Mitigation: Where a project conserves, and records an archaeological site that could incur partial destruction (e.g. construction of new buildings, quarrying, etc.) and so proposals will be made to determine the best approach for conserving the site. Often in-situ preservation will occur but consultation will be made between the development proponents, the municipality or other approval authority, First Nation communities, and other heritage stakeholders.
This stage involves implementing conservation strategies for archaeological sites that are of cultural heritage value or interest. There are two approaches for mitigation of development impacts:
- Avoidance and protection
- Excavation
The limits of the archaeological site must have been established through Stage 2 and Stage 3 assessments prior to the implementation of any avoidance and protection strategy.
The area that will be protected must include:
- A 20m buffer zone for First Nation communities, or
- A 10 m buffer zone for other sites, or
- A reduced buffer zone where permanent physical constraints of a natural form, e.g. river edge, cliff edge, or cultural form, e.g. roads, buildings, exists with appropriate width.
If activities continue around a protected site:
- Erect a temporary barrier around area
- Issue “no go” instructions on all on-site construction crews, engineers, architects or others involved
- Show the location that is to be avoided on all contract drawing. Label everything!
Ensure that the effectiveness of the avoidance strategy is being acknowledged, if not do not hesitate to contact the Ministry, even if site is observed!
Report effectiveness of protection strategy to the Ministry.
Crossing a site with heavy machinery is only allowed when the ground is frozen a depth of 10cm.
– This does very little impact to the site
Short Term Protection:
If a site is to be excavated, short-term protection must be presented throughout the site and those interested or completing activity to the site.
Long Term Protection:
Regardless if the site is protected, an archaeological site is never truly protected. Mechanisms must be used to ensure effective implementation of long term protection. The archaeological site must always be addressed as a prerequisite to any proposed removal of the archaeological restrictions on the land in the future. If transfer of ownership occurs, the new proposed owner must provide documentation, i.e. a letter, confirming their awareness and obligation to the archaeological site and their willingness to oblige.
Long term protection and then excavate can occur but only if a clearly defined portion of a site cannot be protected.
Southwestern Ontario Community-Based & Consultation Archaeology Project 