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Between August 2nd and 7th of 2004, Bison Historical Services
Ltd. carried out an archaeological survey for heritage sites
in the general vicinity of Colville Lake, NWT. These
investigations were carried out at the request of Northern
EnviroSearch Ltd. on behalf of Apache Canada Ltd. and Paramount
Resources Ltd. Fieldwork was based out of Norman Wells
and carried out by helicopter over-flight and on foot. Investigations
were carried out by Don Hanna and Bob Steinhauser of Bison
Historical Services Ltd. and accompanied by Rhea MacDonald
of Norman Wells and Robert Kochon of Colville Lake, who acted
as guides, advisors and wildlife monitors. Examination
consisted of helicopter over flight, on-foot surface examination
and judgemental shovel testing.
There were three objectives to this study:
- To examine existing well sites drilled by Paramount and
Apache to determine if any heritage sites had been damaged
by drilling;
- To look at proposed new well site locations to ensure that
no heritage sites are damaged;
- To examine selected portions of the access routes associated
with these well sites to identify heritage sites that might
be impacted.
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Abandoned
cabin on Tunago Lake. |
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Two well sites and portions of access road in the Turton Lake
area were examined. One recent traditional land-use locality
was identified near the access route. The planned drilling
program won’t damage this locality. Four well sites and
portions of access road in the vicinity of Lac Maunoir were
examined. A prehistoric lithic scatter and a relatively
recent traditional land-use camp were identified near the already
existing access route. Neither of these sites will be
damaged by use of the access road. One well site and portions
of access road in the vicinity of Tunago Lake were examined. A
large traditional land-use camp area was identified on the
northeast side of Tunago Lake. This concentration of
land-use locales includes cabins, tent frames, stages, deadfall
traps and other signs of intensive land use. One of these
old camp locales, consisting of the remains of tent frames,
stages and other camp debris is close to a proposed water uptake
area on Tunago Lake. If necessary the access road will
be adjusted to avoid this locality. Six well sites and portions
of access road in the Nogha vicinity were also examined. Two
traditional land-use camp areas were identified near Lac Belot. Both
of these locales are well away from proposed access routes
and will not be damaged. Two old traditional land-use
locales were also identified on the north end of Tweed Lake. These
locales are well away from proposed access routes and will
not be damaged.
The planned 2004-2005 drilling programs of Apache Canada Ltd.
and Paramount Resources Ltd. in the Colville Lake area will damage
no known heritage sites.
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