2017 Additional Class III Cultural Inventories for the San Juan National Forest

The Contractors shall supply the necessary qualified personnel, services, and facilities to
conduct the following:

• Conduct intensive level (Class III) pedestrian field inventory of 2,358 acres
• Reevaluate 5 prehistoric sites, 1 multicomponent site, 4 historic sites and 1 previously recorded segment of the historic Pine-Piedra Stock Driveway and record a new segment of the Pine-Piedra Stock Driveway that are within the project area
• Produce a Cultural Resource Survey Report for the inventory
• Complete appropriate Colorado CHS-OAHP site and isolated forms in accordance to CHS-OAHP guidelines including management reccomendations concerning the proposed action near or within the site

The project area is located within the San Juan National Forest, Columbine District. The project is to survey 2,358 acres within the Vallecito Piedra Integrated Management Plan. The USDA Forest Service, San Juan National Forest is proposing to create forest resilliency in the Vallecito-Piedra area through a combination of mechanical vegetation thinning and harvest treatments, and prescribed fire.

The overall goal for the proposed action is to existing conditions toward desired conditions as described in the Forest Plan. This project is designed to provide integrated vegetation treatments that will meet multiple objectives. More specifically to:
• Create and maintain condition classes that support desirable fire behavior, and support managed and prescribed fire for resource benefit.
• Improve forest and ecosystem diversity and resilience to disturbance including fire, insects and disease, and climate change.
• Reduce risk to life, property and natural resources, and decrease the financial costs of wild fire suppression.
• Improve wildlife habitat diversity.
• Increase forage production for grazing.
• Provide timber products to support industry and meet local demands.