ARCHIVED REPORTS_1993_1 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

11I. Environmental Setting, Impacts,and Mitigations E. Cultural Resources next closest recorded archaeological site is CA-SJo-202, a prehistoric site located approximately on and a quarter miles to the northeast. IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Significance Criteria The CEQA Guidelines provide the general framework for evaluating the potential impacts of a proposed project on cultural resources. Pursuant to Section 15065(x)of the CEQA Guidelines, the elimination of"important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory" would be a significant impact on the environment. Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines specifies that a project may have a significant effect on the environment if it would"disrupt or adversely affect a prehistoric or historic archaeological site or a property of historic or cultural significance to a community or ethnic or social group." Appendix K of the CEQA Guidelines states that a significant negative environmental impact on the environment would be caused by the disruption or destruction of an"important archaeological resource," which is defined as a resource that: • is associated with an event or person of recognized significance in California or American history,or recognized scientific importance in prehistory; • can provide information which is both of demonstrable public interest and useful in addressing scientifically consequential and reasonable or archaeological research questions; • has a special or particular quality such as oldest,best example,largest,or last surviving example of its kind; • is at least 100 years old and possesses substantial stratigraphic integrity;or • involves important research questions that historical research has shown can be answered only with archaeological methods. Impact E.I. The Austin Road Landfill Expansion area,with Little Johns Creek running through it,is a potential candidate for locating additional and/or disturbing subsurface cultural deposits. (SIGNIFICANT) The study area has deep alluvial deposits,and there is a moderate to high possibility of subsurface archaeological deposits. Materials such as arrow and spear points,mortars and pestles, shell and bone dietary remains, and stone or adobe walls or foundations could be found. These materials may provide information which is useful in addressing scientifically YP g y III.E.3