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4.6 CULTURAL RESOURCES This section incorporates the findings of cultural resources investigations conducted by EDAW for the College Park project as well several previous cultural resource studies.These previous investigations include,but are not limited to,the Baker and Shoup study prepared in 1991 for the Mountain House Mitigation Plan(MHMP)EIR, and the Peak and Associates study prepared in 2001 for the Delta College Center at Mountain House EIR,and Jensen's 2004 survey for the Machado Residential Subdivision. The Baker and Shoup study surveyed portions of the MHMP area,including that portion of the College Park area located south of Grant Line Road.The Peak study surveyed the Delta College parcel, and Jensen investigated a 148-acre parcel bordering Mountain House Parkway and Grant Line Road. Given that it is common practice for the Central California Information Center(CCIC)and the Northwest Information Center(KWIC)to keep the specific locations of cultural resources confidential to prevent souvenir ti seekers from collecting artifacts and other cultural resources, locational references to cultural resource sites in this section are provided in general rather than specific terms.A confidential Cultural Resources Inventory Report has been prepared by EDAW in support of this section.The report:(1)identifies the specific locations of the cultural resources found on the project site and on the proposed off-site infrastructure locations; (2)provides more detailed information about each documented resource; and(3)includes eligibility evaluations for certain on-site buildings that may potentially be eligible for listing in the California Register of Historic Resources(CRHR).r The report,which has been submitted to the CCIC and NWIC as required,is available for review by professional archaeologists and other qualified individuals at the San Joaquin County Community Development Department, 1810 East Hazelton Avenue, Stockton,California 95205. 4.6.1 PHYSICAL SETTING CULTURAL SETTING The area in which the College Park project site is located is known to contain traces of past human activity, ranging from early prehistoric Native American sites to the remains of historic-era agricultural and ranching �- activities.The following section briefly describes the natural setting of the project site,and summarizes cultural developments through the prehistoric,ethnographic, and historic past. PREHISTORIC CONTEXT The earliest well-documented entry and spread of humans into California occurred at the beginning of the Paleo- Indian Period(12,000-8,000 years Before Present [BP]). Social units are thought to have been small and highly mobile.Known sites have been identified in the contexts of ancient pluvial lake shores and coast lines evidenced by such characteristic hunting implements as fluted projectile points and chipped stone crescent forms.Prehistoric _ adaptations over the ensuing centuries have been identified in the archaeological record by numerous researchers working in the area since the early 1900s,as summarized by Fredrickson(1974)and Moratto(1984). Little has been found archaeologically that dates to the Paleo-Indian or the subsequent Lower Archaic periods (before 5,000 BP).However, archaeologists have recovered a great deal of data from sites occupied by the Middle Archaic period(5,000-3,000 BP).During the Middle Archaic Period,the broad regional patterns of foraging subsistence strategies gave way to more intensive procurement practices. Subsistence economies were more diversified,possibly including the introduction of acorn-processing technology.Permanent villages that were occupied throughout the year were established,primarily along major waterways.The onset of status distinctions Buildings and structures that may potentially be eligible for listing in the CRHR are 50+years of age,or would be 50+ years of age at project buildout.Buildings and structures that actually are eligible for listing must meet additional requirements. College Park at Mountain House Specific Plan III Draft EIR EDAW San Joaquin County 4.6-1 Cultural Resources