cultural resource technical reports...rio dÕoro development project, butte county, archaeological...

Appendix D Cultural Resource Technical Reports

Rio D’Oro Development Project, Butte County, Archaeological Survey

GENESIS SOCIETY ____________________________________________ ARCHAEOLOGICAL - HISTORICAL - CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES

ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVENTORY SURVEY Rio D’Oro Development Project, c. 731 acres, Butte County, California. Prepared for Gallaway Consulting, Inc. 111 Mission Ranch Boulevard, Suite 100 Chico, CA 95926 Author Sean Michael Jensen, M.A. Keywords for Information Center Use: Archaeological Inventory Survey, 731 acres, Butte County, CEQA/NEPA, USGS Palermo, Ca. 7.5’ Quad., No Eligible/Significant Historic Properties/Resources. May 13, 2011

Rio D’Oro Development Project, Butte County, Archaeological Inventory Survey Page 1

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1. INTRODUCTION Project Background This report details the results of an archaeological inventory survey of approximately 731 acres of land located along State Route 70, adjacent to the east side of Pacific Heights Road and the north side of Palermo Road, south of Oroville in Butte County, California. Proposed action involves development of the property for residential, commercial and related use, with specific action to involve construction of multiple residential units, commercial structures, new and/or improvement to existing access roads, storm drain and utility installation, etc. The project as proposed would involve physical disturbance to ground surface and sub-surface components and would therefore have the potential to impact any cultural resources that may be located within the Area of Potential Effect (APE). In this case, the APE consists of the c. 731-acre land area itself. Evaluation of the project’s potential effects to cultural resources must be undertaken in conformity with Butte County rules and regulations, and in compliance with requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, Public Resources Code, Section 21000, et seq. (CEQA), and The California CEQA Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, California Administrative Code, Section 15000 et seq. (Guidelines). Additionally, since the project will/may require permitting through the US Army Corps of Engineers because of impacts to wetlands within a portion of the property, studies must also comply with federal guidelines for assessing effects to cultural resources, including in particular Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800), Section 2(b) of Executive Order 11593, Section 101(b)(4) of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, and other rules and regulations. Scope of Work Compliance with CEQA requires completion of projects in conformity with Section 15064.5 of the revised CEQA Guidelines and other Sections. Compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA requires completion of projects in conformity with the standards, guidelines, and principles in the Advisory Council’s Treatment of Archaeological Properties: A Handbook (1980), and Archaeology and Historic Preservation: Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines (1983). Based on these several rules, regulations and laws, the following specific tasks were considered an adequate and appropriate Scope of Work for the present project: • Conduct a records search at the Northeast Information Center at CSU-Chico and consult

with the Native American Heritage Commission and Native American representatives with cultural ties to the project area. The goals of the records search and consultation are to determine (a) the extent and distribution of previous archaeological surveys, (b) the locations of known archaeological sites and any previously recorded archaeological districts, and (c) the relationships between known sites and environmental variables. This step is designed to ensure that, during subsequent field survey work, all


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significant/eligible cultural resources are discovered, correctly identified, and properly interpreted.

• Conduct a complete-coverage, intensive-level pedestrian survey of the project area. The purpose of the pedestrian survey is to ensure that any previously identified sites are re-located and evaluations updated vis-à-vis existing site and field conditions. For any undocumented sites discovered, the survey would include preparing State DPR-523 Primary Records.

• Upon completion of the records search and pedestrian survey, prepare a Final Report that identifies project effects and recommends appropriate mitigation measures for sites that might be affected by the project/undertaking and that are considered significant or potentially significant per CEQA, and/or eligible or potentially eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

The remainder of the present document constitutes the Final Report for the project, detailing the results of the records search, consultation and pedestrian survey and providing recommendations for treatment of significant/eligible archaeological and historical sites. All field survey procedures followed guidelines provided by the State Historic Preservation Office (Sacramento) and conform to accepted professional standards. Location The proposed Rio D’Oro Development Project is located along State Route 70, adjacent to the east side of Pacific Heights Road and the north side of Palermo Road, south of Oroville in Butte County, California. The undertaking involves c. 731-acres of land located within a portion of Sections 1, 2 and 11 of Township 18 North, Range 3 East, and portions of Sections 35 and 36 of Township 19 North, Range 3 East, as shown on the USGS Palermo, California, 7.5’ series quad (see attached Project Location Map). Most of the land in this area has been utilized for ranching, farming and limited mining beginning around the middle of the 19th Century and continuing for a century. Collectively, historic ranching and farming have resulted in impacts to the ground surface and subsurface components throughout the project area, although generally with less substantial consequences than intensive historic mining along the Feather River, located a short distance west and north of the subject property. Elevation within the project area averages approximately 175 feet above mean sea level (AMSL). The most important natural surface water source in the immediate vicinity of the project area is the Feather River, which generally trends north-south approximately 1/4 mile west of the property. As well, two unnamed ephemeral stream courses trend east-west through the project area itself. Overall and based upon map review and the results of previous archaeological surveys in the immediate vicinity, the project area appeared to contain lands moderate in archaeological sensitivity for both prehistoric and historic-period sites and features.


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2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Several information sources were considered in evaluating the types of archaeological sites and site distribution that might be encountered within the project area, including data at the Northeast Information Center (CSU-Chico), input from Native American representatives and the Native American Heritage Commission, and published and unpublished documents relevant to regional prehistory, ethnography, and early historic developments. Northeast Information Center Records Prior to conducting the field survey, the Butte County records maintained by the Northeast Information Center at CSU-Chico were examined for any existing recorded prehistoric or historic sites (I.C. File # W11-39, dated April 28, 2011). These records document the following existing conditions for the 731-acre project area: • Approximately 90% of the project area has been formally surveyed for cultural resources

as a result of three previous investigations.

1. Jensen (2006) conducted an archaeological survey for the Palermo 690 project, which involved approximately 690-acres of the present project lands (I.C. Report # 8439).

2. Williams (2002), under the auspices of Caltrans, conducted an archaeological

survey for the Marysville to Oroville Freeway project, involving a portion of the subject property (I.C. Report # 5960). Several sites were identified and recorded within the Caltrans study boundary. However, none of these sites were identified within, adjacent or close to the present project study area.

3. Dwyer (2005), under the auspices of Caltrans, conducted an archaeological

survey for the State Route 70/Ophir Road Safety project, which involved the northeastern portion of the present project property.

• No prehistoric sites have been formally recorded or otherwise identified within or

adjacent to the subject property. One historic-era site (P-04-2960), consisting of waste rock piles, has been identified within the subject property. As well, one historic-era site (CA-BUT-1345-H), representing the Oroville Dredge Fields, has been documented within the general project vicinity. However, this resource is located wholly outside of the subject property and will not be affected by the Rio D’Oro Development Project, as presently proposed.

• An examination of the ASR and HPSR prepared by Dwyer in 2005 (see above), indicated

that in addition to the records maintained by the Northeast Information Center, a records search was conducted within the Caltrans project files and historic resources web pages. During this search, two historic sites were identified within Caltrans’ APE, with an additional five historic sites located within a one-half mile radius of their APE.


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Two of the seven sites identified by Caltrans included a “large dredge tailings field,” and “small tailings piles.” The former of these is CA-BUT-1345-H, while the latter represents P-04-2960. All seven sites were recommended not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (Noble 2001). The State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) concurred with this finding on November 6, 2001 (Dwyer 2005:3).

Other Sources Consulted

In addition to examining the archaeological site and survey records of Butte County maintained at the Northeast Information Center, the following sources were also included in the search by the Information Center, or were evaluated separately:

• The National Register of Historic Places (1986, Supplements to December 2010). • The California Register of Historical Resources (2010). • The California Inventory of Historic Resources (State of California 1976). • The California Historical Landmarks (State of California 1996). • The California Points of Historical Interest (May 1992 and updates). • The Historic Property Data File (OHP 10/10). • The CALTRANS State and Local Bridge Survey (1989 and updates). • GLO Plats and Historic County Maps. • The Native American Heritage Commission. • Native American Representatives, including:

1. Mooretown Rancheria, Oroville, California. 2. Konkow Valley Band of Maidu, Oroville, California. 3. April Wallace Moore, Colfax, California.

• The Native American Heritage Commission re. Sacred Lands. • Published and unpublished documents relevant to regional environment,

prehistory, ethnography, and early historic developments in the vicinity. These sources, reviewed below under Environmental Context and Cultural Context, provided a means by which to assess likely site types and distribution patterns for the project area.

Environmental Context The project area is located at the interface of the Northern Sacramento Valley with the lower reaches of the northern Sierra Nevada (Bateman and Wahrhaftig 1966), near the southern margins of volcanic flows emanating from the Cascade Range. Volcanic deposits emanating from the latter have capped some lands around Oroville, forming in particular the landmark known as Table Mountain (Klaseen and Ellison 1974). Tertiary placer deposits are also exposed throughout the Oroville area (Clark 1970), and were discovered early in 1849 resulting in a substantial influx of Euroamericans seeking gold, followed almost immediately by a whole series of landscape modifications as miners churned and sifted every inch of every creek and river bottom in the County, including the ephemeral stream courses located within the project area. Prior to disturbance associated with mining, vegetation was dominated by a Foothill-Woodland Community, with small meadows and meadow margins containing both Valley


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and Blue Oaks, and stream margins dominated by willow, native sycamore, dense blackberry thickets, and a variety of brush species (Barbour and Major 1977; Kuchler 1977). Well watered and containing an abundance of both plant and animal resources, the Oroville area was intensively utilized and densely populated during prehistoric times. Small overhang shelters and caves have formed under the hard lava cap at many locations around Oroville, and most of them were utilized for at least temporary habitation. Elsewhere, benches and flats flanking the Feather River and tributary streams were utilized for open-air camps and villages. Native vegetation still dominates portions of the Oroville area, although urban expansion during the past 50 years has substantially fragmented most of the eco-zones, and today native vegetation is typically restricted to small patches of oak-park woodland and riparian associations, particularly along major water courses such as the Feather River and the Honcut system located in the general vicinity of the present project area. Cultural Context Prehistory: The earliest residents in the Great Central Valley and adjacent lands along the Valley margin are represented by the Fluted Point and Western Pluvial Lakes Traditions, which date from about 11,500 to 7,500 years ago (Moratto 2004). Within portions of central California, fluted projectile points have been found at Tracy Lake (Heizer 1938) and around the margins of Buena Vista Lake in Kern County. Similar materials have been found to the north, at Samwel Cave near Shasta Lake and near McCloud and Big Springs in Siskiyou County. These early peoples are thought to have subsisted using a combination of generalized hunting and lacustrine exploitation (Moratto 2004). These early cultural assemblages were followed by an increase in Native population density after about 7,500 years ago. One of the most securely dated of these assemblages in north-central California is from the Squaw Creek Site located north of Redding. Here, a charcoal-based C-14 date suggests extensive Native American presence around 6,500 years ago, or 4,500 B.C. Most of the artifactual material dating to this time period has counterparts further south, with clear evidence around Borax (Clear) Lake west-southwest of Oroville, and the Farmington Area in a Valley setting east of Stockton. Important artifact types from this era include large wide-stemmed projectile points and manos and metates. In the Central Valley of California and adjacent foothills of the Sierra Nevada around Oroville, aboriginal populations continued to expand between 6,500 and 4,500 years ago, with the possibility that arriving Macro-Penutian-speaking people (including Miwok, Yokuts and Nisenan to the south, and Maidu at Oroville) introduced more extensive use of bulbs and other plant foods, animal and fishing products more intensively processed with mortars and pestles, and perhaps the bow and arrow and associated small stemmed- and corner-notched projectile points (Ragir 1972). Ethnography: As noted above, the project area is located within territory occupied by the Northwestern Maidu, or Konkow Indians (Dixon 1905; Kroeber 1925; Riddell 1978: Figure 1). The basic social unit for the Maidu and other northern Sacramento Valley and


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foothill Indian groups was the family, although the village may also be considered a social, political and economic unit. Villages were usually located on flats adjoining streams, and were inhabited mainly in the winter as it was necessary to go out into the hills and higher elevation zones to establish temporary camps during food gathering seasons (i.e., spring, summer and fall). Villages typically consisted of a scattering of bark houses, numbering from four or five to several dozen in larger villages, each house containing a single family of from three to seven people. Larger villages, with from twelve to fifteen or more houses, might also contain an earth lodge. As with all northern California Indian groups, economic life for the Maidu revolved around hunting, fishing and the collecting of plant foods, with deer, acorns, and salmon representing primary staples. The collection and processing of these various food resources was accomplished with the use of a wide variety of wooden, bone and stone artifacts. Moreover, these people were very sophisticated in terms of their knowledge of the uses of local animals and plants, and of the availability of raw material sources that could be used in manufacturing an immense array of primary and secondary tools and implements. However, only fragmentary evidence of their material culture remains, due in part to perishability, and in part to the impacts to archaeological sites resulting from later (historic) land uses. Based on the results of previous survey work in the vicinity (e.g., Jensen 1997, 1998b, 1999; Markley 1975; Ritter 1970), the range of prehistoric/Native American site types documented within this area generally include the following:

• Surface scatters of lithic artifacts and debitage associated with midden deposits and other surface features, resulting from villages or seasonal encampments.

• Surface scatters of lithic artifacts and debitage without associated middens, resulting from short-term occupation and/or specialized economic activities.

• Bedrock milling stations, including both mortar holes and metate slicks, at bedrock outcrops or on isolated boulders, especially along stream courses.

• Cupped or pitted boulders related to ritual and ceremonial activity. • Low rock alignments utilized as hunting blinds or drive walls. • Overhanging boulders or natural overhangs along lava escarpments utilized for

habitation and related activities. • Isolated finds of aboriginal artifacts and flakes.

It was not expected that all of these sites would be encountered during the present survey, but rather that these would be the most likely site types to be encountered, based on the background information available and the results of previous surveys around Oroville. Historic Context: There is clear evidence that Mexican expeditions and early fur trapping ventures came through and made brief stays within the project vicinity. It was during one such expedition that Arguello named the Feather River itself. Other early travelers helped scout routes for overland trails from the Mississippi River to California. Later, emigrants arrived via several of these trails, including the California Emigrant Trail and the Carson Emigrant Trail.


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However, the first major incursion by White men occurred with Bidwell’s arrival at nearby Chico in the 1840’s and shortly thereafter with the California Gold Rush of 1849. The discovery of gold at Ophir (Oroville) was immediately followed by the emergence of numerous communities further afield – to the east and northeast at Enterprise, Stringtown, Forbestown, and Bald Rock, to the north at Pentz, Spring Valley, Mesilla Valley, and Cherokee, and to the south along the Feather River south of Oroville and the Honcut Creek system and its numerous tributaries to the south and southeast of the present project area (Gudde 1969, 1975). Following initial recovery of placer deposits along the Feather River and other streams, larger and more intensive recovery techniques were employed, particularly just prior to the beginning of the 20th Century and through the 1930’s. These more intensive recovery techniques included in particular extensive ground sluicing with mechanized equipment, and eventually use of drag-line dredges, as along segments of the nearby Feather River. This activity substantially affected pre-existing prehistoric sites in the area, and left waste rock piles ranging in size from 10 to 20 feet in length or diameter to piles distributed over multiple thousands of acres. Linking the burgeoning San Francisco and Sacramento Valley population and industry with the gold- and timber-producing counties to the north and east was a primary objective of 19th Century entrepreneurs, including mining operations. To this end, voters approved bonds in 1862 to construct the California Northern Railroad, linking Marysville with Oroville. Later in the decade the line was acquired and expanded by Western Pacific, with the two systems merging with one another near Palermo to the east of the project area, an action soon followed by construction of the Oroville Depot and maintenance yard. Attributes of the original historic railroad system long ago disappeared, however, as 1940’s through 1960’s modifications were undertaken to accommodate construction of Oroville Dam, to increase the load capacity of the system necessitated by long-haul heavy diesels, and to expand the service capability of the Oroville yard. Ultimately, virtually all components of the original historic system were replaced and modified where they had become part of the larger system, including ballast, ties, rails, tie plates, switching gear, etc. or, where the original California Northern Railroad paralleled the Western Pacific Main Line, it was eventually abandoned altogether and cleared of all tracks, ties and other components of the original built environment. Transportation other than railroads, along with ranching and agriculture represent additional major historic themes relevant to the present project area south of Oroville. As with historic and later mining, activities associated with transportation projects, ranching and agriculture have also impacted many of the historic and prehistoric components once present in this area. Finally, water storage and water diversion projects were important since earliest historic mining days, but achieved a new level of significance at Oroville with construction of the Oroville Dam in the late 1950’s through mid-1960’s. Some of the waste rock piles located south of Oroville but north of the present project area were utilized in construction of Oroville Dam. These activities did not, however, affect the present project’s land area.


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Native American Consultation In addition to examining the records of Butte County at CSU-Chico and reviewing published and other sources of information, consultation was undertaken with the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) re. sacred land listings for the property, and with Maidu representatives identified by the NAHC. The NAHC responded indicated no sacred land listings for the project area or adjacent lands. The consultation list from the NAHC included the following: • Mooretown Rancheria • Konkow Valley Band of Maidu • April Wallace Moore All representatives on the NAHC contact list were requested to supply any information they might have concerning prehistoric sites or traditional use areas within, adjacent or near the project area. To date, no responses have been received. However, consultation undertaken for the Palermo 690 project in 2006 did result in the receipt of three responses. Mr. Thomas Dingman of the Tyme Maidu Tribe/Berry Creek Rancheria responded via letter on July 14, 2006, indicating that the tribe is not aware of any archaeological or cultural sites within the subject property. Mr. Dingman indicated that in the event archaeological material is discovered that Genesis Society contact him immediately. Similarly, Mr. Arlene Ward responded, via letter, on July 14, 2006. Ms. Ward indicated that she was not aware of any cultural resources within or near the subject property. Ms. Ward also requested Genesis Society to consult with the Enterprise, Berry Creek and the Mooretown Rancherias and the Konkow Valley Band of Maidu, in the event archaeological materials are discovered within the subject property. Finally, Ren Reynolds of the Enterprise Rancheria responded, via letter, on July 19, 2006. Mr. Reynolds indicated that the project area, “…is known traveling routes and village sites for tribal people!” Further, Mr. Reynolds requested that Native American Monitors assist on this project. Since no prehistoric sites were discovered to be present within or adjacent to the project area during either the records search or pedestrian survey, further consultation was not undertaken.

3. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY and CULTURAL INVENTORY Survey Strategy and Field Work All of the project area was subjected to intensive-level pedestrian survey, accomplished by walking back and forth across the property with transect spacing ranging between 20-30 meter intervals, depending on archaeological sensitivity. High sensitivity areas represent approximately 20% of the 731-acre project area, and were considered to include lands located within and along the margins of the two ephemeral stream courses that proceed through the project area. The remaining c. 80% of the project area is located outside the boundaries of these ephemeral stream corridors, consisting of a treeless plain, shallow soils, and without natural surface water sources. Moreover, the majority of the project area had


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recently been burned (early summer 2006), with the result that all surface grass had been removed and surface visibility ranged from good to excellent throughout the project area during the 2006 survey of the Palermo 690 portion of the present project property. In searching for cultural resources, the surveyors took into account the results of background research, and were alert for any unusual contours, soil changes, distinctive vegetation patterns, exotic materials, artifacts, feature or feature remnants and other possible markers of cultural sites. Field work was undertaken in April and May of 2011, by Sean Michael Jensen. No special problems were encountered during fieldwork, and all survey objectives have been satisfactorily achieved. General Field Observations Fieldwork identified the following general conditions within the project area. Disturbance to the ground surface throughout the property has been substantial, resulting from past ranching activities (including in particular tree removal to expand available range), mining along the two ephemeral stream courses within the project area, and fire suppression activities. As well, construction and ongoing maintenance of roadways within or adjacent to the project area (including State Route 70, Palermo Road and Pacific Heights Road) have resulted in disturbance to portions of the property. Additionally, buried and overhead utilities were observed within and immediately adjacent to the subject property. No structures or buildings exist on the property nor are any depicted on the USGS map. One ranch-related electric pump set on a concrete pad (3-ft square) and an adjacent electrical power pole with switch box is located within the central-western portion of the project area. The feature is contemporary and was utilized until recently to provide water to cattle that grazed the area during winter and early spring. Prehistoric Sites Neither the pedestrian survey, existing records at CSU-Chico, consultation with tribal representatives, nor consultation with the Native American Heritage Commission yielded any information concerning prehistoric sites or features, traditional use areas or Sacred Land listings within or adjacent to the APE. Historic Sites As noted in the Records Search section, above, one historic-era site has been documented within the APE. This site (P-04-2960) consists of waste rock piles located within the central-northern portion of the APE. Recorded by Jensen in 2006, the site was originally examined by Noble (2001), and later examined by Dwyer (2005). In 2001, Caltrans recommended the site not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (Noble 2001), and on November 6, 2001, the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) concurred with the recommendation (Dwyer 2005:3). Consequently, the site is not considered an historic property, and no further consideration or treatment is warranted.


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4. ELIGIBILITY RECOMMENDATIONS A project may have a significant impact or adverse effect on cultural resources/historic properties if the project will or could result in the physical demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration of the resource or its immediate surroundings such that the significance or values of the resource would be materially impaired. Based on the specific findings detailed above under Pedestrian Survey and Inventory, no historic properties are present within the project area and no historic properties will be affected by the undertaking, as presently proposed.

5. PROJECT SUMMARY This report details the results of an archaeological inventory survey involving approximately 731 acres located along State Route 70, adjacent to the east side of Pacific Heights Road and the north side of Palermo Road, south of Oroville in Butte County, California. Proposed action involves development of the property for residential, commercial and related uses. Neither the pedestrian survey, existing records at CSU-Chico, consultation with tribal representatives, nor consultation with the Native American Heritage Commission yielded any information concerning prehistoric sites or features, traditional use areas or Sacred Land listings within or adjacent to the project area. Previous survey work conducted by Caltrans resulted in recordation of one historic-era site (P-04-2960). Caltrans evaluated the site and recommend it not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. On November 6, 2001, SHPO concurred with the recommendation. Based on project findings as summarized above, archaeological clearance is recommended for the proposed Rio D’Oro Development Project, with the following general provisions:

1) Evidence of human burial or scattered human remains related to prehistoric

occupation of the area could be inadvertently encountered anywhere within the project area during construction or other ground-disturbing activities. In the event of such an inadvertent discovery, the County Coroner and the Native American Heritage Commission (State of California) would have to be informed and consulted, per State law.

2) The present evaluation and recommendations are based on the findings of an

inventory-level surface survey only. There is always the possibility that previously unidentified cultural materials could be encountered on or below the surface during the course of future development or construction activities. This is particularly relevant considering the constraints generally to archaeological field survey, and particularly where past development and land uses partially obscure ground surface visibility, as in the present case. In the event of an inadvertent discovery of previously unidentified cultural material, archaeological consultation should be sought immediately.


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6. REFERENCES CITED and/or UTILIZED Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 1980 Advisory Council’s Treatment of Archaeological Properties: A Handbook, Draft Guidelines 1980/1985. Washington. Barbour, M. G. and J. Major (eds.)

1977 Terrestrial Vegetation of California. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Bateman, P. C. and C. Wahrhaftig

1966 “Geology of the Sierra Nevada.” San Francisco: California Division of Mines and Geology Bulletin, No. 190:107-172.

California, Department of Transportation (Caltrans) 1987 Caltrans and Local Agency Bridge Survey. Sacramento, California. 1989 Caltrans and Local Agency Bridge Survey. Sacramento, California.

2002 Positive Archaeological Survey Report, Marysville to Oroville Freeway, Yuba and Butte Counties. Report on File, Northeast Information Center, CSU-Chico.

California, State of

1970 Public Resources Code, Section 21000, et seq. (CEQA), and The California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, California Administrative Code, Section 15000 et seq. (Guidelines, as Amended). Prepared by the Office of Planning and Research.

1976 The California Inventory of Historic Resources. State of California.

1990 The California Historical Landmarks. State of California. 1992 California Points of Historical Interest. State of California. Clark, William B.

1970 Gold Districts of California. California Division of Mines, Bulletin 193. San Francisco, California.

Dixon, R. B.

1905 The Northern Maidu. New York: American Museum of Natural History Bulletin 17:119-346.

Dwyer, Erin

2005 Historic Property Survey Report (HPSR)/Archaeological Survey Report (ASR), State Route 70/Ophir Road Safety Project, Butte County. Report on File, California Department of Transportation and the Northeast Information Center, CSU-Chico.


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Gudde, Erwin G. 1969 California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical

Names. University of California Press. Berkeley. 1975 California Gold Camps. University of California Press. Berkeley. Heizer, Robert F.

1938 “A Folsom-Type Point from the Sacramento Valley.” The Masterkey 12(5):180-182. Los Angeles.

Jensen, Peter M.

1984 Archaeological Survey of the Galen-Campoodie Timber Sale in the Plumas National Forest, 3,500 acres near and above Lake Madrone in Butte County, California. Report on File, Plumas National Forest, Quincy, and Northeast Information Center, CSU-Chico.

1997 Archaeological Inventory Survey of the Jernigan Ranch East of Oroville,

Butte County, California. Report on File, Northeast Information Center, CSU-Chico.

1998a Archaeological Survey of The Heights proposed Residential Development

Project, 110 acres in Oroville, Butte County, California. Report on File, Northeast Information Center, CSU-Chico.

1998b Archaeological Test Excavations at the Neal Road Rockshelter south of

Chico, Butte County, California. Report on File, Northeast Information Center, CSU-Chico.

1999 Archaeological Inventory Survey for the Proposed Ridgeway Residential

Subdivision, 115-acres near Kelly Ridge, Butte County, California. Report on File, Northeast Information Center, CSU-Chico.

2000 Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Table Mountain Blvd. Widening

Project, Oroville, Butte County, California. Report on File, Northeast Information Center, CSU-Chico.

Jensen, Peter M. and Paul R. Reed

1980 An Archaeological and Cultural Anthropological Overview of the Northern Sacramento Valley and Southern Cascades. Special Publication of the Bureau of Land Management, Redding District Office.

Jensen, Sean Michael

2006 Archaeological Inventory Survey, Nelson Avenue Development Project, Oroville, Butte County, California. Report on File, Northeast Information Center, CSU-Chico.


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Klaseen, T.A. and D.K. Ellison 1974 Soil Survey of the Butte County Area, California. United States Department

of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

Noble, Daryl

2001 Historic Property Survey Report, 03-BUT-70, K.P. 17.0/21.8 (P.M. 10.5/13.5), 03-3A6300. Report on File, California Department of Transportation, District 3, Marysville, California, and the Northeast Information Center, CSU-Chico.

Kroeber, Alfred L.

1925 Handbook of the Indians of California. Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin 78. Smithsonian Institution. Washington, D.C.

Kuchler, A. W.

1977 “Map of the natural vegetation of California,” In M.G. Barbour and J. Major, Eds., Terrestrial Vegetation of California. Wiley: New York.

Kyle, Douglas E. (ed.) 1990 Historic Spots in California. Stanford University Press. Stanford. Maloney, A. B. 1943 Fur Brigade to the Bonaventura. California Historical Society. San

Francisco. Markley, Richard 1975 Archaeological Excavations in the Oroville Locality, Butte County,

California. Unpublished Master's Thesis, Department of Anthropology, California State University, Chico. Moratto, Michael 2004 California Archaeology. Academic Press, New York. Ragir, Sonia

1972 The Early Horizon In Central California. University of California, Archaeological Research Facility, Contribution 15. Berkeley.

Riddell, Francis A.

1978 Maidu and Konkow, IN, Handbook of North American Indians, Volume 8: California, Robert F. Heizer, Editor, pp. 370-379. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

Ritter, Eric W.

1970 Archaeology of Tie Wah near Oroville, Butte County, California: Culture History vs. Culture Process. Center for Archaeological Research at Davis, Publication No. 2. Davis, California.


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Stephens, Kent 1977 Matches, Flumes and Rails. Trans-Anglo Books. Corona del Mar, California.

Sundahl, Elaine

1982 The Shasta Complex in the Redding Area. Unpublished Master’s Thesis, Department of Anthropology, California State University, Chico.

United States Department of the Interior

1983 Archaeology and Historic Preservation: Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines, Federal Register 48:190 (29 Sept. 1983), pp. 44716-44742.

1986 National Register of Historic Places. Federal Register 1986, Supplements

through December 2005. Washington, D.C. Williams, Scott

2002 Positive Archaeological Survey Report, Marysville to Oroville Freeway, Yuba and Butte Counties. Report on File, California Department of Transportation, District 3, Marysville, California, and the Northeast Information Center, CSU-Chico.

Work, John

1945 “Fur Brigade to the Bonaventura: John Work’s California Expedition, 1832-1833, for the Hudson’s Bay Company,” The Journal of John Work, Alice B. Maloney, Editor. California Historical Society, San Francisco.

Rio D’Oro Development Project, Butte County, Archaeological Survey


ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVENTORY SURVEY Rio D’Oro Development Project, c. 731 acres, Butte County, California. ATTACHMENTS • Project Location Map • Records Search from CSU-Chico • Consultation Letters and Responses

1. Native American Heritage Commission 2. Mooretown Rancheria 3. Konkow Valley Band of Maidu 4. April Wallace Moore

• Primary Record, site “P-04-2960”

Rio d' Oro Location

0 0.25 0.5MilesParcel data derived from Butte County Assessor's Office.In Section 1, 2, 11, 35 & 36 of T18 & 19N, R3E ofPalermo USGS 7.5' Quad.Map shows Biggs & Palermo USGS 7.5' Quads.Map Date: May 2, 2008. Figure 1

Survey Area (730.95 ac.)

TEHAMAPLUMAS

BUT TEGLENN

COLUSAYUBA NEVADA

PLACER

LASSEN

SIERRA

SHASTA

SUTT ERLAK E

EL DORADOSUTT ER

70

49

36

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State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary #: P-04-2960 ___ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #:________________ _____ Trinomial:______________ ____ PRIMARY RECORD NRHP Status Code:__ ____ ____ Other Listings #: _________ Review Code:_____________ Reviewer:_____________ Date :_______ ____ Page 1 of 2, plus Attachment(s) Resource Name: “P-04-2960”

P1. Other Identifier: “P-04-2960”. P2. Location: Unrestricted. P2a. County: Butte. P2b. USGS 7.5’ Quad: Palermo, California. Date: 1970.

T18N, R3E, North 1/2 of Section 2, and T19N, R3E, Portion of Sections 35 and 36. MDM.

P2c. Address: Unknown. P2d. UTM: Zone 10: Easting: Northing: Point A: 620220 4367627 Point B: 620439 4368194 Point C: 6209571 4368582 Point D: 621670 4368604 Point E: 621073 4367911 P2e. Location From the intersection of State Route 70, Palermo Road and

Pacific Heights Road, proceed northerly along Pacific Heights Road for approximately 1.2 miles to the mouth of a large, ephemeral stream course adjacent to the east side of Pacific Heights Road. Proceed easterly (upstream) along stream course for approximately 200 yards to site area (UTM Point A). Site is situated within the confines of the stream course.

P3a. Description: This site consists of waste rock piles that extend approximately 8,500’ in length, with an average width of approximately 150’, for an overall surface area of approximately 127,000 square feet. Individual piles within the continuous distribution of waste rock material vary in height from about 3 feet to 8 feet. Evidence of recent (2006) disturbance resulting from fire suppression activities (i.e., bulldozer scars, push piles, fire breaks) is present at several locations within the site boundary. No additional features and no single artifacts or artifact clusters were observed within or near the site boundary (waste rock piles).

P3b. Resource Attributes: AH9 – Tailings. P4. Resources Present: Site. Specific attributes (see above). P5: Photo/Drawing: Attached, see individual photos for description. P6. Date Constructed, Age and Sources: The date of origin for the waste rock

piles is problematic. Mining in the region began in the 1850’s and continued throughout the first half of the 20th Century. Absent structures, features or artifacts, more precise dating of these waste rock features is not realistic. They do not appear on any historic maps, nor on any of the USGS quads. This is not the case for more substantial waste rock piles located along the nearby Feather River, for which dating

State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary #: P-04-2960 ___ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #:________________ _____ Trinomial:______________ ____ PRIMARY RECORD NRHP Status Code:__ ____ ____ Other Listings #: _________ Review Code:_____________ Reviewer:_____________ Date :_______ ____ Page 2 of 2, plus Attachment(s) Resource Name: “P-04-2960”

estimates between 1890 and 1930’s have been suggested by the authors of the state archaeological site record for CA-BUT-1345-H (available at the Northeast Information Center, CSU-Chico).

P7. Owner and Address: Unknown. P8. Recorded By: Sean Michael Jensen and Rob McCann, Genesis Society, 7053

Molokai Drive, Paradise, California 95969. P9. Date Recorded: July 31, 2006. Updated, May 10, 2011.

P10. Survey Type: Complete coverage, intensive pedestrian survey, involving c. 731-

acres, which consists of savannah/oak park woodland utilized for ranching (and historically for mining) for which residential, commercial and related development is being proposed.

P11. Report Citation: “Archaeological Inventory Survey for the Proposed Rio D’Oro

Development Project, c. 731 -acres, Butte County, California.” Prepared by Genesis Society for Gallaway Consulting, Inc., Chico, California, and filed with the Northeast Information Center of the California Historical Resources Information System, CSU-Chico.

Attachments Site Location Map: From USGS Palermo, Ca., 7.5’ Quad. Site Sketch Map: Site Map (same as Site Location Map) shows overall site

area in plan. Photographs: See individual photos for description.

Rio D’Oro Off-site Infrastructure Project, Butte County, Archaeological Survey


ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVENTORY SURVEY Rio D’Oro Off-site Infrastructure Project, c. 13.5-mile Linear Corridor, Butte County, California. Prepared for Gallaway Enterprises, Inc. 117 Meyers Street, Suite 120 Chico, CA 95928 Author Sean Michael Jensen, M.A. Keywords for Information Center Use: Archaeological Inventory Survey, 13.3-mile linear corridor, Butte County, CEQA/NEPA, USGS Palermo, Ca. 7.5’ Quad., No Historic Properties/Significant Historical Resources/Unique Archaeological Resources. November 1, 2013

Rio D’Oro Off-site Infrastructure Project, Butte County, California, Archaeological Inventory Survey

ABSTRACT This report details the results of an archaeological inventory survey of an off-site infrastructure project involving linear corridors ranging in width from between 30’ and 50’, and extending approximately 13.3 miles in length. The corridors extend primarily along paved roads, including Pacific Heights Road, Palermo Road, Georgia Pacific Road, Baggett Marysville Road, Baggett Palermo Road, South 5th Avenue and Occidental Avenue. As well, the alignment includes an additional “overland” route not situated within a paved road. This portion of the alignment extends north from the northern terminus of Occidental Avenue to Baggett Palermo Road. The project APE is situated within the community of Palermo, in Butte County, California. Proposed action involves placement of buried water lines, storm water systems and sewer lines which will serve present and future residential, commercial and industrial developments. Existing records at the Northeast Information Center document that approximately 80% of the APE has been subjected to previous archaeological survey, and that no prehistoric resources have been documented within the APE. These records also indicate that ten historic-era sites have been documented within/adjacent to the present APE. However, all of these resources have been determined, through a consensus of agencies, not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, and to not represent significant historical resources and/or unique archaeological resources per CEQA. Consultation was undertaken with the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) regarding sacred land listings for the property, and with Maidu representatives identified by the NAHC. The NAHC responded indicated no sacred land listings for the project area or adjacent lands. All representatives on the NAHC contact list were requested to supply any information they might have concerning prehistoric sites or traditional use areas within, adjacent or near the project area. To date, no responses have been received. Since no prehistoric sites were discovered to be present within the APE during either the records search or pedestrian survey, further consultation was not undertaken.

Rio D’Oro Off-site Infrastructure Project, Butte County, Archaeological Inventory Survey

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CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 1 Project Background...............................................................................................................1 Scope of Work ......................................................................................................................1 Location ............................................................................................................................2

2. EXISTING CONDITIONS .............................................................................. 3 Northeast Information Center Records ..................................................................................3 Other Sources Consulted .......................................................................................................5 Environmental Context ........................................................................................................5 Cultural Context ..................................................................................................................6 Prehistory ......................................................................................................................6 Ethnography....................................................................................................................7 Historic Context ..............................................................................................................8

3. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY and CULTURAL INVENTORY .............. 9 Survey Strategy and Field Work............................................................................................9 General Field Observations ...................................................................................................9 Prehistoric Resources ............................................................................................................9 Historic Resources ..............................................................................................................10

4. PROJECT EFFECTS ................................................................................... 10 5. NATIVE AMERICAN CONSULTATION.................................................... 10

6. PROJECT SUMMARY................................................................................. 11

7. REFERENCES CITED and/or UTILIZED ................................................. 12

ATTACHMENTS

Project Location and Archaeological Survey Area Map. Copy of Records Search from NEIC, File # W13-164, dated September 19, 2013. Response from Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC). Letters to Interested Native Americans.

Rio D’Oro Off-site Infrastructure Project, Butte County, Archaeological Inventory Survey Page 1

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1. INTRODUCTION Project Background This report details the results of an archaeological inventory survey of an off-site infrastructure project involving linear corridors ranging in width from between 30’ and 50’, and extending approximately 13.3 miles in length. The corridors extend primarily along paved roads, including Pacific Heights Road, Palermo Road, Georgia Pacific Road, Baggett Marysville Road, Baggett Palermo Road, South 5th Avenue and Occidental Avenue. As well, the alignment includes an additional “overland” route not situated within a paved road. This portion of the alignment extends north from the northern terminus of Occidental Avenue to Baggett Palermo Road. The project APE is situated within the community of Palermo, in Butte County, California. Proposed action involves placement of buried water lines, storm water systems and sewer lines which will serve present and future residential, commercial and industrial developments. The project as proposed would involve physical disturbance to ground surface and sub-surface components and would therefore have the potential to impact any cultural resources that may be located within the Area of Potential Effect (APE). In this case, the APE consists of the circa 13.3-mile linear corridors. Evaluation of the project’s potential effects to cultural resources must be undertaken in conformity with Butte County rules and regulations, and in compliance with requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, Public Resources Code, Section 21000, et seq. (CEQA), and The California CEQA Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, California Administrative Code, Section 15000 et seq. (Guidelines). Additionally, since the project may require permitting through the US Army Corps of Engineers because of impacts to wetlands within a portion of the property, studies must also comply with federal guidelines for assessing effects to cultural resources, including in particular Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800), Section 2(b) of Executive Order 11593, Section 101(b)(4) of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, and other rules and regulations. Scope of Work Compliance with CEQA requires completion of projects in conformity with Section 15064.5 of the revised CEQA Guidelines and other Sections. Compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA requires completion of projects in conformity with the standards, guidelines, and principles in the Advisory Council’s Treatment of Archaeological Properties: A Handbook (1980), and Archaeology and Historic Preservation: Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines (1983). Based on these several rules, regulations and laws, the following specific tasks were considered an adequate and appropriate Scope of Work for the present project: • Conduct a records search at the Northeast Information Center at CSU-Chico and consult

with the Native American Heritage Commission and Native American representatives with cultural ties to the project area. The goals of the records search and consultation are


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to determine (a) the extent and distribution of previous archaeological surveys, (b) the locations of known archaeological sites and any previously recorded archaeological districts, and (c) the relationships between known sites and environmental variables. This step is designed to ensure that, during subsequent field survey work, all significant/eligible cultural resources are discovered, correctly identified, and properly interpreted.

• Conduct a complete-coverage, intensive-level pedestrian survey of the project area. The purpose of the pedestrian survey is to ensure that any previously identified sites are re-located and evaluations updated vis-à-vis existing site and field conditions. For any undocumented sites discovered, the survey would include preparing State DPR-523 Primary Records.

• Upon completion of the records search and pedestrian survey, prepare a Final Report that identifies project effects and recommends appropriate mitigation measures for sites that might be affected by the project/undertaking and that are considered significant or potentially significant per CEQA, and/or eligible or potentially eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

The remainder of the present document constitutes the Final Report for the project, detailing the results of the records search, consultation and pedestrian survey and providing recommendations for treatment of significant/eligible archaeological and historical sites. All field survey procedures followed guidelines provided by the State Historic Preservation Office (Sacramento) and conform to accepted professional standards. Location The proposed Rio D’Oro Off-site Infrastructure Development Project is located within the western portion of Palermo, in Butte County, California. The undertaking involves a series of linear corridors which are located within portions of Sections 25, 35 & 36 of Township 19 North, Range 3 East, portion of Sections 20, 21, 29-32 of Township 19 North, Range 4 East, portions of Sections 2, 11 & 12 of Township 18 North, Range 3 East, and portions of Sections 5, 6, 7 & 8 of Township 18 North, Range 4 East, as shown on the USGS Palermo, California, 7.5’ series quad (see attached Project Location Map). Most of the land in this area has been utilized for ranching, farming and mining beginning around the middle of the 19th Century and continuing for a century. Following the intensification of these latter uses, portions of the project area were intensively utilized for industrial purposes. Collectively, historic ranching, farming and residential development have resulted in impacts to the ground surface and subsurface components throughout the project area, although generally with less substantial consequences than intensive contemporary industrial development, and more importantly, historic mining along the Feather River, located a short distance west and north of the subject property. Elevation within the project area ranges from between 129 and 250 feet above mean sea level (AMSL). The most important natural surface water source in the immediate vicinity of the project area is the Feather River, which generally trends north-south approximately 1/4 mile


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west of the property. As well, numerous, ephemeral stream courses, including Wyman Ravine, trend through portions of the APE. Overall and based upon map review and the results of previous archaeological surveys in the immediate vicinity, the project area appeared to contain lands moderate in archaeological sensitivity for prehistoric resources, and high in sensitivity for historic-period sites and features.

2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Several information sources were considered in evaluating the types of archaeological sites and site distribution that might be encountered within the project area, including data at the Northeast Information Center (CSU-Chico), input from Native American representatives and the Native American Heritage Commission, and published and unpublished documents relevant to regional prehistory, ethnography, and early historic developments. Northeast Information Center Records Prior to conducting the field survey, the Butte County records maintained by the Northeast Information Center at CSU-Chico were examined for any existing recorded prehistoric or historic sites (I.C. File # W13-164, dated September 19, 2013). These records document the following existing conditions for the APE: • Approximately 80% of the project area has been formally surveyed for cultural resources

as a result of seven previous investigations.

1. Jensen (2011) conducted an archaeological survey for the Rio D’Oro Development project, which involved approximately 731-acres located immediately adjacent to the present APE (I.C. Report # 8439).

2. Dwyer (2005), under the auspices of Caltrans, conducted an archaeological survey for

the State Route 70/Ophir Road Safety project, which involved portions of the APE, especially near the intersection of the aforementioned corridors (I.C. Report # 8441).

3. Williams (2002), under the auspices of Caltrans, conducted an archaeological survey for the Marysville to Oroville Freeway project, involving a portion of the subject property (I.C. Report # 5960).

4. Noble (2001), under the auspices of Caltrans, conducted an archaeological survey of corridors at and near the State Route 70/Ophir Road intersection, which involved portions of the present APE (I.C. Report # 5429).

5. Selverston, et al. (2005) conducted archaeological/historical resource surveys in

conjunction with the re-licensing of Oroville Lake facilities, including portions of the present APE (I.C. Report # 6868).


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6. Jensen (1990) conducted a 15-acre survey within Section 7 immediately adjacent to the present APE (I.C. Report # 7827).

7. Markley (1978) conducted an 11-acre survey which included a portion of the present

APE (I.C. Report # 1638). • No prehistoric sites have been formally recorded or otherwise identified within or

adjacent to the subject property. Ten (10) historic-era sites have been documented within, or immediately adjacent to the APE. These include the following:

1. P-04-2960 consists of waste rock piles located adjacent to the east side of Pacific

Heights Road. Originally recorded by Jensen (2011), this site was recommended not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

2. CA-BUT-1345-H, the Oroville Dredge Fields, has been documented within the APE, as well as the general project vicinity. Components of this site (waste rock piles) encompass thousands of acres within the Oroville/Palermo vicinity.

3. CA-BUT-1781-H consists of a concrete foundation and miscellaneous refuse scatters located immediately west of Powerhouse Road and the south side of Baggett Marysville Road. Based on the mapped location contained with the Primary Record, this site appears to be located immediately adjacent to, but outside of, the present APE.

4. CA-BUT-1782-H represents an abandoned road segment located southeast of the intersection of State Route 70 and Baggett Marysville Road. Based on the site record, this resource appears to be located outside of the present APE.

5. CA-BUT-1783-H is described as an abandoned spur of the Western Pacific Railroad. The site is documented as generally paralleling the north side of Baggett Marysville Road from approximately 200’ west of State Route 70 to a point approximately 0.6 miles east of State Route 70. A portion of this site is situated within the present APE.

6. CA-BUT-1784-H consists of an abandoned ditch segment extending approximately 0.5 miles in length, located on a steep slope, immediately south of a terrace rim, approximately 200’ east of the intersection of Powerhouse Hill Road and Lone Tree Road. Based on the site record information, this site appears to be situated wholly outside of the present APE.

7. CA-BUT-1794-H is described as a ranch site consisting of a house, cottage, barn, pump house, foundations and landscaping features. The site is located at 4828 Power House Hill Road, and based on the Information Center’s mapping appears to be located adjacent to, but outside of, the present APE.

8. P-04-2597 consists of a 5-acre residential parcel containing a residence and outbuilding. The site is located at 1141 Palermo Road, immediately north of the present APE.


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9. P-04-2644 consists of a 10-acre parcel containing two houses and two barns. The site is located at 1630 Palermo Road, immediately north of the present APE.

10. P-04-2645 consists of a 44-acre parcel containing a residence and two barns. The site is located at 1527 Palermo Road, immediately north of the present APE.

• An examination of the ASR and HPSR prepared by Dwyer in 2005 (see above), indicated

that in addition to the records maintained by the Northeast Information Center, a records search was conducted within the Caltrans project files and historic resources web pages. Seven of the above-cited ten sites, including CA-BUT-1345-H, P-04-2960, CA-BUT-1781-H, CA-BUT-1782-H, CA-BUT-1783-H, CA-BUT-1784-H, and CA-BUT-1794-H were recommended not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (Noble 2001). The State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) concurred with this finding on November 6, 2001 (Dwyer 2005:3). Finally, the ASR and HPSR prepared by Hope in 2002 (see Williams 2002, above), indicated that the three remaining sites, P-04-2597, P-04-2644 and P-04-2645 were all determined by Caltrans as not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, nor significant per CEQA.

Other Sources Consulted In addition to examining the archaeological site and survey records of Butte County maintained at the Northeast Information Center, the following sources were also included in the search by the Information Center, or were evaluated separately:

• The National Register of Historic Places (1986, Supplements to December 2012). • The California Register of Historical Resources (2012). • The California Inventory of Historic Resources (State of California 1976). • The California Historical Landmarks (State of California 1996). • The California Points of Historical Interest (May 1992 and updates). • The Historic Property Data File (OHP 2012). • The CALTRANS State and Local Bridge Survey (1989 and updates). • GLO Plats and Historic County Maps. • Published and unpublished documents relevant to regional environment,

prehistory, ethnography, and early historic developments in the vicinity. These sources, reviewed below under Environmental Context and Cultural Context, provided a means by which to assess likely site types and distribution patterns for the project area.

Environmental Context The project area is located at the interface of the Northern Sacramento Valley with the lower reaches of the northern Sierra Nevada (Bateman and Wahrhaftig 1966), near the southern margins of volcanic flows emanating from the Cascade Range. Volcanic deposits emanating from the latter have capped some lands around Oroville, forming in particular the landmark known as Table Mountain (Klaseen and Ellison 1974). Tertiary placer deposits are also


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exposed throughout the Oroville area (Clark 1970), and were discovered early in 1849 resulting in a substantial influx of Euroamericans seeking gold, followed almost immediately by a whole series of landscape modifications as miners churned and sifted every inch of every creek and river bottom in the County. Prior to disturbance associated with mining, vegetation was dominated by a Foothill-Woodland Community, with small meadows and meadow margins containing both Valley and Blue Oaks, and stream margins dominated by willow, native sycamore, dense blackberry thickets, and a variety of brush species (Barbour and Major 1977; Kuchler 1977). Well watered and containing an abundance of both plant and animal resources, the Oroville area was intensively utilized and densely populated during prehistoric times. Small overhang shelters and caves have formed under the hard lava cap at many locations around Oroville, and most of them were utilized for at least temporary habitation. Elsewhere, benches and flats flanking the Feather River and tributary streams were utilized for open-air camps and villages. Native vegetation still dominates portions of the Oroville area, although urban expansion during the past 50 years has substantially fragmented most of the eco-zones, and today native vegetation is typically restricted to small patches of oak-park woodland and riparian associations, particularly along major water courses such as the Feather River and the Honcut system located in the general vicinity of the present project area. Cultural Context Prehistory: The earliest residents in the Great Central Valley and adjacent lands along the Valley margin are represented by the Fluted Point and Western Pluvial Lakes Traditions, which date from about 11,500 to 7,500 years ago (Moratto 2004). Within portions of central California, fluted projectile points have been found at Tracy Lake (Heizer 1938) and around the margins of Buena Vista Lake in Kern County. Similar materials have been found to the north, at Samwel Cave near Shasta Lake and near McCloud and Big Springs in Siskiyou County. These early peoples are thought to have subsisted using a combination of generalized hunting and lacustrine exploitation (Moratto 2004). These early cultural assemblages were followed by an increase in Native population density after about 7,500 years ago. One of the most securely dated of these assemblages in north-central California is from the Squaw Creek Site located north of Redding. Here, a charcoal-based C-14 date suggests extensive Native American presence around 6,500 years ago, or 4,500 B.C. Most of the artifactual material dating to this time period has counterparts further south, with clear evidence around Borax (Clear) Lake west-southwest of Oroville, and the Farmington Area in a Valley setting east of Stockton. Important artifact types from this era include large wide-stemmed projectile points and manos and metates. In the Central Valley of California and adjacent foothills of the Sierra Nevada around Oroville, aboriginal populations continued to expand between 6,500 and 4,500 years ago, with the possibility that arriving Macro-Penutian-speaking people (including Miwok, Yokuts and Nisenan to the south, and Maidu at Oroville) introduced more extensive use of bulbs and


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other plant foods, animal and fishing products more intensively processed with mortars and pestles, and perhaps the bow and arrow and associated small stemmed- and corner-notched projectile points (Ragir 1972). Ethnography: As noted above, the project area is located within territory occupied by the Northwestern Maidu, or Konkow Indians (Dixon 1905; Kroeber 1925; Riddell 1978: Figure 1). The basic social unit for the Maidu and other northern Sacramento Valley and foothill Indian groups was the family, although the village may also be considered a social, political and economic unit. Villages were usually located on flats adjoining streams, and were inhabited mainly in the winter as it was necessary to go out into the hills and higher elevation zones to establish temporary camps during food gathering seasons (i.e., spring, summer and fall). Villages typically consisted of a scattering of bark houses, numbering from four or five to several dozen in larger villages, each house containing a single family of from three to seven people. Larger villages, with from twelve to fifteen or more houses, might also contain an earth lodge. As with all northern California Indian groups, economic life for the Maidu revolved around hunting, fishing and the collecting of plant foods, with deer, acorns, and salmon representing primary staples. The collection and processing of these various food resources was accomplished with the use of a wide variety of wooden, bone and stone artifacts. Moreover, these people were very sophisticated in terms of their knowledge of the uses of local animals and plants, and of the availability of raw material sources that could be used in manufacturing an immense array of primary and secondary tools and implements. However, only fragmentary evidence of their material culture remains, due in part to perishability, and in part to the impacts to archaeological sites resulting from later (historic) land uses. Based on the results of previous survey work in the vicinity (e.g., Jensen 1997, 1998b, 1999; Markley 1975; Ritter 1970), the range of prehistoric/Native American site types documented within this area generally include the following: • Surface scatters of lithic artifacts and debitage associated with midden deposits and other

surface features, resulting from villages or seasonal encampments. • Surface scatters of lithic artifacts and debitage without associated middens, resulting from

short-term occupation and/or specialized economic activities. • Bedrock milling stations, including both mortar holes and metate slicks, at bedrock

outcrops or on isolated boulders, especially along stream courses. • Cupped or pitted boulders related to ritual and ceremonial activity. • Low rock alignments utilized as hunting blinds or drive walls. • Overhanging boulders or natural overhangs along lava escarpments utilized for habitation

and related activities. • Isolated finds of aboriginal artifacts and flakes. It was not expected that all of these sites would be encountered during the present survey, but rather that these would be the most likely site types to be encountered, based on the background information available and the results of previous surveys around Oroville.


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Historic Context: There is clear evidence that Mexican expeditions and early fur trapping ventures came through and made brief stays within the project vicinity. It was during one such expedition that Arguello named the Feather River itself. Other early travelers helped scout routes for overland trails from the Mississippi River to California. Later, emigrants arrived via several of these trails, including the California Emigrant Trail and the Carson Emigrant Trail. However, the first major incursion by White men occurred with Bidwell’s arrival at nearby Chico in the 1840’s and shortly thereafter with the California Gold Rush of 1849. The discovery of gold at Ophir (Oroville) was immediately followed by the emergence of numerous communities further afield – to the east and northeast at Enterprise, Stringtown, Forbestown, and Bald Rock, to the north at Pentz, Spring Valley, Mesilla Valley, and Cherokee, and to the south along the Feather River south of Oroville and the Honcut Creek system and its numerous tributaries to the south and southeast of the present project area (Gudde 1969, 1975). Following initial recovery of placer deposits along the Feather River and other streams, larger and more intensive recovery techniques were employed, particularly just prior to the beginning of the 20th Century and through the 1930’s. These more intensive recovery techniques included in particular extensive ground sluicing with mechanized equipment, and eventually use of drag-line dredges, as along segments of the nearby Feather River. This activity substantially affected pre-existing prehistoric sites in the area, and left waste rock piles ranging in size from 10 to 20 feet in length or diameter to piles distributed over multiple thousands of acres. Linking the burgeoning San Francisco and Sacramento Valley population and industry with the gold- and timber-producing counties to the north and east was a primary objective of 19th Century entrepreneurs, including mining operations. To this end, voters approved bonds in 1862 to construct the California Northern Railroad, linking Marysville with Oroville. Later in the decade the line was acquired and expanded by Western Pacific, with the two systems merging with one another near Palermo to the east of the project area, an action soon followed by construction of the Oroville Depot and maintenance yard. Attributes of the original historic railroad system long ago disappeared, however, as 1940’s through 1960’s modifications were undertaken to accommodate construction of Oroville Dam, to increase the load capacity of the system necessitated by long-haul heavy diesels, and to expand the service capability of the Oroville yard. Ultimately, virtually all components of the original historic system were replaced and modified where they had become part of the larger system, including ballast, ties, rails, tie plates, switching gear, etc. or, where the original California Northern Railroad paralleled the Western Pacific Main Line, it was eventually abandoned altogether and cleared of all tracks, ties and other components of the original built environment (Olson and Riddell 1963). Transportation other than railroads, along with ranching and agriculture represent additional major historic themes relevant to the present project area south of Oroville. As with historic and later mining, activities associated with transportation projects, ranching and agriculture have also impacted many of the historic and prehistoric components once present in this area. Finally, water storage and water diversion projects were important since earliest historic mining days, but achieved a new level of significance at Oroville with construction of the


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Oroville Dam in the late 1950’s through mid-1960’s. Some of the waste rock piles located within the present project area were likely utilized in construction of Oroville Dam, further contributing to the reduction of integrity these resources once possessed.

3. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY and CULTURAL INVENTORY Survey Strategy and Field Work All of the APE was subjected to intensive-level pedestrian survey, accomplished by walking parallel transects along both sides of each alignment segment. In searching for cultural resources, the surveyors took into account the results of background research, and were alert for any unusual contours, soil changes, distinctive vegetation patterns, exotic materials, artifacts, feature or feature remnants and other possible markers of cultural sites. Field work was undertaken on October 7-11, 2013, by Sean Michael Jensen, M.A. Mr. Jensen is a professional archaeologist, with 27 years experience in archaeology and history, who meets the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Professional Qualification, as demonstrated in his listing on the California Historical Resources Information System list of qualified archaeologists and historians. No special problems were encountered during fieldwork, and all survey objectives have been satisfactorily achieved. General Field Observations Fieldwork identified the following general conditions within the project area. Disturbance to the ground surface throughout the APE has been substantial, resulting primarily from past road construction activities, but also to placement of both buried and overhead utilities, construction of State Route 70, past dredge mining and ultimately base rock removal. All of the paved roads located within the APE exhibited evidence of past widening, re-surfacing, and realignment, and consequently have resulted to disturbance to the majority of both the surface and subsurface components of the present APE. Additional observations include a box culvert, a small bridge (Bridge # 12C-117, determined Category 5, Not Eligible, by Caltrans), and substantial road grade modifications to areas prone to periodic flooding. Similarly, contemporary disturbance along a segment of Wyman Ravine was observed within the eastern portion of the present APE. This observation came in the form of evident stream course “clean out” with the removed materials placed along the southern bank as a flood diversion feature. Prehistoric Resources No evidence of prehistoric use or presence was noted during the pedestrian survey. The absence of these resources may best be explained by the wholesale destruction of former river and stream terraces that resulted from historic mining activities.


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Historic Resources No evidence of historic-era resources was observed within the APE during the present pedestrian survey. As noted in the Records Search section, above, a number of historic-era resources have been documented within, or near the APE. These resources were recommended and then determined, through a consensus of agencies, to not be eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, and to not represent significant historical resources and/or unique archaeological resources per CEQA.

4. PROJECT EFFECTS A project may have a significant impact or adverse effect on significant historical resources/unique archaeological resources/historic properties if the project will or could result in the physical demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration of the resource or its immediate surroundings such that the significance or values of the historic resource would be materially impaired. Actions that would materially impair a cultural resource or historic property are actions that would alter or diminish those attributes of a site that qualify the site for inclusion in State site registers or the National Register of Historic Places. Based on the specific findings detailed above under Pedestrian Survey and Inventory, no significant historical resources/unique archaeological resources/historic properties are present within the project area and no historic properties will be affected by the undertaking, as presently proposed.

5. Native American Consultation In addition to examining the records of Butte County at CSU-Chico and reviewing published and other sources of information, consultation was undertaken with the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) re. sacred land listings for the property, and with Maidu representatives identified by the NAHC. The NAHC responded indicated no sacred land listings for the project area or adjacent lands. The consultation list from the NAHC included the following: • Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians, Cultural Resources Representative and James

Edwards. • Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, Dennis E. Ramirez and Mike DeSpain. • Butte Tribal Council, Ren Reynolds. • Mooretown Rancheria, Gary Archuleta and James Sanders. • Konkow Valley Band of Maidu, Chairperson. • T’si-Akim Maidu, Eileen Moon, Grayson Coney and Don Ryberg. • Enterprise Rancheria, Art Angle and Glenda Nelson. • April Wallace Moore All representatives on the NAHC contact list were requested to supply any information they might have concerning prehistoric sites or traditional use areas within, adjacent or near the project area. To date, no responses have been received. Since no prehistoric sites were


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discovered to be present within the APE during either the records search or pedestrian survey, further consultation was not undertaken.

6. PROJECT SUMMARY This report details the results of an archaeological inventory survey of an off-site infrastructure project involving linear corridors ranging in width from between 30’ and 50’, and extending approximately 13.3 miles in length. The corridors extend primarily along paved roads, including Pacific Heights Road, Palermo Road, Georgia Pacific Road, Baggett Marysville Road, Baggett Palermo Road, South 5th Avenue and Occidental Avenue. As well, the alignment includes an additional “overland” route not situated within a paved road. This portion of the alignment extends north from the northern terminus of Occidental Avenue to Baggett Palermo Road. The project APE is situated within the community of Palermo, in Butte County, California. Proposed action involves placement of buried water lines, storm water systems and sewer lines which will serve present and future residential, commercial and industrial developments. Existing records at the Northeast Information Center document that approximately 80% of the APE has been subjected to previous archaeological survey, and that no prehistoric resources have been documented within the APE. These records also indicate that ten historic-era sites have been documented within/adjacent to the present APE. However, all of these resources have been determined, through a consensus of agencies, not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, and to not represent significant historical resources and/or unique archaeological resources per CEQA. Consultation was undertaken with the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) regarding sacred land listings for the property, and with Maidu representatives identified by the NAHC. The NAHC responded indicated no sacred land listings for the project area or adjacent lands. All representatives on the NAHC contact list were requested to supply any information they might have concerning prehistoric sites or traditional use areas within, adjacent or near the project area. To date, no responses have been received. Since no prehistoric sites were discovered to be present within the APE during either the records search or pedestrian survey, further consultation was not undertaken. Based on the absence of significant historical resources/unique archaeological resources/historic properties within the APE, archaeological clearance is recommended for the project/undertaking as presently proposed, although the following general provisions are considered appropriate:

1. Consultation in the event of inadvertent discovery of human remains: In the event that human remains are inadvertently encountered during trenching or other ground-disturbing activity or at any time subsequently, State law shall be followed, which includes but is not limited to immediately contacting the County Coroner's office upon any discovery of human remains.


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2. Consultation in the event of inadvertent discovery of cultural material: The present evaluation and recommendations are based on the findings of an inventory-level surface survey only. There is always the possibility that important unidentified cultural materials could be encountered on or below the surface during the course of future gravel extraction or other activities. This possibility is particularly relevant considering the constraints generally to archaeological field survey, and particularly where past ground disturbance activities (e.g., mining, ranching, industrial developments) have partially obscured historic ground surface visibility, as in the present case. In the event of an inadvertent discovery of previously unidentified cultural material, archaeological consultation should be sought immediately.

7. REFERENCES CITED and/or UTILIZED Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 1980 Advisory Council’s Treatment of Archaeological Properties: A Handbook, Draft Guidelines 1980/1985. Washington. Barbour, M. G. and J. Major (eds.)

1977 Terrestrial Vegetation of California. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Bateman, P. C. and C. Wahrhaftig

1966 “Geology of the Sierra Nevada.” San Francisco: California Division of Mines and Geology Bulletin, No. 190:107-172.

California, Department of Transportation (Caltrans) 1987 Caltrans and Local Agency Bridge Survey. Sacramento, California. 1989 Caltrans and Local Agency Bridge Survey. Sacramento, California.

2002 Positive Archaeological Survey Report, Marysville to Oroville Freeway, Yuba and Butte Counties. Report on File, Northeast Information Center, CSU-Chico.

California, State of

1970 Public Resources Code, Section 21000, et seq. (CEQA), and The California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, California Administrative Code, Section 15000 et seq. (Guidelines, as Amended). Prepared by the Office of Planning and Research.

1976 The California Inventory of Historic Resources. State of California.

1990 The California Historical Landmarks. State of California. 1992 California Points of Historical I

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