Cultural Resource Management Plan for Memorial Park
The History
The Cultural Resources • A Cultural Resource is physical evidence of past human activity in an area. This can include a site, object, landscape, or a structure. Foundation from a Camp Logan shower building
The Antiquities Code of Texas • The Antiquities Code of Texas was enacted in 1969 to protect archeological sites and historic buildings on public land. Any work done to survey, preserve, restore, manage, etc the Cultural Landscape within Memorial Park is to be permitted annually with a Texas Antiquities Permit • The application for the permit is prepared by the Cultural Resource Management Firm and is sent to the Texas Historical Commission.
The Cultural Resource Management Process | Phase One
The Project Area
The Proposal • At the request of MPC, a Cultural Resource Management (CRM) Firm prepares a Cost Estimate and Scope of Work document for the park. • This includes: • Description of the project’s Area of Potential Effects • Price estimate for the work to be completed and any work beyond the initial survey • Description of the work to be done and the optional work after the initial survey
The Survey • Once both parties are ready to proceed, the CRM firm is to begin a Phase One survey, which consists of a pedestrian survey and series of shovel tests, in the Area of Possible Effects • The survey is to be conducted per guidelines set by the Texas Historical Commission (THC)
The Phase One Report • When completed with the Phase One survey, the CRM firm will then prepare a report that highlights the features found in the APE along with the initial research that was done. • The report also gives basic management recommendations from the archeologists
The GIS Data • Acquire the GIS data prepared by Gray & Pape • When in MPC’s Geodatabase, the Historic Preservation Data Dictionary will be applied to the data to maintain a uniform data set for the Cultural Resources. • Under Sec. 191.004 of the Antiquities Code of Texas, “any information specifying the location or nature of an activity covered by a permit or an application for a permit is not public information.” • Because of this, the GIS data is confidential
The Avoidance Plan • Develop an avoidance plan to prevent disturbing the Cultural Resources in Memorial Groves • Create a fencing plan using ArcMap to enclose the area with the Cultural Resources
• A 5 meter buffer zone around the features was recommended by the archeologists and that’s what the fencing plan was based on • Some finessing was required due to obstacles in the path of the fencing plan
The Obstacles • Ditches • Broke the plan into boxes that are separated by the ditches in MG
• Heavy Vegetation • Hand clearing, mowing on the western edge (well outside the buffer), brush hog on the eastern edge (well outside buffer zone, marked with stakes)
The Obstacles
The Fence • T‐Posts and Hog Wire • 6,096 ft and 418 posts • Must be open so MPC can police the area • Must have appropriate signage
The Volunteers • To help build the fence, two groups volunteered • Day 1 | St Thomas High School : 194 ft of fence and 50 posts • Day 2 | Chevron: 2,239 ft of fence and 143 posts
The Final Product • Entire western side • 2,433 ft of fencing
The Fenced Area • Once completely fenced, vegetation in the area can only be hand cleared. No heavy machinery past the fence • Any contractor/MPC employee must be properly trained with a safety meeting and site walkthrough to avoid disturbing the features
• The area outside the fence can be regularly maintained • If there is an unanticipated discovery, the Unanticipated Discovery Plan (UDP) goes in effect • UDP is written by Gray & Pape and lays out procedures for any surprise discoveries
The Cultural Resource Management Process | Phase Two
The Intensive Surveys • Phase Two consists of more surveys by Gray & Pape • These surveys are more intensive and include sub‐surface surveys if any sub‐surface features are thought to be in an area • Gray & Pape will also conduct thorough research of the area
The Ecological Restoration • During this time, MPC will be able to continue with regular park maintenance and ecological restoration. • No machinery within the boundary of the fence, dead trees are to be removed with caution as to not disturb the cultural resources
The Cultural Resource Management Process | Phase Three
The Final Recommendations • The final recommendation on the fate of the Cultural Resources will be given in the Final Report • Possible options for the Cultural Resources will be deconstruction, preservation, or reconstruction • Guidelines and Standards for the possible outcomes are provided by the National Parks Service
The Options • Deconstruction • The cultural resources are demolished and construction/ecological restoration of the area can go ahead
• Preservation • The features are deemed to have historic value and can be preserved for the future. This is an battle with the surrounding environmental aspects
• Rebuilding • Rebuilds missing parts from a features
References • https://www.nps.gov/acad/learn/management/ rm_culturalresources.htm • http://www.thc.texas.gov/public/upload/image s/AntiqCode.pdf • https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/treatment‐ guidelines‐2017.pdf