Archaeological Impact Assessment Guidelines

Preface

This document applies principally to development projects which are reviewable under British Columbia's Environmental Assessment Act. As such, the procedures for archaeological resource assessment and review articulate with the three stage assessment process provided for in that legislation. Although these guidelines apply mainly to development projects which undergo provincial review, they may also be applied, with minor modification, to all other developments.

A particularly important characteristic of these guidelines is their flexibility. They are not intended to be used as a "cookbook" approach to all development projects. Although certain categories of information are needed for decision-making, each archaeological study must be tailored to meet specific project characteristics and needs. It is recognized that the extent of work, particularly in the preliminary stages of project planning, needs to be coordinated with the proponent's level of commitment to the project.

Therefore, representatives of the Archaeology Branch (hereinafter the Branch) will meet directly with the proponent to provide project-specific clarification and interpretation of the guidelines where necessary. Depending upon the project, considerable flexibility can be expected in the staging of impact assessment and management studies, the level of detail at which the studies are undertaken, and the reporting requirements.

Archaeological assessment and review procedures are under continual review and are subject to change as the Provincial Government's overall environment al impact assessment and review process evolves. These guidelines have reflected this evolutionary process since their initial appearance as the GUIDELINES FOR HERITAGE RESOURCE IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA published by the Heritage Conservation Branch in 1982.

Province of British Columbia

Published 1989
Archaeology Branch
Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C.
V8V 1X4

Additional copies of this document may be obtained by writing:

Archaeology Branch
PO Box 9816, Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 9W3

Revised October, 1998

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