VAFB-2015-11: Archaeological Survey Report and Avoidance Plan for Snowy Plover Habitat Restoration Project Phase II, Purisima Point and Minuteman Beach, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, California XUMUOS069714

Summary

This document is a report that presents the results of archaeological field survey to define the extent of archaeological sites (and the extent of artifact concentrations within larger sites) within the habitat restoration areas that are part of the Snowy Plover Habitat Restoration Phase II undertaking at Vandenberg AFB. Vandenberg AFB cultural and natural resources personnel delineated the Area of Potential Effects (APE). As part of compliance with Section 106, the study included pedestrian survey of 48 archaeological sites within the APE and remapping artifact scatters with Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment. In larger sites with multiple artifact concentrations, the GPS unit was used to map concentration boundaries. In addition, artifact scatter boundaries were pin-flagged at 30-foot intervals to provide restoration work crews with easily visible avoidance areas.

Following the survey, the collected GPS data were converted to ArcGIS shapefiles and compared with an existing database of sites. Site boundaries were updated to reflect the current distributions of cultural material observed during survey. At larger sites, concentrations were mapped and boundaries were adjusted to incorporate observed concentrations. Proposed habitat restoration access routes and firebreaks were then overlaid with the sites, and an avoidance plan was developed for those restoration work elements that could potentially affect archaeological deposits within the updated site boundaries. Avoidance strategies include delineating access routes and firebreaks along existing two-track routes through vegetated areas; allowing travel on top of the vegetation targeted for removal; allowing travel on recently accumulated sand; or directing travel routes to areas outside of all newly mapped areas with archaeological material. In addition, firebreaks, staging areas, and safety zones will be established outside sites when possible or in dunes without visible deposits within sites. Herbicide application within site boundaries can be accomplished on foot with a backpack sprayer.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) - Cultural Resource Report

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Corinne Holloway

Record Identifiers

VAFB Document Number(s): VAFB-2015-11

File Information