In a 5-month period between September 2003 and January 2004, WSA conducted record searches, agency coordination, field surveys, Treatment Plan and survey report preparation, and Native American consultation to assist Kinder Morgan Energy Partners with emergency replacement of 11 miles of refined petroleum pipeline in Tucson; data recovery and agency coordination. Prior to beginning construction, WSA and Desert Archaeology, Inc (of Tucson) conducted data recovery in two Hohokam occupational sites containing housepits, canals, and other features. In addition, WSA recorded more than 150 Hohokam rock alignments and other prehistoric agricultural features on Tumamoc Hill, a National Register site and Traditional Cultural Property. Following the monitoring of construction through numerous significant sites, WSA prepared several technical reports describing the results of data recovery and monitoring.

After preparing preconstruction mitigation documents, WSA conducted 14 months of archaeological monitoring and data recovery as part of construction at Bay Street, a commercial and residential development situated on prehistoric basal deposits of the Emeryville Shellmound. Over 160 human burials and thousands of artifacts were recovered from highly toxic soil conditions during the work; stratigraphic profiles and all required excavation documentation were recorded, and thousands of digital photographs document the work. Analysis and reporting on the recovered remains was not funded by the City of Emeryville or the project sponsor, however WSA is in the process of completing a technical report on the basis of data gathered during our field analysis, but without benefit of full laboratory or technical analyses. All work was conducted in coordination with Ohlone Most Likely Descendent Katherine Perez and her staff.

On behalf of the City of San Francisco, WSA carried out archeological monitoring and data recovery for the $250M Muni Metro Turnback Project (MMTP) in waterfront downtown San Francisco. In addition to documenting the ca. 1860's historic features that were exposed during project construction, WSA recovered, analyzed and catalogued over 20,000 historic artifacts from the 19th Century historic fill that lies beneath the modern streets of San Francisco. WSA also conducted archaeological investigation of the remains of the gold rush-era ship Rome, which was entombed below the City streets in 1852 and encountered during project excavations. Following completion of the MMTP, WSA directed archaeological testing, construction monitoring, and data recovery as part of the Mid-Embarcadero Roadway/F-Line Extension Project, a subsequent phase of the San Francisco's Waterfront Transportation Program. Numerous features were examined, documented and recorded. Multi-volume reports have been prepared on both projects. Cal State Hayward's C.E. Smith Museum, which accepted all of the artifacts on the project for curation, has prepared a brief discussion of the MMTP as part of a museum display entitled Sunken Ships and Frozen Charlottes.

On behalf of the California Department of Transportation, WSA conducted side scan sonar, sub-bottom profile, and ROV surveys, and carried out underwater target investigations for the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge East Span Seismic Safety Project. In preparation for this field work, WSA and Caltrans archaeologists conducted extensive archival research in local repositories and the National Archives and Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. to develop the project's historic context. Over 50 acoustic anomalies were identified lying on or slightly below the bottom sediment. Information gathered through ROV operations, scuba diving investigations of various targets, and the analysis of the remote sensing data provided information sufficient to determine that none of the targets identified in the project area met the criteria of eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. Technical reports of findings were prepared for submittal to CalTrans.

WSA conducted archaeological data recovery, testing, and excavation of 470 Native American burials at a residential development project in Pleasanton, Ca. Scores of features (including numerous hearths and a prehistoric house floor, as well as historic features) were excavated as well. Thousands of burial-related artifacts and grave goods of many types were recovered, as was a variety of occupational detritus and artifacts. A multi-volume final techniccal report on the work was prepared in 2005. All work was conducted in coordination with Ohlone Most Likely Descendent Ramona Garibay and her staff.

WSA conducted record and literature searches, field surveys, site recording/assessment and technical reporting as part of environmental assessment of a 750 mW power plant in the Mojave Desert. Testing was conducted at two archaeological sites as part of NHPA Section 106 consultation with the Bureau of Land Management; an Historic Properties Treatment Plan was prepared to address impacts at two large National register listed sites that were impacted by the project. Construction monitoring and data recovery at two National Register-listed sites was conducted as part of project implementation; technical report preparations followed.

On behalf of the Army Corps of Engineers, WSA conducted maritime archaeological research for the proposed removal of Harding, Shag, Blossom, Arch, and Unnamed rocks in central San Francisco Bay near Alcatraz Island. The destruction of Shag Rock during the 19th Century is shown in the photo to the left. As part of the project's NEPA environmental review and Section 106 compliance, WSA completed an extensive literature and records search, conducted side scan sonar surveys, and analyzed magnetometer records obtained during the project's geophysical investigation. WSA identified possible project impacts on historic properties, particularly the remains of shipwrecks known to be located in the vicinity. The entire report can be viewed online at the ACOE San Francisco Bay District website by clicking here.

WSA, on behalf of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), provided cultural resources review of the Proponent's Environmental Assessment, and prepared EIR cultural resources sections after "third party" review. WSA prepared mitigation measures to address impacts to cultural resources resulting from construction and operation of a fiber optic network. WSA inspected construction areas from Oregon to Sacramento to ensure that the mitigation measures were implemented as required. WSA consulted with local Native American tribal entities as necessary during the work.

Between 1999 and 2002, WSA conducted side scan sonar, magnetometer, sub-bottom profile surveys, and underwater target assessments for the new Carquinez and Benicia-Martinez bridge projects, and for the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project. The remote sensing surveys were conducted as part of NHPA Section 106 studies to determine whether cultural resources - historic shipwrecks in particular - lie submerged within the project areas. As part of the research for the bridge projects, over 40 magnetic and acoustic anomalies were identified, assessed and evaluated for historic significance. Two of these proved to be shipwrecks: one an abandoned steel hull, the other, the remains of a wood schooner that probably sank in 1867. Technical reports on each project were prepared and submitted to CalTrans.

WSA conducted cultural resources studies and construction monitoring as necessary to address CPUC mitigation measures during the "city build" portions of a fiber optic project in the cities of San Jose and San Francisco, as well as the entire Los Angeles basin. WSA prepared workbooks for construction spreads in each city to address potential cultural resources impacts and the necessary mitigation required to preclude significant effects. WSA conducted construction monitoring as needed during a 3-year period. Work was coordinated with local Ohlone (Bay Area) and Gabrielino (Los Angeles) tribal members.

WSA conducted monitoring and data recovery during construction of a 26 mile petroleum pipeline across USMC Camp Pendleton. Over a 3-year period, WSA performed archival and record searches, field surveys and site recording, and prepared Historic Property Treatment Plans and Agreement Documents to address National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 compliance on behalf of the project client. Most known cultural sites were avoided as a result of the preconstruction studies. Construction monitoring of the entire route was conducted; sites encountered were recorded and subject to data recovery when necessary. A technical report of findings was prepared and submitted to the Camp Pendleton Base Archaeologist and regional clearinghouse. Work was conducted in coordination with Bennae Calac of the Luiseno Tribe.

WSA implemented a preconstruction data recovery program at site CCO-474/H, consisting of mechanical trenching and manual excavation of 25 cubic meters of prehistoric archaeological deposit. During site grading and monitoring, 105 Native American burials were encountered and removed; all burials and artifacts were analyzed and a 3-volume technical report prepared (available at Coyote Press). All work was conducted in coordination with Ohlone Most Likely Descendent Andrew Galvan and his staff.