated material must be tested at a minimum frequency of one sample every 500 m³, or as otherwise directed by Parks Canada. Sample results must be submitted to Parks Canada within 14 days of delivery. Material from potentially contaminated sites will not be accepted until soil testing results have been reviewed and approved by Parks Canada.

Parks Canada reserves the right to request additional testing at any time based on previous land use or if visual indicators (e.g., changes in texture, odour, colour, or appearance) suggest possible contamination. All additional testing requested by Parks Canada will be conducted at the sole cost and responsibility of the Contractor.

For general inquiries, contact: marmotpit-carrieremarmot@pc.gc.ca