HomeMy WebLinkAboutAttachment 8T - Archaeological Resources Report of Two Outfalls
April 22, 2022
Mary McKenna Lanier
McKenna Lanier Group, Inc.
mary@mckennalanier.com
(949) 701 -1606
Re: Archaeological Resources Report Form for the Survey of Two Outfalls
Associated with the Nirvana Industrial Project, Chula Vista , California
Dear Ms. McKenna Lanier ,
This Archaeological Resources Report presents the negative results of a cultural resources study
conducted by Red Tail Environmental (Red Tail) on two outfall locations associated with the
Nirvana Industrial Project (Project), located within the City of Chula Vista. The City of Chula
Vista (City) is the lead agency for the Project. This study was performed in accordance with the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the City’s Historic Preservation Program and
Preservation Ordinance, Title 21, of the Chula Vista Municipal Code, to determine the presence
or absence of potentially significant archaeological resources within the Project site. This study
was also performed in accordance with t he Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
(N HPA), as amended, in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE), consultation
with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
The study utilized previously conducted record search data of the California Historical Resources
Information System (CHRIS), held at the South Coastal Information Center (SCIC); a Sacred
Lands Files Search (SLF) held by the Native American Heritage Commis sion (NAHC); an
archaeological literature review, and a review of historic maps and aerial photographs. The study
was negative for archaeological resources within the Outfall Area of Potential Effect (Outfall
APE), which consisted of the two outfall locations. Therefore, there are no historical or prehistoric
resources within the Outfall APE per CEQA guidelines, and no known historic properties within
the Outfall APE in accordance with Section 106 of the NHPA. Implementation of proposed
improvements within the Outfall APE will not pose any adverse effects to historic properties.
Since no resources have been identified, or previously recorded within the Outfall APE, t he
Archaeological Resource Report Form is being used to present the results of the study.
The results of the pedestrian survey were negative, and the Outfall APE exhibited high levels of
disturbance from the construction of Main Street to the north, and from on -going seasonal flood
events and erosional episodes within the Otay River. However, t he probability of encountering in-
situ or intact archaeological resources is moderate due to the proximity of cultural resources
previously recorded near the Outfall APE. C onstruction monitoring by an archaeologist and Native
American monitor is recommended for any new ground disturbance operations at the two outfall
locations, including new trenching and grading for the installation of new rip -rip energy dissipators
downstream of each outfall headwall.
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I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION
The Outfall APE is located within the City of Chula Vista, along the south side of Main Street,
overlooking the Otay River to the south. The Outfall APE is currently undeveloped and is shown
on the USGS 7.5’ Imperial Beach, California topographic quadrangle map within Townsh ip 18
South, Range 1 West, Section 20. (Figures 1 and 2). The Outfall APE encompasses approximately
2,629 square feet (0.061 acres).
The Nirvana Industrial Project (Project) proposes to construct the Nirvana Business Park, an
industrial complex consisting of three two-story buildings, and one three-story storage facility
totaling approximately 296,753 square feet on approximately 13.31, located at 821 Main Street.
The project site is identified as Tax Assessor parcel numbers APN 644 -050-13, APN 644-050-14,
and a portion of APN 644-050-80 (approximately 3 acres and an off -site easement). The focus of
the current study is the augmentation and improvement of two existing outfall headwalls south of
the Project.
The two outfall locations (Outfall APE) will be augmented to add a downstream rip rap energy
dissipator while retaining the existing headwall outlet (Figure 3). The dissipator unit at Outfall 1
will consist of a base layer of 2-ton rock placed within a 24-feet long by 17-feet wide area, with a
depth of 5.4 feet. The base layer will be overlain by a layer of light rock within an area measu ring
12-feet long by 17-feet wide, with a thickness of 2 feet. The dissipator unit at Outfall 2 will consist
of a base layer of 1 ton rock placed within an area measuring 27 -feet long by 24-feet wide, and a
depth of 4.4 feet. The base layer will be overlain by a second layer of 1 ton rock within an area
measuring 15-feet long by 24-feet wide, with a thickness of 4.4 feet. The APE at each outfall
consists of the dissipator element footprint plus a 10 -foot -wide buffer around the dissipator
perimeter. Excavation for the construction of the proposed dissipators would be performed from
the road shoulder on the north side of the Otay River, and no vehicle access into the riverbed is
expected.
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Figure 1. Project Vicinity Map.
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Figure 2. Project Location Map.
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Figure 3. Area of Potential Effects Map.
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II. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
A. National Historic Preservation Act
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA ) is the primary directive for cultural
resource preservation. This section requires federal agencies, with either direct or indirect
jurisdiction over a proposed action , to take into account the effect of their actions on historic
properties. Concomitant with Section 106, Section 110 also requires federal agencies to assume
responsibility for the preservation of historic properties under their jurisdiction or control.
Regulations revised in 1997 (36 CFR Part 800 et. seq.) set forth procedures to be followed for
determining eligibility of properties for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The
eligibility criteria and process are used by federal, state, and local agencies in the evaluat ion of the
significance of cultural resources. Recent revisions to Section 106 in 1999 emphasized the
importance of Native American consultation.
36 CFR §800.16(I)(1) states:
Historic property means any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object
included in, or eligible for inclusion in, the NRHP , maintained by the Secretary of the Interior.
This term includes artifacts, records, and cultural materials that are related to and located within
such properties. The term also includes properties of traditional, religious, and cultural importance
to an Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization that meet the NRHP criteria.
Section 106 of the NHPA also requires federal agencies, and those they fund or over which they
have approval authority, to allow the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) the
opportunity to comment on undertakings on historic properties, following 36 CFR Part 800. In
order to determine whether an undertaking could affect NRHP -eligible properties, cultural
resources (including archaeological, historical, and architectural properties) must be inventoried
and evaluated for listing in the NRHP. Although compliance with Section 106 is the responsibility
of the lead federal agency, others can undertake the wo rk necessary to comply with Section 106.
Pursuant to the NHPA, NRHP eligibility criteria has become the standard for evaluating
significance. As published in the Federal Register, the criteria states:
The quality of significance in American history, architecture, archaeology,
engineering, and culture is present in districts, sites, buildings, structures, and
objects that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship,
feeling, and association, and that:
(a) Are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the
broad patterns of our history; or
(b) Are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
(c) Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of
construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high
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artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity
whose components may lack individual distinction; or
(d) Have yielded or may be likely to yield, information impo rtant in prehistory
or history [36 CFR 60.4].
In addition to meeting at least one of the eligibility criteria, a property must also retain sufficient
integrity to convey its significance. Integrity is a quality that relates to the historic authenticity of
a property. Again, the NRHP defines seven elements of integrity: location, design, setting,
workmanship, materials, feeling, and association. Location and setting relate to the relationship of
a property to its environment. Design, materials, and workmanship relate to construction methods
and stylistic details. Feeling and association relate to the ability of the property to convey a sense
of historical time and place. A significant loss of integrity will render a property ineligible for the
NRHP, regardless of its level of historical significance. Eva luation of a property to the NRHP
requires a consideration of both historical significance as defined by the evaluation criteria and
integrity. The criteria under which a property is significant are relevant to the issue of integrity,
because the property must retain sufficient integrity of those elements of integrity relevant to the
qualifying criteria. For example, for an engineering structure that qualifies for listing under
Criterion C, integrity of design, workmanship, and materials are paramount. Gene rally, prehistoric
cultural resources and historical archaeology sites are evaluated for significance under Criterion
D, based on their research potential.
B. CEQA and California Register of Historical Resources
CEQA requires that all private and public activities not specifically exempted be evaluated against
the potential for environmental damage, including effects to historical resources. Historical
resources are recognized as part of the environment under CEQA. The act defines historical
resources as “any object, building, structure, site, area, or place that is historically significant in
the architectural, engineering, scientific, economic, agricultural, educational, social, political,
military, or cultural annals of California” (Division I, Public Res ources Code, Section 5021.1[b]).
Lead agencies have a responsibility to evaluate historical resources against the California Register
of Historical Resources (CRHR) criteria prior to making a finding as to a proposed project’s
impacts to historical resources. Mitigation of adverse impacts is required if the proposed project
will cause substantial adverse change. Substantial adverse change includes demolition,
destruction, relocation, or alteration such that the significance of a historical resource would b e
impaired. While demolition and destruction are obvious significant impacts, it is more difficult to
assess when change, alteration, or relocation crosses the threshold of substantial adverse change.
The CEQA Guidelines provide that a project that demolishes or alters those physical characteristics
of a historical resource that convey its historical significance (i.e., its character -defining features)
is considered to materially impair the resource’s significance. The CRHR is used in the
consideration of historical resources relative to significance for purposes of CEQA. The CRHR
includes resources listed in, or formally determined eligible for listing in, the NRHP and some
California State Landmarks and Points of Historical Interest. Properties of local si gnificance that
have been designated under a local preservation ordinance (local landmarks or landmark districts),
or that have been identified in a local historical resources inventory, may be eligible for listing in
the CRHR and are presumed to be signif icant resources for purposes of CEQA unless a
preponderance of evidence indicates otherwise.
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Generally, a resource shall be considered by the lead agency to be “historically significant” if the
resource meets the criteria for listing on the CRHR (Pub. Res . Code SS5024.1, Title 14 CCR,
Section 4852), which consist of the following:
• Criteria 1: it is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad
patterns of local or regional history, or the cultural heritage of California or the United
States; or
• Criteria 2: it is associated with the lives of persons important to local, California, or national
history; or
• Criteria 3: it embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of
construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values; or
• Criteria 4: it has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to the
prehistory or history of the local area, California, or the nation.
C. City of Chula Vista Historic Preservat ion Ordinance
Under Title 21 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code (Section 21.04.100) and the City’s Historic
Preservation Program (Chula Vista 2011) a Historic Resource includes buildings, structures, sites,
signs, and other resources. Historical Resources may be designated on the Chula Vista Register of
Historical Resources that are:
a) At least 45 years old; and
b) Have historical integrity and are determined to have historical significance by meeting at
least one of the following criteria:
1) Criterion 1: It is associated with an event that is important to prehistory or history on a
national, state, regional, or local level.
2) Criterion 2: It is associated with a person or persons that have made significant
contributions to prehistory or history on a national, stat e or local level.
3) Criterion 3: It embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period, or method of
construction, or represents the work of a master or important, creative individual,
and/or possess high artistic values.
4) Criterion 4: It is an out standing example of a planned landscape or represents the work
of a master landscape architect, horticulturalist, or landscape designer, or has potential
to provide important information to the further study of landscape architecture or
history.
5) Criterion 5: It has yielded, or may be likely to yield information important in prehistory
or the history of Chula Vista, the state, region, or nation.
In general, the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance build s on federal and state cultural resources
laws and guidelines in an attempt to streamline the process of considering impacts to cultural
resources within the City’s jurisdiction, while maintaining that some resources not significant
under federal or state law may be considered historical under the City’s guid elines. Essentially,
the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance guidelines localize cultural resources laws providing
local perspective on significance criteria. In order to apply the criteria and determine the
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significance of potential project impacts to a cultural resource, the Area of Potential Effects (APE)
of the project must be defined for both direct impacts and indirect impacts. Indirect impacts can
include increased public access to an archaeological site, or visual impairment of a historically
significant viewshed related to a historic building or structure.
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III. AREA OF POTENTIAL EFFECT (APE)
A Project APE is “the geographic area or areas within which an undertaking may cause changes
to the cultural resources, as well as in the character or use of historic properties, if any such
properties exist” (36 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 800.2(c)). The Outfall APE was
delineated to ensure the identification of significant cultural resources and historic properties that
may be affected by the proposed improvements at each outfall location and that are listed in or
eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The Outfall APE
encompasses the maximum limits associated with the Project that will be altered by the Project ,
with a total area of approximately 2,629 square feet, or 0.061 acres (Figure 3). The energy
dissipator at Outfall 1 will encompass a horizontal APE measuring 24 -feet -long by 17-feet -wide
and will have a depth of 12-feet for the vertical APE. The dissipator at Outfall 2 will encompass a
horizontal APE of 27-feet -long by 24-feet-wide for a horizontal APE and w ill extend to a depth of
12-feet for the vertical APE.
As the project consists of stormwater outfall improvements, t here are no anticipated indirect or
cumulative impacts that would necessitate a larger APE outside of the direct Outfall APE area.
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IV. SETTING
A. Natural Environment (Present)
The Outfall APE is located approximately 125 to 135 feet above mean sea level. Several seasonal
drainages and canyons are in the vicinity of the Project area. The Outfall APE is undeveloped and
lies within the base of the Otay River. Both outfall locations and their associated APEs contained
visible ground surface bordered by dense native riparian vegetation within the river base. Areas
directly north of the outfall locations are largely devoid of vegetation and have been p reviously
developed into the Main Street roadway.
B. Natural Environment (Past)
The cultural setting of the Outfall APE can be divided into the prehistoric, ethnohistoric, and
historic periods, as discussed below.
Prehistoric Archaeology
Generally, archaeologists believe that human occupation within San Diego County began
sometime after 20,000 years Before Present (B.P.), and likely prior to 11,200 B.C. (Fagan 2003,
Gallegos 2017). Archaeologists have developed numerous chronologies and nomenclature for the
archaeological record many of which conflict with each other. Most archaeologists divide the
human occupation of San Diego County during the prehistoric period into three main occupation
eras: the Terminal Pleistocene / Early Holocene Period; the Middle Ho locene Period; and the Late
Holocene Period. While archaeological studies have taken place in San Diego County for over
100 years, portions of San Diego County have few well dated deposits as a result of development
and the destruction of sites prior to t he implementation of environmental laws and systematic
archaeological studies (Hale 2009).
No definitive evidence of human occupation of San Diego County is available prior to
approximately 12,000 B.C. However, a possible early archaeological site was ide ntified in San
Diego County, containing in situ hammerstones, a stone anvil, and fragmentary remains of spiral
fractured fossilized mastodon bone and molar fragments, showing evidence of percussion, known
as the Cerutti Mastodon site (Holen et al. 2017). The site was dated to 130.7 ± 9.4 thousand years
ago, and if believed to be an archaeological site is the oldest archaeological site in North America.
However, it is highly disputed if the site was formed by the genus Homo or is naturally occurring
(Holen et al. 2017).
The earliest known archaeological sites near San Diego County with reliable dates are from the
Channel Islands. The Arlington Springs site on Santa Rosa Island dates to 13,300 years ago, and
the Daisy Cave site on San Miguel Island dates to 1 2,300-11,120 years ago (Lightfoot and Parrish
2009). Over 25 shell midden sites that date to between 12,000 and 8,000 years ago have been
recorded on the Channel Islands. On the mainland a site near San Luis Obispo dates to 10,300 -
9,650 years ago and several sites on Cedros Island in Baja California date to 12,000 years ago
(Lightfoot and Parrish 2009).
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Previously, archaeologists believed that people came to North and South America through the
Bering Land Bridge, however recent studies have identified that this ice-free corridor was blocked
from 21,000 to possibly as late as 11,000 B.C. (Erlandson et al. 2007). Meanwhile, the coastal
areas of the Pacific Northwest were deglaciated by approximately 14,000 B.C. Travel along the
Pacific Coast in boats would have been possible during this period, and widespread kelp forest
could have created a “kelp highway” with sufficient resources to sustain people entering North
America during this time period (Erlandson et al. 2007, Gallegos 2017, Masters an d Aiello 2007).
Erlandson et al. (2007) argue that “it seems most likely that the peopling of the Americas included
both coastal and interior migrations of peoples from northeastern Asia and Beringia, with an earlier
migration possibly following the northern Pacific coast” (56). However, Erlandson et al. also
argues that no archaeological sites have been unequivocally dated to over 15,000 years ago in
California or North America.
Terminal Pleistocene / Early Holocene Period (ca. 12,000 -6,000 B.C.), Paleo -
Indian, San Dieguito
Paleo-Indian sites have been identified across most of North America, often referred to as the
Clovis Complex. The Clovis Complex is defined by the use of large fluted projectile points and
other large bifacial stone tools. Three isolated fluted points have been reported in San Diego
County (Davis and Shutler 1969, Kline and Kline 2007, Rondeau et al. 2007). However, no fluted
points have been found in San Diego County that are associated with radiocarbon dates or in
association with Pleistocene fauna (Rondeau et al. 2007). Fluted points have been dated outside of
California to 13,500 years before the present.
In San Diego County the Paleo-Indian period is generally termed San Dieguito. San Dieguito was
defined by Warren (1968) at the C.W. Harris Site (SDI -149) and was characterized by leaf shaped
and large stemmed projectile points, scrapers and other stone tools that were technologically
similar to the Western Stemmed Point Tradition (WSPT), also called the Western Pluvial Lakes
Tradition (WPLT). Archaeological evidence of the WSPT has been found across the western
interior of North America with small regional variations (Gallegos 2017, Sutton 2016, Warren
1968). Radio carbon dates from the C.W. Harris Site (SDI -149) ranged from ca. 8,000 to 6,500 cal
B.C. (Byrd and Raab 2007, Gallegos 2017). Outside of the isolated Clovis points found in San
Diego County, this is one of the earliest evidences of human occupation in the County. While the
earliest radiocarbon dates in San Diego County are ca. 10,000 to 11,000 years ago, Gallegos (2017)
stresses that all San Diego County sites have problematic stratigraphy because of bioturbation or
disturbances from modern uses. Ground stone use was infrequent in San Dieguito archaeological
remains, leading to the belief that the San Dieguito were highly mobile groups and their subsistence
practices focused on the hunting of large game.
It is unknown if the first people arrived in San Diego County via the sea or from the pluvial lakes
within the Great Basin to the east. Gallegos reports that there are two locations that may be the
earliest San Dieguito habitation areas if they arrived in San Diego by sea: the La Jolla
Archaeological area, extending from La Jolla Bay to the University of California, San Die go
Chancellor’s house, or at the Remington Hills Site (SDI -11079) near the coast of Otay Mesa, east
of the Tijuana Lagoon (Gallegos 2017). Masters and Aiello argue that from approximately 10,800
to 9,400 B.C. the extensive kelp beds of the coast of southern California flourished and would have
provided a resource rich environment that would have made the coastal area a more attractive
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living location than the interior (2007). The estuaries off the coast of San Diego were productive
with resources such as fish nurseries, shellfish, shorebird and marine mammals (Masters and Aiello
2007).
In addition, the Windsong Shores Site, SDI -10965/W-131, is representative of the San Dieguito
Period, with artifacts similar to the WSPT, and was occupied ca. 9930 to 9580 ye ars ago. However,
these San Dieguito archaeological sites, in addition to artifacts similar to the WSPT, also contain
artifacts which show a diet of shellfish, fish, birds, small to large mammals, and plant foods.
Traditionally, archaeological research on Paleo-Indians has focused on the subsistence strategy of
large game hunting of Pleistocene megafauna, which was then hunted to extinction. Subsequently
Paleo-Indian peoples then focused on different subsistence strategies (Erlandson et al. 2007). More
recent studies along the Southern California coast have focused on the diversity of subsistence
strategies during this period, acknowledging the use of smaller animals and plant foods as staples,
with limited evidence for big game hunting (Byrd and Raab 2007, Erlandson et al. 2007). There
is little specific information from San Diego County archaeological sites for subsistence practices
from this time period, besides the sites listed above. However, in the Daisy Cave archaeological
site, only 200 miles to the north, one of the largest early Holocene archaeological deposits that has
been excavated identified over 18 types of fish, multiple shellfish, marine mammals, and birds
remains, showing that people relied on a wide assortment of marine resources as early a s 8000
B.C., rather than subsisting on large mammal hunting (Erlandson et al. 2007). In addition,
archaeological research across Southern California has shown the use of shellfish, marine
mammals, and fish declined proportionately with distance from the co ast. Less is known about
plant use in interior sites from 8000 to 6500 B.C., besides the fact that an increase of milling tools
is present suggesting that plant resources were heavily relied upon during this early period
(Erlandson et al. 2007). Several sites in southwestern California from which spire removed
Olivella beads have been recovered and dated to 9000 to 7000 B.C., which potentially indicating
a trade network between the coast and the interior people or the movement of people between the
two very different environments (Erlandson et al. 2007). Byrd and Raab argue that an
environmental change from 10,000 to 8,000 cal. B.C. caused warming and drying conditions which
shrunk the interior lakes and streams in Southern California’s deserts and spurred t he change from
a reliance on large game hunting to a focus on a variety of subsistence strategies (2007).
There is a large debate between the relationship of the San Dieguito and the La Jolla Complex
peoples in San Diego County, and whether they represent either distinct cultural changes or
represent tool kits specific to the environment. The La Jolla Complex has been defined as the
archaeological remains of the people inhabiting San Diego County during the Middle Holocene,
discussed below. It has a focus on milling stone technology, rough percussion -flaked stone tools
and a reliance on a variety of marine, plant, and small terrestrial resources (Hale 2009, Wallace
1955, Warren 1968). Sites which date to the Early Holocene in San Diego County do contain som e
milling tools, but at lower levels than the La Jolla period sites (Gallegos, 2017). The lowest levels
of the C.W. Harris Site (SDI -149), however, have been identified as a Paleo -Indian Period
occupation with a coastal adaptation. The artifacts are primar ily bifaces and scrapers without the
ground stone artifacts associated with milling identified in other early sites (Gallegos 2017:21).
The Remington Hills site has four of the earliest radiocarbon dates in San Diego County, but
contains cobble tools as well as milling tools, suggesting a dependence on coastal and lagoon
resources rather than big game hunting (Gallegos 2017). Gallegos also stresses that in choice
locations in San Diego County, such as Tijuana Lagoon surrounding Otay Mesa and around La
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Jolla Bay, the archaeological record shows a continuous habitation through the Holocene with little
evidence for cultural change until the Late Prehistoric Period (Gallegos 2017). Gallegos reiterates
that development and bioturbation have resulted in a lack of stratigraphy in these areas, which may
have obscured the presence of a traditional Paleo -Indian occupation, if one had been present.
Middle/Late Holocene Period (ca. 6000 B.C.-A.D. 500 - 800), Archaic Period,
La Jolla Complex, Millingstone Horizon
The Millingstone Horizon, also known as the La Jolla Complex or the Archaic Period in San Diego
County, is defined through the presence of specialized tools that focused on collection and
processing of small plant seeds and the hunting of a variety of medium and small game animals.
These specialized tools also promoted a reliance on marine resources along the coast (Byrd and
Raab 2007, Hale 2009, Rogers 1945, Warren 1968). While early milling stone assemblages show
that by 9,000 years ago milling tools were in use and that seeds and nuts must have been a dominant
food source (Lightfoot and Parrish 2009), the Millingstone Horizon is generally attributed to the
Middle to Late Holocene Period and has been identified across much of central and southern
California by ca. 6000 to 5000 cal B.C. The La Jolla Complex has been identified as remaining
relatively stable for thousands of years within San Diego County with very little technological
changes identified within the archaeological record (Byrd and Raab 2007, Hale 200 9).
The archaeological record from this period are often found near the coastal lagoons, however
inland sites are also identified during the lengthy Middle Holocene Period. Coastal La Jolla
Complex sites contain a large number of shellfish remains. Stone tools associated with this period
are often described as “crude” or “expedient” and contain choppers, scrappers, handstone, milling
slabs, basin metates, discoidals, and Pinto and Elko projectile points. Flexed burials are also
associated with the La Jolla Complex (Moriarty 1966, Gallegos 2017, Hale 2009). A large number
of small sandstone mortars or bowls have been recovered from archaeological sites in the La Jolla
area, dated to the La Jolla Complex, as well as manos metates, pestles, net weights, scrape rs and
projectile points (Gallegos 2017).
Interior sites from this period contain similar archaeological collections but with a focus on milling
tools, lithic choppers, and scrapers. Conversely, these sites focus less upon the use of shellfish and
other marine resources. Unfortunately, there is little archaeological evidence that defines group
size and habitation structure functionality within interior San Diego County sites during the middle
Holocene.
During this lengthy period little technological changes are identified within the archaeological
record until approximately 5,000 years ago when there was an increase in sedimentation along the
coast. The increased sedimentation transformed the estuaries into shallow wetlands, closed several
of the lagoons, transformed the coastal areas into sand and mudflats, and limited the kelp forests,
causing the coastal region to have a lower level of subsistence resources than in the past (Byrd and
Raab 2007, Gallegos 2007, Masters and Aiello 2007). Pismo Clams are used to identify the
development of sand beaches as they require wide fine -grained sand beaches that are not lost in
winter storms (Masters and Aiello 2007). While the sedimentation of the coastal lagoons and
estuaries was a lengthy process, the Pismo Clam data suggests the San Diego County coast was
the latest area within Southern California to show lagoon closure and the creation of sand beaches,
taking place approximately 5,000 years ago, around 3,000 B.C., (Masters and Aiello 2007).
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Gallegos theorizes that local populations adapted to the changing environmental conditions during
this time by altering their settlement patterns to increase their use of plant and terrestrial animal
use, which is identified in the archaeological record through an increase in habitation areas near
oak and grassland resources and away from the coastal zone (Gallegos 2017). Gallegos shows that
this is supported in the archaeological record by a near absence of human occupation at
archaeological sites at Agua Hedionda, Batiquitos, San Elijo and San Dieguito lagoons ca. 3500 -
1580 B.P., with evidence that these lagoons opened again between 1580 and 1000 BP. However,
Peñasquitos Lagoon, Tijuana Lagoon, San Diego Bay, and La Jolla Bay did not close and show
continuous prehistoric occupation. Gallegos also argues that several of the coastal sites in the La
Jolla area, which were located on the mesa tops, appear to have been abandoned ca. 5,000 to 3,000
years ago as the rocky shore shellfish population diminished (2017).
Past archaeological studies have argued that as the coastal estuaries became less productive for
shellfish and other food sources, there was a depopulation along the coastal zone and settlements
shifted to inland river valleys with an intensification of terrestrial game and p lant resources (Byrd
and Raab 2007). However, more recent archaeological work has identified Middle Holocene
period sites remaining along the coastline along San Diego Bay, Mission Bay, Peñasquitos
Lagoon, San Elijo Lagoon, Santa Margarita River drainage, Las Flores Creek, and San Mateo
Creek, each displaying a continuous occupation from the Middle Holocene into the Late Holocene
(Byrd and Raab 2007). Byrd and Raab argue that the larger drainage systems, such as San Elijo
Lagoon, Las Flores Creek, and the Santa Margarita River Valley, likely maintained more
productive estuaries that provided resources for a continuous occupation through the Middle to
Late Holocene (Byrd and Raab 2007).
During the La Jolla Period there is less evidence for trade networks or migrations of people than
in the Late Holocene. Shell bead types found in Southern California have been identified in the
western and northern Great Basin from the Middle Holocene period. However, the extent and
variety of these trade networks are unknown. There is an argument that during the Middle
Holocene a migration of speakers of Uto-Aztecan languages migrated from the Great Basin into
portions of Southern California, based on both archaeological and linguistic data, known as the
Shoshonean Wedge, however additional research is needed (Byrd and Raab 2007). Overall, it is
unknown if the people which created the La Jollan Complex archaeological sites are the same
which created the San Dieguito. The archaeological records display differing subsistence stra tegies
based on location and availability of resources, but additional information is needed to determine
if they represent different cultural traditions due to population migration or from other external
factors.
Besides the lessening of marine resources nearly 5,000 years ago, archaeologists have not come to
a consensus on identifying different phases within the La Jolla Complex from either environmental
or cultural changes. Overall, the archaeological record during this lengthy time period remains
very similar (Hale 2009, Laylander 2018). Little is known about the transition from the La Jolla
Complex to the Late Prehistoric Period. Laylander reports that there is a relative scarcity of dates
within archaeological sites from 1300 B.C. to A.D. 200, but it i s unknown if this represents a
decline in population during the end of the Archaic Period or a bias in research data (Laylander
2014a).
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Late Holocene Period (A.D. ca. 500 – 800 to 1769), Late Prehistoric Period
The Late Prehistoric Period is defined by the introduction of the bow and arrow after
approximately A.D. 500 and the use of ceramics after approximately A.D. 1000. Also, during this
time, mortuary practices changed from inhumations to cremations (Byrd and Raab 2007). It is
unknown if the transition to the Late Prehistoric was caused by the adoption of new technologies
by local San Diego populations during the La Jolla Complex or was representative of an influx of
migrating populations into San Diego County (Laylander 2014a). Gallegos suggests that there may
have been a long period of transition between what archaeologists identify as the La Jolla Period
and the Late Prehistoric Period. He theorizes that the transition possibly occurred over a thousand
years and that this transition is marked by an increase in the diversification of pressure flaked
artifacts (Gallegos 2017:33).
The Late Holocene Period is identified as a continuation of the cultural practices that were present
during the initial Euro-American exploration of San Diego County and that were recorded during
the Ethno-Historic Period (Byrd and Raab 2007). During the Late Holocene Period, subsistence
strategies focused on smaller and more plentiful resources such as the collection of small species
of shellfish and seed plants and the huntin g of smaller terrestrial animals and marine fish. Within
the archaeological record there is an increase in the use of Donax shellfish, milling of plant seeds
and nuts in inland locations, and the presence of numerous hearth features along the coast in Torr ey
Pines habitat which were likely used to processes pint nuts. Desert zones also show an increase in
the number of agave roasting pits during this time (Gallegos 2017).
Late Period Sites are plentiful across San Diego County and Gallegos argues that it is unknown if
the Late Period sites in San Diego County are found frequently due to an increase in population
during this period, especially in the inland areas, or due to the result of more recent sites not being
buried by silt and sediment like Early and Middle Holocene sites, and thereby hidden from the
archaeological record (Gallegos 2017). Many Late Prehistoric Period archaeological sites are
located inland and contain bedrock milling features, thought to relate to acorn or other seed
processing. People lived in larger coastal and lower valley villages that were located near
permanent water sources. These villages acted as ceremonial and political centers and may have
been occupied, at least partially, year-round. Smaller villages and residential areas we re inhabited
seasonally and were located near subsistence resources or were used for specialized activities,
especially in inland areas (Byrd and Raab 2007, Lightfoot and Parrish 2009). This may have led
to an increase in community size, longer stays at th e major residences, and different societal
organization. It is unknown if these changes in settlement patterns were caused by environmental
factors, resource usage, population growth, or other reasons. It is possible that some of these
changes were responses to the Medieval Climatic Anomaly between A.D. 1100 and 1300, which
caused a temperature increase and drought across the area (Gallegos 2017). Evidence of formal or
permanent residential or communal structures has not been identified in the archaeologica l
record. However, early archaeological studies in San Diego County by Rogers reported
archaeological evidence of brush house structures, stone enclosures, sweathouses, hearths, roasting
pits, granary bases, bedrock milling features, pictographs, and petr oglyphs (Gallegos 2017). Most
of the rock art in San Diego County has been attributed to the Late Prehistoric Period (Gallegos
2017).
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Archaeological remains have identified over four dozen plant types that were used in San Diego
County during this period (Byrd and Raab 2007). Grass seeds had the highest frequencies of use,
and there was less evidence for acorn exploitation. Hale (2009) reports that an intensive use of
acorns in San Diego County did not take place until A.D. 1700 in conjunction with a great er use
of ceramics at that time as well. The lower level of acorn usage in San Diego, visible in macro -
botanical studies, is in contrast to a reliance on acorns as a major subsistence resource in other
parts of Southern California (Byrd and Raab 2007, Hale 2009). Little is known about plant
cultivation during the Late Holocene. There is evidence that a high number of plants that follow
fires were used, but no major research projects have focused on proto -agriculture in San Diego
County. Early Spanish accounts identify that the Native Americans were practicing cultivation of
certain plants through burning and water diversion (Gallegos 2017).
Agriculture was in use along the Colorado River, east of San Diego County as early as A.D. 700
(Schaefer and Laylander 2007). However, little evidence of agricultural practices has been
identified prehistorically in San Diego County. Within the Jacumba Valley region ethno -historic
evidence recorded Kumeyaay constructing small dams and ditches diverting water to terraces f or
agriculture. However, Gifford reported this in 1930 as taking place in the first half of the nineteenth
century, and it is unknown if it was practiced prior to the ethnohistoric period (Schaefer and
Laylander 2007). Generally, while there is archaeological evidence for use of fire and the
manipulation of grasses producing seeds, the level of agricultural practices predating the mission
period in San Diego County is unknown (Schaefer and Laylander 2007).
Ceramic use entered the San Diego region during the Late Prehistoric Period, with a wide variety
of Late Prehistoric dates for the introduction of ceramics in various parts of the County (Gallegos
2017, Hale 2009, Schaefer and Laylander 2007). Shackley rep orted that ceramics were not
identified west of the mountains within San Diego County prior to A.D. 1300 (2004), but were
present in the Lake Cahuilla region as early as A.D. 700 and that there were at least five ceramic
types present in the desert by A.D. 1000 (2004). Meanwhile, Schaefer and Laylander theorized
that ceramics were in use by A. D. 800 (2007) and Gallegos described a range of ceramic use in
County (2017). There is a consensus that ceramic use spread from the eastern deserts to the center
of San Diego County, into Kumeyaay territory, and then spread to northern San Diego County,
into the Luiseño territory, after it was in use in the Kumeyaay territory. Ceramic use within the
region, especially in the area inhabited by the Tipai, was very divers e and included large food and
water storage ollas, parching trays, paint pots, ceramic anvils, canteens, scoops, ceramic dance
rattles, and effigy vessels (Shackley 2004). Residual clays from sources west of the Peninsular
Ranges produced a ceramic style d escribed as Tizon Brownware, which is identifiable by the
brown color and high inclusions of mica and angular granite. Clay sources east of the Peninsular
ranges resulted in a lighter buff colored ceramics, with fewer inclusions, known as Buff Ware.
While more common in the respective territories in which they were made, both types are found
across the region with a much larger variety of ceramic types found within the Colorado Desert
area in eastern San Diego County (Schaefer and Laylander 2007, Shackley 2 004)
Archaeological evidence shows that during the Late Prehistoric Period there was a decline in usage
of large mammals and a focus on smaller terrestrial mammals, especially rabbits (Christenson
1990). This subsistence practice is linked to the use of bo w and arrows. The earliest arrow points,
small projectile points, have been dated in San Diego County is between A.D. 490 to 650 and A.D.
690 (Hale 2009). By A.D. 1000 small projectile points have been identified across San Diego
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County in large numbers (H ale 2009). Two main projectile point types are found within the Late
Prehistoric Period, the Cottonwood Triangular and the Desert Side -Notch, although some
typologies have added a third category, Dos Cabezas Serrated (Laylander 2014b). Projectile points
and lithic raw materials in general are consistent between the coastal and eastern areas of the
County during the Late Prehistoric period, further implying that the western and eastern site of the
territory were occupied by the same peoples seasonally.
Common lithic materials for formed tools, primarily projectile points include chert, jasper, agate,
fossilized wood, rhyolite, wonderstone, quartz, obsidian, and Santiago Peak metavolcanics
(Shackley 2004, Lightfoot and Parrish 2009). The wonderstone found in San Diego County derives
from the Rainbow Rock source in the Colorado Desert (Schaefer and Laylander 2007). Dietler
reports that for all lithic use during the Late Prehistoric Period, there was a preference for obsidian
followed by cryptocrystalline silicates and then volcanic material. However, it was more
advantageous to use material that was readily available rather than moving large amounts of
preferred material far distances (Dietler 2000). In addition, Obsidian Butte obsidian is found
across the County and the archaeological record suggests that access to the imported resource does
not appear to have been controlled by one group (Dietler 2000).
Besides the creation of the small projectile points, which are ubiquitous in Late Prehistoric sites
and were often carefully made, Schaefer and Laylander characterize lithic technology from this
period as “expedient” (2007:252). In general, Schaefer and Laylander theorized that tools were
created as needed from available materials and discarded after use. G allegos (2017) also supports
that lithic technologies were similar through time, with a focus on a direct response to the tools
needed and the quality of local lithic material. The small projectile points in abundance during the
Late Prehistoric Period could utilize poorer quality material than the large projectile points within
the Early and Middle Holocene, as shown with the use of poor-quality Obsidian Butte obsidian
and Piedra de Lumbre (PDL) chert. Generally, local volcanic material was used to make sc raper
tools, and local granitic and sandstone was used for groundstone tools (Gallegos 2017). Overall
lithic technology, besides projectile points, tends to be stable over time across San Diego County,
with the only clear chronologically identifiable lithic technology as the change in projectile point
type. Groundstone tools show a greater effort of manufacture especially sandstone metates and
other volcanic pestles and metates than flaked lithic tools (Gallegos 2017).
The Late Prehistoric Period additionally saw an increase in archaeological sites within portions of
the Colorado Desert in eastern San Diego County. The Colorado Desert archaeological sites from
this period have a range of radiocarbon dates from ca. A.D. 135 to 645 (Schaefer and Laylander
2007). Although located within Imperial County, Obsidian Butte was a major resource of lithic
material in San Diego County during the Late Prehistoric Period. Obsidian Butte obsidian was
available during periods of low water within Lake Cahuilla, and is found across Late Prehistoric
archaeological sites within San Diego County during the last 1000 years, making up as much as
10 percent of some debitage assemblages in coastal and interior San Diego sites (Schaefer and
Laylander 2007). The Colorado Desert was a major source of additional lithic material types found
in San Diego County archaeological sites, including chert, chalcedony, basalt, rhyolite, quartz, and
others.
After 1300 B.P. cremation was common practice across San Diego County and was practiced
during the Ethno-Historic Period by both the Kumeyaay and the Luiseño (Gallegos 2017). It is
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thought that this practice came from the north or east, and it is unknown if the transition from
inhumations to cremations was adopted for religious or population re asons, or to control the spread
of disease (Gallegos 2017).
Ethnohistoric Period
The project area lies within an area that was traditionally inhabited by the Kumeyaay, also known
as Ipai, Tipai, or Diegueño (named for Mission San Diego de Alcalá). Accordin g to documentation
in the ethnographic record, the Kumeyaay territory ranged from between Agua Hedionda Lagoon
and Batiquitos Lagoon in the northwest, east through present day Escondido to the southern end
of the Salton Sea, and then southeast through the Sonoran Desert into Mexico, with the
southwestern boundary near Todos Santos Bay in Baja California, Mexico, south of Ensenada
(Luomala 1978). Four to six dialects were present within the Kumeyaay territory, and
northernmost groups referred to themselves as Ipai, while those in the southern portions of the
Kumeyaay territory refer to themselves as the Kamia, Kamiyahi, or Tipai (Kroeber 1976). Ipai and
Tipai were thought to be two distinct dialects of Kumeyaay, which was part of the Yuman Family
of the Hokan Stock (Lightfoot 2005). The Tipai were present south of the San Diego River Valley
into Mexico (Gallegos 2017).
The Kumeyaay are a group of exogamous, patrilineal territorial bands who lived in semi -sedentary,
politically autonomous villages or rancherias. Most rancherias were the seat of a clan, although it
is thought that, aboriginally, some clans had more than one rancheria and some rancherias
contained more than one clan (Bean and Shipek 1978; Luomala 1978). Each group or clan was
associated with a restricted locality, probably their summer home, called cimul or gentes (Luomala
1978, Spier 1923, Shackley 2004). Often several lineages lived together in a residential base. The
number of residents, both full time or seasonally, is unknown. A hereditary male chief was present
in each clan (Luomala 1978). Members of each clan had communal rights to the land and resources
within their boundaries. The woman in the marriage were generally from another settlement, and
if both agreed the couple would move to the man’s father’s house or would build a house nearby.
While generally marriage was patrilocal, it was not uncommon for a couple to live with the
woman’s family. Either the husband or wife could leave the marriage if they wished.
Houses were made of Tule or California bulrush (Waterman 1910). In the center of villages was a
circular dance ground, made of hard packed soils, where dances took place. Songs and dances were
often accompanied by a turtle or tortoise shell rattle, wooden flute or whistle, or a bul l-roarer,
which was swung around the head to make a loud roaring sound. Tobacco was smoked from a
stone pipe and was used primarily in ceremonies. Tobacco smoking is also referenced in
Kumeyaay mythology (Waterman 1910).
Several sources indicate that large Kumeyaay villages or rancherias were located in river valleys
and along the shoreline of coastal estuaries (Bean and Shipek 1978; Kroeber 1976). They subsisted
on a hunting and foraging economy, exploiting San Diego’s diverse ecology throughout the year;
coastal bands exploited marine resources while inland bands might move from the desert, ripe with
agave and small game, to the acorn and pine nut rich mountains in the fall (Cline 1984; Kroeber
1976; Luomala 1978). Subsistence cycles of the Kumeyaay were seasonal and generally focused
on an east -west or coast -to-desert route based around the availability of vegetal foods, while
hunting added a secondary food source to gathering practices (Luomala 1978, Shackley 2004).
The Kumeyaay lived in the foothills o n the edge of the Colorado Desert in the winter, in the
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mountains in the spring, and in the inland valleys in the summer, although all settlements of a clan
would be occupied throughout the year (Spier 1923). A clan’s seasonal movement would be based
on several major stable plants and a small number of people would arrive at a campsite to begin
gathering in the vicinity of the staple crop, soon to be followed by a larger number. Staples
included acorns, mesquite, cactus fruits, seeds, and piñon nuts (Luomala 1978). Spier (1923) goes
into detail regarding the use of acorns, which are collected in the fall, and then stored to dry until
the following February when they are processed by cracking them open, crushing them using a
mortar and pestle, and leaching th em. Cacti and succulents were used in greater quantity in the
eastern side of the Kumeyaay territory, including agaves, Barrel Cactus, chollas, prickly pears, and
yuccas (Luomala 1978).
Ethnographic and archaeological sources show the Kumeyaay using the following plant sources:
California Buckwheat, Blue Dicks, Canary grasses, Chia, Native Barley, Pitseed Goosefoot,
Tarweeds, wild cucumber, Blue Elderberry, California juniper berries, jojoba, Holly -leafed
Cherry, Lemonade berry, Manzanitas, Oaks, Pinyon, Yucca, Prickly-pears, and others (Lightfoot
and Parrish 2009). Meat sources included rodents, lizards, some snakes, insects, larvae, deer, and
birds. Most hunting was performed by men, either alone or in informal parties (Luomala 1978).
Rabbit was the most abundant source of meat, and was often caught in communal drives using
nets, fences, or fires along with rabbit sticks or bows and arrows (Lightfoot and Parrish 2009).
Other food sources within coastal environments include abalones, clams, mussels, marine snails,
caterpillars, nearshore fishes, and marine birds (Lightfoot and Parrish 2009, Luomala 1978). Some
limited agriculture was present in the east, consisting of the planting of maize, beans, and melons.
The flood plain agriculture practiced in the eastern river valleys, was used by the same groups that
practiced hunting and gathering in other areas of the Kumeyaay territory (Lightfoot and Parrish
2009).
It is likely that the east/west canyons and tributaries were also often used by the Kumeyaay as
travel corridors from interior coastal plain areas, to and from villages located along, and at the
mouth of the rivers (Trafzer and Carrico 1992:53). These river valleys were often referred to by
native speakers as oon-ya, meaning trail or road, describing one of the main routes linking the
interior of San Diego with the coast.
Kumeyaay religion was a mixture of the newer Chungichnish religion and older religious practices
and shared many similarities with the Luiseño (Kroeber 1976, Waterman 1910). It is believed that
the Chungichnish religion formed in the north and spread south to the islands of Santa Catalina
and San Clemente, then to the San Juan Capistrano region and finally into San Diego County
through the Luiseño (DuBois 1908). The Chungichnish religion did not reach the southern
boundary of the Kumeyaay territory until very late in time, possibly as late as the American period,
and was practiced less in the southern Kumeyaay territory (Kroeber 1976). Kroeber reports that
these religious practices were not called Chungichnish by the Kumeyaay, rather they were called
awik meaning “western”. The cult centered around the boys’ imitation ceremony in which
toloache, Datura meteloides, was drunk. Shamans were present and were the principal performers
in Chungichnish ceremonies (Spier 1923). All who took part of the toloache initiation ceremony
received a shaman’s powers, to a varying degree (DuBois 1908). Practicing the ceremonies of the
cult protected the people from evils such as snake bites, and other misfo rtunes.
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Waterman (1910) reported that the Kumeyaay believed that the souls of people have a continued
existence after death and that the spirts of the dead go to the east, and the spirits of those that died
are still associated with their places and objects. After death, the mourning ritual, Keruk, was
performed in which the deceased were cremated, and the ashes were gathered and placed into a jar
of pottery and either buried or placed between rocks. The body was burned so that the spirit would
not return. The deceased’s property was collected to use in the Mourning ceremony, which took
place on the year anniversary of the death. During the ceremony the deceased’s clothing and any
other property was burned during a large gathering.
Other ceremonies and d ances included the Feather Ceremony, the Whirling Dance (Tapakwrip),
Image Burning Ceremony, the Eagle Ceremony which was a ceremony held on the anniversary of
the death of the leader of the dances, the War Dance (Horloi), and the Fire Ceremony. East was
t he primary ceremonial direction, and ceremonial enclosures open to the east. East was also
associated with the color white, south with green -blue, west with black, and north with red.
The Shaman was called the Kwasiyai, and was born a shaman. Waterman (1 910) reported that
disease was caused by deleterious substances in the body, which must be sucked out. The Shaman
cured individuals by sucking blood or the diseased object through the mouth or through a pipe,
kneading and pressing and blowing tobacco smoke on the diseased person.
Kroeber (1925) reports that the Kumeyaay origin story is similar to that of other Yuman speaking
people in Southern California. Mankind and all things in the world are born from mother earth,
with either the sky or night as the f ather. The divinity Wiyot is not the creator rather the first born.
However, Waterman (2010) reports that there are two separate mythologies regarding creation and
the divinity Wiyot. DuBois (1906) recorded that the Kumeyaay came from Wik -a-mee or Wikami,
which was a mountain in the Colorado River region, that all the Indians came from that place and
only had one language. Shackley (2004) recorded that Tom Lucas, an ethnographic source from
Laguna Mountain, told a similar story that they came from “Spirit M ountain”. Additionally, the
spirits of all the dead people return to the mountain to dance (Spier 1923). Shackley states that the
Kumeyaay origin story parallels the archaeological evidence in that sometime after A.D. 1000, a
large number of Kumeyaay ancestors moved into the present territory and that, archaeologically,
the relationship between the Kumeyaay ancestors and the populations living at the coast is not
entirely known. Tom Lucas reported that the Kwaaymii, the people living in the Laguna
Mountains, were created by the Great Spirit, Amaayahaa, who put life into their bodies made of
dirt, in their current location, and his people did not migrate from a different area (Cline 1984).
Waterman also reported that there was a wonderful being called Chaup, and that several myths
center on Chaup. Chaup named many of the plants and animals and marked them, and he also first
brought storms and disease into the world. Chaup’s physical manifestation is a ball of lightning or
a shooting star (DuBois 1904; Miskwish 2016).
The Kumeyaay calendar was divided into six divisions, with 13 lunar months and four seasons.
The calendar was used to know when to harvest plants and administer medicines. The Kumeyaay
tracked the equinoxes and solstices, and both solar an d lunar eclipses. The winter solstice was the
most important date on the calendar, with the fall equinox being the start of the year as it also
marked the acorn harvest (Miskwish 2016). Constellations were reflected in pictographs,
petroglyphs, and cupules. Constellations played an important part of the puberty ceremonies, other
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constellations represent creation stories, and other stories, such as death relate to the solstice and
equinox. Observatories could be rock cairns, rock alignments, or even a singly placed rock
(Miskwish 2016).
Waterman (1910) also recorded that the Kumeyaay played several gambling games, some of which
may have been introduced historically. One such game, peon, was still played during Waterman’s
research and is thought to be an ancient practice. Peon was mentioned in the Chaup myth and is
played ceremonially. Peon is played on two sides of four players each and involves guessing and
reading the other player’s expressions.
Village Sites Along Otay River
Two ethnohistoric village sites have been recorded within the Otay River Valley, La Punta and
Otai (Gallegos et al. 1998). La Punta has been identified on early maps as being located along the
mouth of the Otay River Valley at San Diego Bay and hearth features have been identified 1.2 m
below the ground surface in alluvial deposits. Otai (also recorded as Ueai) has been recorded near
the confluence of O’Neal Canyon and Otay River Valley, approximately 4 miles to the east of the
Project area. The village site was along the main access trail from the Otay River Valley to the
Mission San Diego do Alcala. It is believed that much of the remains of the village was destroyed
in the 1916 flood (Schoenherr 2017). Additional habitation sites have been recorded along the
Otay River Valley. Habitat ion areas have been defined within the Otay Mesa as sites with diverse
surface artifact counts of over 200 artifacts per 10x10m collection grids (Gallegos et al. 1998).
History
San Diego history can be divided into three periods: the Spanish, Mexican and American periods.
Spanish Period (1769 -1822)
European exploration of the San Diego area was initiated with the maritime expeditions of Juan
Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542 and Sebastián Vizcaíno in 1602. Continuous European settlement
begin in 1769 when expeditions under the leadership of Gaspar de Portol á and Junípero Serra
reached the region from Baja California and passed northward along the coastal plain to seek
Monterey, and the presidio and the Misión San Diego de Alcalá were founded. Additional missions
were founded in the region at San Juan Capistrano in 1776 and San Luis Rey de Francia in 1798.
During this period the original El Camino Real ran from Mission San Diego de Alcalá through to
Mission San Luis Rey de Francia (Cavalier 2008). Native Americans within the vicinity of the
Project area were removed from their lands and forced into servitude at Mission San Diego de
Alcalá. The vicinity of the Project area may have been used for crazing cattle by the Spanish during
this period, but the Project area remained undeveloped. Directly north of the Pro ject area was
Rancho del Rey, which was in use since 1795 as a grazing area for the Presidio.
Mexican Period (1822 -1846)
In 1821 Mexico achieved its independence from Spain and by 1833 the missions were secularized.
During this period the Pueblo of San D iego was founded, although the population grew slowly
(Schoenherr 2017). Native Americans released from the Mission San Diego de Alcalá returned to
their native villages, moved east to areas lying beyond Mexican control, or sought work on ranchos
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or in the towns across the region. Numerous large land grants were issued to private owners during
this period.
The Project area is adjacent to the southern boundary of the Rancho de la Nación and the western
boundary of Rancho Otay. Rancho de la Nación was forme rly referred to as Rancho del Rey and
was granted in John Forster in 1845 and consisted of over 26,000 acres. Rancho Otay, consisting
of over 6,000 acres, was granted in 1829 to Doña Magdalena Estudillo, although the lands may
have been regranted in 1846 by Governor Pío Pico (Schoenherr 2017). Little development within
the vicinity of the Project area took place during this period. Within in the ranchos houses, corrals
and other facilities for cattle ranching were constructed, while most land remained uncha nged and
used for crazing of cattle.
American Period (1846 -Present)
The American Period began at the end of the Mexican American War, between 1846 -1848, with
the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. After the Mexican American War, the population of the region
began to grow, as the Ranchos changed hands and eventually were sold. Immigrants from the
eastern U.S. gradually moved into the area and supplanted old Califorñio customs. Due to a lack
of reliable water agriculture within the area was limited to grain and ranching of cattle. The growth
of the population within San Diego County was punctuated with historical events such as the
discovery of gold in the Julian area, the extension of the railroad to San Diego, and the
establishment of military facilities.
During San Diego’s population boom in the mid -1880s speculators formed land companies and
subdivided town sites throughout the county (Pourade 1964:167 -191). This boom brought
homesteaders to the Chula Vista area. Rancho Otay changed hands several times and wa s
eventually sold to the San Diego Land and Town Company in the 1880s (Schoenherr 2017).
Rancho de la Nación also changed hand several times and eventually much of the rancho became
National City (Schoenherr 2004).
The City of Chula Vista was incorporated in 1911 but most of the area remained rural for several
decades. Lemon groves became the primary agricultural good in the region. Chula Vista was
typical of the small agricultural communities that grew up in the hinterland of San Diego,
characterized generally by widely dispersed settlements that were united by a common school
district, post office, church, and general store (Van Wormer 1986a, 1986b, 1987). By 1919 the San
Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway was completed, causing a population gr owth in the area
(Schoenherr 2004). With the construction of dams and other water facilities agricultural production
grew but Chula Vista remained a small agricultural community until World War II. World War II
brough aeronautical companies and military ho using to the area and by 1955 the population of
Chula Vista had expanded to 31,330 people. Over the next several decades Chula Vista continued
to grow adding residential development, transportation routes and additional irrigation and water
infrastructure (Schoenherr 2004).
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V. STUDY METHODS
The methods used to assess the presence or absence of cultural resources within the APE of the
two outfall locations included a search of existing historical and archaeological records,
background research, and a pedestrian archaeological survey. The records search of the California
Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS) held by the South Coastal Information Center
(SCIC) was conducted on June 9, 2021 for the associated Nirvana Industrial Project, located
approximately 135 feet north of the two outfall locations. The search included the Nirvana
Industrial Project APE and a radius of one-mile (mi.) around it. Historic aerial photographs and
historic USGS topographic maps of the APE were consulted from historicaerials.com and the
USGS Historic Topographic Map Explorer, respectively.
A record search of the Sacred Lands File (SLF) held by the Native American Heritage Commission
(NAHC) was requested by Red Tail on June 8, 2021. The NAHC responded to the record search
request of the SLF on June 29, 2021, that the record search of the SLF was negative. The NAHC
also provided a list of twenty Native American individuals and organizations which may have
additional information on the Project area.
The field survey of the two outfall locations was conducted on April 6, 2022, by Red Tail
Archaeologist Spencer Bietz and Native American Monitor Corel Taylor. The ground surface
visibility was mixed, with good visibility within areas directly abutting the headwalls, and p oor
visibility within areas along the perimeter of each outfall APE due to dense riparian vegetation
within the Otay River. The Project area was located primarily within the Otay River. All exposed
soil was examined for cultural resources. Current site o verview photographs were taken from
various angles.
April 22, 2022
Nirvana Industrial Project Outfalls Archaeological Resource Survey Report
Page 25 of 43
VI. STUDY RESULTS
A. Background Research
SCIC Record Search Results
The record search conducted on June 8, 2021, indicated that 74 studies have previously been
completed within the 1-mi. record search rad ius (Table 1). Six of the previously conducted studies
intersect the Outfall APE, including the two outfall locations.
Table 1. Previously Conducted Studies within 1-Mile of the Outfall APE
Report
Number Year Authors Report Title Relation to
Outfall APE
SD -00122 1980 BANKS, THOMAS J. AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE OTAY RANCH
PROPOSED BARROW PIT LOCATIONS SAN DIEGO COUNTY. OUTSIDE
SD -00686 1974 FINK, GARY R.
FURTHER ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE
PROPOSED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER, OTAY,
CALIFORNIA
OUTSIDE
SD -00687 1973 FINK, GARY R. PRELIMINARY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE PROPOSED
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER, OTAY, CALIFORNIA OUTSIDE
SD -00837 1975 FINK, GARY OTAY LANDFILL EXPANSION ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY
PROJECT NO. UJ0144 OUTSIDE
SD -01041 1988 GALLEGOS, DENNIS R.
AND DAYLE CHEEVER
CULTURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY FOR HIDDEN TRAILS: OTAY
MESA, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA OUTSIDE
SD -01335 1986
PIGNIOLO, ANDREW,
DENNIS GALLEGOS, AND
RICHARD CARRICO
CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY OF THREE ALTERNATE JAIL
FACILITIES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY. OUTSIDE
SD -01412 1989 SMITH, BRIAN F.
THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY AT THE CHULA VISTA AUTO
CENTRE PROJECT A CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY OF 31.667
ACRES
OUTSIDE
SD -01413 1987 SMITH, BRIAN F.
THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS AT THE OTAY RIO
BUSINESS PARK PROJECT A CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY
OF 210 ACRES AND THE EVALUATION OF THE LOCI OF SITE W -
3861
OUTSIDE
SD -01432 1989 SMITH, BRIAN F. AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE OTAY RANCH/NELSON
AND SLOAN QUARRY EXTENSION OUTSIDE
SD -01460 1984 SCIENTIFIC RESOURCE
SURVEYS, INC.
AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE WALKER SCOTT
PROPERTIES IN OTAY VALLEY, SAN DIEGO COUNTY,
CALIFORNIA
OUTSIDE
SD -01784 1980 SCIENTIFIC RESOURCE
SURVEYS, INC.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL/PALEONTOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT ON
THE CHULA VISTA-OTAY VALLEY ROAD LIMITED INDUSTRIAL
PROJECT LOCATED IN THE CHULA VISTA AREA OF THE
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
OUTSIDE
SD -02047 1985 JAMES HARGROVE REVIEWERS OF THE OTAY MESA PRISON SEWER PIPELINE
NEGATIVE DECLARATION OUTSIDE
SD -02252 1991 ADVANCED SCIENCES, INC AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPACT EVALUATION FOR THE OTAY
RIVER VALLEY RESOURCE ENHANCEMENT PLAN OUTSIDE
SD -02511 1993 HIX, ANN B.
DENNERY RANCH PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
PERMIT HILLSIDE REVIEW OVERLAY ZONE/RESOURCE
PROTECTION PERMIT AND REZONE #88-0785
OUTSIDE
SD -02522 1992 MOONEY, BRIAN
EVALUATION OF A PREHISTORIC RESOURCE PROCESSING
SITE CA-SDI -10452 HISTORIC BIRD RANCH CA-SDI-11386H AND
WATER CONVEYANCE SYSTEM CA-SDI -11383H FOR THE OTAY
VALLEY WATER RECLAMATION PLANT
OUTSIDE
SD -02690 1993
CARRICO, RICHARD,
THEODORE G. COOLEY,
AND ANDREW PIGNIOLO
FINAL CULTURAL RESOURCES EVALUATION OF THE 23,088
ACRE OTAY RANCH, SAN DIEGO COUNTY OUTSIDE
SD -02805 1992 CITY OF SAN DIEGO
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT, HIDDEN TRAILS
REZONE FROM AGRICULTURAL TO RESIDENTIAL, SAN DIEGO
COUNTY
OUTSIDE
April 22, 2022
Nirvana Industrial Project Outfalls Archaeological Resource Survey Report
Page 26 of 43
Report
Number Year Authors Report Title Relation to
Outfall APE
SD -02842 1984 KIDDER, FRED W.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF TWO SEWER LINE ROUTES:
PROPOSED OTAY MESA PRISON SITE, SAN DIEGO,
CALIFORNIA
OUTSIDE
SD -02982 1995 CITY OF SAN DIEGO HIDDEN TRAILS, DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT OUTSIDE
SD -03077 1984 SMITH, BRIAN AND JAMES
MORIARTY
AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE ROBINHOOD BRIDGE
PRECISE PLAN AND THE EVALUATION OF SITES SDM -W-3513
AND SDM-W -3514, OTAY MESA, CITY OF SAN DIEGO,
CALIFORNIA
OUTSIDE
SD -03156 1996 SMITH, BRIAN F. RESULTS OF AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY AT THE OTAY
VALLEY PARCEL OF THE OTAY RANCH OUTSIDE
SD -03266 1996
GROSS, TIMOTHY, RUTH
ALTER, AND MARY
ROBBINS-WADE
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR THE JOINT TASK FORCE-SIX
BORDER ROAD REPAIR PROJECT, OTAY MOUNTAIN,
CALIFORNIA
INTERSECT S
SD -03306 1988 CHEEVER, DAYLE AND
DENNIS GALLEGOS
CULTURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY FOR HIDDEN TRAILS; OTAY
MESA, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA OUTSIDE
SD -03359 1988 SMITH, BRIAN F.
A REPORT OF THE RESULTS OF AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY
AND CULTURAL RESOURCE EVALUATION AT THE ROBINHOOD
RIDGE PRECISE PLAN, OTAY MESA, CITY OF SAN DIEGO,
CALIFORNIA
OUTSIDE
SD -03452 1998 CITY OF SAN DIEGO DRAFT EIR FOR ROBINHOOD RIDGE PROJECT OUTSIDE
SD -03726 1996 KYLE, CAROLYN E. AND
DENNIS R. GALLEGOS
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT FOR THE OTAY ANNEX
LANDFILL PROJECT OUTSIDE
SD -03767 1994
SCHAEFER, JERRY,
STEPHEN VAN WORMER,
AND SUSAN WALTER
HISTORIC STUDY REPORT OF SITES CA-SDI-11,374H, -11383H, -
12,272H, AND -12,273H FOR STATE ROUTE 125 ON OTAY MESA,
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
OUTSIDE
SD -03950 1997 GALLEGOS, DENNIS AND
CAROLYN KYLE
CULTURAL RESOURCES REPORT FOR THE OTAY ANNEX
LANDFILL PROJECT OUTSIDE
SD -04089 1997 GALLEGOS, DENNIS R.
AND CAROLYN E. KYLE
CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY AND TEST REPORT FOR THE
SOUTH SAN DIEGO PIPELINE NO.2 PROJECT CITY OF SAN
DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
OUTSIDE
SD -04411 1992 ASM AFFILIATES, INC.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL TESTING AND SIGNIFICANCE EVALUATION
PROGRAM REPORT FOR THE SENNERY RANCH PROPERTY
CITY OF SAN DIEGO
OUTSIDE
SD -04533 1998
MONSERRATE, LAWRENCE
C. AND CITY OF SAN
DIEGO
NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT REPORT HIDDEN TRAILS OUTSIDE
SD -04578 1988 CHEEVER, DAYLE AND
DENNIS GALLEGOS
CULTURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY FOR HIDDEN TRAILS; OTAY
MESA, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA OUTSIDE
SD -04590 1990 CITY OF SAN DIEGO
APPENDIXES FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR
OTAY VALLEY WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY FOR THE CLEAN
WATER PROGRAM FOR GREATER SAN DIEGO
OUTSIDE
SD -04657 1992
OGDEN ENVIRONMENTAL
AND ENERGY SERVICES
CO., INC.
DRAFT PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT. OTAY
RANCH OUTSIDE
SD -04677 1988 SMITH, BRIAN
A REPORT OF THE RESULTS OF AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY
AND CULTURAL RESOURCE EVALUATION AT THE ROBINHOOD
RIDGE PRECISE PLAN
OUTSIDE
SD -04798 1999 CITY OF SAN DIEGO RECIRCULATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT: HIDDEN
TRAILS PRECISE PLAN VESTING TENTATIVE MAPS OUTSIDE
SD -05091 1988 CHEEVER, DAYLE CULTURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY FOR HIDDEN TRAILS; OTAY
MESA, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA OUTSIDE
SD -05092 2000 CITY OF SAN DIEGO DRAFT EIR FOR HIDDEN TRAILS, OTAY MESA COMMUNITY PLAN OUTSIDE
SD -05227 1992 COOK, JOHN
ARCHAEOLOGICAL TESTING & SIGNIFICANCE EVALUATION
PROGRAM REPORT FOR THE DENNERY RANCH PROPERTY
CITY OF SAN DIEGO, CA
OUTSIDE
SD -05247 1998 CITY OF SAN DIEGO D.E.I.R. FOR HIDDEN TRAILS COMMUNITY PLAN AMENDMENT OUTSIDE
SD -05361 2000 MONSERRATE, LAWRENCE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT: HIDDEN TRAILS OUTSIDE
SD -06728 1999 CITY OF SAN DIEGO PUBLIC NOTICE OF PROPOSED ADDENDUM TO AN
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT -DENNERY RANCH OUTSIDE
SD -06805 1987 BERRY, STANLEY AND
JUDY A. BERRYMAN
ARCHAEOLOGICAL OVERVIEW AND PLANNING DOCUMENT FOR
THE PROPOSED RANCHO OTAY PROJECT OUTSIDE
April 22, 2022
Nirvana Industrial Project Outfalls Archaeological Resource Survey Report
Page 27 of 43
Report
Number Year Authors Report Title Relation to
Outfall APE
SD -07668 2001 BUYSSE, JOHNNA AND
BRIAN F. SMITH
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MITIGATION OF IMPACT TO PREHISTORIC
SITE SDI-13864, OTAY RANCH VILLAGE ONE WEST OUTSIDE
SD -07775 2000 JOHNNA L. BUYSSE AND
BRIAN F. SMITH
A REPORT OF AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF
CULTURAL RESOURCES AT THE OTAY RANCH VILLAGE TWO
SPA
OUTSIDE
SD -08276 2002 CALTRANS AND MARTIN
ROSEN
HISTORICAL RESOURCES COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR FILING
COMPLETION OF PRC§5024 RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE SR -905
WALL-HUDSON BIOLOGICAL MITIGATION PARCEL
OUTSIDE
SD -08311 2003 SMITH, BRIAN F.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS AND CULTURAL
RESOURCE EVALUATIONS FOR THE OTAY RANCH COMPANY'S
PROPERTY WITHIN VILLAGE 3 OF OTAY RANCH
OUTSIDE
SD -08607 1980 SCIENTIFIC RESOURCE
SURVEYS, INC
ARCHAEOLOGICAL/PALEONTOLOGICAL HISTORICAL RECORDS
SEARCH AND REPORT ON THE CHULA VISTA-OTAY VALLEY
ROAD LIMITED INDUSTRIAL PROJECT LOCATED IN THE CHULA
VISTA AREA OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
OUTSIDE
SD -09004 2003 ROSEN, MARTIN D. HISTORICAL PROPERTY SURVEY REPORT- 2ND
SUPPLEMENTAL OUTSIDE
SD -09765 1987
ROBBINS-WADE, MARY,
TIMOTHY GROSS, AND
SEAN CARDENAS
CULTURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT:
CALIFORNIA TERRACES OUTSIDE
SD -10448 2005 COOLEY, THEODORE
SITE SIGNIFICANCE EVALUATION OF A PORTION OF
PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE CA-SDI-17668 LOCATED
ALONG THE PROPOSED OTAY WATER DISTRICT, 30-INCH
RECYCLED WATER PIPELINE ROUTE, IN THE OTAY RIVER
VALLEY, SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
OUTSIDE
SD -10821 2007 CASE, ROBERT P.
FINAL CULTURAL RESOURCES MITIGATION MONITORING
REPORT FOR THE OTAY WATER DISTRICT 30- INCH RECYCLED
WATER PIPELINE SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
OUTSIDE
SD -10935 2007 SMITH, BRIAN F. AND SETH
A. ROSENBERG
AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY FOR THE CHULA VISTA
INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY PROJECT OUTSIDE
SD -11502 1995 SMITH, BRIAN F.
RESULTS OF AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND THE
EVALUATION OF CULTURAL RESOURCES AT THE OTAY RANCH
SECTIONAL PLANNING AREA ONE AND ANNEXATION PROJECT
OUTSIDE
SD -12268 2009 ROBBINS-WADE, MARY ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES SURVEY, MAIN STREET
PROPERTY, CHULA VISTA, SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA INTERSECTS
SD -12397 2009 CLOWERY-MORENO, SARA
AND LARRY J. PIERSON
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONITORING OF THE OTAY RANCH
VILLAGE 2 PROJECT OUTSIDE
SD -14028 2012 CASTELLS, SHELBY
GUNDERMAN
CULTURAL RESOURCES STUDY FOR THE GEOTECHNICAL
FIELD INVESTIGATION, HERITAGE ROAD BRIDGE
REPLACEMENT, CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
INTERSECTS
SD -14368 2013 CITY OF SAN DIEGO
DRAFT PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE
OTAY MESA COMMUNITY PLAN UPDATE, CITY OF SAN DIEGO
PROJECT NUMBER 30330/304032
OUTSIDE
SD -14714 2013 CITY OF SAN DIEGO FINAL PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE
OTAY MESA COMMUNITY PLAN UPDATE, CITY OF SAN DIEGO OUTSIDE
SD -15229 2013 KRISTIN TENNESEN
ETS #24738.03, CULTURAL RESOURCES MONITORING FOR THE
INTRUSIVE POLE INSPECTIONS, METRO DISTRICT, SUB -AREAS
BORD, SNYS, IMPE, OTAY, SBAY, HILT, MONT, SSDE, LINC
PROJECT, SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (HDR #207357)
INTERSECTS
SD -15274 2013 JAMES E. WHITAKER
ETS #26617, CULTURAL RESOURCES SURVEY FOR CMP POLE
REPLACE, P86042, CHULA VISTA, SAN DIEGO COUNTY,
CALIFORNIA (HDR #223892)
OUTSIDE
SD -15437 2014 KRISTIN TENNESEN
ETS #8357, ADDENDUM CULTURAL RESOURCES SURVEY
REPORT FOR THE TL 649 WOOD -TO -STEEL REPLACEMENT AND
RECONDUCTOR PROJECT, SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
OUTSIDE
SD -15873 2014 WAYNE H. BONNER AND
SARAH A. WILLIAMS
CULTURAL RESOURCE RECORDS SEARCH AND SITE VISIT
RESULTS FOR AT&T MOBILITY, LLC CANDIDATE SD0960 (SLEEP
TRAIN AMPHITHEATRE), 2050 ENTERTAINMENT CIRCLE, CHULA
VISTA, SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
OUTSIDE
SD -17037 2017 SMITH, BRIAN F.
CULTURAL RESOURCES MONITORING REPORT FOR THE OTAY
RANCH VILLAGE 2 SOUTH PROJECT, CITY OF CHULA VISTA,
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
OUTSIDE
SD -17094 2017 SMITH, BRIAN F.
CULTURAL RESOURCES MONITORING REPORT FOR THE OTAY
RANCH VILLAGE 3 NORTH PROJECT, CITY OF CHULA VISTA,
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
OUTSIDE
April 22, 2022
Nirvana Industrial Project Outfalls Archaeological Resource Survey Report
Page 28 of 43
Report
Number Year Authors Report Title Relation to
Outfall APE
SD -17217 2016 CASTELLS, SHELBY
GUNDERMAN
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT FOR THE HERITAGE
ROAD BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT, CITY OF CHULA
VISTA, SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
OUTSIDE
SD -17371 2017 FOGLIA, SHANNON E. AND
THEODORE G. COOLEY
LETTER REPORT: ETS 34479 - CULTURAL RESOURCES SURVEY
FOR THE OTAY RANCH VILLAGE 3 HERITAGE RD, MAIN STREET
CONVERSION, CITY OF CHULA VISTA, SAN DIEGO COUNTY,
CALIFORNIA - IO 7074264
INTERSECTS
SD -17372 2018 ROY, JULIE
LETTER REPORT: ETS 34479 - CULTURAL RESOURCES
MONITORING FOR THE OTAY RANCH VILLAGE 3 HERITAGE RD,
MAIN STREET CONVERSION, CITY OF CHULA VISTA, SAN DIEGO
COUNTY, CALIFORNIA - IO 7074264
INTERSECTS
SD -17672 2017 VOLTA, BENIAMINO
ETS #26617, CULTURAL RESOURCES MONITORING FOR CMP
POLE REPLC, P86042, CHULA VISTA PROJECT, SAN DIEGO
COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
OUTSIDE
SD -18090 2019 PEREZ, DON C.
CULTURAL RESOURCES SURVEY, ESCAYA / CAL00920 / FA
13889810, 1700 MAXWELL ROAD, CHULA VISTA, SAN DIEGO
COUNTY, CALIFORNIA 91911
OUTSIDE
SD -18125 2019 JOHNSTON, ROBYN
LETTER REPORT: ETS 41481 - CULTURAL RESOURCES SURVEY
REPORT FOR THE RECONDUCTOR 4,500' OF #2 AL WITH 336
ACSR IN THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA - IO 7074264
OUTSIDE
SD -18226 2019 WILLHITE, BRENTON E.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONITORING FOR INSTALL POLE P294011
IN CHULA VISTA, SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (SDG&E
ETS # 40443, PANGIS PROJECT # 1401.131)
OUTSIDE
SD -18754 2020 MANCHEN, KENT AND
BRIAN WILLIAMS
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES MONITORING RESULTS FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC'S TIE LINE
(TL) 649 WOOD -TO-STEEL REPLACEMENT PROJECT, SAN
DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
OUTSIDE
SD -18838 2021 JORDAN, AMY
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONITORING FOR TCM ACCESS ROADS,
ANNUAL REPORT 2020, SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (ASM
#23005.67)
OUTSIDE
Sixty-six (66) cultural resources have been recorded within the 1 -mi. record search radius, which
includes archaeological sites, historic addresses, and isolates (Table 2). The record search indicated
that no previously recorded resources were located with in the Outfall APE. No historic addresses
have been previously recorded within the 1-mile record search radius.
Table 2. Previously Recorded Cultural Resources within 1 -Mile of the Outfall APE
Primary
Number Trinomial Period Contents Recorder (Date) Relation to
Outfall APE
P-37-004738 CA-SDI -4738 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER M. WATERS (1973) OUTSIDE
P-37-008065 CA-SDI -8065 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER, AP16
MARINE SHELL SCATTER
M. ROEDER, M. DESAUTELS
(N.D.) OUTSIDE
P-37-008912 CA-SDI -8912 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER, AP16
MARINE SHELL SCATTER
K. TENNESEN (2015)
T.J. BANKS (1984)
M. DESAUTELS (1980)
OUTSIDE
P-37-010055 CA-SDI-
10055 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER
N. BLOTNER (2010)
J.R. COOK (1990)
D. DESAUTELS (1984)
OUTSIDE
P-37-010056 CA-SDI-
10056 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER J.R. COOK (1990)
T.J. BANKS (1984) OUTSIDE
P-37-010057 CA-SDI-
10057 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER J.R. COOK (1990)
A. CODY (1984) OUTSIDE
P-37-010058 CA-SDI-
10058 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER
J.R. COOK (1990)
JOINES, SINKOVEC,
ROBBINS-WADE (1984)
T.J. BANKS (1984)
OUTSIDE
P-37-010059 CA-SDI-
10059 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER A. CODY (1984) OUTSIDE
April 22, 2022
Nirvana Industrial Project Outfalls Archaeological Resource Survey Report
Page 29 of 43
Primary
Number Trinomial Period Contents Recorder (Date) Relation to
Outfall APE
P-37-010060 CA-SDI-
10060/H
HISTORIC,
PREHISTORIC
AP2 LITHIC SCATTER, AP16
MARINE SHELL SCATTER, AH2
FOUNDATIONS, AH4
PRIVIES/DUMPS/REFUSE
SCATTERS
J.R. COOK (1990)
D. DESAUTELS (1984) OUTSIDE
P-37-010204 CA-SDI-
10204 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER, AP16
MARINE SHELL SCATTER
M. ROBBINS-WADE (1987)
ROBBINS-WADE, JOINES,
KYLE, SENECA (1984)
OUTSIDE
P-37-010452/
P-37-033070/
P-37-033071
CA-SDI-
10452/
CA-SDI-
20823
PREHISTORIC
AP2 LITHIC SCATTER, AP13
TRAILS/LINEAR EARTHWORKS,
AP16 MARINE SHELL SCATTER
H. PRICE, C. ZEPEDA-
HERMAN (2019)
K. TENNESEN (2014)
S. UNDERBRINK (2012)
B. SMITH (1996)
F. RITZ ET AL (1989)
S. BERRYMAN (1986)
OUTSIDE
P-37-010471 CA-SDI-
10471 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER G. FINK (1973) OUTSIDE
P-37-010472 CA-SDI-
10472 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER A. PIGNIOLO (1986)
G. FINK (1973) OUTSIDE
P-37-010473 CA-SDI-
10473 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER G.R. FINK (1974) OUTSIDE
P-37-010489 CA-SDI-
10489 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER A. PIGNIOLO (1986) OUTSIDE
P-37-010650 CA-SDI-
10650 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER
A. ANDREWS (2002)
T. GROSS, M. ROBBINS-
WADE (1986)
OUTSIDE
P-37-010738 CA-SDI-
10738 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER B. SMITH (1984) OUTSIDE
P-37-010739 CA-SDI-
10739 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER, AP16
MARINE SHELL SCATTER B. SMITH (1984) OUTSIDE
P-37-010783 CA-SDI-
10783 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER N. BLOTNER (2010)
B. SMITH (1987) OUTSIDE
P-37-011145 CA-SDI-
11145 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER
A. GILETTI, J. MERIWETHER,
L. HOFF (2009)
B. SMITH (1989)
OUTSIDE
P-37-011146 CA-SDI-
11146 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER B. SMITH (1989) OUTSIDE
P-37-011378 CA-SDI-
11378 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER F. RITZ ET AL. (1989) OUTSIDE
P-37-011822 CA-SDI-
11822 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER J.R. COOK (1990) OUTSIDE
P-37-011968 CA-SDI-
11968 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER C. HUNT (2003)
C. SERR (1990) OUTSIDE
P-37-012290 CA-SDI-
12290 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER
C. HUNT (2003)
B. SMITH (1996)
B. RADER, D. JAMES (1991)
OUTSIDE
P-37-012291 CA-SDI-
12291 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER
BRIAN F. SMITH &
ASSOCIATES (2003)
C. HUNT (2003)
B. SMITH (1996)
B. RADER, D. JAMES (1991)
OUTSIDE
P-37-012292 CA-SDI-
12292 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER C. HUNT (2003)
B. RADER, D. JAMES (1991) OUTSIDE
P-37-012293 CA-SDI-
12293 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER
H. PRICE, C. ZEPEDA-
HERMAN (2019)
BRIAN F. SMITH &
ASSOCIATES (2003)
C. HUNT (2003)
B. SMITH (1996)
B. RADER, D. JAMES (1991)
OUTSIDE
P-37-014545 CA-SDI-
14178 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER, AP16
MARINE SHELL SCATTER
H. PRICE, C. ZEPEDA-
HERMAN (2019)
N. BLOTNER (2010)
G. PARKER (2004)
BRIAN F. SMITH &
ASSOCIATES (1996)
OUTSIDE
April 22, 2022
Nirvana Industrial Project Outfalls Archaeological Resource Survey Report
Page 30 of 43
Primary
Number Trinomial Period Contents Recorder (Date) Relation to
Outfall APE
P-37-014546 CA-SDI-
14179 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER, AP16
MARINE SHELL SCATTER
BRIAN F. SMITH &
ASSOCIATES (1996) OUTSIDE
P-37-014570 CA-SDI-
14203 PREHISTORIC
AP2 LITHIC SCATTER, AP3
CERAMIC SCATTER, AP16 MARINE
SHELL SCATTER
C. HUNT (2004)
BRIAN F. SMITH &
ASSOCIATES (2003)
C. HUNT (2003)
BRIAN F. SMITH &
ASSOCIATES (1996)
OUTSIDE
P-37-014571 CA-SDI-
14204 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER BRIAN F. SMITH &
ASSOCIATES (1996) OUTSIDE
P-37-014578 CA-SDI-
14211 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER
C. HUNT (2003)
BRIAN F. SMITH &
ASSOCIATES (1996)
OUTSIDE
P-37-014739 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE A. CODY (1984) OUTSIDE
P-37-014791 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE ROBBINS-WADE, JOINES,
KYLE, SENECA (1984) OUTSIDE
P-37-014792 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE JOINES, SINKOVEC,
ROBBINS-WADE (1984) OUTSIDE
P-37-014793 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE JOINES, SINKOVEC,
ROBBINS-WADE (1984) OUTSIDE
P-37-014794 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE JOINES, SINKOVEC,
ROBBINS-WADE (1984) OUTSIDE
P-37-014795 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE JOINES, SINKOVEC,
ROBBINS-WADE (1984) OUTSIDE
P-37-014796 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE JOINES, SINKOVEC,
ROBBINS-WADE (1984) OUTSIDE
P-37-014799 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE JOINES, SERR, ROBBINS-
WADE (1984) OUTSIDE
P-37-014800 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE JOINES, SERR, ROBBINS-
WADE (1984) OUTSIDE
P-37-014801 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE JOINES, SERR, ROBBINS-
WADE (1984) OUTSIDE
P-37-015148 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE B. RADER, P. MITCHELL
(1991) OUTSIDE
P-37-015149 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE B. RADER, P. MITCHELL
(1991) OUTSIDE
P-37-015334 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE S. CAMPBELL, D. JAMES, T.
COOLEY, J. BRIGGS (1993) OUTSIDE
P-37-015335 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE D. JAMES, S. BRIGGS (1993) OUTSIDE
P-37-015525 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE C. KYLE, L. TIFT (1996) OUTSIDE
P-37-015975 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE C. KYLE, L. TIFT (1996) OUTSIDE
P-37-024806 CA-SDI-
16437 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER BRIAN F. SMITH &
ASSOCIATES (2003) OUTSIDE
P-37-026519 CA-SDI-
17415 HISTORIC AH4 PRIVIES/DUMPS/REFUSE
SCATTERS G. PARKER (2004) OUTSIDE
P-37-030568 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE A. GILETTI, J. MERIWETHER,
L. HOFF (2009) OUTSIDE
P-37-030569 CA-SDI-
19432 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER A. GILETTI, J. MERIWETHER,
L. HOFF (2009) OUTSIDE
P-37-031360 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE N. BLOTNER (2010) OUTSIDE
P-37-031373 CA-SDI-
19921 PREHISTORIC AP16 MARINE SHELL SCATTER N. BLOTNER (2010) OUTSIDE
P-37-032800 CA-SDI-
20737 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER J. KRAFT (2012) OUTSIDE
P-37-032801 CA-SDI-
20738 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER J. KRAFT (2012) OUTSIDE
April 22, 2022
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Primary
Number Trinomial Period Contents Recorder (Date) Relation to
Outfall APE
P-37-010452/
P-37-033070/
P-37-033071
CA-SDI-
10452/
CA-SDI-
20823
PREHISTORIC
AP2 LITHIC SCATTER, AP13
TRAILS/LINEAR EARTHWORKS,
AP16 MARINE SHELL SCATTER
H. PRICE, C. ZEPEDA-
HERMAN (2019)
K. TENNESEN (2014)
S. UNDERBRINK (2012)
B. SMITH (1996)
F. RITZ ET AL (1989)
S. BERRYMAN (1986)
OUTSIDE
P-37-010452/
P-37-033070/
P-37-033071
CA-SDI-
10452/
CA-SDI-
20823
PREHISTORIC
AP2 LITHIC SCATTER, AP13
TRAILS/LINEAR EARTHWORKS,
AP16 MARINE SHELL SCATTER
H. PRICE, C. ZEPEDA-
HERMAN (2019)
K. TENNESEN (2014)
S. UNDERBRINK (2012)
B. SMITH (1996)
F. RITZ ET AL (1989)
S. BERRYMAN (1986)
OUTSIDE
P-37-034473 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE K. TENNESEN (2014) OUTSIDE
P-37-034474 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE K. TENNESEN (2014) OUTSIDE
P-37-036628 CA-SDI-
22124 PREHISTORIC AP2 LITHIC SCATTER J. MELING, R. LOVELESS
(2014) OUTSIDE
P-37-036629 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE J. MELING, R. LOVELESS
(2014) OUTSIDE
P-37-036630 - PREHISTORIC AP16 LITHIC ISOLATE J. MELING, R. LOVELESS
(2014) OUTSIDE
P-37-038705 - HISTORIC HP11 ENGINEERING STRUCTURE M. IHLE (2018) OUTSIDE
P-37-038724 - PREHISTORIC AP16 MARINE SHELL SCATTER L. DOWNS, R. JOHNSTON
(2019) OUTSIDE
Four resources were identified in the record search as existing within the Nirvana Industrial Project
area, located north of the Outfall APE. The four resources consist of three prehistoric sites and one
prehistoric isolate, each being described in detail below.
P-37-011145/CA -SDI -11145 was originally recorded by B. F. Smith in 1989 as a moderate scatter
of tools and lithic flakes upon a ridge overlooking Otay Valley Road to the south. The resource
was revisited and updated in 2009 by A. Giletti, who was a ble to successfully relocate the site and
discover additional artifacts that expanded the site’s boundary. Giletti noted that the additional
artifacts enlarged the site’s size from 30 meters (north -south) by 45 meters (east -west) to 60 meters
(north-south) by 45 meters (east -west). The survey conducted by Giletti discovered an additional
two primary volcanic flakes, one volcanic core fragment, and two medium/coarse -grained volcanic
test cores. The 2009 update described the newly discovered artifacts as wide ly dispersed within
the site area, which appeared to be very disturbed. The resource was recommended to be not
significant due to the scarcity of cultural material, the disturbed nature of the site, and the lack of
research potential (Robbins-Wade 2009). I t is unclear if formalized testing and evaluation has
occurred with the resource. The 1989 site form by Smith notes “surface recovery” and a site depth
of 20 cm, which suggests a testing program was conducted, however no records of the program
are available. No testing was conducted by Affinis for the 2009 update (Robbins -Wade 2009 and
2012). The resource has not been updated since 2009.
P-37-011146/CA -SDI -11146 was originally recorded by B. F. Smith in 1989 as a scatter of lithic
tools and production wast e upon a ridge overlooking Otay Valley Road to the south. The site
measured approximately 75 meters (east -west) by 30 meters (north-south) and carried a depth
potential of approximately 20 centimeters. Artifacts present within the site consisted of lithic tools,
flakes, lithic cores, and debitage fragments. It is unclear if formalized testing and evaluation has
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occurred with the resource. The 1989 site form by Smith notes “surface recovery” and a site depth
of 20 cm, which suggests a testing program was con ducted, however no records of the program
are available. The resource has not been updated since 1989.
P-37-030568 consists of a lithic isolate that was recorded by A. Giletti, J. Meriwether, and L. Hoff
in 2009. The isolate consisted of a large rejuvenation flake containing core scars along its dorsal
surface, measuring 7 cm by 7 cm by 2.5 cm, composed of Santiago Peak volcanic material. The
isolate was situated along the edge of a south -facing terrace or bench, and has not been relocated
or its record updated since original recordation.
P-37-030569/CA -SDI -19432 was originally recorded by A. Giletti, J. Meriwether, and L. Hoff in
2009 as a large lithic scatter occupying a south -facing terrace at an elevation of approximately 210
feet amsl. Although the scatter was large in size, Giletti noted that its density was low, consisting
of four lithic flakes, five lithic cores, one scraper, and one fragment of angular waste. The site was
measured at 75 meters (north-south) by 35 meters (east -west) and contained modern debris and
moderate amounts of surface disturbance. The resource was recommended to be not significant
due to the scarcity of cultural material, the disturbed nature of the site, and the lack of potential for
intact subsurface deposits (Robbins-Wade 2009 and 2012). No testing was conducted by Affinis
during the original recordation of the resource. The resource has not been updated since original
recordation.
Historical Research Results
The APE of the two outfall locations is visible on Imperial Beach, California USGS topographic
maps as early as 1904. The 1904, 1908, 1911, 1915, 1920, 1928, and 1932 topographic maps show
a building and a road south of the Outfall APE and south of the current alignment of Main Street.
In addition, the river is shown south of its current alignment, and it is unknown if the alignment of
the map is incorrect or the river has been rerouted. The previously prepared archaeology report
(Robbins-Wade 2009) identified a house shown on the 1904 USGS topographic map outside of
the APE to the northeast. It is unknown if the building shown on the early topographic maps is the
same building.
The 1943 topographic map shows the current alignment of Main St reet and the Otay River to the
south. It also shows a seasonal drainage running north-south to the present -day location of Outfall
2, and a seasonal drainage which leads to the present -day location of Outfall 1, both of which have
a dam and reservoir north of the Outfall APE . The 1955 topographic map shows a road in the
center of the drainage leading to Outfall 2, running north-south. It also shows additional
development occurring outside of the Outfall APE . The 1962 topographic map shows no changes
in the Outfall APE and the immediate vicinity, but the 1977 topographic map shows that the
roadway is no longer present within the drainage leading to Outfall 2. It also shows that the
drainage leading to Outfall 1 has been dammed north of Nirvana Avenue. No additional changes
are shown on the topographic maps.
Aerial photographs are available of the Outfall APE as early as 1953, which shows the alignment
of Main Street, although it is not as wide as the current alignment. The Outfall APE is undeveloped,
however there is a roadway running north-south within the drainage that leads to Outfall 2. The
drainage leading to Outfall 1, shown by an increase in vegetation along the western boundary of
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the Project area is also present , and is more visible due to an increase of vegetation within the
drainage. The 1964, 1966, and 1968 aerials show no changes to the Outfall APE and both of the
associated drainages, although it is visible that agriculture and development is taking place north
of Nirvana Avenue.
The 1971 aerial photograph shows that portions of the undeveloped land north of the Outfall APE
and Main Street may have been graded, mowed, or used for agriculture. The 1978 aerial
photograph shows that new industrial development along the south side of Nirvana Avenue is
currently being constructed, with evidence of mass grading. The road that was present within the
drainage leading to Outfall 2 is less visible and it is not clear if it has been abandoned and is being
covered with vegetation.
The 1980 and 1981 aerials show that the road is no longer present within Outfall 2’s associated
drainage, and no other changes within the drainage leading to Outfall 1 are visible. The remaining
aerials from the 1980s and 1990s show no changes in the Outfall APE or the two drainages besides
a variation in vegetation levels. Between 1995 and 1996 Main Street was widened into its current
extent, and the ground disturbances took place to the south of Main Street , including the APE of
the two outfall locations.
NAHC Results
A record search of the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) Sacred Lands File (SLF)
was requested on June 8, 2021. The NAHC responded to the record search request of the SLF on
June 29, 2021, indicating that the record search of the SLF was negative. The NAHC a lso provided
a list of twenty Native American individuals and organizations which may have additional
information on the Project area.
Red Tail Environmental sent an information request letter to the 20 Native American individuals
and organizations on June 29, 2021. On July 2, 2021, Lisa Cumper, Tribal Historic Preservation
Officer, the Jamul Indian Village of California, responded that they had searched their records and
confirmed that the proposed project is within the Kumeyaay territory and questioned if a survey
had been done. On July 6, 2021, Shelby Castells responded that the Project area has been
previously surveyed, and that Red Tail would be conducting an additional archaeological survey
as part of the Project. As of September 28, 2021, no additio nal responses or comments had been
received.
Survey Results
No cultural resources were identified during the pedestrian field survey. The two outfall locations
are situated along the north bank of the Otay River. Each of the impact areas for the two outfall
locations are at the base of the bank which have a southerly aspect and slopes exceeding 70 percent.
Each outfall location was surro unded by dense riparian vegetation. Ground visibility within each
impact area was generally good, although decreasing quickly due to vegetation along each impact
area’s perimeter. Sediments visible within the embankment consisted of light tan/greyish tan s ilty
sand, moderately compacted, with small-and medium-sized subrounded volcanic cobbles and
rocks. Sediments within the floor of the alluvial terrace consisted of a mix of brown saturated silty
clay and tan/greyish tan sands. Each location displayed evide nce of prior grading and ground
disturbance, most likely associated with the creation of the road shoulder for the widening of Main
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Street and creating access to the river for removal of trash and debris. Evidence of modern trash,
primarily from unauthorized transient camp use and thoroughfare, was present at both locations.
Both outfall locations are located in a highly modified landscape due to the construction of the
Main Street roadbed and the outfall headwalls, and no indications of sediments suggestin g the
presence of intact subsurface deposits or features were observed. No date stamps or other
temporally diagnostic markers were visible on the outfall headwalls.
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VII. CONCLUSIONS RECOMMENDATIONS
A review of the record searches, background research, and pedestrian archaeological survey show s
that the Outfall APE is primarily undeveloped but highly modified from original in -situ contexts.
No cultural resources have been identified within or adjacent to the APE. Therefore, there are no
historical resources within the Outfall APE in accordance with CEQA, and no known historic
properties within the Outfall APE in accordance with Section 106 of the NHPA. Implementation
of the outfall improvements will not cause any adverse effects to historic properties.
Due to the lack of ground surface visibility around the perimeter of each outfall location , the
unknown level of disturbance within the Outfall APE , and proximity of cultural resources
previously recorded near the Outfall APE, construction monitoring by an archaeologist and Native
American monitor is recommended for any new ground disturbance. Specifically, monitoring is
recommended for new trenching and grading for the installation of new rip -rip energy dissipators
downstream of each outfall headwall.
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VIII. SOURCES CONSULTED
Source Date
National Register of Historic Places June 8, 2021
California Register of Historical Resources June 8, 2021
City of San Diego Historical Resources Register June 8, 2021
South Coastal Information Center June 8, 2021
Historicaerials.com June 8, 2021
USGS Historical Topographic Map Explorer June 8, 2021
Native American Heritage Commission June 11, 2021
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IX. CERTIFICATION
Preparer: Jose Aguilar, M.A., RPA Title: Principal Investigator
Signature:
Date: April 20, 2022
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X. ATTACHMENTS
A. National Archaeological Database Information
Author: Jose Aguilar
Firm: Red Tail Environmental
Client/Project Proponent: Mary McKenna Lanier, McKenna Lanier Group, Inc.
Report Date: April 2022
Report Title: Archaeological Resources Report Form for the Survey of Two
Outfalls Associated with the nirvana Industrial Project, Chula
Vista, California
Type of Study: Phase 1 Cultural Resources Survey
New Sites: None
Updated Sites: None
USGS Quad: Imperial Beach, California 7.5-minute
Acreage: 2,629 square feet / 0.061 acres
Keywords: Imperial Beach, California 7.5-minute quad, Nirvana Industrial
Project, Outfalls, Main Street, Negative Survey
B. Figures
Figure 1. Project Vicinity Map.
Figure 2. Project Location Map.
Figure 3. Area of Potential Effects Map.
April 22, 2022
TO 4 Encanto Improvements 1
Page 39 of 43
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