20. Attachment 8 - Cultural Resource Contractor Standards.pdf

Stanislaus National Forest Archaeological Survey and Site Recording Procedures

For Contractors

Step 1 – Obtain appropriate archaeological investigation permit from Stanislaus National

Forest

The contractor shall ensure that they obtain an archaeological investigation permit from the

Stanislaus National Forest Heritage Program Manager (STF HPM), often referred to as a ARPA permit, through submission of a FS-2700-30 application.

The contractor shall ensure that all procedures and standards of all work performed under this permit conform to the current versions of the applicable laws, implementing regulations, and guidelines including, but not limited to, the following:

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, Public Law (PL) 91-190, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321–4347.

• The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, PL 89-665; 16

• U.S.C. 470 et seq.

• Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, as amended, PL 96-95; 16

• U.S.C. 470 et seq.

• Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990, as amended, PL 101-601; 25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.

• American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) of 1978, as amended, PL 95-

341, 42 U.S.C. 1996 and 1996a

• Department of Interior, National Park Service: Archeology and Historic

Preservation, Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines

Personnel: The Contractor shall meet the minimum professional qualifications:

Principal Investigator

The minimum professional qualifications of the Principal Investigator are:

1. A graduate degree (e.g., Master of Arts) in archaeology, anthropology, or a closely related field;

2. Demonstrated ability to carry research to completion, usually evidenced by timely completion of thesis, research reports, or similar documents;

3. At least one year of full-time professional experience or equivalent specialized training in archaeological research, administration, or management; and

4. At least 4 months of supervised field and analytic experience in North American archaeology.

5. In addition to these minimum qualifications, a professional in prehistoric archaeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archaeological resources of the prehistoric period. A professional in historic archaeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archaeological resources of the historic period.

Field Supervisors

Supervisors shall have a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in anthropology, archaeology, or a closely-related field, and one year of survey experience, of which 3 months were in a supervisory capacity, or 1 1/2 years of general experience including nine months of survey experience that includes three months in a supervisory capacity.

Field Technicians

Technicians shall have either (a) a BA in anthropology, archaeology,or a closely-related field, plus three months of survey experience, or (b) six months of survey experience. Names and resumes of field and laboratory technicians should be submitted with Technical Proposal if possible, but in any case prior to beginning fieldwork.

Experience

The term "survey experience" used herein refers to professional archaeological or cultural resource field experience in which accepted methods, practices, and techniques are employed to identify archaeological properties. "General experience" refers to any experience which would provide skill or expertise in performing the proposed action (e.g., aerial photo or topographic map interpretation, archaeological excavation, and artifact analysis).

Step 2 - Background Research

Once the STF HPM receives the signed completed permit, previous surveyed to standard and site shapefiles will be transferred to the contractor, as well as areas that may be too steep to survey and LiDar. If the contractor does not have recent forest base GIS layers, the Forest will provide.

Depending on the situation, this may also include copies of site records. However, if site records are not previously scanned, it is the contractor’s responsibility to come into the office (upon an appointment) to get the records.

The Contractor shall review all applicable background literature, including data supplied by the

STF HPM, before developing a Survey Plan. A pre-field literature review shall include, but not be limited to, historic maps, GLO plat maps, historic literature, aerial photographs, LiDar, and

Forest Service Archaeological Reconnaissance Reports, etc. pertaining to the Project Area. The

Contractor shall also consult with local historical societies, courthouses, museums, and county records, as appropriate. Knowledge gained from the literature review shall be incorporated into the Survey Plan.

At minimum, the pre-field file and records search shall include literature and data reviews from the following sources:

• Central California Information Center, Stanislaus State University (for private property). Any non-Forest records will be provided to the Forest Service.

• The Forest Supervisors Office or Ranger District Office(s) as appropriate.

Background searches shall include a review of the Forest’s cultural resources spatial data, Heritage Resources report files, land status maps and files.

(Appointments to view these records shall be made at least five working days in advance.)

• General Land Office Plat maps.

• Homestead Entry Survey Maps, and Mineral Survey Entry Maps.

• The current NRHP listings for historic properties located in the project area.

• Courthouse records when data from the above searches indicate a need.

Prior to commencing fieldwork, the contractor shall submit to the STF HPM for review and approval a report summarizing the results of the records and files background search. Prior to the start of the survey, especially early in the field season when the FS may not have yet been out to clear roads, it is recommended that the Contractor conduct a Pre-survey reconnaissance of the

Project Area to get a sense of what they will be dealing with. Impassable roads, locked gates, downed trees, etc., should be noted. The Contactor may at this time or during survey, recommend areas as “Non-Surveyable” within the Survey Needs polygons. All recommendations have to be approved by the STF HPM before applied. Knowledge gained from the Pre-Survey Reconnaissance shall be incorporated into the Survey Plan.

Any Pre-Survey reconnaissance should use the information reviewed during the Literature

Review to aid in a field review of the significant terrain features, access, special heritage components and heritage resource sensitivity. Strategies for locked gates and downed trees blocking roads shall be discussed with the STF HPM.

Step 3 - Research Design/Survey Plan

The Contractor shall consider the information gathered during the Literature Review and Pre-survey Reconnaissance and discuss any issues that surfaced with the STF HPM and DA. The

Contractor shall subsequently develop a Survey Plan.

Survey Plan: The Contractor shall incorporate the information gathered from the Literature

Review, Pre-Survey Reconnaissance, etc. into a Survey Plan. The Survey Plan shall include the:

who, what, when, and where about the Contractor’s survey. The Survey Plan shall be submitted for STF HPM for review at least five business days before the planned start of the survey. The

Survey Plan must be approved by the STF HPM prior to the start of the survey. During the life of the contract the Contractor shall keep all portions of the Survey Plan up to date. The

Contractor shall submit updates to the Survey Plan throughout the term of the contract along with the Progress Report. Rejected Survey Plan updates shall be reworked and resubmitted.

Standard: At a minimum the Survey Plan will contain the following:

(1) Schedule: Contractor’s work schedule including field session dates and the dates the progress reports will be submitted, as well as other work commitments.

(2) Work Progression: The approximate order the project will be surveyed and strategy for covering the Project Area.

(3) Survey Map: A Survey Map, based on a recent 7.5’ USGS map, depicting work progression as discussed in 2 above.

(4) Emergency Measures: Develop your own check-in/check out procedures. STF will provide dispatch phone number and inform dispatch of contractors POC info., location of survey and duration on forest.

(5) Changes of Survey Coverage to Non-Surveyable: Any approved changes of survey coverage to non-surveyable acres resulting from the pre-survey reconnaissance and survey planning discussions with the Government.

Step 4 – Prefield meeting with Stanislaus National Forest

At least one member of the contractor’s key personnel (Principal Investigator or Field

Supervisor/Crew Chief) that is assigned to the specific project shall be required to attend a pre-work meeting with the STF HPM. At the prefield discussion, numerous subjects will be discussed including, but not limited to, a review of:

• Terms and conditions of the ARPA permit

• Field inventory methods

• Standards for recordation and delivery of data

• Monitor vs. site update

• Use of Stanislaus National Forest forms

• Current policies governing the collection of material artifacts

• Flagging policy

• Specific access to survey areas, for example, issuance of keys or and temporary authorization permits issued by the District Ranger to access Forest Service land behind Forest Service locked gates for administrative purposes.

• Expectations regarding standards and deliverables

• Methods and GIS requirements for recording small sites (polygon vs. point) and linear features

• Identification of key contractor personnel assigned to the project in addition to relevant contact information and notification in personnel changes

• Any other issues or concerns relating to the project not noted above

Step 4 – Progress Reports

The contractor shall submit biweekly progress reports to the STF HPM in electronic format

(email). The start date for the first two-week period shall be the day that fieldwork is initiated, as per the contractor’s notification to the STF HPM and DA. The biweekly reports shall contain the following information:

• Contractor’s assessment of the amount of work completed and time remaining for completion.

• A list of sites and isolates that have been identified to ensure we are in sync with what is or is not a site or isolate.

• Biweekly reports shall be submitted to the STF HPM within five working days of the last day of the two-week reporting period.

Step 5 – Fieldwork

Fieldwork consists of a minimum of intensive field inventory, recording new sites and isolates, updating previously known sites when appropriate, and completion of site condition assessments utilizing appropriate site monitoring forms.

Survey Methodology

Intensive Field Inventory: Intensive inventory provides cultural resource specialists and managers with a record of all cultural properties, which can be identified from surface indications, for a specific area. This type of coverage shall be sufficient to allow the investigators to encounter the smallest of heritage resource sites likely to occur in a given area, based on pre-field research. At this intensity level the surveyors shall not rely solely on intuitive inspection of specific localities. The standard transects between members of the survey crew should be 24 meters apart, however depending upon the ground visibility and slope, this can be briefly extended to 30 meters apart. In high probability or visibility areas or within sites, consider

10-15 meter transects.

Non-Surveyable Acres. These acres are considered to have unsecured footing, too steep to survey, or brush or hazardous situations (e.g., hazard trees) that makes it unsurveyable. These areas shall be excluded from physical examination. These non-surveyed areas will be labeled by the Contractor and will be attributed in GIS as “Non-Surveyable – Too Steep” or “Non-

Surveyable – Too Brushy” and included within the Draft and Final Report survey coverage map(s).

Documenting Survey Intensities: The Contractor shall record all survey intensity levels on a

7.5 Minute USGS Quadrangle Map and in GIS using annotations. A map showing deviations from the approved survey intensities shall be included with each Session Report. A Survey Map depicting all field survey accomplished (that clearly illustrates survey intensity levels used) shall be included with the draft report.

Recommending Changes to the suggested Survey regarding Non-Surveyable Areas after

Approval of the Initial Survey Plan: If terrain, density of vegetation, footing, or other physical constraints force a change in the surveyability, the Contractor shall recommend a change in the polygon’s surveyability and seek STF HPM approval in advance. Any changes that are not approved in advance by the Government shall be resurveyed in transects 30 meters or less apart.

Definitions and Documentation of Cultural Resources

A Site: is operationally defined as a locus of purposeful human activity characterized by a deposit of cultural materials or the construction of one or more features or structures greater than

50 years of age and must meet at least one of the following criteria:

a. Adds specifically to the knowledge of the area's human use and occupation and can be used to contribute to the evaluation of the project area;

b. Provides information that identifies and adds specifically to the documentary knowledge of the technology that produced it;

A Site is Not: A temporary road or skid trail created for modern forest management without contextual or feature evidence of historic affiliation, a Forest Service constructed road for modern forest management (has an FS number) regardless of age, a barbed wire fence that lacks adjacent historically diagnostic features or artifacts that imply it to be more than a modern drift/range management fence, isolated trash dumps dating more recently than 1960 are considered modern and do not require documentation per the Region 5 PA (2018), and/or sites on lands not owned by the USFS. Do not record these as they will not be accepted.

Prehistoric Site - A prehistoric site is 10 or more spatially associated artifacts within a 30-meter diameter area (site may be much larger than 30 meters in diameter) or a single feature. A feature is a site (e.g. bedrock mortar with one cup).

Historic site is 10 or more spatially associated artifacts within a 30-meter diameter area (site may be much larger than 30 meters in diameter) or a single feature.

Site boundaries are defined as five meters out from the nearest artifact/feature. The Contractor shall flag all site boundaries with blue/black candy-striped and orange/white candy-striped flagging unless otherwise agreed to. Flagging should be minimized within campgrounds and along trails. An ACT (Area Control Tag) with the FS site number on it should be posted on the datum.

The Contractor shall include all site artifacts, features, and/or loci within a single site boundary as appropriate. If artifacts, features and/or loci are separated by 100 meters or more, these should be recorded and flagged as separate sites. All site boundaries shall be recorded in meters.

Historic features are recorded in English rule, except for measurement from Datum to feature and/or artifacts, which shall be recorded in meters. Site sketch maps shall be drawn to scale and are required to show all features, artifact clusters, datum and significant natural or constructed features (e.g., Forest Service roads, drainages, large boulders, etc.). The scale of the sketch map shall be in even centimeter:meter ratios (e.g., 1cm=10meters). Sketch maps shall not have any background imagery (e.g., Google Earth, Topo Maps). Sketch maps shall be drawn with with degree/direction/distance to each feature and/or boundary corners when the site has no features.

If the site map gets too busy, include this information on the feature map. Sites less than 1 acre shall be GPS’d as a point (datum). Sites greater than 1 acre shall be GPS’d as a polygon (site boundaries) as well as the datum.

Site Flagging Standard: A flagged site boundary must be visible to people and equipment operating around it and approaching it from any direction. Blue/black candy-striped and orange/white candy-striped flagging will be hung on the side of the vegetation that is on the exterior of the site, not interior, at a height of at least 5 feet if physically possible, whereas a minimum of 3 flags are visible from any point outside of the site boundary. Flagging should be long enough to flap in the wind, but not so long that it gets tangled in the vegetation.

Linear Sites: All linear sites shall be documented with Stanislaus NF linear forms and GPS’d as line features. Site boundaries are defined as five meters out from the last artifact/feature. The

Contractor shall flag all linear site boundaries with blue/black candy-striped and orange/white candy-striped flagging along each side to give a corridor effect where possible.

While recording a linear heritage resource, the terminus of the segment shall be based on concrete logical endings (e.g., stream crossing, fork, etc.). Linear sites shall have all breaches

(e.g. forest roads, trails, logging skids, washouts etc.) GPS’d as a point feature and shall be recorded on the site sketch map. Include breach width and orientation to help with future management.

Linear Sites Flagging Standard: A flagged site boundary must be visible to people and equipment operating around it and approaching it from any direction. Blue/black candy-striped and orange/white candy-striped flagging will be hung on the side of the vegetation that is on the exterior of the site, not interior, at a height of at least 5 feet if physically possible, whereas a minimum of 3 flags are visible from any point outside of the site boundary. For linear sites overlain by FS roads, only flag features (e.g., through cuts, etc.). You may also double flag at the beginning and ending of segment (where road continues on beyond segment or segment only occupies a portion of a road).

Previously Located Sites: The contractor shall bring the recording, marking of site datum with an Area Control Tag, GPSing, and flagging, on all previously located sites up to the new site standards. If the existing information and fieldwork is found to meet the standards and accurately depict current conditions, then, at a minimum, a Monitoring Form (supplied by the

Stanislaus NF) shall be developed for each site. If, after a thorough attempt has been made, a heritage resource cannot be relocated, then a Monitoring Form will be required documenting the attempt(s) and the result.

If a new feature is located or the shape of the site changes substantially, a new site record, including previous features, etc. is required (complete site record). Reporting that info on a continuation sheet is not acceptable.

Datum: An Area Control Tag will be attached at all site datums with a Government supplied

Forest Service site number. All Datum locations shall be GPS’d as a point feature. No datum is required for linear sites, with the start of the linear marked with an ACT.

Numbering: The Report number and a block or group of Forest Service numbers for newly discovered sites will be provided to the Contractor at the pre-work meeting. The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining California State Trinomial numbers for all heritage resources (unless already assigned) within the Project Area. Report numbers are based on Region, Forest, and next available number for that district (e.g., 05-16-4444 for a Groveland Ranger District report (Mi-

Work Ranger District starts with a 1, Calaveras starts with a 2 and Summit starts with a 3). The same is so for site number, Region, Forest, District, next available number (e.g., 05-16-51-0001 for Mi-Wok, 52 for Calaveras, 53 for Summit and 54 for Groveland). New linear sites are numbered as the following: Parent number (e.g., 05-16-51-0015), segment number based on the report number (e.g., report number 05-16-4444) and in sequence (e.g., 05-16-51-0015 segment

4444A, 4444B. Linear sites that go across district boundaries retain the same parent number.

Forms and Maps: Heritage resources shall be documented on forms and maps.

Standard: All heritage resource site records shall be recorded using the format approved by the California State Historic Preservation Office (DPR-523) and the Stanislaus National

Forest Linear Forms. All new heritage resource sites shall require the completion of the following forms in this order: Primary Record (DPR-523A), Archaeological Site Record (DPR-

523C), Continuation Sheet (DPR-523L) (if needed), Milling Station Record (DPR-523F) (if needed), Feature Map (DPR-523K), Site Sketch Map (DPR-523K), a Photograph Record (DPR-

523I) and photographs printed on a Continuation Sheet (DPR-523L) and a Location Map (DPR-

523J).

If a heritage resource site is linear, then a Stanislaus National Forest linear form (water conveyance/ditch, RR grade, road/trail) is required (along with a primary record if new). If a site contains a standing building, then a complete Building, Structure, and Object Record (DPR-

523B) is required.

Directions: All directions will be from the District Office for that project (i.e. Mi-Wok

Station for a project location on the Mi-Wok Ranger District). Directions will also include FS

Road numbers. Directions for walking to a site will include meters to site, direction and degree.

It may also include walking miles. Ex. From the Summit Ranger Station turn right (east) and travel 3.5 miles east on CA 108. Turn right (east) onto FS Road 4N12 and drive 12.5 miles to FS

Road 5N04Y. Continue on FS Road 5N04Y for 0.1 miles and turn left (southwest) onto FS Road

5N04YA and park immediately. Walk northwest at 90 degrees for 35 meters to the ACT. The

ACT is located on a 2ft DBH Fir facing east and FS Road 5N40Y. Do not use Google Earth

Road identifiers for directions. Use only FS Road numbers. If no FS Road number are assigned, use County Road numbers or a common name.

All site Location Maps shall include the actual GPS’d site point, polygon or linear plotted on a

2018 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle. Abstract symbols are not acceptable. Location Maps shall clearly identify the site location using the assigned Forest Service site number. The name and year (as revised) of the Quadrangle Map will be included. Location maps must retain the 1:24,000 scale.

Do not alter (reduce or expand) the scale of the map.

Site Photographs: Digital images shall be provided of the site overview, site datum, features, and diagnostic artifacts with bearing of the photo stated. Images shall be submitted electronically as .jpeg files within the site record itself.

Non-Linear Heritage Resource Polygons Overlapping the Survey Needs Boundary: New heritage resource sites that overlap or straddle the Project Area boundaries shall be treated as if they fall entirely within the Project Area. The exception to this will be if the heritage resource overlaps onto private property. In this case, only the portion of the site on National Forest

System lands will be recorded and its continuance onto private lands will be noted on the site record.

Linear Heritage Resources Overlapping the Survey Needs Boundary: All linear sites that overlap or straddle the Project Area polygon boundaries on to National Forest System lands shall be recorded and flagged to the next logical constructed or natural feature (e.g., road, drainage, etc.) outside of the Project Area.

Cultural Resources Associated with Linear Sites: Non-linear cultural resources associated with linear sites (e.g., wooden structures, historic refuse, etc.) shall be recorded as separate sites.

The linear site shall be depicted on site sketch maps of any heritage resource polygon site it falls within.

Associated features or artifacts that would ordinarily qualify as an isolated resource shall be described and included within the site record of the linear site in question. These shall also be included within the flagged corridor of the linear site unless the isolate is more than 25 meters from the linear site. If associated isolated features or artifacts are in excess of 25 meters from a linear site, then these should be recorded as isolates. Linear sites and their immediately adjacent associated artifacts/features shall be GPSed as a “line feature” down the center of the linear site.

Short Linear Sites Associated with Non-linear Sites: Linear sites that are less than 100 meters long and are associated with a non-linear heritage resource site (e.g., a short ditch contained within a larger mining site), shall be recorded as a feature within the non-linear site. These associated linear sites shall be included in the site GPS’d polygon and flagged boundary.

Isolated Find (IF) Isolated artifacts of human origin which occur in such a way that no useful scientific information can be obtained by additional investigation beyond that involved in recording the artifact. Features (roads, ditches, prospect pit, etc.) can never be an isolate.

A prehistoric isolate is defined as 9 or fewer spatially associated artifacts where no buried cultural materials or features are thought to exist.

A historic isolate is defined as 9 or fewer spatially associated artifacts where no buried cultural material or features are thought to exist.

Isolated Find Recordation: All isolated artifacts shall be recorded on an Isolate Form, described and keyed to 7.5‘ USGS topographic quadrangle map included within the Draft

Report. The legal location (Township, Range and Section) down to at least the 1/16 section shall be included. In the case of diagnostic or unusual artifact, they may be collected and described on an Isolate Collection Form (provided by the STF). GPS data collection is required. Isolate numbering is based on report number and is in sequence (ie., 05-16-4444-001). Do not flag isolates. It may be marked by the contractor for a later visit, but a different color of flagging must be used.

Procedures: If there is any professional disagreement as to the age, condition, significance, previous use, status, size, or connectivity of a site or artifacts, or appropriate forms, the STF

HPM determination is final.

Monitoring Activities within Site Boundaries: The Regional PA outlines specific activities that may occur within site boundaries such as removing hazardous fuels and prescribed fire. These actions are meant to enhance and protect the site. An archaeologist must be present during all activities within the site boundary. Slash must be carried out of the site boundary and piled so that the outside of the fire control line around the pile is a minimum of 10 feet from the site (no burning of concentrated materials within site boundaries is allowed). Trees shall be directionally felled to avoid features where possible. Where directional felling is not possible, features shall be buffered through various methods (e.g., use of blocks, tractor tires, slash, etc.) to pad the feature and reduce impacts to features. Trees felled into cultural resources or existing downed trees and debris shall be removed utilizing rubber-tired equipment with the capability to fully suspend the tree/log/debris out of the site, minimizing turns, and/or hand cutting and removal. Trees must be bucked, cut into rounds and rolled out of the site boundary. Helicopter removal shall lift and suspend trees out of sites to minimize ground disturbance. Prior to prescribed fire, any concentrated fuels laying on features, like dead trees laying on bedrock outcrops or lithic scatters, must be removed. Wood site features must be excluded from unit, or they must have suitable fire lines AND the use of either sprinklers, fire retardant or completely wrap with fire resistance materials. All felling and removal activities shall be coordinated with the on-site archaeological monitor and be documented with photos on a monitoring form. Any activity or site protection measures not mentioned here must refer back to the Regional PA and get approval from the HPM.

Evaluation of Newly Identified Cultural Resources for NRHP Significance

Site evaluations for NRHP significance are generally not required. However, as recommended by the contractor, the STF HPM may approve use of CARIDAPs, expedited evaluations per the

Regional PA, etc.

Monitoring of Previously Identified Sites

If a site was previously recorded and its site record is up-to-date and accurate, a Forest Service

Site Monitoring Form provided by the STF shall be thoroughly completed in the field for each site and the completed forms shall be submitted with the inventory report. Monitoring form are meant to convey current condition to help determine if the current project will have an effect on the site (e.g, if the project is going to do a prescribed burn, then note if trees are on features and need to be moved prior to fire going through the site). If changes to site boundaries, new feature(s), drastic change in conditions, or content are noted, an updated site record must be completed with a thorough description of the changes noted according to specifications.

Collection of Artifacts

Collection of archaeological or historical materials during the field inventory is discouraged unless the artifact can be demonstrated to be diagnostic of a particular cultural group or chronological period. Diagnostic artifacts may be collected for analytical purposes to prevent probable loss or destruction from the proposed undertaking, or due to suspected potential for unlawful removal.

Mapping: Geographic Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System

(GIS) Standards

A Resource Grade Global Positioning (GPS) system shall be used to record the location of site boundaries and datums. Project planning before GPSing is recommended. All GPS data shall be corrected, eliminating “bowties”, “spikes”, and sliver polygons.

Site numbers should be entered in the GPS unit as eleven-digit numbers without any dashes or spaces. For example, 05165100123 or 05165101234.

All cultural resource sites that are less than 1 acre will be GPS’d as a point at the datum. All cultural resources that are recorded as a polygon shall have their boundaries GPS’d as an area feature with a point feature taken at the primary datum/ACT location. Linear sites shall be

GPS’d as a line feature. Artifacts within a site do not have to be GPS’d. Isolates and collected artifacts must be GPS’d.

Where GPS verification cannot be obtained directly for a location after three attempts, the contractor will document the situation within the site record or monitoring form. The contractor and the STF HPM will determine how to address the situation on a case-by-case basis (e.g., taking an offset point or digitizing the data). The government’s determination is final.

The Contractor shall provide the following Resource grade GPS site location information with the Final Report. The Contractor shall submit the verification to the Stanislaus NF in the form of

GPS files with annotated fields for site number. The mapped locations shall be converted to

ArcMap shape files before they are submitted to the Stanislaus NF. Files required include:

(a) GPS files exported as ARC GIS shape files (with at least these 3 components- .shp, .shx, .dbf) submitted in separate files for line, point and polygon.

Standard: All GPS locations shall be to within plus or minus 3 meters horizontal distance at

68% probability of their actual location. The mapped locations shall be recorded in meters with

NAD 1983, CONUS, UTM Zone 10 or UTM Zone 11. GPS data shall be provided to the

Government as shape files that can be used to relocate and inspect new or previously located heritage resource site locations.

Treatment of Unanticipated Human Remains

Identification and location of prehistoric or historic human remains triggers stipulations mandated by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Should a human burial(s) or skeletal remains be encountered, fieldwork must terminate immediately and the integrity of the skeletal remains secured. The contractor must notify the STF HPM immediately if any remains of this nature are found. Once an initial determination regarding possible age and affiliation has been made in consultation with the County Coroner and other responsible authorities, the STF HPM will then begin consultation with the appropriate Native

American Tribes pursuant to the process mandated by the NAGPRA. Before the contractor or any member of the contractor’s crew returns to the field, the contractor shall discuss a modified plan of action with the STF HPM to accommodate the new circumstances.

Step 5 – Reporting

All reports will be in keeping with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for

Archeological Documentation.

Draft inventory reports

The contractor shall submit to the STF HPM a final written draft inventory report and all site records in a Microsoft Word document for review and comment. The draft report must consist of a narrative report, and supporting documentation describing the location of all survey coverage areas, methods employed, results of the field survey, and all site record forms. The complete report shall include all text, maps, site forms, site eligibility recommendations (if needed), a detailed assessment of project effects, and management recommendations (standard protection measures) for all sites in the project area.

Standard: The contractor may opt to use the Stanislaus National Forest CRMR form or employ the following:

The Draft Report includes, at a minimum, the following items:

a. Title Page:

1) Name and location of project area;

2) Name and address of the Stanislaus National Forest;

3) Forest Service Project Number, as assigned by the DA;

4) Date;

5) Name and address of Contractor(s);

6) Name of Principal Investigator(s);

7) Date of report; and

8) Author's signature and title.

b. Abstract: one page summary that includes the project objectives, size, methods, findings, and site NRHP eligibility recommendation(s).

c. Table of Contents: topical headings arranged in sequence in accordance with corresponding page numbers. Include a list of figures, tables, and appendices.

d. Introduction:

• Purpose of the investigation;

• Summary of findings

b. Body of Document shall contain

• Project area(s) Description and field conditions: to include, at a minimum, a description of landform, soils, vegetation, ground surface visibility, modern improvements in the project area(s), physiography, geomorphology, hydrology, flora, fauna, climate, geology, and related information on environmental settings;

• Area of Potential Effect as agreed to at the pre-work meeting Project location:

i. Legal locations of all project areas and maps at the 1:24,000 scale.

• Literature Reviewed: A discussion of the Literature Reviewed and Pre-

Survey.

• Methodology and Findings: A discussion of the methodology and findings of the surveys. The contractor shall discuss the survey intensity employed.

The Contractor shall discuss all new and previously located sites recorded. A list and discussion of isolates shall also be provided.

• Include the names of individuals employed in actual fieldwork.

• List the dates the fieldwork was conducted.

• Indicate the number of acres inventoried and the number of acres within the project area that were not inventoried and why.

• Identify the number of cultural resource sites and isolates located.

• Include a brief summary of archaeological sites and Ifs found in the various survey tracts, as well as a NRHP eligibility recommendation for any site that used CARIDAP, expedited evaluation per the Regional PA, or for the Ifs for each site that was evaluated;

c. Survey Map and Project Maps: All maps shall be submitted at 1:24,000 scale with the exception of the Project Vicinity Map.

• Location Map: Indicates the Project Area location.

• Previous Coverage Map: This shall include the shapefile of the previous surveyed to standard provided by the STF HPM.

• Survey Coverage Map: This shall include a digitization of the surveyed areas and those that were non-surveyable.

• Site Location Map: Includes all of the GPS’d site locations depicted and labeled with Forest Service site numbers. Sites will either be represented by a polygon, point, or a line and keyed to the report.

• Isolate Map: Isolates will be represented by points (digitized or GPS’d), labeled numerically and keyed to the report.

d. Appendices with

• Completed site forms for all newly recorded and updated sites resulting from any surveys or investigations;

• Completed monitoring forms.

• Completed IF forms.

• It is not necessary to include previous recorded site records already in the

Stanislaus NF Files. Those sites will already be represented by a monitoring form or updated site record.

Two electronic copies of the report and site forms including all attachments in Microsoft

Word AND Portable Document Format (PDF) shall be provided to the Forest.

Submission of electronic spatial data:

1) GPS data files will be submitted to the HPM, including corrected files with metadata on the type of GPS unit, accuracy, and differential correction (if any);

2) Survey areas and the datum and boundaries of newly recorded and revisited archaeological sites shall be provided to the Forest in the form of GIS data

(geodatabase) compatible with the Forest Service Geographical Information

System (ArcGIS).

Final deliverables

Upon completion of the government review, the Contractor shall incorporate all of the

Government’s comments on the Draft Report and draft site forms/monitoring forms into a Final

Report. Two paper copies of the Final Report, signed by the Principal Investigator (both unbound), and two copies of the Final Site Record Forms shall be submitted to the Government.

One electronic version (PDF) of the Final Report, final site record forms for new sites, and all updates and forms for previously located sites, shall be submitted. If needed for consultation with

SHPO, that will be conveyed by the STF HPM. The Contractor shall submit the approved Final

Report and Site Records to the CCIC. The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining

California State Trinomial numbers for all sites that have not been assigned one and including them in the Final Report.

If artifacts were collected, the artifacts will be transfer to the STF HPM along with the Final

Report.

Consultation

Forest personnel shall be responsible for initiating consultation with the SHPO, Tribes, Tribal

Historic Preservation Officers (THPO), and any other consulting parties as required by law.

Rights to Materials and Data

All materials and data produced by the Contractor in performance under this contract, or in work in support thereof, are, and shall be, the sole property of the United States Government;

unlimited rights in ownership, usage, and equity for such materials and data are, and shall be, transferred without reservation to the United States Government. Materials and data include, but are not limited to, the following items: manuscripts, outlines, abstracts, field notes, artwork

(including maps, sketches, charts, tables and related overlays), photography (including negatives, transparencies, prints, microfiches, and electronic files), electronic spatial data, and data sheets.

The materials shall be transmitted to the STF HPM along with the Final Report.

Confidential Nature of Information

The Contractor shall not divulge, and shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that no member of its staff or organization divulges, information on specific sites or their locations to any person other than a duly authorized representative of the Forest Service unless otherwise authorized in writing by the Forest Supervisor. The results of this research may be used for theses, dissertations, research projects, and papers and publications subject to the prior, written, approval of the Forest Supervisor.

Definitions

The following personnel are considered to be Key Personnel in the performance of this contract.

The contractor shall provide qualified personnel meeting the following qualifications throughout the life of the contract.

Principal Investigator: In addition to the following minimum professional qualifications, the

Principal Investigator (PI) must meet the professional qualifications standards in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. Standards for this contract include:

1) A graduate degree in archaeology, anthropology, or closely related field;

2) A demonstrated ability to perform and complete cultural resource inventories as evidenced by timely and satisfactory completion of previous contracts undertaken within the past three years and no current contracts for which the completion dates have not been met;

3) A minimum of one year of full-time professional experience in archaeological research, administration, or management relevant to California/Sierra Nevada archaeology;

4) Field and analytical experience in a supervisory capacity, and;

5) Ability to comply with all current requirements of the California Office of Historic

Preservation for a person functioning as a Principal Investigator.

Field Supervisors/Crew Chiefs: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, history or a closely related field with a minimum of six months general archaeological field experience in addition to three months of field experience serving in a supervisory capacity on an archaeological crew.

Field or Laboratory Crew: Completion of, or satisfactory progress toward, a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, history or a closely related field, or six months previous experience conducting archaeological field or laboratory work. Completion of an archeological field school is considered satisfactory qualification for an initial position (first archaeological job) if that individual will be continually supervised by a higher qualified individual (i.e., Crew

Chief or Principal Investigator).

Historic Properties: means any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in, or eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places maintained by the Secretary of the Interior. This term includes artifacts, records, and remains that are related to and located within such properties. The term includes properties of traditional religious and cultural importance to an Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization and that meet the

National Register criteria.

Area of Potential Effect: means the geographic area or areas within which an undertaking may directly or indirectly cause alterations in the character or use of historic properties, if any such properties exist. The area of potential effects is influenced by the scale and nature of an undertaking and may be different for different kinds of effects caused by the undertaking.

APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS:

Secretary of Interior’s “Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation:

Professional Qualifications Standards.” Available at http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/c. “Archaeology and Historic Preservation: Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines (amended). Click on the Qualifications Standards link.

Secretary of Interior’s “Standards & Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation:

Reporting Identification Results, See: http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/ “Archaeology and Historic

Preservation: Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines (amended). Click on the

Identification link for information on identification and reporting.

Archaeological Recordation Forms as specified in: Format approved by the California State

Historic Preservation Office (DPR-523). Available at http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/c . Click on the

Publications and Forms link for information on site record forms.

State of California Department of Parks & Recreation “Archaeological Resource Management

Reports: Recommended Contents and Format” (ARMR). Available at http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/c.

Click on the Publications and Forms link for information on site record forms.

http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/c http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/ http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/c http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/c