ESBD_396277_1739554263410_ATTACHMENT G.V - Ellington Field (EF) Houston Texas Standard Operating Procedure (Sop) For Inadvertent Discovery Of Unmarked Burials.pdf
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About this file
This document is a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) from Ellington Air Force Base in Houston, Texas, specifically addressing the inadvertent discovery of unmarked burials. The SOP, dated April 20, 2022, outlines procedures for multiple stakeholders including installation leadership, base civil engineers, security police, public affairs office, and contractors. The document establishes a clear chain of command and actions to be taken when unmarked burials are discovered during ground-disturbing activities such as construction, maintenance, or field exercises. The procedure requires immediate cessation of activities upon discovery, notification of unit commanders and the Environmental Manager (CEV), and securing of the discovery site.
The SOP is governed by several federal regulations including the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, Archaeological Resources Protection Act, and National Historic Preservation Act. Key responsibilities include the Environmental Manager's duties to protect the site, ensure proper handling of remains and artifacts, notify relevant authorities (including installation commander and medical examiner), and determine if discoveries fall under NAGPRA jurisdiction. The document includes a detailed flow chart illustrating the notification and response process, emphasizing site security, protection from vandalism and weather, and coordination with state police, the Archaeological Assistance Division of NPS, SHPO, and Tribes as necessary.
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ATTACHMENT G.V - ELLINGTON AFB (EF), HOUSTON, TEXAS
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP) FOR INADVERTENT
DISCOVERY OF UNMARKED BURIALS
20 Apr 22
Contact: Mr. Mark Garcia, Ellington Field Environmental Manager (CEV) 281-929-2013, mark.garcia.16@us.af.mil
Statutory References:
1. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
2. Archaeological Resources Protection Act
3. National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing regulations
Regulations:
1. 42 CFR 10
2. 32 CFR 229
3. 36 CFR Part 800
Applies to:
1. Installation leadership
2. Training Site Manager
3. Base Civil Engineer
4. Real Property Office
5. Security Police
6. Public Affairs Office
7. Judge Advocates Office
8. Maintenance, utilities, and grounds crews and foremen
9. Unit commanders and unit/activity personnel
10. Tenants and contractors
Typical Situations: Ground disturbance from construction involving digging, bulldozing, clearing, or grubbing, maintenance or repair activities, off-road traffic, field units on exercise, outdoor recreation, observation of eroded areas.
Typical Triggering Event: Discovery of unmarked burial(s), including Native American burials or cemeteries from which headstones were relocated but not the physical remains.
Policy: In the event that an unanticipated discovery of cultural artifacts occurs, activity in the immediate vicinity should cease until an assessment of the materials can be made.
The unit commander/supervisor should be notified immediately so the CEV can be contacted.
Procedures: This section describes specific actions to be taken for discovery of unmarked burials. The flow chart (figure 5-3) is intended to be used by unit/activity level personnel, unit commanders, and similar personnel as a decision-making guide when inadvertent discoveries of burials are made as described under the applicability section of this SOP.
mailto:mark.garcia.16@us.af.mil https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nagpra/index.htm https://www.fs.usda.gov/lei/archeological-resources-protection.php#:~:text=It%20governs%20the%20excavation%20of,archaeological%20collections%20from%20those%20sites.
https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/nhpa.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-10 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/subtitle-A/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-229 https://www.wbdg.org/ffc/fed/code-federal-regulations/36-cfr-part-800#:~:text=Section%20106%20of%20the%20National,to%20comment%20on%20such%20undertakings.
ELLINGTON FIELD, HOUSTON, TX 21 May 2024
Scenario I: inadvertent discovery of burials.
A. Unit commander, environmental liaison, PA, Unit/activity personnel
a. Goals: understand the procedure when burials are inadvertently discovered so that the remains can be adequately protected.
B. Tasks:
a. Cease ground-disturbing activity when possible, human remains or burials are observed or encountered.
b. Unit personnel will report any observations or discoveries of human remains or burials immediately to the unit commander or facility manager and they will in turn notify the CEV immediately. They will await instructions from
CEV.
c. Secure the discovery location(s). Examine the location of the discovery to ensure that it has been properly secured. Take appropriate measures to further secure location if needed.
d. Coordinate with CEV on where and when activities can resume and give direction to the construction superintendent.
C. Environmental Manager
a. Goals: ensure that when each discovery occurs procedures are followed that will protect and properly treat any remains that are discovered.
D. Tasks:
a. ensure the site location and materials are properly protected.
b. Provide unit commander with necessary information so burials can be protected/avoided, etc.
c. ensure that all remains, and artifacts are accounted for and properly labeled and packaged if removed from the ground.
d. notify the installation commander.
e. notify the medical examiner.
f. determine if the remains and objects are NAGPRA related and initiate appropriate consultation if necessary.
ELLINGTON FIELD, HOUSTON, TX 21 May 2024
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