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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 A class III cultural resources reconnaissance of the direct bury fiber optic line between Area 12 Camp and N Tunnel, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada. GEOGRAPHIC AND NTS AREA: Ranier Mesa, Area 12. DATES OF FIELD RECONNAISSANCE: PREVIOUS CULTURAL RESOURCE STUDIES IN AREA: No archaeological studies have taken place in the valley in which this project is located. Nearby archaeological sites include Whiterock and Captain Jack Springs, which are important aboriginal residential bases (Worman 1969: 36-40), a number of lithic scatters and camp sites on top of Ranier Mesa (Henton 1984: 2-4), and two lithic scatters located just below point 5437 on the location map (Fig. 1). The sites on top of Ranier Mesa were recorded during preconstruction surveys above N and T Tunnels (Shortridge and Lockett 1982, Ferraro and Shortridge 1982, Reno 1982a-c, and Henton 1984). Those sites located below point 5437 were recorded during the reconnaissance of the major portion of the optic fiber line between the southern end of Yucca Flat and T Tunnel, which is located on the north side of Signal Butte (Henton 1983).
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The project area is located on a southeast facing fan and a small ridge at the base of Survey Butte, which is a prominent ridge on the east side of Ranier Mesa (Fig. 1). Elevations range from 5400 feet at Area 12 Camp to 5760 feet at the western terminus of the line at the N Tunnel RoadSubstrate for the entire project area is volcanic derived colluvium and alluvium with the exception of a small patch of limestone at the western terminus of the lineNumerous signs of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), coyote (Canis latrans), small rodents, and black tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) were observed. The project area is located below the extensive pinyon-juniper stands on Ranier Mesa- Flora present includes Spanish bayonet (Yucca canescens), little rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus sp-), abundant blackbrush nevadensis), cholla (Qpuntia echinocarpa), and various grasses. Two parallel 30 meter wide transects were walked on each side of the flagged center line. The only archaeological site encountered was recorded on a standard site form and the artifact was collected. IDENTIFIED CULTURAL RESOURCES: Site 052184RR1 (Fig- 1) is composed of one artifact, the edge of a Stage I SITE EVALUATIONS AND STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE: Site 052184RR1 was collected, therefore any potential scientific significance that this site may posess has been preserved. ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS: A shallow trench will be dug along the center line and limited vehicular traffic along the center line will occur during line installation and maintenance- Limited bulldozing will probably have to be done in the rugged washes near the west end of the line-
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RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF CULTURAL RESOURCES: Collection of site 052184RR1 has mitigated any possible impacts; no further
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Ferraro, David and Mollie Shortridge 1982 LANL Ground Motion Study. Desert Research Institute Cultural Resource Reconnaissance Short Report 072782-1. 1983 Class II reconnaissance of portions of the Direct Bury Optic Fiber Communications Line in Yucca Flat. Desert Research Institute Cultural Resources Reconnaissance Short Report 1984 A Class III cultural resources reconnaissance of the Post-Shot "T" Tunnel drill pads, access road and borrow pit. Desert Research Institute Cultural Resources Reconnaissance Short 1982a Class III Cultural Reconnaissance and partial Mitigation of Drill Pad GZ04, a Barrow Pit and Access Road above U12T Tunnel. Desert Research Institute Cultural Resource Reconnaissance 1982b LANL Ground Motion Study. Desert Research Institute, Cultural Resources Reconnaissance Short Report 072782-1. 1982c Class III Cultural Reconnaissance and Partial Mitigation of Drill Pad GZ04, a Barrow Pit and Access Road above U12T Tunnel. Desert Research Institute, Cultural Resources Reconnaissance Shortridge, Mark and Cari Lockett 1982 Archeological Reconnaissance of the Expansion of an Existing pad to about 200* x 200* for a Drill Hole. Desert Research Institute Cultural Resources Reconnaissance Short Report 1969 Archaeological Investigations at the U. S. Atomic Energy Commissions Nevada Test Site and Nuclear Rocket Development Station. Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, University of