Empire Mine Fuelbreak Project

Empire Mine Fuelbreak Project

Phase 1: Conduct pre-construction archaeological field survey and resource inventory in fuelbreak project location at Empire Mine State Historic Park to identify archaeological resources that require protection from ground disturbance activity. Phase 2: If the systematic survey results in the positive identification of archaeological sites/or significant isolates, protective measures will be implemented to avoid impacts from the proposed actions of Phase 4. Measures will consist of delineation of the cultural resources with flagging, identification of the resources on a topographic map, and communication of the resource locations to the project manager. Any fuel reduction in areas within and adjacent to recorded archaeological sites and cultural resource features will be limited to hand clearing. Vehicles shall be prohibited within these exclusion zones. Pile burning and chipping within site boundaries is prohibited. Staging areas or haul routes outside of the previously established road system will be surveyed prior to use. Phase 3: Field crew training by the Sierra District Archaeologist prior to commencement of the fuelbreak project to ensue protection, avoidance, and reporting of cultural resources. Phase 4: Create a Defensible Fuel Profile Zone (DFPZ) on 653 acres at Empire Mine State Historic Park to reduce the threat of a catastrophic wildfire and improve native forest composition and structure.

Nevada