BC Hydro’s: Reservoir Archaeology Program

CRT facilitated workshop Nov 19, 2013

Archaeology and Heritage sites

• A physical record of human history

• Contributes to knowledge about the past

• Connects modern communities with their ancestors

• Factors into legal decisions on lands and resources

• Protected sites cannot be disturbed without a Permit

• Defines a protected site as 1846 or older, and

Burial Places

Wreck sites (Shipwrecks, Aircraft Wrecks)

• Does not automatically include Historic (post 1846) or Paleontological

• Provisions for designating sites that fall outside protected site definitions but are of importance to a First Nation

BC Heritage Conservation Act

BC Hydro Water Use Planning

• Multi-stakeholder process• Watershed based• Consultative Committees

• Fish• Wildlife• Reservoir access• Recreation • Cultural Heritage

• Performance measures applied to operating regimes

• Recommended studies to address data gaps

Reservoir Archaeology Program

Reservoir Archaeology Program• Compliance with HCA in system of reservoirs• Direct management of archaeological sites• MOU with Province• Long term – 30 year plan

Two stages• Inventory and development of long-term archaeology

management plans• Implementation of long term management plans

Reservoir Archaeology Program

Impacts to archaeology and heritage sites related to Reservoir operations- specifically erosion

Active erosion zone includes draw down zone plus critically eroding land above the high pool

Reservoir Archaeology Program

• Collaborative decision-making through technical working group model

• Contract award opportunities with First Nations

• Employment and training• Supporting capacity building efforts

in local communities