The community of ʔaq̓am wishes to continue prescribed burning on ʔaq̓am lands to reduce wildfire risk and return the land base to pre-colonial conditions. There are two planned burn units within ʔaq̓am’s Kootenay #1 reserve that have been targeted for this work; “Parcel A” (168 ha) and “Lot 79” (137 ha) (figures attached). The prescribed burn for Parcel A is anticipated for spring 2026, and the prescribed burn for Lot 79 is anticipated for fall 2026. Objectives of the project include ecosystem enhancement by reducing dense trees, revitalizing herbs and ungulate forage, and continuing ʔaq̓am led land stewardship. To support these prescribed burns archaeological assessments of the burn areas and proposed fireguards are needed. The assessment should include at minimum a Preliminary Field Reconnaissance to identify archaeology sites and/or areas of potential in each burn unit with the provision to conduct an Archaeological Impact Assessment depending on location and level of disturbance. Impact mitigation, monitoring and/or post impact assessment should also be considered.
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