Archaeological Excavation, Mitigation & Monitoring

Ursus staff have been involved in various mitigation studies which are only undertaken in situations where unavoidable conflicts between archaeological resources and a proposed development are identified. The nature and extent of these studies will have been determined in the archaeological impact assessment.

In the case of mitigative management, some form of systematic data recovery (excavation), analysis and interpretation of specific archaeological resources will be involved. The proponent and the archaeological consultant are required to submit a detailed research proposal to the Archaeology Branch prior to initiating these studies. To conduct mitigation within B.C., it is necessary for the proponent to obtain a Site Alteration Permit, issued by the Archaeology Branch, pursuant to Section 12 of the Heritage Conservation Act. This permit can take 6-8 weeks to obtain and is reviewed by staff at the Archaeology Branch and First Nations groups who have traditional territorial interests in the project area.

Ursus has abundant experience in Archaeological Monitoring and can conduct monitoring programs which are generally necessary when impact assessment studies have recommended resource management measures designed to protect archaeological resources during project construction. These programs are also implemented where archaeological resources are considered to have a high probability of occurring in a proposed development area, but are not likely to be identified through an inventory study (e.g. deeply buried sites). Monitoring is designed to ensure compliance with impact management requirements, as well as the implementation of emergency management measures should archaeological resources be unexpectedly uncovered during the course of development.