A SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR EMERGENCY REHABILITATION OF HERITAGE RESOURCES
WITHIN THE AREA OF POTENTIAL EFFECT FOR THE EVERLY COMPLEX,
SISTERS RANGER DISTRICT, DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST
Prepared by
Paul G. Claeyssens
Forest Archaeologist/Heritage Program Manager
Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests
Overhead and BAER Team,
Eyerly Complex,
July 28, 2002
Heritage Resource Objectives
This heritage resource report is related to fire suppresion and emergency rehabilitation measures
proposed for the 2002 Everly Fire Complex Incident on the Conferderated Tribes of the Warm Springs
Reservation, Deschutes National Forest, Sisters Ranger District and Ochoco National Forest, Crooked
River National Grassland, located in Central Oregon. It is clear that wildfires have the potential to
damage or destroy heritage resource properties through a variety of processes, including effects from
burning and smoke damage, soil movement caused by subsequent storm precipitation, and
implementation of suppression/rehabilitation treatments. Also, wildfires may increase the visibility and
accessibility of historic/archaeological sites which makes them more susceptible to vandalism/artifact
looting or unauthorized use of Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs). Direct and indirect wildfire-related
processes have the potential to competely destroy irreplaceable heritage resources or alter the context of
historic and archaeological remains vital to any scientific analysis and interpretation.
The objectives of this report are to:
(1) identify heritage resources, if any, subjected to direct or indirect effects of the fire (e.g.,
sites burned over, potential soil movement, etc., opening up of resources to looting or OHV
travel, etc.) and potential effects of fire suppression/rehabilitation measures; and
(2) propose measures to prohibit any future damage to Class I Heritage Resource properties
(historic and prehistoric resources determined as eligible to the National Register of Historic
Places (NRHP) per criteria in 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 60.4) from fire-related
erosion, debris flows, and rehabilitation treatments. Per Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2361
direction, Class II sites (defined as heritage resources with either unknown or not yet evaluated
NRHP significance) are afforded the same consideration and protection as Class I sites.
Heritage Resource Identification and Effect Determination
Methodology.
Identification and potential damage assessment of heritage resources within the Area of Potential Effect
(APE) for the Eyerly Complex Fire Incident include the following methodologies: (1) search of records
contained within Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests’ Heritage Resource files; (2) field visitation of
previously identified heritage resource sites; and (3) field inventory work to indentify unknown heritage
resources. Per standards previously established for wildfire-related investigations on the Deschutes and
Ochoco National Forests, inspection of previously known historic/archaeological sites was undertaken
throughout the entirety of the APE during and following fire suppression activities, including areas of
burned vegetation, unburned areas potentially subjected to soil erosion and debris flows, and locations of
emergency suppression measures and rehabilitation treatments. Field inventory work to identify
previously unidentified heritage resources was conducted at some, but not all locations subjected to
bulldozer fireline construction and other mechanical fire suppression measures and, also, at areas
proposed for ground disturbing emergency rehabilitation treatments.
Results of Investigation.
The main spine of Green Ridge, parts of the Metolius drainage and Fly Creek/Lake area have been
previously subjected to archaeological survey. Approximately 40% of the area had been previously
inventoried and some 18 sites were located within or adjacent to the fire perimeter (cf. Table 1. and
Table 2.). However in most cases sites had not been visited within the last ten years, thus baseline data
for the condition of sites is not current for the fire affected area. Review of Deschutes National Forest
Heritage Resource files provided the following data:
Native American Sites. Within the APE of the Shinn Fire there 13 known Native American
archaeological sites or areas significant to traditional practices or belief systems of Native Americans
(cf. Table 1). Of these only three sites received known direct impacts from fire severity and fire
suppression activities. These sites are:
(1) 0601050234SI (Chock-Full-O’-Carins Site). This site consists of a linear distribution along a
prominent ridge (6400-300 Spur) of stacked rock features, lithic scatters, ground stone and
culturally significant plant food communities (lomatiums and bitterroot). The site is
approximately 80 acres in size, appears to be of middle to late archaic cultural period based on
point typologies and is potentially eligible to the National Register of Historic Places. Site
function appears to be Spring root camp along a travelway corridor, with associated hunting
and lithic tool maintenance. There is ethnographic evidence that the area was the location of a
village or camp by members of the Warm Springs tribes (Suphan 1974).
(2) 0601050476SI (Fly Lake Lookout Site). This large site consists of numerous artifact
concentrations south of the former Fly Lake Lookout and Fly Lake. The predominant artifact
and feature types are lithic scatters (obsidian mostly), ground stone and culturally significant
plant food communities (lomatiums and bitterroot). The site is approximately 122 acres in
size, appears to be of early to late archaic cultural period based on point typologies and is
eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion D. Limited test excavations
and “PIT” research projects have verified the presence of a buried component and potential for
stratified deposits at least 50cm in depth. There is ethnographic evidence that the area was the
location of a village or camp by members of the Warm Springs tribes (Suphan 1974).
(3) 0601050135SI (Perry South Campground Site). This 30 acre site is located along benches
adjacent to Spring Creek and within the Perry South campground where the creek makes its
confluence with the Metolius River (now Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook). This site has
been subjected to more thorough testing and analysis than the other two above. Mr. Stephen
Hamilton reported on his 1998 field investigations in Hamilton 1998. This site contains a wide
variety of flaked stone tools, debitage, ground stone, faunal remains and fire cracked rock.
There are two main concentrations, with Area 2 having the highest artifact density and variety.
The site appears to have functioned as a residential base-camp, during two distinct
occupational periods from early to middle and middle to late archaic times. There are likely
features present or formally present that have been altered by campground construction and
subsequent maintenance and use. There are also likely buried charcoal deposits associated
with these occupations that could provide better time controls for past occupations as well a
ground stone that could reveal use of local plant communities. The site has been determined
eligible to the National Register under Criterion D.
Historic Sites. There are several historic sites are identified as situated on or adjacent to Green Ridge
within the burned area. However most of these are not actual structures but rather archaeological sites
of limited extent and integrity, cf. Table 2.) These resources are considered within the Eyerly Complex
APE due to the potential for impaction by emergency suppression efforts. These historic resources
consist of former portable/small scale lumber mill sites and forest service lookouts. The only site not
field checked that should be inventoried is:
(1) 0601050342 (Alder Springs Lookout Tree Site). This site encompasses remnants of the Alder
Springs Fire Lookout which was erected in 1941 for purposes of wildfire detection. Prior to
the tower construction (which was removed in 1964) the lookout consisted of a tree platform,
or “crow’s nest” in forest service jargon. It is not known when the tree lookout was
constructued. The tower foundation is still present, though it is unknown if the tree hosting
the “crow’s nest is still present, as it was last recorded in 1982. The tower was 65 feet tall
and supported an L-5 Cab feature was a steel beam support structure overlaid by a wooden
structure.
Only one previously unknown cultural resource site was detected during the field investigation of
constructed bulldozer fire lines on Green Ridge and associated secodary ridge systems. This new site is:
(1) Temp Site No. 060105_Eyerly_1 (1170 rock feature). This stacked rock feature was located
during fire suppression, fire-line monitoring on July 23, 2002. It is located along the 1170
road in Section xx, T.XS., R.X.E. The feature is 5 courses high on the east end and appears
collapsed on the south and west facing sides. Immediately to the west is a trench feature
surrounded by rock/cobbles, within which was located a long-bone fragment. The skeletal
material was charred by the fire, and maybe hominid, though could also be ungulate. The
specimen is currently being identified by a forensic anthropologist. Site 0601050234 lies to
the NE and is along the same ridge system connecting the Metolius with Green Ridge via
Prairie Farm, and thus may have been along a prehistoric travelway. The soils in the area are
very lithic and several exposed boulders of glacial till derivation are visible on the surface.
In general the whole ridge in this area is very rocky. No other artifacts or features were
noted at this time.
Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation Issues
Heritage Resource Prescriptions
Five cultural resource sites received fire-related effects due to direct or indirect effects from associated
emergency suppression or rehabilitation treatments, as identified above.
Site Number
Name
Fire Effects
BAER Treatment
0601050234SI
Chock-Full-O’Carins Site
High fire severity
and dozer line
construction
0601050476SI
Fly Lake Lookout
Site
0601050135SI
Perry South
Campground Site
Seed site area,
restore, dozer line
rehab, erosion
control measures
Restore road and
parking area, clean
up spills/debris
Clean up debris
0601050342
Alder Springs
Lookout Tree Site
Rd 1170 rock
feature
Use of site north
perimeter for
retardant plant
Moderate fire
severity, handline,
water tender intake
Unknown at this
none
time
High fire intensity none
Temp Site No.
060105_Eyerly_1
Post Fire/BAER
Treatment
Update site record
and determine
NRHP eligibility
Update site record
and monitor cleanup
Update site record
and monitor cleanup
Field verify and
update site record
Field verify, type
faunal remains and
formally record
site if warranted
Heritage Resource Compliance Procedures for Rehabilitation Treatments.
Based on information available at the filing of this initial report, all burned area rehabilitation
treatments, as well as suppression-related measures related to the Eyerly Complex Incident, have been
considered and assessed for any possible effect to heritage resources. Under BAER there is no need to
prepare consultation with Oregon SHPO pursuant to processual requirements of Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act. If and when the Sisters Ranger District proposes post fire treatments
outside of BAER then a formal Cultural Resource Report and Section 106 consultation shall be initiated
following quidelines of our Region 6 Programmatic Agreement for the State of Oregon.
Heritage Resource Considerations for Eyerly Complex Fire Suppresion Support.
The Type I California Team under the IC of Don Studebaker is to be commended for the early
recognition of heritage concerns and their resource order for a line qualified archaeologist during the
initial phase of suppression. Likewise the assistance and concerns expressed by members and staff of
the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation, particularly Sally Bird, Cultural Resources
Director, were greatly appreciated. The Sisters Ranger District Archaeologist, Don Zettel should also be
commended for participating in the WFSA and providing the Resource Advisor(s) with maps of cultural
resource site locations. The success of archaeological site protection was limited however, due to two
factors:
(1) The unavailability of a line qualified archaeologist as of July 15, 2002, the author was not
available until July 19, 2002 and was assigned to the fire on that date.
(2) The timeliness of and access to district records specific to heritage resources. At a minimum
district staff should make available site records for resource known to exist in the fire area
and expected perimeter, as part of the WFSA and made available to the Resource Advisor if
an order for an archaeologist (ARCH) is planned.
Heritage Resource Considerations for Long-Term Fire Damage Assessment and Rehabilition.
Long-term restoration and resource protections in areas subjected to wildfire will be implemented
through routine forest management activities in silviculture, timber harvest, thinning operations, road
reconstrcution and decomissioning, prescribed fire, revegetation, riparian zone enhancement and stream
improvements. These various project will be subject to the Section 106 process and the Region 6
Programmtic Agreement in Oregon for Section 106 and 110 compliance. It is recommended that a
thorough inventory of project areas be conducted and all known sites revisited, updated, GPS’d and
subjected to determinations of eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places.
Bibliography
Hamilton, Stephen
1998 Site 35JE295 (Perry South Campground): In Final Technical Report of Cultural Resource
Studies Pelton-Round Butte Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 2030, edited by Richard M.
Pettigrew, pp. 8.1-8.24. Manuscript on file Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs/Warm
Springs Power Enterprises, Warm Springs, Oregon.
Suphan, Robert J.
1974 Ethnological Report of the Wasco nad Tenino Indians: In Oregon Indians II, edited by D.A.
Horr, pp. 1-65. Garland Series in American Indian Ethnohistory. New York, New York.
Swift, Mark A. and Michael J. DeKlyen
1991 Green Ridge Wildlife Road Closure Project Cultural Resource Report. Manuscript on file,
Sisters Ranger District, Deschutes National Forest, Sisters, Oregon.