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Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.
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DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE CULTURAL RESOURCES RECONNAISSANCE PROJECT: Class III cultural resources reconnaissance of Exploratory Drill GEOGRAPHIC AND NTS AREA: Western Yucca Flat, Nye County, Nevada; NTS MAP REFERENCE: U.S.G.S. Yucca Flat, 7.5' Topographic Quadrangle, Nye DATES OF FIELD RECONNAISSANCE: December 1, 1982 PERSONNEL: Lonnie C. Pippin PREVIOUS CULTURAL RESOURCES STUDIES IN AREA: Systematic archaeological surveys have not been conducted in Yucca Flat. However, several preconstruction surveys ahve been preformed in the vicinity of the proposed exploratory drill hole at UeAac. Four of these surveys, SR070182-1 to SR070182-A, were along seismic lines, one of which cross-cuts the study area. The remaining preconstruction reconnaissance, SR092082-1, encompassed a 3000 ft square area at U9cw, 8.5 km east of the current project area. These surveys disclosed two isolated obsidian biface fragments, 26Ny3120 and S092082DB1. Both bifaces were collected at the time of their discovery (Clerico 1982, Reno 1982). The proposed Ue4ac Drill HOle Pad lies on an eastward sloping (3%) bajada of the Eleana Range into Yucca Flat. Erosion has dissected this, apparently Pleistocene age, bajada with several, tj6(ijad (10 to 40 m) , shallow (1 to 2 m) washes filled with an unknown amount of Holocene alluvium. The upper bajada surface, typified by a moderately well developed desert pavement, support a desert thorne [Lycium andersonii) grassland {Sitanion hystrix ?) with scattered occurrences of hop-sage (Grayia spinosa), rabbitbrush Chrysothcomus viscidiflovus spp. stenophyllus), joint fir (Ephedra nevadensis), wolfberry (Lycium pallidum) , bur sage (Ambrosia dumosa) and Indian rice grass (Oryzopsis hymenoides). Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) encroaches into the project area along its southern boundary; whereas, Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) becomes common just north of the northern boundary. The Holocene alluvium in the wash bottoms supports a community dominated by saltbrush (Atriplex canescens), Russian thistle (Salsola kali), rabbitbrush and Indian rice grass. Evidence of fauna observed during the reconnaissance included pocket gopher mounds, rabbit and badger-sized rodent holes, and coyote scats. Tippipah Spring, located about 7 miles to the southwest, represents the nearest known permanent water source.
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RECONN IASSANCE METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The Ue4ac Drill Hole Pad will directly impact a circular area approximately 3000 ft (915 m) in diameter. The drill hole center (Foot Coordinates 855,950N/659,250E) had been flagged prior to the reconnaissance. The archaeological survey of the project area was preformed by walking a 30 m wide, spiral shaped transect starting at the flagged drill hole center and extending to a distance of 1500 ft from that center. In addition, several wandering transects were walked across the project area along the terrace edges adjacent to the washes. The single cultural resource, S120182LP1, found in the project area was recorded on the Desert Research Institute’s Site Inventory Form and plotted on the U.S.G.S. Yucca Flat, 7.5‘ topographic map. This plot is probable within 10 m of the artifacts actual location. The artifact was collected at the time of its discovery. IDENTIFIED CULTURAL RESOURCES: A single, obsidian biface fragment, S120182LP1, was discovered in the project area. This biface fragment was found within the desert pavement of the supposed Pleistocene age bajada surface. There was no evidence of rodent disturbance in the vicinity of the find. The biface was collected at the time of its discovery. ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS: Because all known cultural resources have been collected from the proposed project area, there will be no adverse impact to cultural resources from drill hole UeAac. The Orange Road provides direct access to this drill hole locality. RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF CULTURAL RESOURCES: 1982 Cultural resources report fro the survey of seven seismic lines located in Yucca Flat. Desert Research Institute, Cultural Resources Reconnaissance, Short Report SR070182-1 through SR070182-7. 1982 Class III cultural resources reconnaissance of a pad and support areas for Drill Hole U9cw. Desert Research Institute, Cultural Resources Reconnaissance, Short Report SR092082-1.