RFI_Att_6_-_SoBealeRd_Bridges_SHPO_Report_2017-04-19__Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

HEADQUARTERS 9TH MISSION SUPPORT GROUP (ACC)

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA

Proud To Be..…MSG!

9 CES/CD

6451 B Street Beale AFB, CA 95903-1708

State Historic Preservation Officer Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Historic Preservation 1725 23rd Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95816

Dear

In accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and 36 CFR Part 800, the Department of the Air Force, Beale Air Force Base (AFB), is advising you of a proposed undertaking that will not affect any historic properties. The undertaking is the “Replacement of Bridge Facilities 221 and 222 on South Beal Road/J Street” within the Beale AFB. This consultation combines a discussion of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility for the two bridge facilities, along with a description of the Area of Potential Effect (APE) for the undertaking (per 36 CFR 800.4). Cultural resource investigations were conducted to determine the presence of historic properties which may be affected by the proposed undertaking. As a result of these efforts, our finding is that the planned demolition, removal, and replacement of the two bridges will result in no historic properties affected.

Background Information

Beale AFB is situated on the eastern margin of the Sacramento Valley, about 35 miles north-northeast of Sacramento. The base, more than 23,000 acres in size, is located in the Southern Maidu (Nisenan) culture area. Beale AFB is home to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing where fleets of manned and unmanned surveillance aircraft are used to train pilots and gather intelligence throughout the world, for the Air Force and other United States armed forces. Bridge Facilities 221 and 222 were constructed in 1952 during the 5 year infrastructure overhaul to convert the former Camp Beale to a fully operational Air Force Base.

The existing bridges have been found to be structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. Because of the severity of their physical conditions, they must be surveyed annually for signs of imminent failure. Additionally, due to their functional deficiency, the South Beale Road Gate has been closed, inconveniencing base personnel and civilian employees. This road is the primary access point to Highway 65. The closure of this access point adds as much as 10 miles to the commute onto the base and adds additional congestion to the other entry points.

800.4(a)(1) - Description of the Area of Potential Effects

The APE is described as the footprints of the bridges across the width of two creek beds (approximately 30 by 100 feet), associated construction footprint buffers, construction access, and construction staging areas. The general APE is outlined in Attachment 2. Attachment 6 contains photographic details of the APE and the separate bridge facilities to be removed.

800.4(c)(2) - Determination of Eligibility

A contracted architectural historian completed an evaluation of the NRHP eligibility status for Bridge Facilities 221 and 222. The evaluation recommended that both bridge facilities were not eligible for listing on the NRHP (Attachments 4 and 5). These bridges are utilitarian in design and they serve a common function allowing base personnel to access the base from Highway 65. More specifically, these bridges are not associated with any specific events that are important to Beale AFB history (Criterion A); their design, construction, and use are not associated with important designers, engineers, or Air Force personnel (Criterion B); they are not distinctive in design or workmanship; they are not excellent representations of their type (Criterion C); and they are not likely to yield important historical information about bridges (Criterion D).

It should be noted that there is one previously recorded structure located approximately

80 feet southeast of the bridges and immediately adjacent the APE. This structure, the Southern Pacific Railroad (P-58-1540), runs parallel to South Beale Road/J Street. The previously completed Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Series 523 Form for the railroad is included with this letter as Attachment 7. While the Southern Pacific Railroad was previously recorded, it was never evaluated for NRHP eligibility. For the purpose of this undertaking, Beale ABF will assume that the Southern Pacific Railroad is eligible for listing in the NRHP. The undertaking will avoid impacts to the Southern Pacific Railroad.

800.11(d)(1) - Description of the Undertaking

This undertaking proposes to remove Bridge Facilities 221 and 222 in their entirety and replace them with pre-cast superstructures and cast-in-place decks. The new bridges will consist of reinforced concrete with an asphalt overlay. The undertaking is currently in the early design stage. Preliminary design documents are attached (Attachment 3).

800.11(d)(2) - Identification of Historic Properties

The entire APE was surveyed on March 29, 2017 for the purposes of identifying historic properties which may be affected by the proposed undertaking. In addition to the survey, a search of archaeological site records and cultural resource investigation reports on file at the North Central Information Center was conducted. There are two known archeological sites in the vicinity of the APE, south of the waste treatment plant pond and west of where the bridges are located. The sites, PL-10H (P-58-1589/CA-YUB-1422H), a historic-era artifact scatter, and BAFB-15 (P-58-1717), an isolated chert scraper were recorded in 1996 and 1984 respectively.

Both sites are located more than 600 feet away from either bridge. These sites are far enough away from the bridges that there would be no direct impact from the bridge replacements. Additionally, there would be no change in setting to the isolated scraper or the historic-era artifact scatter site. The previously completed DPR forms for the archeological sites are included with this letter as Attachment 7. While these sites were investigated, they were never evaluated for NRHP eligibility. The proximity of these sites to the construction required to implement the undertaking is far enough away that there is no potential for the undertaking to have an effect on the sites.

In addition to the two previously recorded archaeological sites, there is one previously recorded structure approximately 80 feet southeast of the bridges, the Southern Pacific Railroad (P-58-1540). The Southern Pacific Railroad runs parallel to South Beale Road/J Street. The previously completed DPR form for the railroad is included with this letter as Attachment 7.

While the Southern Pacific Railroad was previously recorded, it was never evaluated for NRHP eligibility. For the purpose of this undertaking, Beale AFB will assume that the Southern Pacific Railroad is eligible for listing in the NRHP.

Bridge Facilities 221 and 222 were previously not recorded or evaluated for listing eligibility on the NRHP. Based on the research conducted by Beale personnel and the opinion of the contracted architectural historian, neither bridge is eligible for the NRHP. These bridges are utilitarian in design and they serve a common function allowing base personnel to access the housing area. More specifically, these bridges are not associated with any specific events that are important to Beale AFB history (Criterion A); their design, construction, and use are not associated with important designers, engineers, or Air Force personnel (Criterion B); they are not distinctive in design or workmanship; they are not representations of their type (Criterion C); and they are not likely to yield important historical information about bridges (Criterion D). DPR forms for both bridge facilities are included with this letter as Attachments 4 and 5, respectively.

800.11(e)(4) - Effects of the Proposed Undertaking

As the undertaking is in early design, protection for the two previously recorded archeological sites will be included as planning for the undertaking continues. Construction limits will be established to avoid encroachment into the Southern Pacific Railroad facility. The demolition, removal, and replacement of the bridges will have no effect on the railroad.

Additionally, as the other cultural resources are located well beyond the boundaries of the APE and as Bridge Facilities 221 and 222 are not recommended to be eligible for the NRHP, the undertaking will result in a finding of No Historic Properties Affected.

Summary

The US Air Force, Beale AFB, intends to remove and replace Bridge Facilities 221 and 222, along South Beale Road/J Street. Cultural resource investigations to identify historic properties within the APE consisted of a records search at the North Central Information Center, field survey, and additional research. The multiple previous historic property survey efforts on file at the North Central Information Center did not identify any historic properties within the APE. The two Bridge Facilities were recorded and evaluated for their NRHP listing eligibility and determined to be not eligible. As all cultural resources within the APE were found to not be eligible for the NRHP, there are no historic properties located within the APE and the proposed undertaking will result in a finding of No Historic Properties Affected.

Based on the preceding, Beale AFB requests SHPO concur with our finding that Facilities 221 and 222 are not eligible for listing on the NRHP. Further we have delineated the APE for this undertaking to avoid all effects on the nearby Southern Pacific Railroad facility and ask that you concur with our No Historic Properties Affected finding.

If you have questions about the undertakings described in this letter, please contact the

Beale AFB Cultural Resource Manager, Ms. Ann Bedlion, at (530) 634-2593 (ann.bedlion.1@us.af.mil). You may also phone or email Ms. Gwen Vergara (530) 634-2645 (gwendolyn.vergara.1@us.af.mil) or contact Dr. James Carucci at (707) 424-8625 (james.carucci@us.af.mil).

Sincerely

Project Management Element Chief

Attachments:

1. Location Map

2. APE Map

3. Bridge Design Document

4. Facility 221 DPR 523 Form

5. Facility 222 DPR 523 Form

6. Photos of Facilities 221 and 222

7. Southern Pacific Railroad (P-58-1540), PL-10H (P-58-1589/CA-YUB-1422H), and BAFB-15 (P-58-1717) Archaeological Site Records

Attachment 1: Beale AFB Location Map

I 0 2 4 6 8 10

Miles

Source: ESRI 2008; /29/2017; Created By:

Beale AFB

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P L U M A S

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UV99

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UV113

UV65

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UV162

UV70

UV65

UV99

UV20

UV70

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UV49

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UV162

UV99

UV20

UV70

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UV99

UV65

Plumas National Forest

Lake Oroville State Rec AreaLake Oroville State Rec Area

Auburn State Recreation AreaAuburn State Recreation Area

Malakoff Diggings St Hist ParkMalakoff Diggings St Hist Park

Empire Mine State Hist ParkEmpire Mine State Hist Park Condon ParkCondon Park

Pioneer ParkPioneer Park

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FIGURE 1

Project Vicinity

Bridges 221 and 222 Replacement Project Beale Air Force Base, Yuba County, California

PACIFIC

OCEAN

Yuba County

Project Location

Attachment 2: Area of Potential Effects Map

I

0 100 200 300 400 500 Feet

Source: ESRI Online Maps;

Bridge 221

Bridge 222

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FIGURE 2

Project Area Limits

Beale AFB Bridges 221 and 222 Beale Air Force Base, Yuba County, California

Project Area Limits

Attachment 3: Replace Bridges 221 and 222 Design Documents

Attachment 4: Facility 221 DPR 523 Form

Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 2305-001P; Bridge AFCABAEY00221 P1. Other Identifier: J Street (S. Beale Road) Over Hutchinson Creek; Bridge 221

DPR 523A (9/2013) *Required information

State of California - The Resources Agency Primary #

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #

PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial

NRHP Status Code 6Z Other Listings Review Code Reviewer Date

*P2. Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted *a. County Yuba and (P2c, P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.)

*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Wheatland Date 1949 T 14N ; R 5E ; SW ¼ of SE ¼ of Sec 4 ; M.D.

B.M.

c. Address City Zip

d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone , mE/ mN

e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, decimal degrees, etc., as appropriate)

39°05’18.08” N, 121°25’16.01” W *P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)

Structure No. 2305-001P is a timber bridge that carries J Street (or S. Beale Road) over the Hutchinson Creek. It is 75’ long and consists of five 15’ spans. The deck is constructed from 3.5” x 9.25” timber planks overlaid with 4.5” of asphalt. The superstructure is constructed with 7.5” x 11” timber stringers while exterior timber stringers are 3.x5” by 11”. The bridge rail is a combination of timber curb and W-beam metal rails mounted to timber posts. The abutment and intermediate caps consist of 12” x 12” timbers.

Research indicates that the subject bridge was constructed in 1952 as part of a five-year infrastructure overhaul to convert the former Camp Beale into a fully operational air force base.

*P3b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP19. Bridge *P4. Resources Present: Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other (Isolates, etc.)

P5b. Description of Photo: (view, date, accession #) View looking NW, 1/23/17 *P6. Date Constructed/Age and Source: Historic

Prehistoric Both

1952; engineering drawings

*P7. Owner and Address:

United States Air Force Beale Air Force Base Yuba County, CA *P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation, and address) GPA Consulting 231 California Street El Segundo, CA 90245 *P9. Date Recorded: 3/29/17

*P10. Survey Type: (Describe) Intensive *P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none.") None _

*Attachments: NONE Location Map Continuation Sheet Building, Structure, and Object Record Archaeological Record District Record Linear Feature Record Milling Station Record Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record Other (List):

P5a. Photograph or Drawing (Photograph required for buildings, structures, and objects.)

(Photo taken by )

*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) *NRHP Status Code 6Z

DPR 523B (9/2013) *Required information

State of California - The Resources Agency Primary #

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#

BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD

(This space reserved for official comments.)

(Sketch Map with north arrow required.)

B1. Historic Name: N/A B2. Common Name: N/A B3. Original Use: Bridge B4. Present Use: Bridge *B5. Architectural Style: No Style *B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)

Constructed 1952.

*B7. Moved? No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location:

*B8. Related Features:

None.

B9a. Architect: 2275th Air Base Squadron, Beale Air Force Base b. Builder: 136th Aviation Engineer Brigade (Quest, 9.)

*B10. Significance: Theme N/A Area Beale AFB

Period of Significance N/A Property Type Bridge Applicable Criteria N/A (Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)

While the subject bridge retains integrity, it does not appear to be eligible for listing in the National Register under any criteria as discussed below.

Criterion A

The J Street Bridge over Hutchinson Creek was constructed in 1952 for Beale Air Force Base. Beale Air Force Base was originally Camp Beale during World War II, and served as a training site for armored infantry divisions (www.beale.af.mil). For the duration of the war, Camp Beale housed and trained thousands of soldiers on over 86,000 acres. The camp comprised 1,681 structures divided into four cantonments: the North Cantonment, West Cantonment, Central Cantonment, and the East Cantonment. However, as the war came to a close, the camp was deemed surplus and portions were sold off (Quest, 8).

In 1948, the newly formed United States Air Force claimed the remaining land and buildings to establish the Beale Bomb and Gunnery Range to support the nearby Radar Navigator Bomb School at Mather Air Force Base. See Continuation Sheet.

B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) None

*B12. References:

Quest, James B. Images of America: Beale Air Force Base During the Cold War. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2014.

“Beale’s History: Past to Present.” Beale Air Force Base. February 23, 2016. Accessed March 29, 2017.

http://www.beale.af.mil/Library/FactSheets/Display/tabid/7004/Article /279933/beales-history-past-to-present.aspx.

B13. Remarks: None.

*B14. Evaluator:

*Date of Evaluation: 3/29/17

DPR 523L (9/2013)

State of California - Natural Resources Agency Primary#

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #

Trinomial

CONTINUATION SHEET

Property Name: ___ _________________________________________________ Page __3_ of __4_

*B10. Significance (Continued):

The bomb range operated until the more permanent installation of Beale Air Force Base was established. Beginning in the spring of 1951, aviation engineers in the Special Category Army Reassigned with the Air Force (SCARWAF) unit were on site to begin training and preparations. A “tent city” grew over the next several months as rigorous training took place. Engineers, assigned to the 136th Engineer Aviation Brigade, learned skills such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and operating heavy machinery. When their training was complete, the engineers were tasked with building dormitories, motor pools, storage facilities, and ranges. They improved infrastructure such as roads, bridges, sewage systems, and drainage ditches, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units cleared away the remnants of bombs from the former bomb and gunnery range. Existing bridges were widened and new bridges were added (Quest, 7-9).

This preliminary work was completed by March 1956, and was followed by the completion of the flight line in April 1958. The first wing at Beale Air Force Base, the 4216th Strategic Wing, was activated in 1959 (Quest, 7-8, 19). Throughout the Cold War, Beale Air Force Base was home to a number of squadrons and wings, as well as technologically advanced aircraft, including the supersonic SR-71 “Blackbird” and the T-38 Talon jet (www.beale.af.mil)

The decades of the Cold War were the most active years on Beale Air Force Base, which was part of the United States’ front line as tensions with the Soviet Union grew (Quest, 6-8). After the Cold War, the SR-71 was retired and certain squadrons were transferred to other bases. In 2001, the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron was activated at Beale AFB to serve as the parent organization for GLOBAL HAWK, a new high-altitude reconnaissance platform. The base is still active today, and houses over 4,500 military personnel (www.beale.af.mil).

Research indicates that the subject structure was constructed during the period between 1951 and 1956 when the 136th Engineer Aviation Brigade converted Camp Beale to an air force base. However, while it is associated with this period of development, research did not reveal any evidence to suggest that the association is especially significant or important. The bridge was a small part of a much larger building program. Mere association with a trend or event is insufficient to qualify under Criterion A; therefore, the subject bridge does not appear to be eligible under this criterion.

Criterion B

As utilitarian infrastructure, this timber bridge is not likely to be the best representative example of a significant person’s productive life, and therefore does not appear to be eligible under Criterion B.

Criterion C

The subject bridge was constructed using a standardized design and is one of many similar bridges on Beale Air Force Base. As such, its design features and materials are utilitarian and commonplace, and do not embody a type, period, or method of construction.

The simple timber bridge inherently does not possess high artistic value, and is unlikely to be the work of a master. Rather, the bridges were conceivably designed and constructed using the standardized design for maximum efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Therefore, the bridge does not appear to be eligible under Criterion C.

Criterion D

The subject bridge is unlikely to yield or be the principal source of important information about the construction of timber bridges, particularly because the original engineering drawings still exist which would serve as a principal information source. Therefore, the bridge does not appear to be eligible under Criterion D.

Integrity

The subject bridge was evaluated against the seven aspects of integrity: location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. The bridge retains its integrity of location and setting; it has not been moved since it was constructed, and it is surrounded by natural features and military infrastructure as it would have been when it was built. The integrity of design, materials, and workmanship are intact; visual observation and comparison to original engineering drawings do not indicate any major alterations to the bridge. As such, the integrity of feeling and association are intact, as the bridge is able to convey the feeling of a 1950s bridge and its association with the early development of Beale Air Force Base.

Summary

While the subject bridge retains integrity, it does not appear to be eligible for listing in the National Register under any criteria for the reasons listed above.

Page 4 of 4 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder)

*Map Name: Wheatland Quadrangle *Scale: 1:24,000 *Date of map: _2015______

DPR 523J (9/2013)

State of California - Natural Resources Agency Primary #

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#

LOCATION MAP Trinomial

Attachment 5: Facility 222 DPR 523 Form

Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder)

P1. Other Identifier: J Street (S. Beale Road) Over Branch of Hutchinson Creek; Bridge 222

DPR 523A (9/2013) *Required information

State of California - The Resources Agency Primary #

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #

PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial NRHP Status Code 6Z Other Listings Review Code Reviewer Date

*P2. Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted *a. County Yuba and (P2c, P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.)

*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Wheatland Date 1949 T 14N ; R 5E ; NW ¼ of NE ¼ of Sec 9 ; M.D.

B.M.

c. Address City Zip

d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone , mE/ mN

e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, decimal degrees, etc., as appropriate) 39°05’08.93” N, 121°25’22.27” W *P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)

Structure No. 2305-002P is a timber bridge that carries J Street (or S. Beale Road) over a branch of the Hutchinson Creek. It is 60’ long and consists of four 15’ spans. The deck is constructed from 3.5” x 9.25” timber planks overlaid with 7” of asphalt. The superstructure is constructed with 7.5” x 11” timber stringers while exterior timber stringers are 3.x5” by 11”. Spans 1 and 3 have twenty stringers and spans 2 and 4 have nineteen stringers. The bridge rail is a combination of timber curb and W-beam metal rails mounted to timber posts.

The abutment and intermediate caps consist of 12” x 12” timbers.

Research indicates that the subject bridge was constructed in 1952 as part of a five-year infrastructure overhaul to convert the former Camp Beale into a fully operational air force base.

*P3b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP19. Bridge *P4. Resources Present: Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other (Isolates, etc.)

P5b. Description of Photo: (view, date, accession #) View looking NW, 1/23/17 *P6. Date Constructed/Age and Source: Historic Prehistoric Both 1952; engineering drawings

*P7. Owner and Address:

United States Air Force Beale Air Force Base Yuba County, CA *P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation, and address)

GPA Consulting 231 California Street El Segundo, CA 90245 *P9. Date Recorded: 3/29/17

*P10. Survey Type: (Describe) Intensive

*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none.") None _

*Attachments: NONE Location Map Continuation Sheet Building, Structure, and Object Record Archaeological Record District Record Linear Feature Record Milling Station Record Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record Other (List):

P5a. Photograph or Drawing (Photograph required for buildings, structures, and objects.)

(Photo taken by )

*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) *NRHP Status Code 6Z

DPR 523B (9/2013) *Required information

State of California - The Resources Agency Primary #

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#

BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD

(This space reserved for official comments.)

(Sketch Map with north arrow required.)

B1. Historic Name: N/A B2. Common Name: N/A B3. Original Use: Bridge B4. Present Use: Bridge *B5. Architectural Style: No Style *B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)

Constructed 1952.

*B7. Moved? No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location:

*B8. Related Features:

None.

B9a. Architect: 2275th Air Base Squadron, Beale Air Force Base b. Builder: 136th Aviation Engineer Brigade (Quest, 9.)

*B10. Significance: Theme N/A Area Beale AFB

Period of Significance N/A Property Type Bridge Applicable Criteria N/A

(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)

While the subject bridge retains integrity, it does not appear to be eligible for listing in the National Register under any criteria as discussed below.

Criterion A

The J Street Bridge over Hutchinson Creek was constructed in 1952 for Beale Air Force Base. Beale Air Force Base was originally Camp Beale during World War II, and served as a training site for armored infantry divisions (www.beale.af.mil). For the duration of the war, Camp Beale housed and trained thousands of soldiers on over 86,000 acres. The camp comprised 1,681 structures divided into four cantonments: the North Cantonment, West Cantonment, Central Cantonment, and the East Cantonment. However, as the war came to a close, the camp was deemed surplus and portions were sold off (Quest, 8).

In 1948, the newly formed United States Air Force claimed the remaining land and buildings to establish the Beale Bomb and Gunnery Range to support the nearby Radar Navigator Bomb School at Mather Air Force Base. See Continuation Sheet.

B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) None

*B12. References:

Quest, James B. Images of America: Beale Air Force Base During the Cold War. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2014.

“Beale’s History: Past to Present.” Beale Air Force Base. February 23, 2016. Accessed March 29, 2017.

http://www.beale.af.mil/Library/FactSheets/Display/tabid/7004/Article /279933/beales-history-past-to-present.aspx.

B13. Remarks: None.

*B14. Evaluator:

*Date of Evaluation: 3/29/17

State of California - Natural Resources Agency Primary#

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #

Trinomial

CONTINUATION SHEET

Property Name: __________________________________________________ Page __3_ of __4_

*B10. Significance (Continued):

The bomb range operated until the more permanent installation of Beale Air Force Base was established. Beginning in the spring of 1951, aviation engineers in the Special Category Army Reassigned with the Air Force (SCARWAF) unit were on site to begin training and preparations. A “tent city” grew over the next several months as rigorous training took place. Engineers, assigned to the 136th Engineer Aviation Brigade, learned skills such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and operating heavy machinery. When their training was complete, the engineers were tasked with building dormitories, motor pools, storage facilities, and ranges. They improved infrastructure such as roads, bridges, sewage systems, and drainage ditches, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units cleared away the remnants of bombs from the former bomb and gunnery range. Existing bridges were widened and new bridges were added (Quest, 7-9).

This preliminary work was completed by March 1956, and was followed by the completion of the flight line in April 1958. The first wing at Beale Air Force Base, the 4216th Strategic Wing, was activated in 1959 (Quest, 7-8, 19). Throughout the Cold War, Beale Air Force Base was home to a number of squadrons and wings, as well as technologically advanced aircraft, including the supersonic SR-71 “Blackbird” and the T-38 Talon jet (www.beale.af.mil)

The decades of the Cold War were the most active years on Beale Air Force Base, which was part of the United States’ front line as tensions with the Soviet Union grew (Quest, 6-8). After the Cold War, the SR-71 was retired and certain squadrons were transferred to other bases. In 2001, the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron was activated at Beale AFB to serve as the parent organization for GLOBAL HAWK, a new high-altitude reconnaissance platform. The base is still active today, and houses over 4,500 military personnel (www.beale.af.mil).

Research indicates that the subject structure was constructed during the period between 1951 and 1956 when the 136th Engineer Aviation Brigade converted Camp Beale to an air force base. However, while it is associated with this period of development, research did not reveal any evidence to suggest that the association is especially significant or important. The bridge was a small part of a much larger building program. Mere association with a trend or event is insufficient to qualify under Criterion A; therefore, the subject bridge does not appear to be eligible under this criterion.

Criterion B

As utilitarian infrastructure, this timber bridge is not likely to be the best representative example of a significant person’s productive life, and therefore does not appear to be eligible under Criterion B.

Criterion C

The subject bridge was constructed using a standardized design and is one of many similar bridges on Beale Air Force Base. As such, its design features and materials are utilitarian and commonplace, and do not embody a type, period, or method of construction.

The simple timber bridge inherently does not possess high artistic value, and is unlikely to be the work of a master. Rather, the bridges were conceivably designed and constructed using the standardized design for maximum efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Therefore, the bridge does not appear to be eligible under Criterion C.

Criterion D

The subject bridge is unlikely to yield or be the principal source of important information about the construction of timber bridges, particularly because the original engineering drawings still exist which would serve as a principal information source.. Therefore, the bridge does not appear to be eligible under Criterion D.

Integrity

The subject bridge was evaluated against the seven aspects of integrity: location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. The bridge retains its integrity of location and setting; it has not been moved since it was constructed, and it is surrounded by natural features and military infrastructure as it would have been when it was built. The integrity of design, materials, and workmanship are intact; visual observation and comparison to original engineering drawings do not indicate any major alterations to the bridge. As such, the integrity of feeling and association are intact, as the bridge is able to convey the feeling of a 1950s bridge and its association with the early development of Beale Air Force Base.

Summary

While the subject bridge retains integrity, it does not appear to be eligible for listing in the National Register under any criteria for the reasons listed above.

Page 4 of 4 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder)

*Map Name: Wheatland Quadrangle *Scale: 1:24,000 *Date of map: _2015______

State of California - Natural Resources Agency Primary #

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#

LOCATION MAP Trinomial

Attachment 6: Additional Photos

Bridge 221

Figure 1. Bridge 221, looking north (Source: , January 2017).

Figure 2. Bridge 221, looking southwest (Source: , March 2017).

Figure 3. Bridge 221 support timbers, looking southwest (Source: , January 2017).

Figure 4. Bridge 221 abutment, looking north (Source: , March 2017).

Bridge 222

Figure 5: Bridge 222, looking west (Source: , March 2017).

Figure 6: Bridge 222, looking south (Source: , January 2017).

Figure 7. Bridge 222 support timbers, looking southwest (Source: , March 2017).

Figure 8. Bridge 222 abutment, looking south (Source: , January 2017).

Southern Pacific Railroad (P-58-1540), PL-10H (P-58-1589/CA-YUB-1422H), and BAFB-15 (P-58-1717) Archaeological Site Records paulrendes Typewritten Text 001389H

CA-YUB-001389H

paulrendes

P-58-001540 paulrendes Typewritten Text