Information for Developers and Consultants

What is an HRIA?

Under Section 12(2) of The Heritage Resources Act (PDF), if the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage has reason to believe that heritage resources or human remains are known, or thought likely to be present, on lands that are to be developed, then the owner/developer is required to conduct at his/her own expense, a heritage resource impact assessment (HRIA) and mitigation, if necessary, prior to the project’s start.

An HRIA is used to identify and assess any heritge resources that may be negatively impacted by development. Examples of heritage resources include but are not exclusive to works of nature or human endeavor that have prehistoric, historic, cultural, natural, scientifice or aesthic value. An HRIA is a written evaluation of the effect that a proposed development project may have upon heritage resources or human remanis at a site. Consultation, permitting, and field work involving surveying and mitigation may be part of the HRIA process.

Information about heritage resources and the HRIA process can be found in the publications, A Precious Resource for all Manitobans: Heritge Objects (PDF) and Managing Our Heritage Resources: Impact Assessment (PDF).

Who conducts an HRIA?

The developer must contract a qualified archaeological consultant to conduct an HRIA of the proposed development location, in order to identify and assess any heritage resources that may be negatively impacted by development.

The consultant, in turn, will apply for a heritage permit (PDF) in order to conduct the work. If desirable, the Branch will work with the property stakeholders and their consultant(s) to draw up terms of reference for the project. Upon request, the Branch will provide a list of archaeological consultants who work in Manitoba. Please contact hrb.archaeology@gov.mb.ca for further information.

What should an HRIA report contain?

The HRIA should contain information that is typically found in a Manitoba Archaeology Site Inventory Form or an archaeological permit report. It should also contain relevant file numbers; pertinent maps, photographs and illustrations pertaining to the development and archaeological work in question; and photograph and artifact catalogue sheets. Please refer to HRIA Report Guidelines (PDF). A hard and electronic copy of the report is submitted to the Historic Resources Branch.

When is my HRIA considered completed?

The HRIA is considered complete once the heritage permit report has been reviewed by the Historic Resources Branch to ensure permitting requirements have been met. These requirements may include further investigations, completion of archaeological site inventory or site update forms as well as the submission of relevant artifact catalogues before final clearance is provided. Only upon the issuance of an official letter of clearance to the stakeholders from Manitoba’s Historic Resources Branch stating that all conditions have been met with satisfaction is an HRIA considered to be complete.

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