Rapid Heritage Risk Scan
A Rapid Heritage Risk Scan is a focused early-stage review that helps project teams understand archaeological and heritage risk before field budgets, access plans, and schedules are fully locked in.
It is designed for infrastructure, mining, energy, forestry, access, and resource development projects in British Columbia where a team needs a clear first look at archaeological risk before committing to a larger work program.
When to use it
- before route or footprint options are narrowed
- before field budgets are finalized
- before access planning creates avoidable constraints
- when a project manager needs a plain-language archaeology risk summary
- when a consultant team needs senior archaeology input without launching a full field program
- when a project has multiple possible layouts, roads, corridors, or staging areas
What it reviews
- terrain, landforms, slope, aspect, and landscape position
- water proximity, drainage, shorelines, terraces, and travel corridors
- visible disturbance and previous land use
- available archaeological, regulatory, and project context
- project footprint, route, access, and staging information where available
- practical fieldwork constraints that may affect cost, timing, or next steps
What you receive
- a concise project-facing memo
- a risk table identifying low, moderate, high, and uncertain areas
- plain-language interpretation for project managers and consultant teams
- field strategy notes and recommended next steps
- schedule and planning risk notes
- optional map package where project data supports it
Useful inputs
A scan can often begin with limited information. The most useful inputs are a project location, footprint or route map, shapefile, KMZ, site plan, access plan, or any available background reports.
What it is not
A Rapid Heritage Risk Scan is not a formal archaeological assessment. It is not a permit application, consultation process, AIA, PFR, AOA, or replacement for professional requirements under the Heritage Conservation Act.
It is an early planning tool. The purpose is to help project teams understand where heritage risk may exist, what information is still missing, and what steps should come next.
Best fit
- infrastructure and access planning
- mining and resource development due diligence
- energy, transmission, and utility projects
- forestry and road planning
- environmental and engineering teams needing senior archaeology input
Discuss a project to see whether a Rapid Heritage Risk Scan is the right starting point.