Once the initial consultation phase is complete, we hit the ground running. You may be required to get us to perform an Historic Resource Impact Assessment, Historic Resource Impact Mitigation, and/or Monitoring and Post-Impact Assessment.

Preserve the past, build the future—Ground Truth’s monitoring and planning services help you honour heritage while keeping your project on track.

Historic Resource Impact Assessments

If your project will or may impact a historic resource, you’ll need an archaeologist to perform an Historic Resource Impact Assessment (HRIA). This involves us applying to the Historical Resources Management Branch (HRMB) to conduct permitted fieldwork and submitting a final report detailing that work and our findings to the regulator

You will also receive the final report. It will include:

  • Your project information and how it might impact historical resources
  • The methodologies we used in both the field and the lab
  • The areas we chose to target and why those areas were chosen
  • Analysis of any cultural materials we collected
  • A record of historic structures
  • Our recommendations on what needs to be done to get you historical resources clearance

If we find an historic or archaeological site, and it isn’t possible to move the project footprint, you may need mitigation or excavation.

The  regulator will issue a Schedule of Requirements detailing what needs to be done so you can get clearance. You may have to excavate just a small area, or you may be required to have us excavate a much larger area.

Our excavations are done with shovels and trowels to ensure we don’t miss or damage artifacts. When the excavation is complete, we create a final report that includes methodology, stratigraphy, artifacts recovered, and technical analyses, as well as our interpretations, conclusions, and recommendations.

Historic Resource Impact Mitigation

Sometimes the HRMB will require you to have an archaeologist on site during construction. This requirement is made for one of two reasons:

  • To reduce the impact on resources we did not identify during the HRIA
  • To ensure that construction avoids a nearby resource

If this is the case for your project, we’ll work with you to develop a budget and schedule that doesn’t get in the way of your project’s completion.

Uncover history, protect heritage, and move forward with confidence—our expertise ensures your project respects the past while building the future.

Historic Resource Impact Monitoring and Post-Impact Assessments

Occasionally, after an HRIA or HRIM has been completed, the regulators will require you to have an archaeologist on site during specific stages of construction. This requirement is made for one of two reasons:

  • As a mitigative option to reduce the impact on resources not identified during the HRIA
  • To ensure that construction adequately avoids a nearby resource.

If this is the case for your project, we’ll work with you to develop a budget and schedule that doesn’t get in the way of the project’s completion.

Chance Find Management Plans

If you don’t have to have an archaeologist on site but want to protect any archaeological or heritage resources you may discover during construction or other ground disturbing activities, we can provide you with a Chance Find Management Plan (CFMP).

The implementation of these plans helps companies comply with heritage conservation laws and prevents legal issues and potential project delays. Other benefits of CFMPs include improved community relations, educational opportunities, and risk management.

To discuss how Ground Truth Archaeology & Heritage Services can help you achieve your goals, send us an email.