The current condition of your forest property is a
result of both nature and nurture. Understanding the human history of
your property is an important step towards understanding how the
forests that are there now "work".
It is also important to understand the
requirements of state and federal law regarding preservation of
cultural resources that m be found on your property. Cultural
resources are the physical evidence and remains of prehistoric and
historic activities occurring on the land. They may include such
items as arrowheads, Indian village sites, mining camps and ditches,
and the remains of historic buildings.
Cultural resources are considered by the state and
federal governments to be part of the heritage of all Californians
and so are protected by law. Timber harvest generally causes a good
deal of ground disturbance which may damage important cultural
resources. Therefore the California Forest Practices Act requires
identification and protection of all significant cultural resources
prior to harvest. Other land uses requiring governmental approval or
utilizing government funding, such as residential development, use of
prescribed fire, and forest restoration also require cultural
resource evaluation and clearance.
That is not to say that finding cultural resources
on your land means that you cannot use that land to meet your needs.
For example harvesting timber from a culturally sensitive site
usually means excluding heavy equipment from the immediate site.
Trees are felled and dragged out with a cable. Construction can
occur, usually by moving the construction site some or by conducting
a formal excavation on the site.
Cultural resources include both historic and
prehistoric artifacts and sites. Prehistoric activities, by
definition, occurred before written records were kept. In California,
the prehistoric period began at least 10,000 years ago, by which time
Native American tribes were living in all major ecological zones of
the state.
The prehistoric period ended in some parts of California when the Spanish began their first settlements in 1769. However, for most of the state, the historic period did not begin until the Gold Rush of 1848.
Since by definition no written records were kept during the prehistoric period, other methods must be used to determine whether prehistoric cultural resources exist on your property. These methods include consultation with the Indian tribe which occupied your land as part of its traditional territory, and an archaeological survey of your property. Both are required elements of Timber Harvest Plans (THPs) filed with the California Department of Forestry prior to any timber harvesting done on your property. Need for these steps in other activities on your property would vary depending on the nature of the activity and the rules of the agencies involved. Be sure to check.
It is currently a requirement of the Timber Harvest Planning process that tribes be consulted before any timber harvest on private lands. This typically consists of notifying in writing the current tribal government or cultural committee concerned with cultural resources the tribal council in your area in writing of your harvesting plans. Tribal knowledge and records are then used to pinpoint important cultural resources allowing them to be protected from damage during harvest.
Archaeological surveys are required components of
Timber Harvest Plans (THPs). They are typically required for other
major land-disturbing activities as well. Archaeological surveys are
physical inspections carried out to locate evidence of prehistoric or
historic activity on your property.
These inspections must be carried out by someone trained in
archaeological survey methods. These methods typically involve
traversing the property in a set pattern to look for artifacts. The
density of traverses is dependent on the likelihood of finding
remains. The likelihood is determined by the location of the property
and its characteristics as well as how many artifacts have been found
in nearby areas.
For timber harvest plans, Forest Stewardship Plans and Nonindustrial Timber Management Plans, a Registered Professional Foresters may conduct the survey themselves if they have undergone the appropriate training. For other types of land uses, a trained archaeologist must carry out the survey.
Some properties have undergone extensive
archaeological survey, while others have not. If timber has been
harvested on your property since 1973, or if it has undergone a major
land use change with attendant environmental review under the
California Environmental Quality Act, it is possible that an
archaeological survey has already been conducted. Other occasions on
which surveys are conducted include subdivision of land into parcels
or development for recreation.
Ideally, records from previous timber surveys were
passed on to you. If not, you may find them at your county planning
office along with THPs or other documents pertinent to your
property.
The most comprehensive source of information on
already conducted archaeological surveys is the state database of
archaeological information maintained by the California Office of
Historic Preservation (OHP), part of the California Department of
Parks and Recreation. This database is called the California
Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS).
CHRIS is administered by eleven independent
Information Centers each of which maintains records for a particular
portion of the state (see Contacts Database). Information is provided
to government, institutions, and other individuals who have a need
including Registered Professional Foresters and landowners.
Information Center staff will carry out a
archaeological records search for a fee when requested to do so in
writing by an authorized person. Staff need a legal description of
the property's location, and or a map, in order to do so.
If a record search determines that no previous surveys have been done on your property, you will need to arrange to have one conducted when you file a Timber Harvest Plan (THP). Your Registered Professional Forester may have the ability to do this personally or may work with a particular archaeologist. If not, you should be able to get a referral from the Information Center which maintains lists of consultants qualified to do archeological field work within their area.
Historic activities, by definition, occurred after
written records were kept in an area. However, this does not mean
that there actually are written records available for the history of
your property. Therefore, the primary source for historic cultural
resource information is also the archaeological survey. Required
surveys for THPs, or other projects, usually cover both historic and
prehistoric cultural resources.
Landowners who want to find out more about the
history of their property for their own information do have some
sources at hand. Volunteer historical societies which exist in most
California counties are a good source of historical information.
Local museums also keep this type of information.
Some museums have kept records of the original
settlers in their areas and the enterprises they were engaged in.
Accessing this information requires knowing the names of the previous
owners of your land. You should have this information on your
property title. If not, you may be able to get names from museum
staff who have been in your area for a long time.
Old newspapers from your area are another good
source of information. Originals and reproduced versions of old
newspapers are usually available from the newspaper office or your
county museum or historical society.
Typically these give some coverage to the
development of the mining, logging, and ranching industries in their
area. Since property location is not described precisely in most
accounts, you will need to know the names of the original owners of
your property to access this information.
Although this information is unlikely to be very specific about your
property, it will give you a good idea of the kinds of events
happening in your area at a particular time and what types of
cultural resources might be present.
Archaeological Survey: A physical inspection of a piece of property which is
carried out to locate evidence of historic or prehistoric activities
occurring there.
Cultural Resource: Physical evidence and remains of prehistoric or historic activities occurring on the land. These may include diverse remains such as arrowheads, village sites, mining camps and ditches, and historic buildings. Significant cultural resources are protected from disturbance by state and federal law.
In accordance with applicable State and Federal laws and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate in any of its policies, procedures, or practices on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, medical condition, or handicap. Inquiries regarding this policy may be directed to the Affirmative Action Director, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 300 Lakeside Drive, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612-3560. (510) 987-0096.
Publication of this series was in part funded by the
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
under Contract numbers 8CA96027 and 8CA96028