April 16, 2013 Ms. Andrea Bitterling Helix Environmental Planning, Inc. 7578 El Cajon Blvd., Suite 200 El Cajon, California 91942 Re: Archaeological Survey and Evaluation at 8954 El Dorado Parkway, El Cajon, San Diego County, California Dear Ms. Bitterling: This letter report documents the results of an archaeological investigation conducted by ASM Affiliates, Inc. (ASM), for Padre Dam Municipal Water District (District) at 8954 El Dorado Parkway, El Cajon, San Diego County, California (Figure 1). The purpose of this cultural assessment was to determine the absence or presence of both surface and subsurface cultural constituents within the proposed project area through a pedestrian survey and three shovel test pits (STPs). Scott Wolf, ASM Archaeologist, assisted by archaeological crew member Chris Hipwood, conducted the survey and shovel testing on March 28, 2013 under the supervision of Dr. Mark Becker. Fred Teasam, Native American representative for the Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay, was present during the archaeological survey and testing. Description of Activity The District is proposing the construction of underground utility lines and connections associated with a pump station, reservoir, and flow control facility in the unincorporated community of Lakeside. The area is within an unsectioned portion of El Cajon land grant of Township 15 South and Range 1 East on the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute El Cajon quadrangle (Figure 2). The environment is primarily comprised of a private residential home with non-native grasses, ornamental plants and trees, and an oak tree. The proposed project is located on a residential parcel totaling approximately 0.55 acre. Results of Survey and Shovel Test Pits Survey Findings During the survey portion of this project four prehistoric artifacts and one late historic well were recorded on the property, with the prehistoric artifacts actually incorporated within the landscape of the residential home (Figure 3). All four of the prehistoric artifacts were identified as milling implements; one pestle end fragment and three complete milling stones. Each of these artifacts and the water well will be discussed in more detail below. It is unknown if the prehistoric artifacts were collected from this or nearby sites.
Page 2 of 8 Artifact # 1 consisted of a granite pestle fragment resting on the top of a Koi fishpond/water feature just south of the main house structure. The pestle fragment measured 9 x 8 x 9 cm and had wear along the rounded distal end. Artifact # 2 consisted of a complete milling stone that was cemented into the surface of the residence s walkway. The milling stone is made of granite and measures 48 x 36 cm with an unknown depth (as it is cemented flush with the walkway surface). The milling surface is in very good condition and consists of an oval basin measuring 30 x 18 x 1 cm. Artifact # 3 consisted of a complete milling stone that was cemented into a corner of the retaining wall for the residence (Figure 4). This milling stone is also made of granite, and measures 55 x 43 x 12 cm. The milling surface is in very good condition and consists of an oval basin measuring 33 x 24 x 6 cm. Artifact # 4 consisted of another complete milling stone that was cemented into a different corner of the retaining wall. This granite slab measures 32 x 43 x 20 cm. The milling surface is in good condition and consists of an oval basin measuring 16 x 23 x 5 cm. A water well feature was also recorded during the survey of the property. The well was located in the northern central portion of the property (see Figure 3). Based on the cinder block and cement construction style, this feature is most likely associated with the early development of the property, and most likely dates to after the 1920s. The well does not contain any attributes that would meet the significance criteria defined within the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and San Diego County Resource Protection Ordinance (RPO). Shovel Test Pit Findings During the subsurface phase of this investigation, three STPs were excavated (Figure 3). Two of these STPs (STPs 1 and 2) were located on the southern portion of the project area where underground utility lines associated with the reservoir and pump station are proposed for the project. STP 3 was located closer to the center of the project parcel. The STPs measured 0.30 m x 0.5 m, and were excavated in 20-cm levels. STPs were terminated when sterile decomposed granite (DG) was encountered. STPs 1 and 2 were positive, in that cultural materials were recorded and collected, and STP 3 was negative for cultural materials. For STP 1, sediments encountered from 0 to 30 centimeters below surface (cmbs) consisted of compact brown (Munsell 7.5YR3/3) sandy loam with clear rodent disturbance. Sediments from 30 to 80 centimeters below surface (cmbs) consisted of compact dark reddish brown (Munsell 5YR3/4) sandy loam and DG gravels. Artifacts recovered in STP 1 from the surface to 20 cmbs included one primary volcanic flake, and one interior fine-grain volcanic flake, and four vertebrate (rodent) bone fragments. The rodent bones are most likely natural intrusive finds. Artifacts recovered from 20 to 40 cmbs included one volcanic piece of shatter, one iron nail fragment, three unidentifiable glass bottle fragments, and ten fragments of rodent bones. Sediments encountered STP 2 from 0 to 20 cmbs consisted of compact dark brown (Munsell 7.5YR3/4) sandy loam. Sediments from 20 to 38 cmbs consisted of very compact dark reddish brown (Munsell 5YR3/4) sandy loam and DG gravels. Artifacts recovered from the surface to 20
Page 3 of 8 cmbs included one interior fine-grain volcanic flake, and one interior crystal quartz flake. Several clear glass fragments were noted but not collected from 0 to 20 cmbs. Sediments encountered below 20 cmbs were sterile. STP 3 was excavated in the northern portion of the project property just south of a standing structure. Sediments encountered from 0 to 40 cmbs consisted of a very compact dark reddish brown (Munsell 5YR3/3) sandy loam with some DG gravels. STP 3 was negative, and no cultural materials were recovered. In summary, two (STP 1 and 2) of the three STPs excavated were positive; however, the sidewall profiles from all STPs exhibited severe mixing of subsurface and surface soils through bioturbation, residence construction, and landscaping activities. Conclusions An intensive pedestrian survey and subsurface testing conducted by ASM suggests that there is a sparse distribution of cultural material within the southern portion of the proposed project parcel. A total of three milling stones, one pestle, five lithic flakes, 2.5 g of rodent bone, and one water well feature were recorded on the surface and through subsurface testing. All areas within the parcel have been subjected to natural and modern disturbances, as well as extensive landscaping. The prehistoric artifacts incorporated into the retaining wall and landscape could have possibly originated from the local vicinity, but it is not possible conclusively determine their place of origination. Additionally, during a brief interview with the current property owner it was mentioned that her grandfather, who had built the home and made the original landscaping, had purchased rocks and materials used in the construction from all over San Diego. While such artifacts could potentially be found in this location, as well as all over San Diego, their place of origin cannot be determined with any reliability. Overall, the testing indicates that no significant subsurface cultural deposits are present, and that there is a high level of disturbance both on and below the surface. Based on this testing program, the sparse distribution of cultural material and lack of significant subsurface cultural deposits, the archaeological materials within the proposed project parcel have low data potential and do not appear to meet the significance criteria defined within the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and San Diego County Resource Protection Ordinance (RPO). If you have any questions regarding this report, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Mark S. Becker, Ph.D., RPA
Page 4 of 8 Attachments: Figure 1. Regional overview of project location. Figure 2. Location Map: El Cajon, CA USGS quad: T 15 S, R 1 E. Figure 3. Study Area; 8954 El Dorado Parkway project parcel. Figure 4. Artifact # 3, a complete milling stone incorporated into a cobble retaining wall.
Page 5 of 8 Figure 1. Regional overview of project location.
Andrea Bitterling Page 6 of 8 Figure 2. Location Map: El Cajon, CA USGS quad: T 15 S, R 1 E.
Page 7 of 8 Figure 3. Study Area; 8954 El Dorado Parkway project parcel.
Page 8 of 8 Figure 4. Artifact # 3, a complete milling stone incorporated into a cobble retaining wall.