Social Science and Humanities R&D Services

In partnership with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs’ cultural resource arm and Heritage Stewardship Group, our team completed archaeological surveys in the Willamette National Forest (WNF) so that future forest management actions can be designed and implemented to reduce the threat of high-intensity wildfires, restore forest functions, improve habitat condition, enhance watershed protection, and improve stand structure diversity. The project required hiking in heavily vegetated forested terrain, valleys and slopes, basalt flows, boulder fields, and ruggedized country. Tasks included:

• Background research and field inventories to identify cultural resources.
• Evaluation of cultural resources for their historic significance and eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Recommendation measures to preserve, protect and resolve adverse effects on cultural sites / historic properties that may result from agency actions and natural events.
• Evaluation of the effects of agency proposed actions on cultural resources / historic properties.
• Monitoring and documenting site condition assessments of cultural resources/historic properties.
• Reporting results of investigations and evaluations in technical reports, site forms, isolate forms, photographs, maps, and other supporting documents such as WNF unit survey forms.
• Collection and management of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data.
• Entering cultural resource data, sites, isolates, and completes cultural resources digital record into WNF Forest Service Site Forms.