Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment

Transcription

1 Proposed PowerStream Transformer Station Class Environmental Assessment, Four Candidate Sites, Town of Markham, R.M. of York, Ontario Submitted to SNC-Lavalin Engineers & Constructors 2200 Lakeshore Blvd. West Toronto, ON M8V 1A4 Tel: (416) Fax: (416) Prepared by Archaeological Services Inc. 528 Bathurst Street Toronto, Ontario M5S 2P9 Tel.: Fax: Website: ASI File 07EA-005 Archaeological Licence P163 MCL PIF P August 2007 (Revised February 2008)

2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SERVICES INC. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT DIVISION PROJECT PERSONNEL Project Director/Senior Project Manager: Robert Pihl, MA, CAHP [MCL licence P057] Partner and Senior Archaeologist Manager, Environmental Assessment Division Project Manager: Project Administrator: Caitlin Pearce, Hon BA Research Archaeologist Andrew Douglas BA Research Archaeologist Field Director: Peter Carruthers, MA, CAHP [MCL licence P163] Senior Associate Report Writer and Graphics Preparation: Caitlin Pearce Deborah Pihl, BA [MCL licence R140] Staff Archaeologist Danielle Macdonald, MA Research Archaeologist Report Reviewer: Robert Pihl

3 Proposed PowerStream Transformer Station Class Environmental Assessment, Four Candidate Sites, R.M. of York, Town of Markham, Ontario 1.0 INTRODUCTION Archaeological Services Inc. (ASI) was contracted by SNC-Lavalin Engineers & Constructors, Toronto, on behalf of PowerStream Inc. of Markham, to conduct a Stage 1 archaeological assessment for the proposed PowerStream Transformer Station Class Environmental Assessment, in the Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Ontario (Figure 1). The study areas for four candidate sites are being reviewed to determine the preferred location for a new kV transformer station. The four candidate sites are located within 300 meters of the existing utility (230 kv transmission line) and West Parkway Belt corridor, within the Town of Markham. Permission to carry out the activities necessary for the completion of the Stage 1 assessment was granted to ASI by SNC-Lavalin Engineers & Constructors on March 9, This report presents the results of the Stage 1 background research and field review and makes several recommendations. Figure 1a: Location of candidate sites #1 3 areas superimposed on NTS mapping (Markham 30 M/14).

4 Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Ontario Page 2 Figure 1b: Location of candidate site #4 superimposed on NTS mapping (Markham 30 M/14). 2.0 BACKGROUND RESEARCH The Stage 1 archaeological assessment of the study areas was conducted in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Culture s archaeological assessment technical guidelines (2006). A Stage 1 archaeological assessment involves research to describe the known and potential archaeological resources within the vicinity of the study areas. Such an assessment incorporates a review of previous archaeological research, physiography, and land use history. Background research was completed to identify any archaeological sites in the study areas and to assess the archaeological potential. 2.1 Previous Archaeological Research In order that an inventory of archaeological resources could be compiled for the candidate site study areas, three sources of information were consulted: the site record forms for registered sites housed at the Ontario Ministry of Culture; published and unpublished documentary sources; and the files of ASI. In Ontario, information concerning archaeological sites is stored in the Ontario Archaeological Sites Database (OASD) maintained by the Ontario Ministry of Culture. This database contains archaeological sites registered within the Borden system. Under the Borden system, Canada has been divided into grid blocks based on latitude and longitude. A Borden block is approximately 13 kilometres east to west, and

5 Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Ontario Page 3 approximately 18.5 kilometres north to south. Each Borden block is referenced by a four-letter designator, and sites within a block are numbered sequentially as they are found. The study areas under review are located in the Borden blocks AlGt and AlGu. According to the OASD, there are seven registered archaeological sites within two kilometers of candidate sites #1 3 (Table 1). The sites include Aboriginal isolated finds, a village, and campsites. Table 1: Registered Sites Within 2 km of Candidate Sites #1 3 Borden Site Name Cultural Affiliation Site Type Researcher 1 AlGu-7 Walkington Aboriginal Campsite A.J. Clark 1928 AlGu-10 Buttonville Aboriginal Campsite A.J. Clark 1920 AlGu-24 Nicholson Aboriginal - Woodland Village? A.J. Clark 1930 V. Konrad 1972 MPP 1986 AlGu-194 SLF Aboriginal Isolated Find Warrick 1991 AlGu Aboriginal - Late Archaic, Isolated Find ASI 1999 Narrow Point AlGu Aboriginal Isolated find ASI 1999 AlGu Aboriginal Isolated find ASI 1999 According to the OASD, there are six registered archaeological sites within two kilometers of candidate site #4 (Table 2). The sites include Aboriginal isolated finds, a village, and work stations, as well as Euro- Canadian homesteads. Table 2: Registered Sites Within 2 km of Candidate Site #4 Borden Site Name Cultural Affiliation Site Type Researcher 1 AlGt-224 Crosby Euro-Canadian Homestead MHC 1996 AlGt-241 Fore Aboriginal Lithic workshop A. Murray 1997 AlGt-272 Chauncy Late Woodland, Middle Village Burgar 2001 Iroquoian Woodland, Late Iroquoian AlGt-273 Mary Miller Aboriginal Isolated find Burgar 2001 Muller AlGt Aboriginal Isolated find ASI 2004 AlGt-485 Stover Euro-Canadian Homestead? ASI Physiography and Assessment of Aboriginal Archaeological Potential The study areas are situated within the Peel Plain region (Chapman and Putnam 1984: ). The almost level terrain consists of shale and limestone till overlaid by a clay layer of varying depth. The predominant soils differ among candidate sites: imperfectly drained Brady sandy loam at the Leslie Street site, well drained Cashel clay at the Rodick Road sites, well drained Woburn loam at the Ninth Line site, and imperfectly drained Milliken sandy loam at the Markham Road site (Hoffman and Richards 1955: Soil Map of York County). All four candidate sites are within the Rouge River watershed and are drained by tributaries of the Rouge River.

6 Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Ontario Page 4 Potable water is the single most important resource necessary for any extended human occupation or settlement. Since water sources have remained relatively stable in south central Ontario after the Pleistocene era, proximity to water can be regarded as a useful index for the evaluation of archaeological site potential. Indeed, distance from water has been one of the most commonly used variables for predictive modeling of site location. The Rouge River would have been a major influence to settlement in the area. Aboriginal peoples would have been attracted to the rivers and creeks, especially during the spring, by the abundance of fish, as well as by other important aquatic resources. The Ministry of Culture s draft Standards and Guidelines for Consulting Archaeologists (2006: Unit 1c 5-7, 10) stipulates that undisturbed land within 300 metres of a primary water source (lakeshore, river, large creek, etc.), undisturbed land within 200 metres of a secondary water source (stream, spring, marsh, swamp, etc.), as well as undisturbed land within 300 metres of an ancient water source (as indicated by remnant beaches, shorecliffs, terraces, abandoned river channel features, etc.), are considered to have archaeological potential. Therefore, due to the proximity of Beaver Creek and the Rouge River, it may be concluded that there is potential for the recovery of Aboriginal archaeological remains within the study corridor depending on the degree of previous land disturbance Based on the proximity of the Rouge River and its many tributaries, all of the candidate sites can be characterized as having potential for the presence of archaeological sites depending on the degree of recent land disturbance. 2.3 Assessment of Historic Archaeological Potential The 1878 Illustrated Historical Atlas of the County of York Ontario was reviewed to determine the potential for the presence of historical archaeological remains within the study areas during the nineteenth century (Figure 2). The study areas are located within the former Township of Markham, County of York. According to the 1878 Miles & Co. atlas, a number of property owners and historical features are illustrated within or adjacent to the proposed transformer station sites (Table 3). It should be noted, however, that not all features of interest were mapped systematically in the Ontario series of historical atlases, given that they were financed by subscription, and subscribers were given preference with regard to the level of detail provided on the maps. Moreover, not every feature of interest would have been within the scope of the 1878 atlas. Table 3: Residents and features illustrated in the vicinity of the proposed PowerStream transformer station candidate sites on the 1878 map of the Township of Markham (Miles & Co.) Candidate Lot Concession Resident(s) Historical Features Site 1 9 IV Alexander Dunne 2 9 IV Alexander Dunne 3 8 IV Jonathan Slater 4 7 VII James Duncan * Homestead, orchard * features may be in vicinity of candidate site

7 Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Ontario Page 5 Figure 2a: Location of candidate sites #1 3 study areas superimposed on 1878 Miles & Co. atlas mapping of a portion of the former Township of Markham, County of York. Figure 2b: Location of candidate site #4 study area superimposed on 1878 Miles & Co. atlas mapping of a portion of the former Township of Markham, County of York.

8 Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Ontario Page 6 The area s first settlers (German families from New York State) arrived about 1790, before Markham Township had been surveyed. At this time, York was just a hamlet and Yonge Street did not exist, although its line had established. More settlers soon arrived, and Governor Simcoe encouraged United Empire Loyalists to take up land alongside English immigrants who also came in increasing numbers. Markham Township was partially surveyed in 1794, being the third in the county to be marked out, and the surveyor made Yonge Street the base and each Concession, of which there are ten, contains 35 lots, making the Township an almost perfect square. The township s many rivers and tributaries soon supported water-powered mills, and a number of historic communities were established around these sites. Such hamlets include German Mills, Almira, Buttonville, Cedar Grove and Unionville. By 1857, the lumber industry had managed to clear most of the township of trees and the land was now under cultivation. Improved transportation routes such as Yonge Street and increased populations lead to the expansion of such villages as Markham, Thornhill and Unionville, and the establishment of more specialized industries, such as tanneries, wagon works, and furniture factories. The arrival of the Toronto and Nipissing Railway in 1871, with stations in Unionville and Markham, brought additional growth and prosperity to the Township. The Village of Markham itself, which was incorporated in 1873, had a population of 1,100 in 1891 (Town of Markham 2005). Increased contact with Toronto brought about by the rail line and other transportation and communication improvements however, diminished the industrial role of the villages within the Township of Markham by the turn of the century. The township returned to its agricultural roots and remained that way until after World War II. For the Euro-Canadian period, the majority of early nineteenth century farmsteads (i.e., those which are arguably the most potentially significant resources and whose locations are rarely recorded on nineteenth century maps) are likely to be captured by the basic proximity to the water model outlined in Section 2.2, since these occupations were subject to similar environmental constraints. An added factor however is the development of the network of concession roads and railroads through the course of the nineteenth century. These transportation routes frequently influenced the siting of farmsteads and businesses. Accordingly, undisturbed lands within 100 metres of an early settlement road, such as Markham Road and Woodbine Avenue, are also considered to have potential for the presence of Euro-Canadian archaeological sites. Therefore, depending on the degree of previous land disturbance, it may be concluded that there is potential for the recovery of historic cultural material within the study corridor. 3.0 FIELD REVIEW A field review of the four candidate sites (Figures 3 & 4) was carried out by Mr. Peter Carruthers (P163), ASI, on August 16, October 26 and December 12, 2007, in order to confirm the assessment of archaeological potential and to determine the degree to which development and landscape alteration may have affected that potential. The weather in August was warm and sunny with periods of clouds, in October was sunny and warm, and in December was cool and overcast.. The proposed transformer site would cover of an area measuring 80 m x 100 m (0.8 ha).

9 Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Ontario Page Candidate Site #1 (Figure 3) This candidate site is located on the east side of Rodick Road, between Rodick Road and a hydro transmission corridor. Yorktech Drive forms the north side of the parcel. Beaver Creek and Highway 407 are within 250 metres to the south. Candidate site #1 is primarily comprised of a parking lot, Zoom Zoom Parking (Plate 1). This area has been graded and paved. Therefore, due to previous disturbance, this area of the property has no archaeological potential. The southern and eastern boundaries of the study area are extremely sloped (Plate 2). These sloped areas have no potential for the recovery of archaeological remains. 3.2 Candidate Site #2 (Figure 3) This candidate site is located on the west side of Rodick Road, south of Yorktech Road. Beaver Creek forms the south and west side of the parcel. Candidate site #2 is comprised of a graded and disturbed field. Therefore, due to previous disturbances, this area has no archaeological potential. (Figure 3: area marked in yellow, Plate 3). 3.3 Candidate Site #3 (Figure 3) This candidate side is located east of Woodbine Avenue, north of Highway 407. Beaver Creek traverses the north-eastern end of the study area. Candidate site #3 is surrounded by heavy industrial use. The west portion of the property has been graded (Plate 4). Therefore, due to previous disturbances, this area has no archaeological potential. The eastern portion of candidate site #3 is undisturbed. It, therefore, has the potential for the recovery of archaeological remainsm, and should be subjected to a Stage 2 archaeological assessment prior to any land disturbing activities (Figure 3: area marked in green, Plates 5 & 6). 3.4 Candidate Site #4 (Figure 4) Candidate site #4 (PIN # ) is located on the west side of Markham Road (Highway 48), south of Highway 407 and north of 14 th Avenue. The 32,928 square metre parcel is presently occupied by a transformer station in the centre of the property. Candidate site #4 is composed of fields, low and wet areas, graded areas, a transformer station, and a steep slope leading down from Markham Road. The steep slope leads from Markham Road, down to a ditch that runs parallel with the road (Plate 7). The slope and ditch are disturbed and therefore have no archaeological potential.

10 Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Ontario Page 8

11 Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Ontario Page 9

12 Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Ontario Page 10 Adjacent to the slope and ditch, on the eastern half of the property, is a large low and wet area (Plate 8). This area has no archaeological potential as it is not suitable for occupation. The southwestern corner of the property has been graded (Plate 9). This area is disturbed and has no archaeological potential. In the center of the study area is a transformer station (Plate 10). The construction of the transformer station has disturbed the surrounding landscape, and the associated lawns have been graded and filled. Due to previous disturbance, these areas have no potential for archaeological materials. The northern end of the property is covered in a cornfield and at the northwestern corner of the property is a woodlot (Plate 11). The cornfield and the woodlot are undisturbed and therefore have the potential for the recovery of archaeological remains. These lands should be subjected to a Stage 2 archaeological assessment prior to any land disturbing activities (Figure 4: area marked in green) if they are to be impacted by the project. 4.0 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ASI was contracted to conduct a Stage 1 archaeological assessment for the proposed PowerStream Transformer Station, in the Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Ontario. The assessment was conducted under the project direction of Robert Pihl, ASI, under an archaeological license (P163) issued to Peter Carruthers. Background research has determined that 13 sites have been previously registered within two kilometer of the four study areas. Additionally, review of the general physiography of the study areas and local nineteenth century land use suggested that most of the candidate sites have potential for the identification of Aboriginal and Euro-Canadian archaeological sites. All four candidate sites were assessed for archaeological potential. Candidate site #1 is covered by a paved parking lot and steep slopes, removing any potential for the recovery of archaeological remains. Candidate site #2 is comprised of a graded and disturbed field with and Beaver Creek traversing the eastern and southern edges. The eastern portion of Candidate site #3 contains undisturbed lands within 250 m of Beaver Creek. A transformer station is situated in the middle of candidate site #4, and is surrounded by low and wet areas which have no archaeological potential. The northern section of this property, however, contains an undisturbed corn field and a wood lot, both of which have archaeological potential. Candidate sites #3 and 4 exhibit areas of archaeological potential while sites #1 and 2 have no archaeological potential. In light of these results, the following recommendations are made: 1. A Stage 2 archaeological assessment should be conducted within those indicated portions of the study areas where lands with archaeological potential will be impacted by the project(figure 3 & 4: areas marked in green), in accordance with the Ministry of Culture s Standards and Guidelines for Consulting Archaeologists (2006). This assessment is required in order to identify any archaeological remains that may be present; 2. The balance of the study areas do not require further assessment, and they can be cleared of further archaeological concern.

13 Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Ontario Page 11 The above recommendations are subject to Ministry of Culture approval, and it is an offence to alter any archaeological site without Ministry of Culture concurrence. No grading or other activities that may result in the destruction or disturbance of an archaeological site are permitted until notice of Ministry of Culture approval has been received. The following Ministry of Culture conditions also apply: Should deeply buried archaeological remains be found during construction activities, the Heritage Operations Unit of the Ministry of Culture should be immediately notified. In the event that human remains are encountered during construction, the proponent should immediately contact both the Ontario Ministry of Culture and the Registrar or Deputy Registrar of the Cemeteries Regulation Unit of the Ontario Ministry of Government Services, Consumer Protection Branch at (416) or toll-free at The documentation related to the archaeological assessment of this project will be curated by Archaeological Services Inc. until such a time that arrangements for their ultimate transfer to Her Majesty the Queen in right of Ontario, or other public institution, can be made to the satisfaction of the project owner, the Ontario Ministry of Culture, and any other legitimate interest groups. 5.0 REFERENCES CITED Archaeological Services Inc Stage 1 and 2 Archaeological Assessment of M. Midget Inc. (formerly Animate Construction Limited) Lands Part of Lots 6 and 7, Concession 9, Geographic Township of Markham, County of York, Now the Town of Markham, RM of York [report on file with the Ministry of Culture]. Chapman, L.J. and F. Putnam 1984 The Physiography of Southern Ontario. Ontario Geological Survey, Special Volume 2. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto Hoffman, D.W. and N.R. Richards 1955 Soil Survey of York County. The Ontario Soil Survey Report No. 19. Joint Publication of the Canada Department of Agriculture, Research Branch; Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Toronto; and Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph. Miles & Co Illustrated Atlas of the County of York, Ont. Toronto. Ministry of Culture 2006 Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists (final draft, September 2006). Cultural Programs Branch, Ontario Ministry of Culture, Toronto.

14 Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Ontario Page PHOTOGRAPHY Plate 1: View northeast along the northern boundary of Zoom Zoom Parking in Candidate Site #1. Note parking lot in background. Plate 2: View north at Candidate Site #1 in the background. Note steep slope on the southern property boundary. Plate 3: View to southeast at Candidate Site #2. Field has been graded and disturbed. Plate 4: View to northeast across eastern end of Candidate Site #3 towards Beaver Creek.

15 Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Ontario Page 13 Plate 5: View to east-southeast across Candidate Site #3. Note Highway 407 in the distance. Plate 6: View to west-southwest along southern edge of Candidate Site #3. Plate 7: View south at steep slope and ditch along the eastern boundary of Candidate Site #4. Plate 8: View west at low and west area in Candidate Site #4.

16 Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Ontario Page 14 Plate 9: View north at graded field in the southwest corner of Candidate Site #4. Plate 10: View southwest at transformer station (in background) and associated graded lawns in Candidate Site #4. Plate 11: View west at corn field (in background) and woodlot (to the left) in Candidate Site #4.