6.5 Cultural Resources
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6.5 CULTURAL RESOURCES 6.5.1 OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY The site is currently occupied by the vacant St. John’s St. John’s Seminary College campus and a citrus orchard with dirt and paved roads. Residential development is to the east and south, and Arroyo Las Posas/Calleguas Creek runs along the northern and western borders of the site. Historical studies determined that the design of St. John’s Seminary is potentially eligible as historic sites based on its architecture. The implementation of the proposed project would result in the loss of the campus and have an unavoidable and significant impact to the historical resources located within the project site. Archaeological studies determined that potential significant impacts to archaeological, cultural (disturbance of human remains), and paleontological resources would be less than significant. The cumulative impacts related to the proposed project would be less than significant. 6.5.2 LITERATURE AND DATA REVIEW Project Related Studies The following project-related studies were completed and used (see Appendix 6.5): • W & S Consultants. Phase I Archaeological Survey for St. John’s Proposed project Study Area, Camarillo, Ventura County, California. 2008. • W & S Consultants. Phase II Excavation and Determination of Significance at Site SF-1, St. John’s Seminary, Camarillo, Ventura County, California. 2008. • Post/Hazeltine Associates. Historic Resources Report for St. John’s Proposed Project. 2008. • Compass Rose Archaeological. Negative Archaeological Survey Report. 2011. Other Data Sources In addition to project-related studies, the following source was utilized: • City of Camarillo. “Community Design Element,” City of Camarillo General Plan, 2012. 6.5.3 METHODOLOGY Historical Resources The methodology for determining whether the property meets the eligibility requirements for listing as a historic resource under City, state, and federal eligibility criteria was based on archival research to Impact Sciences, Inc. 6.5-1 St. John’s Seminary Residential Community EIR 0037.030 June 2017 6.5 Cultural Resources determine the historic context of the properties within the project area, as well as on-site evaluation of the physical and visual integrity of each building. This included 1. documentation of the historical context and physical appearance of the resources within the project site and the individual buildings, structures, and features; 2. evaluation of the integrity of St. John’s Seminary College and its individual components; 3. identification of potential historical, architectural, and cultural resources within the project area; 4. evaluation of potential resources for listing as historic resources at the City of Camarillo, state, and federal levels; 5. assessment of the direct and indirect impacts of the proposed project on historical resources identified in this study; 6. evaluation of the direct and indirect impacts of the proposed project on the property; and 7. mitigation measures for impacts to historical resources that may result from the project as proposed. Archaeological Resources The methodology for determining whether the property contains any potential archeological resources included both Phase I and Phase II archaeological surveys of the project site. The Phase I investigation was completed to provide a background review of pertinent research, and an archival records search to determine if any known archaeological sites were present in the project corridor and/or whether the area had been previously and systematically studied by archaeologists. The Phase I investigation also included an intensive, on-foot survey of the project area to identify unrecorded cultural resources, and a preliminary assessment of such resources, should any be found within the project site. The Phase II archaeological survey was completed to determine the size, nature, and significance of this archaeological site, and, thereby, to provide baseline data from which an assessment of potential adverse impacts to this resource could be made. This survey was used to determine whether the project site would have any trace of a formal cemetery for the unearthing of human remains. Paleontological Resources The suitability for the discovery of any paleontological or unique geologic features was determined from the analysis of the geologic characteristics and the soils of the project site. Impact Sciences, Inc. 6.5-2 St. John’s Seminary Residential Community EIR 0037.030 June 2017 6.5 Cultural Resources 6.5.4 APPLICABLE REGULATIONS Federal National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 established the National Register to recognize resources associated with the country’s history and heritage. Structures and features usually must be at least 50 years old to be considered for listing on the National Register—barring exceptional circumstances. Criteria for listing on the National Register, which are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations,1 are significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture as present in districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, and that are any of the following: A. associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; B. associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; C. embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction; represent the work of a master; possess high artistic values, represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; D. have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. Criterion D is usually reserved for archaeological and paleontological resources. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties The Secretary of the Interior (SOI) is responsible for establishing standards for the preservation and protection of buildings and other cultural resources eligible for listing in the National Register.2 The 1990 document Secretary of the Interior’s Standard for the Treatment of Historic Properties outlines specific standards and guidelines for the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and reconstruction of historically designated structures. Preservation standards and guidelines apply to those buildings that require ongoing maintenance to sustain its existence for historicity. Rehabilitation standards and guidelines involve the reuse of a historic structure or property while maintaining portions that maintain historic value. Restoration standards and guidelines are applicable to projects that remove portions of a building from another historic period in order to reconstruct missing features from the restoration period. Reconstruction standards and guidelines apply to new developments that replicate a historic period or 1 Title 26, Part 63 of the Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR Part 63) 2 National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior, “About Us,” http://www.nps.gov/nr/about.htm, 2008. Impact Sciences, Inc. 6.5-3 St. John’s Seminary Residential Community EIR 0037.030 June 2017 6.5 Cultural Resources setting. Each set of standards provides specific recommendations for the proper treatment of specific building materials, as well as parts of building development. Federal Antiquities Act Paleontological resources are classified as non-renewable scientific resources and are protected by several federal and state statutes, most notably by the 1906 Federal Antiquities Act,3 which calls for protection of historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest on federal lands. Because the proposed project does not include any federal lands, this statutory scheme does not apply. State Regulations State Office of Historic Preservation The mission of the Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) and the State Historical Resources Commission (SHRC), in partnership with the people of California and governmental agencies, is to preserve and enhance California's irreplaceable historic heritage as a matter of public interest so that its vital legacy of cultural, educational, recreational, aesthetic, economic, social, and environmental benefits will be maintained and enriched for present and future generations. The OHP is responsible for administering federally and state-mandated historic preservation programs to further the identification, evaluation, registration, and protection of California’s irreplaceable archaeological and historical resources under the direction of the SHPO and the SHRC. OHP’s responsibilities include • identifying, evaluating, and registering historic properties; • ensuring compliance with federal and state regulatory obligations; • encouraging the adoption of economic incentive programs designed to benefit property owners; and • encouraging economic revitalization by promoting a historic preservation ethic through preservation education and public awareness and, most significantly, by demonstrating leadership and stewardship for historic preservation in California. OHP reviews and comments on several thousand federally sponsored projects, state programs, and state projects annually pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. 3 Federal Antiquities Act of 1906, PL 59-209; 16 USC 431 et seq.; 34 Stat. 225. Impact Sciences, Inc. 6.5-4 St. John’s Seminary Residential Community