Overview
The need to preserve and study historic resources has long been recognized and is officially reflected in the Historical Resources Act.
Consideration of historic resources is important when planning any type of development project in Alberta. Most types of development activities are required to obtain formal approval under the act prior to the onset of activities.
This requirement applies to projects located on freehold (privately owned) and provincial crown lands, regardless of where they are situated in the province. In some instances, a Historic Resource Impact Assessment is required before approval can be issued.
Projects that need approval
It is important to identify projects that need Historical Resources Act approval. The primary tool for determining if there may be a historic resource concern in a proposed project area is the Listing of Historic Resources.
The listing identifies lands assigned with a Historic Resource Value (HRV) based on the presence of a known historic resource or the potential to contain one. For some project types – those that have a small footprint or result in a relatively low level of impact – checking the listing for the HRV assigned (if any) to the project lands is the primary way to determine if Historical Resources Act approval is required. Once the HRV is known, the instructions for use of the listing or the appropriate Land Use Procedures Bulletin are used to guide further action.
Large projects or projects that may result in a high level of impact require approval. The listing might identify possible historic resource concerns, but an application for approval is still required in all cases.
These project types require the submission of a Historic Resources Application:
- projects that require the completion of an Environmental Impact Assessment
- projects that require approval by the Canadian Energy Regulator or Alberta Utilities Commission
- projects subject to Green Zone historic resource predictive modelling under supervision of Alberta Tourism and Sport (primarily forest harvest activities)
- all developments requiring conservation and reclamation approval by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas or the Alberta Energy Regulator
- projects located within Historic Resource Management Areas, which currently include Dinosaur Provincial Park and World Heritage Site area, Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park area, Fort George Buckingham House area and Majorville Cairn and Medicine Wheel area
- class 1 or equivalently sized pipelines
- transmission lines and alternative power projects
- transportation-related projects
- water distribution and diversion projects (not including small-scale utilities)
- coal and oil sands mines, including related components (for exploration activities, see bulletins below)
- industrial facilities
In addition, any project type not covered by a Land Use Procedures Bulletin requires Historical Resources Act approval.
Approvals and approvals with conditions are project specific. They are not transferrable to different projects or activities in the same lands or to different landowners or developers.
Land Use Procedures bulletins
A series of Land Use Procedures bulletins have been developed to help in determining if approval is required for specific project types:
- Historical Resources Act Compliance for forestry operations that may adversely affect Indigenous traditional-use sites, 2026
- Ammonite Exploration/Mining Historical Resources Act Exemption and Compliance, 2019
- Complex Project (Areal) Historical Resources Act Compliance, 2020
- Geophysical Programs Historical Resources Act Compliance, December 1, 2013
- Geotechnical Exploration Operations Historical Resources Act Compliance
- Integrity Dig Historical Resources Act Compliance and Submission Standards, 2015
- Large-Scale Pipelines Historical Resources Act Compliance
- Oil Sands and Coal Exploration Operations Historical Resources Act Compliance, December 1, 2016
- Small-scale Conventional Oil and Gas Development Historical Resources Act Compliance
- Subdivision Historical Resources Act Compliance
- Surface Materials Historical Resources Act Compliance, July 1, 2014
- Utility Distribution Services Historical Resources Act Compliance, 2015
Apply for approval
If approval is required for a project, a Historic Resources Application must be submitted through the Online Permitting and Clearance (OPaC) system.
Note: "Help" features in the online form are provided to help you complete the application.
Basic approval process steps
- A submitted Historic Resources Application is either approved or requires further review from subject matter experts.
- The application is either approved after subject matter review or approval with conditions or requirements are issued.
- The proponent hires an appropriate contractor to fulfill requirements.
- After the requirements are fulfilled, another application is submitted.
- After review of the submission, either approval is issued or there are additional conditions the proponent must fulfill.
Finds during construction
If a historic find is discovered during development activities, it must be reported immediately even after approval has been issued for a project, and even if approval was not required.
All activities that may impact the resource are to stop while it is being evaluated.
- For more information read, Standard Requirements under the Historical Resources Act: Reporting the Discovery of Historic Resources
Contact
Connect with Regulatory Approvals and Information Management:
Email: [email protected].
Whenever possible, include a legal land description (ATS preferred) and a project illustration in your email.