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52 <br />1 <br />2 In addition to archaeological surveys conducted in advance of new <br />3 County development projects, local residents can also ensure the <br />4 documentation and preservation of valuable historic and prehistoric <br />5 archaeological resources. The value. of an artifact is in its context <br />6 (original location), its relationship with .other artifacts, its structural <br />7 elements, or its relationship to natural features. Once removed from <br />8 their context many artifacts lose their value.3 Residents are encouraged <br />9 to use the Office of State Archaeology (OSA) to determine the <br />10 appropriate course of action regarding archaeological finds, particularly <br />11 those that may"involve old cemetery sites. The OSA can help residents <br />12 record, map, and catalog sites, thus preserving valuable locations <br />13 information on the future. <br />14 HISTORIC CEMETERIES <br />15 Historic cemeteries offer an invaluable link to the past. Often, smaller <br />16 family cemeteries are subject to abandonment and neglect over. time, <br />17 resulting in the loss of valuable genealogical and historical information. <br />18 Increasing development in the region further jeopardizes these cultural <br />19 resources. The OSA can provide information on the State Cemetery <br />20 Survey and the state statutes (N.C.G.S. Chapter 70, Article 3), regarding <br />21 the handling of human skeletal remains.4 <br />22 SCENIC RESOURCES <br />23 During the late 1980s to mid 1990s, Orange County Planning staff <br /> <br />24 , <br />working in conjunction with the Planning Board's Transportation <br />25 <br />26 Advisory Subcommittee (TAS), researched scenic road programs in <br /> other states and localities, and developed a :proposal for Orange <br />27 County. -The Scenic, Rustic, and Rural Roads Program separated <br />28 potential corridors into three categories based on the focus of their <br />29 designation-natural features, historic or cultural resources <br />or rural or <br />30 , <br />agricultural context. The group systematically ranked roads based on <br />31 criteria and produced a Scenic Road Corridors Map, which included <br />32 segments from fifty (50) local roads. (See Map 6-6: Scenic Roads Map.) <br />33 While, the initial proposal was voluntary, the map was included in the <br />34 Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan and referenced in the <br />35 Flexible Development option of the Subdivision Regulations. Views <br />36 from the identified corridors are considered conservation areas in the <br />37 Flexible Development standards. <br />38 <br />39 The HPC is currently evaluating the corridors shown on the 1981 map <br />40 to rlPfiarmina ~nih~rh r.,~~l ~o.•,w,~~+~ ,.+:n ..............___._ ~___ .. _.. <br />' Archaeological research in the late 1970s and early 1980s led to the creation of an <br />"Archaeological Potential Map," which reflected the likelihood of finding resources based on <br />topographic features such as ridges and drainageways. The map lacks the precision to <br />replace site specific-fieldwork for predicting the location of archaeological resources and <br />should only be used as a general guide. <br />a ERCD works with the Durham-Orange Genealogical Society of North Carolina (D-OGS) to <br />inventory cemeteries in Orange County; information on their cemetery census is available <br />online. <br />Olra.vu~~Ccruvi~y Co-~~v~~.c~,v~-rvPiP~av~ Public Hearing Draft 5-6-OS Page 6- 45 <br />