Monitoring and Discovery Protocol.pdf

Attachment C Site Treatment and Management Plan 01/28/2019

12 | P a g e

APPENDIX D

Archaeological Resources Monitoring Plan and Cultural Materials Discovery Protocol

Appendix D – Archaeological Resource Monitoring and Discovery

1 | P a g e

ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE MONITORING PLAN and

CULTURAL MATERIALS DISCOVERY PROTOCOL

for the

PRESCOTT VA MEDICAL CENTER

CAMPUS WIDE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM

This Monitoring Plan and Discovery Protocol for the unanticipated discovery of cultural materials is intended to assist the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in its commitment to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These construction projects are federally funded undertakings and are located within the Fort Whipple/Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Documented and undocumented archaeological sites and cultural material are known to exist within and in the vicinity of these projects’ combined Area of Potential Effects (APE). The APE is considered the entire campus due to the multiple ground-disturbing construction projects programmed for the Prescott VAMC campus that could impact buried resources.

Archaeological monitoring will accompany all ground disturbing activities associated with construction of these Projects that are within Moderate or High Sensitivity Areas, as shown on the VAMC Archaeological Sensitivity Map. This document describes the procedures, protocols, and responsibilities of the archaeological monitoring crew and Project construction contractors. Any archaeological surface and subsurface investigations, site testing, construction, or other project activities that involve surface or substrate disturbance will require the participation of an archaeologist that meets the Secretary of the Interior’s standards for a professional archaeologist as defined in 36 CFR 61 Appendix A (qualified archaeologist).

The archaeological monitor will be required to be present for all ground-disturbing activities associated with project construction that has potential to impact any culture-bearing strata. No construction in such strata will take place without the monitor on site. Culture-bearing strata generally extend to no more than three feet below existing ground surface. However, historical research and the results of previous archaeological surveys indicate that extensive grading has occurred throughout the Prescott VAMC Campus. It is possible that re-deposited soils may overlay original ground surface resulting in deeply buried cultural deposits.

The monitor shall be apprised daily by Prescott VAMC and/or the construction contractor project manager of construction activities. All effort should be made to communicate construction schedules as early as possible (minimum 48 hours prior to excavation) to facilitate adequate staffing of archaeological monitoring crew. A representative of the archaeological monitoring crew will be designated daily to coordinate with a construction project manager in the morning prior to start of work and at the end of the work day.

2 | P a g e

Thresholds and Protocols for Cultural Resource Site Identification and Data Recovery During Archaeological Monitoring of Construction Activities

The following shall be a guideline for recognizing qualitative and quantitative characteristics that indicate the presence of significant historic and prehistoric cultural resources during the monitoring of construction activities within the Fort Whipple Historic District. The following is not an exhaustive list and discretion is given to the archaeological monitor to include additional characteristics for additional, intensive investigations.

Whenever an archaeological monitor observes the exposure of potential cultural material or features, the monitor will be permitted to access the location to allow for close visual examination.

The monitor may undertake trowel and/or shovel excavation not to exceed 50 cm3 in any single exposure to determine horizontal and/or vertical extents of the deposit, integrity, presence of diagnostic artifacts, and potential for providing significant information regarding the history or prehistory of the region and Campus. The provenience of isolated diagnostic artifacts will be piece plotted on project mapping, recorded on standard forms, and collected for analysis.

Construction excavation will be halted by the archaeological monitor if any of the following cultural resources are encountered:

1. Any prehistoric artifacts or feature (e.g., hearth or fire-cracked rock concentration, house pit, soil anomalies),

2. Any faunal artifacts or remains,

3. Intact historic building foundation elements (e.g., brick or stone piers, linear alignments, soil anomalies),

4. Shaft features (e.g., privies, wells),

5. Post molds,

6. Any other features, and

7. Cumulative artifact concentration in excess of 25% visible within the matrix of an exposed square meter. The estimation of the percentage of artifacts will make adjustments for architectural artifacts (bricks, mortar, window glass) that have been broken and smeared across an exposure. In consultation with signatory parties to the PA, the definition of cumulative artifact concentration will be iteratively reassessed through the duration of project construction.

If the initial investigation identifies the deposit as potentially significant and likely to yield information important to history, then work shall cease at the location of the find and a buffer of a 50 foot radius will be constructed with flagging tape and stakes/cones. A brief description of the find will be prepared on standard forms that include location, estimated areal extent, inventory of visible artifacts, and preliminary interpretation. Recordation will include at least 2 photos with north arrow, scale, and sign board with temporary number clearly visible. A plan view map will be prepared and the site location will be recorded by GPS. Each find proposed for Phase II investigation will be communicated immediately (within two hours) to the Prescott VAMC

3 | P a g e

Construction Manager and the Cultural Resource Management Officer who will immediately contact signatory tribes and SHPO.

Based on historical documentation and the results of Phase I survey, few intact features are expected to be exposed through archaeological monitoring of construction activities within the APE. In order to minimize delay within the construction phase of the Project, it is imperative that unanticipated discoveries be documented, recorded, and data recovered in an expedited manner. It is also critical that SHPO and affected tribes are provided the opportunity to participate in the consultation process regarding the evaluation and ultimately the mitigation of resources that are found.

Intact historic features and artifact concentrations up to 2m in horizontal extent will be bisected and half of the material excavated in 10cm cultural layers to determine vertical extent and function.

A profile drawing will be prepared with plan view drawings, as necessary. Artifacts will be screened through 1/8” mesh, collected, and transported to the laboratory for analysis and interpretation. A complete description of the feature(s), excavation, results, and interpretation will be provided in a technical report of findings within 2 months of the completion of archaeological monitoring of ground-disturbing construction activities. The District ASM Site Card would be updated for each discrete resource and submitted to the signatory and consulting parties.

Historic features and artifact concentrations over 2m in horizontal extent will be sample excavated by unit excavations involving at least one 1 x 1 meter unit. Additional units (minimum 50 x 50

cm) will be excavated as necessary. Excavations will be undertaken in 10cm cultural layers to a depth of 20cm into sterile soil to determine vertical extent and function. Profile drawings will be prepared for two walls. The unit excavation will be drawn on the plan view map. All excavated material will be screened through 1/8” mesh and artifacts collected and transported to the laboratory for analysis and interpretation. A complete description of the excavation and results will be provided in a technical report of findings within 6 months of the completion of archaeological monitoring of ground-disturbing construction activities. The District ASM Site Card would be updated for each discrete resource and submitted to the signatory and consulting parties.

In the event that historic features or artifact concentrations cannot be avoided due to design or environmental conflicts in the project plans, full data recovery will be recommended. Each find proposed for data recovery will be communicated immediately (within two hours) to the Prescott VAMC Construction Manager and Cultural Resource Management Officer who will forward information to the signatory tribes, SHPO, and the ACHP.

Data recovery excavations will be undertaken in 10cm cultural layers to a depth of 20cm into sterile soil to determine vertical extent and function. Historic features will be fully excavated to expose vertical and horizontal extent. For excavations with units, profile drawings will be prepared for two walls. Unit excavations will be drawn on a plan view map. All excavated material will be screened through 1/8” mesh and artifacts collected and transported to the laboratory for analysis and interpretation. A complete description of the excavation and results will be provided in a technical report of findings within 6 months of the completion of archaeological monitoring

4 | P a g e of ground-disturbing construction activities. The District ASM Site Card would be updated for each discrete resource and submitted to the signatory and consulting parties.

Prescott VAMC is sensitive to the cultural values that the tribes hold in regard to artifacts and features that may be exposed through the construction activities of the Project. Prescott VAMC will commit to immediate reporting and consultation with affected tribes upon the unanticipated discovery of cultural material and intact features. Prescott VAMC commits to ensuring the security of all artifacts and confidentiality of any information regarding finds. Upon encountering pre-contact artifacts and intact cultural features, the following procedures will be implemented:

Each artifact will be point-provenienced and indicated on plan view mapping prior to recovery.

Features will be similarly mapped and will be bisected. The feature matrix will be excavated in 10cm cultural layers to determine vertical extent and function. A profile drawing will be prepared with plan view drawings, as necessary. Artifacts will be screened through 1/8” mesh, collected, and transported to the laboratory for analysis and interpretation. The other half of the bisected feature will then be excavated following the aforementioned procedures. Additional plan view mapping will be undertaken, as necessary. A complete description of the site, excavation, results, and interpretation will be provided in a technical report of findings within 6 months of the completion of archaeological monitoring of ground-disturbing construction activities. An ASM Site Card for each discrete resource will be prepared and submitted to the signatory and consulting parties.

A weekly progress report of all finds will be submitted to the signatory and consulting parties that details discovery of all cultural materials and features. Mapping and photographs will be available as requested. At that time, Prescott VAMC will initiate consultation with affected tribes regarding the disposition of any recovered Native American cultural material.

If faunal remains are encountered and there is a possibility that they are human, all work will be halted within a 200-foot radius. The protections and protocols stipulated in the Human Remains Discovery Plan (Appendix E) will be followed. The archaeological monitor will assume, and ensure in others, a respectful and calm demeanor. Remains will be treated as though they are Native American unless and until proven otherwise.

If at any time a qualified archaeologist is not present when a previously unknown cultural resource is discovered in strata presumed to be non-culture-bearing, the contractor will immediately cease all ground-disturbing activities within 100 feet of the discovery and immediately notify the Prescott VAMC Construction and Cultural Resource Manager. The contractor will cease work within the 100-foot radius of the discovery and flag the radius for easily visible identification. The contractor shall protect the discovery site from vandalism, looting, photography, or further disturbance of any kind.

All historic artifacts that are determined to be a component of the District will be collected, analyzed, and curated. For this project, an archaeological feature should contain:

5 | P a g e

1. Physical remains of past human activity that are at least 50 years old. Additionally, sites should consist of at least one of the following:

2. 30+ artifacts of a single class (i.e., 30 sherds, 30 lithics, 30 tin cans) within an area 15 meters (50 feet) in diameter, except when all pieces appear to originate from a single source (i.e., one ceramic pot, one core, one glass bottle),

3. 20+ artifacts which include at least 2 classes of artifact types (i.e., sherds, groundstone, nails, glass) within an area 15 meters (50 feet) in diameter,

4. One or more archaeological features in temporal association with any number of artifacts.

5. Two or more temporally associated archaeological features without artifacts.”

Prescott VAMC will facilitate review by representatives of affected tribes of recovered cultural material. Prescott VAMC will consult with affected tribes and the signatory and consulting parties regarding their final disposition and timely repatriation, if necessary.

Attachment C Site Treatment and Management Plan

13 | P a g e

APPENDIX E

Human Remains Discovery Protocol

Appendix E

1 | P a g e for the

Prescott Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) Campus Wide Construction Program

The following describes the procedures to be followed in the event of human remains discovery during the execution of ground disturbing construction work and outlines how this process will be completed in order to meet regulatory compliance requirements. Compliance with several federal laws must be met, notably Native American Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and other applicable and regulatory requirements of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, Archaeological Resources Protection Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and National Historic Preservation Act. The Prescott VAMC will treat all encountered remains as though they are potentially Native American, and accordingly consult with affected tribes, unless and until remains are proven to be non-Native American.

When addressing the inadvertent discovery of skeletal remains, three fundamental questions will be considered: These include; 1) are the remains human; 2) are the remains part of a crime; and 3) are the remains potentially Native American?

Human remains or suspected human remains will be treated with dignity and respect at all times.

The Prescott VAMC and all other parties involved with the project acknowledge the cultural sensitivity of tribes, and pledge to keep confidential all information pertaining to the discovery, consultation, treatment, and temporary and final disposition of the remains. The Prescott VAMC will require all contractors and their subcontractors to enter into confidentiality agreements in this regard. The Prescott VAMC acknowledges the cultural and spiritual importance to tribes and that skeletal remains should not be removed or displaced from their original location. Every effort will be made to leave the remains where they are discovered. Remains only will be relocated when absolutely necessary to protect them from further severe disturbance or probable destruction, and only after consultation with the signatory and consulting parties.

If human skeletal remains are encountered during any excavation associated with this project (archaeological investigations, geotechnical monitoring, construction, or other ground disturbing activities), all activities that could cause further disturbance to the remains must cease, all other work within 60 meters (200 feet) will be suspended, and the remains shall be secured and protected from further disturbance, in accordance with NAGPRA and 43 CFR Part 10. The protective measures will include covering the excavation area with opaque sheeting within which the remains are exposed to prohibit photography opportunities, cordoning off the area around the remains with cones and caution tape, and notifying the Prescott VAMC police department for the purpose of ensuring the protection of the remains. The human skeletal remains will not be photographed, touched, moved, or further disturbed. Upon excavation of the human remains, care shall be taken

Appendix E

2 | P a g e to handle the remains with dignity (e.g., covering the remains with natural substances such as linen).

All inspection and analysis of remains pertaining to forensics and ancestral origins will be completed on-site, and will be non-destructive and entirely observational (i.e., visual with no physical sampling). Associated funerary objects or artifacts will not be handled, removed, collected, or photographed without direct approval and supervision of the VA, AZ SHPO, and the affected Tribes.

The archaeological field supervisor or monitor must immediately report (in less than one hour) the discovery of human skeletal remains to the Prescott VAMC Police Department, the VA Federal Preservation Officer, and VA-Prescott Cultural Resource Manager. The Prescott VAMC will contact the affected tribes as soon as possible (within two hours if at all possible, and always within one calendar day of discovery). It is important for the affected tribes to be notified during this time in order to enable early planning for the potential treatment of non-forensic remains.

The Prescott VAMC Police Department will contact the county medical examiner to make a determination of whether the remains are forensic or non-forensic. Exposed remains will not be moved unless absolutely necessary to ensure their protection from severe damage or imminent destruction. If the medical examiner needs to remove the remains from their subsurface context in order to make forensic determination, the Prescott VAMC will first notify the affected tribes. If the medical examiner cannot determine ancestral origin in situ, the Prescott VAMC will offer to retain a forensic anthropologist or professional physical anthropologist to assist with such determination prior to moving the remains.

If the county medical examiner determines the remains are non-forensic, the medical examiner will transfer legal jurisdiction in accordance with federal laws and regulations to the VA Federal Preservation Officer (FPO) and VA-Prescott Cultural Resource Manager, who will contact the tribes with their findings as soon as possible (preferably within two hours, always within one calendar day of the determination) and who will take steps to ensure the remains are addressed in accordance with NAGPRA. The VA FPO and VA-Prescott Cultural Resource Management Officer will handle all consultation with the affected parties as to the future preservation, excavation and temporary and final disposition of the remains. If the remains are non-forensic and not Native American in origin, the VA FPO will arrange for their final disposition.

If planned ground disturbing activities are likely to cause further disturbance to exposed remains, emergency removal and exhumation procedures will be developed and implemented immediately with the participation of the affected Tribes. The Prescott VAMC will work with the affected tribes to arrange safe and secure temporary and final disposition of the remains. The Prescott VAMC acknowledges that the tribes have a strong preference for reburial to occur as closely as possible to the origin context. Any work within 200 feet of the find will not resume until a plan for management or preservation of the human remains and associated burial materials has been developed in consultation with the affected Tribes.