This document is a report that addresses the proposed replacement or repair of the now-abandoned Tranquillon Mountain Road to provide alternative access to facilities atop Tranquillon Peak and along Honda Ridge Road. The project will pass through the heart of one archaeological site and may also impact two additional sites. Of particular concern is the unknown location of two prehistoric cemeteries noted by Clarence Ruth during investigations of SBA-215 in the 1920s or 30s. Fieldwork efforts included surveys of Honda Creek for unknown archaeological deposits, STPs, test excavation units to define site boundaries, examine intrasite variability, and recover samples of archaeological deposits. Though integrity has been impaired by previous construction activities, this detailed investigation demonstrates that all three sites are sufficiently intact to provide data important to understanding the prehistory of VAFB. Detailed construction plans have not been developed, or an APE defined, making assessment of adverse effects impossible for the time being. However, if any of the plan or associated impacts deviated from the existing road then it is likely that significant adverse effects to SBA-215 will occur. Active erosion at SBA-658 is damaging significant midden deposits. Data from this part of the site offers rare insight into prehistoric adaptations to xeric climatic conditions and data recovery efforts are recommended.
Lebow et al. (Sat,) studied this question.