 DESIRABLE
KNOWLEDGES AND ABILITIES |
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| When developers and public agencies assess the environmental impact
of their projects, they must consider "historical resources"
as an aspect of the environment in accordance with California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines section 15064.5. These cultural features
can include Native American graves and artifacts; traditional cultural
landscapes; natural resources used for food, ceremonies or traditional
crafts; and places that have special significance because of the spiritual
power associated with them. When projects are proposed in areas where
Native American cultural features are likely to be affected, one way
to avoid damaging them is to have a Native American monitor/consultant
present during ground disturbing work. In sensitive areas, it may
also be appropriate to have a monitor/consultant on site during construction
work. |
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A knowledgeable, well-trained Native American monitor/consultant
can identify an area that has been used as a village site, gathering
area, burial site, etc. and estimate how extensive the site might
be. A monitor/consultant can prevent damage to a site by being able
to communicate well with others involved in the project, which might
involve:
1. Requesting excavation work to stop so that new discoveries
can be evaluated;
2. Sharing information so that others will understand the cultural
importance of the features involved;
3. Ensuring excavation or disturbance of the site is halted and
the appropriate State laws are followed when human remains are
discovered;
4. Helping to ensure that Native American human remains and any
associated grave items are treated with culturally appropriate
dignity, as is intended by State law.
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| By acting as a liaison between Native Americans, archaeologists,
developers, contractors and public agencies, a Native American monitor/consultant
can ensure that cultural features are treated appropriately from the
Native American point of view. This can help others involved in a
project to coordinate mitigation measures. These guidelines are intended
to provide prospective monitors/consultants, and people who hire monitors/consultants,
with an understanding of the scope and extent of knowledge that should
be expected. |
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| 1. The on-site monitor/consultant should have knowledge of local
historic and prehistoric Native American village sites, culture, religion,
ceremony, and burial practices. |
| 2. Knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety Code section
7050.5 and Public Resources Code section 5097.9 et al. |
| 3. Ability to effectively communicate the meaning of Health and
Safety Code section 7050.5 and Public Resources Code section 5097.9
et al. to project developers, Native Americans, planners, landowners,
and archaeologists. |
| 4. Ability to work with local law enforcement officials and the
Native American Heritage Commission to ensure the return of all associated
grave goods taken from a Native American grave during excavation. |
| 5. Ability to travel to project sites within traditional tribal
territory. |
| 6. Knowledge and understanding of CEQA Guideline, Section
15064.5 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines,
and Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), as amended. |
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7. Ability to advocate for the preservation in place of Native
American cultural features through knowledge and understanding of
CEQA mitigation provisions, as stated in CEQA Guidelines section
15126.4(b)(A)(B), and through knowledge and understanding of Section
106 of the NHPA.
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| 8. Ability to read a topographical map and be able to locate sites
and reburial locations for future inclusion in the Native American
Heritage Commission’s (NAHC) Sacred Lands Inventory. |
| 9. Knowledge and understanding of archaeological practices, including
the phases of archaeological investigation.Knowledge and understanding
of archaeological practices, including the phases of archaeological
investigation. |
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| 1. Required to communicate orally and in writing with local Native
American tribes, project developers, archaeologists, planners and
NAHC staff, and others involved in mitigation plans. |
| 2. Required to maintain a daily log of activities and prepare well
written progress reports on any "findings" at a project
site (i.e., human remains, associated grave goods, remains, bone fragments,
beads, arrow points, pottery and other artifacts). |
| 3. Required to prepare a final written report describing the discovery
of any Native American human remains and associated grave goods, and
their final disposition. This report shall contain at a minimum the
date of the find, description of remains and associated grave goods,
date of reburial, and the geographical location of reburial, including
traditional site name if known. The report shall include a discussion
of mitigation measures taken to preserve or protect Native American
cultural features and, if applicable, a comparison with mitigation
measures described in the environmental impact report. This report
shall be submitted to NAHC after the completion of the project. Information
from the report may be included in the NAHC Sacred Lands Inventory. |
| 4. Ability to identify archaeological deposits and potential areas
of impact. |
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| It is recommended that each monitor/consultant have experience working
with Native American cultural features under the guidance of an archaeologist
that meets the professional qualifications, as defined in the in the
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for archaeology.
Letters from an on-site archaeologist should be submitted with a copy
of the archaeologist's resume. |
| Experience and knowledge regarding cultural, traditional, and religious
practices can be gained by training from tribal elders. This experience
and knowledge may be verified by the submission of such things as
copies of contracts, reports, and letters from elders. |
| Formal education in an appropriate field, such as anthropology,
archaeology, or ethnology, may be substituted for experience. |
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| It is recommended that preference for monitor/consultant positions
be given to California Native Americans culturally affiliated with
the project area. These Native Americans will usually have knowledge
of the local customs, traditions, and religious practices. They are
also aware of the local tribal leaders, elders, traditionalists, and
spiritual leaders. Since it is their traditional area being impacted,
culturally affiliated Native Americans have a vested interest in the
project. |
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| Approved 9/13/2005 |
