Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout006Cultural Resource Consultants, lnc. TECHNICAL MEMO O8O4A.1 DATE: May 16,2008 TO:Elin M. Mcleod Statesman Corporation FROM:Margaret Berger, Project Archaeologist Glenn Hartmann, President/Principal Investigator RE:Archaeological Monitoring of Geotechnical Explorations for the Pleasant Harbor Golf Resort, Jefferson County, Washington. The attached short report form constitutes our final report for the above referenced project. No cultural resources were identified in the course of our investigations. Please contact me should you have any questions about our findings and/or recommendations. 8001 DAy RoAD WEsr, Surrf B, BATNBRTDGE lsLAND, WA 981 10 PHONE206.855.9020 FAx206.855.9081 info@crcwa.com Management Summary Statesman Corporation retained Cultural Resource Consultants, Inc. (CRC) to monitor geotechnical investigations at the proposed Pleasant Harbor Golf Resort (hereafter "the project") for potential impacts to cultural resources. CRC reviewed proposed testing locations, observed excavation of five test pits, and examined seven open test pits and associated backdirt piles for signs of cultural resources. Review of testing locations in the field showed that testing would be confined to previously disturbed areas such as previously graded campsites and existing cuts adjacent to roadways. Based upon field observations and review of prior investigations (Mather et al. 2006), geotechnical investigations for the project were considered to have a low probability to affect any as-yet unidentified archaeological or historic resources. No cultural resources were identified in monitoring of geotechnical explorations for the project. 1. Administrative Data Report Title: Archaeological Monitoring of Geotechnical Explorations for the Pleasant Harbor Golf Resort, Jefferson County, Washington Author (s): Margaret Berger Report Date: May 16, 2008 Location: The project is located in the Pleasant Harbor/Black Point area of unincorporated Jefferson County, Washington, near the town of Brinnon. The project is situated on a 253-acre area off of Black Point Road, just east of US Highway l0l. Legal Description: All four quarters of Section 15, and in the NWI 14 and NEI/4 of Section 22, Township 25 North, Range 2 West, Willamette Meridian (Figure 1). USGS 7.5'Topographic Map (s): Brinnon, WA Total Area Monitored (acres): <l acre (ca. 300 square feet). Previously Unrecorded Cultural Resources Identified and Recorded: Yes [ ] No [x] There are no archaeological sites or historic properties on or adjacent to the subject property 2. Monitoring Statesman Corporation contracted with Cultural Resource Consultants, Inc. (CRC) to conduct archaeological monitoring during geotechnical explorations at the proposed Pleasant Harbor Golf Resort. Geotechnical investigations were conducted by Yonemitsu Geological Services (YGS). The project is located in Jefferson County just south of Brinnon on Black Point, along the western shore of Hood Canal. The Pleasant Harbor Golf Resort is one component of the Pleasant Harbor Marina and Golf Resort Project, which will include a Maritime Village/Marina in addition to the Golf Resort. The Maritime Village will encompass 290 existing slips within Pleasant Harbor, add approximately 150 residential units, and reconstruct current retail buildings into a 10,000 square foot Maritime Center. The Golf Resort will include construction of an CRC Technical Memo #08044-1 Archaeological Monitoring of Geotechnical Explorations, Pleasant Harbor Golf Resort, Jefferson County, Washington Page2 eighteen-hole golf course with a conference center, spa, lounge, and approximately 100 condominium units. In addition, 800 residential town home units are planned for construction throughout the golf course area. The area slated for development as a Golf Resort is currently an unoccupied RV Resort. Archaeological monitoring described in this report was limited to twelve geotechnical testing locations within the Golf Resort portion of the project, with an estimated total area of 300 square feet. Prior archaeological field investigations of the subject property did not result in the identification of any prehistoric or historic archaeological resources (Mather et al.2O06:25), and further testing within the marina and golf resort areas did not appear warranted. Correspondence with representatives of the Skokomish Tribe identified culturally sensitive landforms such as kettles and vantage points within the project but survey and testing did not locate any evidence of archaeological or historic sites in these locations (Mather et al. 2N6:21). Archaeological monitoring of geotechnical investigations for this project was conducted at the request of cultural resources staff of the Skokomish Tribe. CRC archaeologist Margaret Berger monitored geotechnical explorations for the proposed Golf Resort in April and May 2008. Statesman Corporation and YGS provided CRC with a schedule for planned investigations, which included excavation of test pits using a back hoe and niurow- diameter borings using a drill rig, all within the proposed Golf Resort area. CRC determined that the drill rig borings would not provide adequate exposure of subsurface conditions for detection of archaeological materials and did not monitor drilling. CRC met with YGS on-site at the commencement of infiltration test pit excavations on April 7, 2008 and observed excavation ofone infiltration test pit on a sloped, brush-covered area adjacent to an existing road (Figure 2). The test pit measured about 3 feet (ft) wide by 8 ft long and reached a depth ofabout 10 ft below ground surface. Sediments observed consisted ofa brown organic-rich gravelly layer with roots over brown and grayish-brown gravelly sands and silts. No signs of cultural materials or anthropogenic deposits were seen in the test pit. YGS showed CRC the planned locations for other infiltration tests, and CRC determined that based on results of prior archaeological investigations for the project, all but one of these were located in areas with a low probability for archaeological resources. Planned testing locations were situated on or immediately adjacent to previously cut and graded surfaces such as roadways. No testing was planned to occur in the kettles. One infiltration test was proposed near a vantage point, a landform considered to be of higher potential for cultural resources (Figure 3). The test pit was situated in a former campsite where ground surface had previously been cleared and graded in RV resort development. CRC monitored excavation of this test pit on April 9, 2008. The trench measured roughly 3 ft wide by 8 ft long by 10 ft deep, and contained a surface layer of duff, and gray sands with some silt and gravel. No signs of cultural resources were found. On May 1, 2008, CRC returned to monitor excavation of additional test pits. YGS opened seven test pits on April 30, 2008 although CRC was not informed in time to arrange to be present. YGS left the seven test pits open and CRC examined the trench walls and backdirt piles for artifacts or other signs of buried archaeological deposits. Dimensions of the test pits were CRC Technical Memo #08044-1 Archaeological Monitoring of Geotechnical Explorations, Pleasant Harbor Golf Resort, Jefferson County, Washington Page 3 similar to those described above. All seven trenches were located in previously disturbed areas adjacent to roads and structures associated with the former RV resort. Sediments observed included forest dufl fill containing concrete and rebar, and glacial sands and gravels. No signs of anthropogenic strata or archaeological materials were found in the trench walls or in the backdirt piles (Figure 4). CRC monitored excavation of three more test pits on May 1, 2008. These trenches were also located adjacent to existing roads and contained predominantly glacial sediments. No signs of cultural resources were found in archaeological monitoring of these test pits. Date(s) of Monitoring: April 7 and 9,2008; May l, 2008 3. Results Cultural Resources Identified None In the unlikely event that ground disturbing or other activities do result in the inadvertent discovery of archaeological deposits, work should be halted in the immediate area and contact made with the State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) in Olympia. Work should be halted until such time as further investigation and appropriate consultation is concluded. In the unlikely event of the inadvertent discovery of human remains, work should be immediately halted in the area, the discovery covered and secured against further disturbance, and contact effected with law enforcement personnel, DAHP and authorized representatives of the concerned Indian Tribes. No historic properties affected [x] Historic properties affected t l No adverse effect to historic properties Adverse effect to historic properties l l t t Attachments: Figures Photographs Other lxl lxltl CRC Technical Memo #0804A-1 Archaeological Monitoring of Geotechnical Explorations, Pleasant Harbor Golf Resort, Jefferson County, Washington Page 4 Project Conclusions. Findings and Recommendations: Archaeological monitoring of geotechnical explorations at the proposed Golf Resort did not result in the identification of any evidence of archaeological sites, historic structures, or other features. CRC reviewed proposed geotechnical test locations and monitored test pit excavation. Test pits were all located in areas where filling, cutting, grading, and associated earthmoving activities will occur in construction of the proposed Golf Course. Monitoring of geotechnical test pits provided subsurface exposures to depths up to l5 ft below surface. Conditions and sediments observed in archaeological monitoring of geotechnical explorations for the project suggest a low probability for as-yet unidentified archaeological sites. If any subsurface archaeological materials are present in the project area, they would be expected to be found relatively near the current ground surface. No further archaeological evaluation is recommended necessary. 4. Limitations of this Assessment No cultural resources study can wholly eliminate uncertainty regarding the potential for prehistoric sites, historic properties or traditional cultural properties to be associated with a project. The information presented in this report is based on professional opinions derived from our analysis and interpretation of available documents, records, literature, and information identified in this report, and on our field investigation and observations as described herein. Conclusions and recommendations presented apply to project conditions existing at the time of our study and those reasonably foreseeable. The data, conclusions, and interpretations in this report should not be construed as a warranty of subsurface conditions described in this report. They cannot necessarily apply to site changes of which CRC is not aware and has not had the opportunity to evaluate. Field notes and photographs for monitoring are on file at CRC. 5. References Cited Mather, Camille, Jennifer Chambers, James Schumacher, and Matthew Gill 2006 Cultural Resources Assessment for the Proposed Pleasant Harbor Marina and Golf Resort, Jefferson County, Washington. WSHS Technical Report #274.Prepared for Statesman Corporation. On file at Cultural Resource Consultants, Inc., Bainbridge Island, Washington. CRC Technical Memo #0804A-1 Archaeological Monitoring of Geotechnical Explorations, Pleasant Harbor Golf Resort, Jefferson County, Washington Page 5 Marina Golf Resort 122"56.000'W 1?2055,000'W wcgs4 122'54,000'W Z ()o t)* o + C)ri- r\!j- Z 0Oq 0t cag f--st 3 tl(} <ri {n or- 122"55.000'W 132'55,000'y,/wGS84 122054.000',V/*l'MN teo u*___*__Jmo rrrr Mffi Mlr{fi$ 6. Figures Figure 1. Portion of Brinnon, WA USGS 7.5' quadrangle depicting the locations of the proposed Pleasant Harbor Marina and Golf Resort. Monitoring reported here occurred in the Golf Resort area. CRC Technical Memo #0804A-1 Archaeological Monitoring of Geotechnical Explorations, Pleasant Harbor Golf Resort, Jefferson County, Washington Page 6 {' ! I I 0u.rts*p Poit'|t Figure 2. Infiltration test pit I monitored by CRC on April 7,2008, in geotechnical explorations for the proposed Pleasant Harbor Golf Course. CRC Technical Memo #0804A-1 Archaeological Monitoring of Geotechnical Explorations, Pleasant Harbor Golf Resort, Jefferson County, Washington Page 7 1\ 2b- Figure 3. Excavation of infiltration test on ridge near a vantage point, monitored by CRC on April 9, 2008. CRC Technical Memo #08044-1 Archaeological Monitoring of Geotechnical Explorations, Pleasant Harbor Golf Resort, Jefferson County, Washington Page 8 I Figure 4. Typical conditions observed in archaeological monitoring ofgeotechnical test trenches for the proposed Pleasant Harbor Golf Course. CRC Technical Memo #0804A-1 Archaeological Monitoring of Geotechnical Explorations, Pleasant Harbor Golf Resort, Jefferson County, Washington Page 9