Historic Resources Impact Assessments
Most of Alberta's historic resources fall into one of three
categories: historic buildings and other structures,
archaeological sites (buried artifacts and other evidence
that tell us about human life in the past) and palaeontological
sites (fossilized remains of plants and animals). The
need to preserve and study historic resources has long been
recognized and was officially reflected in the passage of the
Alberta Heritage Act in 1973 (now
the Alberta
Historical Resources Act).
Historic resources are susceptible to the effects of time and,
especially, to damage caused by the activities of modern
society. In recognizing their nonrenewable nature, Section 37 of
the Historical Resources Act provides the framework for
Historic Resources Impact Assessments (HRIAs) and
mitigative studies. When, in the opinion of the Minister
of Alberta Culture, an activity will or
will likely result in the alteration, damage or destruction
of an historic resource, the person or company undertaking
the activity can be required to:
- conduct an HRIA on lands that may be affected by the activity,
- submit to Alberta Culture a report discussing the results of the HRIA,
- avoid any historic resources endangered by activity, or
- mitigate potential impacts by undertaking comprehensive studies.
HRIAs and mitigative studies are paid for by the person or company
undertaking or proposing to undertake the activity. Professional
private-sector historians, archaeologists and palaeontologists
perform the required work. Alberta Culture regulates archaeological and palaeontological fieldwork through a
permit system. All decision-making in regard to
the management of historic resources rests with Alberta Culture.
Contact the appropriate personnel in the Land Use Planning Section.
