A04_BIHO_-_CRM_Survey_Scope_of_Work.docx

SCOPE OF WORK – Cultural Resources Survey – Waterline at Big Hole National Battlefield The National Park Service seeks to contract with a third part to conduct a Class I and Class III cultural resources survey at Big Hole National Battlefield for an area being considered for utility demolition, repair, and installation.

BACKGROUND

In the early 2020s, Big Hole National Battlefield (BIHO) proposed a project to replace the aging sewer system within the park that services the visitor center and the park housing. This includes the demolition and replacement of the existing sewer treatment system, water pumps, sewer lagoons, water lines, and waste lines within the park.

It is proposed that the existing sewer system be replaced with a lower-maintenance system that utilizes a septic system and drain field in lieu of the sewer treatment facility and lagoons. This will require that the existing system be demolished and replaced in stages. Priority for the upcoming years has been given to the replacement of water lines, sewer lines, and water pumps, and the establishment of a leech field near the park boundary.

Prior to any portion of this proposed project taking place, it is required that the area be surveyed for cultural resources and that all identified cultural resources be documented for consideration during the NEPA/NHPA compliance process. It is expected that all compliance work will be completed by December of 2024. As part of this compliance process, for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requirements, a cultural resources survey is required to be completed along the proposed water line route, the proposed sewer line route, the proposed leach field expansion area, the area of the sewage lagoons, and the water pump stations.

The area to be surveyed is approximately 20 acres split between two distinct areas (see map attachment).

REQUIREMENTS

To complete the necessary cultural resources survey work, the contractor shall complete the following tasks:

1. Complete a site visit to the project area at Big Hole National Battlefield prior to field work commencing to discuss the project and expected outcomes with the archaeologist from Nez Perce National Historical Park.

2. Conduct a class I cultural resources survey to identify, locate, and review existing cultural resources documentation regarding BIHO that is retained by the Montana State Historic Preservation Office and at Nez Perce National Historical Park.

3. Conduct a class III cultural resources survey/investigation of the proposed project area at BIHO.

a. The class III investigation shall include an intensive pedestrian survey of the entire project area

b. The class III investigation shall incorporate an investigative strategy that includes shovel tests and test pits of a sufficient depth (up to 2 meters in depth to match proposed depth of water lines) and quantity to determine likely/potential presence of subsurface cultural material in areas where ground disturbance for new waterlines will occur as part of the proposed undertaking.

c. All class III survey work shall meet the Secretary of Interior Standards for cultural resources investigations and documentation.

d. All class III survey work shall also meet the methodology and reporting requirements as set forth by the Montana State Historic Preservation Officer.

4. Thoroughly document all results from Class I survey work

5. Thoroughly document all work undertaken and completed as part of Class III investigation work. Documentation of this work shall include:

a. Photographs that show the following:

i. Project area

ii. Work in progress

iii. Each completed shovel test and test pit with appropriate scales indicating size and depth of pit/test

iv. All cultural material identified including artifacts and diagnostic materials

v. Any identified archaeological sites

b. Illustrations of the following:

i. Any diagnostic cultural items such as projectile points

ii. Unique instances of stratigraphy within test pits

iii. Cultural features such as roasting pits, rock alignments, etc.

iv. Identified archaeological sites

c. A complete GIS dataset that includes the following:

i. Survey area

ii. Locations of shovel tests and test pits

iii. Location of any features and resources identified

iv. Boundaries of archaeological sites identified and significant features within identified archaeological sites

d. Thorough data Sheets and National Register of Historic Places evaluations for each of the following:

i. Isolated cultural features identified during the Class III survey

ii. Archaeological sites identified during the Class III survey

e. Report

i. A final report that details all work completed and provides a thorough explanation of methodologies utilized for completing that work and summarizes all cultural resources identified and recorded during the execution of the Class III survey

6. All documentation generated shall meet reporting requirements and form standards as required by the Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO / Montana Historical Society). Montana SHPO forms and guidelines are located here: https://mhs.mt.gov/Shpo/Forms.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Big Hole National Battlefield is located in the Big Hole Valley 10 miles west of Wisdom, MT on US HWY 43 along the north fork of the Big Hole River. The terrain to be surveyed is varied and includes the flat surface adjacent to the road, the areas directly below the slope adjacent to the existing sewer lagoons, and the flat areas near the existing leach field.

The elevation of the area is approximately 6,500 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures in the project area are typically in the mid to high 70s at the warmest parts of the summer. The evenings cool off dramatically and can see up to a 40-degree temperature drop. Services available in the area are minimal. Most major services for equipment, personal needs, tools, and more can be found in the small towns along Highway 93 about 1 hour away between Conner, MT and Lolo, MT.

The ground surface in the survey area is mostly denuded of trees and forbs, however, there is a small strip of trees and forbs in less than 1 acre of the survey area down a slope leading to the existing sewer lagoons. The ground surface is a mix of rocky, clay soils. The ground remains snow free during the summer season, but the summer season is short approximately early July – late August. After August, snowstorms are possible.

The current, proposed engineering design shows new pipe being laid adjacent to the existing pipeline along the entrance road. The pipe depth will be approximately 6 ft below ground surface. The design sheets for the proposed sewer project are included with this scope of work (see attached engineering specs).