21.30.070 Archaeological Sites and Resources

21.30.070 Archaeological Sites and Resources.

A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to:

1. Provide for the investigation of known archaeological sites and properties with a high probability of containing archaeological resources in order to identify recommended preservation and management procedures, appropriate mitigation or other appropriate procedures, and further needs for evaluation.

2. Records, maps, or other information identifying the location of archaeological sites are exempt from disclosure under this chapter in order to avoid the looting or degradation of such sites in accordance with RCW 42.56.300.

1. This section applies to any person proposing to do any of the following on known archaeological sites, and properties with a high probability of containing archaeological resources:

a. Filling, grading, compacting, blasting, boring, tunneling, or any form of earthwork or disturbance; or

b. Excavating or mining; or

c. Excavation of artifacts; or

d. Paving or otherwise covering of the earth surface with such materials as concrete; or

e. Planting or farming; or

f. Erecting a structure; or

g. Any other activity that may harm or disturb archaeological resources.

1. Properties preliminarily identified by the City of Redmond, the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, or by affected Indian tribes to have a high probability of containing archaeological resources shall investigate the project site in adherence with RCW 27.53 Archaeological Site and Resources for the protection and appropriate management procedures of archaeological resources.

a. The applicant shall investigate the archaeological probability for the respective project site in advance of ground disturbing activities, as defined in Section B. Scope of this chapter. Procedures for investigating the archaeological probability of a site are provided in RZC Appendix 9. Cultural Resources Management Procedures.

2. For properties containing an archaeological site(s) or confirmed to have a high probability of containing archaeological resources, the applicant shall provide to the City of Redmond an archaeological report completed by a professional archaeologist, per WAC 25-48-020(4).

a. The archaeological report shall meet the standards published by the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation for the current year, provided in RZC Appendix 9. Cultural Resources Management Procedures.

b. The archaeological report shall be the result of archaeological monitoring contracted to coincide with geotechnical studies. Otherwise, the report shall be the result of a cultural resources site survey, per RZC Appendix 9, Cultural Resources Management Procedures.

c. The archaeological report shall be provided to the City for review and distribution. The report will be reviewed for completeness. Complete reports will be distributed to the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and to the affected Indian tribes for review. The standard review period is 30 calendar days. The review of archaeological reports will result in any or a combination of the following:

i. A Letter of Concurrence form the State Historic Preservation Officer or their designee will indicate site specific requirements for the project related work activities.

ii. The State Historic Preservation Officer or their designee will request additional information to be provided by the applicant or the professional archaeologist.

iii. The State Historic Preservation Officer or their designee will require that the applicant through the services of a professional archaeologist obtain an Archaeological Site Alteration, Excavation, And Monitoring Permit, per RCW 27.44 and RCW 27.53.

d. The response of the State Historic Preservation Officer will be provided to the applicant as a condition to the respective permit(s) or a request for additional information.

3. Final Decision. Decisions under this section shall be made by the Administrator

D. Procedures, Incidental Discovery of Archaeological Sites. If archaeological resources or archaeological indicators are unearthed or exposed in the course of a project, the following shall apply.

1. The applicant and its contractors shall stop work immediately.

2. The applicant and its contractors shall implement the procedures of the Inadvertent Discovery Plan or procedures developed as a component of an archaeological report.

a. The procedures are reviewed by the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation for their appropriateness. The Agency provides a Letter of Concurrence to the City, representing its agreement with the procedures.

b. When development of an archaeological report has not been a condition of the respective permit approval, the inadvertent discovery procedures provided in RZC Appendix 9. Cultural Resources Management Procedures shall apply. (Ord. 2982)