B08_-_Plateau_Communities_Phase_II_PWS.pdf

Plateau Communities Phase II Cultural Inventory BLM Uncompahgre Field Office

C.1-General Requirements

C.1.1- Project Objectives The Plateau Communities Cultural Inventory is for a BLM lands vegetation management project.

This project would primarily entail mechanical treatment in Pinyon/Juniper. The pinyon pine, juniper, and mixed mountain shrub will be masticated and/or cut and piled to modify area vegetation to an early seral condition class. The project area is located on public lands managed by the BLM Uncompahgre Field Office (UFO).

The primary objective is to treat vegetation within the project boundary using a masticator and/or chainsaws to remove pinyon, juniper and other decadent vegetation. For this treatment, mechanical means have the potential to impact cultural resources including but not limited to disrupting stone features, breaking artifacts, obscuring cultural or thermal soil stains, and spatial mixing of surface and subsurface artifacts.

In this phase of the Plateau Communities Project cultural inventory, target areas are primarily roadsides, land ownership boundaries and areas not captured in previous CRI efforts. Therefore, units tend to be relatively small and somewhat fragmented.

The fieldwork will be completed to meet the reporting deadlines described below. All reports and supporting documents will meet guidelines established by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the Department of the Interior/ BLM, and UFO Standards and Procedures.

C.1.2- Location of Project

The Plateau Communities Phase II cultural survey will be conducted on a project site in Montrose and Ouray Counties approximately 13 miles south of Montrose, CO.

Directions: From Montrose, CO, head south on Highway 550. Units can be accessed by 3 primary routes: Sims Mesa Rd, Government Springs Rd and County Road 22. Units between Dave Wood Road and Happy Canyon are best accessed by a 2-track road (Happy Canyon 3 Rd) leaving Sims Mesa Road requiring a high-clearance vehicle (see Travel Map). Units east of Horsefly Creek are best accessed by County Road 22 (see Travel Map). Other units are best accessed by either Sims Mesa or Government Springs Roads.

The survey will be conducted in a project area totaling 1,270 acres consisting of 3 blocks. There are multiple units within each block. Block 1 is accessed by Sims Mesa Road and Government Springs Road and consists of 875 acres. Block 2 is accessed by County Road 22 and consists of 125 acres.

Block 3 is accessed via Happy Canyon 3 Road and consists of 270 acres. All units fall within the following areas: T47N, R10W Sec. 11, 12, 13, 14, 24; T47N, R9W Sec. 7, 8, 10, 11,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34; T46N, R9W Sec. 4, 5, 8. New Mexico Principal Meridian.

C.1.3-Scope of Contract

Proposed Class III Inventory. The area to be inventoried consists of several multi-unit blocks totaling 1,270 acres (see attached maps). The project area is located on the lower slopes of the Uncompahgre Plateau at an elevation between 6000’ and 7500’. Cultural resources that may be present include rock alignments, open lithic scatters, open camps, open architecture (wickiups), and isolates likely representing seasonal subsistence activities. There may be additional cultural resources such as homestead cabins and other items of European settlement present as well. The fieldwork will be completed to meet the reporting deadlines described below. The purpose is to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and Federal Land Management Act.

C.1.4-Contract Requirements

• The selected archaeological consultant will have a current BLM Cultural Resource Use Permit (CRUP) to perform cultural work in the BLM UFO.

• All individuals responsible for supervising fieldwork; planning; report preparation and approval; evaluations; recommendations, etc. will be listed on the archaeological consultant’s Cultural Resource Use Permit number 8. This person will be responsible for all work done by his employees or subcontractors. Accuracy of all documents and related forms associated with this contract are the responsibility of the authors and the individual responsible for carrying out the terms and conditions of the CRUP permit.

• The archaeological consultant will submit a fieldwork authorization request to the BLM archaeologist/Project Inspector and will schedule a pre-field meeting and literature review with the BLM archaeologist (72-hour notice is required at minimum).

C.1.5 Description of work

A Class III, 100% pedestrian survey will be conducted to identify, record, and evaluate all cultural resources greater than 50 years old on lands with less than a 30% slope. Areas where slope is greater than 30% have already been removed from the inventory area; however, where slope is greater than 30%, locations with potential for rock shelters and rock art should be inspected.

The contractor will conduct a Class III cultural resources inventory following the BLM/Colorado Protocol, Colorado Office of Archaeology, and Historic Preservation guidelines, and the Colorado BLM Handbook of Guidelines and Procedures for Inventory, Evaluation and

Mitigation of Cultural Resources 1998 (as revised, March 2017).

Records Search/ Literature Review:

• A literature review/records search must be conducted prior to starting field work and will include the records at the BLM-UFO and the Colorado State Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP) to identify all recorded cultural resources and previous cultural inventories. In addition, historic GLO survey records/maps, historic topographic maps, and where appropriate historical aerial imagery will also be investigated. The file search will include all previous work within one mile of the project area and will be presented in the final report.

• GLO information, maps, and survey notes are available at the UFO, State BLM offices, and on the web at http://www.glorecords.blm.gov. In the case of patented historic properties being recorded, a copy of the patent information must be included with the site form.

Field Inventory:

• All fieldwork and documentation shall be performed to DOI, BLM, Colorado SHPO, and UFO standards.

• The following environmental constraints will preclude intensive Class III coverage.

o Previous natural ground disturbance that has modified the surface so extensively that the likelihood of finding cultural resources is negligible.

o Human activity within the past 50 years that has created a new land surface such that all traces of cultural resources have been eradicated.

o Natural environmental characteristics that is unfavorable to the presence of historic properties.

Slopes greater than 30%, where no potential for rock shelter, rock art, or other cultural properties associated with rock faces or ledges exist.

Areas with 100% vegetation coverage. These areas will be identified on the final inventory maps and total acres surveyed will reflect an adjustment from total project acres.

C.1.6-Definitions

• Site- is the locus of previous (50-year age minimum) human activity at which the preponderance of evidence suggests either one-time diagnostically interpretable use or repeated use over time, or multiple classes of activities. For example: a) Isolated thermal features such as hearths are to be designated as sites, even though they may represent a single event, due to the interpretable function of such utilization and the potential for chronometric and economic data recovery; b) Single element rock art panels are to be designated as sites due to the interpretable nature of such an event and the potential diagnostic value of the motif; c) Isolated human burials; or d) Loci exhibiting ground stone and flaked stone in association.

http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/

• Isolated Find- refers to one or more culturally modified objects not found in the context of a site as defined above. Note that this definition makes no reference to an absolute quantitative standard for the site/isolate distinction. For example: a) A discrete concentration of flakes from the same material regardless of the number of artifacts present likely represents a single, random event and is properly designated as an isolate, or b) A ceramic pot bust regardless of the number of sherds that remain.

• Districts/Structures/Objects/Buildings: These resources are defined within the NHPA and its implementing regulations. The Contractor will need to contact the COR/PI to determine if special recordation of any such properties is required prior to completion of fieldwork.

• Cultural Landscape: These resources are usually represented by a widespread artifact scatter and/or series of structural features scattered over a large area (i.e. quarry sites).

These areas often cover tens to hundreds of square acres. Accordingly, the contextual relationship between the scatter of artifacts is difficult to define. There are several of these resources defined within Colorado. The Contractor will need to contact the COR/PI to determine what documentation will be necessary to record a previously unrecorded cultural landscape.

• Aboriginal Wooden Structure- wickiups, platforms, brush fences, or other similar aboriginal wooden or brush structures will require an Aboriginal Wooden Structure Component Form for each structure in addition to the OAHP Prehistoric Component Form. These can be found at dargnet.org.

• Linear Resources: All linear sites encountered will include the recording of the full linear site and the segments within the project area using the BLM Linear Management Data Forms and the BLM Linear Segment Forms. All of these forms can be requested from the

BLM.

• Inventory: A process of descriptive listing and documentation of cultural resources within a defined geographic area. Included are syntheses of previously recorded cultural resource data, systematic examinations of the land surface for physical indications of past human activity, and the use of interviews or other related methods to locate previously unrecorded cultural resources not identifiable through physical examination.

● CO- Contracting Officer

● COR- Contracting Officers’ Representative

● PI- Project Inspector

● COR/PI- either the COR or the PI

C.1.7-Special Conditions/Instructions

• Certain geographic areas of the BLM-UFO may warrant special consideration to address what could be considered a landscape of human activity. For example, some areas may exhibit a sparse but continuous presence of lithic debitage, others may have a number of isolated but related historic features (50 yr. +). Rote recordation of these will result in a meaningless plethora of Isolated Find (IF) forms. When such circumstances arise, it is required for the consultant to devise, in consultation with the BLM-UFO archaeologist, alternatives to standard recording procedures prior to the completion of fieldwork.

• Accurate legal and UTM locations will be required. It is preferred that the SE corner and east section line of the section be used as an anchor for obtaining legal locations. If another corner is used, it must be referenced on the site/IF form. Reliable GPS reading will be required for all site datum and IFs. It is also recommended that site boundaries, tools, diagnostic artifacts, and features have a GPS location. The type of GPS unit and its accuracy will be included in the report narrative and on the site/IF forms. All UTM locations must be in NAD 83, in the appropriate zone (12 or 13), and indicated on the report and forms or the report and forms will be rejected. A digital copy of all GPS/GIS data and metadata will be provided along with the final reports.

• All digital data collected and submitted must meet the requirements detailed in the BLM- Colorado Cultural Resources Digital Data Specifications Guide. A copy can be provided upon request.

• Collection and Curation: Qualified individuals may be authorized to remove cultural resource materials which are in danger of loss or which are needed for scientific study, public interpretation, or evaluation of the cultural property. Additionally, no paleontological resources may be collected under a cultural resource permit, unless the remains are in an archaeological context (ex. paleo bone in hearth, etc.), however, the BLM paleontologist or paleontology coordinator should be consulted. Cultural resource materials removed from BLM-administered land in Colorado, along with copies of the associated records, are curated as property of the United Sates in a repository designated in the CRUP.

• Collection: Only limited collections in certain circumstances will be made on BLM-administered lands in Colorado in the following circumstances.

• Collection Procedures: The BLM generally adheres to a no collection policy. Collection is only required, if in the opinion of the Field Office archaeologist, the artifact(s) are unique and vulnerable to unauthorized collection or destruction, diagnostic (time-sensitive), and cannot be readily identified in the field. If collection is approved, the following stipulations apply:

• A catalog sheet, drawings and/or photographs of the artifact(s), and location of the collection will be included in the body of the report and attached to the appropriate site form(s).

• The location of collected artifacts shall be accurately plotted on site sketch maps. (Please see the most current Procedures and Reporting Standards for Cultural Resource Consultants Conducting Projects Under a CRUP Permit for the Colorado Northwest District and Grand Junction Field Office, Bureau of Land Management for more information and collection specifics).

• Curation: Collected artifacts must be curated according to the standards of the facility designated as the curatorial repository in the CRUP.

• Photographs may be digital as long as they are of good quality. Site photographs will include at least two site overviews from different directions, when possible, these overviews will include landmarks. All features and/or disturbance will be photographed using a metric scale.

• Photographs or line drawings will be made of all diagnostic artifacts. A metric scale will be included in the photograph or drawing. Illustrated artifacts will be referenced in the Results section of the report with a figure number and artifact number/letter. These illustrations/photographs will also be attached to the associated site/IF form.

• Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP) Forms will be used for all sites/Isolated finds recorded and/or reevaluated.

• All site plan maps will be drawn to scale and will include at a minimum: datum, identified tools; features and/or loci; topography; any recent disturbances or intrusions to the site, including but not limited to: previous mechanical disturbance or vegetation manipulation, trash dumping, artifact collector piles; unauthorized excavation, off road vehicle activity; cattle trampling or trailing; or erosion. The map key will relate specifically to the site plan map.

• Produce a narrative (one to two paragraphs) separate from the inventory report regarding conditions and activities at each inventory location, regardless of inventory results. There is no standard checklist for each location but features such as vegetation, wildlife, landforms, water, color, and adjacent scenery, should be included. Other factors, if applicable, can include, identified visitor use, amount of use, and adjacent and land uses.

• Intrusions that are currently or have the potential to impact need data or eligible sites will be photographed and discussed on the site forms and in the report narrative.

• Evaluative testing will only be used if the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) determination cannot be made based upon surface evidence. If necessary, this testing will be conducted during the fieldwork phase. Evaluative testing is limited to a maximum of 2 m2 per site. In most cases a small shovel or trowel test should be adequate. A brief description of methodology, testing rational, soil stratigraphy and any cultural remains will be included in the report narrative as well as on the site form. If after testing, the site eligibility still cannot be refined; a narrative of site recommendations will be presented discussing of the site’s research potential and specific recommendations to determine eligibility in the future. Prior to sampling any features identified as hearths or potential hearths, storage features, etc., the UFO archaeologist will be consulted. Hearth and/or storage features will only be sampled with the approval of the UFO archaeologist. If given the go ahead each hearth or feature will be sampled for radiocarbon and subsistence analysis. Artifacts identified during evaluative testing on BLM managed land should be analyzed in the field and returned to its location/hole whence it came. The only exceptions are complete or nearly complete diagnostic or sensitive artifacts in danger of being damaged, destroyed, or illegally collected. Artifacts identified during evaluative testing on Forest Service managed land should be collected and curated in accordance with 36CFR79 and the requirements of the repository identified in the CRUP.

• Needs Data sites where limited evaluate testing does not refine the site’s NRHP eligibility recommendations will include a detailed discussion of the site’s research potential and specific recommendations to determine eligibility. These recommendations will be made with specific reference to appropriate previous contextual investigations in the region.

C.2 INSPECTION

Task 1

• A preliminary letter report of findings is to be submitted to the Project Inspector within 10 days after completion of fieldwork. At a minimum this letter report must consist of the following items:

o Brief description of each site, which will include site type, temporal or cultural affiliation, and the NRHP eligibility recommendation. This information can be in table format.

o Draft or field sketch site plan map including standard archaeological site information (all relevant references to diagnostic artifacts, features, UTM datum, north arrow, and scale) for each site.

o Copy of a 7.5' topographic map showing the project survey boundary and site locations.

Task 2

Final Report

• The contractor will submit a draft final report and associated deliverables to the PI for review according to the schedule specified below. The draft will include site and isolated find forms, corrected shapefiles with sites, isolated finds, and inventory area. The draft final report will be complete with all photographs, maps, figures, tables, charts, graphs, and other content necessary to adequately describe the findings.

• The draft final report and site and isolate find forms will meet all requisite standards and guidelines.

• The final report and associated site and isolated find forms will contain the corrections/revisions requested by the UFO archaeologist made during the review of the draft report.

• Final payment is contingent upon corrections/revisions being appropriately addressed in the final report.

• The report and all required survey and site forms will meet the guidelines established by the Secretary of Interior’s Standards, the BLM Colorado Handbook, Colorado Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation guidelines.

• Cultural resource legal, UTM, or specific locational descriptions are not to be presented anywhere in the report narrative. This information should be included in an appendix.

• Mitigation discussion of disturbances or intrusions that are currently or have the potential to impact sites will be included in the management recommendations of the report.

• The report cover page, appendixes with legal/UTM locations, and maps with site locations must contain the following statement in large font, bold type “For Official Use Only: Disclosure of site locations prohibited (43 CFR 7.18).”

• All field work will be completed no later than June 15, 2027.

• For final deliverables the BLM requires both digital copies of all documentation, and one hardcopy set of printed form(s), associated report, and map(s). The BLM prefers unbound copies (consult with field office prior to printing). Make sure all report and site for deliverables, except for maps, are printed double-sided. Final copies of the final report and associated forms with photographs, maps, and associated documentation will be submitted to the UFO archaeologist (Project Inspector) by August 31, 2027.

o Consultants are required to provide final documents in both digital and hard copy formats. Digital files can be delivered via CD, jump drive, or an acceptable file sharing service. The final inventory resource forms will be provided in PDF format. Geospatial data will be provided as either shapefiles or ESRI file geodatabases and should follow the requirements outlined in the BLM-Colorado Cultural Resources Digital Data Specifications Guide.

• Site and Isolated Find forms MUST NOT be bound with the report narrative.

C.3-PAYMENT

Deliverables by task

Task 1 50%

Preliminary Letter Report- A preliminary report as described in C.2 Inspection shall be submitted. Upon acceptance of the letter report an invoice may be submitted to the Contracting Officer for payment of one-half of the contract money.

Task 2 50%

Final Payment- Upon acceptance of the final report as described in C.2 inspection Final Report, the contract will be considered complete and an invoice may be submitted to the contracting officer to release the final half of the contract. The contractor must abide with the aforementioned scope of work and produce an acceptable document(s) before payment will be released.

• The final report/forms will contain the corrections/comments requested by the UFO made during the review of the draft report.

• Final payment is contingent upon the comments/corrections being made in the final report.

The fieldwork will be completed to meet the reporting deadlines as described. All reports and supporting documents will meet guidelines, standards, and procedures established by the SHPO and the Department of the Interior/ BLM.

The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) is Cameron Shaughnessy and the Project Inspector is Jordan Matson, SWD Archaeologist.

SCHEDULE

Section H- requirements

H.1- Key Personnel

H.1.1 The contractor shall assign to this contract key personnel and designate a project manager to be responsible for performance of work. The project manager shall have authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters.

H.1.2 The Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel without notifying the Contracting Officer within a reasonable timeframe and in advance and shall submit justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the contract.

Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced.

H.1.3 All individuals responsible for supervising fieldwork; planning; report preparation and approval;

evaluations; recommendations, etc. will be listed on the archaeological consultant’s Cultural Resource Use Permit (CRUP) number 8.

H.2 Pre-work Meeting Prior to commencement of work, the Contractor shall attend a pre-work meeting to discuss the contract terms, work performance requirements, and safety. At this meeting such items as work progress schedule, quality control, and access shall be finalized.

Preliminary Letter Report A preliminary letter report of findings as described in C.2 Inspection is to be submitted to the Project Inspector within 10 days after completion of preliminary fieldwork. Upon acceptance of the letter report an invoice may be submitted to the Contracting Officer for payment of one-half of the contract money.

Field Work Completion No later than June 15, 2027.

Final Report One hard-copy and a digital copy of the Final Report and associated forms, photographs and/or documentation are to be submitted to the Uncompahgre Field Office archaeologist (Project Inspector) by August 31, 2027. Upon acceptance of the final report an invoice may be submitted to the Contracting Officer for the remaining half of the contract money.