Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Ministère du Tourisme, de la Culture et du Sport Sport Culture Programs Unit Unité des programmes culturels Programs and Services Branch Direction des programmes et des services Culture Division Division de culture 435 S. James Street, Suite 334 435, rue James sud, bureau 334 Thunder Bay ON P7E 6S7 Thunder Bay ON P7E 6S7 Tel.: 807-475-1628 Tél.: 807-475-1628 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] February 1, 2013 Dr. Dean Knight Archaeological Research Associates Ltd. 154 Otonabee Drive Kitchener, ON N2C 1L7 Dear Dr. Knight, RE: Review and Entry into the Ontario Public Register of Archaeological Reports: Archaeological Assessment Report Entitled Stage 2 and 3 Archaeological Assessments Port Ryerse Wind Power Project (FIT F-001579-WIN-130-601) Part of Lots 3–5, Broken Front Geographic Township of Woodhouse Norfolk County, Ontario, Revised Report Dated January 14, 2013, Filed by MTCS Toronto Office January 16, 2013, MTCS Project Information Form Number P089-014-2012 & P089- 018-2012, MTCS File Number HD00097 This office has reviewed the above-mentioned report, which has been submitted to this ministry as a condition of licensing in accordance with Part VI of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c 0.18.1 This review has been carried out in order to determine whether the licensed professional consultant archaeologist has met the terms and conditions of their licence, that the licensee assessed the property and documented archaeological resources using a process that accords with the 2011 Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists set by the ministry, and that the archaeological fieldwork and report recommendations are consistent with the conservation, protection and preservation of the cultural heritage of Ontario. The report documents the assessment of the study area as depicted in Maps 21 – 27 of the above titled report and recommends the following: 2.5.1 Findspot 1 (Ryerse 1; AeHb-68) Findspot 1 met at least one of the criteria defined in Section 7.12 of the Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists for determining whether an archaeological site warrants a Site Record Form (MTC 2011:160–161). Accordingly, it has been assigned Borden No. AeHb-68 and designated as Ryerse 1. When compared against the criteria in Section 2.2 of the Standards and Guidelines for Archaeologists (MTC 2011:39–40), this archaeological site was found to be of further CHVI. In order to avoid impacts to this site, however, the proponent modified the project location. ARA accordingly recommends that Findspot 1 be subjected to further archaeological assessment only if impacts become a concern. An appropriate Stage 3 assessment strategy would involve a Controlled Surface Pickup of the remaining artifacts and the excavation of an array of 1 x 1 m test units along a 5 m grid across the 54 x 22 m scatter. Although part of Findspot 1’s 20 m protective buffer traverses the project location, this buffer is affected by a permanently disturbed cultural form (Avalon Lane and its associated embankment/ditch). In accordance with the directions set out in Section 3.2.3 Guideline 1a and Section 4.1 Standard 2 of the Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists (MTC 2011:50, 68), a modified buffer zone is therefore warranted. Given that the project does not propose any modifications to Avalon Lane in this area, and that the full extent of the project location within the 20 m protective buffer is disturbed, Stage 3 assessment is not required within this part of the buffer. Findspot 1 and its 20 m protective buffer must be subjected to construction monitoring, however. A temporary barrier should be erected along the project location limits in this area to protect the site during construction. All construction activities within 70 m of Findspot 1 must be monitored by a licensed archaeologist to ensure that unintentional project impacts do not occur (see Supplementary Documentation Map 11). 2.5.2 Findspot 2 (Ryerse 2; AeHb-69) Findspot 2 met at least one of the criteria defined in Section 7.12 of the Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists for determining whether an archaeological site warrants a Site Record Form (MTC 2011:160–161). Accordingly, it has been assigned Borden No. AeHb-69 and designated as Ryerse 2. When compared against the criteria in Section 2.2 of the Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists (MTC 2011:39–40), this archaeological site was found to be of no further CHVI. ARA accordingly recommends that no further archaeological assessment of Findspot 2 be required. 2.5.3 Findspot 3 (Ryerse 3; AeHb-70) Findspot 3 met at least one of the criteria defined in Section 7.12 of the Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists for determining whether an archaeological site warrants a Site Record Form (MTC 2011:160–161). Accordingly, it has been assigned Borden No. AeHb-70 and designated as Ryerse 3. When compared against the criteria in Section 2.2 of the Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists (MTC 2011:39–40), this archaeological site was found to be of further CHVI. In order to avoid impacts to this site, however, the proponent modified the project location. ARA accordingly recommends that Findspot 3 be subjected to further archaeological assessment only if impacts become a concern. An appropriate Stage 3 assessment strategy would involve a Controlled Surface Pickup of the remaining artifacts and the excavation of an array of 1 x 1 m test units along a 5 m grid across the 40 x 30 m scatter. Although part of Findspot 3’s 20 m protective buffer traverses the project location, this buffer is affected by a permanently disturbed cultural form (Avalon Lane and its associated embankment/ditch). In accordance with the directions set out in Section 3.2.3 Guideline 1a and Section 4.1 Standard 2 of the Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists (MTC 2011:50, 68), a modified buffer zone is therefore warranted. Given that the project does not propose any modifications to Avalon Lane in this area, and that the full extent of the project location within the 20 m protective buffer is disturbed, Stage 3 assessment is not required within this part of the buffer. Findspot 3 and its 20 m protective buffer must be subjected to construction monitoring, however. A temporary barrier should be erected along 2 the project location limits in this area to protect the site during construction. All construction activities within 70 m of Findspot 3 must be monitored by a licensed archaeologist to ensure that unintentional project impacts do not occur (see Supplementary Documentation Map 12). 2.5.4 Findspot 4 (Ryerse 4; AeHb-71) Findspot 4 met at least one of the criteria defined in Section 7.12 of the Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists for determining whether an archaeological site warrants a Site Record Form (MTC 2011:160–161). Accordingly, it has been assigned Borden No. AeHb-71 and designated as Ryerse 4. When compared against the criteria in Section 2.2 of the Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists (MTC 2011:39–40), this archaeological site was found to be of further CHVI. In order to avoid impacts to this site or its 20 m protective buffer, however, the proponent modified the project location. ARA accordingly recommends that Findspot 4 be subjected to further archaeological assessment only if impacts become a concern. An appropriate Stage 3 assessment strategy would involve a Controlled Surface Pickup of the remaining artifacts and the excavation of an array of 1 x 1 m test units along a 5 m grid across the 25 x 22 m scatter. Given that at least one part of Findspot 4 is located between 21 and 70 m away from the project location, unintentional project impacts to the site are a concern. Thus, in accordance with the direction set out in Section 7.8.5 of the Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists (MTC 2011:140–141), ARA recommends that Findspot 4 be subjected to construction monitoring. A temporary barrier should be erected along the project location limits in this area to the site during construction. All construction activities within 70 m of Findspot 4 must be monitored by a licensed archaeologist to ensure that unintentional project impacts do not occur (see Supplementary Documentation Map 13). 2.5.5 Findspot 5 (Ryerse 5; AeHb-72) Findspot 5 met at least one of the criteria defined in Section 7.12 of the Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists for determining whether an archaeological site warrants a Site Record Form (MTC 2011:160–161). Accordingly, it has been assigned Borden No. AeHb-72 and designated as Ryerse 5. When compared against the criteria in Section 2.2 of the Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists (MTC 2011:39–40), this archaeological site was found to be of further CHVI. In order to avoid impacts to this site or its 20 m protective buffer, however, the proponent modified the project location. ARA accordingly recommends that Findspot 5 be subjected to further archaeological assessment only if impacts become a concern. An appropriate Stage 3 assessment strategy would involve a Controlled Surface Pickup of the remaining artifacts and the excavation of an array of 1 x 1 m test units along a 5 m grid across the 56 x 57 m scatter. Given that at least one part of Findspot 5 is located between 21 and 70 m away from the project location, unintentional project impacts to the site are a concern. Thus, in accordance with the direction set out in Section 7.8.5 of the Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists (MTC 2011:140–141), ARA recommends that Findspot 5 be subjected to construction monitoring.