Encana’s Umiak N-05 well site and sump.

In July of 2005, Bison Historical Services Ltd. and Axys Environmental Inc. carried out a survey for heritage sites on Richards Island in the Mackenzie Delta, NWT, on behalf of EnCana Corporation.  Known sites were re-visited to ensure that they had not been damaged by last winter’s Umiak N-05 drilling program.  We also examined the location of the proposed new Umiak D-16 facility and related access route to ensure that upcoming winter projects would not damage any heritage sites.

Known sites in the close vicinity of the exploratory drilling program were re-visited and successful avoidance was documented at seven known heritage sites located next to the overland access route.  Very limited development related disturbances were noted at an eighth heritage site near Corral Bay.  At this historic reindeer herding station some damage to a gathering fenceline was documented.  No previously un-recorded heritage sites were identified during these investigations.

Location of planned Umiak D-16 facility.

EnCana also is also contemplating the construction of a facility designated as D-16, northeast of Umiak Lake.  This facility will be serviced by a short overland access route connecting to existing access routes.  Examination of this proposed new facility location at D-16 and associated access route identified no heritage concerns.

Investigations were carried out by Don Hanna of Bison Historical Services Ltd., assisted by Myles Dillon of Inuvik, who acted as wildlife monitor and local advisor.  Fieldwork was based out of Inuvik and carried out by helicopter and on foot.  Investigations centered on northern Richards Island, in the interior near Umiak Lake and north towards Mason Bay, and in the vicinity of Corral Bay.