Floyd Bertram, Louie Betthale and Orville Korel on the east bank of the Liard River at Fort Liard.

On August 23rd, 2001 Bison Historical Services Ltd. undertook an Historical Resources Impact Assessment (HRIA) along with a traditional land use study for Purcell Energy Ltd. of a well site and access road (Purcell et al Liard E 25 in Unit E, Section 25 - Sub-surface in Unit D, Section 25). This project will see the construction of a short access road, an associated well site, a borrow source and a remote sump for a total impact of between 6.1 ha. The Acho-Dene Koe First Nation (Fort Liard) and Alpine Environmental Consulting Ltd. (Calgary) facilitated this work. Mr. Louie Betthale (member of the Acho-Dene Koe First Nation) provided Field assistance and information concerning traditional land use by the Acho-Dene Koe First Nation (Figure 1).

The project involved a day of field research and discussion concerning traditional land use. The proposed well site and access road were walked and 15 negative shovel tests dug during the fieldwork. Evidence of recent historic period activities were noted (cutlines and rusted cans) but are not felt to be significant to our understanding of the proposed well site or the area in general (Figure 2). Cultural resource sites relating to First Nations use of the area were not identified during this portion of the study.

Rusted can recovered from a cut line on the Purcell et al Liard E-25 well site.

The Traditional Use Study consisted of an interview with Mr. Louie Betthale concerning his knowledge of the area in general and the project specifically. The intent was to identify areas of potential concern to the Acho-Dene Koe First Nation relative to the proposed project. While the HRIA was directed specifically at the proposed construction, the traditional land use focused on surrounding areas and more generally information but based primarily on observations from the field component of the HRIA.

In discussing the proposed well site, access road and associated facilities, Mr. Betthale indicated that this project has a low potential for impacting traditional sites. Given the data outlined above, it is recommended that clearance be provided to Purcell Energy Ltd. for the proposed well site and access road (PURCELL et al LIARD E-25).