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4.Environmental Analysis — Known Cultural Resources Methods The effort to identify cultural resources in the project area included a record search,contacts with Native Americans, and a field survey. A cultural resources records search of all pertinent survey and site data was conducted at the — Central California Information Center on August 13, 2003. The records were accessed by utilizing the Vernalis and Solyo USGS 7.5-minute quadrangle maps and included the proposed project area along with a one-quarter-mile radius around the project site. In addition to Information Center maps and site record forms,other sources that were reviewed included the Directory of Properties in the Historic Property Data Files for San Joaquin and Stanislaus — Counties,the National Register of Historic Places,the California Register of Historic Resources, the California Inventory of Historic Resources(1976),the California Historical Landmarks (1996), and the California Points of Historical Interest(1992). The records search indicated that _ no cultural resources have previously been identified in or adjacent to the proposed project area. The records search also indicated that the proposed project area has not previously been subjected to archaeological inspection. — The Native American Heritage Commission(NAHC) was contacted by an ESA archaeologist on December 4, 2003,and requested to provide information on locations of importance to Native — Americans and a list of Native Americans who should be contacted. The NAHC provided a list of three Native American organizations that should be contacted conceming locations of importance to Native Americans in the project area. ESA sent a letter to each organization on the NAHC list, providing information about the proposed project and requesting information on locations of importance to Native Americans (Appendix F). No responses have been received to date. An archaeological field inspection of the project area was conducted between October 7 and 14, 2003,by two ESA Registered Professional Archaeologists.The surface of the entire project area was inspected using systematic survey transects spaced between 20 and 60 meters apart. Surface visibility was excellent in most of the proposed project area because natural vegetation had been cleared for agricultural purposes(crops and orchards). Results No cultural resources were identified in the project area as a result of previous investigations or the field survey conducted for the proposed project. No evidence of prehistoric or historic archaeological remains was identified in the proposed project area, and no historic buildings or structures are present. Buildings and structures are less than 50 years old and are not considered to be historical resources. Although no archaeological remains were identified and the entire proposed project area has been subjected to prior disturbance associated with agricultural uses, it is possible that unidentified, buried archaeological remains are present. RMC Pacific Vernalis Quarry Mining and Reclamation Project 4.10-4 ESA 1203015 Draft Environmental Impact Report May 2006