Abstract

The major forestry companies in Saskatchewan have dealt with heritage concerns in their licensed forestry areas since 1992. A pilot program which explored in detail such issues as heritage potential modelling, detailed impact analysis and integrated management planning, evolved into a diverse suite of heritage management methods tailored to the needs and circumstances of each company. However, the latest work suggests that this diversification in heritage management approaches can be eliminated by considering principles set forth by the Canadian and International Standards Associations using CSA-Z808 and 809 Sustainable Forest Management System and ISO 14001 Environmental Management System specifications. The new management approach stresses the development of a process for addressing heritage concerns that can be adopted relatively easily by any forestry company, and is based upon a high degree of self-compliancy. Its advantages are that it is understandable by both heritage managers and forest industry personnel, it is highly oriented towards assistance in planning for avoidance of heritage impacts and perhaps most importantly demonstrates a high regard for heritage resources that can be used as a bulwark against national and international criticism of forestry practices. Since the management model stresses archaeological management over archaeological field studies, it can be extremely cost-effective, especially for firms which must address diverse forestry operations over large tracts of land. The management approach uses heritage potential modelling, heritage impact modeling and standard cultural resource management principles in its implementation. Practical examples of its application for road construction, cutblock harvesting and silviculture are illustrated.