ESBD_401277_1748872655152_ATBB18~1.PDF
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- Solicitation number
- TMD25-ANG-WJ-24150004_5_6_B1057_1363_1377
- Issued by
- Harris County, Texas
About this file
This document is a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Inadvertent Discovery of Unmarked Burials at Ellington Air Force Base (AFB) in Houston, Texas, involving multiple Air Force departments and personnel. The SOP provides comprehensive guidelines for handling potential burial site discoveries during ground-disturbing activities such as construction, maintenance, repairs, or field exercises. The procedure applies to installation leadership, base civil engineers, security personnel, maintenance crews, unit commanders, contractors, and tenants who might encounter unmarked human remains or cultural artifacts during various operational activities.
The document outlines a structured protocol for responding to burial discoveries, emphasizing immediate cessation of ground activities, securing the discovery site, and notifying key personnel including the Environmental Manager (CEV). Critical steps include reporting observations to unit commanders, coordinating with the Environmental Manager to protect remains, notifying the installation commander and medical examiner, and determining whether the remains fall under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The SOP references multiple federal regulations including the Archaeological Resources Protection Act and the National Historic Preservation Act, providing a comprehensive framework for culturally sensitive and legally compliant handling of potential burial sites.
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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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