Bureau of Land Management's Decision Record and Environmental

Jersey Valley Geothermal Development Project
Environmental Assessment: NV063-EAO8-09 1
50 meters would be established around eligible and unevaluated cultural sites that lie very close
to project activities. When initial construction is close to the buffered areas, an archaeological
monitor would be present to insure that eligible and unevaluated cultural sites are not disturbed
(see Section 2.1 .11). As such, the proposed Project would have no impact on any archaeological
sites that are either unevaluated or recommended eligible for nomination to the NRHP.
Regulations implementing the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), codified at 43
CFR 7, as well as regulations implementing the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), codified at 43 CFR 10, both provide protection for historic
properties, cultural resources, and Native American funerary items and/or physical remains
located on federal land. In addition, ARPA provides for the assessment of criminal and/or civil
penalties for damaging cultural resources. To ensure compliance with the ARPA and NAGPRA,
the following mitigation measure is proposed:
Mitigation Measure
Any unplanned discovery of cultural resources, human remains, items of cultural
patrimony, sacred objects, or funerary items, requires that all activity in the vicinity of the
find ceases, and notification be made to Doug Furtado, Field Manager, Mt. Lewis Field
Office, 50 Bastian Way, Battle Mountain, NV, 89820 (775—635—4000), by telephone, with
written confirmation to follow, immediately upon such discovery. The location of the find
should not be publicly disclosed and any human remains must be secured and preserved in
place until a Notice to Proceed is issued by the authorized officer.
3.3.2.2 Alternative 1
As with the Proposed Action, surface disturbing activities associated with Alternative 1 would
avoid the recommended eligible and unevaluated cultural resources. The impacts to cultural
resources of Alternative 1 would be the same as for the Proposed Action. Mitigation proposed
under the Proposed Action would be equally applicable to Alternative 1.
3.4 NATIVE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS CONCERNS
3.4.1 Affected Environment
Located within the traditional territory of the Western Shoshone (and possibly some Paiute)
Tribes, the BLM MLFO administrative boundary contains spiritual/traditional/cultural resources,
sites, and social practices that aid in maintaining and strengthening social, cultural, and spiritual
integrity. Recognized tribes with known interests within the BLM MLFO administrative
boundary are the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone (Elko, South Fork, Wells, and Battle
Mountain Bands), Duck Valley Sho-Pai Tribes of Idaho and Nevada, Duckwater Shoshone
Tribe, Ely Shoshone Tribe, Yomba Shoshone, the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe, and various other
Tribal groups, community members, and individuals.
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