Updated_SOW__2.doc

MUSSELLSHELL CLASS III INVENTORY

L15PS00531

Scope-of-Work Class III Inventory and Report Preparation for Forestry/Fuels Reduction/Prescribed Fire Projects Requiring Cultural Resources Inventory in Accordance with BLM Montana/Dakotas Cultural Resources Handbook H8110-1, Section III.C.

I. General Background.

A. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is required to identify, evaluate, and protect prehistoric and historic cultural resources on public lands under its jurisdiction: and to ensure that Bureau initiated or Bureau authorized actions do not inadvertently harm or destroy cultural resources. The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) mandates these requirements.

B. A Class III intensive field inventory is a professionally conducted, continuous, intensive survey of an entire target area aimed at locating and recording all cultural properties that have surface and exposed-profile indications. In general, a Class III survey is accomplished through systematic inspection carried out by walking a series of close-interval parallel transects until the area has been thoroughly examined. Artificial exposure of the subsurface (auger probing or shovel testing) is sometimes a necessary part of Class III surveys and should be included in identification efforts if ground/surface visibility is completely obscured by heavy vegetation cover.

II.

Specific Background.

A. Setting: The Miles City Field Office is located in southeast and eastern Montana. The Field Office administers 2,751,530 acres of surface estate and an additional 11,437,479+acres of Federal minerals (See Map 1). The Field Office is involved with a variety of land disturbing activities that require cultural resource input including fuels reduction, forestry, and habitat improvement projects.

B. The area proposed for inventory in Fiscal Year 2015 is in western Garfield County in the Miles City Field Office.

C. BLM anticipates up to 9,825 acres requiring inventory in the Mosby Area of the Miles City Field Office. BLM anticipates that approximately 9,825 acres will require inventory in 2015.

III. Objectives.

A. General Bureau Objective.

To meet its obligations under Sections 106 and 110 of the NHPA.

B. Field Office Objective.

BLM’s objective with the proposed project is to reduce hazardous fuels buildup and improve wildlife habitat. The overall Field Office objective is to improve wildlife habitat in the Mosby area of the Miles City Field Office.

C.

Specific Study Objectives.

1. To identify and evaluate, based primarily on surface indications, cultural resources located on lands identified for survey within the project area. In general, site evaluations shall be conducted using existing guidance from the BLM, Montana SHPO, the National Register Criteria (36 CFR 60.4), and National Park Service National Register Bulletins.

IV. Statement of Work.

A. The contractor will perform Class III inventory for mechanical treatment to reduce hazardous fuels buildup and improve habitat on the following BLM identified tracts. Inventory shall be conducted on a priority basis. The list of BLM identified tracts is shown Table One of this Statement of Work.

B. The Contractor shall conduct a site file and literature search at the State Historic Preservation Office in Helena, Montana, and shall contact Doug Melton at the Miles City Field Office for additional resource data. The purpose of this file search is to ensure that the Contractor is familiar with all previous work conducted in the general area of the project. This information is a necessary component of the inventory report.

C. The contractor shall clearly identify all previous recorded sites so that they may be avoided, mitigated, or monitored during project implementation. GPS Data will be provided to the field office archaeologist so that sites can be easily relocated in the field.

D. Formal testing shall not be conducted; however, limited shovel testing, at the discretion of the field director, may be performed to establish potential for site deposition, site boundaries, or significance. Shovel testing is not a requirement for this procurement. If historic period architectural structures or remains are located the Contractor is expected to conduct a land title and mineral patent examination as part of the site identification and evaluation effort.

E. The Contractor shall employ BLM criteria for minimum site definition; i.e., an archaeological or historical site consists of any feature alone or in association with other features (cairns, stone rings) or five or more artifacts situated in a discrete location within 50 meters of each other and/or artifacts or features located more than 100 meters from each other but in obvious association. Sites may also include locations which contain no physical evidence but are important for their associations with the traditions of a group, ethnic community, or Indian tribe; e.g., National Register Bulletin 38. Locations containing less that 5 artifacts, shall be recorded as isolated finds. The contractor will not be responsible for Native American consultation and coordination for the project, this will be completed by BLM.

F. The Contractor shall:

1. Cover the areas to be inventoried on foot by employing standard survey methodology. Transect intervals shall be 30 meters. Transect intervals may be widened if conditions warrant; e.g, rough, steep, landforms. If transects are widened the Contractor shall document the rationale employed which justifies the deviation from the standard interval distance. In all cases, coverage shall be thorough.

2. Identify from all surface and exposed indications all cultural properties or materials. At each site location emplace a site datum; e.g., PVC pipe or rebar rod.

3. Collect time diagnostic artifacts; e.g., projectile points and ceramics. Include both those found on sites and those occurring in isolation.

4. Locate each cultural property on a United States Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5' quadrangle topographic map.

5. Record all cultural properties on BLM site/isolated find forms. Site forms and instructions can be found in BLM's Handbook for Cultural Resource Inventory and Compliance. Unless otherwise directed, re-record previously recorded cultural properties located within unit boundaries identified for inventory. Note any change in resource condition from when the site was originally recorded.

6. Take at least two 3 X 5" black and white or color print photographs of each cultural property and one 3 X 5" black and white or color print photograph of each survey tract. Standing historic structures shall be photographed on all sides to illustrate architectural features. Label all photos and negatives with a description and orientation. A photographic record shall be maintained.

7. Prepare sketch maps of all sites based on the location of the site datum and include topographic contour lines, cultural features, basic site contents, and locations of all collected artifacts. While it is not necessary to map all artifacts indicate areas of artifact concentration. All prehistoric cultural properties or historic material scatters shall be mapped by compass and taped or paced in meters. All historic period Euro-American standing structures and mining features; e.g, houses, barns, etc., shall be mapped in feet. GPS Data may be substituted for the above provided it is of the same or better precision to taping and pacing.

8. For previously recorded sites that may be affected by the proposed actions, such as standing wooden structures and rock art develop recommendations for protection and/or avoidance.

9. Take GPS points at the corners of each unit and report these calculations on the unit form. Use a reliable GPS unit with accuracy rating of less than 25 feet. If a GPS is not available the Contractor shall demonstrate how corners were determined in the narrative of the unit form.

10. The Contractor shall obtain Smithsonian site numbers from the Montana SHPO, for all cultural properties not previously assigned such numbers. The BLM will review all site forms for adequacy prior to the submission to the SHPO for site numbers. Isolated find numbers will be assigned to the Contractor.

11. The contractor shall provide BLM with GIS Data for all areas inventoried and all site and isolate find locations. GIS Data shall meet the data requirements for GIS Data for the Miles City Field Office.

G. Collections if Made.

1. Collections shall be labeled and catalogued, using BLM catalog cards, and shall be processed in accordance with Billings Curation Center packaging standards (forms and packaging requirements shall be provided to the Contractor by BLM).

2. All collections belong to the United States Government and shall be delivered to the Billings Curation Center as part of submitting the final inventory report.

H. Analysis and Report Preparation.

1. Upon completion of the Class III inventory field work, prepare a professional quality report, addressing the general categories outlined below.

a. Title Sheet. Signed by the Principal Investigator.

b. Abstract. Provide a 250-word or less abstract of the report. The abstract shall outline the report contents and refer to specific highlights from the narrative.

c. Table of Contents. Provide a complete inventory of report contents.

d. Introduction. Provide an overview of the project including its purpose. Identify the tracts inventoried for this project, by legal description in table form.

e. Literature Search. Provide a brief but complete discussion on the work that has been conducted in the project area.

f. Environmental and Cultural Setting. Provide a brief but complete overview of the environment in which the survey tracts are located. In addition, discuss the cultural setting, again briefly, including both the prehistoric and historic periods.

g. Inventory Results.

Provide a summary description of each cultural property found. Indicate results from preliminary evaluation and any problems connected with the property's recordation. Include photographs of cultural properties located during the inventory; e.g., half-tones or good quality xerox copies of original photographs. Use graphics and tables as appropriate.

h. Summary and Recommendations Discuss the results of the inventory in summary form. Include the following:

i. Identify the sites recorded, whether the sites were prehistoric or historic, and what type of site is represented.

ii. Evaluate each cultural property for its eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Contractor shall use an appropriate "Context" in which to evaluate cultural properties and shall employ the National Register Criteria in those evaluations. Contractor shall clearly describe the rationale used to determine which sites are eligible, potentially eligible, and not eligible. Contractor shall recommend treatment needed to determine eligibility on sites determined potentially eligible.

i. References Cited. Include a list of all sources cited in report.

j. Appendices. Provide an appendix to incorporate typed unit forms and descriptions, copies of USGS maps with the depicted units, and photographs of individual units. Combine these elements (unit forms and descriptions, copies of USGS maps, and photographs) into separate unit summaries within the appendix.

k. Maps and Graphics. Provide appropriate maps, charts, tabulations and graphics necessary to support the report narrative.

l. Preservation, Packing, Packaging, Submitted collections must adhere to the standards identified for the Billings Curation Center.

V. Specifications and Standards.

1. Inventory guidelines and standards for BLM generated cultural resource investigations can be found in Montana State Office Handbook H-8110-1 entitled Guidelines for Identifying Cultural Resources. The Handbook will be made available at the Miles City Field Office VI. The Contractor Shall Not:

A. Complete consultation with affected Native American Groups.

B. Sign off on environmental documents for cultural resources.

VII. Inspection.

A. If requested, contractor shall make all field notes, photographs, and other items related

(including e-mails and phone conversation logs) to the performance of this contract available to the BLM.

VIII. Government Provided Information

A. The project will be substantially marked on the ground prior to inventory. In addition, the contractor will have access to site and project files located at the Miles City Field Office.

IX. Deliverables.

A. The Contractor will be prepare one report, and associated forms for project inventoried under Section A of this scope of work.

B. Address for deliverables:

Bureau of Land Management

Miles City Field Office

Attn:

Doug Melton 111 Garryowen Road

Miles City, Montana 59103

C. One set of draft site forms with original black & white or color photographs, as specified above.

D. One copy of the draft Class III cultural resource inventory report.

E. One unbound original, plus 2 copies of the final Class III cultural resource inventory report. The report shall be typed and printed on 8 2" x 11" paper and shall be single spaced. Two sets of final site forms with Smithsonian site numbers and with original black & white or color photos. Additionally, one copy of the final report shall be submitted in an electronic format.

F. One clean and undamaged set of USGS 7.5' topographic quadrangle maps showing the locations of survey areas and all cultural resource sites and isolated finds identified on inventoried tracts. Sites and survey areas shall be labeled with site and unit numbers using black ink and neatly printed or drawn on maps.

G. One copy of photographic record.

H. One copy of all field notes.

I. One disc containing shape files in a GIS compatible format. The shape files should include inventory area boundaries, site boundaries as polygons. Site datums, finished artifacts should be shown as point data. Larger features ( i.e stone circles, standing structures, etc.) artifact concentrations, and site disturbances should be shown as polygons within the site boundaries.

X. Period of Performance The contractor shall begin fieldwork within 30 calendar days of award of this contract. All final reports for the 2015 field season, site forms, and artifacts to be curated are due to BLM by December 31, 2015.

XI. Payment Payment shall be made on the following schedule for 2015.

1. Completion of Prefield Meeting and Documentation of File Search Completion 10%

2. Documentation of Completion of Fieldwork 40%

3. BLM Approval of Draft Report 25%

4. BLM Acceptance of Final Report and Acceptance of Any Collections by Billings Curation Center. BLM will bear curation costs 25%

TABLE ONE

BLM IDENTIFED TRACTS to be INVENTORIED in 2015

GARFIELD COUNTY

T14N, R30E Sect. 12: S/2 320 Acres (Less area covered by rest area and Highway 200) Total 320Acres

T14N, R31E Sect. 18: All 640 Acres

Total: 640 Acres

T15N, R30E

Sect 1: Lots 5 and 7, SWSE: 120.30Acres

Sect 22: S/2S/2 160 Acres

Sect 26: E/2 & S/2NW&SW/4 560 Acres

Total: 840.30 Acres

T15N, R31E Sect 5: S/2SE & NESE & SENW 160 Acres

Sect 7: S/2SE 80 Acres

Sect 8: SENW 40 Acres

Sect. 9: W/2SE & E/2SW & NWNE & S/2NW & NESE 320 Acres

Sect 18: Lots 10, 11, & 12 88.90 Acres

Sect 20: SESW 40 Acres

Sect 30: Lots 5,6,7 & 8 111.56Acres

Total: 840.46 Acres T16N, R31E

Sect 5: E/2SE & SWSE & SWNW& SWNE 200 Acres

Sect 7: E/2SE 80 Acres

Sect 8: N/2NE & NENW & SWNE & S/2NW 240 Acres

Sect 17: SWSE 40 Acres

Sect 18: E/2NE 80.00 Acres

Sect 20: N/2N/2 & E/2SW and NWSW 280 Acres

Sect 21: SW/4 160 Acres

Sect 22: SENW & E/2SW 120 Acres

Sect 26: N/2NW 80 Acres

Sect 27: E/2NE & E/2NW 160 Acres

Sect 28: W/2 320 Acres

Sect 29: E/2SE & SWSE & S/2SW & NWSW 240 Acres

Sect 30: SE/4 & E/2NW 240 Acres

Sect 31: E/2E/2 (BLM Lands) 160 Acres

Sect 32: SWSW & N/2NW 120 Acres

Sect 33: NE/4 & E/2NW & NWNW 280 Acres

Sect 34: N/2S/2 & SESW 200 Acres

Sect 35: SWNW & SWSE 80 Acres

Total: 3080.00 Acres

Township 16 North, Range 30 East Sect 01: All 539 Acres

Sect 09: S/2 & NENE & S/2N/2 (east of Musselshell River) 480 Acres

Sect 10: SW/4 & W/2SWNW 180 acres Sect 13: W/2 (Portion west of Calf Creek) 320 Acres

Sect 14: All 640 Acres

Sect 15: All 640 Acres

Sect 22: N/2N/2 160 Acres

Sect 23: E/2 & NW/4 & E/2SW (Portion east of Old Stage Road) 500 Acres

Sect 24: NW/4 & NWNE & SWSW 240 acres

Sect 26: N/2NE 80 Acres

Total: 3779Acres Township 16 North, Range 31 East

Sect 06: Lots 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, & 18 214 Acres Sect 07: Lots 8, 9, & 10 102 Acres

Total: 316 Acres Total Acres to be Inventoried in 2015 9,825Acres

Map 1: Map of Outline showing Miles City Field Office Area.