Aerial view of typical seismic trail on Richards Island.

In August of 2003, Bison Historical Services Ltd. and Inuvialuit Environmental and Geotechnical Inc. carried out a survey of heritage sites in the Mackenzie Delta on behalf of EnCana Corporation.   Previously known sites were re-visited to ensure that they had not been damaged by last winter's seismic exploration program.   We also examined three potential well sites and related access routes to ensure that upcoming winter projects would avoid all known and newly identified heritage sites.

Fieldwork was based out of Tuktoyaktuk and carried out by helicopter and on foot.   Our work was concentrated around the mouth of the East Channel of the Mackenzie River, on both Richards Island and portions of the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula.   We did not excavate any materials at any sites and no artifacts or other cultural materials were collected.

River bank erosion of an ancient Inuvialuit village site.

Twenty-seven known sites, including ancient graves, villages and camps, were re-visited to evaluate the success of avoidance during the 2002-2003 Kugmallit winter seismic program.   All sites within 200 metres of seismic program activities were re-visited.   No previously identified sites were damaged by last winter's Kugmallit seismic exploration activities.   However, natural erosion at several sites remains an on-going concern.   

The newly proposed EnCana Burnt Lake well site(s) and access route were also examined. This program consists of three possible well site locations and related access routes linking the wells to the Mackenzie River Ice Road. Three new sites were identified during our examination of this project. Newly identified sites are all prehistoric lithic scatters and/or campsites. Two previously identified sites were also examined in connection with this program. EnCana's planned development was modified to avoid all newly identified and previously known heritage sites. The proposed Encana Burnt Lake well site and access route will avoid all previously known and newly identified heritage sites.