Historical Resources Applications & Other Screening Tools

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In Saskatchewan, the Archaeological Resource Management Branch uses an online screening tool to help review proposed projects and ensure the conservation of archaeological heritage where needed.  This tool also uses a list of quarter-sections that have been deemed to be heritage sensitive areas, either because of known sites or high potential.  Proponents can use the Screening Tool to check if the land and resource development is located in a heritage sensitive area, then submit a proposal for review to determine if a Heritage Resource Impact Assessment (HRIA) is necessary.  The potential need for an HRIA also applies to private landowners undertaking work, but includes a list of exempt activities mainly including small-scale maintenance and improvements, or continuing agricultural use of lands. Forestry operations and large projects subject to Environmental Assessment, such as mining, use a related set of criteria to determine scope and scale of any needed HRIA work.  Big Muddy Heritage Consulting can help prepare any submissions to the Archaeological Resource Management Branch.

Any work, activity, development or project that alters or disturbs the surface of the land is subject to review by Manitoba Sport, Culture, and Heritage.  The Historic Resources Branch uses a referral process from other agencies to review projects, or proponents may submit information about a proposed project themselves.  For projects that are likely to affect heritage resources or human remains, the owner or lessee of the site may be required to apply for a Heritage Permit authorizing the project under a written order under Manitoba's Heritage Resources Act. If the evaluation of the application confirms that heritage resources or human remains may be adversely affected by the proposed project, a Heritage Resource Impact Assessment (HRIA) will be required before the permit is issued.  An application for review may include the preparation of a Heritage Resources Overview (HRO) for the project by a professional archaeologist.  Big Muddy Heritage Consulting can help prepare any submissions to the Historic Resources branch.

The Historical Resources Management Branch offers several resources including a Listing of Historic Resources to determine if there may be a historic resource concern in a proposed project area. This Listing is often used in conjunction with a series of Land Use Procedures bulletins for specific industries: Complex Projects, Large-Scale Pipelines, Small-Scale Conventional Oil and Gas Development, Geophysical Programs, Geotechnical Exploration, Integrity Digs, Oilsands and Coal Exploration, Subdivisions, Surface Materials, Utility Distribution Services, and Ammonite Mining and Exploration. Checking the Listing for the Historical Resource Value (HRV) assigned to the proposed development area is the primary way to determine if Historical Resources Act (HRA) approval is required. The Listing may inform a proponent about possible historic resource concerns, but an application for approval is still required in almost all cases where developments occur on lands associated with the Listing.  Other types of development not covered by a Land Use Procedure bulletin (including alternative energy projects) always require that a Historical Resources Application be submitted.  Large projects or projects that may result in a high level of impact always require HRA approval. These types of developments include all that need the completion of an Environmental Impact Assessment, all projects that require approval by the Canadian Energy Regulator or Alberta Utilities Commission, all developments requiring conservation and reclamation approval by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas or the Alberta Energy Regulator, Class I or Equivalent Pipelines, Coal and Oilsands Mines and related developments, Industrial Facilities, Forestry Harvesting and other operations, Transmission Lines, Alternative Power, Transportation-related Projects, Water Distribution and Diversion Projects (but not small-scale utilities), and all projects located within Historic Resource Management Areas, which currently include Dinosaur Provincial Park and World Heritage Site area, Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park area, Fort George Buckingham House area, and Majorville Cairn and Medicine Wheel area.

Developers proposing activities that will cause surface disturbances may be required to hire an archaeologist to assess the potential impact of the project on archaeological resources.  The Archaeology section of NWT Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) uses a referral process from other agencies such as the Mackenzie Valley Land Use Board to review projects, or proponents may submit information about a proposed project themselves.  In many cases this will include the preparation of an Archaeological Overview Assessment (AOA) by a professional archaeologist.  Big Muddy Heritage Consulting can help prepare any submissions to the archaeologists at ECE for project review.  For more information about the guidelines for developers, contact archaeology@gov.nt.ca.

In the Yukon, developers must ensure they are familiar with any heritage resources within a development area, then plan the project to have the smallest impact to any archaeological and historic sites.

Heritage resources include:

• fossil remains of plants and animals;
• archaeological artifacts and historic structures such as cabins, caches, graves; and
• other human-made structures, features or objects that have been abandoned and are more than 45 years old.

Much of Yukon has never been surveyed for heritage sites. Areas under application for quartz and placer mining licences may contain undocumented heritage resources.  For information on heritage resources in a specific project area, email heritage.resources@yukon.ca or phone 867-667-3771 or toll-free 1-800-661-0408 ext. 3771.

Parks Canada typically uses internal staff to review projects to determine if archaeological investigation is needed prior to development.  This can include local staff, heritage conservation officers, archaeologists with Terrestrial Archaeology, or staff associated with the Federal Environmental Assessment and Review Process or the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.  Staff at Terrestrial Archaeology may prepare an Archaeological Overview Assessment (AOA) as part of the process to determine in an Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) is needed.  To view the Cultural Resource Management Policy utilized by Parks Canada, click the link below.