Abstract

There are now in excess of 26,000 archaeological sites and 77,000 historic features recorded in Alberta. It is the responsibility of the Heritage Resource Management Branch of Alberta Community Development to manage and protect heritage sites that may be threatened by a variety of land developments. Management decisions are usually made at the time developments are proposed and the preferred method of mitigating potential impacts is through avoidance, thus preserving the resource for the future. However, sufficient mechanisms are not in place to ensure that avoidance is followed through by developers and that avoided sites are not impacted by later, unregulated, activities. The long term protection of heritage resources is in the interest of all Albertans. This paper examines ways of achieving effective stewardship of heritage resources through partnerships and agreements with a variety of stakeholders.