2361 - CULTURAL RESOURCES

2361.04 - Responsibility. Forest Supervisors shall ensure the development of predictive locational models for use in resource management planning.

2361.05 - Definition of Terms

Predictive Modeling. Classifying or partitioning region into site likely and site unlikely areas.

2361.21 - Management. Forests shall develop models predicting the probability of site presence/absence. The Models shall be based on the environmental correlates of site locations. Intuitive models based on the Forest archeologist's familiarity with the cultural resources in the region are not acceptable. More formal methodologies which incorporate quantitative techniques to predict site location probabilities and assess their degree of accuracy are required. The model and how it works shall be described in narrative form and appended to the Forest Cultural Resources Overview. The text shall be translated into a map representing a probability surface for the location of archaeological sites across the Forest. The maps shall clearly differentiate between know site locations and projected probabilities.

1. Models for Advancement of Knowledge. Predictive models shall be considered heuristic device to be continuously refined as additional data becomes available. Forests shall integrate current knowledge with layered biophysical data when the Geographic Information System is ready for use to increase predictive capabilities.

2. Models for Management Use. Predictive models shall not be constructed as substitutes for archaeological survey, testing, or site protection or enhancement. They shall be used to aid in developing survey strategies and risk analysis and will not reduce the acres that ultimately must be surveyed. Acreages not previously surveyed because of priorities and low site probabilities must be surveyed. Information gaps or weakness in the model are considered high priority for survey, particularly if reliability can be significantly enhanced.

2361.22b - Survey. Survey documentation will include the following: 1) field survey notes; 2) survey report; 3) site form when sites are found; and 4) maps. Forests with approved Programmatic Memorandums of Agreement may refine these

requirements pursuant to implementing their Agreement, but without loosing the intent.

Field Notes. Write field notes as the primary document for all survey and testing activities. Ensure that the field notes are sufficiently explicit to allow another person to redo the work and arrive at approximately the same results. At a minimum, field notes shall contain:

--project locational information (Forest, Ranger District, project name, number)

--names of person(s) conducting survey

--type of survey (complete, sample; start and end points, compass bearings if used; testing performed; ground cover, visibility)

--sites found, collections made (types, condition)

--field time spent conducting survey activities

Use standard survey or field note books, with notes on one page and sketches and drawings on the facing page, when available.

Survey Reports. Cultural resources survey reports, written to document compliance with law and regulation shall contain at least the following information (attach maps as specified below).

--An introduction explaining the nature and location of the project, and personnel involved.

--A section detailing how the survey was conducted including type and extent

of coverage, number of persons, and distance between persons if transects are

used. If no sites are found, such should be stated. If a project is to receive

clearance without a survey, thorougly justify why a survey is not necessary.

--If sites are discovered, provide a section which summarizes the extent and

nature of the sites.

--A section on project clearance recommendations should include a statement

indicating that the State Historic Preservation Officer and the most recent

listings of the National Register of Historic Places have been consulted.

Report the results here along with the fieldwork findings. Recommendations

should approximate one of the following paragraphs (except that causing

adverse effects to eligible or listed sites will require 106 consultation):

When no sites are present: "The SHPO and the most recent listings of the National Register of Historic Places have been consulted and no sites which appear on or which are eligible for the National Register occur in the project area. This project complies with the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act and with Executive Order 11593. I recommend that cultural resources clearance be given".

When sites are present but avoidable and significance has not been fully evaluated: "The SHPO and the most recent listings of the National Register of Historic Places have been consulted. I recommend that cultural resources clearance be granted with the provision that site(s) XXXXXXXX will not be disturbed."

When sites are present but unavoidable and significance has not been fully evaluated: "The SHPO and the most recent listings of the National Register of Historic Places have been consulted. Site(s) XXXXXXXX are considered eligible for nomination and will be disturbed by the proposed work. I recommend that cultural resources clearance not be granted.

Site Forms. Form R8-2300-1 for sites found. This form is required to assure uniform recording of site data throughout the Region. Where necessary, data from the form may be reformatted to suit state site form needs.

Maps. A map prepared according to the following standards:

--Maps should be of a scale equivalent to the USGS 7.5 minute series. If maps

of this scale are not available, use the next best scale. All maps must have a

legend and show scale, north arrow, project boundaries, and surveyed area(s).

Government Land Office states should include Township and Range.

--Each map will include a key showing project name, give appropriate site

designation prefix for any sites shown, and explain any special symbols used.

--Use map insets to show the boundaries of sites to be avoided. Show the site

perimeter with a solid line.

--All site maps will include the following wording: "For Official Use Only" and

"Disclosure of site locations is prohibited (36 CFR 296.18)."

--Give cultural resources report maps to the party conducting the sale or

ground disturbing project, but do not make these reports available to the

public.

2361.42 - Paraprofessionals

1. Definition. As used in this supplement, a paraprofessional is an employee who is certified as a Cultural Resources Technician (CRT). All cultural resources work must be performed by the Forest Archeologist or a CRT under the supervision of the Forest Archeologist. A CRT is an individual who has satisfactorily completed specialized training in methods and techniques of archeology in the Southeast.

2. Qualification. Employees will be certified as CRTs upon successful completion of the Forest level training as defined in this manual supplement and sub-courses A and E of the National Forest Recreation Management Correspondence Study Program. Certification will be recommended by the Forest Archeologist and approved by the Regional Archeologist. The duties of the CRT will be included in their job descriptions.

3. Retention of Qualification . To retain certification, a CRT must annually survey a minimum of 100 acres and adequately document the work on the Region 8 standard inventory forms. Refresher training and periodic inspections will be conducted as needed by the Forest Archeologist. The Regional Archeologist will review the work of CRTs annually and require recertification if CRT performance shows weakness.

4. Training. CRT training will be conducted under the direction of the Forest Archeologist, and will include at least 10 hours of classroom and 40 hours of field exercises. Minimum training requirements will include:

a. Program Direction. Includes, but is not limited to, legal and regulatoryauthority; Forest Service policy; coordination with Government and other agencies, institutions, and organizations; vandalism and law enforcement training; relevant research philosophy. Training will include a visit with representatives from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO);

b. Acquisition of Background Knowledges and Skills. Introduction to the history, ethnography, and archeology of the area where training is performed; the variety and methods of prefield study; the basis of lithic and other tool technologies, including flint knapping; the identification of artifacts and other relevant resources representative of the area;

c. Methods and Techniques of Field Survey . Basic skills of the CRT will consist of a working knowledge of at least: map reading and use of aerial photographs; basic survey strategies and techniques; site mapping; site protection; artifact collection and disposition; site forms and records; predictive modeling; field notes. To reinforce the development of these skills, the Forest Archeologist and the CRTs will visit at least one active archeological excavation and one curatorial facility as a part of the training;

d. Preparing the Necessary Cultural Resource Documents and Reports. Cultural Resource Technicians will use the Region 8 standard inventory form for prefield work, data collection, and field observations. If additional information is required by a State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), the Forest Archeologist will work with the SHPO to coordinate needs. Use existing Forest forms until R8 standard inventory form is distributed.

e. Examination. At the conclusion of this phase of training, the CRT will pass both a written exam and a practical field exercise. These will be administered by the Forest Archeologist.

5. Duties. Under the technical supervision of the Forest Archeologist, a CRT will:

a. Compile and send to the Forest Archeologist all projects that will require cultural resources inventory. At a minimum, this information will include maps of the project area, description of the proposed impacts and scheduling dates.

b. Perform a sample or complete survey, fill out the Region 8 standard inventory form (including maps), and submit this to the Forest Archeologist within one week of fieldwork completion. The design of all CRT surveys will be prescribed by the Forest Archeologist in advance of the work. CRTs may not lead a survey crew or conduct surveys independently in zones considered to have high probability for cultural resources or in areas under dispute.

c. Describe and record cultural resources using the Region 8 standard inventory form. Evaluations of site significance and determinations of effect will be the responsibility of the Forest Archeologist.