| "The primary goals of Phase I Cultural Resource Investigations are to identify archaeologically sensitive areas, cultural/sacred areas, and standing structures that are at least 50 years old, that may be affected by a proposed project and to locate all prehistoric and historic cultural/archaeological resources that may exist within the proposed project area" (Standards, Section 2.0) |
What is a Phase I Cultural Resource Investigation?
A Phase I investigation is the first step in determining whether a proposed
project contains any potentially significant cultural resources. Specific
tasks include Phase IA (literature and document review and sensitivity
assessment) and Phase IB (field investigations). When accomplished according
to the Standards, a Phase I study produces a final report that identifies
sensitive areas and standing structures within a project area and tests
that project for traces of the past. The Phase I report presents a summary
of all the findings and recommendations either of no adverse impact (leads
to award of permit) or continuation to the next phase of investigation
(Phase II Site Evaluation).
What is a Phase IA Literature Review and Sensitivity
Assessment?
| "Phase IA investigations are intended to gather information concerning the environmental/physical setting of a specific project area as well as its cultural setting. It is the interrelationship of the physical environment and cultural/historical setting that provides the basis for the sensitivity assessment." (Standards, Section 2.2) |
Literature reviews and sensitivity assessments include: