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Cultural Resources EvaluationUnder California procedures, “cultural resource” is the general term for archaeological sites, historic buildings, structures or objects, Native American sacred sites, historic locations, and other places in the record of human habitation and use of California that can contribute to our knowledge of the past. A cultural resources evaluation is an investigation to determine whether or not there are any cultural resources within a specific property. As explained below, there are specific guidelines and procedures that must be followed to determine if an archaeological site, or other potentially significant cultural resource can meet the criteria to be classified as an “historic resource.” Specific Tasks To Be Accomplished
Steps in the ProcessLiterature EvaluationA literature check is performed through the appropriate regional office of the California Historical Resources Information System at various locations around the state. This information is supplemented by information from the files of Archaeological Resource Service. We also examine historical records to determine the presence or absence of past or present land uses that may have produced potentially historic deposits or features. Native American ContactsWe contact the Native American Heritage Commission with a request to check the Sacred Lands file maintained by them. This database lists sacred places recorded by Native Americans or observed by anthropologists or archaeologists. These places can be rock art sites (petroglyphs or pictographs), cemeteries or funerary locations, important village sites, or locations associated with specific events or features of oral tradition. Field EvaluationThe field evaluation consists of examining all exposed soils within the proposed project area, as shown on the maps supplied by the client. Normally the examination includes all locations where the proposed project will make a change in the physical environment. If it appears appropriate to do so, soil samples might be taken from the surface. The samples are taken using a 1 inch diameter, hollow core soil probe. Where possible, the soil plug is replaced in the hole after examination. If an archaeological deposit is present, and the deposit appears to be in its original location and capable of contributing to our knowledge of significant events in the past, recommendations will be made to assess its potential to be listed to the National Register of Historic Places, the California Register of Historic Resources or a local listing. Criteria For Evaluating Archaeological ResourcesArchaeological resources, once identified, are evaluated using criteria established in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (14 CCR 15064.5 and PRC 21084.1). Significant historical resources need to be addressed before environmental mitigation guidelines are developed and approved. A “significant historical resource” (including both a prehistoric and historic resource) is one that is found eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources. As per Title 14, California Code of Regulations Section 15064.5, historical resources are those that are:
Additionally, historical resources and historic districts designated or listed as city or county landmarks or historic properties or districts pursuant to any city or county ordinance can also be listed in the California Register, if the criteria for listing under the ordinance have been determined by the Office of Historic Preservation to be consistent with California Register criteria adopted by the commission (pursuant to Section 5024.1(e) of the PRC).
CEQA (PRC 21083.2) also distinguishes between two classes of archaeological resources: archaeological sites that meet the definition of a historical resource as above, and “unique archaeological resources.” A “unique archaeological resource” has been defined in CEQA as an archaeological artifact, object, or site about which it can be clearly demonstrated that, without merely adding to the current body of knowledge, there is a high probability that it meets any of the following criteria:
Buildings, sites, structures, objects, and districts representative of California and United States history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture convey significance when they also possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. A resource has integrity if it retains the characteristics that were present during the resource’s period of significance. Enough of these characteristics must remain to convey the reasons for its significance. As of July 2015, two new classes of resources have been defined. Tribal cultural resources and Tribal cultural landscapes can be any of a variety of cultural sites as defined by the individual tribe. These resources, once identified, are treated as significant resources under CEQA. The fact that a resource is not listed in, or determined to be eligible for listing in the CRHR, or included in a local register of historical resources (pursuant to Section 5020.1(k) of the PRC), or identified in an historical resources survey (meeting the criteria in Section 5024.1(g) of the PRC) does not preclude a lead agency from determining that the resource may be an historical resources as defined in PRC sections 5020.1(j) or 5024.1.
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The following basic tasks are to be accomplished as part of a cultural resources evaluation conducted under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) project: