4.14 CULTURAL RESOURCES
SETTING
Local Setting
This information relies primarily on PG&E's Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PG&E, 1996) and subsequent PG&E submissions (Mason, 1997).
Morro Bay
Paleontological Resources
According to existing information, the power plant property is not known to contain any paleontological resources.
Archaeological Resources
Three archaeological sites are known to exist at the Morro Bay power plant property. These archaeological resources include CA-SLO-16, which is a burial and habitation site that has been excavated with the removal of approximately 50 burials to the Santa Barbara Museum; CA-SLO-239, which is a shell and earth midden (mound) prehistoric site that has produced human remains and a variety of artifacts; and CA-SLO-166, which is a large village site. All three of these archaeological resources are considered to be important. However, none have been formally evaluated for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources. Since the Morro Bay power plant is located in an area that has been determined to have had prehistoric activities, previously undiscovered archaeological resources could also exist at the Morro Bay power plant site.
Historical Resources
The Morro Bay power plant was constructed in 1953. Since the power plant is not 45 years old, it is inappropriate to determine whether the property would be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources.
Ethnographic Resources
Archaeological resource CA-SLO-16 is a site that is important to the cultural heritage of the Chumash and Salinan people.
Moss Landing
Paleontological Resources
According to existing information, the power plant property is not known to contain any paleontological resources.
Archaeological Resources
Two archaeological sites are known to exist at the Moss Landing power plant property. These archaeological resources include site CA-MNT-229, which is a large shell midden that has been determined to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources, and CA-MNT-277, which is a shell midden that has not been formally evaluated for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources. Despite the existence of these two archaeological resources, the likelihood of encountering existing unknown archaeological resources is low given the general earth disturbances that have occurred at this site.
Historical Resources
The Moss Landing power plant was constructed in the early 1950s. Since the Moss Landing power plant is more than 45 years old, it could be considered a historical resource. Although no determination has been made, the power plant could be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources.
Ethnographic Resources
No known ethnographic resources exist at the Moss Landing power plant property or within the vicinity of the property.
Oakland
Paleontological Resources
According to existing information, the power plant property is not known to contain any paleontological resources.
Archaeological Resources
No archaeological resources are known to exist at the Oakland power plant property. Due to the disturbed nature of the site the potential for undiscovered archaeological resources is considered to be minimal
Historical Resources
The Oakland power plant was initially constructed in 1888. According to information from the City of Oakland, the power plant possesses potential value as an historical resource. Although no determination has been made, the power plant could be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources.
Ethnographic Resources
No known ethnographic resources exist at the Oakland power plant property or within the vicinity of the property.
CHECKLIST ISSUES
a) Paleontological Resources
Given that no paleontological resources are known to exist at any of the power plant sites to be divested, the project would have no foreseeable effect on paleontological resources.
Conclusion
Because the project would not affect any known paleontological resources, it would have no impact.
b) Archaeological Resources
No substantial construction or earthmoving activities would occur as a result of the project. Therefore, the project would not affect the three known archaeological resources at the Morro Bay power plant property or the two known archaeological resources at the Moss Landing power plant property. In addition, because construction will be minimal at each one of the plants the project would not result in the discovery of previously unknown archaeological resources at any of the power plant properties. However, remediation activities if they occur could potentially uncover previously unknown archaeological resources at either Morro Bay or Moss Landing given past finds at both of the sites. Therefore, the impact of the project could be potentially significant.
Mitigation Measures
4.14.b.1 PG&E shall prepare and certify its intent to comply with a program to address potential impacts to archaeological resources from PG&E actions related to the divestiture at the Morro Bay and Moss Landing power plants, such as construction to separate the properties or soil remediation activities. The program shall include provisions in PG&E construction documents and protocols for coordination with appropriate resource agencies. The program shall at a minimum include the following provisions:
A qualified archaeologist shall be consulted prior to implementing construction or soil remediation activities that will involve earthmoving or soil excavation, and the archaeologist shall be available for consultation or evaluation of any cultural resources uncovered by such activities. For any previously undisturbed, known archaeological areas, a qualified archaeologist shall monitor earthmoving and soil excavation activities, consistent with relevant Federal, State, and local guidelines. If an unrecorded resource is discovered, construction or excavation activities shall be temporarily halted or directed to other areas pending the archaeologist's evaluation of its significance. If the resource is significant, data collection, excavation, or other standard archaeological or historical procedures shall be implemented to mitigate impacts pursuant to the archaeologist's direction. If any human remains are encountered, the archaeologist shall contact the appropriate County Coroner immediately and security measures shall be implemented to ensure that burials are not vandalized until the decision of burial deposition has been made pursuant to California law. If human remains are determined to be Native American interments, the Coroner shall contact the Native American Heritage Commission pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 5097.98 and follow the procedures stated herein and other applicable laws. A report by the archaeologist evaluating the find and identifying mitigation actions taken shall be submitted to the CPUC. Where appropriate to protect the location and sensitivity of the cultural resources, the report may be submitted under Public Utilities Code Section 583 or other appropriate confidentiality provisions.
Monitoring Action: CPUC mitigation monitoring approval of PG&E's proposed archaeological mitigation program and any subsequent implementation reports.
Responsibility: CPUC
Timing: Approval by CPUC mitigation monitor of archaeological mitigation program at least 10 business days prior to transfer of ownership of the Morro Bay and Moss Landing plants; review implementation reports upon submittal.
4.14.b.2 PG&E shall provide the new owner of the Morro Bay and Moss Landing plants with PG&E's archaeological resource information materials and any training documents concerning the new owner's respective plants. This will assist the new owner in knowing the locations of such resources, and in meeting their legal obligations regarding preservation of those resources.
Monitoring Action: PG&E will provide the CPUC mitigation monitor with a disclosure form, for each plant specified, signed by the new owner listing documents received to accomplish this action.
Responsibility: CPUC
Timing: At least 3 business days prior to the transfer of title for each plant.
Conclusion
With the implementation of the above mitigation measures the impact of the project on archaeological resources at Morro Bay and Moss Landing would be less than significant.
c) Historical Resources
Morro Bay
The Morro Bay power plant is not considered to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources. Therefore, no impact would occur at this power plant as a result of the project.
Moss Landing and Oakland
The Moss Landing and Oakland power plants may be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources. However, since no physical alterations to these power plants would occur as part of the project, no impact would occur.
Conclusion
The project would not result in any physical alterations of the Moss Landing and Oakland power plants. Therefore, no impact would occur.
d) Unique Ethnic Cultural Values
Although the Moss Landing and Oakland power plants do not represent any unique or ethnic cultural values, the Morro Bay power plant is within an area that has the potential to represent the unique or ethnic cultural values of the Chumash and Salinan people. However, since so substantial physical alterations to the Morro Bay power plant would occur as part of the project, no impact would occur.
Conclusion
Unique or ethnic cultural values could exist at the Morro Bay power plant. However, since no physical changes would result from the project, no impact would occur.
e) Religious and Sacred Uses
No religious or sacred uses exist at the Moss Landing or Oakland power plants, and these power plants do not represent any religious or sacred uses. However, religious or sacred uses associated with the Chumash and Salinan people exist in the vicinity of the Morro Bay power plant. The human burials identified at archaeological resources CA-SLO-16 and CA-SLO-239 are representative of these religious or sacred uses in the vicinity of the Morro Bay power plant. However, since no substantial physical alterations to the Morro Bay power plant would occur as part of the project, no impact would occur.
Conclusion
Religious or sacred uses could exist at the Morro Bay power plant. However, since no physical changes would result from the project, no impact would occur.