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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8 Mitigation Program , +.. MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM The Initial Study/Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for this project documents the impacts and mitigation measures that would reduce, avoid, or otherwise minimize these impacts. This draft Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) will ensure that each mitigation measure, adopted as a condition of project approval, would be implemented. This draft MMRP will comply with CEQA Guidelines Section 15074(d) that specifies the lead agency shall adopt a program for reporting on or monitoring the changes that it has either required in the project or made a condition of approval to mitigate or avoid significant environmental effects. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Truckee Donner Public Utility District (District) will adopt this MMRP when conditions of project approval are identified in order to mitigate environmental effects. It will be the responsibility of the District to ensure completion and adoption of the monitoring program, and for coordination and implementation of the program. LIST OF MITIGATION MEASURES AND DATE OF COMPLETION The following mitigation measures have been included in the project: 3.4 Biological Resources(a;d): Raptor and migratory nest surveys will be conducted prior to construction activities. If an active nest is located in close proximity to the project site, based on recommendations made to the District by the surveying biologist, the District will immediately notify the California Department of Fish and Game. Mitigation Monitorin : Truckee Donner Public Utility District Timing Process: Prior to construction Verification of Compliance Qnitials Date Remarks): 3.5 Cultural Resources(a-d): The District will have Dr. Susan Lindstrom, a local Truckee cultural/historic archeologist, on-call during the entire duration of the construction period. In the event that evidence of cultural resources are encountered during pipeline replacement, Dr. Lindstrom would be notified to record the location of such resources and gather available information in s accordance with Appendix K of the CEQA guidelines. The District will coordinate any s findings with the appropriate state, federal, and tribal entities according to standard reporting procedures to avoid disruption of any archaeological and/or historical resources. Mitigation Monitoring—Truckee Donner Public Utility District l Timing Process: During construction Verification of Compliance(Initials Date Remarks): 1 t APPENDIX B BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT AND SURVEY REPORT s s f S z i S } EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A biological field survey of the Truckee-Donner Public Utility District's water pipeline project along Chalet Way and Swiss Lane in the Tahoe-Donner subdivision was conducted on January 24, 2006. The project sites were surveyed on foot for the presence of special- status plant and wildlife species or potential habitats known to support rare species, including comparisons with habitat conditions from other local occurrence sites. No federal or state listed threatened or endangered plant or wildlife species, or species of concern, were observed during the January 24, 2006 survey nor is suitable habitat present to support any listed species. No significant impacts to special status species are expected as a result of the project which is largely due to the pipeline being placed within the road prism along residential streets and the urbanized nature of the area. Homes along the pipeline alignments are generally within 30 to 50 feet of the road shoulder. Pre-construction surveys for nesting raptors and migratory birds will be required during the breeding season prior to any heavy equipment use, noise producing activities, or other site disturbances. s s i s s 2 migratory birds will be required during the breeding season prior to any heavy equipment use, noise producing activities, or other site disturbances. 4. SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES: POTENTIAL IMPACTS Special Status Species include: • Wildlife and plant species that are listed or proposed for listing as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (50 CFR 17.11 for wildlife, 50 CFR 17.12 for plants; various notices in the Federal Register for proposed species); • Species that are listed, or proposed for listing by the state of California as threatened or endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (California Administrative Code, Title 14, Section 670.5); • Wildlife species identified by the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) as species of concern (wildlife species that do not have state or federal threatened or endangered status but may still be threatened with extinction) (Remsen 1978, Williams 1986, Jennings et al. 1994); • Wildlife species that are designated as fully protected by CDFG (California Administrative Code, Title 14, Section 670.5); • Plants considered by the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) to be rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere (Skinner and Pavlik 1994); and • Plant species that meet the definition of rare or endangered under the California Environmental Quality Act(1970). Potential impacts to special-status species were evaluated in terms of mandatory findings of significance of Section 15065 of CEQA and Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines (Governor's Office of Planning and Research, 1999). The evaluation also considered current policies and guidelines regarding stream and wetland impacts by CDFG and USACE, as well as local plan policies and guidelines. In accordance with CEQA Guidelines, impacts to biological resources were considered potentially significant if the project would: • Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly through habitat modifications, on any species identified as candidate, sensitive, or special status-species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the CDFG, USFWS, or NMFS. • Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations or by the CDFG, USFWS, or NMFS. • Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined above (including, but not limited to, marshes, vernal pools, coastal wetlands) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means. • Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites. • Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional or state habitat conservation plan. 4 a t 1 and/or denning, and other elements associated with these species' prey base and/or breeding habitat are not present, as well. Therefore, there is no potential for impacts. • California wolverine(Gulo gulo luteus) • Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator) The wolverine and Sierra Nevada red fox are two of the rarest mammals in California with most occurrence records in an historical context. They are most closely associated with more remote, non-urbanized areas than that which typifies the project areas. The project areas does not contain the necessary elements needed for breeding and there are no suitable denning sites, such as large logs, burrows, caves, or rock outcrops, or suitable prey base habitat for foraging. Therefore, there is no potential for impacts. • Sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus) • Cooper's hawk(Accipiter cooperit) The Sharp-shinned hawk and Cooper's hawk's nesting requirements are fairly general, but are almost always close to a water source. Though nesting records are scarce for both of these species, there are a few records for nesting on the east slope of the Sierra at and above project elevation gradients. Marginal conditions do exist near a small stream that crosses underneath Swiss Lane between Lucerne Lane and Sun Valley Road. Therefore, a pre-construction survey for these two target species will be required prior to any project activities initiated during the breeding survey. • Vaux's swift(Chaetura vauxi) • Lewis' woodpecker(Melanerpes Lewis) These two species require some form of either a naturally occurring or self-excavated cavity and/or hollow in a living or dead tree (snag). During field surveys, an inspection was made for the presence of any snags and/or living trees with features that could support cavity-nesting species. No Iarge tree hollows suitable to support nesting Vaux's swift are present along the project alignments. No snags of any kind were found and the few natural cavities located among the living trees were deemed to be too distant from the project activity areas to result in disturbances that would lead to nest abandonment. Therefore, there is no potential for impacts. • Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare(Lepus americanus tahoensis) • Western white-tailed hare (Lepus townsendii townsendit) The snowshoe and white-tailed hares could potentially utilize the habitats found in the project area; but the almost total lack of tree seedlings or tender saplings, shrubs, and herbaceous layer in the forest understory would restrict foraging habitat for these species along the pipeline alignments. The short duration of project construction activities should preclude any potential disruption that would alter breeding behavior that could impact these species. Therefore, there is no potential for impacts. 6 harassment or harm and also protect their eggs and nestlings. Disturbance that causes nest abandonment and/or loss of reproductive effort is considered a "taking" by CDFG. For example, construction during the breeding season (March 1—July 15) could result in the incidental loss of fertile eggs or nestlings or lead to nest abandonment. Any loss of fertile eggs or any activities resulting in nest abandonment would constitute a significant impact. The lodgepole pine community essentially occupies almost all non-developed ground in the project areas. This close proximity of the tree component to the roads that will overlay the pipelines creates the potential that nesting birds may nest close to the roads and, subsequently, project activities that could disrupt breeding activities and the feeding and/or foraging behaviors of parent birds. Disturbances within established breeding territories can cause nest abandonment or alter parental care activities, thus increasing the risk of mortality to young, who may have poor nutritional health and/or diminished learned foraging skills. Therefore, a pre-construction survey for nesting migratory birds will be conducted prior to construction activities. 7. WILDLIFE MOVEMENT CORRIDORS Wildlife movement corridors are utilized by both migratory and resident wildlife species and characteristically comprise habitats containing food, cover, and shelter necessary for survival. Movement corridors are primarily comprised of contiguous undisturbed habitat; and although they may cross highways and high-use thoroughfares or traverse rural residential areas, they are rarely found in direct association with relatively high-density residential areas. In addition to providing essential routes for movement by wide-ranging and/or migratory species, wildlife movement corridors also represent important foraging,breeding, and dispersal habitat utilized by resident species; consequently, they are considered a sensitive resource by the California Department of Fish and Game. Because the project locations are entirely within areas of high levels of development and human activity, no significant movement of wildlife would be expected during the daylight hours when work on the project would be conducted. No natural plant communities serving as wildlife habitat would be removed that could be utilized as foraging, breeding, or other forms of habitat used by wildlife or the local deer populations. The relatively short duration of the project and the linear nature of the disturbances taking place at different times and in various locations, as well as the absence of permanent and/or even temporary impacts to any native vegetation communities, should preclude any potentially significant detrimental effects to wildlife movements. In addition, the area of development that constitutes the Tahoe Donner subdivision is bounded by intact tracts of natural habitats and is not contiguous with the Truckee commercial area, allowing wildlife to easily circumvent the subdivision area during transient movement. No critical winter range, fawning, or fall holding areas of the Verdi subunit of the Loyalton-Truckee deer herd are associated with the project alignment. No impediments to deer or other wildlife movement is expected and no mitigation is required. i i 8 s Nevada County Planning Department. Seedy, E.C. and Brussard, P., eds. 2002. Nevada County natural resources report: an independent scientific assessment of watersheds and wildlife habitats. Nevada City, CA. Reed, P. B. 1988. National list of plant species that occur in wetlands: California (Region 0). (Biological Report 88[26-10]). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. St. Petersburg, FL. Remsen, J. V., Jr. 1978. Bird species of special concern in California: An annotated list of declining or vulnerable bird species. Project PR W-54-R-9, Nongame Wildlife Investigations, Wildlife Management Branch Administrative Report No. 78-1, California Dept. of Fish and Game, Sacramento, California. Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. In cooperation with The Nature Conservancy and the California Department of Fish and Game. California Native Plant Society. Sacramento, California. Small, A. 1994. California Birds: Their Status and Distribution. Ibis Publishing Company, Vista, California. Tibor, D. P. 2001. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California (sixth edition). Rare Plant Scientific Advisory Committee, David P. Tibor, Convening Editor. California Native Plant Society. Sacramento, CA. Truckee, Town of. 1996. 1996 Truckee General Plan. Volume l: Goals and Policies. Truckee Community Development Department, Town of Truckee. Available on website: http://www.truckee2025.or,g/96genlDlql] eocont htm United States Army Corps of Engineers 1987.Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. Wetlands Research Program, Technical Report Y-87-1. Wildlife Society, The. 1996. Natural History and Management of Bats in California and Nevada. From proceedings of the Western Section of The Wildlife Society Conference, November 13-15, 1996, Sacramento, CA. Williams, D. F. 1986. Mammalian species of special concern in California. California Dept. of Fish and Game, Habitat Conservation Planning Branch. Wildlife :Management Division Administrative Report 86-I. Sacramento, California. z 10 Common and Scientific Fed/State Suitable Habitat Name Legal Preferred Habitats present/ Status Potential Impacts Rufous hummingbird FSCi- Found wherever melliferous(nectar producing) Not present. No impacts Sefasphorus t7 fur flowers occur. Few Calif. breeding records. expected. Little Willow Flycatcher Willows on edge of wet meadows,ponds,or Not present.No impacts Fnrpidonax trailit brewsteri 4SE backwaters;at 2000-8000 elev.Requires dense expected. willow thickets for nesting/roosting. American Dipper Clear,fast-flowing streams&rivers in montane Not present. No impacts inc us memcanzns FSC/- regions,with large boulders,tumbling waterfalls, expected &steep cliffs used as sheltered nest sites. California Yellow Warbler _/CSC Riparian habitats dominated by willows,alders, Not present. No impacts Dendroiea peteehia brewsteri cottonwoods,sycamores,or in mature chaparral. expected. MAMMALS Pallid Bat Tree cavities,rock outcrops,cliffs,&crevices for Not present. No impacts Antrozous pallidus -/CSC roosting;open habitats for foraging. Deserts, expected. grasslands,shrublands,woodlands,and forests. Pale Townsend's Big-eared Bat Mesic habitats;feeds along habitat edges;roosting Not present.No impacts Corynorhinus townseudil FSC/CSC and maternity sites in caves,mines,tunnels,and expected. pallescens buildings. Needs appropriate roosting,maternity &hibemacula sites free from human disturbance. Spotted Bat .Arid deserts&grasslands thm mixed conifer Not present.No impacts Euderma maculatunt FSC/CSC forests. Needs rock crevices in cliffs or caves for expected. roosting.Only known maternity roosts in cliffs. Open,semi-arid to and habitat, including conifer Not present.No impacts Western Mastiff Bat FSC/CSC &deciduous woodlands,coastal scrub,grasslands, expected. Eumops perotis ealijornicus chaparral,etc. Roosts in crevices in cliff faces, buildings,trees,and tunnels. Wide variety of habitats.Optimal habitats are Not present. No impacts Fringed Myotis FSC/ pinyon juniper,valley foothill hardwood,and expected. Myotis thysanodes hardwood-conifer. Uses caves,mines,buildings, or crevices for maternity colonies and roosts. Small-footed Myotis FSC/- Open stands in forests,woodlands,&shrublands; Not present.No impacts Myotis ciliolabrum uses caves,crevices,and abandoned buildings. I expected. Most common in woodland and forest habitats Not present.No impacts Long-legged Myotis FSC/- above 4,000 ft. Trees are important day roosts; expected. Myotis volans caves and mines are night roosts. Nursery colonies under bark or in hollow trees; occasionally crevices or buildings. Roosts colonially in natural&human-made sites, Not present.No impacts Yuma Myotis FSC/- including caves,mines,buildings,bridges,and expected. # Myotis yumanensis trees; in no. Calif.,maternity colonies are usually in fire-scarred redwoods,pines,or oaks. Sierra Nevada Snowshoe Hare FSC/CSC Found in dense thickets of conifers,riparian Habitat present. No Leptes atnericonus tahoensis vegetation,or chaparral in boreal life zones. impacts expected. Western White-tailed Hare -/CSC Found in sagebrush,juniper,montane meadows, Habitat present. No Lepus townsendii townsendil and early successional stages of conifer forests. impacts expected. Dense growths of small deciduous trees&shrubs, Habitat present. No Sierra Nevada Mountain Beaver _/CSC 'vet soil,and abundance of forbs. Needs dense impacts expected. Aplodomia ruJa cafifornica understory for food and cover. Burrows in sot} soil.Needs abundant supply of water. 12 APPENDIX C CULTURAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT AND SURVEY REPORT s s' z s s TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITIES DISTRICT TAHOE DONNER PROJECT (SWISS LANE AND CHALET ROAD) HERITAGE RESOURCE INVENTORY TRUCKEE, CALIFORNIA NEVADA COUNTY BY SUSAN LINDSTRdM, PH.D. CONSULTING ARCHAEOLOGIST P.O. BOX 3324 TRUCKEE,CALIFORNIA 96160 PREPARED FOR INLAND ECOSYSTEMS 1000 BIBLE WAY,SUITE 16 RENO,NEVADA 89502 s FEBRUARY 2006 i s e SUMMARY The Truckee Donner Public Utilities District (District) plans to install a water line within the Tahoe Donner Subdivision in Truckee, California (Nevada County). Archaeological concerns apply to approximately 4,400 feet along Swiss Lane and about 875 feet along Chalet Road for a total of 5,275 feet. The disturbance corridor will be 12 feet wide; all pipeline excavation and project staging activities are confined within the existing road prisms. Current environmental review policies, in compliance with guidelines established by the State of California (CEQA), Nevada County and the Town of Truckee require a consideration of the impacts of an undertaking on heritage resources. Accordingly, a heritage resource study was conducted by Dr. Susan Lindstr6m, consulting archaeologist to Inland Ecosystems. The required records search at the California Historical Resources Information System, North Central Information Center at California State University Sacramento was completed in order to identify any properties listed on the National Register, state registers and other listings, including the files of the State Historic Preservation Office. According to the search, no prior archaeological studies have been conducted within the project areas and there are no heritage resources within or adjacent to the project. In addition, the Washoe Tribe was consulted in order to assess any Native American concerns (see attached correspondence). On January 24, 2006, the entire project area was subject to a"windshield survey." This type of cursory archaeological reconnaissance technique is appropriate, given the fact that the original ground surface is completely obscured by the roadway. Project ground disturbance activities are limited to the existing road prisms, which is underlain by road-fill material. Swiss Lane and Chalet Road pass through forested areas along gentle to moderate slopes. For the most part, residential developments (homes, driveways, landscaping) border the roads. Accordingly, the project area's likelihood of containing heritage resources is low. No heritage sites, features or artifacts were discovered within the project areas. Consequently, the District should not be constrained regarding heritage resources. Although the project areas have been subject to systematic surface archaeological investigations, it is possible, although unlikely, that buried or concealed heritage resources could be present and detected beneath the road fill during project ground disturbance activities. If heritage resources are discovered, project activities should cease f in the area of the find and the District should consult a qualified archaeologist for recommended procedures. The Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California has been notified and concurs with the study 1 findings. r r 3 general area for the purpose of stone tool manufacture. However, basalt rock that occurs within the project areas is coarse-grained and is unsuitable as too] stone. The study area lies within Storer and Usinger's (1971) Yellow Pine/Jeffrey Pine Belt. In the Truckee Basin Jeffrey pine(Pines jef n' yi) dominates forest stands and on the project site it shares dominance with white fir (Abies concolor) and lodgepole pine (P. murrayana). Understory species include sagebrush(Artemesia tridentata), bitterbrush (Persia trk entataI, current(Ribes spp.), squaw carpet (Ceanothus prostrates), and assorted forbs and grasses. It is doubtful that modern plant (or animal) communities closely resemble their pristine composition due to historic and modern disturbance. PREHISTORY A large view divides the prehistory of the Siena Nevada and adjoining regions into intervals marked by changing lifeways that represent major stages of cultural evolution (Elston 1982, 1986). In broadest terms, the archaeological signature of the Truckee area marks a trend from hunting-based societies in earlier times to populations that were increasingly reliant upon diverse resources by the time of historic contact. The shift in lifeways may be attributed partially to factors involving climatic change, a shilling subsistence base, and demographic change. The archaeology of the region was first outlined by Heizer and Elsasser(1953) in their study of sites located in the Truckee Basin Martis Valley area. They identified two distinct prehistoric lifeways which are believed to have once characterized the area's early occupants. Subsequent studies have further refined the culture history of the region (Elston et al. 1977). Some of the oldest archaeological remains reported for the Tahoe Region have been found in the Truckee River Canyon near Squaw Valley. These Pre-Archaic remains suggest occupation by about 9,000 years ago (Tahoe Reach Phase). Other Pre-Archaic to Early Archaic occupation, dating from about 7,000 years ago, was documented near Spooner Summit overlooking Lake Tahoe (Spooner Phase). The most intensive period of occupation in the region may have occurred at varying intervals between 4,000 and 500 years ago (Martis Phases during the Early and Middle Archaic, and Early Kings Beach Phase during the Late Archaic). The protohistoric ancestors of the Washoe (Late Kings Beach Phase and also of Late Archaic times) may date roughly from 500 years ago to historic contact. WASHOE HISTORY The project area falls within the center of Washoe (Wa She Shu) territory, with primary use s by the northern Washoe or Wel met ti (d'Azevedo 1986; Nevers 1976). The Washoe regard all "prehistoric" remains and sites within the Truckee area as associated with their own history. The Washoe once embodied a blend of Great Basin and California in both geography and > culture. The record suggests that during the mild season, small groups traveled through high mountain valleys collecting edible and medicinal roots, seeds and marsh plants. In the 5 Logging was first initiated in the Truckee-Donner area after the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859. A new market for lumber was found in the construction of the transcontinental railroad beginning in 1864. A number of saw mills established operations in the Truckee Basin to supply the railroad with cordwood for fuel, lumber for construction and ties for the roadbed. Coburn's Station (Truckee) soon became one of the major lumbering centers. Mill sites were oriented primarily along main streams, such as Trout Creek. Such a pattern insured easy access to water to power machinery, to supply boilers, to float logs or lumber, as well as for domestic use. Elle Ellen was one of the leading mill operators during this time. He owned land within the present-day Tahoe Donner Subdivision and operated a saw mill and V-flume along Trout Creek from 1876 until 1883. The saw mill was located about three miles from Truckee town and over a mile east of the project area. METHODS Prefield and field research was conducted by Susan Lindstr6m, Consulting Archaeologist to Inland Ecosystems. Lindstr6m holds a Ph.D. in anthropology and has over 33 years of experience in regional prehistory and history. PREFIELD RESEARCH The required records search at the California Historical Resources Information System, North Central Information Center (NCIC) at California State University Sacramento (CSUS) was completed in order to identify any properties listed on the National Register, state registers and other listings, including the files of the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). References checked include archaeological sites and surveys in Nevada County, the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historic Resources (2005), Office of Historic Property Directory (2005), California Historical Landmarks (1996), and California Points of Historical Interest (1992). According to the search, no prior archaeological studies have been conducted within the project area and there are no heritage resources located within or adjacent to the project. One prior archaeological study was performed along Trout Creek and north of Swiss Lane (Houdyschell 1996); no heritage resources were encountered. In addition, the Washoe Tribe was consulted in order to assess any Native American concerns(see attached correspondence). s FIELD RESEARCH s On January 24, 2006, the entire project area was subject to a "windshield-survey." f Although the roadway was clear, a berm of snow lined the road shoulder. This type of cursory archaeological reconnaissance technique is appropriate, given the fact that the original ground surface is completely obscured by the roadway. Project ground disturbance activities are limited to this existing paved road, which is underlain by road-fill material. 7 Heizer, R. and A. Elsasser 1953 Some archaeological Sites and Cultures of the Central Siena Nevada. University of California Archaeological Survey Report, No. 21, Berkeley and Los Angeles. Houdyschell, William 1996 Tahoe Donner Thinning Project, Timber Harvest Plan. Report on file North Central Information Center, California State University, Sacramento (Report#5485)_ Jacobsen, W. 1966 Washo Linguistic Studies. In The Current Status of Anthropological Research in the Great Basin, 1964, edited by W. d'Azevedo, pp. 113-136. Desert Research Institute Publications in the Social Sciences. 1:113-136. Nevers, J. 1976 Wa She Shu:A Tribal History. University of Utah Printing Service. Salt Lake City. Price, J. A. 1962 Washo Economy. Nevada State Museum Anthropological Paper 6. Carson City, Nevada. Storer, T. and R. Usinger 1971 Sierra Nevada Natural History. Berkeley: University of California Press. Washoe Tribal Council 1994 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Ms. on file, Tribal Government Headquarters, Gardnerville. s i } 9 l { NORDE N L.,I it . .. .,on G s v ,+Ir r '11)KID TAHOE DON'`NER PRO'll, .I. I x.i Ivan ` %, SWISS LANE AND C[IAL,1; 1 RO, D 555-4C ' ' ' HERITAGE RESOt S-I,t:l)y a IllvisEo Ida>e � .,3 .� .. � � ' , 554-3C .. � .� � "� ,' �n i. , I � •ti. �,' °i f i a . + Il"\tltlt;I'. suH 4+h,i lil Uftlt area v + • � 1 C I H t � � ✓}y !, �s 1 i I'igurr2.Aidiaculugicel cu,elagc uLlp I I�B MitS i JG9L( (24 000 5 o V4 e� y CON OpR IN4 RVAI.401LET Susan Lindstrom, Ph.D. Consulting Archaeologist P.O. Box 3324 Truckee CA 96160 530-587-7072 voice 530-587-7083 fax slindstrom(aJps.net DATE: February 1, 2006 TO: William Dancing Feather Washoe Native American Coordinator Washoe Archival and Cultural Center 861 Crescent Drive Carson City NV 89701 775-888-0936 RE: Truckee Donner Public Utilities District Tahoe Donner Water Line Project: Swiss Lane and Chalet Road, Truckee, California, Nevada County I have been retained by Inland Ecosystems of Reno, Nevada to conduct a heritage resource study near Truckee, California (see enclosed map). The entire project area was subject to a `windshield-survey." This type of cursory archaeological reconnaissance technique is appropriate, given the fact that the original ground surface is completely obscured by the roadway. Project ground disturbance activities are limited to this existing paved road, which is underlain by road-fill material. Swiss Lane and Chalet Road pass through forested areas along gentle to moderate slopes that are devoid of natural streams or meadowlands. For the most part, residential developments (homes, driveways, landscaping) border the roads. Accordingly, the project area's likelihood of containing heritage resources is low and none were encountered. I have completed a literature search of known archaeological sites within the general project area and note that no Native American sites have been recorded within the general project vicinity. Nonetheless, I have recommended to the project sponsor that, in the unlikely event that Native American artifacts are discovered during project construction, they should be afforded full protection until a qualified archaeologist is able to assess the situation and consult with the Washoe Tribe. I wish to bring this project to your attention and invite your opinions, knowledge and sentiments regarding any potential concerns for traditional Native American lands within the project area. I look forward to hearing from you if you have any additional information regarding this area. cc: Lynda Shoshone, Washoe Language School 13