CulturalResources 2.1.083.16 Historic and Cultural Resources
Affected Environment
The property proposed for the Thurston Highlands Master Planned Community is comprised of seven parcels totaling approximately 1,240 acres. The site was previously managed by Weyerhaeuser
Company for commercial timber production. As a result of the forest practices use, the majority of the site surface has been disturbed to depths of 3 to 5 feet during tree planting and
harvest activities. The property is surrounded by rural lands in Thurston County, residentially-developed land within the Yelm City limits, and the Fort Lewis Military Reservation, owned
and operated by the United States Army.
The Yelm area is largely a “prairie” setting. Historically, the prairie was the crossroads of Native American trails leading north, and east over the Cascade Mountains. The trails were
utilized by Native Americans, fur traders, American settlers, and eventually the Northern Pacific Railroad. Prior to European settlement in the mid-1880s, the prairie was utilized by
the Nisqually People for various food resources. After European settlement of the region, most of the area was homestead or ranch land. Extensive logging has occurred in forested areas
(ENSR 2006; Kreutzer, et al. 1994; and Dugas and Larson 1998).
Because this property is located in an area used by Native American Tribes in the past, there is a possibility of discovering cultural materials even though much of the property has
been largely disturbed by past logging practices.
The Thurston Highlands site has not been surveyed for possible archaeological or historic sites (personal communication with Rob Whitlam, and visit to the Washington State Office of
Archaeology and Historic Preservation, August 7, 2006). Remnants of a possible farmstead were found in an area located off-site but in the vicinity, suggesting a settlement time frame
in approximately the early 1920s. A home listed on the Washington Historic Register dating construction to 1893 is also located nearby.
Evidence of ancient permanent settlement would not be expected on the project site, as it is located a considerable distance from the Nisqually River and other geographic features typical
of habitation sites. However, the wetlands and topography on the property could have been used for gathering cultural materials and natural resources.
Communications with staff representatives of the Nisqually Indian Tribe did not indicate significant likelihood of former Native American use of the Thurston Highlands site; however,
these representatives offered training opportunities on what to look for during construction (personal communication with Joe Cushman, Planning Director, and Clark Halverson, Water Resources,
Nisqually Indian Tribe, May 18, 2006; and personal communication with Thor Hoyte, Nisqually Tribal Attorney, October 2, 2006).
Potential Construction Impacts
The potential to encounter presently unknown historic or cultural resources would be greatest during earthwork activities to implement any of the conceptual land use alternatives. Essentially
the entire site ( with the exception of large wetland complexes and their buffers, and an area of mature forest habitat to be preserved ( would be cleared of “reprod” Douglas fir trees
and significantly graded to accommodate the mixed-use development proposal and road construction (KPFF Consulting Engineers 2008).
Under the No Action Alternative, if it is assumed that no development would occur in the near-term, there would be no potential for impacts to historic or cultural resources. In the
event that some future development proposal were pursued on this site, the potential to encounter presently unknown and unidentified artifacts on the property would have to be evaluated
at that time, in the context of that proposal.
Developed Condition Impacts
There would be no anticipated potential for direct or indirect impacts to historic or cultural resources in the developed condition of any of the conceptual land use alternatives, as
ground-disturbing activities would occur during construction.
Possible Mitigation Measures
Incorporated Plan Features
The Conceptual Master Site Plan that is the subject of this Environmental Impact Statement is not yet developed to a level of detail that addresses how unanticipated discoveries of historic
or cultural resources would be handled during construction; however, applicable regulations and standards of practice would be followed.
Applicable Regulations and Commitments
The developer will be required to develop a plan of action prior to construction, describing procedures to be followed in the event that suspected archaeological or cultural resources
are found during earthwork activities. In the event that historic or cultural sites or materials are encountered, work would be stopped in the area, and the Nisqually Indian Tribe and
Washington State Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation would be contacted immediately to assess what is found. If suspected human remains are found, work in the vicinity must
be suspended, the area secured, and the Thurston County Medical Examiner contacted to assess the remains. If the remains are Native American, interested Tribes, including the Nisqually
and Squaxin Island Tribes, must be informed. A plan for treatment of the remains would then be developed by parties with jurisdiction.
Other Recommended Mitigation Measures
Contractors should be trained in how to recognize historic or cultural resources during earthwork activities in the event that a qualified archaeologist or Tribal representative is not
on-site during earthwork activities. Staff representatives of the Nisqually Tribe have offered to provide this training (personal communication with Joe Cushman, Planning Director, and
Clark Halverson, Water Resources, Nisqually Indian Tribe, May 18, 2006; and personal communication with Thor Hoyte, Nisqually Tribal Attorney, October 2, 2006).
References
City of Yelm. February 2000. Yelm Historic Inventory.
City of Yelm. 1988 – 1989 Town of Yelm, Historical Building Inventory.
Cushman, Joe; Planning Director; and Clark Halverson, Water Resources; Nisqually Indian Tribe. May 18, 2006. Personal communication with Tami Merriman, Associate Planner, City of Yelm,
re: historical use of the Thurston Highlands site vicinity by Native American people, and re: opportunities to train contractors to recognize cultural and historical resources during
earthwork activities.
ENSR International. November 2004. Final Environmental Assessment: Fiscal Year 2005 Stationing Actions at Fort Lewis and Yakima Training Center, Washington. Prepared for the U.S. Department
of the Army, Fort Lewis, WA.
ENSR International. January 2005. Final Environmental Assessment: Stationing Regimental Aviation Assets at Fort Lewis and Yakima Training Center, Washington. Prepared for the U.S. Department
of the Army, Fort Lewis, WA.
ENSR International. August 2006. Draft Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan, 2006 – 2010. Prepared for the U.S. Department of the Army, Fort Lewis, WA.
ENSR International. September 2006. Draft Environmental Assessment: Fort Lewis Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan, 2006 – 2010. Prepared for the U.S. Department of the Army,
Fort Lewis, WA.
Fort Lewis Public Works-Environmental and Natural Resources Division. May 2001. Environmental Coordination Map, Version 2.1. Fort Lewis, WA.
Hoyte, Thor; Nisqually Tribal Attorney. October 2, 2006. Personal communication with Tami Merriman, Associate Planner, City of Yelm, re: historical use of the Thurston Highlands site
vicinity by Native American people, and re: opportunities to train contractors to recognize cultural and historical resources during earthwork activities.
Internet search www.oahp.wa.gov. July 2006. Internet search of available historic databases. Found and printed list of properties in Thurston County that are listed on National, State
Registers and Surveys.
KPFF Consulting Engineers. 2008. Thurston Highlands Grading, Drainage, and Utilities Technical Engineering Report. Prepared for Thurston Highlands, L.L.C., Lacey, WA.
Shapiro and Associates, Inc. August 1996. Installation Compatible Use Zone (ICUZ) Study: Fort Lewis Military Reservation, Washington. Prepared for the U.S. Department of the Army, Fort
Lewis Environmental and Natural Resources Division, Fort Lewis, WA.
Washington State Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation. August 7, 2006. GIS database search.