Archaeological Rules and the THP

Timber harvesting activities involve ground disturbance that can damage cultural resources. To protect these resources, the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has adopted a set of rules that requires an archaeological investigation as part of any Timber Harvest Plan (THP). (Other land uses such as residential development, use of prescribed fire, and forest restoration also require cultural resource evaluation.) The Registered Professional Forester (RPF) who prepares the THP must include a Confidential Archaeological Addendum (CAA) as part of the THP preparation.

There are three main procedures required for the CAA: a check of the state's archeological records, notification of the Indian tribe that occupied the land as part of its traditional territory, and an archaeological survey of the property.

The records check involves a search with the appropriate Information Center of the California Archaeological Inventory to determine if any known sites exist or if the area has received previous archeological study. The local US Forest Service or CDF archeologist should also be contacted for advice on what types of sites are found in the area, sensitivity determinations, and listings of available cultural resource references pertinent to the region. In addition, the landowner, property manager, or other knowledgeable individuals or neighbors should also be asked if any artifacts or sites have been found on the property or nearby.

The RPF is required to submit written notification of a proposed THP to local Native American groups and individuals listed on the Native American Contact list provided by the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC). This notification contains specific elements including a scaled map with the project boundary, vicinity background, name of USGS quad map, etc. The notice requests information on the existence of any cultural resource sites that may be affected by the proposed operations.

An archaeological survey of the THP area must be conducted by a professional archaeologist or a person with archaeological training (often the RPF).

If sites are identified, appropriate protection measures are developed and incorporated into the THP. It is often possible to protect cultural sites at little or no impact to the landowner. With careful planning, the timber harvest can go ahead with some adjustments to avoid the site.

All written comments, including those on cultural resources, must be considered and responded to by CDF before THP approval.

Confidentiality

One concern over site identification is an increased incidence of looting and vandalism. To avoid this, site identification is treated as confidential with reports kept to a minimum. Locations of cultural sites are not released to the public. Instructions to timber operators are conveyed through on-the-ground meetings rather than maps or written documents.

Post-Review Site Discovery

If an archaeological or historical site is discovered during timber harvest, the harvesting in that area must stop while CDF is informed. An archaeologist will evaluate the site and protection measures may be amended into the THP.