ESBD_452864_1774290829874_ATF409~1.PDF
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- Attached to
- EXTEND BARRIER ACCESS ROADS ELLINGTON AFB
- Solicitation number
- TMD25-ANG-WJ-24150011
- Issued by
- Harris County, Texas
About this file
This is a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) document for Ellington Field in Houston, Texas, issued by the United States Air Force, establishing protocols for the inadvertent discovery of cultural materials during ground-disturbing activities. The SOP applies to all installation leadership, contractors, maintenance personnel, and unit commanders who may encounter archaeological resources, human remains, artifacts, or paleontological materials during construction, maintenance, or other field operations. The procedures outlined establish immediate response requirements, including cessation of ground-disturbing activities upon discovery, notification of the Environmental Manager and unit commander, and securing of the discovery location with appropriate buffer areas and weather protection until a proper assessment can be completed.
The SOP references applicable federal statutes including the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act, along with corresponding Code of Federal Regulations sections including 42 CFR 10, 32 CFR 229, and 36 CFR Part 800. Key personnel responsibilities are clearly delineated, with the Environmental Manager (CEV) serving as the primary authority for site assessment and direction, the unit commander responsible for initial notification and location security, and coordination requirements with the installation commander, state police if human remains are suspected, the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), the National Park Service Archaeology Assistance Division, and the Public Affairs Office. The document includes a decision-making flowchart for field personnel and emphasizes that no activities may resume at the discovery location until authorized by the CEV or appropriate supervisory personnel.
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ATTACHMENT G.I - ELLINGTON FIELD, HOUSTON, TEXAS
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP) FOR INADVERTENT
DISCOVERY OF CULTURAL MATERIALS
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 - https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/subtitle-A/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-
3. 36 CFR Part 800 - https://www.wbdg.org/ffc/fed/code-federal-regulations/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 Events: Discovery of known or likely human remains, unmarked graves, Native American or historical artifacts, archeological features, and/or paleontological 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 Environmental Manager (CEV) can be contacted.
Procedures: This section describes specific actions to be taken for inadvertent discovery. The flow chart is intended to be used by unit/activity level personnel, unit commanders, and similar personnel as a decision-making guide when inadvertent discoveries are made as described under the applicability section of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
mailto:mark.garcia.16@us.af.mil https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/subtitle-A/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-229 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
ELLINGTON FIELD, HOUSTON, TX 21 May 2024
Scenario I: inadvertent discovery of cultural materials.
A. Unit commander, environmental liaison, Public Affairs Office (PAO), Unit/activity personnel
a. Goals: understand the procedure when cultural materials are inadvertently discovered so that the materials can be adequately protected.
b. Tasks:
i. Cease ground-disturbing activity when possible historical artifacts and features, human remains, or burials are observed or encountered.
ii. Unit personnel will report any observations or discoveries of historical artifacts and features, human remains, burials, or features immediately to the unit commander or facility manager and they will in turn notify
CEV immediately. They will await instructions from the CEV.
iii. 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.
iv. Coordinate with CEV on where activities can resume and give direction to the construction superintendent.
v. If human remains are known or suspected to be present, also promptly notify the CEV. The CEV through coordination with the Wing
Commander shall advise Public Affairs.
c. Environmental Manager
i. Goals: ensure that when each discovery occurs procedures are followed that will protect and properly treat any materials that are discovered.
d. Tasks:
i. Ensure the site location and materials are properly protected.
ii. Provide unit commander with necessary information so they can be protected/avoided, etc.
iii. Ensure that all remains, and artifacts are accounted for and properly labeled and packaged if removed from the ground.
iv. Notify the installation commander.
v. notify the medical examiner if necessary and appropriate.
vi. determine if the objects are NAGPRA related and initiate appropriate consultation if necessary.
ELLINGTON FIELD, HOUSTON, TX 21 May 2024
Security Officer secures discovery location with adequate buffer area, protection from vandalism and weather, and immediately notifies
CEV
If suspect human remains, the CEV. PA and ATKW/CC will immediately notify state police. The CEV will also notify the Arch Assistance Division of NPS, SHPO, and
FLOW CHART FOR THE INADVERTENT DISCOVERY OF POTENTIAL CULTURAL RESOURCES
Unit Commander or Supervisor:
secures discovery location with adequate buffer area and notifies CEV or Security
Report observations to the Unit Commander or Supervisor
Cease ground-disturbing activity
Discovery of possible cultural resource or material
Do not resume activities at the discovery location until directed by the CEV
Do not resume activities at the discovery location until directed by the Unit Commander, Supervisor, Security, or CEV
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