ARCHIVED REPORTS_1993_1 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

III. Environmental Setting, Impacts,and Mitigations E. Cultural Resources consequential questions regarding prehistoric settlement patterns; subsistence,trade and economic practices; social and cultural customs; and cultural exchange. Also,the site may provide information that is of demonstrable public interest. Public interest in the disposition of prehistoric cultural deposits has generated State and local legislative requirements in dealing with such cultural resources that are subject to adverse impacts. The local Native American community, as a public entity,has a very focused and well-established interest in the protection of archaeological sites in general. Mitigation Measure E.1. fi s E Identified by this lR (a) If prehistoric archaeological resources are discovered during excavation and construction of the proposed project,the project sponsor should suspend all work in the immediate vicinity of the find pending site investigation by a qualified archaeologist or cultural resources consultant to assess the materials and determine their significance. If the qualified archaeologist determines that the find is an important archaeological resource,funding and time to allow recovering an archaeological sample or to implement avoidance measures should be available. Work could continue at other locations while archaeological mitigation takes place. (b) Allow only a qualified archaeologist or cultural resources consultant to collect any prehistoric cultural resources discovered on the site. (c) If prehistoric archaeological deposits that include human remains are discovered by the project sponsor or any construction contractors during development of the project corridor, the project sponsor should notify the County Coroner immediately. If the remains are found to be Native American,the Native American Heritage Commission must be notified within 24 hours. The most likely descendant of the deceased Native American should be notified and given the chance to make recommendations for the remains. If no recommendations are made within 24 hours,remains may be reinterred elsewhere on the property. If recommendations are made and not accepted,the Native American Heritage commission would mediate the problem. (d) If avoidance of important prehistoric archaeological resources would not be feasible,the project sponsor should prepare an excavation plan in coordination with a qualified archaeologist or cultural resources consultant. An excavation plan should consist of the methodical excavation of those portions of the site(s)that would be adversely affected. The work should be accomplished within the context of a detailed research design and in accordance with current professional standards. The plan must result in the extraction of sufficient volumes of non-redundant archaeological data so as to address important regional research considerations, must be performed by qualified professionals,and must result in detailed technical reports. _ HI.E.4