Rufus Tingmiak conducting assessment at remote sump location overlooking Yaya River.

On behalf of KAVIK-AXYS Inc., as agents for Chevron Canada Limited and their Mackenzie Delta Joint Venture (MDJV) with whom they are partners with BP Canada Energy Company, FMA Heritage Resources Consultants Inc. conducted archaeological investigations for three sweet natural gas drilling locations and one remote sump associated with the Proposed 2006/2007 Summer Field Assessment Program. The investigation is part of a larger program of biophysical study that is designed to conduct both follow-up study for previous development as well as investigation of potential future development locations. Its purpose is to provide background data to aid in planning for future exploration and development activities. The specific purpose of the archaeological study in this Proposed 2006/2007 Summer Field Assessment Program was to assess the heritage resource potential of future drilling and sump sites.

As part of the Proposed 2006/2007 Summer Field Assessment Program, archaeologists Wendy Unfreed and Alan Youell were assisted by wildlife monitor Rufus Tingmiak in conducting assessments of drilling locations on Langely Island near the Reindeer Channel (Attick North, Langely South B) and a drilling (Kumak South) and sump location on Richards Island, near Trench Lake and the Yaya River, respectively. Prior to the assessment, it was determined that 31 recorded archaeological and cultural sites were within the general region of the developments. None of these, however, were located in any potential impact areas associated with the developments.

Alan Youell taking notes at remote sump location.

Field reconnaissance of the areas consisted of pedestrian traverse, surface examination and shovel testing to determine the presence of additional unrecorded archaeological or cultural sites. Fifty-one shovel tests were excavated across the footprints, but yielded no cultural deposits. The proposed locations on Langely Island and near the Reindeer Channel (Attick North, Langely South B) were found to be located on areas of relatively active alluvial plain that is subject to seasonal flooding. Continuous remodelling of this area, combined with shallow sediments and underlying waterlogged and silty clays, rendered this area as possessing a low potential for the identification of archaeological or cultural sites.

In the Proposed 2006/2007 Summer Field Assessment Program development locations on Richards Island (Kumak South, remote sump), although the developments will be situated in areas of more elevated morainal deposits which are sometimes associated with the presence of archaeological or cultural sites in the region, surface inspection and shovel testing of the developments did not result in the identification of archaeological or cultural sites.

Based on the results of the assessment on Langely and Richards islands for the three proposed sweet natural gas drilling locations (Attick North, Langely South B, Kumak South) and the remote sump of the Proposed 2006/2007 Summer Field Assessment Program, there appears to be no potential conflicts between archaeological and cultural sites and the development footprints. As a result, it is being recommended to representatives of the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre that these four developments locations associated with the Chevron MDJV Proposed 2006/2007 Summer Field Assessment Program be granted heritage resource clearance relative to the physical archaeological and cultural site concerns in this region.