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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDune Palms Road Ex Ph I Proposal final 7-6-17Extended Phase I Proposal for P19-16950, CA-RIV-8835 Dune Palms Road Low Water Crossing Replacement Project La Quinta, Riverside County BLRKS – 5433(014) Prepared by Roger D. Mason, Ph.D., RPA Principal Investigator – Prehistoric Archaeology Director of Cultural Resources ECORP Consulting, Inc. 1801 Park Court Place Building B, Suite 103 Santa Ana, California 92701 Reviewed by Steven Holm PQS: Principal Investigator, Historical Archaeology Archaeologist California Department of Transportation, District 8 464 W. Fourth Street, 8th Floor, MS-825 San Bernardino, California 92401-1400 Approved by Gabriel Duff Branch Chief, Cultural Studies California Department of Transportation, District 8 464 W. Fourth Street, 8th Floor, MS-825 San Bernardino, California 92401-1400 July 2017 Extended Phase I Proposal 1 Dune Palms Road Low Water Crossing Replacement Project July 2017 1.0 INTRODUCTION Dune Palms Road Low Water Crossing Replacement Project (Project) in the City of La Quinta (see Study Vicinity Map and Study Location Map in Section 10.0) proposes to remove the existing low-water crossing of Dune Palms Road at the Coachella Valley Storm Water Channel (CVSC) in the City of La Quinta, Riverside County. The crossing will be replaced with a four- span bridge 480 feet long and 86 feet wide. The bridge typical section consists of six-foot sidewalk on both sides of the bridge, two (2) eight-foot outside shoulders also serving as bike/golf cart lanes, a 10 foot raised median, two (2) eleven-foot travel lanes, and two (2) twelve-foot travel lanes (Figure Appendix D-1). The proposed configuration will be consistent with the existing four lane roadway section to the south, and the City’s current improvement project to the north (project number 2009-04), which will widen Dune Palms Road from two to four lanes with a median and left turn lanes. The proposed improvements will include a reconstruction of the north and south bridge approaches to accommodate the significant raised profile of the roadway. In order to match the roadway section on the south side of the bridge, the Project’s construction limits will be extended to 239 feet of Highway 111. On the north side of the bridge, the Project construction limits will be extended to include a vacant lot immediately north of the Project limits. The vacant lot is owned by the City and will be offered by the City in the bidding documents to be used for storage and construction staging by the contractor for the construction of this Project A more detailed project description is in the ASR (Gust et al 2016). The potential for subsurface archaeological material from the prehistoric period was identified in the Project APE. During the archaeological survey for the Project, prehistoric archaeological site P33-16950 was identified in the APE east of Dune Palms Road and north of Hwy 111 (APN 600- 030-018). The site occupies most of the parcel and extends into the construction limits or Area of Direct Impact (ADI) along Dune Palms Road (see Site Map in Section 10.0). The portion of the site outside the ADI was tested using shovel test pits (STPs), hand-excavated units, and backhoe trenches in 2008 (Eddy et al. 2008) and subsurface archaeological material and human remains were found. Additional units were excavated to recover all of the human remains. As a result of the survey for the current project (Gust et al 2016), ceramic sherds and daub, along with one flake (debitage), were identified near Dune Palms Road and the P33-16950 site boundary was extended into the ADI. The part of the site in the ADI appeared greatly disturbed during the 2016 survey. No subsurface testing has been conducted in the portion of the site in the ADI. An Extended Phase I subsurface investigation is needed to determine whether subsurface prehistoric archaeological deposits extend horizontally into the ADI and if so, whether they can be protected by an ESA. If subsurface deposits are present, the Extended Phase I subsurface investigation will also determine whether the deposits are intact or too disturbed to contribute to the eligibility of site P33-16950. The Extended Phase I program will help determine the boundaries of the site as required by 36 CFR 800.4(b). Extended Phase I Proposal 2 Dune Palms Road Low Water Crossing Replacement Project July 2017 2.0 SITE CONTEXT The prehistoric and ethnographic context for the project area is provided in the ASR (Gust, et al 2016). Site P33-16950 was previously tested using shovel test pits (STPs), hand-excavated units, and backhoe trenches in 2008 (Eddy et al. 2008). Seven hundred and fourteen artifacts (prehistoric ceramic sherds, daub/FAC, ground stone fragments, and rocks) were recovered during surface collection prior to testing. Seven hundred and twelve artifacts consisting of ceramic sherds, marine and freshwater shell, ground stone, charcoal, faunal bone and human remains were recovered from the units. Additionally, 27 1 meter by 1 meter recovery units (RUs) were hand excavated around the location of the human remains and an additional 1,125 artifacts and ecofacts were found. The depth of the RUs ranged from 20 to 40 centimeters (cm) below surface. The report did not report which artifacts were identified at what depth, but the catalog indicates that a majority of the artifacts are in the upper 40 cm of the site. Sixteen items were found between 100 cm and 250 cm in depth. These items included 6 pieces of fire- affected rock, 1 piece of unburned sandy clay, 5 pieces of unburned clay, 1 faunal bone fragment, and 3 pieces of charcoal (Gust, et al 2016). Based on the testing program, Eddy et al. (2008) concluded that the site in general had “very limited ability to provide important new information for the study of prehistory in the Whitewater River Delta/ Dune Complex and surrounding region, [and] in light of the low quantity of formal artifacts it yielded… the site as a whole does not appear to qualify as a ‘historical resource’." In other words, they believed that based on the artifacts recovered, the site is not eligible for the CRHR. However, the cremated human remains retain a high degree of Native American traditional cultural value, so it was concluded that the portion of the site containing the cremated remains was eligible for the CRHR under CEQA. P33-16950 has not been evaluated for the NRHP. Ceramics and cremations indicate that site P33-16950 was occupied during the Peninsular Pattern of the Palomar Tradition (900 to 150 B.P.). Sites similar to P33-16950 occupied during the Peninsular Pattern appear to be resource procurement camps for people from nearby villages. The procured resources were likely taken back to the village for consumption or storage. Data from such sites could be used to address research issues about the kinds of resources procured (based on faunal bone, shell, and macrobotanical remains from flotation samples) and the activities that took place at these sites (based on functional artifact types and features). Issues of chronology and trade and exchange could also possibly be addressed. A more specific period of use for the site could be determined if charcoal for radiocarbon dating is present. Items traded in from outside the area could include marine shell beads from the coast and obsidian from the Coso source or the Obsidian Butte source. 3.0 SCOPE OF WORK Shovel test pits (STPs) will be excavated in the ADI along the east side of Dune Palms Road south of the stormwater channel (CVSC), as shown on the Site Map and Site Detail Map in Section 10.0. This is the area between the edge of Dune Palms Road and the ADI boundary to the east. The northern part of this area is where the recently extended P33-16950 site boundary (based on surface material) overlaps the ADI. Seventeen STPs systematically spaced 10 m apart will be excavated in this area with the STPs arranged in two north-south lines. STPs Extended Phase I Proposal 3 Dune Palms Road Low Water Crossing Replacement Project July 2017 will not be excavated to the north in the CVSC where there is a vertical drop of 10 to 18 feet. There is little or no potential for archaeological material in the channel (see Site Detail Map in Section 10.0). The STPs will be excavated by hand with shovels in arbitrary 20-centimeter (cm) levels and will be about 40 cm in diameter. Excavated material will be passed through 1/8th-inch mesh. Artifacts remaining in the screen will be placed in bags labeled with the appropriate provenience information. STPs will be excavated to a depth of 80 cm (it is not practical to excavate STPs beyond about 80 cm below surface). If subsurface artifacts are found in the lower levels of an STP, an auger will be used to assess whether cultural material continues below 80 cm. If subsurface prehistoric artifacts are found in STPs, a hand-excavated unit may be necessary to assess whether the artifacts are in a disturbed context. It is difficult to observe stratigraphy in the sides of STPs. However, a unit can provide information about stratigraphy (whether the archaeological material is mixed or in situ) by examining the unit sidewalls. If the unit is necessary, the unit will measure 1 m by 1 m and will be excavated by hand in arbitrary 10 cm levels. Excavated material will be passed through 1/8th-inch mesh. A profile of two perpendicular sidewalls will be drawn. Artifacts remaining in the screen will be placed in bags labeled with the appropriate provenience information. Artifacts will be identified, described, photographed, and drawn in ECORP’s lab in Redlands. A report will be prepared following the format required by Caltrans for an Extended Phase I investigation. The report will contain the project description, the methods used, and will describe the results, including any artifacts recovered. The report will contain a discussion of whether intact subsurface archaeological deposits are present. The Principal Investigator for the Extended Phase I Investigation will be Roger Mason who has a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Texas, Austin. He has over 30 years of experience in southern California archaeological investigations. The Field Director will be Robert Cunningham who has a B.A. in Anthropology from UCLA and has 9 years of experience. 4.0 DECISION THRESHOLDS STPs will be excavated to the maximum practical depth for STPs (80 cm). However, if archaeological material is found in a 20 cm level of an STP and the deposits appear to be undisturbed, the remaining levels of the STP will not be excavated so as not to further disturb intact archaeological material. However, if it cannot be determined if the archaeological material is from a disturbed or undisturbed context, the remaining levels of the STP will be excavated. STPs will be considered sterile if they contain no archaeological material. If no archaeological material is found in any of the STPs, it will be concluded that there is not a substantial subsurface deposit in the ADI. If archaeological material is present in the STPs, the degree of disturbance will be assessed by examining the sediments and other material from the STPs. Recent intrusive material indicating disturbance could include road gravel, chunks of concrete or asphalt, and recent refuse (glass, metal, plastic). If such material is present, it will be concluded that the deposit is so disturbed that it would no longer have the potential to contribute to the eligibility of the site as a whole. If such material is not present, but the Extended Phase I Proposal 4 Dune Palms Road Low Water Crossing Replacement Project July 2017 sediments from the STPs appear disturbed, a unit will be excavated and the sidewall profiles will be examined. If there is variation by depth in the type (sand, silt, loam) and color of the sediments and it appears that sediments characteristic of the upper levels have been introduced into the lower levels, it will be concluded that the deposit is too disturbed to have the potential to contribute to the eligibility of the site as a whole. If archaeological material is found in the STPs in an undisturbed context, the Extended Phase I subsurface investigation will cease and units will be excavated as part of a Phase II program to evaluate whether the material can contribute to the eligibility of the site as a whole. The evaluation would take into account the results of the previous test program (Eddy et al. 2008), along with the material found in the Phase II units in the ADI. 5.0 TIMETABLE The fieldwork will require 6 days (if the unit is necessary) and will be scheduled upon acceptance of this Extended Phase I Proposal and upon notification by the City that property access has been obtained (see Section 8). Lab work (if material is found) will require two days and report preparation will require one week. However, the total calendar time for completion of the report may be extended to account for Native American coordination. 6.0 NATIVE AMERICAN COORDINATION Twenty Native American groups were contacted as part of the initial Native American coordination as part of the ASR preparation. The Agua Caliente Band of Mission Indians, the Augustine Band of Mission Indians, and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians all requested that a Native American monitor observe all project-related ground disturbing activities. The Torres- Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians stated that an MLD from their group supervised the reburial of human remains from site P33-16950 in 2008, but they did not know where the remains were reburied. They consider the entire area from Washington to Jefferson Streets to be part of one large village. A letter providing updated information about the project was sent by the City of La Quinta to the following Native American contacts: Luther Salgado, Chairman, Cahuilla Band of Indians Ernest Siva, Tribal Elder, Morongo Band of Mission Indians Karen Kupcha, Augustine Band of Cahuilla Mission Indians Patricia Garcia, THPO, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Michael Mirelez, Cultural Resources Coordinator, Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians William Vance, Tribal Vice Chairman of the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Mission Indians replied that the Band is unaware of specific cultural resources that may be affected by the proposed project. They recommended that a qualified Native American monitor be present during construction and they wish to be notified if any cultural resources are discovered. No other responses to the letter were received. Extended Phase I Proposal 5 Dune Palms Road Low Water Crossing Replacement Project July 2017 In telephone calls on May 3, 2017, Patricia Garcia, THPO, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and Michael Mirelez, Cultural Resources Coordinator, Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, stated that they wished to supply a Native American monitor to observe the Extended Phase I Program. An agreement for Native American monitoring was received from Agua Caliente, but not from Torres-Martinez. In a follow-up telephone call on June 20, Michael Mirelez of Torres-Martinez said that they could not find a qualified monitor and that they defer to Agua Caliente for Native American monitoring. As confirmed in a phone call with Patricia Garcia on June 20, a Native American monitor for the Extended Phase I Program will be supplied by the Agua Caliente Band. If human remains are discovered in a location other than a dedicated cemetery, the provisions and regulations of Health and Safety Code 7050.5, CEQA 15064.5(e), and Public Resources Code 5097.98 will be followed; archaeological excavation will cease and the Field Director will notify the ECORP Project Archaeologist who will notify the Caltrans Archaeologist, Caltrans District 8 Native American Coordinator, and the Riverside County Coroner. The Field Director will maintain control of the area until the Coroner arrives. If the Coroner determines the remains are Native American and not the result of a crime, then the Coroner will notify the NAHC, which then will designate a Native American Most Likely Descendant (MLD) for the project. When the MLD visits the site, the Field Director will be present. The designated MLD will have 48 hours from the time access to the property is granted to make recommendations concerning treatment of the remains. The MLD’s recommendations will be given to the landowner and Caltrans. 7.0 CURATION Recovered archaeological material will be temporarily maintained at the ECORP office in Redlands until a curation agreement with an acceptable facility is obtained. The curation agreement and a collection agreement with the property owner will be in place by the time the XPI field work begins. All prehistoric artifacts will be curated. 8.0 ARCHAEOLOGICAL PERMITS Permission from the owner of the property at APN 600-030-018 will be necessary in order to excavate the STPs. The City of La Quinta will obtain a Right to Enter access agreement with the landowner. Extended Phase I Proposal 6 Dune Palms Road Low Water Crossing Replacement Project July 2017 9.0 REFERENCES CITED Eddy, J., M. Dahdul, H. Quinn, and M. Wetherbee 2008 Final Cultural Resources Report: Archaeological Testing and Evaluation of Site CA- RIV-8835 (33-16950), Assessor's Parcel No. 600-030-018, City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California. Prepared by CRM Tech. Report on file at Eastern Information Center, University of California, Riverside. Sherri M. Gust, Desiree Martinez, Molly Valasik, and André Simmons 2016 Archaeological Survey Report for the Dune Palms Road Low-Water Crossing Replacement Project, La Quinta City, Riverside County, California. Federal Project No. BLRKS – 5433(014). Prepared for California Department of Transportation — District 8, San Bernardino. Prepared by Cogstone Resource Management Inc., Orange. 10.0 MAPS Study Vicinity Map Study Location Map Site Location Map Study Vicinity Map (USGS 30 x 60 Minute Palm Springs, California, Quadrangle) Dune Palms Road Study Vicinity Map Dune Palms Road Low Water Crossing Replacement Project BLRKS-5433(014) Area of Potential Effects 0 2 Miles I Study Location Map (USGS 7.5 Minute La Quinta, California, Quadrangle) Dune Palms Road Study Location Map Dune Palms Road Low Water Crossing Replacement Project BLRKS-5433(014) Area of Potential Effects 0 1,000 Feet I Storm Wate r C h a n n e l Storm Wate r C h a n n e l Site MapP33-16950 Map Date: 1/9/2017 Photo Source: NAIP 2014 Dune Palms RoadLocation: N:\2014\2014-173.001 Dune Palms Road\MAPS\Cultural_Resources\Overview_Maps\DP_SiteMap_V1.mxd (MAG)-mguidry 1/13/2017 I 0 75 Meters Map Contents Area of Potential Effects Construction Limits (ADI) Site Boundary P33-16950 STP Locations - refer to the Site Detail Map Site Map Dune Palms Road Low Water Crossing Replacement Project BLRKS-5433(014) D( D( D( D( D( D( D( D( D( D( D( D( D( D( D( D( D( Storm Wat e r C h a n n e l Storm Wat e r C h a n n e l CORPORATE CENTRE DR DUNE PALMS RDSite Detail MapP33-16950 Map Date: 1/9/2017 Photo Source: NAIP 2014 Dune Palms RoadLocation: N:\2014\2014-173.001 Dune Palms Road\MAPS\Cultural_Resources\Overview_Maps\DP_SiteMap_detail_V1.mxd (MAG)-mguidry 1/13/2017 I 0 30 Meters Map Contents Area of Potential Effects Construction Limits (ADI) Site Boundary P33-16950 D(STP Site Detail Map Dune Palms Road Low Water Crossing Replacement Project BLRKS-5433(014)