G. Cultural Resources
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LSA ASSOCIATES, INC. DOWNTOWN MARTINEZ DRAFT SPECIFIC PLAN EIR DECEMBER 2004 IV. SETTING, IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES G. CULTURAL RESOURCES G. CULTURAL RESOURCES This section describes the baseline conditions for paleontological and cultural resources within or adjacent to the Plan area. The potential impact associated with implementation of the Draft Specific Plan are evaluated and mitigation measures are recommended as appropriate. 1. Setting This section describes existing conditions of cultural and paleontological resources in order to assess potential impacts to such resources as a result of the implementation of the proposed Plan. Paleon- tological resources consist of fossils and their immediate surroundings, while cultural resources can consist of prehistoric and historical archaeological sites, buildings, structures, or objects significant in local, regional, or national history. Baseline conditions are determined by: (1) identifying known paleontological and cultural resources; (2) providing a brief overview of the planning area’s geologi- cal and historical background; and (3) describing the cultural resource laws, codes, and regulations applicable to the Plan area. a. Paleontological Resources. The following section briefly describes Martinez’s geological setting, identifies those formations that may contain paleontological resources, and provides a pre- liminary sensitivity assessment for the occurrence of such resources within or adjacent to the planning area. (1) Overview. CEQA Guidelines, Appendix G(V)(c), establish that impacts to unique paleontological resources (fossils) may be considered impacts to the environment. The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology has identified vertebrate fossils, their taphonomic1 and associated environ- mental indicators, and fossiliferous deposits as significant nonrenewable paleontological resources. Botanical and invertebrate fossils and assemblages may also be considered as significant resources.2 A fossil locality search and literature review were conducted: (1) to identify known paleontological resources within and adjacent to the planning area; and (2) to interpret the history and fossiliferous nature of geological formations in and around Martinez. The locality search was conducted by staff at the Museum of Paleontology at the University of California, Berkeley (UCMP) on June 3, 2003, and paleontological and geological literature on file at LSA was reviewed. The following section briefly describes Martinez’s geological setting, identifies those formations that may contain paleontological resources, and provides a preliminary sensitivity assessment for the occurrence of such resources within or adjacent to the Plan area. (2) Geological and Paleontological Setting. Paleontologically, Martinez and the surround- ing areas are quite active. UCMP locality V-71131, a vertebrate fossil site that is Pleistocene (Rancholabrean) in age (approximately 1.6 million years ago), occurs directly in downtown Martinez. There are seven vertebrate fossil localities on record with the UCMP within 5 miles of the Plan area. 1 Taphonomy is the study of the burial, decay and preservation processes that affect animal and plant remains as they become fossilized. 2 Conformable Impact Mitigation Guidelines Committee, 1995. Assessment and Mitigation of Adverse Impacts to Nonrenewable Paleontologic Resources: Standard Guidelines. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology News Bulletin 163:22-27. P:\ASO330\Products\Draft EIR\Public\4G-Cultural.doc (12/2/2004) PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT 135 LSA ASSOCIATES, INC. DOWNTOWN MARTINEZ DRAFT SPECIFIC PLAN EIR DECEMBER 2004 IV. SETTING, IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES G. CULTURAL RESOURCES The City of Martinez lies on the southernmost bend of the Carquinez Strait, which connects Suisun Bay to San Pablo Bay. The north-south running Southampton fault lies directly west of Martinez. Rocks of the lower unit of the Great Valley Sequence form the western border of this fault. These rocks have been dramatically folded.3 There are a number of lithologic units east of the Southhampton fault in the region surrounding Martinez. The upper portion of the Great Valley Sequence and an east-west wedge of the Martinez formation form the eastern boundary of the Southampton fault. The area directly south of Martinez is comprised of Martinez formation, Domengine Sandstone, Markely Sandstone, and rocks from both the Monterey and San Pablo group. Microfossils such as foraminifera have been used biostratigraph- ically to date rocks from these formations.4 There is also Quaternary alluvium south of, and within, the City. The City rests mostly on intertidal deposits of Quaternary age. Lithologic units within and adjacent to the Plan area are described below. • Great Valley Sequence (KJu & Ku). The oldest unit of this sequence is the Lower Cretaceous- Upper Jurassic Great Valley Sequence (KJu). This unit is comprised of marine mudstone, silt- stone, sandstone, and conglomerate and contains invertebrate fossils.5 The nearest outcrop is located east of the City. Though much younger, the Upper Cretaceous unit is found in contact with the older unit due to the Southampton fault. This unit is composed of undifferentiated marine rocks and it contains fossil invertebrates and microfossils, such as foraminifera, radio- larians, and diatoms.6 • Chico Formation (Kc). The Chico formation is made up of marine sediments including silt- stone, shale, sandstone and conglomerate.7 A vertebrate locality (UCMP V-75023) is located in this formation just south of Martinez. • Martinez Formation (Pmz). The Martinez formation is Paleocene in age and is composed of marine quartzose sandstone. This formation may contain invertebrate fossils.8 • Domengine Sandstone (Ed) and Markley Sandstone (Emk). These sandstones are Eocene in age and are both marine sandstones. Domengine sandstone is reported to contain abundant mol- 9 luscan fossils. 3 Wagner, D.L. & E.J. Bortugno, 1982. Geologic Map of the Santa Rosa Quadrangle, Map 2A (Geology), second printing 1999. California Division of Mines and Geology, Sacramento. 4 Hackel, O., 1966. Summary of the Geology of the Great Valley. In: Geology of Northern California, USGS Bulletin #190, pp. 217–238. California Division of Mines and Geology, Sacramento. 5 Blake, M.C. Jr., R.W. Grayner and D.L. Jones, 2000. Geologic Map and Map Database of parts of Marin, San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa and Sonoma Counties, California United States Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies MF-2337, Version 1.0. 6 Page, B.M., 1966. Geology of the Coast Ranges of California. In: Geology of Northern California, United States Geological Survey Bulletin #190, pp. 255-276. California Division of Mines and Geology, Sacramento. 7 Wagner, D, C. Jennings, T. Bedrossian and E. Bortugno, 1987. Geologic Map of the Sacramento Quadrangle Map 1A (Geology), second printing. California Division of Mines and Geology, Sacramento. 8 Hackel, O., op. cit. 9 Payne, M.B., 1951. Type Moreno Formation and Overlying Eocene Strata on the West Side of the San Joaquin Valley, Fresno and Merced Counties, California. California Division of Mines and Geology Special Report 9. California Division of Mines and Geology, Sacramento. P:\ASO330\Products\Draft EIR\Public\4G-Cultural.doc (12/2/2004) PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT 136 LSA ASSOCIATES, INC. DOWNTOWN MARTINEZ DRAFT SPECIFIC PLAN EIR DECEMBER 2004 IV. SETTING, IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES G. CULTURAL RESOURCES • Monterey Group (Mmy) and San Pablo Group (Msp). These groups are Miocene in age and composed primarily of marine sandstone and shale. They are both fossiliferous. The Monterey Group contains marine microfossils10 as well as marine megafossils11 that could range from shells to fossilized whale bone. The San Pablo Group contains fossil echinoids and mollusks.12,13 Four fossil localities are present in the San Pablo group within 10 miles of Martinez. These localities are: V-3649, V-4038, V-6211, and V-65399. • Intertidal Deposits (Qi). Martinez lies primarily on these quaternary deposits. These deposits consist of peaty mud, and form commonly in lagoons and estuaries along the San Francisco Bay. These deposits are too young to be paleontologically significant. • Alluvium (Q). This is sediment deposited by recent fluvial or lucustrine activity. These deposits are also too young to be paleontologically significant. The Plan area is located on Intertidal deposits that are not paleontologically significant. However, many of the rock formations that surround Martinez contain fossils, and it is possible that one or more of these fossil-bearing formations underlie the Plan area at unknown depth. Therefore, the Plan area has a low-to-moderate potential to contain fossils. b. Cultural Resources. Cultural resources are legally recognized as part of California’s environ- ment. Cultural resources can consist of archaeological sites, buildings, structures, and objects that may or may not meet criteria for historical significance at the local, regional, or national level. They can also include specific areas or natural resources that are actively used by a particular community and important to maintaining its cultural identity or lifeways. If a cultural resource meets legal cri- teria for significance, then it is afforded consideration during environmental review. Under CEQA, the impacts of discretionary projects on significant cultural resources must be considered during environmental review. CEQA states that effects that may cause substantial adverse changes in the significance of