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001752 39 associated with low-level, high resolution photogrammetry are too great to detect meaningful changes in arroyo depths and nick point migration at the level most desirable for tracking erosion at archaeological sites (less than 20 cm vertical change); however, they noted that newly developed remote sensing technologies such as LiDAR may be able to provide remote data with the necessary accuracy. Another cultural PEP recommendation that was implemented in FY2002 involved the preparation of a comprehensive research design to guide future research and monitoring initiatives in the river corridor. The research design was identified by the PEP as a key component of the Historic Preservation Plan mandated as a stipulation of the current P A. Although originally intended to serve the specific needs of the P A program, GCMRC expanded the scope and purpose of the research design to includt~ a framework for researching and monitoring the full spectrum of cultural resources found within the CRE, in order to meet not only the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act but also the broader mandates of the Grand Canyon Protection Act. A draft version of the research design was submitted to GCMRC and reviewed by independent scientists and PA signatories in spring, 2003; the final research design was published in 2004 (Fairley, 2004). Recent and Ongoing Cultural Resource Investigations: Current resource monitoring of archaeological and traditionally-valued resources indicate that archaeological resources continue to be impacted by physical processes such as surface erosion and gullying in both the Grand and Glen Canyon areas. In the CRE, some surface erosion is clearly due to natural processes that are unrelated to dam operations; however, other sediment I!oss from archaeological sites is believed to be related to dam operations. The contributing effects of dam operations to the ongoing erosion of the river corridor's alluvial terraces (where many archaeological sites) are located remains uncertain and a issue of continuing controversy. Furthermore, the contributing effects of visitor use to the erosion of archaeological resources have never been systematically evaluated, although a relationship between human recreational activities and soil compaction and erosion is known to exist. A new cultural resource research project that was initiated in FY2003 is designed to track the effects of aeolian transport of fine sediment on the preservation of archaeological resources in the CRE (Rubin, 2003). This research project is one of the integrated research initiatives being conducted as a component of Fine Sand-Storage (FIST) Monitoring in FY04-05. (See GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft February 15,2005)