Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout(1994, 01/24) - K-6 - Amended - changed to K-5K -5 ARCHAEOLOGICAL GUIDELINES I. GENERAL POLICY. The policies set forth below shall be used to guide the development or redevelopment of lands within the City: A. The City shall, through its planning policies and permit conditions, insure the preservation of significant archaeological resources and require that the impact caused by any development be mitigated in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. B. The City shall prepare and maintain sources of information regarding archaeological sites and the names and addresses of responsible organizations and qualified individuals who can analyze, classify, record, and preserve archaeological findings. C. If determined to be necessary by the Environmental Coordinator, it shall be the responsibility of a landowner or developer prior to the commencement of land development to cause the proposed site to be examined to determine the existence and extent of archaeological resources. The examination shall be by qualified observers, approved by the City. The observers shall prepare and submit to the City a written report describing findings and making recommendations for further action. The report shall discuss both positive and negative aspects of the effects of the proposed development on archaeological resources. The report shall be considered as part of the CEQA review process and, if appropriate, the recommendations shall be included as mitigation measures and conditions of approval for the project. D. Based on the report and recommendations of the observers, the City shall take such steps as are necessary to assure that any findings or sites are recorded, preserved and protected. These steps may include requiring the landowner or developers to incur reasonable expenditures of time or money, encouraging the involvement of appropriate volunteer or non -profit organizations or acquisition of the sites by public or private agencies. Provision shall be made for the deposit of scientifically valuable archaeological materials which are removed from the site with responsible public or private institutions. In all cases, the City shall seek responsible scientific 11! K -5 advice and make the necessary decisions consistent with the public interest. PROCEDURES. The following procedures shall be used in examining and reporting on possible archaeological sites. If determined to be necessary by the Environmental Coordinator, there shall be a walk -over site survey and, if warranted, a pregrading conference prior to the commencement of any land alterations. A. Procedures and Findings: 1. Records: Demonstration shall be made that a records check was completed and the results stated in the text of the final report. 2. Background: Background information shall be provided summarizing the significance of scientific, cultural and historical perspectives to the project area. Sources must be • referenced. 3. On -Site Survey: The following descriptions shall be made in sufficient detail to allow verification of work: a) Methods of reconnaissance: 1) surface 2) sub - surface b) A list of personnel and affiliation c) Date and location of research d) Condition of area surveyed which may have effect on archaeological findings e) Observations and data - description of archaeological resources found f) Location of material and data collected • K -5 g) Notification of professionals in related disciplines where necessary, such as historians and paleontologists. 4. Evaluation of impact (direct and indirect): a) Description of impacts b) Significance of impacts B. Development Alternatives: 1. Methods to achieve site preservation: a) Revision of construction or development plans in the event of exceptional site, worthy of preservation and /or nomination to the National Registry (Historic Preservation Act of 1966). b) In the event that development ensues in areas adjoining the site that would involve potential impact by virtue of this proximity, steps should be taken to: 1) protect the site by adequate means, such as fencing or other approved measures. 2) stabilize where indicated 3) restore damage occurring as a result of proximity of the source of impact c) Restoration where applicable 2. Archaeological excavation: a) Full-scale, research - oriented excavation, properly planned and organized, adequately funded, and with sufficient time, is the preferred method of partial mitigation. The consultants proposal to the City, included in the EIR, should contain, in detail, costs, is procedures, time required and a statement of the importance of the work to be performed. This 3 K5 • proposal may then be included in a conditional permit or be required prior to the issuance of a permit. b) Emergency salvage excavation is the least preferred method of partial mitigation. The result of poor planning, salvage techniques of excavation constitute an adverse impact or archaeological resources and represent the irreplaceable loss of a site. C. Qualification of Consultants: Provisional to professional licensing, minimum qualifications for consulting archaeologists shall be satisfied by their listing in the Directory of Archaeological Consultants, available from the Society for California Archaeology, or the list of certified archaeologists maintained by the County of Orange. Verification regarding qualifications shall be made by the Environmental Coordinator. Adopted -January 13,1975 Amended - January 24,1994 Formerly K -6 4