VAFB-2021-46: Condition Assessment of Sensitive and Threatened Sites on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Fiscal Year 2020

Summary

This document is a report for the Condition Assessment of Sensitive and Threatened Sites on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Fiscal Year 2020. When the program began, 25 sites were identified as particularly sensitive and threatened. Sensitive cultural resources on Vandenberg SFB are archaeological sites that are of particular importance to local ethnic groups such as the Chumash Indians. These resources include ceremonial sites such as shrines and rock art sites, cemeteries, and village sites. They include sensitive sites that are easily accessible or have a history of natural or human degradation, plus any sites that are in danger of being damaged or destroyed due either to natural causes, such as wind and water erosion or geologic instability, or to human actions such as vandalism, construction, and cattle grazing.

Air Force Space Command designates site condition as C1, C2, and C3. C1 sites are defined as largely intact and not deteriorating beyond a normal rate of erosion. C2 sites are also largely intact but are deteriorating more rapidly than normal, or are substantially damaged but remaining portions of the site are stable. C3 sites are substantially damaged and/or are rapidly deteriorating. A fourth condition category (C2/Mitigated-C3) includes sites that have been treated in some way (e.g., data recovery excavations and/or stabilization) that allows for reclassification of a site from C3 to C2. The new approach to assessing site conditions was intended, in part, to help classify sites on Vandenberg SFB according to the Space Command condition categories.

Over the years, various sites have been added or removed from the list of sensitive and threatened sites. No sites were added or removed for FY20. The report continues the examination of the 30 sites or site complexes that are considered sensitive and threatened and have been carried over from FY2019.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

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

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Roscoe Loetzerich

Record Identifiers

VAFB Document Number(s): VAFB-2021-46

File Information