SOW_Clark_Fork_Face_Phase_IV_CRI.doc

Class III Cultural Resource Inventory:

Clark Fork Face Forest Health Environmental Assessment Inventory Phase IV (Contract #4) I. Type of Task: Class III Cultural Resource Inventory II. Introduction and General Background:

A. The BLM is required to identify, evaluate, and protect precontact and historic cultural resources on public lands under its jurisdiction and to ensure that BLM initiated, or BLM authorized actions do not inadvertently harm or destroy historic properties. These requirements are mandated by the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and related regulations found at 36 CFR 800.

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 (see BLM Manual 8110.21C). In general, a Class III intensive survey is accomplished through systematic inspection carried out by walking a series of close-interval parallel transects until the area has been thoroughly examined.

C. The Bureau of Land Management’s Missoula Field Office (BLM) is proposing forest restoration and fuels reduction treatments on BLM administered lands within a contiguous area of the Garnet Range extending from the town of Missoula east to Chimney Mountain along the Clark Fork River corridor and extending north to near the Elk Creek Drainage. The purpose of the Proposed Action is to implement the BLM’s current direction to reduce the risk of wildfire and manage forest habitats using an ecosystem management approach.

III.

Specific Background:

A. The Clark Fork Face (CFF) Forest Health Environmental Assessment is analyzing a total of 19,147 acres. BLM is requesting inventory of approximately 2,690 acres in this project. Eighteen cultural resource inventories have been previously completed within the Clark Fork Face Phase IV Cultural Resource Inventory area from 1982 to 2020. These previous inventories have yielded 26 cultural resources, 9 eligible sites, 15 unevaluated/undetermined sites, and 2 not eligible sites within the inventory area on BLM administered lands. The 15 unevaluated site will be relocated, rerecorded, and evaluated during this inventory. One of the unevaluated sites is just outside the APE and on private land and will not be updated unless the boundary is within the inventory area. All 9 of the eligible sites, with the exclusion the Historic Railroad Sites (24GN0615/24MO0450 and 24GN0842/24MO0713), will require site form updates. No further work is required for the 2 not eligible sites (See Table 2). The BLM is proposing timber harvesting and other fuels reduction treatments. Proposed actions will include prescribed burning of forested parcels, and timber harvesting by both manual and mechanical treatments. Road conditioning and improvement work would be required for new and existing roads that provide access to the treatment areas. Road improvement work would require the use of a grader or tractor to open closed roads, widen existing roads and remove debris from the road surface.

B. The Bureau of Land Management, Missoula Field Office, requests that the Contractor conduct an intensive inventory of a portion of the CFF Project Area occurring on BLM administered land. There a two primary areas of BLM administered land within the inventory area. The northern area extends west and east of Beartown in the Anderson Hill area to the west and near Reynolds City to the east along the Powell/Granite County line. The inventory area in the northern area is approximately 252 acres and is located just south and east of Garnet Ghost Town. These inventory areas are within the Garnet Historic Mining District (24GN0834/24PW0641) and the Top O’ Deep Historic Mining District (24GN0833/24GN0640); however, the Garnet Ghost Town Historic District (24GN0540), listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and a density of historic mining related sites adjacent are excluded. The southern inventory area primarily consists of BLM administered land parcels along and south of the Clark Fork River and Interstate 90 Corridor, from Clinton to Drummond, Montana. The Class III inventory will encompass a total of approximately 2,690 acres of BLM administered public land in Missoula, Granite, and Powell Counties Montana (see CFF CRI Phase IV Overview Map).

IV. Objectives:

A. General Bureau Objective: The overall Bureau objective is to meet the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), by identifying and documenting all cultural resources, evaluating cultural resources for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility, and determining direct and indirect effects to historic properties from the proposed Clark Fork Face Forest Health Project. These requirements will be met in accordance with, and under the terms of, the strategies outlined in the BLM 8100 Manuals.

D. Specific Study Objectives: To identify, document, and evaluate (to the extent possible from surface manifestations), cultural resources located within the identified survey areas. Site evaluations shall be conducted following existing guidance provided by Montana SHPO, the National Register Criteria (36 CFR 60.4), and the National Park Service National Register Bulletins.

V. Statement of Work:

A. Review of Existing Information: The Contractor shall conduct a site file and literature search at the Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in Helena, Montana, and shall contact Liz Dolinar at the Missoula Field Office for additional resource information and BLM specific resources. 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.

B. The Contractor shall possess a current cultural resource permit obtained from the BLM MT/DAK Deputy Preservation Officer. The Contractor shall also obtain a field work authorization (FWA) from the Missoula Field Office archaeologist. A summary table of information obtained via the SHPO file search shall be included with the FWA request.

C. Field Inventory: The Contractor shall perform an on-the-ground Class III inventory for all cultural resources located within the delineated survey area, (see Table 1 and attached maps). Survey methods will be in accordance with the BLM-Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota Handbook H-8110-1 – Guidelines for the Identifying Cultural Resources. Therefore, the Contractor shall:

1. Cover the area to be inventoried on foot by employing standard survey methodology. Transect intervals shall be 25 meters. Transect intervals may be widened if conditions warrant, e.g., rough, steep, landforms. If transects are widened the Contractor shall document in the report the rationale employed which justifies deviation from the standard interval. In all cases, coverage shall be thorough, and the methodology explained.

2. Submit GIS tracks to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) of all inventory transects when field work is completed.

3. Check in with Liz Dolinar (COR) by phone, text, or email once a week during active field work to provide updates on where the contractor’s crew(s) will be working.

D. Site Documentation: 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. All culturally modified trees (CMT), precontact or historic, shall be recorded as sites. 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. Isolated prospect pits and locations containing less than 5 artifacts, shall be recorded as Isolated Finds. In addition, the contractor shall:

1. Collect rare or obscure, time diagnostic artifacts as warranted, e.g., projectile points and ceramics, including those found on sites and those occurring in isolation. Collections must be approved by the COR.

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

3. Record and evaluate all cultural resources and re-record previously recorded cultural properties located within the area identified for inventory, on site forms or isolated find forms. Site forms and instructions can be found in BLM-Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota Handbook H-8110-1 – Guidelines for the Identifying Cultural Resources. ** If artificial exposure of subsurface deposits via auger probing or shovel testing is deemed necessary to evaluate a cultural site significance, and/or determine site boundary or deposition, the COR must be contacted prior to conducting any subsurface investigations.

4. Take at least two digital, 3 X 5" color digital photographs showing different overviews of each cultural sites and photographs illustrating various views of the general survey area. Each site feature also requires a photograph. Standing historic structures shall be photographed on all sides to illustrate architectural characteristics. Label all photos with a description, date, photographer’s name, and orientation. A photographic record shall also be maintained.

5. Prepare sketch maps of all sites based on the location and include topographic contour lines, cultural features, basic site contents, and site boundaries. While it is not necessary to map all artifacts, indicate areas of artifact concentration. A physical site datum shall not be established. All precontact cultural sites or material scatters shall be mapped in meters. All historic period Euromerican standing structures and mining features, e.g., houses, barns, etc., shall be mapped in feet.

6. If historic period architectural structures or remains are located the Contractor is expected to conduct a land title examination as part of the site identification and evaluation effort.

7. The Contractor shall obtain Smithsonian site numbers from the Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for all cultural properties not previously assigned such numbers. The BLM will review all site forms for adequacy prior to the submission to SHPO to obtain site numbers. Isolated find numbers will be assigned to the Contractor by BLM upon receipt of completed isolated find forms.

**Please note that the MT SHPO Consultation Guide was updated in June of 2024 and it along with appendices are available on their website.

E. Collections: 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). 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. 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.

F. Methodologies: The Contractor shall determine the methods and techniques necessary for completion of this study using the guidelines identified herein and conduct the work according to the procedures so specified.

G. Specifications and Standards: Inventory guidelines and standards for BLM generated cultural resource investigations can be found in BLM-Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota Handbook H-8110-1 – Guidelines for Identifying Cultural Resources. This handbook is available upon request to the Montana State Office, Billings, Montana.

H. Analysis and Report Preparation: Upon completion of the Class III inventory field work the Contractor shall prepare a professional quality report addressing the general categories outlined below:

1. Title Sheet. Signed by the Principal Investigator. Please include “Phase IV” in the title of the report.

2. 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.

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

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

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

6. 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 precontact and historic periods.

7. Inventory Methods and Results.

a) Provide a summary of survey methods employed including discussions of standard survey interval used and any deviations or modifications that were necessary.

b) Provide a summary description of each cultural property found. Indicate results from preliminary evaluation and any problems associated with the property's recordation. Include photographs of cultural properties located during the inventory. Use graphics and tables as appropriate.

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

a) Identify the sites recorded, period of the site (precontact or historic, and what type of site is represented.

b) Evaluate each cultural property for its eligibility for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The Contractor shall use an appropriate “Context” in which to evaluate cultural properties and shall employ specific National Register Criteria in those evaluations. The Contractor shall clearly describe the rationale used to determine which sites are eligible, potentially eligible, and not eligible. The Contractor shall recommend treatment needed to determine eligibility on sites determined potentially eligible. When sites are in a historic district, evaluate whether it is a contributing or non-contributing element of the district and provide justification.

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

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

11. Submit GIS Data (and corresponding attribute tables) that reflect the results indicated in the report, including inventory data, site data, feature data, and isolate data. Fully edit and populate the cells of the attribute tables with the correct Smithsonian numbers, eligibility, site type, and comments. A blank template geodatabase will be provided to the Contractor for data collection. The Contractor is required to record data using the provided geodatabase format and feature attributes.

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

VI. Acceptance:

Final acceptance of all items/services to be delivered under this contract shall be the responsibility of the Contracting Officer (CO). The government may withhold final payment pending completion of any necessary rework by the Contractor.

VII. Deliverables.

The Contractor shall submit concise site mitigation recommendations via email to Liz Dolinar edolinar@blm.gov as early as possible following the Class III Inventory.

A. The Contractor shall submit digital copies of typed site forms with digital photographs to the BLM for review prior to submission to the State Historic Preservation Office, or issuance of Smithsonian site numbers. After review and edits, if any, the Contractor will obtain Smithsonian site numbers. Once Smithsonian site numbers have been issued, the Contractor shall submit one set of hard copy site forms and one digital version (on a flash drive) to the COR.

B. One digital copy of the Draft report and Final Class III cultural resource inventory report (titled as such with “draft” and “final”).

C. One bound hard copy of the Final Class III cultural resource inventory report. The report shall be typed and printed on 8 1/2" x 11" paper and shall be single spaced. One set of final site forms with Smithsonian site numbers and color photos.

D. One copy of photographic record.

E. One copy of all field notes.

F. One copy of the GIS data using the provided geodatabase template (Cultural Sites, Cultural Isolates, Cultural Features – points, lines, polygons) with complete and accurate information in the attribute table.

G. If applicable One copy of all catalog records and associated forms as specified by the Billings Curation Center packaging requirements.

*No CD’s or DVD’s will be accepted.

Address for Hardcopy paper Deliverables and Flash Drive:

Attn: Liz Dolinar (COR)

Bureau of Land Management

3255 Fort Missoula Rd.

Missoula, Montana 59804

Address for Digital Deliverables and Communication:

edolinar@blm.gov

VIII. Period of Performance

A. Site file and literature search shall begin no later than 10 calendar days after the order has been issued and completed within 15 calendar days. A summary table of this information shall be turned in with the fieldwork authorization (FWA) request.

B. Field work can begin after the site file and literature search and field authorization form has been submitted to Liz Dolinar (COR) and approved.

C. Contractor shall prepare a letter summarizing the results of the inventory and submit it to the COR within 15 days of the completion of the field inventory. The letter shall contain a summary of the results of the inventory, sites recorded, and preliminary assessment of site eligibility. Inventory GIS tracks will also be submitted at this time.

D. One copy of the Draft Class III inventory report and the completed and typed site forms and isolated finds shall be submitted no later than February 28, 2026.

E. The COR will review all deliverables and comment on their adequacy within 60 calendar days of submission. The Contractor will then have 30 calendar days to submit the required copies of the final report after receipt of comments from the COR.

F. All final deliverables (including report, site forms, isolated finds, GIS, collected artifacts, and associated documentation) are due by May 31, 2026.

X.

Payment Schedule:

Payment shall be tied to completion and acceptance of tasks identified in Section VIII. Period of Performance per the following: A (10%), C (40%), D (30%), and F (20%).

Tables:

1 – Acreage and Legal Locations of Survey Area (CFF CRI Phase IV) 2 – Preliminary File Search

Attachments:

Attachment 1 – CFF CRI Phase IV – Overview Map Attachment 2 – CFF CRI Phase IV – Detail West Inventory Area Attachment 3 – CFF CRI Phase IV – Detail Central Inventory Area Attachment 4 – CFF CRI Phase IV – Detail East Inventory Area Attachment 5 – CFF CRI Phase IV – Detail North Inventory Area

Legal Locations of Survey Area:

Clark Fork Face Forest Health Environmental Assessment Inventory Phase IV (Contract #4)

Area (Acres)

2,690 acres *Survey area is encompassed within the identified legal coordinates. Shape files of the project area will be available for the contractor to use.

Table 1: Legal Description

Table 2: Preliminary File Search (4/01/25)