• Aug
    2023
    15
    2023 / Aug / 15

    Grizzly Gulch Maintenance Inventory

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    Logan Simpson conducted a Class III cultural resources survey and documentation of 235 acres for the Utah Division of Oil Gas and Mining (UDOGM) in the Grizzly Gulch area of northern Utah. The survey was split between two Areas of Interest (AOIs) and serves as a guide to understand the scale and scope of recording efforts. Logan Simpson recorded all cultural resources encountered to USFS and SHPO standards and prepared NRHP recommendations for identified sites. Due to the extensive historic mining landscape, Logan Simpson recorded each AOI as single, extensive site. The survey resulted in updating two previously recorded sites and one newly recorded site with over 500 historic mining features. The sites contain hard rock mining- and habitation-related features and represent extensive mining landscapes. Logan Simpson also performed re-photography of historic images to compare changes in the built and natural landscapes. A technical report was prepared including NRHP eligibility and AMRP cultural resource management recommendations for all identified cultural resources.

  • Aug
    2023
    15
    2023 / Aug / 15

    Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area Cultural Survey

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    Colorado Parks & Wildlife contracted with Logan Simpson to conduct a Class III cultural resources inventories for vegetation thinning to support wildlife management activities at the Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area. The 1,535 acre project area includes 1,015 acres administered by the State of Colorado and 520 acres by the Bureau of Land Management White River Field Office in Rio Blanco County, Colorado. Services may include: prescribed burning of mountain scrub land and aspen habitats; mechanical mulching/thinning of mature mountain scrubs; clearcutting decadent aspen stands to promote regeneration of young aspen trees; interceding diverse custom seed mixes to provide diverse wildlife forage; prescribed burning as follow-up maintenance; and aerial herbicide applications to control weeds and scrub regrowth. The project is considered a federal undertaking subject to compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The inventory resulted in the recordation and evaluation of 5 prehistoric and historic sites and 7 prehistoric isolated finds.

  • Aug
    2023
    15
    2023 / Aug / 15

    Navigating Farmington’s Future Comprehensive Plan

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    Logan Simpson completed an update to the City of Farmington, New Mexico’s 2002 Comprehensive Plan to reflect the City’s transformation from an economy traditionally reliant on oil, gas, and coal extraction, to one that is much more diverse. Policies within the draft plan highlight an economic future that strengthens key assets such as: outdoor recreation opportunities; a burgeoning film industry; and access to regional healthcare and higher-level education; increased tourism; and becoming an active lifestyle destination for its influx of retirees. The Plan provides recommendations to assist Farmington’s governing bodies in decision-making, moving policy and development forward in a productive way conducive to transforming Farmington into a healthy, sustainable economy. The Plan is reflective of public outreach efforts by integrating what residents and business owners love and the issues they identify. Based on public input, the update includes new elements such as planning for healthy and socially sustainable communities, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and environmental quality.

  • Aug
    2023
    15
    2023 / Aug / 15

    Buckeye Wildlife Corridors, Best Practices Guide

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    Logan Simpson developed the first-of-its-kind Wildlife Corridors Best Practices Guide, a set of best management practices and tools for development that considers harmony with wildlife corridors and the natural environment within the City of Buckeye’s growth area. While much of land surrounding the City remains undeveloped and provides essential habitat for wildlife, Buckeye is evolving rapidly, and the population increase warrants thoughtful planning. With the goal of maintaining and enhancing existing biodiversity while ensuring community prosperity, a case study-based approach was taken to organize this Guide around three strands – environmental, growth, and quality of life. The Guide’s is to advocate for wildlife connectivity throughout the City and encourage collaboration between all groups involved in developing Buckeye. Groups and individuals with local expertise helped inform the planning process, including landowners/developers, utilities, local/state agencies, and conservation advocacy groups.

  • Aug
    2023
    10
    2023 / Aug / 10

    Lake Powell Pipeline Biological Resource Survey

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    Logan Simpson completed biological resources technical studies for the proposed 225-mile Lake Powell Pipeline. The project included the construction and operation of a buried water pipeline, water intake facility at Lake Powell, surface water storage reservoirs, hydro-electric generation facilities, and transmission lines. The pipeline corridor included federal, state, private, and tribal lands extending from Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona to Cedar City, Utah. Logan Simpson: completed 386 miles of field surveys documenting 16 special-status plant species occurrences of over 350,000 plants; mapped the distribution of 17 species of noxious/invasive weeds; recorded 306 plant taxa; and documented 3,443 polygons representing 556 vegetation associations on 25,000 acres. As alignments shifted, we assessed which rare plants potentially occur and adjusted survey schedules to match phenology of the target plants in target areas to aid in surveys and positive identification. A geospatial database of the vegetation survey results was developed to provide the basis for impact analysis of rare plants, determine mitigation actions, and develop an invasive/noxious species management plan.

  • Aug
    2023
    10
    2023 / Aug / 10

    Bell Butte Cave and Petroglyph Recording

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    In response to possible damages to cultural resources incurred by a City utilities installation project, Logan Simpson completed a joint archaeological and ethnographic study of Bell Butte, which is considered a sacred landmark and confirmed Traditional Cultural Property (TCP) among the Akimel O’Odham (Pima) and Piipaash (Maricopa) communities of southern Arizona. Incorporation of both archaeological and traditional perspectives yielded significant and unprecedented insights into the material and memory culture of the butte. Logan Simpson is presently working with the City to develop land management practices intended to preserve and protect the sacred butte from further desecration, and also advance the repatriation of sacred objects recovered from a cave at the butte to the Akimel O’Odham.

  • Jul
    2023
    19
    2023 / Jul / 19

    Utah Avocational – Identified Rock Imagery

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    The Utah State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in conjunction with the Utah Rock Art Research Association (URARA) contracted with Logan Simpson in 2020 to conduct targeted archaeological site documentation at rock imagery locations on various land jurisdictions in Carbon, Sanpete, and Sevier Counties in central Utah. Project goals were to obtain baseline information of rock imagery sites to assist with management and interpretive efforts, prepare public products to increase awareness about fragile rock imagery, and incorporate volunteers. Logan Simpson coordinated with SHPO, land managers, and URARA to revisit GPS locations, update/record rock imagery sites to modern standards alongside URARA volunteers, and conduct on-site filming for use in a public video. The result was documentation of 18 newly recorded sites and updates for 53 previously recorded sites. The video features stunning aerial imagery, in-field interviews with archaeologists and volunteers, and centers on themes of preservation, stewardship, and public involvement in cultural resources management.

  • Jul
    2023
    19
    2023 / Jul / 19

    Rio Tinto Kennecott Little Valley Cultural Resource Survey

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    Rio Tinto Kennecott Utah Copper, who is a long-term client of Logan Simpson, contracted with us to perform a 75-acre Class III cultural resources survey in the Little Valley Wash. This survey encountered a historic water control system from the late 1930’s, which spanned into the mid 1960’s, and was associated with flash flood control in the Little Valley area. Discoveries included ditches, large-scale masonry spillways, and a retention basin. Mitigation strategies were performed, which included field documentation of the entire water control system, updating the Utah Archaeology Site Form, and preparation of a historic context, which contained historic photographs, newspaper clippings, field photographs, and maps. The results of the literature review and archival research included a history of the region with a focus on the development of flood control structures in Utah, the Soil Conservation Service, and the Works Progress Administration.

  • Jun
    2021
    25
    2021 / Jun / 25

    Ketchum Historic Preservation Plan Update

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    Logan Simpson worked diligently with City Staff to expedite drafting of an interim historic preservation ordinance to enact baseline regulations and protections while a permanent ordinance with incentives and design guidelines is developed. The interim ordinance was developed with the input of many community stakeholders – including historians, developers, architects, real estate agents, and members of the community – through online surveys and small group meetings. Logan Simpson is currently working with the City of Ketchum to develop a permanent historic preservation ordinance, historic design guidelines, and a preservation handbook with preservation incentives.

  • Aug
    2020
    28
    2020 / Aug / 28

    8th Street Multiuse Path and Streetscape

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    Logan Simpson assisted the City of Tempe with the Arizona Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration in the planning and construction of a mile-long multi-use path and streetscape improvement project along 8th Street. Logan Simpson prepared a survey report for the area of potential effect (APE), including: architectural documentation; National Register of Historic Places eligibility evaluation; Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act assessment; a multi-phased Historic Properties Treatment Plan (HPTP); and an addendum to the HPTP for the railroad prior to conducting archaeological investigations. Phase I investigations included excavating 29 mechanical trenches and one mechanical stripping unit alongside the railroad. The excavations revealed 24 prehistoric features including one human remains, leading to the recommendation for additional Phase II documentation. Consultation with the descendant community upon encountering human remains and a possible platform mound included the recommendation that an ethnographic and oral history component be conducted as part of the Phase II investigations, which are currently underway.