NEWS RELEASE
COUNTY OF SIMCOE
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The County is undertaking the preparation and completion of an Archaeological Management Plan (AMP) for Simcoe County. The purpose of the initiative is to conserve and protect this area's rich cultural heritage and archaeological features and sites and to address Planning Act requirements.
The process includes significant consultation and engagement with stakeholder groups, First Nations and Métis communities.
“Our County is rich with culture and heritage and identifying these features will not only serve a rich historical purpose, but also provide efficiencies for local planning authorities who can use the information within planning policies and decisions,” said Warden Gerry Marshall. “We are already having productive discussions with our Indigenous communities, and we plan to engage with stakeholder groups as much as possible to build an inclusive and detailed plan that will support planning and land use policy for generations to come.”
Once complete, the County of Simcoe AMP will:
- Create a confidential inventory of registered and unregistered archaeological sites, including all existing and closed cemeteries
- Prepare an overview of the County's settlement history for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples
- Develop Geographic Information System (GIS) based mapping that identifies areas of Indigenous and colonial period archaeological potential
- Recommend County Official Plan updates relating to cultural heritage conservation and archaeological features and sites
- Recommend improved planning processes to ensure a standardized and consistent approach to integrating the archaeological assessment process into the municipal planning and development review process
- Recommend an engagement and consultation protocol with relevant Indigenous communities
- Recommend a Contingency Plan for the protection of archaeological resources in urgent situations (i.e., deeply buried human remains discovered during construction)
Consultation with First Nation and Métis communities and site/feature identification started in early 2018 and the final AMP is expected to be completed by early 2019.
The County will host two rounds of Open House sessions occurring in late spring 2018 to obtain input and late fall 2018 to present findings. The spring Open House dates and locations are as follows:
Orillia
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 34 Orillia - Vimy Lounge
215 Mississaga Street East, Orillia
2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
Collingwood
Monday, June 4, 2018
Collingwood Public Library - Meeting Rooms B and C
55 Ste. Marie Street, Collingwood
2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
Cookstown
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Cookstown Library and Community Centre - Community Hall
20 Church Street, Cookstown
2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
Midland
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Midland Public Library - Assembly Room
320 King Street, Midland
2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
The project webpage, where updates and materials will be made available, is www.simcoe.ca/amp
The County has retained Archaeological Services Inc. (ASI) to prepare and consult on the County AMP. ASI is a leader in the development of Archaeological Master and Management Plans throughout the Province, having completed many of the existing AMP's currently in operation in Ontario.
County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.
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