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Purpose and Authority for the Training Program
The California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board) established a Certified Archaeological Surveyor training program in 1991. CAL FIRE is responsible for delivery and support of the training program and review of the work products of certified surveyors. This training program is defined in California's Forest Practice Rules (14CCR Section 929 et seq.) which were promulgated through the Board's rule-making authority found in PRC Section 4551.
The training is intended for key personnel in the private sector and within CAL FIRE who are responsible for completing environmental impact assessments of Timber Harvesting Plans (THPs) and other types of CAL FIRE projects. Through this training, students learn basic skills to identify archaeological sites and other types of cultural resources and to implement protection measures to avoid project-related disturbances. CAL FIRE has approximately 2000 projects per year and these are typically located on privately owned lands. The certified archaeological surveyors assist CAL FIRE's small team of professional archaeologists in the task of identifying and protecting significant cultural resources that may exist within CAL FIRE project areas throughout 31 million acres of CAL FIRE's jurisdiction. Students that satisfactorily complete the initial five-day training and periodic refresher courses are considered to be qualified to conduct basic archaeological surveys for CAL FIRE projects, provided that such work is conducted under the guidance of a CAL FIRE archaeologist. A CAL FIRE Archaeologist ultimately reviews the work to ensure professional adequacy and to concur with the investigation findings.
The program is designed to utilize the expertise of Registered Professional Foresters (RPFs) and other resource professionals in an attempt to maximize the efficiency of resource inventory and protection work conducted on private lands. The program takes advantage of people already working in the woods by giving them the tools to identify cultural resources and develop projects to avoid significant disturbances.
This training does not attempt to certify individuals as being equivalent to professional archaeologists. Professional consulting archaeologists hired by landowners are needed at times to supplement survey work conducted by certified surveyors. Professional archaeologists on staff and under contract to CAL FIRE play an important role during project review to evaluate the adequacy of surveys, ensure professional quality documentation, approve site protection measures, and provide other forms of assistance.
By Daniel G. Foster and Eric Huff
February 22, 2006
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