20.710.080 Archaeological Resource Survey Process.
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A. Purpose. The purpose of an archaeological resource survey is to determine whether an archaeological site actually does exist in a disturbance area, and to make a preliminary assessment of the potential significance of such a site. Surveys are to be conducted under the following circumstances:
1. A survey shall be required when the results of a predetermination indicate further investigation is necessary [VMC 20.710.070(F)] and either:
a. No previous survey has been done; or
b. A previous survey or documentation is determined by the Planning Official to be inadequate (20.710.050A VMC).
2. An applicant may choose to provide a survey instead of a required predetermination [VMC 20.710.070(B)].
B. Survey standards. Surveys shall include at a minimum the following elements and be carried out according to the following minimum standards:
1. Surveys shall be performed by a professional archaeologist. Documentation shall be sufficient to allow another archaeologist to repeat the investigation and reach a similar conclusion. Adequacy shall be determined by the Planning Official.
2. Surveys shall be performed in accordance with the best available technology and techniques commonly accepted as standards in the profession of archaeology.
3. Artifacts may be collected during a survey only after consultation with DAHP.
4. A thorough review of records, documentation, and other pertinent literature shall be performed.
5. A systematic, 100% visual inspection of the ground surface shall be completed when conditions yield at least 50% visibility of the soil.
6. Subsurface probes shall be required for all surveys as follows:
a. Subsurface probes shall be no less than 8in/20cm in diameter (12in/30cm or more preferred) at the ground surface, no less than 8in/20cm in diameter at the base, and delve no less than 20in/50cm deep into natural soil deposits whenever possible.
b. No less than 4 subsurface probes per acre shall be required. For fractions of an acre, no less than one subsurface probe shall be required for each quarter acre. (For example, on a parcel of 2.33 acres, no less than (2x4) + 1 = 9 subsurface probes would be required.)
c. The most appropriate locations for the subsurface probes shall be determined by the archaeologist.
d. All material excavated by subsurface probes shall be screened using both 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch hardware mesh cloths or equivalent.
C. Survey reports. A report shall be completed for each survey in accordance with VMC 20.710.080(A)(1) and state guidelines. Survey reports shall be submitted to the Planning Official and filed with DAHP. When an archaeological site is identified, the State of Washington Archaeological Site Inventory form shall be submitted to DAHP with the survey report [VMC 20.710.040(A)]
D. Review of survey reports and further action.
1. Survey reports shall be filed with DAHP.
2. Survey reports shall be reviewed by the Planning Official. Upon finding a survey report complete and adequate, the Planning Official shall determine whether an archaeological site has been identified. [20.710.070(F)]
3. Where the Planning Official determines that no archaeological site has been identified, the application may proceed through the remainder of the development review process.
4. Where the Planning Official determines that an archaeological site has been identified, the Planning Official shall determine whether the site is likely to be potentially significant in accordance with the significance criteria of VMC 20.710.080(E) and in consultation with DAHP.
5. Where the Planning Official determines that an archaeological site has been identified and is not likely to be potentially significant, the application may proceed through the remainder of the development review process.
6. Where the Planning Official determines that an archaeological site has been identified and is likely to be potentially significant, archaeological resources shall be further evaluated, avoided, properly mitigated, or properly recovered in accordance with the Planning Official’s recommendation and the terms of any necessary permit from DAHP [VMC 20.710.040(B)]. Priority for thorough evaluation and data recovery shall be given to potentially significant archaeological sites. Monitoring and future corrective measures may be required to ensure that an archaeological site is not degraded by a permitted development.
7. Where sites are to be avoided, the Planning Official shall require that appropriate land use restrictions be recorded using a proper legal instrument.
8. An escrow or bond shall be required of the applicant to ensure that the site is treated in accordance with the Planning Official’s recommendation and provisions of the state permit.
E. Significance criteria. A potential significant archaeological site is a site which (1) contains archaeological objects at a density of at least 100 per cubic meter per stratigraphic or cultural unit; or (2) includes at least one feature; or (3) includes at least one relatively uncommon archaeological object; or (4) contains skeletal remains; or (5) is otherwise considered potentially significant by the archaeologist. (Ord. M-3922 § 34, 07/06/2009; Ord. M-3922 § 32, 07/06/2009; Ord. M-3643, 01/26/2004)