Synthesis of Excavation Data For the Permian Basin Mitigation Program

This document presents a synthesis of excavation data from the Permian Basin Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Area (Figure 1.1). This is the first task (Task 1) of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) Permian Basin Mitigation Program. As specified in Request for Quotations (RFQ) L09PS00050, this task involves four subtasks: 1) compiling existing excavation data, 2) evaluating synthesis and research potential, 3) updating the BLM Carlsbad Field Office (CFO) geographic information system (GIS), and 4) creating a baseline dataset. This data synthesis task was completed by a team of investigators from both SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) and Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU).
The purpose of this program is to implement a creative, directed program to resolve adverse effects and, in particular, the cumulative and indirect effects of full-field oil and gas development in southeastern New Mexico. It will result in better decisions affecting the management of historic properties in the Permian Basin. High rates of erosion within the sand sheets of the region are compounding human-caused losses of artifacts, site features, and depositional integrity. The program seeks to acquire better knowledge about the prehistory of southeast New Mexico through the systematic application of a standard research design and a uniform field methodology. Information gained will improve the process for making determinations of eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places. Periodic public conferences and popular and technical synthesis will ensure that the public appreciates what the study of cultural resources can say regarding cultural developments in this frontier region (BLM Document NAR080078, page 19).