Archaeological Investigation and Cultural Resources Inventory for the Modoc Medical Center

Location: Alturas, California
Client: Modoc Medical Center

The Community of Alturas and the Koselekti Tribe were engaged in a joint venture to construct a new community hospital in the town of Alturas, CA. The project proposed to develop the medical facility on a ±31-acre site in the City of Alturas. Development would consist of the construction of a hospital, auxiliary structures, and appurtenances, developing the entire parcel was developed for health care support services. Funding for the project was provided in part by the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development. Modoc Medical Center contracted with ENPLAN to conduct cultural resource studies to meet federal and state regulations. The cultural resources inventory report was prepared by Dimitra Zalarvis-Chase of DZC Consulting, who had been invited by ENPLAN to partner on the project, and Heidi Shaw, an ENPLAN Archaeologist, both of whom met the Department of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in Archaeology. Initially, a cultural resources inventory was conducted to satisfy requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (all as amended). The purpose of this complete and intensive survey was to identify and evaluate any archaeological and historic sites that may exist within the Area of Potential Effect.

According to preliminary research, this project had the potential to adversely affect known cultural resources located within the project area. Early research indicated that one archaeological site (CA-MOD-7555) was previously recorded within the APE. Five archaeological sites were previously recorded within a half-mile radius of the APE, including a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). As a result of the survey, the location of CA-MOD-7555 was verified and the boundaries extended. CA-MOD-7555 was previously identified as an ethnographic village site, but contained no surface evidence of midden. During the prior recordation, it was also suggested that CA-MOD-7555 was National Register eligible. Lastly, another document cited that all of the obsidian debris was form natural freeze and thaw effects.

At the clients request, an Extended Phase 1 Investigation was conducted. Due to the high levels of obsidian, DZC also engaged a geologist to look at the natural effects of the environment on the numerous obsidian nodules and set criteria for a firm comparison of natural obsidian nodule behavior in comparison to anthropogenic manipulation.  Through the XP1 testing, DZC was able to demonstrate that there was no midden present, and that the over 800+ flakes of obsidian were due to an assay method known as bi-polar reduction and was akin to many other sites in the immediate area where obsidian nodules of diminutive size were expediently assayed. It was determined that CA-MOD-7555 is not National Register eligible and the project was approved.