VRSMP_Class_I_Update_Appendix_B_-_TNF_Survey_Operating_Plan.pdf

ATTACHMENT 1

TONTO NATIONAL FOREST

Heritage Resource Survey Operating Plan

Permit Holder: CRM FIRM NAME

Address: CRM FIRM ADDRESS

Phone Number: CRM FIRM PHONE NUMBER

Area of Operation: Forest-wide

Period of Operation: MONTH YEAR THROUGH MONTH YEAR

Description of Operation: Heritage resource non-disturbing, non-collecting survey work

Forest Service Contacts: Travis Bone, Forest Archaeologist, at travis.bone@usda.gov and Katherine Shaum, Archaeologist, at katherine.shaum@usda.gov.

ACCEPTED:

Permit Holder: ______________________________________________ Date:____________

Authorized Officer: __________________________________________ Date:_____________

Neil Bosworth, Forest Supervisor

Confidentiality of Heritage Resources

The permitee shall not share any results of archaeological inventory work completed on Forest Service managed lands with any entity other than the Forest Service without prior Forest Service approval, including with any external proponent. External proponents may pay for work completed on Forest Service land, but the information gathered is confidential and belongs exclusively to the Forest Service.

The permittee is not authorized to consult with any Native American tribes and/or external agencies, including SHPOs or THPOs, without prior written Forest Service approval.

Coordination with State and Forest Heritage Resource Planning

Basic reference material for the research design approved as part of a permit, or reports generated as a result of projects undertaken on the Tonto National Forest, may include the Cultural Resources Planning Assessment, Cultural Resources Overview, and Land Management Plan for the Tonto National Forest although more recent documents should also be cited. Research objectives of the project as stated in the research design, plan of work, and/or final report and carried out in fieldwork and analysis shall be compatible with the themes, goals, and historic contexts identified in these documents. Evaluations should also utilize any relevant historic context studies sponsored by the State Historic Preservation Officer or similar existing documents.

Heritage Resource Documentation Standards

All documentation and reports resulting from the activities specified in a permit or reports generated as a result of projects undertaken on the Tonto National Forest shall utilize Forest Service assigned site numbers. If other number systems are employed, both numbers may be used, but the Forest Service number shall be the primary reference. Previously assigned Forest Service names for sites, site complexes, and geographic features or areas shall be used to maintain consistency with Forest Service documentation and planning. Site and geographic names assigned by the permit holder shall be reviewed for consistency and must be approved by the Forest Supervisor. Additionally, all site classification schemes used in such documentation and reports shall conform to or be compatible with that described in the Tonto National Forest Cultural Resources Overview. Subsequent classifications based on other descriptive criteria may be used in addition to the standard classification, provided that correlations are clearly identified.

Prior to Survey

The permit holder shall contact the Tonto National Forest Heritage Office to schedule an in-person records search at the Supervisor’s Office in Phoenix. Heritage Office staff can also supply the permitee with pertinent GIS information, but note that this information may be incorrect or incomplete and is subject to verification by the permittee. The records search need only consider sites and previous projects within 200 meters of the current project area.

The permittee shall notify the Heritage Office prior to the start of survey so the Heritage Offce is aware and so the permitee can be apprised of closure or access issues.

Survey Work Requirements

The permittee shall supply qualified personnel and facilities to conduct non-disturbing archeological survey for an inventory of heritage resources within the Tonto National Forest. Where necessary, as determined by the Forest Service in consultation with Native American tribes, the permittee may also be required to provide qualified personnel to conduct oral history interviews and other ethnohistoric research.

All pre-field and field research, laboratory analysis, and reports are to meet professional standards as determined through review by the Forest Service. Where feasible, archival research, particularly as it pertains to historic or traditional (tribal) uses of a project area, will be conducted prior to initiating field surveys.

Minimum standards and specifications for heritage resource survey are as follows:

• In order to ensure complete, 100 percent coverage of surveyed areas, the permittee shall conform to

Forest Service Region 3 standards, as described in Forest Service Handbook 2309.24, Chapter 10:

Survey Standards. Surveyors should be spaced at intervals of no more than 15 meters (approximately 50 feet). Spacing should be reduced if ground visibility is poor due to vegetation.

• Surveyors shall keep and record field notes describing cultural remains, terrain, vegetational features, observational problems, and procedures used to accomodate or compensate for them. Field notes shall be submitted to the Forest Service at the conclusion of the project.

• Identification and inventory of heritage resource sites shall conform to the definitions presented in Forest Service Handbook 2309.24, Chapter 10.

• In defining a site, use professional judgment based on the observed artifact density in the general area.

Particular attention should be paid to identifying sites representing ritual activities (e.g. shrines), agricultural use (e.g. checkdams, terraces, cleared fields), travel/trade (e.g. trails, cairns), prehistoric and historic Native American use and occupation, and historic period exploration and settlement. Attention should be paid to identifying sites that have the potential for burials or buried features and architecture (e.g. pithouses) not evident from surface remains.

o In general throughout the Tonto National Forest, a “site” must have a minimum of 35 artifacts, unless local artifact densities are lower than typical on the Forest as a whole.

o Isolated graves should be recorded as sites.

o One or two agricultural features such as check dams, terraces, or grinding slicks/BMRs without

35 artifacts are considered to be Isolated Occurrences (IOs).

o Concentrations of sherds that appear to all come from the same vessel without any other assoicated artifacts are considered pot drops and should be treated as IOs.

o Cultural materials that do not meet this definition of a site but otherwise exhibit unique characteristics or have outstanding scientific value that merit their consideration as a site should be discussed with the Forest Archaeologist.

• The permittee shall inspect all previously identified sites located within the survey area(s). If the previous recording is still accurate and adequate, any minor changes in condition may be reported using the Forest Service Site Inspection/Maintenance Form in lieu of fully re-recording the site. Previously recorded sites should be fully re-recorded if the site has been substantially altered or if the original recording does not meet modern professional standards. Sites previously determined not eligible (with SHPO concurrence) do not need to be revisited or redocumented, but can be reported using the Inspection/Maintenance Form if they are revisited.

• Each new heritage resource site and any previously recorded site that needs to be re-recorded shall be documented using the Tonto National Forest Heritage Inventory Form (Forest Service form FS-R3-12- 2300-12). Geographic and photograpic standards for this documentation are detailed below. These standards are in accordance with Forest Service Handbook 2309.24, Chapter 10.

o Each heritage resource site and each isolated occurrence (IO) shall be plotted, at the time of its discovery, on USGS 1:24,000 (2.64" = 1 mile) topographic map(s), or suitable equivalents.

o Site locations and survey areas shall be recorded in the field with good recreation-grade or mapping-grade Global Positioning System (GPS) units. Accuracy shall be five meters or less;

submeter accuracy is preferred. Non-linear sites should be recorded as polygons, while linear features (e.g, utility lines, irrigation ditches, railroads) may be recorded as lines or polygons. IOs may be plotted as points. GPS data files shall be submitted to the Forest and will include metadata on the type of GPS unit used, its accuracy, and the process used for differential correction of the data (if any). The spatial files used to record site locations, survey areas, test units, and other important spatial data shall be submitted to the Forest in the form of GIS digital files in a format compatible with the Forest’s GIS software (currently ESRI ArcGIS products). The permitee must provide shapefiles of each encountered site, each IO, the area of potential effect, the survey area(s), and areas that were not surveyed. All GIS data shall be provided in the NAD83 datum and projected using the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system, using the appropriate UTM Zone for the project area.

o Each heritage resource site will be mapped in plan view. Each map will include sketch topographic information. Sketch contour lines will approximate an interval no greater than 1 meter and shall accurately reflect actual on-site topography. Site mapping will be conducted to provide definition of boundaries, surface features, core or high density areas, areas of disturbance or features with the capability to disturb (such as roads and powerlines), and the site datum. Site maps will contain only information important in describing the heritage resource and natural or cultural features that aid in the relocation of the site (e.g. fencelines, trails, vegetation, etc.). Each map will include a key or legend, a north arrow, scale, the map date, and the map maker’s name.

▪ Project specific information including, but not limited to, right-of-way boundaries, centerlines, planned facility locations, and engineering information will not be included unless requested by the Forest Service. Should such information be required to facilitate project planning or impact mitigation, separate maps will be prepared which overlay these features on the primary site map.

o Each discovered heritage resource site will be digitally photographed at a 5 megabyte minimum resolution. As many photographs as are necessary should be taken to clearly depict the condition of each site and the features present. At least one photograph shall show the physical environment and configuration of the land making up the site. Photographs should also illustrate surface evidence of features and site disturbance. Selected photographs of each site should appear in the report, and all photographs shall be submitted to the Forest Service on a project-specific DVD at the conclusion of the project.

o When recording new sites, permittees shall record the entire site, even if it extends beyond the project boundary. However, in doing so, the permittee must not enter private land. Portions of the site located on private land may be estimated.

o A datum shall be established for each newly recorded heritage resource. The datum and its

UTMs should be included in each site’s map. If a previously recorded site is lacking a datum, the permittee may establish one and update that site’s map appropriately. Datums should ideally coincide with a natural or cultural feature (e.g. tree, large rock, corner of roomblock, etc.) and be identified in the site map legend.

o All sites shall be marked with plastic flagging tape placed at suitable intervals, each one intervisible from those adjacent around the perimeter of the site, unless directed otherwise by the Forest. All flagging shall be of two separate colors, white and flourescent pink, tied together. (The permittee may be directed to use different colors depending on the specific project.) Site boundaries so marked will be verified by the Forest prior to the acceptance of the survey report.

o Due to the ever present threat of wildfires, combustible elements within sites (e.g., a collapsed wooden cabin or corral) should be specifically noted and included in the site description, along with a general assessment of whether the site is fire sensitive.

It is not anticipated or expected that human remains will be discovered during the course of pedestrian survey.

However, should human remains be discovered, the permittee should notify the Forest within 24 hours of identification. Disposition of any identified human remains will be determined in consultation between the the appropriate Tribal entities and the Forest.

• Regarding artifact collection and analysis, the permittee or contractor shall adhere to the following:

o In general, archaeological survey is to be non-collecting and non-ground-disturbing. Artifacts are to be analyzed in the field. However, if encountered, surveyors shall collect rare artifacts at risk of theft, including whole or nearly whole ceramic vessels, whole jewelry, and Paleo points. If such finds are isolated, the provenience of each shall be documented with a GPS unit and on a topographic map. If such finds are located within the boundaries of a site, the exact location of each shall be documented with a GPS unit and plotted on the site’s map. All such finds that are collected shall be identified, described, organized, provenienced, and packed following current Arizona State Museum standards and guidelines. The material, thus treated, shall be conveyed to a federal repository approved and/or designated by the Forest upon completion of the fieldwork.

o The permittee should expect to encounter a wide variety of plain and redware ceramics from various parts of central Arizona, including several indigenous to the project area itself, as well as a variety of decorated ceramics, principally from southern, northern, and eastern Arizona.

Whether collections are made or not, the permittee shall, wherever possible, identify ceramics discovered in the project area to type. Otherwise, identifications should be descriptive, providing information as to clay type, tempering materials, manufacturing method, surface finish, and color.

The typological reference for these identifications shall be the Checklist of Pottery Types: Tonto National Forest (Tonto National Forest Cultural Resources Inventory Report 87-01) and the Museum of Northern Arizona’s Pottery Types of the Southwest Ceramic Series. Any identification of ceramic wares, types, or varieties in either system shall be provided with a cross-reference and comparative description so that the study will remain compatible with previous research. Field and/or laboratory identifications of ceramics shall be described in the report and on site inventory forms.

o The permittee should also expect to encounter flaked and ground stone artifacts manufactured from a wide variety of materials. At a minimum, site inventory forms should include identifications of raw material types and apparent functional/typological classes (e.g., debitage, shatter, utilized flakes, formal tools, projectile points, etc.) for flaked stone and for ground stone (manos, metates, hammerstones, axes, etc.) encountered in site assemblages. Wherever possible, ground stone artifacts should be further characterized as to size, form, and typology, and referenced to some specified typological system (such as the approach described by Jenny Adams, 2002). Similar information regarding isolated artifacts shall be recorded in the field notes. Utilized flakes do not count as “formal tools.”

Survey Report Requirements

A written report shall be prepared for each heritage resource survey. One electronic copy of the draft report shall be sent to the Forest for review. Two hard copies (one bound, one unbound) and one electronic copy of the final report shall be furnished to the Forest once the draft has been reviewed, edited, and finalized. Reports shall consist of:

• The survey report shall, in form and content, conform to recognized professional standards applicable to heritage resource reports. It is designed to provide the Forest Service with both inventory and management data.

• The survey report shall be typed on a computer and printed. The paper shall be good quality grade bond of size 8 1/2 by 11 inches, unless otherwise negotiated with the Forest Service. All pages shall be numbered consecutively, including all figures and other exhibits, and each important heading shall be shown in the Table of Contents.

• Photographs shall be captioned with relevant information (e.g., the site number and description of the view indicating the direction of the shot). Digital image files that accompany the report shall be named in a manner that is easily recognizable. A photo log with additional information about all the image files provided may be necessary to convey adequate metadata.

• Measurements throughout the report shall be given in English when related to environmental setting or historic era resources and Metric when related to prehistoric sites.

While no categories of information shall be considered excluded by these specifications and no rigid format is required, at a minimum, the survey report shall contain at least the following information:

1. Title Page

An Archeological Survey of [Project Name]

[Name] Ranger District Tonto National Forest

[Name] County, Arizona

Prepared by

[Author's Name] [Author's Title or Affiliation]

Submitted by (if appropriate)

[Principal Investigator's Name] [Title]

[Affiliation] [Date]

[Internal and TNF project and report numbers, including version sequence (if applicable)]

2. Table of Contents: Arranged in accordance with the sequence of topical headings and sub-headings, with corresponding page numbers.

3. Abstract and Management Summary: Brief statement of report contents, findings, and recommendations.

4. Introduction

a. Discussion of the nature and goals of the project.

b. Location and general description of the project area (map required).

c. General description of natural setting, including flora, fauna, climate, geology, and soils, and any other significant information, emphasizing aspects pertinent to the project findings.

5. Investigative Methods and Results: This section will include the field research and archival research methodologies. Identify all investigative methods used, including both field tactics and archival research, as appropriate. Identify the personnel employed and their roles in the project. Include the project area in acres, the number of acres surveyed, the number of acres not surveyed, crew spacing on transects, the dates of fieldwork, the dates of literature review at the TNF Supervisor’s Office, and any difficulties in observation. If pertinent, identify problems encountered in undertaking the work and steps taken to resolve them.

6. Analytic Methods: Specific and complete description of field and/or laboratory techniques used to classify and date artifacts, features, and other techniques used to analyze data. The description of standard published methods may be incorporated by reference. Identify the sources of all typological studies on which the analysis was based. Typological references for ceramic identifications should include the Checklist of Pottery Types: Tonto National Forest (Tonto NF Cultural Resources Inventory Report 87-01) and the Museum of Northern Arizona’s Pottery Types of the Southwest Ceramic Series. Any identification of ceramic wares, types, or varieties in either system shall be provided with a cross-reference and comparative description so that the study will remain compatible with previous research.

7. Project Findings and Recommendations: All inventoried sites shall be discussed in terms of type, estimated age, artifact assemblage, architecture and other features, setting, fire sensitivity, and any other pertinent information. Each inventoried site will be discussed individually. If multiple sites are involved (e.g., more than five), the site discussions shall be accompanied by a table which summarizes the descriptive and classificatory information.

Evaluate all sites in terms of their eligibility for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places under all four criteria. These evaluations should take the form of recommendations to the Forest Service. These recommendations must include the NRHP significance for which the site is being recommended, the justification for this assessment, and a discussion of the site in regards to the seven aspects of integrity (location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association). The likelihoood of soil depth and/or the likelihood of buried site components should also be discussed. Statements should provide adequate context to evaluate the site under all four criteria and should not be limited to quoting or paraphrasing general criteria.

Identify any combustible components and discuss the fire senstivity of each site following Appendix D of the Region 3 Programmatic Agreement.

While no categories of information shall be considered excluded by these specifications and no rigid format is required, at a minimum, each site discussion shall contain the following information:

Forest Service Site Number [Contact the Heritage Office to obtain these numbers]

Other Site Numbers

Legal Description : T. [Number] (N or S, as appropriate)., R. [Number] (E or W, as appropriate). Section [Number, defined to quarter quarter section]

UTM: NAD83 Zone 12; [Number] North; [Number] East USGS Quadrangle: [Name]

Setting : [On-site terrain and on-site vegetation]

Description of the site: [Artifact assemblage, features, cultural attribution, temporal attribution, disturbances]

Each discussed site will be accompanied by at least one photograph and a site map. Site maps will be drafted versions of the field maps. Report maps shall, in form and content, conform to recognized professional standards applicable to heritage resource reports. Each map shall include appropriate captions, date, north arrow, and scale.

All "rare finds" shall be described and illustrated.

IOs shall be described separately from sites. A tabular representation may be adequate, so long as the IO is adequately described.

8. Maps: The report shall include a vicinity map, a project area map, a site location map, and an isolated finds map.The background of these maps should be the appropriate USGS 7.5 minute quadrangle.

9. Management Information and Mitigations: Identify any sites which appear to require immediate management attention because of recent or on-going impacts, whether due to natural (e.g. erosion) or cultural (e.g. vandalism) agents. State recommendations for avoiding or mitigating any potential impacts which may result from proposed project activities. State any other recommendations which may be appropriate. DO NOT make recommendations regarding heritage resource "clearance" for the project.

If five or more sites are discussed, this section should include a table that includes each site number, a brief description of the site, its eligibility, and recommended mitigations.

10. Bibliography: Provide a bibliography of all relevant sources. Citations in the bibliography and in the body of the report should conform to the American Antiquity style. References are not required to represent an exhaustive review of the relevant literature, but should be extensive enough to support the report’s discussions on a commonly accepted scholarly manner. Primary reference material for all surveys shall include all reports and publications identified herein.

Year End Reports

The permit holder is required to submit an annual report to the Forest listing all work conducted under this permit over the previous year. The report shall also include a listing of all projects for which the holder is in possession of site records, information, or collections resulting from activities carried out under this permit. The listing will also include the location of these materials and a proposed schedule for their transfer to a federal repository approved and/or designated by the Forest Supervisor.