Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment. Clean Harbors Canada Lambton Facility, Lambton County, Ontario. Submitted to

Transcription

1 Lambton County, Ontario Submitted to AECOM 300 Town Centre Blvd., Suite 300 Markham, ON L3R 5Z6 Tel:(905) Fax: (905) Prepared by Archaeological Services Inc. 528 Bathurst Street Toronto, Ontario M5S 2P9 Tel.: Fax: Website: ASI File 09EA-032 Archaeological License P057 MCL PIF P June 2009

2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SERVICES INC. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT DIVISION PROJECT PERSONNEL Senior Project Manager: Robert Pihl, MA, CAHP [MCL licence P057] Partner and Senior Archaeologist, Manager, Environmental Assessment Division Project Director (licensee): Robert Pihl Project Manager: Caitlin Lacy, Hon. BA [MCL licence R303] Staff Archaeologist Project Administrator: Sarah Jagelewski, Hon. BA Research Archaeologist Field Director: Deborah Pihl, B.A. [MCL license R130] Staff Archaeologist Report Writer and Graphics: Report Reviewer: Caitlin Lacy Robert Pihl

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Archaeological Services Inc. (ASI) was contracted by AECOM, Markham, on behalf of Clean Harbors Canada Inc., to conduct a Stage 1 archaeological assessment as part the Clean Harbors Canada Lambton Facility Environmental Assessment, in Lambton County, Ontario. The purpose of this project is to conduct the environmental planning process for the expansion of Clean Harbors Lambton landfill in the Township of St. Clair. The EA is considering two distinct alternatives for providing additional capacity. One alternative involves a vertical expansion over the current land fill area to an approximate height equal to the height of the existing surrounding earth berms, or 13 metres above grade. The second alternative involves development of a new landfill cell directly south of the existing landfill site so that final elevations are at existing grade. The Stage 1 archaeological assessment determined that no archaeological sites have been registered within 2 kilometres of the study area. A review of the general physiography of the study area suggested that it has low potential for the identification of Aboriginal archaeological sites. However, local nineteenth century land use suggested that the study area has potential for the identification of Euro-Canadian archaeological sites. The field review determined that the study area has been previously disturbed or does not meet the criteria used for determining archaeological potential. A pioneer cemetery, which dates to the mid 19th century and is associated with the Providence Methodist Church, is located within the boundaries of the existing landfill site. The proposed expansion project will not impact the cemetery. In light of these results, the following recommendation is made: 1. The study area does not retain archaeological site potential due to previous disturbances, or the absence of criteria used for determining archaeological potential. Additional archaeological assessment is not required, and the study area can be cleared of further archaeological concern.

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS PROJECT PERSONNEL... i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... ii 1.0 INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND RESEARCH Previous Archaeological Research Physiography and Assessment of Aboriginal Archaeological Potential Assessment of Euro-Canadian Archaeological Potential FIELD REVIEW CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REFERENCES CITED PHOTOGRAPHY...10 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Location of the study area [NTS Sheet 40 J/16 (Sarnia)]....1 Figure 2: The study area overlaid on the map of Moore Township in the 1880 Illustrated Historical Atlas of the County of Lambton Figure 3: Clean Harbors Canada Lambton Facility EA - Results of the Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment.. 6 Figure 4: Alternative 1 - On-site landfill footprint (Vertical Expansion) Figure 5: Alternative 2 - Off-site landfill footprint (South Expansion) LIST OF PLATES Plate 1: View southeast at site entrance. Land has been significantly altered and has no potential...10 Plate 2: View southeast at graded land. Note artificial berms...10 Plate 3: View east across graded land. Area has no potential...10 Plate 4: View south across artificial pond. Note wood lot in distance. Foreground has been previously disturbed and woodlot has low potential due to distance from water source...10 Plate 5: View west along edge of artificial pond toward Telfer Road. Land has been previously altered and has no potential Plate 6: View north across land that has been previously disturbed. Area has no archaeological potential....10

5 Plate 7: View southeast across land that has been previously altered and has no potential. Woodlot in distance has low potential due to distance from water source and historic transportation corridor Plate 8: View south-southwest toward western boundary of existing landfill. Note berms in distance that have significantly disturbed the landscape Plate 9: View east from Telfer Road of ca. 1850s pioneer cemetery Plate 10: View east into undisturbed wooded area. Area has low potential due to distance from water source Plate 11: View south-southeast across agricultural field approximately 400 metres south of existing landfill. Area has low potential due to distance from water source Plate 12: View east from Telfer Road across agricultural field. Area has low potential due to distance from water source

6 Lambton County, Ontario Page INTRODUCTION Archaeological Services Inc. (ASI) was contracted by AECOM, Markham, on behalf of Clean Harbors Canada Inc., to conduct a Stage 1 archaeological assessment as part the Clean Harbors Canada Lambton Facility Environmental Assessment, in Lambton County, Ontario (Figure 1). The purpose of this project is to conduct the environmental planning process for the expansion of Clean Harbors Lambton landfill in the Township of St. Clair. The EA is considering two distinct alternatives for providing additional capacity. One alternative involves a vertical expansion over the current land fill area to an approximate height equal to the height of the existing surrounding earth berms, or 13 metres above grade. The second alternative involves development of a new landfill cell directly south of the existing landfill site so that final elevations are at existing grade. Authorization to carry out the activities necessary for the completion of the Stage 1 assessment was granted to ASI by AECOM on March 16, This report presents the results of the Stage 1 background research and field review, and makes several recommendations. Figure 1: Location of the study area [NTS Sheet 40 J/16 (Sarnia)].

7 Lambton County, Ontario Page BACKGROUND RESEARCH The Stage 1 archaeological assessment of the study area was conducted in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act (2005) and the Ontario Ministry of Culture s (MCL) draft Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists (2006: Unit 1B). A Stage 1 archaeological assessment involves research to describe the known and potential archaeological resources within the vicinity of a study area. 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 area and to assess their archaeological potential. 2.1 Previous Archaeological Research In order that an inventory of archaeological resources could be compiled for the study area, three sources of information were consulted: the site record forms for registered sites housed at the MCL; 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 MCL. 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 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 area under review is located in Borden block AfHn. According to the OASD ( communication, Robert von Bitter, MCL Data Coordinator, April 7, 2009), no archaeological sites have been registered within 2 kilometres of the study area. It should be noted that the dearth of registered archaeological sites in the vicinity of the study area is most likely related to the lack of development around the site prior to the instigation of systematic archaeological assessments under provincial legislation. Accordingly, the absence of registered archaeological sites should not be taken as an indicator of any lack of Aboriginal or early Euro- Canadian land use or occupation. 2.2 Physiography and Assessment of Aboriginal Archaeological Potential The study area is situated within the beveled till Lambton Clay Plain, a sub-region of the St. Clair Clay Plain physiographic region of southern Ontario (Chapman and Putnam 1984: ). The region is characterized by a flat to gently undulating landscape with local relief provided by erosional river valleys and the Wyoming Moraine. Regionally, the geology consists of clayey silt till glacial deposits with occasional interbeds of lacustrine sand, silt, and clay which in turn are underlain by shales and limestone. Two main soils are found on the plain: Brookston clay, found in lower/wetter areas, and Caistor Clay, found on higher ground. 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

8 Lambton County, Ontario Page 3 archaeological site potential. Indeed, distance from water has been one of the most commonly used variables for predictive modeling of site location. The MCL s draft Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists (2006: Unit 1b 2-12) stipulates that undisturbed land within 300 metres of a primary water source (lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, etc.), undisturbed land within 200 metres of a secondary water source (intermittent streams and creeks, springs, marshes, swamps, etc.), as well as undisturbed land within 300 metres of an ancient water source (as indicated by remnant beaches, shore cliffs, terraces, abandoned river channel features, etc.), are considered to have archaeological potential. The closest water source, a small tributary, is situated approximately three quarters of a kilometre away from the northern limit of the study area. Therefore, depending on the degree of previous land disturbance, it may be concluded that there is low potential for the recovery of Aboriginal remains within the study area. 2.3 Assessment of Euro-Canadian Archaeological Potential Belden s 1880 Illustrated Historical Atlas of the County of Lambton, Ontario was reviewed to determine the potential for the presence of historical archaeological remains within the study corridor during the nineteenth century (Figure 2). Figure 2: The study area overlaid on the map of Moore Township in the 1880 Illustrated Historical Atlas of the County of Lambton.

9 Lambton County, Ontario Page 4 The study area is located on part of Lots 8 and 9, Concession X, in the former Township of Moore, County of Lambton. Details on the historic mapping from 1880 are limited, and no property owners are illustrated. A church and a gravel pit were located on the west side of Telfer Road (Lot 10, Concession X), across from the study area, and a cemetery is located within the boundaries of the project (Lot 9, Concession X). A Templars Hall was also located on the northeast corner of Petrolia Line and Telfer Road (Lot 9, Concession IX). 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 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 DETERMINATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL The MCL s draft Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists cites eleven criteria that indicate where archaeological resources are most likely to be found (2006: Unit 1b 12). Archaeological potential is confirmed when one or more features of archaeological potential are present. The study area meets two of the eleven criteria used for determining archaeological potential: Indications of early Euro-Canadian settlement (i.e. ca. 1850s cemetery, Templars Hall, church, gravel pit); and Associated with an early settlement road (i.e. Petrolia Line and Telfer Road). These criteria characterize the study area as having potential for the presence of Euro-Canadian archaeological sites. A field review was conducted to confirm the presence of areas exhibiting site potential, and the results are summarized in Section 4.0. Site potential is deemed to be low in the absence of positive site potential criteria. In addition, certain criteria indicate low or no potential: wet land, recent disturbance below the topsoil (i.e. grading, fill deposits, or vegetation clearing), and steep slopes (MCL 2006: Unit 1B, page 6). Such areas can be identified during the field review, and, if necessary, confirmed during subsequent field survey. 4.0 FIELD REVIEW A field review of the study area was conducted by Deborah Pihl (R130), ASI, on March 31, 2009, in order to confirm the assessment of archaeological site potential and to determine the degree to which development and landscape alterations may have affected that potential. Weather conditions during the

10 Lambton County, Ontario Page 5 field assessment were partially overcast and 12 C, with good visibility. Field observations have been compiled onto a map of the study area (Figure 3). Associated photography can be found in Section 6.0. As mentioned in Section 1.0, Clean Harbors is considering two distinct alternatives for providing additional capacity: Alternative 1, an on-site landfill footprint (Figure 4); and Alternative 2, an off-site landfill footprint (Figure 5). Alternative 1 involves a vertical expansion over the current landfill area. Previous construction activities have disturbed the majority of the land at the existing Lambton facility (Plates 1-3, 5-6, 8). Due to the extent of previous disturbance, these areas do not exhibit archaeological site potential. No further archaeological assessment is required on these lands (Figure 3: areas marked in yellow). The southwest and southeast corners of the existing Lambton facility contain undisturbed woodlots (Plates 4, 7). These lands are considered to have low potential for the recovery of archaeological resources because they do not meet the criteria used for determining archaeological potential (e.g. no known archaeological sites within 250 m and no water on or near the property) (MCL 2006: Unit 1B, page 12). No further archaeological assessment is required on these lands (Figure 3: areas marked in pink). A pioneer cemetery is situated on the western limits of the study area, north of the facility s entrance road. A Methodist church was previously located on this site and dates from According to a historical plaque, the church remained in operation until A handful of monuments and inset gravestones serve as reminders of the site s former religious and spiritual uses (Plate 9). The proposed undertaking will not impact the lands surrounding the cemetery (Figure 3: area marked in green). Alternative 2 involves an expansion to the south of the current landfill area. The shallow entombed concept would be situated on lands that consist of undisturbed woodlots (Plate 10) and open agricultural fields (Plates 11-12). These lands can also be considered to have low potential for the recovery of archaeological resources because they do not meet the criteria used for determining archaeological potential (MCL 2006: Unit 1B, page 12). No further archaeological assessment is therefore required on these lands (Figure 3: areas marked in pink). 5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The Stage 1 archaeological assessment was conducted as part of the Clean Harbors Canada Lambton Facility Environmental Assessment, in Lambton County, Ontario. The assessment determined that no archaeological sites have been registered within 2 kilometres of the study area. A review of the general physiography of the study area suggested that it has low potential for the identification of Aboriginal archaeological sites. However, local nineteenth century land use suggested that the study area has potential for the identification of Euro-Canadian archaeological sites. The field review determined that the study area has been previously disturbed or does not meet the criteria used for determining archaeological potential. A pioneer cemetery, which dates to the mid-19 th century and is associated with the Providence Methodist Church, is located within the boundaries of the existing landfill site. The proposed expansion project will not impact the cemetery. In light of these results, the following recommendation is made:

11 Petrolia Line Telfer Road Brigden Road Rokeby Line Basemapping from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Orthophotography: 2006 Legend Existing Lambton Facility 1850s Pioneer Cemetery Site Map m :5,000 UTM Zone 17N, NAD 83 Low Archaeological Potential: distance from feature of potential No Potential: disturbed April 2009 Project AECOM Canada Ltd. All Rights Reserved. This document is protected by copyright law and may not be used, reproduced or modified in any manner or for any purpose except with the written permission of AECOM Canada Ltd. ("AECOM") or a party to which its copyright has been assigned. AECOM accepts no responsibility, and denies any liability whatsoever, to any party that uses, reproduces, modifies, or relies on this document without AECOM s express written consent. Photo Location & Direction Figure 1 Map Document: (N:\Projects\0-AECOM\111471\2009\Final\GISSpatial\MXDs\WorkingMXDs\111471OrthoPOSTER.mxd) 4/24/ :55:04 PM Figure 3: Clean Harbours Canada Lambton Facility EA - Results of the Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment

12 Cross Section Reference Not Applicable Figure 4: Alternative 1 - On-site landfill footprint (Vertical Expansion).

13 Cross Section Reference Not Applicable Figure 5: Alternative 2 - Off-site landfill footprint (South Expansion).

14 Lambton County, Ontario Page 9 1. The study area does not retain archaeological site potential due to previous disturbances (Figure 3: areas marked in yellow) or the absence of criteria used for determining archaeological potential (Figure 3: areas marked in pink). Additional archaeological assessment is not required, and the study area can be cleared of further archaeological concern. The following Ministry of Culture conditions also apply: This report is filed with the Minister of Culture in compliance with sec. 65 (1) of the Ontario Heritage Act. The ministry reviews reports to ensure that the licensee has met the terms and conditions of the licence and archaeological resources have been identified and documented according to the standards and guidelines set by the ministry, ensuring the conservation, protection and preservation of the heritage of Ontario. It is recommended that development not proceed before receiving confirmation that the Ministry of Culture has entered the report into the provincial register of reports. Should previously unknown or unassessed deeply buried archaeological resources be uncovered during development, they may be a new archaeological site and therefore subject to Section 48 (1) of the Ontario Heritage Act. The proponent or person discovering the archaeological resources must cease alteration of the site immediately and engage a licensed archaeologist to carry out archaeological fieldwork, in compliance with sec. 48 (1) of the Ontario Heritage Act. Any person discovering human remains must immediately notify the police or coroner and the Registrar of Cemeteries, Ministry of Government Services. The documentation and artifacts 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. 6.0 REFERENCES CITED Belden, H 1880 Belden s Illustrated Historical Atlas of the County of Lambton. Chapman, L. J. and F. Putnam 1984 The Physiography of Southern Ontario. Ontario Geological Survey, Special Volume 2. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto. Ministry of Culture Ontario Heritage Act Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists (final draft, September 2006). Cultural Programs Branch, Ontario Ministry of Culture, Toronto.

15 Lambton County, Ontario Page PHOTOGRAPHY Plate 1: View southeast at site entrance. Land has been significantly altered and has no potential. Plate 2: View southeast at graded land. Note artificial berms. Plate 3: View east across graded land. Area has no potential. Plate 4: View south across artificial pond. Note wood lot in distance. Foreground has been previously disturbed and woodlot has low potential due to distance from water source Plate 5: View west along edge of artificial pond toward Telfer Road. Land has been previously altered and has no potential. Plate 6: View north across land that has been previously disturbed. Area has no archaeological potential.

16 Lambton County, Ontario Page 11 Plate 7: View southeast across land that has been previously altered and has no potential. Woodlot in distance has low potential due to distance from water source and historic transportation corridor. Plate 8: View south-southwest toward western boundary of existing landfill. Note berms in distance that have significantly disturbed the landscape. Plate 9: View east from Telfer Road of ca. 1850s pioneer cemetery. Plate 10: View east into undisturbed wooded area. Area has low potential due to distance from water source. Plate 11: View south-southeast across agricultural field approximately 400 metres south of existing landfill. Area has low potential due to distance from water source. Plate 12: View east from Telfer Road across agricultural field. Area has low potential due to distance from water source.