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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC Min 1993-09-22 . . . CITY OF SEAL BEACH ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 22, 1993 The Archaeological Advisory Committee met on September 22, 1993 at 4:00 p.m. at the Seal beach Naval Weapons Station. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Members Belardes, Benjamin, Davies, Fitzpatrick, Frietz, Goldberg, Hahn and Unatin Absent: Members Cole and Price Staff Present: Lee Whittenberg, Development Services Director Archaeological Consultants Present: Philip de Barros, Chambers Group Frank Kelsey, Interdisciplinary Research Incorporated Nick Magalousis, Interdisciplinary Research Incorporated Gary Stickel, Environmental Research Associates Navy Personnel Present: Captain Devlin, Station Commanding Officer Richard Williamson, Public Affairs Officer Lisa Barnett, Natural Resources Specialist 3. FIELD TRIP, SEAL BEACH NAVAL WEAPONS STATION Mr. Whittenberg indicated the purpose of the meeting with the Naval Weapons Station was to have a presentation of current Navy programs and activities as related to archaeological issues and concerns. Lisa Barnett, Natural Resources Specialist, of the Naval Weapons Station presented an overview of current and past activities at the Naval Weapons Station relating to archaeological issues. Ms. Barnett indicated that the Station is currently in the final stages of preparing a management plan for archaeological resources, which will establish a framework and priority schedule for the survey of the C:\WP51 \ARCHCOMM\09-22-93,MIN\LW\09-23-93 . Archaeological Advisory Comminee Minutes September 22, 1993 entire Station. Past studies have been done on a project-by-project basis, and the Station is desirous of establishing a long range management plan for the identification and preservation of cultural sites. Ms. Barnett further indicated there are two primary cultural resource sites currently identified on the Station. The Landing Hill area, comprising previously identified sites 260,322 and 1118 are currently believed to be part of a much larger, although extremely scattered, site. Further investigations of this area are being considered, to expand on work completed by Ogden Environmental and Engineering Services as part of the P-195 Project (Bachelors Enlisted Quarters). The second site, known as 298, has recently undergone a test survey analysis, also by Ogden Environmental and Engineering Services, and the final report has not been completed. . Ms. Barnett reviewed in additional detail the P-195 Project (Bachelors Enlisted Quarters) project, indicating the location of the project, and the current status of the review by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Mr. Whittenberg indicated the City has received a copy of the Survey report for this project, and that it is available at the Department of Development Services for review by committee members. Ms. Barnett indicated that the conclusion of the archaeologist was that the project site is not considered significant. As part of the construction contracts, however, an archaeologist will monitor all excavation activity to verify that no cultural resources are encountered. Ms. Barnett reviewed the Department of Defense Legacy Program, indicating it is an annual funding program for cultural resource protection activities, which seems to have a high degree of acceptability in the Federal system. Funding is provided to bstabli'sh cultural resource management programs, site survey programs, and restoration/protection/curation programs. She further indicated that due to current budget constraints at the Federal level, there is no guarantee of continued funding for this program. Mr. Whittenberg inquired if there was a consideration of cultural resource issues as part of the ongoing Installation-Recovery (I-R) program? Captain John Devlin, Commanding Officer, indicated that most of the I-R sites are extremely disturbed by human activity, that is what has caused a site to be contaminated, and most contamination appears to be located in the top soil, not extending to depths where cultural resources would be anticipated. As remediation activities are instituted, cultural resource issues will also be considered. Richard Williamson, Public Affairs Officer, indicated that the Station is prepared to take the members of the Committee on a field trip to discuss some of the archaeological sites, and allow the committee to see the sites. The Committee left on an approximate one . C:\WP51 \ARCHCOMM\09-22-93.MlN\L W\09-23-93 2 . . . Archaeological Advisory OJmmittee Minutes September 22. 1993 hour field trip to view and discuss archaeological site and pending projects. Captain Devlin excused himself at this time. Water Tower Restoration Project (Site 260. 322 and 1118 general area): Ms. Barnett and Mr. Williamson explained the general components of the restoration project to the Committee, indicating that due to air quality requirements, the tank will have scaffolding and plastic screening to contain sand blast grit and paint particles. Seismic upgrade work to the support footings of the tank are also required and will require some excavation at the support footings. An archaeological monitor will be in observation during all excavation activity. The project has been approved by SHPO and will hopefully be complete by Thanksgiving. In response to a question from Member Frietz, some discussion ensued regarding the possibility of a Native American Monitor to also observe the excavation work. Mr. Williamson indicated that had really not been considered, but that there may be a way to accommodate the request. He will research the issue and report beck to Mr. Whittenberg when an answer is available. Site 298 general area: Ms. Barnett and Mr. Williamson explained the general area of the site, and the recent "test phase" survey work which has recently been completed by Ogden Environmental & Engineering Services. Ms. Barnett indicated that she could remember in detail the parameters of the test phase work, indicating that she believed the conclusion of the archaeologist was of non-significance of the site. There were some historic artifacts, but no cultural resources, recovered from the site. Mr. Williamson indicated that a copy of the final report will be forwarded to the City when it is received by the Station. Mr. Stickel questioned the procedures of the archaeologist performing the analysis, indicating that the procedures seemed flawed, and that the Navy was not complying with the guidelines of the City, and not familiar with his document prepared for the City in 1991. Mr. Whittenberg indicated that the Weapons Station is a Federal facility, and not subject to the guidelines and regulations of the City. The Station has willingly opened its facilities to the members of the Committee, and has expressed a desire to maintain good communications with the City and this committee in particular. Until the final report is available, it seems irresponsible to state the process is flawed, since the process is not known to us. Mr. Whittenberg and the Committee thanked Ms. Barnett and Mr. Williamson for their time in presenting the programs of the Station and for the tour of the sites within the Station. The Committee returned to the Station Headquarters. C:\WP51 \ARCHCOMM\09-22-93 ,MlN\LW\09-23-93 3 . . . Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes September 22, 1993 4. ADJOURNMENT The Committee adjourned at 6:15 p.m. to Monday, October 25, 1993 at 5:00 P.M. at the City Council Chambers. Chairman , Archaeological Advisory Committee uIir ~~; Whittenberg, Secretary Archaeological Advisory Commit Note: These Minutes are tentative until approved by the Archaeological Advisory Committee. The Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes of September 22, 1993 were approved on o c -r CJ B EJ2... ;:;2. 5' , 1993. C:\WP51 \ARCHCOMM\09-22-93,MIN\LW\09-23-93 4