Combined Paleontological Identification Report / Paleontological Evaluation Report (PIR/PER) for the State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County, California E-FIS 0801-000144 (EA 08-0C970)

Submitted to: Kurt Heidelberg, Branch Chief Environmental Studies D California Department of Transportation, District 8 464 West 4th Street, 6th Floor, MS 825 San Bernardino, California 92401-1400

March 2018

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The City of Coachella (City), in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 8 and Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), proposes the construction of a new interchange at State Route 86 (SR-86) and Avenue 50 in the City of Coachella, Riverside County, California. The SR-86 /Avenue 50 New Interchange Project (Project) consists of converting a portion of SR-86 from an existing expressway to a freeway with a new overcrossing structure and access ramps. In addition, the proposed Project includes the realignment and widening of Avenue 50 and the realignment of portions of Tyler Street on both the east and west sides of SR-86. Finally, the Project would construct a new bridge over the Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel (CVSC) to replace the existing low water crossing. At the request of TranSystems, Applied EarthWorks, Inc. (Æ) performed a paleontological resource assessment in support of the proposed Project. The study consisted of a search of museum collections records maintained by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, a comprehensive literature and geologic map review, a field reconnaissance survey, and preparation of this combined Paleontological Identification Report (PIR) / Paleontological Evaluation Report (PER). This PIR/PER summarizes the methods and results of a paleontological resource assessment and provides Project-specific management recommendations.

The purpose of the literature review and museum records search was to identify the geologic units underlying the Project area and to determine whether previously recorded paleontological localities occur either within the Project boundaries or within the same geologic units elsewhere. The museum records search was supplemented by a search of the University of California Museum of Paleontology’s online collections database. Following the literature and museum searches, a field survey was conducted in order to inspect the ground surface visually for exposed fossils and to evaluate geologic exposures for their potential to contain preserved fossil material at the subsurface. Using the results of museum records search and field survey, the paleontological resource potential of the Project area was determined in accordance with Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (2010) and Caltrans (2016) guidelines.

Published geologic maps indicate the Project area is underlain by Holocene to Late Pleistocene sedimentary deposits. Museum records contained no previously recorded paleontological localities directly within Project boundaries; however, at least four scientifically significant fossil localities have been recorded in similar sediments nearby. No surface fossils were discovered in the Project area during the course of fieldwork.

As a result of this study, the Project area is determined to have a low to high paleontological resource potential (i.e., sensitivity), and the likelihood of impacting scientifically significant fossils because of Project development is low to high. As a result, nonrenewable paleontological resources may be at risk of being adversely impacted by ground-disturbing activities during construction of the Project. Therefore, a qualified paleontologist should be retained to oversee further paleontological resource management, including preconstruction worker environmental

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County i training and preparation/implementation of a Paleontological Mitigation Plan during Project construction. By implementing these management recommendations, adverse impacts to paleontological resources can be reduced to a less than significant level pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County ii CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... I

1 PROPOSED PROJECT ...... 1 1.1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND EXCAVATION PARAMETERS ...... 1 1.2 PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION ...... 4 1.3 REPORT ORGANIZATION...... 4

2 REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT ...... 5 2.1 CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT OF 1970 (PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE [PRC] SECTION 21000 ET SEQ.) ...... 5 2.2 PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 5097.5 ...... 5

3 PALEONTOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY AND SIGNIFICANCE ...... 6 3.1 DEFINITION OF PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND SIGNIFICANCE CRITERIA ...... 6 3.2 PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND SVP CATEGORIES OF PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCE SENSITIVITY ...... 6 3.3 CALTRANS STANDARD ENVIRONMENTAL REFERENCE ...... 8

4 METHODS ...... 9 4.1 LITERATURE REVIEW AND RECORDS SEARCH ...... 9 4.2 FIELDWORK ...... 9 4.3 KEY PERSONNEL ...... 9

5 GEOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY ...... 10 5.1 REGIONAL GEOLOGY ...... 10 5.2 GEOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY OF THE PROJECT AREA ...... 10 5.2.1 Quaternary Surficial Sediments (Qya, Qyf, Qe, and Qw) ...... 10

6 ANALYSIS AND RESULTS ...... 13 6.1 MUSEUM RECORDS SEARCH RESULTS ...... 13 6.2 PALEONTOLOGICAL FIELD RECONNAISSANCE ...... 13 6.3 DETERMINATION OF PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCE POTENTIAL FOR GEOLOGIC UNITS WITHIN THE PROJECT AREA ...... 16

7 FINDINGS ...... 19

8 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 20 8.1 WORKER’S ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS TRAINING ...... 20 8.2 PALEONTOLOGICAL MITIGATION MONITORING ...... 20 8.3 FOSSIL PREPARATION, CURATION, AND REPORTING ...... 20

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County iii 9 REFERENCES CITED ...... 22

APPENDIX A Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Record Search Results B Personnel Qualifications

FIGURES

1-1 Project Vicinity Map ...... 2 1-2 Project Location Map ...... 3 5-1 Geologic units underlying the Project area...... 11 6-1 Overview of the Project area west of the CVSC, showing the disturbed surficial sediments. View to the southwest...... 15 6-2 Overview of the Project area east of the CVSC ...... 15 6-3 View of the Project area east of the CVSC ...... 16 6-4 Paleontological sensitivity of the geologic units underlying the Project area...... 18

TABLES

3-1 Paleontological Sensitivity Classifications ...... 7 6-1 Vertebrate Localities within the Vicinity of the Project Area in Riverside County ...... 13 6-2 Geologic Units in the Project Area and Their Paleontological Sensitivity ...... 17

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County iv 1 PROPOSED PROJECT

The City of Coachella (City), in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 8 and Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), proposes the construction of a new interchange at State Route 86 (SR-86) and Avenue 50 in the City of Coachella, Riverside County, California (Figure 1-1). The SR-86 /Avenue 50 New Interchange Project (Project) consists of converting a portion of SR-86 from an existing expressway to a freeway with a new overcrossing structure and access ramps. In addition, the proposed Project includes the realignment and widening of Avenue 50 and the realignment of portions of Tyler Street on both the east and west sides of SR-86. Finally, the Project would construct a new bridge over the Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel (CVSC) to replace the existing low water crossing. At the request of TranSystems, Applied EarthWorks, Inc. (Æ) performed a paleontological resource assessment in support of the proposed Project. The assessment consisted of a museum records search; a comprehensive literature and geologic map review; field reconnaissance survey; and preparation of this combined Paleontological Identification Report (PIR) / Paleontological Evaluation Report (PER), which includes Project-specific management recommendations.

1.1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND EXCAVATION PARAMETERS

The Project encompasses the Avenue 50 Bridge over the CVSC and surrounding areas within the city of Coachella, Riverside County (Figure 1-2). Specifically, the Project area is mapped within Township 5 South, Range 8 West, Sections 32 and 33; and Township 6 South, Range 8 West, Sections 4 and 5 on the Indio, CA 7.5’ U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) quadrangle.

The new interchange at SR-86 and Avenue 50 is approximately 1.1 miles north of the existing Avenue 52 intersection and 1.95 miles south of the existing Dillon Road interchange. The proposed Project would convert a portion of SR-86 from existing expressway to freeway with a new overcrossing structure and access ramps, which would accommodate traffic for existing and planned development in the area. It would also improve safety and traffic operations by enhancing the level of service on the adjacent SR-86/Dillon Road interchange and SR-86/Ave 52 intersection. The proposed improvements also include the realignment and widening of Avenue 50 from the existing two-lane roadway to a six-lane major arterial, and realignment of Tyler Street on both the east and west side of SR-86. The Project would also improve public safety and mobility by constructing another new bridge spanning over CVSC, replacing the existing low water crossing, and eliminating flood-related hazards during inclement weather events.

The depth of ground disturbance for the Project will be limited to the upper 5 feet for the construction of the new access ramps and the Avenue 50 and Tyler Street realignments, which includes the construction of the roadway, driveways, and sidewalks. Most utility relocations are expected to extend up to 10 feet in depth with the installation of transmission line power poles reaching a maximum depth of 75 feet. Finally, excavations associated with bridge construction will extend up to 50 feet in depth.

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 1 PROJECT AREA Document Path:H:\Athalye-Ave 50-3208\Projects\Report Figures - one folderper document\PIR PER 2017-07-10\2017-07-11_Figure1-1_rev.mxd

Service Layer Credits: Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), swisstopo,

Date: 7/11/2017 °

SCALE 1:250,000 PROJECT LOCATION 5 0 5 Miles State Route 86/Avenue 50 10,000 0 10,000 20,000 30,000 PROJECT Feet New Interchange Project AREA 5 0 5 Caltrans District 08 Kilometers Riverside County City of Coachella Federal Project No.:E-FIS 0801-000144; Caltrans EA 08-0C970 Figure 1-1 Project vicinity map.

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SCALE 1:24,000 PROJECT LOCATION 0 0.5 1 State Route 86/Avenue 50 Miles

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 New Interchange Project ° Feet Caltrans District 08 0 0.5 1 Kilometers Riverside County Township 5 South/Range 8 East, Sections 32 and 33 City of Coachella Township 6 South/Range 8 East, Sections 4 and 5 Federal Project No.:E-FIS 0801-000144; Indio (1953-PR1979), CA 7.5' USGS Quadrangle Caltrans EA 08-0C970 Figure 1-2 Project location map.

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1.2 PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

The purpose of this investigation is to: (1) identify the geologic units within the Project limits and assess their paleontological resource potential; (2) determine whether the Project has the potential to adversely impact known scientifically significant paleontological resources; and (3) provide Project-specific management recommendations for paleontological resource mitigation, as necessary. The study was conducted in accordance with professional standards and guidelines set forth by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP) (2010), and it meets the requirements outlined in the Caltrans Standard Environmental Reference Environmental Handbook (SER), Volume 1, Chapter 8 (Caltrans, 2016).

1.3 REPORT ORGANIZATION

This PIR/PER documents the results of Æ’s paleontological resource assessment of the Project limits. Chapter 1 has introduced the scope of work, identified the Project location, described the Project, and defined the purpose of the investigation. Chapter 2 outlines the regulatory framework governing the Project. Chapter 3 presents the paleontological sensitivity criteria and resource guidelines used for this assessment. Chapter 4 provides the methods, and the geology and paleontology of the Project limits is discussed in Chapter 5. The results of the museum records search, field survey, and paleontological sensitivity assessment are discussed in Chapter 6. The overall findings are presented in Chapter 7, and management recommendations are discussed in Chapter 8. References cited are listed in Chapter 9.

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 4 2 REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

Paleontological resources (i.e., fossils) are considered nonrenewable scientific resources because once destroyed, they cannot be replaced. As such, paleontological resources are afforded protection under various federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The following discussion of applicable laws has been excerpted in part from the Caltrans SER Environmental Handbook, Volume 1, Chapter 8 on Paleontology (Caltrans, 2016).

2.1 CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT OF 1970 (PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE [PRC] SECTION 21000 ET SEQ.)

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Article 1, Section 15002(a)(3) state that CEQA is intended to “prevent significant, avoidable damage to the environment by requiring changes in projects through the use of alternatives or mitigation measures when the governmental agency finds the changes to be feasible.” CEQA further states that public or private projects financed or approved by the State of California (State) are subject to environmental review by the State. All such projects, unless entitled to an exemption, may proceed only after this requirement has been satisfied. CEQA requires detailed studies that analyze the environmental effects of a proposed project. In the event that a project is determined to have a potential significant environmental effect, the act requires that alternative plans and mitigation measures be considered. If paleontological resources are identified as being within the proposed Project study area, the sponsoring agency must take those resources into consideration when evaluating project effects. The level of consideration may vary with the importance of the resource.

2.2 PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 5097.5

No person shall knowingly and willfully excavate upon, or remove, destroy, injure or deface any historic or prehistoric ruins, burial grounds, archaeological or vertebrate paleontological site, including fossilized footprints, inscriptions made by human agency, or any other archaeological, paleontological, or historical feature, situated on public lands, except with the express permission of the public agency having jurisdiction over such lands. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor. As used in this section, “public lands” means lands owned by, or under the jurisdiction of, the state, or any city, county, district, authority, or public corporation, or any agency thereof.

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 5

3 PALEONTOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY AND SIGNIFICANCE

3.1 DEFINITION OF PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND SIGNIFICANCE CRITERIA

Paleontological resources are the evidence of once-living organisms as preserved in the rock record. They include both the fossilized remains of ancient plants and animals and the traces thereof (trackways, imprints, burrows, etc.). In general, fossils are considered to be greater than 5,000 years old (older than Middle Holocene) and are typically preserved in sedimentary rocks. Although rare, fossils can also be preserved in volcanic rocks and low-grade metamorphic rocks formed under certain conditions (SVP, 2010).

Significant paleontological resources are defined as “identifiable” vertebrate fossils, uncommon invertebrate, plant, and trace fossils that provide taphonomic, taxonomic, phylogenetic, paleoecologic, stratigraphic, or biochronological data (SVP, 2010). These data are important because they are used to examine evolutionary relationships, provide insight on the development of and interaction between biological communities, establish time scales for geologic studies, and for many other scientific purposes (Scott and Springer, 2003).

3.2 PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND SVP CATEGORIES OF PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCE SENSITIVITY

Absent specific agency guidelines, most professional paleontologists in California adhere to guidelines set forth by SVP in “Standard Procedures for the Assessment and Mitigation of Adverse Impacts to Paleontological Resources” (SVP, 2010). These guidelines establish detailed protocols for the assessment of the paleontological resource potential (i.e., “sensitivity”) of a project area and outline measures to follow in order to mitigate adverse impacts to known or unknown fossil resources during project development. In order to prevent project delays, SVP highly recommends that the owner or developer retain a qualified professional paleontologist in the advance planning phases of a project to conduct an assessment and to implement paleontological mitigation during construction, as necessary.

Using baseline information gathered during a paleontological resource assessment, the paleontological resource potential of the geologic unit(s) (or members thereof) underlying a project area can be assigned to one of four categories defined by SVP (2010). These categories include high, undetermined, low, and no potential. The criteria for each sensitivity classification, and the corresponding mitigation recommendations, are summarized in Table 3-1.

If a project area is determined to have high or undetermined potential for paleontological resources following the initial assessment, then SVP recommends that a paleontological resource mitigation plan be developed and implemented during the construction phase of a project. The mitigation plan describes, in detail, when and where paleontological monitoring will take place and establishes communication protocols to be followed in the event that an unanticipated fossil

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 6 Table 3-1 Paleontological Sensitivity Classifications SVP Caltrans Resource Tripartite Potential Scale Criteria Mitigation Recommendations No Potential No Potential Rock units that are formed under or No mitigation required; paleontological exposed to immense heat and pressure, resources can generally be eliminated as such as high-grade metamorphic rocks a concern during preparation of the and plutonic igneous rocks. Preliminary Environmental Analysis Report (PEAR). Low Potential Low Rocks units that have yielded few, if any, Mitigation is not typically required; Potential vertebrate fossils in the past, but have however, for Caltrans projects, if an the potential for containing fossilized unanticipated paleontological resource remains, based upon review of available is encountered, a Construction Change literature and museum collections Order (CCO) must be prepared in order records. Geologic units of low potential to have a qualified Principal also include those that yield fossils only Paleontologist evaluate the resource. on rare occasion and under unusual circumstances. Undetermined N/A In some cases, available literature on a A field survey is required to further Potential particular geologic unit will be scarce assess the unit’s paleontological and a determination of whether or not it potential. is fossiliferous or potentially fossiliferous will be difficult to make. Under these circumstances, further study is needed to determine the unit’s paleontological resource potential (i.e., field survey). High Potential High Geologic units with high potential for Typically, a field survey as well as Potential paleontological resources are those that onsite construction monitoring will be have proven to yield vertebrate or required. Any significant specimens significant invertebrate, plant or trace discovered will need to be prepared, fossils anywhere within their identified, and curated into a museum. geographical extent in the past or are For Caltrans projects, a final report (i.e., likely to contain new significant Paleontological Mitigation Report vertebrate, significant invertebrate, [PMR]) documenting the significance significant plant, significant trace fossils, of the finds will also be required. or trackways. Rock units with high potential also may include those that contain datable organic remains older than late Holocene (e.g., animal nests or middens). Sources: Caltrans, 2016; SVP, 2010. discovery is made during project development. If significant fossil resources are known to occur within the boundaries of the project and have not been collected, then the plan will outline the procedures to be followed prior to the commencement of construction (i.e., preconstruction salvage efforts or avoidance measures, including fencing off a locality). Should microfossils be known to occur in the geologic unit(s) underlying the project area or suspected to occur, then the plan will describe the methodology for matrix sampling and screening.

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 7 The paleontological mitigation plan should be prepared by a qualified professional paleontologist and developed using the results of the initial paleontological assessment and survey. Elements of the plan can be adjusted throughout the course of a project as new information is gathered and conditions change, so long as the lead agency is consulted and all parties are in agreement.

3.3 CALTRANS STANDARD ENVIRONMENTAL REFERENCE

For Caltrans projects, or projects conducted in accordance with Caltrans guidelines, the Caltrans SER, Chapter 8 (2016), recognizes two types of paleontological significance: (1) resources that are eligible for National Natural Landmark status, as defined under 36 CFR 62, and (2) scientifically significant paleontological resources. Because fossil resources with National Natural Landmark status are relatively rare, the scientific significance of paleontological resources is typically evaluated. Significance may be attributed to a particular fossil species, fossil assemblage, or for a rock unit as a whole, and is generally expressed as “sensitivity” or “potential.” In order to evaluate the paleontological resource potential of a rock unit in a given project area, Caltrans uses the following tripartite scale:

High Potential: Rock units which, based on previous studies, contain or are likely to contain significant vertebrate, significant invertebrate, or significant plant fossils. These units include, but are not limited to, sedimentary formations that contain significant nonrenewable paleontological resources anywhere within their geographical extent, and sedimentary rock units temporally or lithologically suitable for the preservation of fossils. These units may also include some volcanic and low-grade metamorphic rock units. Fossiliferous deposits with very limited geographic extent or an uncommon origin (e.g., tar pits and caves) are given special consideration and ranked as highly sensitive.

Low Potential: This category includes sedimentary rock units that are potentially fossiliferous, but have not yielded significant fossils in the past; have not yielded fossils, but possess a potential for containing fossil remain; or contain common and /or widespread invertebrate fossils if the taxonomy, phylogeny, and ecology of the species contained in the rock are well understood. Rock units designated as low potential generally do not require monitoring and mitigation. However, as excavation for construction gets underway, it is possible that new and unanticipated paleontological resources might be encountered. If the resource is determined to be significant, monitoring and mitigation is required.

No Potential: Rock units of intrusive igneous origin, most extrusive igneous rocks, and moderately to highly metamorphosed rocks are classified as having no potential for containing significant paleontological resources. For projects encountering only these types of rock units, paleontological resources can generally be eliminated as a concern and no further action taken [Caltrans, 2016]. Once the sensitivity has been determined, avoidance of significant paleontological resources should be considered as a management strategy before typical mitigation protocol is undertaken (e.g., monitoring). Avoidance measures may include project redesign to ensure that sensitive resources are outside of the area of potential effects or the creation of Environmentally Sensitive Areas to restrict access to sensitive resource areas during ground disturbance. If a paleontological resource cannot be avoided, then mitigation measures, in accordance to Caltrans SER guidelines shall be conducted. Refer to Table 3-1 for a summary of Caltrans’ tripartite scale.

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 8 4 METHODS

4.1 LITERATURE REVIEW AND RECORDS SEARCH

Paleontological resources are not found in “soil” but are contained within the geologic deposits or bedrock that underlie the soil layer. Therefore, in order to ascertain whether a particular project area has the potential to contain significant fossil resources at the subsurface, it is necessary to review relevant scientific literature and geologic mapping to determine the underlying geology and stratigraphy of the area. Further, in order to delineate the boundaries of an area of paleontological sensitivity, it is necessary to determine the extent of the entire geologic unit because paleontological sensitivity is not limited to surface exposures of fossil material.

In order to determine whether fossil localities have been previously discovered within a project area or a particular rock unit, a search of pertinent local and regional museum repositories for paleontological localities within and nearby the project area should be performed. For this Project, a museum records search was conducted at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (LACM) (Appendix A). The museum records search was supplemented by review of the University of California Museum of Paleontology’s (UCMP’s) online database, which contain additional paleontological records for Riverside County.

4.2 FIELDWORK

A field visit to the Project area was conducted on Friday, January 15, 2016. The purpose of the field survey was to inspect the ground surface visually for exposed fossils and to evaluate geologic exposures for their potential to contain preserved fossil material at the subsurface.

4.3 KEY PERSONNEL

This combined PIR/PER was prepared under the direction of Æ’s Paleontology Program Managers and Principal Investigators, Dr. Diane Douglas and Jessica DeBusk, both of who served as Project Paleontologists and provided a quality assurance review of this report. Associate Paleontologist Mathew Knauss conducted the literature and geologic map review, produced all graphics, conducted the field survey, and was the primary author of this report. Dr. Douglas has more than 27 years of experience with a M.A. in Quaternary Sciences and a Ph.D. in Geography. Ms. DeBusk has more than 12 years of professional experience as a consulting paleontologist and meets the SVP’s definition of a qualified professional paleontologist. Their résumés are provided in Appendix B.

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 9 5 GEOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY

5.1 REGIONAL GEOLOGY

The Project area is located in the Coachella Valley within the Colorado Desert geomorphic province of California. The Colorado Desert extends from the Mojave Desert to the north, the Colorado River on the east, the Peninsular Ranges on the west, and south into Mexico. Dominant features within the Colorado Desert include the Salton Trough; the Colorado River; and the Orocopia, Chocolate, Palo Verde, and Chuckwalla mountains (Norris and Webb, 1976). The Coachella Valley is located north of the Imperial Valley, within the Salton Trough, a large structural depression that extends from the San Gorgonio Pass in the north to the Gulf of Mexico in the south. The Salton Trough is a graben structure, bounded by roughly parallel north-west- trending faults, including the San Andreas Fault zone to the northeast and the San Jacinto and Elsinore faults to the southeast (Alles, 2011). During the Pliocene, the Salton Trough formed due to spreading and subsidence associated with the rift system that opened the Gulf of California, which continues to undergo approximately 48 millimeters per year of spreading. The Salton Trough, including the Coachella and Imperial valleys, would currently be under water as part of the Gulf of California if not for millions of years of sedimentation from the Colorado River (Alles, 2011). During the Pliocene to Early Pleistocene, sedimentation along the Colorado River resulted in the build-up of a substantial delta, which eventually separated the marine waters of the Gulf of California from the brackish and fresh waters of the Salton Trough (Ingwall, 2008). Since the Late Pleistocene, the Salton Trough was periodically occupied by the freshwater Lake Cahuilla. The lake formed, drained, and reformed between approximately 37,000 to 300 years before present (B.P.) as a result of fluctuations in the course of the Colorado River and the subsequent diversion of the river’s mouth from the Gulf of California to the Salton Trough (Deméré, 2002; Norris, 1979). Lake Cahuilla reached a maximum depth of 300 feet, 105 miles long, and 35 miles across at its last high stand at approximately 45 feet above sea level in the Coachella Valley.

5.2 GEOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY OF THE PROJECT AREA

The Project area is mapped at a scale of 1:100,000 by Lancaster et al. (2012) and 1:62,500 by Dibblee and Minch (2008). According to these published maps, the Project area is directly underlain by younger Quaternary surficial sedimentary deposits, which overlie older Quaternary Lake Cahuilla lacustrine deposits. The geology and paleontology of these deposits are described in the following sections and depicted in Figure 5-1.

5.2.1 Quaternary Surficial Sediments (Qya, Qyf, Qe, and Qw)

The Quaternary surficial sedimentary deposits in the vicinity of the Project area consist of Late Holocene to latest Pleistocene alluvial valley (Qya), alluvial fan (Qyf), eolian and dune (Qe), and wash (Qw) deposits composed of undissected to dissected, weakly consolidated gravel, sand, silt

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 10 Qyf

PROJECT AREA Qe

Qya

Qw

Legend Document Path:H:\Athalye-Ave 50-3208\Projects\Report Figures - one folderper document\PIR PER 2017-07-10\2017-07-11_Figure5-1_rev.mxd Project Area Qw - Alluvial wash deposits (Late Holocene) Qe - Eolian and dune deposits (Late Holocene) Qyf - Young alluvial fan deposits (Holocene to latest Pleistocene) Qya - Young alluvial valley deposits (Holocene to latest Pleistocene) Date: 7/11/2017

SCALE 1:24,000 PROJECT LOCATION 0 0.5 1 State Route 86/Avenue 50 Miles 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 New Interchange Project ° Feet Caltrans District 08 0 0.5 1 Kilometers Riverside County Township 5 South/Range 8 East, Sections 32 and 33 City of Coachella Township 6 South/Range 8 East, Sections 4 and 5 Indio (1953-PR1979), CA 7.5' USGS Quadrangle Federal Project No.:E-FIS 0801-000144; Geology: Lancaster et al. (2012) Caltrans EA 08-0C970 Figure 5-1 Geologic Units in the Project Area.

11 and clay, with abundant, non-mineralized (non-fossilized) mollusk fragments (Dibblee and Minch, 2008; Lancaster et al., 2012; Norris, 1979). Based on previous stratigraphic, archaeological, paleontological, hydrogeological, structural, and seismological studies, Holocene Lake Cahuilla lacustrine silt deposits are known to underlie the Quaternary surficial deposits at shallow depth (Alles, 2011; Deméré, 2002; Norris, 1979; Scott, 2014; Waters, 1983; Whistler et al., 1995). In turn, older ancient Lake Cahuilla deposits of Pleistocene age underlie the surficial to shallowly buried Holocene lacustrine silt at moderate depth. The depth of the contact between the Holocene and Pleistocene Lake Cahuilla deposits in the Project area is unknown; however, radiocarbon dating derived from Lake Cahuilla deposits located approximately 5 miles south of the city of Indio indicate that lacustrine silt sediments at a depth of 20 feet bgs have an age of approximately 4,000 years B.P. (Waters, 1983). Therefore, Pleistocene ancient Lake Cahuilla sediments are likely present at a moderate depth below the younger Quaternary surficial deposits. The Pleistocene Lake Cahuilla deposits are generally composed of weakly consolidated, lacustrine sands, silts and clays, with tufa and travertine rock coatings, coarse alluvial deposits, and beach sands (Norris, 1979; Waters, 1983). The Holocene to Pleistocene Lake Cahuilla sediments range from several feet deep at the margin of the Coachella Valley to as much as 300 feet thick in the center of the Salton Trough (Arnal, 1961; Norris and Webb, 1976).

Quaternary alluvial and lacustrine deposits derived from ancient Lake Cahuilla have proven to yield scientifically significant fossil mollusk shells within the Salton Trough (Whistler et al., 1995; McLeod, 2015). Fossil specimens of diatoms, spores, pollen, land plants, sponges, ostracods, freshwater gastropods, fresher bivalves, fish, and small terrestrial vertebrate have been recovered from the Pleistocene Lake Cahuilla Beds (McLeod, 2015). In addition, Holocene, non- mineralized mollusk shells are also found in the Lake Cahuilla silt deposits; their recovery and subsequent dating have helped researchers with studies in archaeology, geology, and seismology (Norris and Webb, 1976).

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 12 6 ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

6.1 MUSEUM RECORDS SEARCH RESULTS

The LACM collections records do not include any previously recorded vertebrate fossil localities directly within the Project boundaries; however, they do report at least four localities from within deposits southwest of the Project area, which yielded specimens of fish, lizards, snakes, birds, rabbits, rodents, and bighorn sheep as well as non-vertebrate specimens of diatoms, land plants, clams, snails, and crustaceans (McLeod, 2015). The LACM did not provide specific geographic coordinates for the localities, but they are the closest recorded occurrences of vertebrate remains within the older Quaternary Lake Cahuilla lacustrine deposits, estimated between 4 to 6 miles beyond the Project area. A supplemental review of online museum collections records maintained by the UCMP revealed at least five vertebrate localities from unnamed Quaternary sedimentary deposits that have been previously documented within Riverside County. Records retrieved from the UCMP database do not provide the exact location of recovered fossil specimens, only a rough description of the locality is given. As such, locality queries were performed for the entirety of Riverside County. Based on the rough descriptions of each locality within the records maintained by UCMP, localities were not recovered from near the vicinity of the Project area (UCMP, 2016). The results of the museum records search are summarized below in Table 6-1.

Table 6-1 Vertebrate Localities within the Vicinity of the Project Area in Riverside County Locality Geologic Age Taxa No. Unit LACM Quaternary Holocene to Xyrauchen texanus (razorback sucker), Gila elegans (bonytail fish), 6252-6253, Lake Cahuilla Late Cyprinodon macularius (desert pupfish), Phrynosoma platyrhinos 6255-6256 lacustrine Pleistocene (desert horned lizard), Sceloporus magister (desert spiny lizard), Uma deposits inornata (Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard), Urosaurus graciosus (long-tailed brush lizard), Chionactis occipitalis (western shovel- nosed snake), Hypsiglena torquata (night snake), Pituophis melanoleucus (gopher snake), Sonora semiannulata (western ground snake), Crotalus cerastes (sidewinder rattlesnake), Passeriformes (land birds), Sylvilagus sp. (cottontail rabbit), Neotoma lepida (desert wood rat), Peromyscus sp. (white-footed mouse), Dipodomys sp. (kangaroo rat), Perognathus longimembris (pocket mouse), Ammospermophilus leucurus (antelope ground squirrel), Ovis canadensis (big horn sheep) Source: McLeod, 2015.

6.2 PALEONTOLOGICAL FIELD RECONNAISSANCE

A field survey of the Project area and its vicinity was conducted by Æ Associate Paleontologist Mathew Knauss on January 15, 2016. During the course of fieldwork, Knauss completed a pedestrian survey of the Project limits and verified published geologic maps. Project areas within

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 13

the CVSC and immediately adjacent to SR-86 were not comprehensively examined due to permitting issues and safety concerns; however, the majority of the Project area was subject to an intensive pedestrian walkover utilizing evenly spaced zigzagged transects. In the field, Knauss utilized a tablet computer equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities, topographic maps, and aerial photographs to locate geologic formation boundaries. When a bedrock outcrop was encountered and was safely accessible, the surface of the exposure was visually examined for the evidence of paleontological resources. Notes were taken on the geology and lithology of geologic units encountered and photographs were taken to document the survey (Figure 6-1).

Native Quaternary surficial deposits (Qya, Qyf, Qe, and Qw) underlying the Project area were nearly completely obscured by soil and anthropogenic development on both sides of the CVSC. Along the present location of Avenue 50 and Tyler Street, trash, spoil piles, fencing, housing, agricultural land, and sparse vegetation obscured the underlying geology. In areas along Avenue 50 in the western most extent of the Project area and at the junction of Avenue 50, Tyler Street, and SR-86 in the eastern most extent of the Project area, native Quaternary surficial sediments are exposed and consist of light tan, very fine-grained sand and silt, with scant gravel- to granule-sized clasts of mixed composition (Figure 6-2 and Figure 6-3); however, these sediments may be disturbed by nearby housing and road development. Within the central region of the Project area, no evidence of the depth of soils overlying the Quaternary surficial deposits was observed during the field reconnaissance. According to the National Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) soil survey data (2016), the underlying soil of the Project area on either side of the channel consists of fine sandy loam, derived from nearby alluvial fans, which extends in depth to approximately 5 to 7 feet bgs. Field observations indicated that soil in the agricultural fields consists of gray to light brown, well-sorted, fine-grained, arkosic sandy loam, which appeared recently tilled and sowed (Figure 6-1). Within the CVSC, depth of coarse-grained channel deposits may extend to depths of 7 feet bgs and is comprised of gravel and coarse- grained sand (NRCS, 2016), with native Quaternary alluvial deposits of medium to fine-grained sand below 7 feet bgs.

No paleontological resources were discovered on the surface of the Project area during the course of fieldwork, and the Quaternary surficial deposits have been previously disturbed at the surface or are obscured by soil and anthropogenic developments in the Project area. However, fine-grained older Quaternary lacustrine deposits (i.e., Pleistocene Lake Cahuilla deposits) have proven conducive to the preservation of vertebrate remains and may contain an unknown number of fossil resources at the subsurface.

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 14

Figure 6-1 Overview of the Project area west of the CVSC, showing the disturbed surficial sediments. View to the southwest.

Figure 6-2 Overview of the Project area east of the CVSC, displaying artificial fill and disturbed fine sand, with gravel- to granule-sized clasts. View to the southwest.

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 15

Figure 6-3 View of the Project area east of the CVSC. Underlying geologic units are obscured by artificial fill from previous road construction, trash, and patchy vegetation. View to the northeast.

6.3 DETERMINATION OF PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCE POTENTIAL FOR GEOLOGIC UNITS WITHIN THE PROJECT AREA

According to the Riverside County Planning Department (2008), the Project area underlies geologic units with a “High A” to “Undetermined” sensitivity. Thus, this assessment was necessary to ascertain the extent of the paleontological sensitivity of the Project area and its vicinity. Based on the literature review, museum records search results, and field survey, the geologic units underlying the Project area have a paleontological resource potential ranging from low to high in accordance with criteria set forth by SVP (2010) and Caltrans (2016).

The Quaternary surficial deposits mapped within the Project area have a low to high potential, increasing with depth, to contain intact paleontological resources. At the surface, these deposits are typically too young to contain fossilized remains; however, Holocene to Late Pleistocene ancient Lake Cahuilla deposits may underlie the younger surficial deposits at moderate depth (i.e., approximately 20 feet [Waters, 1983]). These lacustrine deposits have yielded significant vertebrate remains. Therefore, further paleontological resource management is recommended during Project development as discussed in Chapter 8. The geologic units underlying the Project area and their determined sensitivity ratings are shown in Table 6-2. As a result, further paleontological resource management is recommended during Project development. Refer to Figure 6-4 for the paleontological sensitivity rating of the geologic units underlying the Project area.

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 16 Table 6-2 Geologic Units in the Project Area and Their Paleontological Sensitivity Paleontological Map Resource Potential Geologic Unit* Abbreviation Age Typical Fossils (i.e., sensitivity)** Quaternary surficial Qya, Qyf, Qe, Qw Late Holocene Fish, terrestrial Low to high (increasing deposits to latest reptiles and with depth) Pleistocene mammals (at moderate depth) * Geology source: Lancaster et al., 2012. ** SVP, 2010.

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 17 PROJECT AREA Document Path:H:\Athalye-Ave 50-3208\Projects\Report Figures - one folderper document\PIR PER 2017-07-10\2017-07-11_Figure6-4_rev.mxd

Legend Project Area Low to High Paleontological Sensitivty (increasing with depth) Date: 7/11/2017

SCALE 1:24,000 PROJECT LOCATION 0 0.5 1 State Route 86/Avenue 50 Miles 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 New Interchange Project ° Feet Caltrans District 08 0 0.5 1 Kilometers Riverside County Township 5 South/Range 8 East, Sections 32 and 33 City of Coachella Township 6 South/Range 8 East, Sections 4 and 5 Federal Project No.:E-FIS 0801-000144; Indio (1953-PR1979), CA 7.5' USGS Quadrangle Caltrans EA 08-0C970 Figure 6-4 Paleontological Sensitivity in the Project Area.

18 7 FINDINGS

This assessment is based on the results of a museum records search, review of available geologic and paleontological literature, and a pedestrian survey of the Project area. No fossils were observed during the field survey; therefore, only fossils that have already been inventoried or collected are available for this resource assessment. Based on this analysis, the Project area is underlain by geologic units determined to have low to high potential, increasing at moderate depth, for buried fossils resources. In general, the potential for a given project to result in adverse impacts to paleontological resources is directly proportional to the amount of ground disturbance associated with the project. Since this Project entails the southern realignment and widening of the Avenue 50 Bridge, relocation of utilities, removal of culverts, installation of support structures, and the realignment and grading of Tyler Street, new ground disturbances to depths of 75 feet bgs are anticipated; however, nearly 100 percent of the Project area has been previously disturbed. Ground disturbances in areas that are immediately underlain by geologic units with low to high paleontological sensitivity, well below the contact between Holocene lacustrine deposits and Pleistocene lacustrine deposits (20 feet bgs), may adversely impact paleontological resources in the Project area. However, by implementing the management recommendations outlined in the following sections, including worker’s environmental awareness training and on- site construction monitoring, adverse impacts to paleontological resources can be reduced to a less than significant level pursuant to the requirements of CEQA. These measures have been used by professional paleontologists for many years and have proven to be effective in reducing or eliminating adverse impacts to paleontological resources as a result of private and public development projects throughout California and elsewhere.

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 19

8 RECOMMENDATIONS

8.1 WORKER’S ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS TRAINING

Prior to the start of construction, all field personnel should be briefed regarding the types of fossils that could be found in the Project area and the procedures to follow should paleontological resources be encountered. This training should be accomplished at the pre-grade kick-off meeting or morning tailboard meeting and should be conducted by the Project Paleontologist or his/her representative. Specifically, the training should provide a description of the fossil resources that may be encountered in the Project area, outline steps to follow in the event that a fossil discovery is made, and provide contact information for the Project Paleontologist and on-site monitor(s). The training should be developed by the Project Paleontologist and may be conducted concurrent with other environmental training (e.g., cultural and natural resources awareness training, safety training, etc.).

8.2 PALEONTOLOGICAL MITIGATION MONITORING

Prior to the commencement of ground-disturbing activities, a qualified professional paleontologist should be retained to prepare and implement a Paleontological Mitigation Plan for the Project. Part-time monitoring is recommended for grading and excavation activities at depths greater than or equal to 20 feet bgs that will disturb previously undisturbed Holocene to Late Pleistocene lacustrine deposits of Lake Cahuilla (Waters, 1983). Due to soil development, previous anthropogenic developments, and young age of surficial soil and native Quaternary surficial sediments, monitoring should not be required in Project areas where construction activities disturb sediments at depths less than 20 feet bgs.

Monitoring should entail the visual inspection of excavated or graded areas and trench sidewalls. In the event that a paleontological resource is discovered, the monitor will have the authority to divert the construction equipment around the find temporarily until it is assessed for scientific significance and collected. In areas of high sensitivity, monitoring efforts can be reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the Project Paleontologist.

8.3 FOSSIL PREPARATION, CURATION, AND REPORTING

Upon completion of fieldwork, all significant fossils collected should be prepared in a properly equipped paleontology laboratory to a point ready for curation. Preparation will include the careful removal of excess matrix from fossil materials and stabilizing and repairing specimens, as necessary. Following laboratory work, all fossils specimens should be identified to the lowest taxonomic level, cataloged, analyzed, and delivered to the Western Science Center for permanent curation and storage. The cost of curation is assessed by the repository and is the responsibility of the Project owner.

At the conclusion of laboratory work and museum curation, a final Paleontological Mitigation Report should be prepared describing the results of the paleontological mitigation monitoring

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 20

efforts associated with the Project. The report should include a summary of the field and laboratory methods, an overview of the Project area geology and paleontology, a list of taxa recovered (if any), an analysis of fossils recovered (if any) and their scientific significance, and recommendations. If the monitoring efforts produced fossils, then a copy of the report should also be submitted to the Western Science Center in the city of Hemet, Riverside County, California.

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 21

9 REFERENCES CITED

Alles, D. L., 2011, Geology of the Salton Trough: Western Washington University, unpublished manuscript, 31 p., http://fire.biol.wwu.edu/trent/alles/GeologySaltonTrough.pdf (accessed January 2016).

Arnal, R. E., 1961, Limnology, Sedimentation, and Microorganisms of the Salton Sea, California: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 72, no. 3. p. 427–478.

Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP), 2012, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Statutes and Guidelines, http://ceres.ca.gov/ceqa/docs/CEQA_Handbook_2012_wo_covers.pdf.

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), 2016, Standard Environmental Reference Environmental Handbook Chapter 8 – Paleontology, http://www.dot.ca.gov/ser/vol1/sec3/physical/Ch08Paleo/chap08paleo.htm, last updated: Thursday, February 19, 2015.

City of Coachella Development Services Department, 2015, City of Coachella General Plan, Updated 2015, 272 pp., http://www.coachella.org/departments/general-plan-2035 (accessed January 2016).

Deméré, T. A., 2002, Silent Beaches – Ancient Lake Cahuilla and its geologic setting: Biodiversity Research Center of the Californias, San Diego Natural History Museum, http://www.sdnhm.org/archive/research/paleontology/lakecahuilla.html (accessed January 2016).

Dibblee, T.W., and Minch, J.A., 2008, Geologic map of the Palm Desert & Coachella 15 minute quadrangles, Riverside County, California: Dibblee Geological Foundation, Dibblee Foundation Map DF-373, scale 1:62,500.

Ingwall, R., 2008, Park Paleontology, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, http://www.anzaborregopaleo.org/park_paleontology.html (accessed March 2015).

Lancaster, J. T., Hayhurst, C. A., and Bedrossian, T. L., 2012, Palm Springs 30’x60’ quadrangle – Preliminary geologic map of Quaternary surficial deposits in Southern California: California Geological Survey, scale 1:100,000, http://www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs/fwgp/Pages/sr217.aspx#palmsprings.

McLeod, S. A., 2015, Unpublished museum collections records. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 2016, Web Soil Survey (accessed January 2016).

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 22 Norris, R. M., 1979, Lake Cahuilla High Shorelines in A.G. Sylvester, ed., Rifting, Transpression, and Neotectonics in the Mecca Hills, Salton Trough: Fall Field Trip Guide Book, September 25-26, 1999, Society for Sedimentary Geology, Pacific Section.Norris, R.M., and Webb, R.W., 1976, Geology of California. John Wiley & Sons, New York.

Norris, R. M., and Webb, R. W., 1976, Geology of California: New York, John Wiley & Sons, 378p.

Riverside County Planning Department, 2008, County of Riverside General Plan, Updated 2008, General Plan Amendment No. 960, Public Review Draft, March 2014, http://planning.rctlma.org/ZoningInformation/GeneralPlan.aspx (accessed January 2016).

Scott, E., 2014, Unpublished museum collections records: San Bernardino County Museum, Redlands, California.

Scott, Eric, and Kathleen Springer, 2003, CEQA and Fossil Preservation in California. The Environmental Monitor Fall 2003, Association of Environmental Professionals, Sacramento, California.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP), 2010, Standard Procedures for the Assessment and Mitigation of Adverse Impacts to Paleontological Resources. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Impact Mitigation Guidelines Revision Committee.

University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP) Online Database, 2016, UCMP Specimen Search Portal, http://ucmpdb.berkeley.edu/ (accessed January 2016).

Waters, M. R., 1983, Late Holocene lacustrine chronology and archaeology of ancient Lake Cahuilla, California: Quaternary Research, v. 19, Issue 3, p. 373–387.

Whistler, D. P., Lander, E. B., and Roeder, M. A., 1995, A diverse record of microfossils and fossil plants, invertebrates, and small vertebrates from the late Holocene Lake Cahuilla beds, Riverside County, California in Remeika, P., and Sturz, V., eds., Paleontology and Geology of the Western Salton Trough Detachment, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California: San Diego Geological Society.

PIR/PER – State Route 86 / Avenue 50 New Interchange Project, City of Coachella, Riverside County 23 APPENDIX A

Natural History Musem of Los Angeles County Record Search Results 133 N. San Gabriel Blvd, Suite 201 Pasadena, CA 91107-3414 (626) 557878-0119

November 10, 2015

Dr. Samuel McLeod Vertebrate Paleontology Section Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History 900 Exposition Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90007

RE: Records Search Request for the Avenue 50 Bridge Project

Dear Dr. McLeod:

This letter serves as a formal request to conduct a museum records search for the Avenue 50 Bridge Project in Coachella, California. Specifically, the Project area is mapped within Sections 32 and 33 of Township 5 South, Range 8 West and Sections 4 and 5 of Township 6 South, Range 8 West on the Indio, CA 7.5-minute U.S. Geological Survey quadrangle. Please find enclosed a project location map delineating the Project boundaries. When completed, please send this information to me with an invoice for your services, referencing the Project name and number: Avenue 50 Bridge Project, AE #3208.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (626) 578-0119. Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Jessica DeBusk Paleontology Program Manager Applied EarthWorks, Inc.

Encl. Project location map.

ARCHAEOLOGY CULTURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT www.appliedearthworks.com Document Path: H:\Athalye-Ave 50-3208\Projects\Records Search\Athalye_50thStreet.mxd

Date: 11/9/2015 Legend Study Area (RS limit) Survey Area

SCALE 1:24,000 1 0.5 0 1 Miles

1,000 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 ° Feet 1 0.5 0 1 Township 5S/Range 8W, Section 32 and 33 Kilometers Township 6S/Range 8W, Section 4 and 5 Indio, CA 7.5' USGS Quadrangle Records Search location map for the Avenue 50 Bridge Project - AE3208.

Vertebrate Paleontology Section Telephone: (213) 763-3325 Fax: (213) 746-7431 e-mail: [email protected]

25 November 2015

Applied EarthWorks, Inc. 133 North San Gabriel Boulevard, Suite 201 Pasadena, CA 91107-3414

Attn: Jessica DeBusk, Senior Project Manager, Paleontology Program Manager re: Paleontological resources for the proposed Avenue 50 Bridge Project, AE project # 3208, in the City of Coachella, Riverside County, project area

Dear Jessica:

I have conducted a thorough search of our paleontology collection records for the locality and specimen data for the proposed Avenue 50 Bridge Project, AE project # 3208, in the City of Coachella, Riverside County, project area as outlined on the portion of the Indio USGS topographic quadrangle map that you sent to me via e-mail on 10 November 2015. We do not have any fossil localities that lie directly within the proposed project area boundaries, but we do have fossil localities nearby from the same deposits that occur in the proposed project area.

Surface deposits in the entire proposed project area are composed of soil on top of late Pleistocene or Holocene lacustrine and fluvial deposits known as the Lake Cahuilla beds. Southwest of the proposed project area on both sides of Madison Street north of 58th Avenue, albeit at higher elevation, we have several fossil localities in the Lake Cahuilla beds. These localities were collected during mitigation activities for the construction of the PGA West Tom Weiskopf Signature Golf Course. Localities LACM 6252, 6253, and 6255 were collected in a single trench site west of Madison Street. They produced a significant fauna of terrestrial and freshwater vertebrates (see attachment) as well as diatoms, land plants, clams, snails and crustaceans. A trench to the east of Madison Street produced a similar fauna so was not collected. A single jaw of the bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis was recovered from LACM 6256, another locality to the east of Madison Street. Any significant excavations below the uppermost layers of soil and younger Quaternary Alluvium may well encounter significant fossil remains from the Quaternary Lake Cahuilla beds. Many of the fossil specimens collected from these deposits are small isolated elements of fossil organisms that were recovered from screen-washing sediment samples. Thus if any significant excavation below the soil and Quaternary Alluvium level is conducted on the proposed project site, it is recommended that in addition to monitoring the excavations to collect any larger fossil remains uncovered, sediment samples be collected and processed to determine the small fossil potential at the proposed project site. Any fossils recovered during mitigation should be deposited in an accredited and permanent scientific institution for the benefit of current and future generations.

This records search covers only the vertebrate paleontology records of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. It is not intended to be a thorough paleontological survey of the proposed project area covering other institutional records, a literature survey, or any potential on-site survey.

Sincerely,

Samuel A. McLeod, Ph.D. Vertebrate Paleontology enclosures: attachment; invoice Vertebrate fossil taxa from the PGA West Tom Weiskopf Signature Golf Course Trench 1 sites - LACM 6252, 6253 and 6255

Osteichthyes Cypriniformes Catostomidae Xyrauchen texanus razorback sucker Cyprinidae Gila elegans bonytail Cyprinodon macularius desert pupfish

Reptilia Squamata Iguanidae Phrynosoma platyrhinos desert horned lizard Sceloporus magister desert spiny lizard Uma inornata Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard Urosaurus graciosus long-tailed brush lizard Colubridae Chionactis occipitalis western shovel-nosed snake Hypsiglena torquata night snake Pituophis melanoleucus gopher snake Sonora semiannulata western ground snake Crotalidae Crotalus cerastes sidewinder rattlesnake

Aves Passeriformes advanced land birds

Mammalia Lagomorpha Leporidae Sylvilagus cottontail rabbit Rodentia Cricetidae Neotoma lepida desert wood rat Peromyscus white-footed mouse Heteromyidae Dipodomys kangaroo rat Perognathus longimembris pocket mouse Sciuridae Ammospermophilus leucurus antelope ground squirrel APPENDIX B

Personnel Qualifications JESSICA DEBUSK Paleontology Program Manager

Areas of Expertise Professional Experience

• Paleontological resource 2012– Paleontology Program Manager, Senior Project Manager, management Applied EarthWorks, Inc., Pasadena, California. • Multidisciplinary project 2004–2012 Paleontology Team Leader and Senior Manager (2010– management 2012); Project Manager and Lead Paleontologist (2005– 2010); Assistant Project Manager and Staff Paleontologist Years of Experience (2004–2005); SWCA Environmental Consultants, Mission Viejo and Pasadena, California. • 12 2003–2004 Staff Paleontologist, Brian F. Smith and Associates, Education Poway, California. B.S., Geology, emphasis in Technical Qualifications Paleobiology, University of Nevada, Reno, 2002 Ms. DeBusk has more than 12 years of experience as a professional paleontologist in California. As Applied EarthWorks’ Paleontology Registrations/Certifications Program Manager, she directs and oversees all paleontology work for the company. She has successfully completed over 300 paleontological • Project Management Certificate, resources inventory and monitoring projects throughout California and Caltech, 2012 Nevada and in parts of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and • Approved Paleontological Texas. As a Senior Paleontologist, she routinely directs or performs Consultant, Riverside County paleontological field surveys and assessments, mitigation monitoring of construction activities, third-party inspections, fossil salvage and • Certified Paleontologist, Orange collection, laboratory preparation and analysis of micro- and County macrofossils, and technical reporting. She has field and laboratory experience in paleobotany, paleoentomology, micropaleontology, Permits/Licensure invertebrate paleontology, and vertebrate paleontology. • Principal Investigator, California Ms. DeBusk has extensive experience providing paleontological BLM Statewide Paleontological resource management in support of a variety of project types including Resources Permit, CA-15-013P oil and gas infrastructure, geophysical seismic exploration, transportation, residential and commercial developments, power • Principal Investigator, Nevada generation and transmission, and environmental planning. As Principal BLM Statewide Paleontological Investigator on Applied EarthWorks’ statewide Bureau of Land Resources Permit, N-90758 Management Paleontological Resource Use Permits in California, • Principal Investigator, Colorado Nevada, and Colorado, she has extensive experience with agency BLM Statewide Paleontological coordination and is well versed in the regulatory framework governing Resources Permit, COC77412 paleontological resources. Ms. DeBusk received her Bachelor of Science degree in geology with an Professional Affiliations emphasis in paleobiology from the University of Nevada, Reno Mackay School of Mines in 2002 and her Project Management Certificate • Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Program at California Institute of Technology in 2012. She is an active • Geological Society of America member of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology and the Geological Society of America.

ARCHAEOLOGY / PALEONTOLOGY CULTURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT www.appliedearthworks.com JESSICA DEBUSK

Selected Project Experience

Central Valley Power Connect Project, Fresno, Madera, and Kings Counties, California. Senior Paleontologist (2015). Directed a comprehensive museum records search, literature review, and field survey of 70 miles of proposed transmission line and extra work areas on private land. Provided quality assurance review of the paleontological identification and evaluation report. Client: Stillwater Sciences for PG&E. Barren Ridge Renewable Transmission Project, Los Angeles and Kern Counties, California. Senior Paleontologist (2014-2015). Directed a comprehensive museum records search, literature review, and field survey of the project area and provided quality assurance review of the technical report of findings and oversaw intermittent monitoring within areas identified as sensitive for paleontological resources. Client: Power Engineers, Inc. Cinco Generator Intertie Project, Kern County, California. Senior Paleontologist (2014). Directed a comprehensive museum records search, literature review, and field survey of the project area and provided quality assurance review of both the assessment report and final technical report of findings. Client: Recurrent Energy. Hinkley Compressor Station Groundwater Remediation Project, San Bernardino County, California. Senior Paleontologist (2014). Directed a comprehensive museum records search, literature review, and field survey of the project area and provided quality assurance review of the technical report of findings and oversaw intermittent monitoring within areas identified as sensitive for paleontological resources. Client: CH2M Hill for PG&E. Analysis of Oil and Gas Well Stimulation Treatments in California Environmental Impact Report (EIR), California (Statewide). Senior Paleontologist (2014). Assessment and evaluation of the paleontological resource potential of geologic units across 30 counties within California; conducted museum records search, geologic map review, and comprehensive literature review as part of the evaluation. Client: Aspen Environmental Group for California Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR). San Luis Transmission Line EIR, Alameda, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Merced Counties, California. Senior Paleontologist (2014). Assessment and evaluation of the paleontological resource potential of geologic units across more than 100 miles of proposed and alternative transmission line corridor; conducted a museum records search, geologic map review, and comprehensive literature review as part of the evaluation. Client: Aspen Environmental Group for Western Area Power Administration. California Flats Solar Project, San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties, California. Senior Paleontologist (2014). Conducted field surveys encompassing more than 2,600 acres of land proposed for solar developments; prepared technical report of survey findings that include Project-specific mitigation measures to be implemented during development. Florida Canyon Mine Expansion Project, Pershing County, Nevada. Principal Investigator and Project Manager (2013-2014). Directed a comprehensive museum records search, literature review, and field survey of the project area and provided quality assurance review of the technical report of findings. Client: Jipangu, Inc. Topaz Solar Farm, San Luis Obispo County, California. Senior Paleontologist (2014). Directing lead paleontological monitor and paleontological technicians during construction monitoring efforts; overseeing all paleontological mitigation in accordance to the Project’s approved Paleontological Resources Mitigation and Treatment Plan. Line 107 (MP 13.08 to 26.01) Deactivation Project, Alameda County, California. Senior Paleontologist (2014). Directed a comprehensive museum records search, literature review, and field survey of the project area and provided quality assurance review of the paleontological identification and evaluation report. Client: Stillwater Sciences for PG&E. JESSICA DEBUSK

Line 107 Mission to Vargas (MPs 26.01 to 26.85) Replacement Project, Alameda County, California. Senior Paleontologist (2014). Directed paleontological resources monitoring within sensitive geologic units during project excavations and provided quality assurance review of the paleontological monitoring report. Client: Stillwater Sciences for PG&E. Dalton Crossover Station Valve Automation Project, Alameda County, California. Senior Paleontologist (2014). Directed a comprehensive museum records search, literature review, and field survey of the project area and provided quality assurance review of the paleontological identification and evaluation report. Client: Stillwater Sciences for PG&E. Foley’s Ranch Crossover Station Project, Livermore, California. Senior Paleontologist (2013). Directed a comprehensive museum records search, literature review, and field survey of the project area and was primary author of the paleontological identification and evaluation report. Client: Stillwater Sciences for PG&E. Topock Compressor Station Groundwater Remediation Project, San Bernardino County, California, and Mohave County, Arizona. Senior Paleontologist (2013). Provided comprehensive worker’s environmental awareness training to all construction personnel, compliance monitors, and Native American monitors and served as the designated on-call Project Paleontologist during ground disturbing activities. Client: Stillwater Sciences for PG&E. State Route 138 New Alignment Project, near Hesperia, California. Principal Paleontologist (2013). Directed comprehensive field survey of a 1.7-mile realignment corridor and prepared draft Paleontological Identification/Evaluation Report and Paleontological Mitigation Plan (PMP), including Project-specific paleontological mitigation measures to be implemented during the construction phase of the Project. Client: California Department of Transportation, District 8. Riverside County Transportation Department’s State Route 79 Widening Project, Riverside County, California. Project Paleontologist (2013). Directed monitoring of activities impacting geologic units determined to be sensitive for fossil resources during paleontological mitigation; authored Paleontological Mitigation Report summarizing the paleontological mitigation program. Client: California Department of Transportation, District 8. Santa Monica Downtown Specific Plan, Opportunity Sites 1, 2, 6, and 8, City of Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California. Senior Paleontologist (2013). Assessment and evaluation of paleontological resource potential of downtown area as part of the Downtown Specific Plan EIR; conducted museum records search, geologic map review, and comprehensive literature review. Client: AMEC Environmental and Infrastructure for Santa Monica City Planning Department. Ranch Las Flores Specific Plan & EIR, San Bernardino County, California. Senior Paleontologist (2013). Provided quality control and quality assurance review of paleontological resources site assessment of the approximately 10,000-acre site proposed for development. Client: Helix Environmental Planning/Terre Verde Group, LLC. Blythe, Palen, and Ridgecrest Solar Power Projects. (2012). Supervised and directed field surveys encompassing more than 10,000 acres of land proposed for solar developments; prepared technical reports of survey findings and prepared and supervised the implementation of a Paleontological Resources Monitoring and Mitigation Plan for the Blythe Solar Power Project. Port of Los Angeles Knoll Hill Park Project. (2011). Paleontological Resources Services; San Pedro, California. Supervised and directed paleontological mitigation monitoring and fossil salvage during project development. Directed the laboratory preparation and curation of more than 15,000 invertebrate and 450 vertebrate specimens. DIANE L. DOUGLAS Paleontological Principal Investigator

Areas of Expertise Professional Experience

• Cultural resource management 2016– Senior Project Manager, Paleontology Program Lead, Applied EarthWorks, Inc., San Luis Obispo, California. • California, Southwest and Great Basin history and prehistory 2014–2011 Director, DL Douglas Consulting and Climate Change International—Team Leader and Principal Investigator, • NHPA, NEPA, and CEQA Worldwide. compliance 2011-2014 Principal Advisor—Worldwide, Sustainability Pty Ltd, • Paleoclimate and Paleo- Perth, Australia. environment 2010-2011 Director of Cultural Heritage and Climate Research, SRI • Vicariance and evolution of Foundation, Rio Rancho, New Mexico. species 2007-2010 Chief Marketing Officer (worldwide) and Principal Years of Experience Investigator, Statistical Research Inc., Redlands, California. • 27 2002-2007 Principal Scientist and Principal Archaeologist, URS Education Corporation, San Diego, California. 1999-2002 Ecosystems Management (Archaeological and Climate Ph.D., Geography, Arizona State Change Studies—worldwide), San Diego, California. University, 1998. Emphasis - paleo- climate reconstructions using proxy 1997-1999 Environmental Planner and Principal Investigator data – field, laboratory and statistical (Archaeology), Logan Simpson Design, Inc., Tempe, methods. Arizona. 1994-1996 Environmental Planner, Dames & Moore, Phoenix, M.Sc., Quaternary Sciences, Climate Arizona. Change Institute, University of Maine, Orono, 1991. Emphasis - 1993-1995 Field Director, Archaeological Consulting Services, paleo-climate reconstructions using Tempe, Arizona. proxy data – field, laboratory and 1990–1993 Crew-Chief/Field Director, Dames and Moore, Phoenix, statistical methods. Arizona. B.A., Anthropology with Distinction, Technical Qualifications University of Alberta, Canada, 1990 Dr. Douglas has 27 years of experience in atmospheric and earth Professional Affiliations sciences and cultural resources management. Dr. Douglas served as Principal Scientist and/or Project Manager on over 200 environmental • Society for Vertebrate planning projects (budgets from 20,000 to 40 million USD) and 300 Paleontology archaeological projects in the US. Since 2009, Dr. Douglas severed as • International Panel on Biodiversity Principal Scientist and/or Team Leader on environmental projects in 20 and Ecosystems Management countries, providing quality assurance on all work performed for Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs). Work was • International Union for the performed to World Bank Standards for air quality, biology, geology, Conservation of Nature, paleontology, social demographics, politics and economics, Commission on Ecosystem archaeology, and ethnography. Dr. Douglas is currently permitted as a Management & Climate Qualified Paleontologist in Monterey County, and was permitted in San Adaptation Group Diego and Orange Counties when working in southern CA (2004-2008). ARCHAEOLOGY / PALEONTOLOGY CULTURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT www.appliedearthworks.com DIANE L. DOUGLAS

Relevant Experience

Applied EarthWorks Inc. Senior Project Manager and Principal Scientist (January 2017 - present). In addition to managing projects, Dr. Douglas is providing guidance on the growth and development of the paleontological resource program, providing oversight of projects that require paleontological inventories, monitoring, salvage, and review of technical reports. • Avila Seaside Cottages, Resort Development Plan. Dr. Douglas served as Project manager and principal investigator for archaeological and paleontological resource investigations for a proposed development in Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo County, California. Diane provided oversight of all field work, and review of all technical reports. • California Flats Solar Project. Dr. Douglas is serving as project manager and principal investigator for archaeological and paleontological resource monitoring for a 1,194-acre solar project in Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties, California. Diane is providing oversight of all field work, and review of all monitoring logs and reports. • Topock Remediation Project. Dr. Douglas is serving as project manager and principal scientist for archaeological and paleontological resource monitoring for the PG&E Topock remediation project in Mohave County, Arizona and San Bernardino County, California. Diane is providing oversight of surveys and monitoring, review of daily logs and reports, coordinating with the client and program managers on compliance issues and serving as monitoring coordinator for archaeological and paleontological resources. • Hinkley Remediation Project. Dr. Douglas is serving as principal scientist for paleontological resource considerations for the PG&E Hinkley remediation project in San Bernardino County, California. Diane is coordinating with the client and program managers on compliance issues and serving as monitoring coordinator for archaeological and paleontological resources. D. L. Douglas Consulting. Team Leader (2014-2016). All projects were conducted in compliance with World Bank Group Performance Standards. • Environmental Audit and Assessment (EAA), Environmental Social Management Plan (ESMP), and Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) for Hwange Power Station, Hwange, Zimbabwe. Client: Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC). Regulatory Agencies: Zimbabwe Environmental Management Agency and the African Development Bank. All bio-physical (including geology and paleontology) and social-economic resources evaluated, and technical and environmental reports reviewed, finalized and approved by Dr. Douglas. • Reduction of Deforestation and Desertification (REDD plus), Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA), Environmental Social Management Framework (ESMF), Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF), for the Republic of Mozambique. Client: Ministry for the Coordination of Environmental Affairs (MICOA) and World Bank. For the entire country, all bio-physical (including geology and paleontology) and social-economic resources evaluated, and technical and environmental reports and strategic plans and policy frameworks reviewed, finalized and approved by Dr. Douglas. • Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Natural Hazards (NH) Risk Disaster Reduction Plan for the western Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia. Client: United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Bosnia and Herzegovina Country Office, and Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH). The plan was developed in close coordination with UNDP officers from all participating countries and the IRH. Consideration was given to the range of impacts that CCA and all forms of NH (climate induced, as well as earthquakes) could have within each country on all bio- physical (including geology and paleontology) and social-economic resources, and vulnerable populations. DIANE L. DOUGLAS

Sustainability Pty Ltd. Principal Advisor (2011–2014). Primarily provide oversight of international projects, worldwide. Environmental and cultural components of projects in Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Mongolia, Senegal and Zimbabwe. • Oyu Tolgoi Cultural Heritage Program Implementation for Mongolia. Scientific Advisor (2012– 2015). Served as scientific advisor for the implementation of the CHP an international and national team of scientists developed in 2010–2011 for the country of Mongolia, Oyu Tolgoi Mine. Disciplines overseen by Dr. Douglas included archaeology, ethnography and paleontology. • Oyu Tolgoi Cultural Heritage Program for Mongolia. Project Manager and Scientific Advisor (2010– 2012). Served as manager and scientific advisor for the development of a CHP for the country of Mongolia, being prepared by Oyu Tolgoi Ltd. as part a mitigation measure for the development of the Oyu Tolgoi Mine. Disciplines overseen by Dr. Douglas included archaeology, ethnography and paleontology. Included field visits to fossil localities and track-way sites in the Gobi Desert, to evaluate potential for development of the resource as cultural heritage sites. Worked with Dr. Khishigjav Tsogtbaatar, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, to develop heritage mitigation program for paleontological resources in Mongolia, including review of resources at the Museum of Paleontology laboratories for development as displays. URS Corporation. Principal Investigator/Project Manager/Project Archaeologist (2002–2007). Principal Investigator (PI) and Project Manager (PM) for nearly 100 projects in California. Primary accomplishment was the development of the southern California cultural resource practice for URS, including hiring and oversight of archaeologists, architectural historians, and paleontologists for San Diego, Santa Ana, Rancho Cucamonga, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara offices. Practice lead for southern California, and strategist for all cultural resource work undertaken in California. Relevant paleontology projects include: • After Cogstone left the Project, Dr. Douglas Served as Orange County, CEQA approved Principal Investigator for paleontological resources at the Dana Headlands development project, which included recovery of a fossilized whale vertebrae. • Served as City of San Diego, CEQA approved Principal Investigator for paleontological monitoring of various projects within the City of San Diego, included recovery of various marine vertebrate fossils, and invertebrate fossils. Dames & Moore. Field Director (1994–1996 and 1990–1993). Managed miscellaneous projects in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Utah. Most significant projects—Field Director for the 10,000-acre Salt River and American Falls, Idaho Cultural Resource Inventory for the Bureau of Reclamation. Primary author and contributor to 5 volumes prepared for the Bureau of Reclamation cultural resource inventory for the Salt River Project. Relevant project for paleontological resources include: • As Field Director for work along the American Falls Reservoir, Dr. Douglas worked with David Fortsch, Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at Idaho State University, to conduct a paleontological survey of the base of the bluffs around the reservoir and along the Snake River terraces. Elements of a skunk, camel, horse and sloth were recovered from the base of the bluffs, and a single phalange of a bison (Bison antiquis) was recovered from Pleistocene gravels along the Snake River. DIANE L. DOUGLAS

Relevant Technical Report Publications (Budgets Exceeding 0.5 million)

Bruder, Simon J. and Diane L. Douglas, William Eckerle, Janet Hobey. 1999. Survey Results (Class III Inventory). In American Falls: Cultural and Paleontological Resource Inventory on the Snake River Plain, Volume 1, pp. 5-1 to 5-65. Dames & Moore Intermountain Cultural Resource Services Research Paper No.1, Phoenix. Bureau of Reclamation, Idaho. Eckerle, William, John D. Pinsof, Diane L. Douglas. 1999. Natural Environment, In American Falls: Cultural and Paleontological Resource Inventory on the Snake River Plain, Volume 1, pp. 2-1 to 2-17. Dames & Moore Intermountain Cultural Resource Services Research Paper No.1, Phoenix. Bureau of Reclamation, Idaho. Homburg, Jeffrey A. and Diane L. Douglas. 2014. Paleoenvironmental Background. In Vol. 1: Paleoenvironment and Culture History, edited by Jeffrey A. Homburg, John G. Douglass, and Seetha N. Reddy. In People in a Changing Land The Archaeology and History of the Ballona in Los Angeles, California. Series Editors Donn R. Grenda, Richard Ciolek-Torello, and Jeffrey H. Altschul. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District. Homburg, Jeffrey A. and Diane L. Douglas. 2014. Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction of the Ballona Lagoon. In Volume 1: Paleoenvironment and Culture History, edited by Jeffrey A. Homburg, John G. Douglass, and Seetha N. Reddy. In People in a Changing Land The Archaeology and History of the Ballona in Los Angeles, California. Series Editors Donn Grenda, Richard Ciolek-Torello, and Jeffrey H. Altschul. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District. Pinsof, John D., David Fortsch and Diane L. Douglas. 1999. Paleontological Resources. In American Falls: Cultural and Paleontological Resource Inventory on the Snake River Plain, Volume 1, pp. 7-1 to 7-31. Edited by, J. Simon Bruder, Sharon K. Bauer, Diane L. Douglas, Serelle E. Laine and Gregory R. Woodall, Dames & Moore, Intermountain Cultural Resource Services Research Paper No. 1., Bureau of Reclamation, Boise Idaho. Theses and Dissertation

Douglas, D.L. 1998. Temperature Reconstructions Spanning the Continental Divide: Bristlecone and Limber Pine Trees as Proxy Data, Doctoral Dissertation, UMI Number 9910273, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Published Abstracts

Douglas, D.L. and J.A. Homburg 2011. Paleoenvironmental and Landscape Reconstruction of the Ballona in West Los Angeles. In Abstracts Proceedings of the 76th Meeting-Society for American Archaeology, Sacramento, California, March 30−April 3, 2011. Douglas, D.L. 2007. Future Climate Change: Implications for Radioactive Waste. Abstracts XVII INQUA Congress, Cairns, Australia, 2007. Douglas, D.L. 1996. Climate Stations Appropriate for Retrodicting Climate in Montane Environments: Multivariate Statistical Techniques. In Global Warming: Interglacials, Interstadials, Climatic Optima and Other Events, p. 163. Program and Abstracts of the 14th Biennial Meeting, May 20-22, 1996. American Quaternary Association, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona. Pohl, M.M., Fall, P.L., Arundel, S.L., Brinkman, P.D., Davies, C.P., Douglas, D.L., Emrick, S.M. 1996. Holocene Vegetation and Climate History of Laurel Lakes Canyon, Sierra Nevada, CA. In Global Warming: Interglacials, Interstadials, Climatic Optima and Other Events, pp. 118. Program and Abstracts of the 14th Biennial Meeting, May 20-22, 1996. American Quaternary Association, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona.