Protection of Heritage Protection of Heritage Sites on Gifford Hill - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Protection of Heritage Protection of Heritage Sites on Gifford Hill Sites on Gifford Hill

Construction on Gifford Hill Construction on Gifford Hill ► This presentation concerns two heritage sites east of the ► This presentation concerns two heritage sites east of the Oshawa Harbour. One site is on City property and the Oshawa Harbour. One site is on City property and the other on Oshawa Harbour Commission land. other on Oshawa Harbour Commission land. ► Ducks Unlimited carried out trenching near the City ► Ducks Unlimited carried out trenching near the City- - owned site this past Spring. owned site this past Spring. ► The Commission site was disturbed from November to The Commission site was disturbed from November to ► January 2010 by the construction of a berm near the January 2010 by the construction of a berm near the Second Marsh. Second Marsh. ► Both sites were damaged by these construction projects. ► Both sites were damaged by these construction projects.

Legislation Neglected Legislation Neglected ► ► The Ministry of Culture sent a letter to the City in 2006 The Ministry of Culture sent a letter to the City in 2006 reminding it of its responsibility to safeguard archaeological reminding it of its responsibility to safeguard archaeological heritage sites. heritage sites. ► The City ignored this notice and allowed Ducks Unlimited ► The City ignored this notice and allowed Ducks Unlimited to carry out its work in the Spring. to carry out its work in the Spring. ► City by City by- -law 29 law 29- -2006 requires Heritage Oshawa to list 2006 requires Heritage Oshawa to list ► heritage sites, both historic and archaeological. In 2007 heritage sites, both historic and archaeological. In 2007 while I was on this committee, I asked it to consider listing while I was on this committee, I asked it to consider listing the Gifford Hill sites. No action was taken. the Gifford Hill sites. No action was taken.

Compliance Required Compliance Required ► ► The Ontario Heritage Act protects these heritage sites and The Ontario Heritage Act protects these heritage sites and requires an assessment before construction work takes requires an assessment before construction work takes place. place. ► To date, both the City of Oshawa and the Oshawa Harbour ► To date, both the City of Oshawa and the Oshawa Harbour Commission, have not complied with the legislation. Commission, have not complied with the legislation. ► Since the City allowed construction work on its land, it is Since the City allowed construction work on its land, it is ► now required to complete an assessment on the effected now required to complete an assessment on the effected site. site.

Protection and Cooperation Protection and Cooperation ► The protection of the site on the Oshawa Harbour ► The protection of the site on the Oshawa Harbour Commission land is also important to the City. Commission land is also important to the City. ► City Council took a keen interest in the dredging operation ► City Council took a keen interest in the dredging operation at the Harbour this past year. at the Harbour this past year. ► ► The City is also interested in any zoning changes to Gifford The City is also interested in any zoning changes to Gifford Hill that the Commission might initiate. Hill that the Commission might initiate. ► ► Therefore, the City has a stake in how the heritage sites on Therefore, the City has a stake in how the heritage sites on Commission land are effected. Commission land are effected.

Past Mayors Past Mayors ► ► Past mayors have advocated the preservation of the Past mayors have advocated the preservation of the historic sites on Gifford Hill historic sites on Gifford Hill ► Mayor Tom Kaiser wrote a book about the settlement of ► Mayor Tom Kaiser wrote a book about the settlement of Gifford Hill. Gordon Conant wrote newspaper articles about Gifford Hill. Gordon Conant wrote newspaper articles about the sites at Gifford Hill, and Lyman Gifford preserved the sites at Gifford Hill, and Lyman Gifford preserved information about the sites on Gifford Hill. information about the sites on Gifford Hill. ► ► Now our current municipal representatives need to take Now our current municipal representatives need to take action and protect what our mayors thought was important action and protect what our mayors thought was important to Oshawa’ ’s history. s history. to Oshawa

Proposal for Gifford Hill Proposal for Gifford Hill I propose that the City of Oshawa: I propose that the City of Oshawa: 1) Fund an archaeological assessment of City owned 1) Fund an archaeological assessment of City owned land in the Second Marsh and neighbouring sites land in the Second Marsh and neighbouring sites 2) Cooperate with the Oshawa Harbour Commission to 2) Cooperate with the Oshawa Harbour Commission to carry out an archaeological assessment for the whole carry out an archaeological assessment for the whole of Gifford Hill and Second Marsh of Gifford Hill and Second Marsh 3) Consider developing an Archaeological Management 3) Consider developing an Archaeological Management Plan for the entire City as recommended by the Plan for the entire City as recommended by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Ministry of Tourism and Culture