APPENDIX D Cultural Resources ArchaeoPaleo Resource Management, Inc. A full-service Archaeology and Paleontology company SBE/WBE/DBE/UDBE/LBE/CBE/VSBE/MicroBE Certified Archaeological and Paleontological Resources Phase I Assessment for the East West Valley Interceptor Sewer Project, City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California Prepared for: City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Bureau of Sanitation 2714 Media Center Drive Los Angeles, CA, 90065 And CDM Smith 46 Discovery, Suite 250 Irvine, CA, 92618 Authors: Robin Turner, M.A. Denise Ruzicka, M.A., R.P.A. SunMin Choi, B.S. Miguel A. Miguel, B.S. Edited by: Robin Turner, M.A. Date: March 2019 Key Word(s): CEQA, City of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works, USGS 7.5’ Topographic Quadrangle: Van Nuys & Burbank, CA 2018, Project Area, CEQA-Plus CONFIDENTIALITY NOTE: This document contains sensitive or confidential information regarding the location of archaeological sites which should not be disclosed to the general public or other unauthorized persons. Archaeological and other heritage resources can be damaged or destroyed through uncontrolled public disclosure of information regarding their location. Therefore, information regarding the location, character, or ownership of archaeological or other heritage resources is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act pursuant to 16 USC 470w-3 (National Historic Preservation Act) and 16 USC Section 470(h) (Archaeological Resources Protections Act). This report and records that relate to archaeological sites information maintained by the Department of Parks and Recreation, the State Historical Resources Commission, or the State Lands Commission are exempt from the California Public Records Act (Government Code Section 6250 et seq., see Government Code Section 6254.19). In addition, Government Code Section 6254 explicitly authorizes public agencies to withhold information from the public relating to Native American graves, cemeteries, and sacred places maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission. ArchaeoPaleo Resource Management, Inc. East West Valley Interceptor Sewer Project March 2019 ii Archaeological and Paleontological Phase 1 Assessment EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ArchaeoPaleo Resource Management, Inc. (APRMI) was contracted by CDM Smith to perform an Archaeological and Paleontological Phase I Assessment of the East West Valley Interceptor Sewer Project (Project). The Project is located in the San Fernando Valley within the City of Los Angeles, along Victory Boulevard from Vineland Avenue to Haskell Avenue within Township 2 North and Range 16 West, as denoted on the Van Nuys/Burbank, California 7.5’ United States Geological Survey topographic quadrangle (2018 edition). The Project is approximately 6 miles in length in an east-west trend with a proposed alternative route (~6.5 miles) along Oxnard Street from Vineland Avenue to Kester Avenue then turning north towards the intersection of Victory Avenue and Kester Avenue to end in the same location as the proposed Project. The Project would allow the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation to convey wastewater from the North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Sylmar, and Pacoima neighborhood sewer basin locations to terminate at the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant (DCTWRP), located approximately 100 feet (30 meters [m]) north from the western project boundary (Victory Boulevard and Haskell Avenue intersection), for production and redistribution of recycled water. The Project would include the installation of a new force main line and other components such as junction structures, connecting sewers, pump stations, and maintenance hole structures. A cultural records search was conducted to identify any previously recorded archaeological resource and historic properties within or close to the Project area. A search radius of a half-mile from the Project alignment was established. A prehistoric site within the half-mile radius of the Project known as CA- LAn-345, was documented by J. Chartkoff in 1968 and was originally designated as CA-LAn-186 located on the west side of a “nameless stream bank” within the Sepulveda Basin to the west of the Project. Historic property results included 82 primary site records that have recorded and evaluated historic buildings, landmarks, and places (built environment) for registry qualifications. Only 7 historic properties have been evaluated and approved to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR), or Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monuments (HCM) within a half-mile radius of the Project. The Great Wall of Los Angeles mural is listed in the NRHP, and approximately 50 feet (15 m) west of Coldwater Canyon Avenue along Oxnard Street. 114 previous studies have been conducted within the half-mile radius from the Project alignment, but no significant archaeological prehistoric or historic sites were found that would be directly or indirectly affected by the Project. No known paleontological sites were identified within the APE at the time of the paleontological records search. The Project area has an unknown potential for paleontological resources per Dr. Samuel McLeod of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Even though no fossils have been recovered on the Project site itself, the sediment of the Project is known to be Quaternary alluvium that has yielded significant vertebrate fossil remains at other locations in the region. While the surficial sediment is unlikely to yield paleontological resources, paleontological resources below the surface may be within the older sediment of Quaternary Alluvium. Field reconnaissance of the Project area was conducted to evaluate the presence or absence of any archaeological or paleontological resources to determine if the development of the Project would have any significant adverse impact on such resources. A combination of pedestrian and windshield survey methods were utilized to cover the extent of the Project area. Pedestrian survey methods were conducted to examine more specific features at large (high density) intersections, potentially historic properties, and open space areas which were observed on foot, photographed and noted for any potential significant adverse impacts that may be caused by the development of the Project. Windshield survey methods were used to assess general observations along Victory Boulevard, Kester Avenue, and Oxnard Street from a moving vehicle due to the extent of the Project. The Project area was determined to be primarily a built environment with elements of commercial and residential buildings, highway infrastructure, and utility and water infrastructures. A historic glass shard with a partial embossment from a Brown “Owens ArchaeoPaleo Resource Management, Inc. East West Valley Interceptor Sewer Project March 2019 iii Archaeological and Paleontological Phase 1 Assessment Illinois” bottle base (1953) was found on the surface of the Whitnall Highway Utility Corridor, approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) north east of the intersection at Victory Boulevard and Fair Avenue. The historic glass was found within a half-mile radius of the Project outside of the APE but was considered non-significant due to its highly damaged preservation, and no other remnants of the bottle could be found. Several unique and potentially historic buildings and structures were identified during the field reconnaissance but would not be directly impacted by Project development with a potential to still be indirectly affected (i.e., effects from vibration during construction). No other archaeological resource was observed during the field reconnaissance. No paleontological sites were observed during the field reconnaissance. Cultural records search results include a previously recorded archaeological prehistoric site located within the surrounding area which indicates a high potential to uncover unknown archeological resources during Project related ground disturbing activities. Additionally, several unique historic properties were identified during the records search within a half-mile radius of the Project and potentially historic properties adjacent to the Project at the time of the field reconnaissance but would not be directly impacted by Project development. However, potentially historic buildings, structures, and places outside of the APE observed at the time of the field reconnaissance, may still be impacted by indirect effects along Victory Boulevard, or along Oxnard Street, Kester Avenue and a western portion of Victory Boulevard (from the Haskell Avenue to Kester Avenue) should the proposed alternative be chosen. Temporary impacts at the time of construction caused by indirect effects include potential for visual and vibration impacts. Along Oxnard Street, vibration impacts caused by indirect effects may have lasting impacts on The Great Wall of Los Angeles mural (listed in the NRHP) due to the proximity to the Project alignment, should the proposed alternative alignment be chosen. Therefore, prior to the start of construction for the Project, a qualified archaeologist should be retained during ground disturbing activities within native soils. Under the direction of the qualified archaeologist, an archaeological monitor should be on-site during any construction-related activities (excavation) within native soil to help assure that if archaeological resources are uncovered, or historic properties are impacted, each will be mitigated to a less-than-significant effect on those cultural resources. As determined