Item 28 - Public Hearing - ZOA No. 20204-01 South Coast Technology Center

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South Coast Technology Center Project CEQA Exemption 15183 archaeological resources are identified and impacts cannot be avoided, GPU PEIR MM CUL-5 requires a Phase II Testing and Evaluation investigation to be performed by an archaeologist meeting the Secretary of the Interior's Standards to determine the significance of the resource(s), and site -specific mitigation measures to be developed for significant resources. Per GPU PEIR MM CUL-6, if the Archaeological Resources Assessment does not identify archaeological resources but indicates the project area is highly sensitive for archeological resources, a qualified archaeologist and a Native American monitor culturally affiliated with the project area must monitor all ground -disturbing activities in the areas of high archaeological sensitivity. In the event that archaeological resources (artifacts or features) are exposed during ground -disturbing activities, construction activities in the immediate vicinity of the discovery must halt while the resources are evaluated for significance by a qualified archaeologist. Pursuant to GPU PEIR MM CUL-7, if the Archaeological Resources Assessment does not identify potentially significant archaeological resources but the site has moderate sensitivity for archaeological resources, an archaeologist meeting the Secretary's Standards must be retained on -call. The archaeologist must inform all construction personnel prior to construction activities about the proper procedures in the event of an archaeological discovery. According to the GPU PEIR, impacts related to tribal cultural resources would be reduced to less -than -significant levels with implementation of GPU PEIR MM CUL-4 through MM CUL-7. 4.18.2 Project Analysis The following section evaluates potential impacts to tribal cultural resources that would result from the construction and operation of the proposed Project. The analysis is primarily based upon Attachment M, Tribal Cultural Resources Identification Memorandum (Tribal Cultural Resources Memorandum). Additionally, as discussed above in Section 3, California Environmental Quality Act Regulatory Setting, the proposed Project qualifies for an exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15183. Therefore, no formal government -to -government consultation pursuant to AB 52 is required for the proposed Project. Based on the Tribal Cultural Resources Memorandum, the Project Site is located in a region traditionally important to multiple Native American groups. In particular, these include the Gabrielino (including the Tongva and Kizh), the Juaneno or Acjachemen, and the Luiseno. In March 2024, a Native American Heritage Commission search of the Sacred Lands File for any Native American cultural resources that might be affected by the Project yielded negative results. Moreover, as discussed in Section 4.5, Cultural Resources, a records search of the Project Site and a half -mile search radius identified five resources within the Project area, none of which are located within or adjacent to the Project Site. An archaeological field survey conducted in February 2024 identified two marine shell scatters along the northeast portion of the Project Site's vacant parcel; none of the shell observed on -site showed any sign of burning or other cultural modification. No prehistoric artifacts were observed, either within or outside the shell scatters anywhere on the Project Site. Based on the results of the field survey, a follow-up visit occurred to conduct limited subsurface testing to understand the origin of the shell scatters and determine whether the shell is an archaeological resource. Based on the collective evidence from the geotechnical trenching and the archaeological shovel test pits, it was concluded that the shell scatters do not constitute an archaeological site. All the observed shell and shell fragments are unmodified. All the documented shell and shell fragments were located at or within 10 cm of the surface, within artificial fill. No prehistoric artifacts were observed anywhere in the Project Site. The collective evidence is that the shells and shell fragments were brought in with imported fill and dumped at the site relatively recently. Thus, the shell scatters are not part of a prehistoric deposit and are not historical resources as defined by CEQA Section 15064.5(a). July 2024 Page 94