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r ESA Land Management J Ray Weiss January 2009 Page 20 Mitigation Measure CUL-1: Cease Work if Prehistoric or Historic Subsurface Cultural Resources are Discovered During Ground-Disturbing Activities.If any prehistoric or historic subsurface cultural resources are discovered during ground-disturbing activities,all work within 50 feet of the resources will be halted and the project proponent will consult with a qualified archaeologist and tribal monitor to assess the significance of the find according to CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5. If any find is determined to be significant, the project proponent and the archaeologist will meet to determine the appropriate avoidance measures or other appropriate mitigation.The project proponent(as applicable)will make the final determination.All significant cultural materials recovered will be,as necessary and at the discretion of the consulting archaeologist, subject to scienfific analysis,professional museum curation,and documentation according to current professional standards. In considering any suggested mitigation proposed by the consulting archaeologist in order to mitigate impacts to historical resources or unique archaeological resources, the project proponent will determine whether avoidance is necessary and feasible in light of factors such as the nature of the find,project design,costs,and other considerations. if avoidance is infeasible, other appropriate measures (e.g.,data recovery)will be instituted. Work may proceed on other parts of the project site while mitigation for historical resources or unique archaeological resources is being carried out. c) Paleontological resources are the fossilized evidence of past life found in the geologic record. Despite the tremendous volume of sedimentary rock deposits preserved worldwide,preservation of plant or animal remains as fossils is rare.Because of the infrequency of fossil preservation,fossils—particularly vertebrate fossils—are considered to be nonrenewable resources.Because of their rarity,and the scientific information they can provide,fossils are considered highly significant records of ancient life. Rock formations that are considered of paleontological sensitivity are those rock units that have yielded significant vertebrate or invertebrate fossil remains.These include,but are not limited to,sedimentary rock units that contain significant paleontologic resources anywhere within its geographic extent.The project area is underlain by previously disturbed Holocene floodplain deposits.These types of sediments would not likely yield significant paleontological remains because they are surface deposits and are not fossil- bearing rock units; therefore, no impacts to these types of resources are expected. d) No evidence exists to indicate that burials occurred within the project area. The project area is located in an area that may have been attractive to prehistoric inhabitants based on its proximity to fresh water resources. Therefore, it is possible that buried archaeological sites could occur within the study area. To ensure a less-than-significant impact in the event of an accidental discovery,Mitigation Measure CUL-3 shall be implemented.