The Archaeological Management Plan is being created to help address provincially-mandated requirements for the conservation of archaeological sites and resources.

The Kawartha Lakes AMP project is currently collecting data and conducting initial outreach to Indigenous communities and archaeological stakeholders. We also welcome questions or comments about the AMP through this platform. Please subscribe or follow this page for updates as the project progresses.

The City is initiating in-person public engagement for the Archaeological Management Plan (AMP) in fall 2024. There are lots of ways to meet us and learn more about archaeology in Kawartha Lakes and the AMP.

Public Meeting
We will be hosting an open house and public meeting on November 28 at the Victoria Park Armoury (210 Kent Street West, Lindsay). The drop-in open house will take place from 4pm to 6pm and presentations from our team will begin at 6pm with questions and discussion to follow.

Pop Up Engagement at Kawartha Lakes Public Library Branches

We will be traveling throughout our 14 library branches this fall with an information banner exhibit and pop up engagement sessions you can attend to meet with staff and ask questions about archaeology in Kawartha Lakes and the AMP.

Our banners will arrive at the Little Britain branch beginning the weekend of September 21 and will be visiting a different library branch each week. Come in during branch open hours to see our banners or visit us at one of the times listed below to meet with staff.

Staff will be at library branches on the following dates and times:

Little Britain: Thursday September 26, 3 to 7pm

Oakwood: Tuesday October 1, 4 to 7pm

Woodville: Thursday October 10, 12 to 4pm

Bethany: Wednesday October 16 10am to 2pm

Omemee: Saturday October 19, 10am to 2pm

Dunsford: Wednesday October 30 10am to 2pm

Bobcaygeon: Wednesday November 5, 1pm to 5pm

Kinmount: Tuesday November 12 12pm to 4pm

Norland: Thursday November 21 3pm to 7pm

Dalton: Monday November 25, 10am to 2pm

Kirkfield: Thursday December 5, 10am to 2pm

Coboconk: Thursday December 12, 3pm to 6pm

Fenelon Falls: Wednesday December 18, 1pm to 5pm

Lindsay: Saturday December 21, 12pm to 4pm

March 2024

The City of Kawartha Lakes is beginning the development of an Archaeological Management Plan (AMP) for the municipality. An AMP is a planning tool that identified areas of archaeological potential using known archaeological site locations, changes in landforms and waterways over time and takes into consideration traditional land use patterns and areas of historic settlement. The AMP is being created to help address provincially-mandated requirements for the conservation of archaeological sites and resources in communities across the province. The AMP has two primary outcomes: a GIS-based archaeological potential model and strategic policy and planning direction for the use of the model and the protection of archaeological resources in the City. The development of the AMP will take approximately one year and is anticipated to be complete in early 2025.

TMHC Inc. (TMHC) has been hired by the City to complete the AMP. TMHC has extensive experience in the cultural heritage resource management field with particular strength related to archaeology and Indigenous engagement. TMHC has recently completed the AMP for Bruce County and has experience in working with rural municipalities with larger towns and villages such as Kawartha Lakes. The City and TMHC welcome questions or comments about the AMP through this platform. Please subscribe or follow this page for updates as the project progresses.

When complete, the Archaeological Master Plan will be an important aspect of the City’s cultural resource management strategy to ensure the protection, preservation and sensitive treatment of archaeological sites throughout the City as part of the development and capital project processes.

The following questions are often asked during the preparation of an archaeological management plan or AMP. These questions and answers are provided here to help inform community members interested in the development of the Kawartha Lakes AMP.

What is an Archaeological Management Plan?

Answer: An Archaeological Management Plan (AMP), previously referred to as an Archaeological Master Plan, is a municipal planning tool to help identify, conserve, and manage archaeological resources located within a municipality. AMPs typically include an archaeological potential model and instructions for how to implement and maintain this planning tool within existing municipal policy frameworks, such as official plans.

Why develop an Archaeological Management Plan?

Answer: Municipalities in Ontario are partly responsible for conserving archaeological resources within their jurisdiction under Section 2.6 of the Provincial Policy Statement. When planners receive certain development applications, they must decide if archaeological resources such as Indigenous or historic archaeological sites, might be impacted and require an archaeological assessment. An AMP helps planners make these decisions based on archaeological potential, using the locations of existing sites to inform where new sites might be found. Developing an AMP is also an opportunity for a municipality to establish clear policies such as what types of applications trigger archaeological assessments or when and how Indigenous communities are engaged.

What is an archaeological assessment?

Answer: An archaeological assessment is a study conducted by a qualified archaeologist to determine if archaeological resources, such as sites or artifacts, are or may be present in a particular area. Assessments are usually triggered if there is potential for these archaeological resources to be disturbed by a development activity. Qualified archaeologists are licensed by the Province of Ontario and any information produced during the assessment is reviewed and stored by the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. These assessments can take multiple forms, from background research studies to large site excavations. The type of assessment is determined by the size or significance of any archaeological sites, if any are present, as well as the extent of proposed impacts.

Who develops an Archaeological Management Plan?

Answer: Once a municipality decides to develop an AMP, they partner with an archaeological or planning consultant and together prepare the archaeological potential model and implementation pieces of the planning tool. The development of an AMP also involves extensive engagement with local organizations and Indigenous communities. Experts on local archaeology and history are also contacted for information that could inform the potential model. When the AMP is ready, it is presented to municipal council who make the ultimate decision about implementing the plan. Once the AMP is in place, it should be maintained by the municipality.

How would an Archaeological Management Plan consider underwater archaeology?

Answer: The AMP being prepared for the City of Kawartha Lakes is a land-based exercise. However, many archaeological sites that were once on dry land are now inundated or seasonally submerged. The AMP will consider the locations of known underwater archaeological sites when determining archaeological potential on nearby shorelines and other terrestrial areas. The AMP policies may also include requirements for certain near shore development applications or permits to conduct marine archaeological assessments.