Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Windsor Archaeological Management Plan
What is an archaeological management plan?
An archaeological management plan is a tool that supports the implementation of municipal policies and procedures for identifying and conserving archaeological resources. An archaeological management plan includes detailed maps of areas of archaeological potential, known archaeological sites, and archaeological areas, as well as processes and procedures for implementation and direction for Indigenous engagement. The plan ensures that important archaeological sites are conserved during land development activities and decision-making processes.
The City of Windsor has a long cultural history. For thousands of years, the Detroit River served as a corridor for both Indigenous people and later early European settlers, leaving behind a vast array of archaeological resources. Archaeological sites, which are the physical remains of this lengthy settlement history, represent fragile and non-renewable cultural heritage resources that need to be protected.
What statutory mandate does the City of Windsor have to establish and maintain the WAMP?
The Ontario Planning Act requires that municipal decision makers and planners be aware of all lands containing known archaeological sites or areas of archaeological potential and that all planning decisions are made in accordance with provincial policies and regulations.
The Provincial Policy Statement (2020), issued by Ontario under the Planning Act, encourages municipalities to prepare archaeological management plans to promote the conservation of archaeological heritage resources. Provincial policies and the City’s Official Plan policies also direct municipal staff to work with stakeholders and Indigenous communities when identifying, protecting, and managing cultural heritage and archaeological resources. The City of Windsor has been a leader in archaeological management planning, having finalized our AMP in 2005 and receiving Council approval in 2006. This remains an important element of the City’s Official Plan.
What was the WAMP update that Windsor and its team of consultants undertook? What did the update include?
To best conserve and protect Windsor’s rich cultural heritage and archaeological features and sites and to address the above-noted legislative requirements and policies of the Province and the Official Plan, the City undertook a review and update of the WAMP, which included the following components:
- A database update of known/registered archaeological sites, site leads, and archaeologically sensitive areas, including marine archaeological sites and all known existing and closed cemeteries;
- A review and update of the current archaeological potential model and mapping system to meet current standards, conditions, and new information;
- An update of the list of applicable legislation, modernization of relevant Official Plan policies, and recommendation of best practices for managing archaeological resources;
- A revised implementation strategy and recommendations for planning process improvements to ensure a standardized and consistent approach for all affected stakeholders;
- Direction regarding Indigenous community engagement in the archaeological planning, assessment, and management process; and
- An increase in public awareness and stewardship of archaeological resources.
Please note that the WAMP was a land-use planning exercise and did not involve the preparation of a detailed history of settlement for Windsor or any field investigation or other physical archaeological site assessment.
What is the WAMP used for?
The WAMP is often a useful tool for development professionals, archaeological consultants, land owners, and the general public. For land development activities, the WAMP helps to determine the potential need for an archaeological assessment. The mapping components of the WAMP help to identify if a subject property is located within the Archaeological Potential Zone (APZ) or Archaeologically Sensitive Area (ASA). An archaeological assessment may, for example, be required as a condition of planning approval for applications that lie within the APZ.
Areas within the APZ generally encompass lands along waterways, in the vicinity of known archaeological sites, in historic areas of Windsor and Sandwich, and along historic roadways. The archaeological potential map will, however, indicate if there is likely to be archaeological interest in the property.
If the WAMP triggers an archaeological assessment for a development application, what does that entail?
An archaeological assessment entails the development proponent hiring a licensed archaeologist to investigate the subject property. This typically involves background research (Stage 1) to evaluate property-specific archaeological potential as well as a field investigation (Stage 2) to look for archaeological evidence. The consultant submits a copy of their report to the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism (MCM) as a licence requirement and to provide recommendations regarding next steps. Archaeological review officers at MCM review the report for compliance with provincial archaeological standards and guidelines. If MCM accepts the report, and no significant archaeological resources were found, the proponent and the City of Windsor will be notified. City planning staff will then record that the subject property warrants no further archaeological concern. If the consultant finds archaeological resources on the subject property that warrant further investigation, their report will include a recommendation for Stage 3 archaeological assessment. A similar process to that outlined above ensues, leading to a recommendation for either no further work or Stage 4 mitigation. If an archaeological site deemed to warrant Stage 4 mitigation is identified, the development proponent can choose to revise their development plans to avoid and protect the site or pay for a salvage excavation of the entire site by a licensed archaeologist. Once any archaeological concerns have been addressed to the satisfaction of MCM, the City of Windsor can move forward with clearing the archaeological requirement of the development application.
2005 WAMP (outdated)
The 2005 WAMP documents are available for download and can be accessed via the following links:
- Windsor Archaeological Management Plan (WAMP) Full Report (October 19, 2005)
- Figure 1: Environmental Factors for Modelling
- Figure 2: Cultural Factors for Modelling
- Implementation Manual (October 24, 2005)
External Resources
Ontario Heritage Trust's Archaeology Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries - Archaeology