TRCA’s Role in
TRCA Archaeological Review Applications
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is one of the largest landowners in the Greater Toronto Area. TRCA’s comprehensive watershed strategies recommend that heritage resources in the watershed be protected in accordance with Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism (MCM) standards.
Our review is guided by TRCA policies, guidelines and checklists and TRCA Watershed Strategies.
In accordance with provisions in the Conservation Authorities Act, any proposed intrusive works on TRCA-owned lands, including studies and activities which require soil disturbance, require an archaeological assessment be carried out by TRCA’s Archaeology department.
Your request can be made by submitting an
application for archaeological assessment through one of three streams:
As a part of a planning or permit application. In these instances, your application should be submitted to the TRCA planner working on your file, who will coordinate with the TRCA archaeologist.
As a part of a Permission to Enter TRCA-Owned Land (PTE) application. In these instances, your application should be submitted to the TRCA property agent working on your file, who will coordinate with the TRCA archaeologist.
For all other requests, applications should be submitted directly to TRCA Archaeology.
How to Submit to TRCA:
TRCA Archaeological Review Applications
Instructions
These instructions are intended to complement
TRCA’s Role in TRCA Archaeological Review Applications.
Submit to TRCA
All applications for TRCA archaeological assessment must be submitted as follows:
- If your application is being made as a part of a planning or permit application, your application should be submitted to the TRCA planner working on your file via email or by uploading the application form to your application in the TRCA Application Portal. Your planner will coordinate with the TRCA archaeologist.
- If your application is being made as a part of a Permission to Enter TRCA-Owned Land (PTE) application, your application should be submitted to the TRCA property agent working on your file via email or by uploading the application form to your application in the TRCA Application Portal. Your property agent will coordinate with the TRCA archaeologist.
- For all other requests, applications should be submitted directly to TRCA Archaeology.
- TRCA Owned Land boundary information can be found on the TRCA Open Data Portal.
Submission Requirements
All submissions should be in digital format only and include the following:
- Covering Letter, which outlines the proposal, provides contact names, and describes all pre-submission consultation and submission contents, and lists the plans, drawings, and reports submitted for review.
- Administrative review fee, to be determined by the TRCA property agent or archaeologist after the application has been submitted for review.
- Map (or shape files – if available are preferred) of the project location, including:
- Map scale
- Labeled roads
- Relevant landmarks (houses, fences, etc.)
- TRCA property boundary
- Other property boundaries and ownership details
- Natural features (woodlots, watercourses, wetlands, etc.)
- Limits of disturbance or proposed easement (permanent or temporary)
- Proposed project footprint (including staging, storage and access)
- Restoration plans
- Detailed documentation of prior deep ground disturbance or fill (if applicable)
- Relevant photos of the project area (if available)
Receipt by TRCA
- Once your Application for TRCA Archaeological Review is received by TRCA, an archaeologist will be assigned to your project.
- The archaeologist will:
- Guide you through the review process.
- Confirm project details with the TRCA planner or property agent as related to requirements of your planning, permit, or Permission to Enter application.
- Ensure heritage resources impacts are mitigated in accordance with Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism (MCM) standards. TRCA staff will review the application and advise if an archaeological assessment is required.
You should expect confirmation of application receipt from the archaeologist within two (2) business days.
TRCA Application Review and Communication
Archaeological Screening
- For all applications, a standard screening fee is required. Additional fees will be applied for large or complex projects that require more than standard screening work and will be determined and discussed with the proponent prior to the initiation of work.
- The archaeological assessment may be restricted to a desktop screening or necessitate onsite property investigation as determined by our archaeology staff.
- TRCA archaeologist will provide the results of the desktop screening, indicating one of the following:
- NO FURTHER ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONCERNS:
As part of the signoff, the archaeologist will advise that: - If there is any deviation from the agreed upon project area, additional assessment may be necessary.
- If any deeply buried deposits or human remains are encountered, all activities will cease and the TRCA Archaeology Resource Management Services should be notified immediately.
- ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL (FIELD ASSESSMENT REQUIRED):
The archaeologist will advise that: - The applicant is to contact the TRCA archaeologist to discuss scheduling, budget, or changes to the project’s footprint.
- If the applicant chooses to proceed, a letter of agreement will be drafted, including fee estimate, scope and deliverables.
Please note: Archaeological fieldwork requires the land to be suitable for access, generally between late April and late November. Weather and soil conditions are imperative to consider. Applications for such a review could take upward of six months to process and should be scheduled accordingly by your project team.
Our review is guided by Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism (MCM) standards.
Communication with Applicant
All formal correspondence from TRCA is directed to the applicant/proponent.
Approval Process
Once TRCA staff have completed review of your Application for TRCA Archaeological Review, appropriate notices will be given to the client and review of your planning, permit, or Permission to Enter application will proceed, as appropriate.
Need More Information Before You Apply?
Click on the links below for additional information:
For All Applicants
For additional information, see Quick Links for Homeowners, Landowners and Developers or Quick Links for Infrastructure Proponents and Consultants.
If you have any questions about TRCA Archaeology review services, please email alistair.jolly@trca.ca.
Please note that it is the responsibility of the applicant/proponent to undertake due diligence to determine all required planning and permitting approvals.