Archaeology in Newfoundland and Labrador 1996
Edited by K. Nelmes
Report on an Historic Resources Overview Impact Assessment in the Alexis River Area, Port Hope Simpson, Labrador
Doug Robbins
This preliminary report is to inform the Culture and Heritage Division (Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador) of the results of the Stage 1 Impact Assessment conducted July 12, 1996 in the Alexis River area, near Port Hope Simpson, Labrador. This assessment was performed by the author and an assistant supplied by the Innu Nation. The proponent is a Vancouver-based mineral exploration company presently engaged in diamond drilling in the Port Hope Simpson area.
Summary of Findings
Three proposed diamond drilling sites were inspected within the terms of this assessment. No historic or cultural resources were located. In the opinion of the author, diamond drilling at these sites poses no danger to any historic or cultural resources.
Assessment Procedure and Description
The proponent provided helicopter transportation from Port Hope Simpson to each of the three proposed drill sites. Each site received a preliminary inspection and was photographed during low-level overflights. Some 50-60 minutes was spent performing ground surveys and test-pitting at each site.
Alexis River was used historically as a transportation route by Innu travelling to Port Hope Simpson to trade. It is likely therefore that overnight camps exist somewhere along the river. The locations of the proposed drill sites reported on here did not appear to be prime locations for such camps. In each case the riverbank was steep and without a beach. This makes these locations extremely difficult places to land by boat. In winter these steep riverbanks are likely buried under substantial snowbanks, which again would make access to shore difficult. Undoubtedly more habitable locations exist along the reaches of the Alexis River.
Site G3
Site G3 is situated some 100 metres from the riverbank, within a spruce woods. A marsh borders the woods to the north. The woods give way to a dense alder growth at the river. The riverbank here is quite steep, dropping some 15-20 feet to the river. One hour was spent surveying within the spruce woods at the immediate drill site and within a surrounding area of some 100-200 m in each direction. In addition a 50 metre stretch of the riverbank was inspected. Three test pits were dug in the immediate drill site locale. These show an unaltered natural stratigraphy, composed of a sphagnum moss ground cover on top of 25-40 cm of loose, waterlogged brown peat. Below the peat is a thin (1 cm or less) black humus layer and then grey subsoil. No evidence of any human activity or disturbance was observed throughout the survey and testing.
Site G5 North
Site G5 includes two proposed diamond drill sites located on opposite sides of the Alexis River. These are designated G5 North and G5 South.
G5 North is located some 250 m from the riverbank, on the edge of a marsh. A neck of spruce woods borders the marsh to the northwest. More spruce woods extend southwest from the marsh to the riverbank. The immediate location of the proposed drill site and a surrounding area extending some 200 m in each direction was inspected on foot. No evidence of any human activity or disturbance was observed. (Test-pitting was impractical at this locale due to the marsh conditions.)
Site G5 South
GS South is located about 150 m from the riverbank, near the junction of the river and a brook. The banks of the river and brook are densely grown with spruce woods and alders. The proposed drill site is situated in an old burnt area adjacent to this wooded area. The ground here is somewhat drier than at the other sites, covered with a thinner peat and moss layer. The immediate area of the proposed drill site was inspected along with a surrounding area of some 100-200 m in each direction. The banks of the river and brook were inspected for some 100 m in front of the proposed drill site. Trees had been cut at one location along the riverbank. Chainsaw marks and the relatively good state of preservation of stumps and fallen trees show this activity to have been quite recent. No other evidence of human activity or disturbance was observed. At the precise drill site two test pits were dug. These produced no evidence of past human activity and showed unaltered natural stratigraphy identical to that of area G3.
Addendum
Visit to an Active Drill Site
The proponent graciously provided helicopter transport to their active drill site in the Alexis River area (approximately 1/2 hour flying time), in order for the archaeologist to see firsthand the drilling operation and its impact on the environment.
The drill site consists of a plywood shack (about 15 x 20 ft.) housing the drilling equipment. The shack sits on two tiers of squared log sleepers which in turn rest directly on the marsh (this area was not wooded). Around the shack are three or four drums of fuel, and stacks of drill pipe, water hose and core boxes. A portable water pump sits some 50 m away on the edge of a small pond and a rubber water hose snakes across the marsh to the drill shack.
Drilling occurs around the clock. Two two-men crews work 12 hour shifts. While on site the crewmen generally confine their activities to the shack as (a) it provides shelter from the rain and (b) there’s sufficient exhaust fumes to discourage blackflies!
This visit occurred on the second day of drilling at this site. At the time 140 feet of the planned 500 feet had been drilled. The only visible disturbance was a two foot square torn-up area of marsh where the drill entered the ground.
Recommendations
In the opinion of the author, no resources of cultural or historical significance exist: (1) at the immediate drill site locales, (2) along the riverbanks immediately adjacent to the proposed drill sites, or (3) within 100-200 m in any direction from the immediate drill site locales. This encompasses all zones possibly impacted by diamond drilling at these sites.
In light of this conclusion it is recommended that the proponent be permitted to proceed with diamond drilling at these sites.