DOCSLIB.ORG

Print Untitled (101 Pages)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Print Untitled (101 Pages) SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT JTF-6 FENCE AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION, DOUGLAS, COCHISE COUNrry, ARIZONA Prepared for: JOINT TASK FORCE SIX FORT BLISS, TEXAS Prepared by: U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FT. WORTH DISTRICT Ft. Worth, Texas JULY 1997 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Environmental Assessment (EA) addresses the potential for significant adverse or beneficial environmental impacts in accordance with provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This document was tiered from existing EAs completed for previous construction activities (U.S. Army 199la, 1993) in the same vicinity, and a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement completed for Joint Task Force Six (JTF-6) activities along the U.S.-Mexico border (U.S. Army 1994). The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the U.S. Border Patrol, Tucson Sector are proposing to replace approximately six miles of fence, construct 0.5 miles of new road, and improve 0.8 miles of road along the U.S.-Mexico border at Douglas, Cochise County, Arizona. Approximately 1.3 miles would be of decorative fence, with the remaining 4.9 miles of steel landing mat. These agencies have requested support from JTF-6 for the use of military personnel and equipment to complete this action. JTF-6 has requested that the Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assess the potential for impacts related to construction of the fences. The proposed action would increase the U.S. Border Patrol's ability to complete their mission of reducing illegal drug traffic into the U.S. The proposed construction area encompasses approximately six miles of existing border fence near Douglas within a corridor that would be a maximum of 30 feet wide. The proposed action would be accomplished by a U.S. Military Engineer Battalion as part of their annual training. Approximately 70 personnel would be required to complete the proposed action. Alternatives considered include no action, increasing air patrols, increasing the number of U.S. Border Patrol agents in the area, and the proposed plan above. The no action alternative would not allow U.S. Border Patrol agents to increase effectiveness or fulfill their mission. Increasing air patrols would not. aid the U.S. Border Patrol in controlling drug traffic. Increasing the number of U.S. Border Patrol agents in the area was found to have excessive cost constraints, as well as an increase in expected environmental impacts. The pmposed action would not significantly impact area land use, water resources, air quality, cultural resources, or socioeconomic resources. Impacts of the proposed action would not affect any listed or species proposed for listing as threatened or endangered in accordance with the Endangered Species Act. Additionally, with environmental design measures specified as part of the proposed action, there would be negligible impacts to area soil, water resources, and biological resources. Significant potential soil erosion and related surface water runoff impacts would not be expected during construction efforts of the proposed action. Procedures and methods that would be implemented to mitigate erosion and sedimentation impacts have been developed in the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP) for the proposed action. A Notice of Intent as part of the PPP for the proposed action would be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality prior to construction. TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................... ii 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. 1-1 1.1 Background............................. ... .1-1 . 1.2 Project Location .................................................................................... 1-1 1.3 Purposed and Need ................................................................................ 1-3 1.4 Applicable Environmental Statutes and Regulations ........................................ 1-4 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES .................. 2-1 2.1 Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) ...................................................... 2-1 2.2 No Action ........................................................................................... 2-5 2.3 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Analysis ............. -............ 2-5 2.3.1 Increase Air Patrols ...................................................................... 2-5 2.3.2 Increase Number of U.S. Border Patrol Agents ................................... 2-6 3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ................................................................. 3-1 3.1 Land Use ............................................................................................ 3-1 3.2 Water Resources ................................................................................... 3-1 3.3 Air Quality .......................................................................................... 3-2 3.3 .1 Federal, State, Rural, and Wilderness Standards .................................. 3-2 3.3.2 Current Attainment Status .............................................................. 3-4 3.4 Biological Resources .............................................................................. 3-5 3.4.1 Vegetation ................................................................................. 3-5 3.4.2 Fish and Wildlife ......................................................................... 3-6 3.4.3 Threatened and Endangered Species ................................................. 3-6 . 3.5 Cultural Resources .................................................................................. 3-7 3.5.1 Previous Cultural Resource Investigations .......................................... 3-7 3.5.2 Known Cultural Resource Properties ................................................. 3-9 3.6 Socioeconomic Resources ....................................................................... 3-10 3.6.1 Population ................................................................................. 3-10 3.6.2 Employment and Income .............................................................. 3-10 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES .................................................... 4-1 4.1 Proposed Action ..................................................................................... 4-1 4.1.1 Land Use .................................................................................. 4-1 4 .1. 2 Water Resources ......................................................................... 4-1 4.1.3 Air Quality .................................. , ............................................. 4-2 4.1.4 Biological Resources .................................................................... 4-2 4.1.4.1 Vegetation ....................................................................... 4-2 4 .1.4. 2 Fish and Wildlife ............................................................... 4-4 4.1.4.3 Threatened and Endangered Species ....................................... 4-4 4.1.5 Cultural Resources ....................................................................... 4-5 4.1.6 Socioeconomic Resources .............................................................. 4-5 4.1.6.1 Environmental Justice ......................................................... 4-6 4.2 No Action ........................................................................................... 4-6 4.3 Cumulative Impacts ................................................................................ 4-7 iii 5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN MEASURES ................................................ 5-l 5.1 General. .............................................................................................. 5-l 5.2 Water Resources ................................................................................... 5-1 5.3 Air Quality .......................................................................................... 5-1 5.4 Biological Resources .............................................................................. 5-2 5.5 Cultural Resources ................................................................................. 5-2 6.0 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT., .................................................................... 6-1 6.1 Agency Coordination .............................................................................. 6-1 6.2 Public Review and Comment .................................................................... 6-1 7.0 REFERENCES ..................................................................................... 7-1 8.0 LIST OF ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS ................................................. 8-l 9.0 LIST OF PREPARERS ............................................................................ 9-1 Appendix A Photographs of Proposed Construction Area Appendix B List of Species Listed and Proposed for Listing Under the Endangered Species Act Appendix C Cultural History and Previous Research in the Douglas Area Appendix D Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Appendix E Public Comments and Responses on Draft Environmental Assessment LIST OF TABLES Table 1-1 Applicable Environmental Statutes and Regulations ................................... 1-5 Table 3-1 National and State Ambient Air Quality Standards ...................................... 3-3 Table 3-2 Habitat Requirements and Reason for Decline of Federally Listed Species and Species Proposed for Listing ......................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Petro MAY05 V2003
    PETROGLYPH Newsletter of the Arizona Archaeological Society Volume 41, Number 9 www.AzArchSoc.org May 2005 IN THIS ISSUE… MESSAGE FROM THE STATE CHAIR 2 — Certification Department News On March 26, 2005, a group of AAS state officers and committee heads met 2 —Elden Field Schools in the conference room at Pueblo Grande for the first in a series of planning 4 —Upcoming events meetings. For all present this was an opportunity to participate in a 3 —Fielder Fund reassessment of the society, of readdressing our mission and goals, of looking 9 —News from the chapters at the problem areas and working together to bring about improvements, of Next deadline is at noon Friday, May 20, for attracting new membership and contributing more to the archaeology of the the June issue state. I strongly believe that the combined creativity of this group of people will produce ideas that will result in a revitalization of our society. A number of issues were raised which needed to be addressed with some immediacy. Concerns were voiced, followed by discussion and Objectives of AAS recommendations, and plans were put in place for resolution of the problems (Continued on page 2) To foster interest and research in the archaeology of Arizona STATE OFFICERS PUBLICATIONS CHAIR ADVISORSADVISORS Donna Ruiz y Costello Charlie Gilbert To encourage better public Donna Ruiz y Costello Charlie Gilbert Brenda Poulos, Chair P.O.Judy Box Rounds, 1401 Treasurer 378714310 E. N. Lone 10th Cactus Street Drive GaryGary Stumpf Stumpf John Hohmann, PhD understanding and concern for 3882038820 North North 25th. 25th.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Assessment
    San Bernardino and Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuges Comprehensive Management Plan 1995 - 2015 Environmental Assessment U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 2 Albuquerque, New Mexico U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION MEMORANDUM Within the spirit and intent of the Council on Environmental Quality's regulations for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other statutes, orders, and policies that protect fish and wildlife resources, I have established the following administrative record and have determined that the action of: Implementation of a programmatic Comprehensive Management Plan for the San Bernardino and Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuges is a categorical exclusion as provided by 516 DM 6, Appendix 1, Section B(4). No further documentation will be made. is found not to have significant environmental effects as determined by the attached Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact. X is found to have special environmental conditions as described in the attached Environmental Assessment. The attached Finding of No Significant Impact will not be fmal nor any actions taken pending a 30-day period for public review (40 CFR 1501.4(e)(2)). is found to have significant effects, and therefore a "Notice of Intent" will be published in the Federal Register to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement before the project is considered further. is denied because of environmental damage, Service policy, or mandate. is an emergency situation. Only those actions necessary to control the immediate impacts of the emergency will be taken. Other related actions remain subject to NEPA review. Other supporting documents: Finding of No Significant Impact, Environmental Assessment for San Bernardino and Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuges Comprehensive Management Plan.
    [Show full text]
  • Nomination Form Date Entered 1. Name 2. Location 3. Clas
    NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (3-82) Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service For NPS use only National Register of Historic Places receded -pn __ /M984 Inventory — Nomination Form date entered See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type all entries — complete applicable sections ____________________________ 1. Name historic Besh-Ba-Gowah CG.P7 GTobeT6:8) and/or common Besh-Ba-Gowah 2. Location street & number N/A not for publication city, town _X_ vicinity of Globe state Arizona code 04 county Gila code 07 3. Classification Category Ownership Status Present Use district _ X. public _ occupied agriculture museum building(s) private X unoccupied commercial X park structure both work in progress educational private residence X site Public Acquisition Accessible entertainment religious object in process _ yes: restricted government X scientific JV_Hbeing considered ^ yes: unrestricted industrial transportation no military other: 4. Owner of Property name City of Globe street & number 150 N. Pine St. city, town Globe- vicinity of state Arizona 85501 5. Location of Legal Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Gila County Courthouse street & number 1400 E. Ash city, town Globe state Arizona 85501 Investigations Among the Indians,.. title from 1880 to 1885;..Part II ' has this property been determined eligible? __yes _JLno A.F. Bandener 1892 (see bibliography) date i 883 ________________ federal state __ county X local depository for survey records Vatican Archives city, town Rome, Italy state 7. Description Condition Check one Check one excellent deteriorated unaltered X original site good X ruins X altered moved date fair unexposed Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance SUMMARY Besh-Ba-Gowah (AZ V:9:ll (ASM)) is a 200 room prehistoric Salado masonry pueblo located atop a broad ridge overlooking Pinal Creek.
    [Show full text]
  • The East Verde Is a Rapidly Degrading Stream Flowing Through a Country Of
    An archeological reconnaissance of the East Verde River in central Arizona Item Type Thesis-Reproduction (electronic); text Authors Peck, Fred Rawlings,1925- Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 23/09/2021 22:17:51 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/191414 FroritespieCe The East Verde is a rapidly degradingstream flowing through a country of high relief. AN AtC HEOLOGICAL RECO ISANCE OF THE Ei$T VERDE RIVER IN CENTPLMIDNA by Fred R. Peck A Thesis submitted to the faculty of the Department of Anthropology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of M$TER OF ARTS in the Graduate College, University of Arizona l96 Approved: Director of T is Y Date /95 This thesis has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at the University of Arizona and is deposited in the Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or repro- duction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the head of the major department or the dean of the Graduate College when in their judgment the proposed use of the material is in the interests of scholarship.
    [Show full text]
  • The Rye Creek Project: Archaeology in the Upper Tonto Basin
    The Rye Creek Project: Archaeology in the Upper Tonto Basin Volume 3: Synthesis and Conclusions Mark D. Elson Douglas B. Craig Contributions by Walter H. Birkby Maria H. Czuzak William L. Deaver Alan Ferg Laura C. Fulginiti Elizabeth Miksa Henry Wallace Center for Desert Archaeology Anthropological Papers No. 11 The Rye Creek Project: Archaeology in the Upper Tonto Basin Volume 3: Synthesis and Conclusions Mark D. Elson Douglas B. Craig Contributions by Walter H. Birkby Maria H. Czuzak William L. Deaver Alan Ferg Laura C. Fulginiti Elizabeth J. Miksa Henry D. Wallace Submitted to Arizona Department of Transportation Phoenix, Arizona Contract No. 88-36 Center for Desert Archaeology Anthropological Papers No. 11 1992 ii Cover Center for Desert Archaeology 3975 North Tucson Boulevard Tucson, Arizona 85716 (602) 881-2244 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................. vii LIST OF TABLES ................................................................. ix PART 5: SYNTHESIS AND CONCLUSIONS ........................................... 1 23. WESTERN APACHE AND YAVAPAI POTTERY AND FEATURES FROM THE RYE CREEK PROJECT By Alan Ferg ................................... 3 WESTERN APACHE AND YAVAPAI HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE RYE CREEK AREA .................................................... 3 Ethnographic Information for the Area . 3 Western Apache and Yavapai Archaeological Remains .............................. 7 THE DEER CREEK SITE, AZ 0:15:52 ............................................ 8 Feature
    [Show full text]
  • The Quarterly
    THE COCHISE QUARTERLY Volume 1 Number 1 March,1971 CONTENTS The Life and Times of Wyatt Earp 3 by John W. Gilchriese Casas Grandes Water Control System 7 by Charles C. Di Peso Prelude to the Battle of Cibicu 12 by John H. Monnett The Salado Culture in Cochise County 28 by Jack P. and Vera M. Mills Cover designed by Ray Levra, Cochise College A Publication of the Cochise County Historical and Archaeological Society P. O. Box 207 Pearce, Arizona 85625 2 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF WYATT EARP by John D. Gilchriese Field Historian, University of Arizona On March 19, 1848 a seemingly unimportant event took place in Monmouth, Warren County, Illinois. Although nearly totally unnoticed at the time, the birth of Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp would prove significant to countless individuals interested in the history of the post Civil War, trans-Mississippi West. His name has become commonplace to serious historians and an army of fictioneers alike. Yet, history shows that this man spent little actual time in Mon­ mouth. Just two years after his birth, the Earp family migrated to Pella, in southeastern Iowa. On the beautiful rolling prairies sur­ rounding this small agricultural town, Wyatt Earp grew to manhood. Due to the rigid insistence of his father, Nicholas Porter Earp, Wyatt, his brothers and sisters received a two-fold education. For the sons this included not only classroom studies, but a knowledge of several trades as well. Farm work, however, never appealed to Wyatt who as a small boy craved the more adventurous pursuits of hunting and exploring the local Iowa countryside.
    [Show full text]
  • Arizona Archeological Sites (8.5X11) 2-1-2006.Pmd 1 February 2006 EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
    National Park Service Archeological Sites U.S. Department of the Interior in Arizona Casa Grande Ruins National Monument An informational guide to Federal, State, and other major archeological sites in Arizona. EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA Archeological Sites in Arizona 1. Pipe Spring National Monument (928) 643-7105 HC65, Box 5 Fredonia, AZ 86022 http://www.nps.gov/pisp Pipe Spring National Monument is rich with American Indian and Mormon pioneer history. The water of Pipe Spring has made it possible for plants, animals, and people to live in this dry, desert region. Ancestral Puebloans and Kaibab Paiute Indians gathered grass seeds, hunted animals, and raised crops near the springs for at least 1,000 years. Daily tours of Winsor Castle, summer “living history” demonstrations, an orchard and garden, and a half-mile trail offer a glimpse of American Indian and pioneer life in the Old West. From I-15: Turn onto Utah Rte 9 in Hurricane, Utah. Take Utah Rte 59 east out of Hurricane. This road turns into Arizona Rte 389 at the state line. Pipe Spring is 45 miles east of Hurricane. From Utah Hwy 89 and 89A: Turn onto Arizona Rte 389 in Fredonia, Arizona. Pipe Spring is 15 miles east of Fredonia. 2. Navajo National Monument (Keet Seel & Betatakin Cliff Dwellings) (928) 672-2700 H.C. 71, Box 3 Tonalea, AZ 86044-9704 http://www.nps.gov/nava Navajo National Monument preserves three of the most-intact cliff dwellings of the ancestral Puebloan people (Hisatsinom). The Navajo people who live here today call these ancient ones “Anasazi.” The monument is high on the Shonto Plateau, overlooking the Tsegi Canyon system in the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona.
    [Show full text]
  • A History of Tonto National Monument Nancy L
    Western National Parks Association Tucson, Arizona At the Confluence of Change: A History of Tonto National Monument Nancy L. Dallett Western National Parks Association Tucson, Arizona Copyright© 2008 by Nancy L. Dallett Published by Western National Parks Association The net proceeds from WNPA publications support educational and research programs in the national parks. To receive a free catalogue, featuring hundreds of publications, email: [email protected] or visit our online store at www.wnpa.org. Written by Nancy L. Dallett Edited by Melissa Urreiztieta Designed by Simpson & Convent Cover photograph: Lower Cliff Dwelling by Adriel Heisey Printed by Friesens Printed in Canada contents List of Illustrations 7 Acknowledgments 8 Introduction 1 1 Chapter One: Reclamation. Conservation, and Preservation: Three Currents Converge 17 Chapter Tw-a: One Land, Many Peoples 45 Chapter Three: The Early Years of Tonto National Monument: The Forest Service Era, 1807-1833 67 Chapter Four: The National Park Service Takes Over, 1 833-1 853 87 Chapter Five: A Time of Transition: Mission· BB, 1854-1866 147 Chapter Six: Taking Control: Fences, Science, and Surveys, 1867-1885 171 6 • CONTENTS Chapter Seven: Reclamation, Conservation, and Preservation Revisited: A Mission F.leborn, 1 BBB-2006 1 81 Epilogue 221 Appendix A: American Antiquities Act 223 Appendix B: Tonto National Monument Proclamations 225 Appendix C: Tonto National Monument Custodians and Superintendents 229 Appendix C: Tonto National Monument Visitors Per Year 231 References 233 Index 247 illustrations
    [Show full text]
  • PROSTOR POSEBNI OTISAK/ SEPARAT 2-17 Znanstveni Prilozi Nenad Lipovac
    PROSTOR 19 [2011] 1 [41] ZNANSTVENI ÈASOPIS ZA ARHITEKTURU I URBANIZAM A SCHOLARLY JOURNAL OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNING SVEUÈILIŠTE POSEBNI OTISAK / SEPARAT OFFPRINT U ZAGREBU, ARHITEKTONSKI FAKULTET Znanstveni prilozi Scientific Papers UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB, FACULTY 2-17 Nenad Lipovac The Beginning of Poèetak nastanka OF ARCHITECTURE Prehistoric Settlements prapovijesnih naselja ISSN 1330-0652 of the American Southwest amerièkog jugozapada CODEN PORREV Original Scientific Paper Izvorni znanstveni èlanak UDK | UDC 71/72 UDC 711.423:903.3 (73) UDK 711.423:903.3 (73) 19 [2011] 1 [41] 1-280 1-6 [2011] Fig. 1 Prehistoric cultures spread in the Southwest region, known as Four Corners Sl. 1. Rasprostranjenost prapovijesnih kultura i zajednica amerièkog jugozapada, poznatog kao Four Corners Znanstveni prilozi | Scientific Papers 19[2011] 1[41] PROSTOR 3 Nenad Lipovac University of Zagreb Sveuèilište u Zagrebu Faculty of Architecture Arhitektonski fakultet HR - 10000 Zagreb, Kaèiæeva 26 HR - 10000 Zagreb, Kaèiæeva 26 Original Scientific Paper Izvorni znanstveni èlanak UDC 711.423:903.3 (73) UDK 711.423:903.3 (73) Technical Sciences / Architecture and Urban Planning Tehnièke znanosti / Arhitektura i urbanizam 2.01.04 - History and Theory of Architecture 2.01.04 - Povijest i teorija arhitekture and Preservation of the Built Heritage i zaštita graditeljskog naslijeða Èlanak primljen / prihvaæen: 5. 6. 2011. / 9. 6. 2011. Article Received / Accepted: 5. 6. 2011. / 9. 6. 2011. The Beginning of Prehistoric Settlements of the American Southwest Poèetak nastanka prapovijesnih naselja amerièkog jugozapada American prehistoric cultures amerièke prapovijesne kulture American prehistoric settlement amerièka prapovijesna naselja American Southwest amerièki jugozapad Cliff dwellings nastambe u stijeni Pueblos pueblosi This paper represents the continuation of the research (from the planer’s view) Ovaj èlanak predstavlja nastavak planerskih istraživanja provedenih na temu on the American prehistoric settlements, but this time of the Southwest.
    [Show full text]
  • Arizona Reflections Living History from the Grand Canyon State
    i Arizona Reflections Living History from the Grand Canyon State Bob Ring ii Copyright © 2015 by Bob Ring All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or retransmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the author. Book design: Bob Ring Cover design: Bob Ring Printed by: Three Knolls Publishing & Printing International Standard Book Number: 978-1-941138-74-8 iii Dedication This book is dedicated to the continuing fight against cancer, a disease that has affected me since 1985. Cancer has touched my Life Ann Ring, my beloved wife, and mother of my three incredible sons, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1985 and after a brave struggle, finally succumbed to the disease in 1990. Eleven years later in 2001, I met my wonderful second life partner, Pat Wood, who has twice survived breast cancer - experiencing surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy - and has been cancer-free since 2004. Finally, in 2013/2014 I had three early skin cancers surgically removed from my head - a squamous cell, early melanoma, and basil cell - an experience that my dermatologist referred to as a rare “trifecta.” My objectives with this book As my small part in battling cancer, I am self-publishing this book and then giving the books away while copies last. I strongly encourage readers to make a generous donation to an appropriate cancer treatment or support organization so that we can permanently eradicate this disease and/or ease the burden of those afflicted. iv Help Support the Fight Against Cancer American Cancer Society – Tucson District 1636 N.
    [Show full text]
  • Archaeological Parks and Monuments of Central Arizona
    ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARKS AND MONUMENTS OF CENTRAL ARIZONA Tonto National Monument – Upper Cliff Dwelling NPS PHOTO INTRODUCTION The purpose of this website is to provide some information about the prehistory of the Southwest with a focus on two of this regions prehistoric cultures: the Hohokam and Salado and their historic homelands. Native Americans have occupied what is now Arizona for thousands of years. There is no other place in the United States that contains such monumental remnants of prehistoric cultures as the Southwest desert of North America. The largest Native American reservation (majority of the Navajo Nation) and the second largest, the Tohono O’odham Nation, are located in Arizona. The purpose of these pages are also to give visitors to the Apache Junction, Arizona area a glimpse of the well-preserved ancient dwellings and history of the indigenous people whose civilizations occupied this region. These people flourished here in the Southwest Sonoran Desert centuries ago, prior to the first Spanish explorers arriving here in Arizona around the mid-late 15th century. Expecting to find great riches, the Spaniards encountered communities of Native Americans. The Southwest is described as extending from Durango, Mexico, to Durango, Colorado, and from Las Vegas, New Mexico, to Las Vegas, Nevada. (Cordell 1984:2) Rock art in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona Southwest Cultures’ Geographical Area Illustration by John McDonald Archaeologists believe some of the first early inhabitants arrived here in the Southwest some 11,000 to 15,000 years ago (Paleo-Indian Tradition). Archaeological evidence of the earliest Paleo-Indians in the American Southwest comes from two mammoth kill sites in Southern Arizona.
    [Show full text]
  • Archaeological Parks and Prehistoric Native American Indian Ruins of Central Arizona
    ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARKS AND PREHISTORIC NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN RUINS OF CENTRAL ARIZONA TONTO NATIONAL MONUMENT * UPPER CLIFF DWELLING “NPS PHOTO” INTRODUCTION The purpose of this website is to provide some information about the prehistory of the Southwest with a focus on two of this regions prehistoric cultures; the Hohokam and Salado and their historic homelands. Native Americans have occupied what is now Arizona for thousands of years. There is no other place in the United States that contains such monumental remnants of prehistoric cultures as does the Southwest desert of North America. The largest Native American reservation (majority of the Navajo Nation ) and the second largest the Tohono O'odham Nation are located in Arizona. The purpose of these pages are also to give visitors to this area a glimpse of the well- preserved ancient dwellings and history of the indigenous people whose civilizations occupied this region. These people flourished here in the Southwest Sonoran Desert centuries ago, prior to the first Spanish explorers arriving here in Arizona around the mid- late 15th century. Instead of the great riches they expected, the Spaniards found self- sustaining communities of natives. Most of the natives were living in simple shelters along fertile river valleys, dependent on hunting and gathering and small scale farming for subsistence as was noted in the journals of the first Spanish explores. It seems that they had reverted back to their archaic ancestor’s way of life centuries before. The first to arrive in Arizona was Fray Marcos de Niza a Franciscan friar in 1539 and was followed a year later by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado.
    [Show full text]