Historical Resources Impact Assessment (HRIA)
Heritage resources include historic buildings, archaeological sites, and palaeontological sites.
HRIAs are undertaken by archaeologists, historians and paleontologists contracted by the company proposing to undertake development activity.
Canadian provinces regulate the preservation and study of heritage resources. Provincial governments regulate archaeological and palaeontological fieldwork through a permit system and makes the decisions regarding the management of historic resources.
An HRIA is accomplished through an archaeological site survey and shovel testing, which includes systematic artifact collection and test excavation. There is also monitoring within the boundaries of the proposed development.
Developments are assessed using one of three methods: on site monitoring, pre-construction testing, or post-impact assessments.
Sometimes, it is necessary to combine one or more methods, particularly in areas deemed highly sensitive for heritage resources.
The assessment also serves as a way of finding suitable measures to avoid sites, including relocation of the development. If it is not possible to avoid impacting a site then mitigation, including archaeological salvage excavation, would be implemented.
Once the field work is completed, a report is written and submitted to the provincial government regulators. The HRIA report describes the location of the proposed development and the description of archaeological sites and artifacts collected within the project area.
The report will also contain evaluations of the sites and include recommendations for, or against, additional archaeological research. The provincial regulators will review these recommendations.
Once the review process is completed, a letter is issued either setting out the mitigation requirements for development approval, or granting clearance for the project from any further requirements under the Historical Resources Act.
Heritage Resource Impact Assessment (HRIA) - Saskatchewan
In Saskatchewan, heritage resources are regulated under the Heritage Property Act, which provides the framework for Heritage Resource Impact Assessments (HRIAs).
All developments, on public or private land, require heritage screening to determine the need for an HRIA (Section 63 - Saskatchewan Heritage Property Act).
The Heritage Resources Branch of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport screens all developments for heritage sensitivity. The branch has created an online screening tool for developers: http://www.tpcs.gov.sk.ca/SensitiveLocations. You can use this tool to check for the sensitivity of an area to determine if the development requires further screening.
Screening involves a review of the development area, associated environment, and known archaeological sites nearby. This review is used to determine the potential for unrecorded archaeological sites in the proposed development area.
The Heritage Resources Branch requires 15 business days to process a heritage referral request and determine whether an HRIA is required by a qualified archaeologist. Forms can be accessed at http://www.tpcs.gov.sk.ca/HeritageReviewForms.
Western Heritage Services offers heritage screening as a service. Clients are encouraged to submit their proposed development plans to projects@westernheritage.ca.
We can help clients assess the heritage sensitivity of a development. If an HRIA is recommended, an HRIA permit is obtained from the Heritage Resources Branch. If there is no heritage potential, turnaround is usually 15 business days. If an HRIA is recommended, a permit can be in place within two business days and the HRIA process can begin as soon as possible.
The HRIA process requires a qualified archaeologist to:
- Acquire a permit from the Heritage Resources Branch in Regina,
- Conduct an HRIA on lands affected by the activity.
- Conduct a pedestrian survey combined with subsurface testing (shovel testing and/or excavation), which includes systematic artifact collection (Pre-construction HRIA).
- Inspect the development after construction to assess if sites were impacted (Post-impact HRIA).
- Monitor the development as construction proceeds.
- Submit a report outlining the results of the HRIA to the provincial regulator.
- Describe the location of the proposed development, archaeological sites and artifacts collected within the project area. The report will also contain evaluations of the sites, including recommendations for, or against, additional archaeological research.
- Obtain clearance issued by the Senior Archaeologist at the Heritage Resources Branch.
Once the review process has been completed, a letter is issued either setting out the mitigation requirements or granting clearance for the project from any further requirements under the Heritage Property Act.
To contact us for more information: info@westernheritage.ca
