Archaeological Impact Assessment Interim Report Now Available

June 16, 2017 – The Province and the New Westminster School District have committed that no construction for the new NWSS Project will take place on any known burial area. To confirm areas available for construction, Golder Associates, on behalf of the School District, conducted a heritage investigation and archaeological impact assessment of the project site to determine buildable locations for the new school.

Based on both previous and our most recent studies, we are satisfied that there are no known burial areas in the anticipated location of the new school. Similarly, research also confirmed potential buildable locations in the area reviewed next to the anticipated location of the new school for uses such as parking, a maintenance building and playing fields.

Heritage management and archaeological monitoring procedures will remain in place throughout the development of the new school to ensure the proper preservation and management of any discovered archaeological materials.

2016 Heritage Investigation Results

Field investigations in and adjacent to the anticipated location of the new school, led by Golder Associates archaeologists, did not identify any burial areas or historic materials and features associated with past cemetery use.

Archaeological impact assessment activities took place on site between November 14 and December 13, 2016. Field investigations included the monitoring of geotechnical and geo-environmental boreholes located within and immediately adjacent to the archaeological site as well as mechanical testing of potential geophysical anomalies identified in an earlier study conducted from July 13 to August 23, 2016. The purpose of this second phase of work in late 2016 was to determine and locate the presence of any burial areas or historical artifacts.

Golder Associates has developed an interim report which details their archaeological impact assessment work and findings. Heritage investigations of the previously identified locations determined that the geophysical anomalies were typically objects such as boulders, tree stumps, metal objects, historical artifacts and past construction debris. These results are detailed in the report.

Given the historical cemetery use on the site and the large number of cultural groups and organizations associated with the site, the Heritage Conservation Act permit application was distributed widely to groups with an identified historical link to the site. Golder also applied for four First Nations heritage investigation permits, and representatives from First Nations groups also participated in the field work activities.

As committed, other areas of the site previously confirmed as being associated with past cemetery use will be memorialized through a passive park and memorial area. The Memorialization Advisory Committee will be engaged in determining how best to memorialize these dedicated and protected areas of the site.

Please see the NWSS site map attached to this email. For more information about the Project, visit http://www.newnwss.ca.

Contact: New Westminster School District

newnwss@sd40.bc.ca.

604-517-6240