Plan for the future, recognize the value of the past
Meaningful Heritage Planning
Indigenous communities, proponents, municipalities and approval authorities can use several archaeological management tools to manage potential and/or known archaeological resources. These include archaeological management plans, strategic conservation plans and cultural heritage values mapping. At TMHC, we provide clients with high quality, effective management tools tailored to your specific needs.
Archaeological Management Plans
Archaeological Management Plans (AMP) are one way that Indigenous communities and approval authorities can ensure that concerns for archaeological resources are identified and addressed early in the development approvals process. The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs encourages municipalities to develop an AMP as an effective, proactive tool for the identification of the need for an archaeological assessment. However, archaeological management plans can also be site specific allowing for detailed processes and procedures to actively manage a known archaeological site for which protection and avoidance is required.
An AMP will include such information as known archaeological sites, areas with archaeological potential, any archaeologically sensitive areas where known significant or culturally-sensitive archaeological sites are present and where the potential of finding another site is high. An AMP will also include the policies, processes and procedures for identifying and managing archaeological resources including the incorporation of consultation with Indigenous communities on the traditional land use history.
Strategic Conservation Plans
Strategic conservation plans are comprehensive management tools for the identified cultural heritage present within a property including archaeological sites. The Ontario government is requiring its ministries and prescribed public bodies to create strategic conservation plans in order to be compliant with Part III.1 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
However, these plans can also be an effective tool for municipalities for the long-term management of cultural heritage within specific properties. Strategic Conservation Plans set out how the cultural heritage within a property will be conserved through proactive management while supporting broader heritage tools like AMPs.
Traditional Land-Use Knowledge Mapping
Traditional land-use knowledge mapping is a valuable tool for communities to incorporate the full spectrum of tangible and intangible cultural heritage into land use planning decisions. Indigenous communities may also wish to develop mapping of cultural heritage values specific to their communities in order to preserve this knowledge for future generations.