N.J. Admin. Code § 7:4-8.5

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 7:4-8.5 - Requirements for archaeological survey reports-standards for report sufficiency

(a) All archaeological survey reports submitted to the Department shall be sufficient to enable the identification, evaluation, and treatment of historic properties in the area of the undertaking's potential impact. The standard for report sufficiency will be met when the report addresses all of the items listed below.

1. Archaeological survey reports shall be produced:

i. With a hard-covered binder suitable for shelving;

ii. As a stand alone document that does not require the reader to obtain any other document or report to interpret and utilize its findings;

iii. On bond paper, including all maps, figures, charts, plates, and tables;

iv. With all figures, plates, charts, and tables incorporated into the report body following the page(s) on which they are discussed;

v. With all photo CD-Rs in pockets, envelopes, or sleeves within the report body;

vi. With all materials adequately durable to allow frequent use without damage;

vii. With no page that is larger than 11 inches by 17 inches; and

viii. With all pages sequentially paginated.

2. Archaeological survey reports shall include the following elements and sections:

i. Title Page, containing information specified in (a)3 below;

ii. Management Summary, containing information specified in (a)4 below;

iii. Table of Contents, identifying all report sections by page number, containing information specified in (a)5 below;

iv. Lists identifying all figures, plates, and tables, containing information specified in (a)5 below;

v. Introduction, containing information specified in (a)9 below;

vi. Background Research, containing information specified in (a)10 below;

vii. Research Design, containing information specified in (a)11 below;

viii. Field and Laboratory Methods, containing information specified in (a)12 below;

ix. Field Results, containing information specified in (a)14 below;

x. Artifact Analysis, containing information specified in (a)19 below;

xi. Interpretations, containing information specified in (a)20 below;

xii. Evaluation of National Register Eligibility, containing information specified in (a)21 and 22 below;

xiii. Assessment of the Impacts of the Undertaking on Historic Properties, containing information specified in (a)26 below;

xiv. Recommendations, containing information specified in (a)27 below;

xv. References Cited, containing information specified in (a)28 below; and

xvi. Appendices, containing information specified in (a)29 below.

3. All reports shall include a title page clearly depicting:

i. The title which shall include the phase of work as well as the location of the property which is the subject of the report (including municipality and county);

ii. The names of the report author(s), including contributors;

iii. The agency, organization or firm preparing the report;

iv. The agency for whom report has been prepared;

v. The project number(s), if applicable;

vi. The contract number(s), if applicable; and

vii. The date of report submission or completion.

4. All reports shall include a management summary that is comprised of a summary of:

i. A description of the undertaking;

ii. The location and acreage of areas of proposed ground disturbance associated with the undertaking;

iii. The regulatory process or funding triggering the Department review of the document, if applicable;

iv. The field methods used in collecting data;

v. The results of the archaeological survey in terms of whether archaeological sites were identified;

vi. The evaluation of National Register eligibility, assessment of impacts to identified archaeological sites, and recommendations for future treatment relative to identified archaeological sites;

vii. Identification of the location(s) where copies of the report are on file; and

viii. Identification of the planned repository for artifacts and records from National Register eligible and potentially National Register eligible sites.

5. All reports shall include a table of contents that is comprised of:

i. All report sections identified by page number;

ii. A list of figures identified by number of the figure and page number;

iii. A list of plates identified by number of the plate and page number; and

iv. A list of tables identified by number of the table and page number.

6. All photographs used in the report shall be:

i. Of sufficient visual quality and clarity to accurately convey the subject matter and to provide a comprehensive record of the findings;

ii. Photographic prints generated from 35 millimeter film or digital images meeting the standards specified at N.J.A.C. 7:4-8.9(a)3;

iii. Reproduced at a minimum print size of 3.5 inches by five inches or larger, as necessary for clarity;

iv. Labeled with captions that identify the photographer, date of exposure, and direction or orientation;

v. Taken of features, excavation units, and trenches and shall include a scale, the orientation of the photograph, and a sign board noting the provenience and subject of the photograph;

vi. Taken of artifacts and shall include a scale; and

vii. Taken of the area of the undertaking's potential impact and archaeological site overview, be labeled with the direction or orientation of the photograph, and keyed to a map.

7. All maps, including reproductions of historic maps, shall include a north arrow, accurate bar scale, delineation of the surveyed area, legend, map title, and the year of publication.

8. Cross section and profile drawings shall include scale, elevation, orientation, soil descriptions, and soil colors classified in accordance with The Munsell Soil Color Book, 2009 Revised Edition, incorporated by reference, as amended and supplemented (available from the Munsell Company at www.forestry-suppliers.com, the New Jersey State Library, Rutgers University Library, and Princeton University Library). Detailed plan view drawings shall be keyed to the site map.

9. Archaeological survey reports shall include an introduction that contains the following:

i. A summary of scope of work, purpose, and goals of the undertaking;

ii. A description of all applicable regulations and permits that are necessary to conduct the undertaking, as known;

iii. Identification of the entity responsible for administration of the undertaking and the contracting agency;

iv. A general description of the survey effort, including location, number of person days spent in the field, survey conditions and/or constraints;

v. The acreage of the areas of proposed ground disturbance associated with the undertaking and, if different, the acreage of the surveyed area;

vi. The surveyed area accurately delineated on a U.S.G.S. 7.5-minute topographic map;

vii. The appropriate county soil survey map, if one exists for the area, with the surveyed area accurately delineated;

viii. The names and roles of all individuals who participated in the survey, analysis and/or reporting; and

ix. The name and location of the curatorial facility for the artifact collections from potentially National Register eligible archaeological sites.

10. Archaeological survey reports shall include the results of background research conducted for the area of the undertaking's potential impact. This section will vary in length and scope depending on level of investigation, but shall relate directly to the undertaking's locality. Background research shall be sufficient to enable an evaluation of National Register eligibility by providing historic contexts for identified sites. For historic sites, background research shall be sufficient to identify associations with significant people and events.

i. Standard repositories and sources shall be consulted as part of conducting background research, and shall be documented in the archaeological survey report with a record of dates of visits, dates of phone calls, summaries of each phone call, and copies of correspondence (if received or sent). The following organizations shall be considered to be standard repositories and/or sources:

(1) The Historic Preservation Office;

(2) The New Jersey State Museum, Bureau of Archaeology and Ethnology;

(3) Local County Cultural and Heritage Commission(s);

(4) Local Certified Local Governments;

(5) Local historic societies;

(6) The Archaeological Society of New Jersey;

(7) Other individuals, agencies, and groups possessing knowledge of the history and prehistory of the area under investigation;

(8) Native American informants both within and outside New Jersey, as appropriate (for example, for Native American sites);

(9) The New Jersey Pinelands Commission, if the undertaking is within the boundaries of the Pinelands National Reserve, as defined by the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978 ( Pub. L. 95-625); and

(10) The Canal Society of New Jersey and other canal-related groups, if the undertaking is in the vicinity of the Morris Canal or the Delaware and Raritan Canal.

ii. The discussion of the results of background research shall include:

(1) A description of the environmental setting of the area of proposed ground disturbance associated with the undertaking, including topography, soils, hydrology, geology, present climate, and current vegetation;

(2) A summary of the paleoenvironment of the area of the proposed ground disturbance associated with the undertaking;

(3) A discussion of the land use history of the site of the undertaking including documented ground disturbances and current conditions;

(4) An overview of the prehistoric and historic culture history of the area of the proposed ground disturbance associated with the undertaking, specific to the surveyed area which provides contexts for research questions, survey methods, site evaluations, and recommendations for further work;

(5) A discussion of known sites, previous investigations, and previous research conducted in the area of the proposed ground disturbance associated with the undertaking;

(6) A discussion of information provided by artifact collectors and Archaeological Society of New Jersey local chapter members;

(7) A discussion of primary documentary research that references historic maps (including all fire insurance maps, such as those created by the Sanborn Company available, for the area for all survey phases) and all deeds and property title transfers for the subject site for all survey phases; and

(8) A discussion of when during the survey various aspects of background research were conducted, and a rationale for any aspects of the background research that were not conducted prior to initiation of the field survey.

11. Archaeological survey reports shall include a description of the research design that formed the basis of the archaeological survey effort. This section will vary depending on the phase, scale, and scope of the investigation. It shall outline the purpose of the investigation, assumptions about the locations and types of cultural resources within the area of the undertaking's potential impact, and the rationale for the methods employed in the investigation. Discussion of the following shall be included:

i. Research objectives and the theoretical context for the archaeological survey;

ii. Specific research problems, objectives, and hypotheses that are being investigated as part of the current survey effort;

iii. All field and laboratory methods that will be employed to investigate research problems, objectives, and hypotheses;

iv. A discussion of the anticipated results of the research; and

v. Anticipated research locations, sources, and materials that will be necessary and useful to facilitate investigation and identify archaeological sites.

12. Archaeological survey reports shall include a description of the field and laboratory methods and procedures employed, including a rationale for using those methods and procedures, a discussion of sources of bias in the methods and procedures employed, and any problems or obstacles encountered during the archaeological survey effort. The discussion shall also include descriptions of:

i. Archaeological materials sorted and discarded both in the field and in the laboratory;

ii. Sampling design employed in the survey and the rationale for using that sampling design, including justification for excluding areas from subsurface testing and, as appropriate, stratification of the survey area into areas of high, medium, low and no potential for the presence of archaeological sites;

iii. The breakdown of the total number and sizes of shovel tests, test excavation units, and trenches excavated during the survey;

iv. Any change(s) that were made during fieldwork from the methods stated in (a)12 above, and the rationale(s) for these change(s); and

v. The definition of "site" used in the survey.

13. Site plans illustrating locations of survey and test excavations shall be included in the discussion of the field and laboratory methods used in the survey. Tests that were planned but excluded from excavation shall not be illustrated on site plans. One site plan/set of site plans shall illustrate both the proposed development and archaeological test locations that fall within archaeological sites or are near existing buildings greater than 50 years in age. Shovel tests, test excavation units, and/or trenches that were planned but excluded from excavation shall not be illustrated on site plans.

14. Archaeological survey reports shall include a description of field results, including:

i. A complete description of all areas investigated, including those where resources were not identified;

ii. The number of shovel tests per acre excavated, exclusive of areas excluded from testing (for example, because of disturbance) for Phase I testing;

iii. A summary of soils and stratigraphy across the area of proposed ground disturbance associated with the undertaking, by location, including areas and types of disturbance including variations in natural stratigraphy encountered in shovel tests and units;

iv. Descriptions of stratigraphy of representative shovel tests discussed with representative illustrations or listings appended in the rear of the report;

v. A discussion of the depth at which tests were terminated and rationale for the termination depths of shovel tests;

vi. A discussion of artifact proveniencing methods used during surface collection;

vii. A detailed description of features in both site descriptions and site registration forms;

viii. A discussion of feature fill treatments (for example, water screening and flotation);

ix. A discussion of any field sorting and disposal of any cultural material recovered during the archaeological survey as well as the rationale for decisions about field sorting and disposal; and

x. A description and illustration, as appropriate, of each identified site including topographic setting, stratigraphy, size, noted structures or features, artifact types, an estimate of artifact density, and disturbances.

15. The locations of all archaeological sites identified during the survey shall be marked on U.S.G.S. 7.5-minute topographic survey map(s).

16. All references to archaeological sites in the text, figure captions, and table titles in the report shall include Smithsonian (SITS) numbers.

17. New Jersey State Museum site registration forms with SITS numbers shall be appended to the report for all sites, both newly recorded and revisited, investigated in the survey.

18. Archaeological survey reports shall include maps, figures, and photographs of test locations and proveniences, including those for shovel tests, features, soil profiles, and disturbances, as appropriate to illustrate the presentation of results and recommendations.

19. Archaeological survey reports shall include a section on artifact analysis that provides descriptions of artifacts identified during the survey, the results of analysis of those artifacts, and the definitions of artifact classes and attributes referenced in the analysis. The artifact analysis section shall also include:

i. Photographs and/or drawings of diagnostic and representative artifacts meeting the standards specified at N.J.A.C. 7:4-8.9(a)3, including a scale;

ii. A complete inventory of artifacts by provenience and class included as an appendix;

iii. Tables and/or other summary presentations of artifact classes and data represented by recovered data;

iv. The name and location of the repository for the artifact collection, copies of all survey records and files, and reference to the draft deed of gift form, if applicable (with the draft deed of gift form appended);

v. The standards used for artifact processing and collection treatment (such as, in accordance with the New Jersey State Museum's standards and guidelines); and

vi. A discussion of how the proposed curation facility meets the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Curation, 36 CFR 79, if the planned curatorial repository is not the New Jersey State Museum, including discussion of the following:

(1) Adequate climate control;

(2) Security from theft, vandalism, fire, flood and other natural and human threats;

(3) Access for research; and

(4) A mission compatible with retention, care, and interpretation of collections.

20. Archaeological survey reports shall include a section on the interpretation of the results of the survey that includes:

i. A discussion of the results in terms of the background cultural context, research design, goals, and research problems with reference to the historic contexts;

ii. A discussion of the constraints and the reliability and/or appropriateness of the methods used in the survey; and

iii. Recommendations for additional research and/or methods of investigation in light of the results of the current work.

21. Archaeological survey reports shall include an evaluation of the National Register eligibility of all sites identified during the survey.

22. Phase I reports shall address potential National Register eligibility.

23. Documentation shall be sufficient to allow independent evaluations of New Jersey Register and National Register eligibility of identified properties. This shall include sufficient documentation to evaluate significance using all appropriate National Register Criteria and Criteria Considerations at 36 CFR 60.4, incorporated by reference, as amended and supplemented.

24. Reports shall contain complete information and evaluations on both horizontal and vertical extent of evaluated sites, if applicable.

25. Recommendations that a site is not National Register eligible shall be fully documented in accordance with the National Register Bulletin 36, Guidelines for Evaluating and Registering Archeological Properties, incorporated by reference and as amended by the National Park Service, available from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service at http://www.nps.gov/nr//publications/bulletins/arch/index.htm. The eligibility of each site shall be assessed for listing in the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places, using all appropriate National Register Criteria and Criteria Considerations at 36 CFR 60.4. The factors considered in making the assessment shall be fully described in accordance with National Register Bulletin 36, Guidelines for Evaluating and Registering Archeological Properties, incorporated by reference and as amended by the National Park Service, available from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service at http://www.nps.gov/nr//publications/bulletins/arch/index.htm.

26. Archaeological survey reports shall identify and describe both direct and indirect impacts of the undertaking on each site identified, including depictions of identified sites on project maps. The known or estimated site limits shall be described and illustrated in relation to the boundaries of the area of proposed ground disturbance associated with the undertaking, including all potential project related impacts.

27. Archaeological survey reports shall include appropriate recommendations for each site, including, for example, no further work, additional investigations, data recovery, avoidance, and mitigation as well as specific tools, methods, and analyses recommended for achieving these goals. Other specific recommendations may also be appropriate, including, for example, special analysis that should be undertaken if there is additional work at the site.

28. Archaeological survey reports shall contain a sources/references cited section in American Antiquity format, as published in the SAA Journal Style Guide, incorporated by reference, as amended and supplemented, published by the Society for American Archaeology, available from the Society for American Archeology at 1111 14th Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005-5622 or on their website at http://www.saa.org/AbouttheSociety/Publications/StyleGuide/tabid/984/Default.aspx. The sources/references section shall include:

i. References cited and consulted in the preparation of the report;

ii. Maps;

iii. Archival documentation;

iv. All personal communications and sources of information from State, county, and local organizations and informants, including oral histories; and

v. All correspondence relating to the proposed undertaking.

29. Archaeological survey reports shall contain appendices consisting of:

i. Qualifications of principal investigator, field director, and laboratory supervisor, if applicable, including vitae of principal investigators appended, if not previously submitted to the Historic Preservation Office specifically demonstrating that the principal investigator meets the relevant National Park Service Professional Qualifications Standards for archaeology as published in the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation, as referenced in N.J.A.C. 7:4-7.4(b)1;

ii. The scope-of-work and/or technical proposal for the archaeological survey;

iii. Representative soils logs;

iv. The artifact inventory, organized by provenience;

v. Any specialized artifact analyses and deed research that were conducted as part of the survey and reporting;

vi. New Jersey State Museum site registration forms for all recorded sites, and site form updates for revisited sites; and

vii. Supporting documents, including pertinent correspondence about the undertaking.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:4-8.5

New Rule, R.2008 d.261, effective 9/2/2008.
See: 40 N.J.R. 1428(a), 40 N.J.R. 4945(b).
Notice of readoption with technical change.
See: 47 N.J.R. 1947(a).
Administrative change.
See: 47 N.J.R. 2292(a).