Archaeological Clearance Survey for Proposed Boundary Fencing at Sonoita Creek Natural Area Park, Santa Cruz County, Arizona

This report presents the results of a Class III archaeological survey at Sonoita Creek State Natural Area Park, Santa Cruz County, Arizona. The survey was conducted to obtain cultural resources clearance for the installation of boundary fencing on the western side of the park. The area surveyed is on land owned by the Arizona State Parks Board (ASPB), which borders private land. Proposed fencing will extend approximately 5.7 miles across the circuitous western park boundary. Four-strand barbed and smooth wire fencing will prevent cattle and off-highway vehicles from entering and impacting the protected natural area. The northern and eastern boundaries of the park are already fenced, and the southern boundary is Sonoita Creek. At present, there are no plans to fence the Sonoita Creek portion of the park.

Survey was conducted on two occasions: January 27, and February 22 through 24, 1994. Approximately 10 person days were expended in the survey effort. All survey was completed by Arizona State Parks (ASP) staff. On January 27, the crew consisted of ASP's Historic Resources Manager/ Archaeologist, Laurene Montero, and Museum Curator, Michael Freisinger, authorized under Arizona State Museum Non-Collection Survey Permit 94-25. On February 22 through 24, Mr. Freisinger completed the survey with Elaine Averitt, Acting Natural Areas Planner, ASP Resource Stewardship Section. Ms. Averitt assisted with obtaining permission to access via private land, locating survey markers, and identifying local vegetation.

Survey resulted in the location of two archaeological sites: AZ EE:9:156 (ASM), a rockshelter/pictograph site, and AZ EE:9:157 (ASM), a chipped stone artifact scatter. Both were described and photographed, and their information recorded on Arizona State Museum site cards. Whereas the chipped stone scatter was mapped, photographs were taken and a sketch was made of the pictographs.