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
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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 •
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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
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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
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