2014-069 - Final Environmental Impact Report No. 2014-01

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HARBOR BLVD. MIXED USE TRANSIT CORRIDOR PLAN FINAL FIR CITY OF SANTA ANA 5. Environmental Analysis CULTURAL RESOURCES However, while unlikely, the presence of subsurface archaeological resources in the project area remains possible. The project area is in a region sensitive for prehistoric archaeological resources. One recorded prehistoric archaeological site in the City is mentioned in the City's General Plan Land Use Element. The site is near Santiago Creek in the northwestern part of the City, the confluence of Santiago Creek and the Santa Ana River is approximately two miles east - northeast of the north end of the project area. The southeast edge of the project area is along the Santa Ana River. Additionally, most of the project area has not been previously surveyed for cultural resources. Therefore, the lack of records for the project area does not mean that there are no cultural resources onsite and the archaeological sensitivity of the site is unknown. Furthermore, grading and construction activities of undeveloped areas or redevelopment that requires greater depth of soil excavation than in the past could potentially disturb unknown archeological resources. Therefore, future development accommodated by the Harbor Boulevard Mixed Use Transit Corridor Plan could potentially unearth previously unrecorded archeological resources. Archaeological sites are protected by a wide variety of state policies and regulations under the California Public Resources Code. Cultural and paleontological resources are also recognized as nonrenewable and therefore receive protection under the California Public Resources Code and CEQA. Review and protection of archaeological resources is also afforded by CEQA for individual development projects subject to discretionary actions that are implemented m accordance with the Harbor Boulevard Mixed Use Transit Corridor Plan. In the event of an unanticipated discovery of archaeological resources during grading and excavation of a development site under the Harbor Boulevard Mixed Use Transit Corridor Plan, a qualified archaeologist would assess the find and develop a course of action to preserve the find. Since grading may result in the unanticipated discovery of archaeological resources, impacts are significant. Sacred Lands File Search Furthermore, the NAHC performed a Sacred Lands File search of the project area on June 3, 2013. Native American cultural resources were not identified within the City limits (sce NAHC comment letter in Appendix D). Paleontological Resources No vertebrate fossil localities within the project area boundaries are in the vertebrate paleontology records of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM 2013). Additionally, the majority of the project area is in a highly urbanized, built out portion of the City and has been heavily disturbed over the years. Since the majority of the project area has been previously disturbed by grading and construction, it is unlikely that any subsurface paleontological resources currently exist that could be impacted by ground disturbing activities of future development projects accommodated by the Harbor Boulevard Mixed Use Transit Corridor Plan. However, while unlikely, the presence of subsurface paleontological resources in the project area remains possible. Two vertebrate fossil localities, LACM 1652 and LACM 4943, were identified in the project vicinity. Additionally, grading and construction activities of undeveloped areas or redevelopment that requires greater depth of soil excavation than in the past could potentially cause the disturbance of unknown paleontological resources. Excavations deeper than approximately six feet below ground surface may encounter significant Page 5.3-% PlaceWorkr