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Heritage North can provide a variety of services to help our clients comply with government regulations, including the B.C. Heritage Conservation Act.

Archaeological overview assessments (AOAs) are usually done using documentary and database research, and are intended to identify and assess heritage resources in an area while the project is still in the planning stages. Having this land management information can help avoid costly re-surveying and realignments later in the project development. AOAs do not require archaeological permits, and normally do not require fieldwork.

Preliminary field reconnaissances (PFRs) confirm whether or not a proposed project infringes on a known archaeological site, but is more commonly used as a field component in an AOA in known areas of high archaeological potential. PFRs do not require archaeological permits.

Archaeological impact assessments (AIAs) are required where heritage resources are known to be in conflict with a proposed development. They provide an assessment of potential harm to known sites, an evaluation of heritage resource potential in other areas of the proposed development, and management recommendations to mitigate damage. AIAs are an inexpensive way of determining if heritage resources were impacted by project development. As most AIAs involve site evaluation, an archaeological permit is required.

Generally conducted as an initial component of an AIA, an archaeological inventory consists of field surveys and the recording of archaeological resources before the project begins. This may include cost effective methods such as visual inspection and shovel probing. Since inventories generally require sub-surface evaluation, an archaeological permit is required.

Mitigation refers to measures that reduce or preclude the effects of project development, operation and maintenance on heritage resources. There are a number of practical solutions available to our clients, including avoidance (which usually means design changes), site protection (e.g. fencing, slope stabilization), and systematic data recovery (cataloguing and analyzing artifacts). An archaeological permit is required.

Traditional-use studies (TUS) are conducted in cooperation with First Nations and are intended to identify and document historic First Nations social, ideological, and economic heritage resources. This can help a development company with public relations, as well as aid in project planning. TUS do not require an archaeological permit.

In order to provide effective, efficient service to our clients, we maintain an extensive database of recorded archaeological sites, traditional-use sites, research documentation, and archival documents and maps from our research areas. Some other services that Heritage North offers include construction monitoring, document research, and help complying with the BC Heritage Conservation Act.

We currently hold the necessary provincial, territorial, and “blanket” permits required to complete most projects. Very large projects may require an individual permit; the application process takes 15 to 30 days, so some notice is necessary.

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