WSPC00304 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I on0861 construction disturbance and other activities associated with the land acquisition, the potential end uses, and conveyance systems could result in adverse impacts to exposed human remains and sacred sites. Construction activities associated with the structural components and inundation of Ridge Basin could disturb or destroy fossils of scientific significance from the Late Cretaceous and Early Cenozoic age and operation and recreation activities that would be associated with Ridges Basin Reservoir would create potential for disturbance of important paleontologic resources within Ridges Basin. a) A voidancelMinimization: i) By Design: (I) All Project Facilities: (a) The preferred mitigation will be avoidance, and in-place stabilization. ii) General Construction: (1) Ridges Basin Reservoir: (a) A paleontological survey of all properties to be disturbed will be conducted prior to construction. Area underlain by Animas, Kirtland, Fruitland, and Picture Cliff sandstone/foundation will be surveyed prior to construction. Areas underlain by Lewis Shale will be spot checked following construction and prior to filling. The project paleontologist will be notified immediately if fossils are uncovered during construction. b) Compensatory Mitigation: i) All Project Facilities: (1) Mitigation measures under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) include a program to compensate for effects to archaeological sites that occur as a result of construction, operation, and recreational use of Ridges Basin Reservoir, construction of the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline, development of mitigation lands, activities associated with land acquisition, potential end uses, and the construction of conveyances and any other project facilities. The program would be undertaken in coordination with the Colorado and New Mexico State Historic Preservation Officers and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, The program consists ofrecovery (archaeological excavation), analysis, technical publication, cultural resource preservation plan development and implementation, and providing for storage and curation for permanent maintenance of the artifact collection and other related information. In addition to the scientific value, this program is to produce information of considerable public interest. (2) To address adverse impacts to exposed human remains, a Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Plan has been prepared and is being followed, The plan describes the procedures that would be followed in the event that human remains or cultural items are encountered during the course of project activities, and consultation with concerned Indian Tribes. (3) Educational programs and public access to excavations will be part of mitigation plan, 25