5900 36TH AVE W SEPA 015 - 034 - SOUNDVIEW BUSINESS CAMPUS - VERITAS Land Use Decision Documents 2025-04-22

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Tierra's cultural resources assessment consisted of background review, field investigation, and production of this report. Background review determined the APE to be located in an area of low probability for historic properties. Field investigation included visual reconnaissance, limited pedestrian survey, and subsurface inspection. Neither research nor subsurface testing identified any evidence to suggest that archaeological deposits or features might be present. DAHP predictive model probability calculations are based on known environmental factors and/or information derived from archaeological research. Historic land use patterns indicate that much of the surface and near -surface environment has been highly disturbed by modem construction events and serial flooding and scouring. The absence of artifacts and features within the project area may be a result of the lack of distinctive archaeological signatures associated with the types of pre -modern activities practiced within this wooded terrace area. Furthermore, given the depositional environment, the history of post -Settlement logging practices, and the reported recent disturbance events, no intact archaeological deposits are likely to be located below the surface. The aerial view of the 2005 logging, stump clearing, and leveling in Figure 3 argue strongly for fairly deep soil disturbance. Moreover, subsurface testing confirmed the relatively thin layer of potentially artifact - bearing soil (6-45 cm [2-18 inches]) above glacial till. Given these project conditions and the fact that the ground -disturbing activities are planned in areas unlikely to contain intact archaeological deposits, the likelihood that intact archaeological deposits would be encountered is extremely low. Therefore, Tierra recommends a finding of No Adverse Effect to cultural resources for this project. In the unlikely event that archaeological materials are encountered during the development of the property, an archaeologist should immediately be notified and work should be halted in the vicinity of the find until the materials can be inspected and assessed. At that time, the appropriate persons are to be notified of the exact nature and extent of the resource so that measures can be taken to secure them. In the event of inadvertently discovered human remains or indeterminate bones, pursuant to RCW 68.50.645, all work must stop immediately and law enforcement should be contacted. Any remains should be covered and secured against further disturbance, and communication established with local police, the DAHP, and any concerned Tribal agencies. Tierra Archaeological Report No. 2014-077 27