LET-662: SYBCI Transmittal Letter for the VTS Infrastructure Improvements Project

Summary

This document is a SYBCI transmittal letter to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians for the Vandenberg Tracking Station (VTS) Infrastructure Improvements Project. Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) determined that the VTS Infrastructure Improvements Project is an undertaking subject to compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, and will comply with Section 106 using the implementing regulations [36 CFR Part 800]. With this letter and its attachment (Identification of Historic Properties and Assessment of Adverse Effects in Support of Infrastructure Improvements at the Vandenberg Tracking Station, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, California), VAFB initiated consultation with the Tribe regarding eligibility determinations and potential impacts to cultural resources, as follows. Historic properties identified within the Project Area of Potential Effect (APE) include the VTS (a National Register of Historic Places [NRHP]-eligible Cold War facility), and two prehistoric archaeological sites: CA-SBA-793 and CA-SBA-917. VAFB determined the following in regards to these resources: a.) The VTS complex meets NRHP Criterion A and retains sufficient levels of historical integrity to convey that significance, and as such, it is eligible for listing on the NRHP; b.) The proposed undertaking will have no adverse effect on the characteristics of the VTS which quality it for NRHP eligibility; c.) The proposed undertaking will not impact area of prehistoric archaeological sites CA-SBA-793 and CA-SBA-917 which possess significance and retain integrity, and thus, qualify these sites for listing on the NRHP; and d.) VAFB will require archaeological and Native American monitoring during excavation associated with the Project in order to reach a determination of no adverse effect, with conditions because of the data potential of the two prehistoric archaeological sites and the possibility of an unanticipated discovery.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) - Tribal Correspondence

Keywords

Temporal Coverage

Calendar Date: 1959 to 1991 (period of significance)

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Roscoe Loetzerich; Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB)

Landowner(s): Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB)

Repository(s): 30 CES/CEVPC Vandenberg Space Force Base

Record Identifiers

Project ID(s): 813-17-036

VAFB Number(s): LET-662

File Information