2016-01-14_REVISION - M1983194 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The amount of movement of an object affected by frost heave is contingent on interrelated soil-environmental factors (including soil texture, frequency and rate of frost penetration, soil moisture, overburden pressure, etc.), and the physical factors of the artifacts (geometric form, surface area, effective height, and density-thermal conductivity). Frost heave greatly affects objects that are buried near the surface when the soils are poorly drained, there is no cover (snow or vegetation), and the rate of frost penetration is slow. As a result, the actions of frost heave tend to sort--even stratify--artifacts (Hester, 1988). STUDY FINDINGS There were no limitations to the cultural resources inventory. There was no snow cover at the time of survey. As a result of the inventory, the nine previously recorded cultural sites (5RB396, 5RB398, 5RB1885, 5RB5810, 5RB5842, 5RB5904, 5RB5919, 5RB5923 and 5RB5993) were revisited and reevaluated. Importantly, a review of site 5RB5904 – originally classified as an open architectural site that lies on the border of the study area – indicated this site did not contain aboriginal wooden features and was reclassified as an isolated find. Previously recorded isolated find locations were revisited to affirm their characterization and inspect for additional artifacts and/or features that may be present. These inspections resulted in the reclassification of four of the isolated finds into the site category: 5RB1922, 5RB5502, 5RB5999 and 5RB6192. Also, previously recorded isolate 5RB5505 was relocated and be- cause new UTM’s were calculated, a new form was provided. Three cultural sites (5RB8380, 5RB8381.1 and 5RB8382), three paleontological localities (5RB8384, 5RB8385 and 5RB8408), and six cultural isolates (5RB8383, 5RB8386 - 5RB8390) were newly recorded. This portion of the report presents a discussion of site significance evaluation, and describes the newly recorded and revisited sites. Detailed information for the newly recorded and revisited cultural and paleontological resources is provided in Appendix B (BLM and OAHP copies only). The UTM data for the cultural resources is found in Table B-1. Figures B-1 through B-3 in that appendix are maps that show the locations of the resources considered by this study. Site Significance The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) directs federal agencies to ensure that federally-initiated or authorized actions do not inadvertently disturb or destroy significant cultural resource values. Significance is a quality of cultural resource properties that qualifies them for inclusion in the NRHP. The statements of significance included in this report are field assessments to support recommendations to the BLM and State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). The final determination of site significance is made by the controlling agencies in consultation with the SHPO and the Keeper of the Register. The eligibility determination and consultation process is guided by Section 106 of the NHPA (36 CFR 60, 63, and 800). Inventory to identify, evaluate, and mitigate potential effects to cultural resources affected by an undertaking is the first step in the Section 106 process. Title 36 CFR 60.6 establishes the measure of significance that is critical to the determination of a 52