A04_SOW_Cultural_Resource_Inventory.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management

North Central Montana District – Lewistown Field Office

2023 CULTURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY OF FORESTRY

PROJECTS IN FERGUS, JUDITH BASIN AND MEAGHER

COUNTIES, MONTANA

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. Introduction and Background:

The Bureau of Land Management’s Lewistown Field Office (LFO) is proposing a Class III inventory of six locations in Ferus, Judith Basin, and Meagher Counties in advance of forest health treatment projects. Coyote Creek consists of 325 acres, Hansen Coulee consists of 390 acres, Lyons Creek consists of 242 acres, Mud Creek consists of 360 acres, North Fork of Flatwillow consists of 443 acres, and Snowy Ridge consists of 160 acres (Table 1). Maps to all six locations are attached.

The BLM is required to identify, evaluate, and protect pre-contact and historic cultural resources on public lands under its jurisdiction; and to ensure that BLM initiated, or BLM authorized actions do not inadvertently harm or destroy historic properties. These requirements are mandated by the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and related regulations found at 36

CFR 800.

II. Project Location:

The project areas are in Fergus, Judith Basin and Musselshell Counties. The project areas can be accessed via both private and public roads. Coyote Creek is approximately thirty-eight miles southeast of White Sulphur Springs, Montana via US 89, MT 294, and private roads. Hansen Coulee is about 33 miles west of Stanford, MT via US 87 and MT 427. Lyons Creek is 18 miles east of White Sulphur Springs via US 12 and the Jameson Trail Forest Service Road. Mud Creek is 28 miles east of White Sulphur Springs via US 12 and Spring Creek Road. The North Fork of Flatwillow is 35 miles southeast of Lewistown, MT via the Surenuff and South Fork Roads.

Snowy Ridge is approximately 42 miles southeast of Lewistown via Surenuff and South Fork Roads. Access through private lands will be arranged by the Bureau of Land Management.

Additional maps and details can be provided to the successful offeror.

Table 1. Project Locations

Acres Locations County Township Range Section 325 Coyote Creek Meagher 8N 10E 5 and 6 390 Hansen Coulee Judith Basin 17N 8E 34 242 Lyons Creek Meagher 11N 9E 33 360 Mud Creek Meagher 9N 10E 2 and 3 443 North Fork Flatwillow Fergus 13N 21E 21, 22, 28, 33, 34, 35 160 Snowy Ridge Fergus 12N 21E 9

1,920 TOTAL

III. Specific Background:

A Class III Cultural Resources Inventory is a professionally conducted, continuous, intensive pedestrian survey of an entire target area aimed at locating and recording all cultural properties that have surface and exposed-profile indications. In general, a Class III survey is accomplished through systematic inspection carried out by walking a series of close-interval parallel transects until the area has been thoroughly examined. Artificial exposure of the subsurface (metal detecting, auger probing or cursory shovel probing/testing) is sometimes a necessary part of Class III surveys and should be included in identification efforts if ground/surface visibility is completely obscured by heavy vegetation cover. Paleontological localities, if identified, should be noted in the report; however, complete documentation of paleontological sites is not part of this contract. The main objectives of the survey are to discover all cultural resources in a project area, evaluate the cultural resources for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility, and provide recommendations for determinations of effect and management specific to the planned prescribed burning and mechanical vegetation treatment project. A total of 1 historic mining district has been identified overlying the Coyote Creek, Lyons Creek, and Mud Creek project units and have been evaluated for the NRHP. This district has been nominated as eligible for the National Register.

Table 2. Previously Recorded Sites: Coyote Creek

Site # Twp Rng Sec Site Type 1

Site Type 2

Time Period

NR

Status

24ME1199 Historic Mining District

Historic Period

Eligible

Table 3. Previously Recorded Sites: Hanson Coulee

Type 1

Site Type 2

Time Period

NR

Status

N/A None Known

Table 4. Previously Recorded Sites: Lyons Creek

Type 1

Site Type 2

Time Period

NR

Status

24ME1199 Historic Mining District

Historic

Table 5. Previously Recorded Sites: Mud Creek

Type 1

Site Type 2

Time Period

NR

Status

24ME1199 Historic Mining District

Historic

Table 6. Previously Recorded Sites: North Fork Flatwillow

Type 1

Site Type 2

Time Period

NR

Status

N/A

Table 7. Previously Recorded Sites: Snowy Ridge

Type 1

Site Type 2

Time Period

NR

Status

N/A

IV. Objectives.

A. General Bureau Objective.

The overall Bureau objective is to meet the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act by identifying, documenting, and evaluating historic properties that have the potential to be either directly or indirectly affected by the proposed project. These requirements will be met in accordance with the requirements for a Class III Inventory as outlined in the BLM-Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota Handbook H-8110-1 Guidelines for Identifying Cultural Resources and Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) guidance.

B. Specific Study Objectives.

To identify and evaluate, based primarily on surface indications, all cultural resources located on lands identified for survey within the project area. In general, site evaluations should be conducted using existing guidance from the Montana SHPO, the National Register Criteria (36 CFR 60.4), and the National Park Service National Register Bulletins.

V. Statement of Work.

A. The Contractor shall conduct a site file and literature search with the Montana SHPO to obtain site forms and shapefiles at a minimum, to complete project tasks. The purpose of this file search is to ensure that the Contractor is familiar with all previous work conducted in the general area of the project. This information will be a necessary component of the inventory report. The BLM Lewistown Field Office will provide the contractor with shapefiles of the project area.

B. The Contractor shall perform an on-the-ground search for all cultural resources located in the project parcels after obtaining a field work authorization from the BLM Lewistown Field Office. The Contractor shall serve as the Principal Investigator and Field Director of an inventory crew charged with identifying and evaluating cultural resources located in the project area; and with writing an inventory report upon completion of field work. The bid proposal shall clearly outline the fieldwork methods and personnel to be used in the survey.

C. Formal testing will not be conducted; however, limited shovel/auger testing or metal detecting, at the discretion of the field director, may be performed to establish potential for site deposition, site boundaries, or significance. If historic period architectural structures or remains are located the contractor is expected to conduct a land title examination as part of the site identification and evaluation effort.

D. The Contractor shall employ the Montana SHPO criteria for minimum site definition, i.e., an archaeological or historical site consists of any feature alone or in association with other features (cairns, stone rings) or five or more artifacts situated in a discrete location within 50 meters of each other and/or artifacts or features located more than 100 meters from each other but in obvious association. Sites may also include locations which contain no physical evidence but are important for their associations with the traditions of a group, ethnic community, or Indian tribe; e.g., National Register Bulletin 38. Linear cultural resources (ie.

historic roads) shall be recorded in their entirety (albeit only field checked for the portion of the linear site within project boundaries). Isolated features, such as historic mining prospect pits or claim markers, shall be recorded as a site. Isolated finds are classified as any cultural artifact that is not a site. Examples include a single projectile point, a few lithic flakes, or a bottle smash.

E. The Contractor shall:

1. Cover the area to be inventoried on foot by employing standard survey methodology.

Systematic linear transect intervals will be spaced 20 meters or less. Steep landforms, such as rock faces, talus/scree slopes, and cliffs, should be inspected for the possibility of cultural remains including but not limited to human burials, rock shelters/caves, hunting blinds, rock art, and historic mining features. If transects are widened the contractor shall document the rationale employed which justifies deviation from the standard interval distance. Justification must be clearly made and thoroughly documented for any areas not surveyed under this contract and will be reviewed by the Bureau of Land Management.

This justification should be limited to health and safety concerns. In all cases, coverage must be thorough.

2. Identify from all surface and exposed indications all cultural properties or materials.

3. Collections shall be kept to a minimum, with the exception of time diagnostic and rare artifacts, e.g., projectile points and ceramics. Include both those found on sites and those occurring in isolation.

4. Locate each cultural resource on a United States Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5' quadrangle topographic map.

5. Record all cultural properties, including previously recorded sites, on Montana CRIS site or isolated find forms. Site forms shall be completed following the SHPO’s CRIS Instructions. Employ BLM/SHPO recording standards for stone circles as specified in Recordation Standards and Evaluation Guidelines for Stone Circle Sites, Planning Bulletin No. 22 (March 2002).

6. Take at least two photographs of each cultural resource and several of each survey unit. Photos shall not contain people, shadows or gear, except when used for scale.

The subject of the photo should be clearly visible. Noticeable changes in geography dictate that at least one photo of each land type within the unit should be included.

Standing historic structures shall be photographed on all sides to illustrate architectural features. Label all photos with a description, date/time, and orientation. A photographic record shall be maintained and included in the final submission.

7. Although scale maps of all sites shall be prepared and include topographic contour lines, cultural features, basic site contents, locations of all collected artifacts, and site boundaries, a physical site datum shall not be established. How site boundaries were determined shall be fully explained in the site record and report (ie. topography, distribution of site features/artifacts, and/or specific distance from site constituents).

Use of digital aerial photographs zoomed in to show the site is not acceptable when the details of the maps are pixelated and no longer identifiable.

While it is not necessary to map all artifacts, indicate areas of artifact concentration.

Any items discussed in the site form shall be depicted on the site map, eg roads. All project site maps shall be consistent, eg if a datum is depicted on one map, it should be on all maps. When GPS technology is not available (i.e. no satellite coverage) all precontact cultural properties shall be mapped by compass and tape or paced in meters. All historic period Euro-American standing structures and mining features; e.g., cabins, barns, adits, etc., shall be mapped in feet. Plot each individual features, diagnostic artifact and site boundary using a GPS unit or field computer with one-meter GPS accuracy. Note the type of GPS equipment and level of accuracy employed.

8. The Contractor shall obtain Smithsonian site numbers from the Montana SHPO for all cultural resources not previously assigned such numbers. The BLM will review all site forms for adequacy prior to the submission to the SHPO for site numbers. The BLM reserves the right to request site forms be submitted as many times as necessary to verify appropriate changes have been completed before submission to the SHPO. The Contractor is responsible for addressing SHPO comments on site forms.

F. Collections.

1. Collections shall be labeled and catalogued, using BLM catalog cards, and shall be processed in accordance with Billings Curation Center (BCC) packaging standards (forms and packaging requirements are available from the BCC).

2. All collections belong to the United States Government and will be delivered directly to the Billings Curation Center by the contractor as part of submitting the final inventory report.

3. One copy of the final report and any relevant site or isolate forms shall be submitted to the BCC along with collections.

G. Methodologies.

The Contractor shall determine the methods and techniques necessary for completion of this study using the guidelines identified herein, discuss those methods and techniques in their bid proposal, and conduct the work according to the procedures so specified.

Survey methodology or proposed avoidance of certain areas needs to be addressed in the proposal and inventory report.

H. Specifications and Standards.

1. Inventory guidelines and standards for BLM generated cultural resource investigations can be found in BLM's Guidelines for Identifying Cultural Resources (H- 8110-1). The Handbook is available upon request. Additional requirements for the recordation of tipi rings are described in the Handbook and SHPO guidance.

2. Additional guidance can be found on the Montana State Historic Preservation Office website: http://mhs.mt.gov/shpo/.

3. The “Project Name” for site forms and report is the “Report Number” depicted on the Fieldwork Authorization.

4. The Lewistown Field Office Archaeologist may accompany the inventory crew during survey depending on schedule.

I. Analysis and Report Preparation.

1. Upon completion of the Class III Cultural Resource Inventory; prepare a professional quality report, addressing the general categories outlined below:

a. Title Sheet. Signed by the Principal Investigator.

b. Abstract. Provide a 250-word or less abstract of the report. The abstract must outline the report contents and refer to specific highlights from the narrative.

c. Table of Contents. Provide a complete inventory of report contents.

d. Introduction. Provide an overview of the project including its purpose.

Identify the units inventoried for this project, by legal description in table form.

e. Literature Search. Provide a brief but complete discussion on the work that has been conducted in the project area.

f. Environmental and Cultural Setting. Provide a brief but complete overview of the environment in which the survey units are located. In addition, discuss the cultural setting, again briefly, including both the pre-contact and historic periods.

g. Inventory Results. Provide a summary description of each cultural resource recorded that is narrative in nature and illustrates the environmental and cultural constituents of the site (refrain from simply rehashing the site data in a list format). Include photographs of cultural properties located during the surveys.

Use other graphics and tables as appropriate. Note any issues connected with the property's recordation. If a site boundary extends outside of the project boundaries, the site will be recorded in its entirety if on public lands or if on private lands where landowner permission is obtained. If the site extends onto private property and landowner permission is not obtained, then other methods

(ie. aerial photography) shall be used to document the site, if possible.

Indicate recommendations from evaluation of eligibility and determinations of effect (36 CFR 800.9). Measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effect findings shall be identified in the inventory report and treated as recommendations to the

BLM LFO.

Evaluate each historic property for its eligibility to the NRHP using guidance found in National Registers Bulletin 15. Contractor shall use an appropriate "Context" in which to evaluate historic properties and shall employ the National Register Criteria (describing both significance and integrity) in those evaluations. The report should clearly identify the approach that is being taken to determine the significance of historic properties. This evaluation design should be reflective of the “Context” and cultural setting of the area. Contractor shall clearly describe the rationale used to determine which sites are eligible, unevaluated, and not eligible. Contractor shall recommend treatment needed to better assess eligibility on unevaluated sites. It is assumed that the usual course of action for archaeological sites (at least for sites not considered to be potential Traditional Cultural Properties or human burials) would be formal site testing.

To determine if a site possesses Criterion D values, it must be able to contribute to the theoretical and substantive knowledge of archaeology. A justification of eligibility under this value, should clearly state which research issues can be addressed by investigation of the site, especially through reference to existing pre-contact and/or historic context documents; and it should outline the most pertinent methods of analysis, comparison, and synthesis of archaeological materials.

h. Summary and Recommendations. Discuss the results of the inventory in summary form. Include the following information in one table:

i. Identify the sites recorded, whether the sites are pre-contact or historic, and what type of site is represented.

ii. Identify the NRHP evaluation (ie. Eligible Criterion D/Not Eligible/Unevaluated), determinations of effect and measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effect findings for each site.

i. References Cited. Include a list of all sources cited in report.

j. Maps and Graphics. Provide appropriate maps, charts, tabulations and graphics necessary to support the report narrative. Maps, graphics, and photos in all copies of reports must show the same degree of detail as the electronic images.

VI. Health and Safety Concerns

The Field Director shall ensure that all field work is done a safe manner. Areas considered by the Field Director to pose health or safety concerns shall not be inventoried or otherwise entered by any field crew members. In such cases, the Contractor shall immediately report these conditions to the BLM Lewistown Field Office Archaeologist who will then advise the contractor on how to proceed.

VII. Acceptance

Final acceptance of all items/services to be delivered under this contract shall be the responsibility of the Contracting Officer. The government may withhold final payment pending completion of any necessary rework by the Contractor.

VIII. Deliverables (to be submitted to the COR)

A. The Contractor shall submit digital copies of typed site forms with original photographs to the BLM for review prior to submission to the Montana SHPO for issuance of site numbers.

Site form maps should have both the location of the cultural resource described and the delineated survey unit plotted and labeled in black. After review and changes, if any, the Contractor will obtain site numbers. The Contractor will be responsible for addressing comments SHPO may have on site forms.

B. One digital copy of the draft Class III cultural resource inventory report. Additional draft reports may be requested as many times as necessary to ensure the report meets what is describe in this SOW.

C. Two (2) bound copies of the final Class III cultural resource inventory report, unless collections were made. The report shall be typed and printed on 8 ½ " x 11" paper and shall be single-spaced. All temporary site numbers shall be replaced with SITS numbers across all deliverables, including GIS data.

D. One completed Cultural Resource Annotated Bibliography System (CRABS) form.

E. Two sets of final site forms with Smithsonian site numbers and with original black & white or color photos, unbound but stapled.

F. One copy of photographic record.

G. One copy of all field notes.

H. All catalog records and associated forms as specified by the BCC packaging requirements for any collections made.

I. Two electronic copies (thumb drive or CD) of the report, site forms, photos, photo log, GIS data and associated metadata. GIS data should contain, at a minimum, shapefiles of unit boundaries, area surveyed, and site boundaries. If the Contractor chooses to submit shapefiles for site contents like artifacts or features, one shapefile depicting only all site boundaries is required. The Contractor will use NAD 1983 Zone 12 or 13 as the projected coordinate system. KMZ files are not acceptable.

IX. Period of Performance

A. Site file and literature search shall begin no later than 30 calendar days after the order has been issued and completed within 10 calendar days. A summary table of this information shall be turned in with the fieldwork authorization request.

B. Contractor shall prepare a table summarizing the results of the inventory and site shapefiles to the COR within 15 days of completing fieldwork. The table shall contain legal locations and results of survey, including the type/number of cultural resources recorded, and initial recommendations of NRHP status.

C. Draft site forms shall be submitted within three months of fieldwork completion. One digital copy of the draft Class III Cultural Resources Inventory report shall be submitted within eight months of contract award.

D. The COR will review all deliverables and comment on their adequacy within 20 calendar days of submission. All deliverables (including collected artifacts and associated documentation and a completed CRABS form) are due within two months of submission of draft report.

X. Payment Schedule

A. Payment shall be tied to completion and acceptance of tasks identified in Section IX.

Period of Performance per the following: A (10%), B (40%), C (30%), and D (20%).

B. Invoices shall not be submitted unless the contractor has received approval from the COR. Invoices shall reference the Purchase Order number. Rejected invoices are the responsibility of the contractor for not following these instructions.