Cultural and Paleo Resources
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RANCHO LA HABRA SPECIFIC PLAN DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT SCH NO. 2015111045 CITY OF LA HABRA February 2018 Appendix G Cultural Resources Study Paleontological Resources Study ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES SURVEY REPORT: CALATLANTIC HOMES RANCHO LA HABRA – LA HABRA PROJECT CITY OF LA HABRA, ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Prepared for: C A R L S O N S T R A T E G I C L A N D S OLUTIONS Peter K. Carlson, President 27134A Paseo Espada, Suite 323 San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 CC: C ALA TLANTIC H OMES 15360 Barranca Parkway Irvine, CA 92618 Prepared by: P A L E O S OLUTIONS , I NC. 911 S. Primrose Ave., Unit J Monrovia, CA 91016 [email protected] (562) 818-7713 Principal Investigator: Geraldine L. Aron, M.S. Report Author: Michael Kay, M.A., RPA. PSI Report #: CA16OrangeCA01R-A S EPTEMBER 2016 PSI Report Number: CA16OrangeCA01R-A This page intentionally left blank TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................. ii 2.0 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 1 3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................. 1 4.0 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ....................................................................................................... 6 4.1 NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT................................................................................. 6 4.2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES PROTECTION ACT ................................................................ 6 4.3 NATIVE AMERICAN GRAVES PROTECTION AND REPATRIATION ACT ................................... 6 4.4 CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE AND CEQA .............................................................. 6 4.5 CALIFORNIA SENATE BILL 18 ....................................................................................................... 7 4.8 ELIGIBILITY OF SIGNIFICANCE UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT .......................................................................................................................................................... 8 4.9 ORANGE COUNTY GUIDELINES ................................................................................................... 8 5.0 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................... 9 5.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING ........................................................................................................... 9 5.2 CULTURAL SETTING ..................................................................................................................... 10 5.2.1 PREHISTORIC BACKGROUND ............................................................................................ 10 5.2.2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND .............................................................................................. 11 5.2.3 ETHNOGRAPHY ..................................................................................................................... 12 6.0 RESEARCH AND RECORDS SEARCH ...................................................................................... 14 7.0 NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNICATION ............................................................................... 17 8.0 METHODS ....................................................................................................................................... 17 9.0 RESULTS ............................................................................................................................................ 17 10.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................................. 19 11.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................. 20 FIGURES Figure 1. Project location map. ....................................................................................................... 4 Figure 2. Project location and boundaries....................................................................................... 5 Figure 3. Archaeological resources survey map within the Project area. ..................................... 18 TABLES TABLE 1. CALATLANTIC HOMES RANCHO LA HABRA – LA HABRA PROJECT SUMMARY……………………….........………..…………………………………………..…iii TABLE 2. PREVIOUSLY DOCUMENTED CULTURAL RESOURCES WITHIN A 0.5-MILE RADIUS OF THE PROJECT AREA ......…………………………………………………….…15 i PSI Report Number: CA16OrangeCA01R-A Carlson Strategic Land Solutions CalAtlantic Homes’ Rancho La Habra – La Habra Project 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report presents the results of the archaeological technical study conducted by Paleo Solutions, Inc. (Paleo Solutions) for Carlson Strategic Land Solutions (SLS), for the Rancho La Habra – La Habra Project (Project) being proposed by CalAtlantic Homes. This work was required by the City of La Habra to meet their requirements as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). All archaeological work was completed in compliance with CEQA and Orange County guidelines. CalAtlantic Homes proposes to construct on the approximately 151-acre Westridge Golf Course property in the City of La Habra, 422 homes, including 277 single-family homes and 145 multi- family residences, either a maximum of 20,000 square feet of retail and restaurant uses or 49 multi-family dwelling units adjacent to Beach Boulevard and the existing Westridge Plaza, and open space, trails, and public parks. Paleo Solutions conducted an intensive survey of the Project area and discovered no cultural resources. A records search indicated that one previously documented cultural resource had been discovered within the Project boundaries. The resource was found to be the remnants of a foundation to an oil retention basin related to the development of the oil fields in La Habra in the first half of the twentieth century (Maxon 1999). In addition, ten additional cultural resources had been previously documented within a 0.5-mile radius of the Project area. Based on the results of the field survey and records search, Paleo Solutions has determined moderate potential for the discovery of cultural resources in undeveloped portions within the Project area, and recommends archaeological monitoring during grading in areas of native soil. PSI Report Number: CA16OrangeCA01R-P ii TABLE 1. CALATLANTIC HOMES RANCHO LA HABRA – LA HABRA PROJECT SUMMARY Project Name CalAtlantic Homes Rancho La Habra – La Habra Project CalAtlantic Homes is proposing to construct a community consisting of four new residential neighborhoods linked by trails and open space areas, and anchored by a new public community center and park. It would include a maximum of 422 homes, including 277 single-family homes and 145 multi-family residences, and either a Project Description maximum of 20,000 square feet of retail and restaurant uses or 49 multi-family dwelling units on the 2.6 acre building pad. Construction would involve grading, detention basin excavation, landscaping, and infrastructure improvements such as storm drains, water, sewer, and streets. The Project site is located in the City of La Habra within the northern portion of Orange County. Specifically, it is located on the Westridge Golf Course, which is east Project Area of Beach Boulevard, west of Idaho Street, and south of Imperial Highway, in the City of La Habra, Orange County, California. Total Acreage ~151 acres Location (PLSS) and Quarter-Quarter Section Township Range Land Ownership Land Owner Unsectioned NA NA NA Private Topographic Map(s) USGS La Habra 7.5’ Geologic map of the Whittier and La Habra quadrangles, CA (Dibblee and Geologic Map(s) Ehrenspeck, 2001) Surveyor(s) Barbara Webster Date Surveyed April 15, 2015 Eleven prehistoric and historic-period cultural resources were identified within 0.5 Previously Documented mile of the Project area. Of these, one was discovered within the Project boundaries. Cultural Resources It was found to be the remnants of a foundation to an oil retention basin related to the within 0.5-mile radius development of the oil fields in La Habra in the first half of the twentieth century of the Project area (Maxon 1999). Intensive pedestrian survey of areas not covered by golf course green and Method of survey landscaping. Survey transect was 15 meters apart, covering approximately 35 acres of the Project area. Archaeological Survey No new cultural resources were discovered during the course of the survey. Results Due to the presence of previously recorded prehistoric and historical resources within Archaeological a 0.5-mile radius of the project area, cultural resources significance is determined to Sensitvity be moderate, particularly in undeveloped areas within the project area It is recommended that spot-checking be performed during all earthmoving activities impacting native Holocene sediments in undeveloped portions of the Project area. If spot-checking results in the discovery of cultural resources, full-time monitoring is recommended in native Holocene sediments.Such portions are those that have not Recommendation(s) been developed for the golf course. Prior to the start of construction a cultural resources monitoring plan should be prepared and implemented. The plan should include specific locations and construction activities