Natural And Cultural Services Projects
Jicarilla Apache Nation – Archaeological Survey for NM 537 Realignment
Zia is providing the Federal Highway Administration Central Federal Lands Highway
Division and the Jicarilla Apache Nation on-going archaeological and environmental
services in support of on-going road realignment activities along NM 537. Zia is
currently under contract to Velarde Energy Services, a Jicarilla Tribal Enterprise,
to provide environmental and archaeological services to the Jicarilla Nation.
Zia staff members have been involved in this project since its inception, and have
competed the survey, testing,
and preliminary phases of data recovery at multiple
sites within the highway right-of-way. This project has involved extensive Tribal
Consultation with multiple tribes, the Federal Highway Administration, the New Mexico
State Historic Preservation Office, and the NMSHTD. Additionally, Zia is providing
consultation with Native American Groups in support of the Jicarilla Apache Nation’s
Contract Roads program.
Zia staff also prepared NAGPRA action plans, and have assisted in the development
of Memorandums of Understanding between multiple Federal, State, and Tribal agencies
regarding ongoing data recovery plans, and the treatment and dispositions of human
remains and archaeological materials found within the context of mitigation efforts.
Project highlights include:
- Archaeological survey of 15.8 miles of highway right of way
- Recordation of thirty newly recorded sites
- Consultation with Native American Groups
- Traditional Cultural Properties Surveys
- Archaeological Testing of eight sites
- Archaeological Data Recovery of Eleven Sites
- Development of comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding and Programmatic Agreement
between FHWA, NMSHTD, SHPO, BIA & Jicarilla Apache Nation.
- Archaeological artifact analysis
- Training programs for Jicarilla Apache Tribal members
- Remote sensing of archaeological sites
Cultural Resources Surveys - USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service, New Mexico
Zia is currently providing Cultural Resources Surveys under a Blanket purchase Agreement
(BPA) with the Natural Resources Conservation Services branch of the U.S. Department
of Agriculture. Following are some of the task orders completed under this BPA.
Bonito Canyon, Lincoln County, NM - 100% pedestrian survey (Class III) of
land in Bonita Canyon was conducted in preparation for a brush management program.
The proposed project area totaled approximately 1,163 acres (470.66 hectares). Zia
conducted a pre-field study including a review of the State ARMS, a review of the
current published listings for the National Register of Historic Places, and a review
of the State Register of Cultural Properties. No state or nationally registered
properties are located within a one-mile radius of the proposed project location,
however, the files check revealed 11 previously recorded sites within 1 mile (1.61
km) of the project area. No previously recorded sites were located within the project
area. Eight new sites and 34 isolated occurrences were recorded within the project
area.
Cola del Gallo Arroyo, Torrance County, NM - Zia conducted a 100% pedestrian
survey (Class III) of land in Cola del Gallo Arroyo. The proposed project area totals
approximately 471 acres (190.6 hectares). Zia conducted a pre-field study including
a review of the State ARMS, a review of the current published listings for the National
Register of Historic Places, and a review of the State Register of Cultural Properties.
No state or nationally registered properties are located within a one-mile radius
of the proposed project location, however the files check revealed three previously
recorded sites within 1 mile (1.61 km) of the project area. No previously recorded
sites were located within the project area. Ten new sites and 99 isolated occurrences
were recorded within the project area.
La May Tank, Socorro County, NM - conducted an archaeological and cultural
resources study of the La May Tank area on the Lee Ranch in Socorro County, Between
Socorro and Abó, New Mexico. The cultural resource survey was conducted in an area
that will be impacted mechanically for brush management for watershed enhancement
to be conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS). The proposed project area totals approximately 359.76
hectares of privately held land. Based on a 100 percent pedestrian (Class III) systematic
archaeological survey, no historic properties listed on the NRHP and/or SRCP were
located within the project area. No previously recorded archaeological sites are
located within the proposed project area. Eleven new archaeological sites and one
hundred and six isolated occurrences were located within the boundaries of the proposed
project area.
A Biological (TES) Survey, Proposed Power Lake Dam Rehabilitation, Santa Rosa, Guadalupe
County, New Mexico
Zia completed a biological (threatened, endangered, and sensitive [TES] species)
evaluation of a site proposed for the Power Lake Dam rehabilitation project in Santa
Rosa, New Mexico. The survey area, which consists of Power Lake, Riparian and Wetland
vegetation, and severely disturbed Plains-Mesa Grassland vegetation, is located
on City of Santa Rosa and private land.
USDA Agricultural Research Service - Ames, Iowa
Provided project oversight and led in preparation of a USDA Environmental Assessment
per RUS guidelines as part of a proposed modernization plan for the USDA National
Animal Disease Laboratory facilities in Ames, Iowa. Services included extensive
research, on-site investigation and multi-agency consultation, identification of
significant environmental factors, and analysis of NEPA issues related to human
and natural resources. Probable mitigation measures were developed to reduce potential
impacts to receptors from proposed construction. The scope also included a wetland
delineation, architectural survey, and evaluation of biological waste and hazardous
material conditions.
U.S. Department of Energy, Southwestern Power Administration - Oklahoma
Completed a Biological Assessment for proposed aerial saw clearing of over 178 miles
of transmission line right-of-ways to provide an indication of potential risk for
listed threatened and endangered species, raptors, and migratory birds. Provided
evaluation of special status species, critical habitat, and potential suitable habitat
of listed species and developed strategies to avoid impacts or mitigate their effects.
Coordinated state and federal agency review; incorporated agency recommendations;
and delivered assessment on an expedited schedule to facilitate an accelerated project
agenda.