HomeMy WebLinkAbout(1975, 01/27) - K-6 - AdoptedARCHAEOLOGICAL GUIDELINES
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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 of 1970.
B. The City shall prepare and maintain sources of informa-
tion regarding archaeological sites and the names and
addresses of responsible organizations and qualified
individuals who can ahalvze, classify, record, and
preserve archaeological findings.
C. 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.
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, and where appropriate,
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 advice and make the necessary
decisions consistent with the public interest.
II. DETAILED PROCEDURES. The following procedures shall be used in
examining and reporting on possible archaeological sites. 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.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL GUIDELINES - Page 2
2. Background: Background information shall be
provided summarizing the significance of
scientific, cultural and historical perspec-
tives 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.
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 Pres-
ervation Act of 1966).
b) In the event that development ensues in
areas adjoining the site that would
involve potential impact by virture of
this proximity, steps should be taken to:
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ARCHAEOLOGICAL GUIDELINES - Page 3
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 consultant's proposal to the City,
included in the EIR, should contain, in
detail, costs, procedures, time required
and a statement of the importance of the
work to be performed. This 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 of archaeological
resources and represent the irreplace-
able loss of a site.
C. Qualifications of Consultants:
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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.
Verification regarding qualifications shall be made by the
Director of Community Development.
Adopted January 13, 1975