Orange County NC Website
DocuSign Envelope ID: 16F7E188 -42F5- 4144- AF1B- 934E4ACOFE59 <br />III. Reconnaissance Survey /Due Diligence Reports <br />In certain circumstances, particularly with large phased projects, reconnaissance surveys may be an <br />appropriate first step in the compliance process. Based on the results of a reconnaissance survey, it <br />may be possible to divide a project area into zones of high probability or low probability based on <br />the potential for sites to occur. See Part 2, Terrestrial Field Methodology, for guidelines regarding <br />reconnaissance survey activities. <br />Due to the contingencies associated with compliance archaeology, we request that permanent site <br />numbers be assigned and site forms be submitted for all sites and cemeteries identified as a result of <br />reconnaissance surveys. In most cases reconnaissance -level field work will not produce sufficient <br />information to allow for recommendations regarding National Register eligibility, and most sites may <br />be considered "unassessed." See Section Ic above for information concerning site and cemetery <br />forms. <br />All reconnaissance reports must include the following information to be considered complete and <br />sufficient for the purposes receiving OSA- advised SHPO comments on survey methodology, site or <br />cemetery eligibility, or the need for further work: <br />a. Introduction <br />1. Principal Investigator and crew; <br />2. Date(s) of investigation; <br />3. USGS topographic map with project area indicated; <br />4. Client and project description; <br />5. Relevant legislation and SHPO environmental review number; and <br />6. Scope of work. <br />b. Environmental Setting <br />1. Description and maps of project location, acreage, physiographic region, and <br />drainage basin; <br />2. Distribution of soils, including slope percentages, as mapped by the NRCS; and <br />3. Land use (wooded, pasture, cultivated, developed) by percentage, and wetland <br />delineations. <br />c. Background Research <br />1. Results of OSA site file and report searches; <br />2. Table of previously recorded sites in vicinity of project area including their period of <br />occupation (being as specific as possible) and their NRHP status; and <br />3. List of historic maps consulted and resultant findings. <br />d. Field Methodology and Research Design <br />1. Survey strategy (pedestrian reconnaissance, judgmental shovel testing, augering, etc.); <br />and <br />2. Basis used to select survey strategy (good ground surface visibility, heavily vegetated, <br />disturbed, etc.). <br />North Carolina Oce of State Archaeology — Archaeological Investigation Standard and Guidelines December 2017) Page 20 <br />