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3.4 EXAMPLE of a section in an EIR pertaining to Cultural Resources

3.4

CULTURAL RESOURCES

3.4.1

Introduction

This section of an EIR uses Cultural Resource Assessment reports that are typically prepared
by contractors who are licensed/qualified experts, as well as, other published documents.
These contractors are experts in the fields of archeological and paleontological sciences, but
could just as well include the meteoritical sciences. This section usually discusses cultural
resources that would occur on a proposed project site that could be affected by the project,
evaluates potential project impacts on these resources, and provides mitigation measures
to avoid or reduce those impacts. As part of a Cultural Resources Assessment, there is an
Initial Study that is prepared by the contracted experts for a project and is included in this section
for Cultural Resources discussion purposes. These "Initial Studies" determine whether any
historic structures are located on the project site, and whether any known Native American
cultural values are associated with the project site.
This "Initial Study" also determines whether there are any geological formations that could contain
paleontological resources that could be impacted. This "Initial Study" would be the most logical
point in this process to determine whether there could be an impact to meteoritical resources.
This same study could determine whether any geological surfaces are conducive for preserving
meteorites, as well as report on whether any previous meteorite falls or finds have been
catalogued from this project area.
Therefore, the following analysis addresses "archeological and paleontological resources" but
could just as easily address meteoritical resources.

3.4.2

Environmental Setting

Regional and Local Setting

Paleontology

This section relates to the General Plan EIR
where the report identified the various geological formations in the project area that could have the
potential to yield fossil materials. If the project site was found not to have geological formations
containing significant fossils, then what is typically stated at this point in the report is this:
"The project site is not underlain by formations that the General Plan EIR identified as being
paleontologically sensitive."

Archaeology

Same as above but related to archeological resources.

Meteoritical [EXAMPLE - paragraph could appear here!]

Same as above but related to meteoritical resources.
In other words, this would be the most logical point in the EIR to determine whether there could be an
impact to meteoritical resources. If the surface conditions are not conducive to the preservation or
recovery of meteorites, then the following statement could appear here:
"The project site is not underlain by formations that the General Plan EIR identified as being
meteoritically sensitive."
But if a study determined that the geological surfaces were conducive for preserving meteorites,
then this is the place to discuss "mitigation monitoring". Also, if any previous meteorite falls or finds
or IMPACT STRUCTURES
had been reported from this project area, that history should appear hear in a table format.

Example EIR

3.4-1

3.0 Environmental Analysis

Table 3.4-1

Historical Meteorite Finds and Meteorite Impact Structures (could be listed HERE)

(Reference: Meteoritical Bulletin)

Known Meteorites or Meteorite Impact Structures:

According to a records check and literature survey completed for the project, no meteoritical finds or impact structures have

been reported on or within 25 mile of the project site; in addition, no formal meteoritical reports have previously

been prepared for areas within 5 mile of the project site. Contracted experts also completed a field survey of the

project site. While no meteoritical resources were observed on the site during this survey, ground visibility was limited

to about five percent.

Source: Catalogue of Meteorites

3.4 Cultural Resources

3.4.3

Regulatory Framework

Federal Regulations

State Regulations

The California Register of Historic Resources(P.R.C. Section 5020, et. seq.)

State law also protects cultural resources by requiring evaluations of the significance of prehistoric and historic

resources in CEQA documents. A cultural resource is an important historical resource if it meets any of the criteria

found in Section 15064.5(a) of the CEQA Guidelines.

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) maintains the California Register of Historic Resources (CRHR).

Properties listed, or formally designated eligible for listing, on the NRHP are automatically listed on the CRHR, as

are State Landmarks and Points of Interest. The CRHR also includes properties designated under local ordinances

or identified through local historical resource surveys.

California Senate Bill 297 (1982)

This bill addresses the disposition of Native American burials in archaeological sites and protects such remains

from disturbance, vandalism, or inadvertent destruction; establishes procedures to be implemented if Native

American skeletal remains are discovered during construction of a project; and establishes the Native American

Heritage Commission to resolve disputes regarding the disposition of such remains. It has been incorporated into

Section 15064.5(e) of the State CEQA Guidelines.

General Plan Policies

The General Plan contains no objectives or policies that pertain to archaeological or paleontological [or meteoritical] resources.

3.4.4

Thresholds of Significance

This analysis is based on the likelihood, from previous studies and excavations, that a [meteoritical] resource

could be affected by activities that disturb the ground surface or subsurface, including grading or excavation.

Although a portion of the site has been subjected to systematic [meteoritical] survey, surface examination often

cannot reveal whether subsurface resources exist.

Similarly, surface examination often cannot reveal whether [meteoritical] resources are present at a specific

project location. However, as described above, the rock type that underlies the project site can be of a type that

preserves [meteorites]. This analysis is based on the probability, based on previous geological studies, that

[meteoritical] resources could be affected by activities that disturb the ground surface or subsurface, including

grading or excavation.

The following thresholds of significance are based on Appendix G of the 2002 CEQA Guidelines. For purposes of

this EIR, implementation of the proposed project may have a significant adverse impact on cultural resources if it

would result in any of the following:

Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to

Section 15064.5 of the CEQA Guidelines

Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature

[Directly or indirectly destroy a unique meteoritical resource or strewn field or unique impact feature]

Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries

End of Example EIR