Merritt TSR Data Package - 2014
Section 8(8) (x)(x) – Section Title
Factor 33 – Archaeological Resources / First Nations Cultural Use and Sensitive
Sites Bruce Walter
Part 1 Factor Description
Description:
Archaeological Resources
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Various archaeological inventory studies (including archaeological impact assessments) have
been undertaken within the Merritt TSA. For TSR 4 there were 709 archaeological sites
identified by the Archaeological Branch within the Merritt TSA. The majority of these sites
are located on lands outside of the crown forest land base or are in areas removed for other
reasons (e.g. Old Growth Management Areas, lake buffers). The archaeological sites
included in this data package are from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts
(Archaeological Branch, March 2009) Remote Access to Archaeological Data (RAAD)
website. This database is updated with new information on monthly basis.
To account for the impact of archaeological resources in the Merritt TSA, a conservative
100% net-down is recommended for each mapped polygon. (Buffers as per Lillooet TSR?)
For TSR 4, 541 hectares was removed from the THLB. The total area within the TSA was at
that time 1,198 hectares.
Additional sites identified through the planning process with forest licensees are protected
within Wildlife Tree Patches and are not part of this total.
First Nations Cultural Use and Spiritual Areas
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This section addresses First Nations uses that are not exclusively archaeological in nature.
The 2007 AAC Determination for the Merritt TSA recognized that Stoyoma Mountain has
been consistently identified by First Nations as a sacred mountain. Current practice is to
involve First Nations to a very high degree where requested in the planning and harvest
monitoring on Stoyoma Mountain. Furthermore, licencees are encouraged to communicate
any plans to harvest on Stoyoma Mountain with the District Manager in order that the district
may work proactively with the licencees and First Nations on the planning phases
(Zacharatos, 2007).
At this point in time Stoyoma should continue to be modeled as part of the timber harvesting
land base. Sensitivities may be warranted to remove all of the Stoyoma area that was
identified by the NlakaPamux during the 2012 planning process on that topic. Map available.
Another spiritually important area is in the Missezula Lake area (identified as a Xe Xe
(pronounced “haha”) area). This Xe Xe area is approximately 619 ha (note MFLNRO does
not have a map of this area – the area mapped is a reproduction from observation of a map
presented during a meeting). The spatial information is not publicly available and the
assumption is made that all of the area is within the THLB.
The MoFR Cascades District views this Xe Xe area as a long-term reduction to timber
supply.
Merritt TSR Data Package - 2014
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The timber supply impact of XeXe spiritual areas will not be modeled in the analysis.
Instead, a small downward pressure will be identified following the analysis.
Rumours abound with respect to the number and size of sensitive sites (spiritual / cultural)
that exist within the Merritt TSA. The Nlaka’Pamux apparently have maps indicating more
than 300,000 ha of sensitive sites. At this time this map has not been shared and it is not
possible to determine impacts on timber supply as the Nlaka’Pamux continue to work with
licensees to resolve issues and government is not party to those negotiations. Therefore, no
additional modeling is recommended. A further downward pressure will be identified in the
determination binder for this factor.
RADD Polygon
Gross land base (ha)
All
100%
Sensitive Site Sensitivity
Analysis
Gross land base (ha)
Stoyoma Cultural Area
100%
Other Details:
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How Modelled:
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100% Net down for RAAD identified archaeological polygons.
Small downward pressure will be identified post analysis for undiscovered sites.
Cultural heritage resource values (XeXe areas, Stoyoma area) will not be modeled. Instead a
downward pressure will be identified following the analysis for inclusion in the
determination binder.
Run as a sensitivity with Stoyoma excluded and included separately to determine timber
supply impacts.
Merritt TSR Data Package - 2014
Sources:
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Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts (Archaeological Branch, March 2009) Remote Access to
Archaeological Data (RAAD)
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Contacts:
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Author:
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Status:
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Update Date:
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Appendices:
Part 2 - Data Set Description (part 2 may not be needed for each factor)
Description
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Source File
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Metadata:
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Currency Date:
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Primary Fields of Interest:
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TSA summary of data set:
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Author:
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Update Date:
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Merritt TSR Data Package - 2014
File Tracking:
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Appendices: