N.J. Admin. Code § 7:4-8.7

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

Section 7:4-8.7 - Standards for combined archaeological and architectural survey reports

(a) Where a proposed undertaking potentially impacts archaeological and architectural resources, a combined archaeological and architectural survey may be prepared. All combined archaeological and architectural survey reports submitted to the Department shall be sufficient to enable the identification, evaluation, and appropriate treatment of historic properties in the area of the potential impacts of a proposed undertaking. The standard for report sufficiency shall be met when the report addresses all of the items listed below.

1. Combined archaeological and architectural survey reports shall be produced:

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

ii. As a stand alone document separate from other documents or reports;

iii. On bond paper for all pages;

iv. With all citations following the format established in the Chicago Manual of Style, 14th Edition, incorporated by reference as amended and supplemented, as referenced in 7:4-8.6(a)1 iv;

v. With citations given as footnotes rather than as endnotes or parenthetical references;

vi. With all references to archaeological sites annotated with the Smithsonian number;

vii. With all graphics bound (and/or in pockets, envelopes, or sleeves) within the report body;

viii. With all photo/text CD-Rs labeled and in pockets, envelopes, or sleeves within the report body;

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

x. With no page that is larger than 11 inches by 17 inches in size; and

xi. With all pages sequentially paginated.

2. Combined archaeological and architectural 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;

iv. Lists identifying all figures, plates, and tables by page number, containing information specified in 5 below;

v. Introduction, containing information specified in (a)6 below;

vi. Research Design, containing information specified in (a)7 below;

vii. Setting, containing information specified in (a)8 below;

viii. Historical Overview, containing information specified in (a)9 below;

ix. Field Results, containing information specified in (a)10 below;

x. Artifact Analysis, containing information specified in (a)11 below;

xi. Evaluation of the National Register eligibility of historic properties, containing information specified in (a)12 below;

xii. Assessment of the impacts of the undertaking on historic properties, containing information specified in (a)13 below;

xiii. Data Summary, containing information specified in (a)14 below;

xiv. Bibliography, containing information specified in (a)15 below; and

xv. Appendices, containing information specified in (a)16 below.

3. Combined archaeological and architectural survey reports shall include a title page clearly depicting:

i. The report title, including the archaeological phase of work, architectural survey level, county(s) and municipality(s);

ii. The author(s), including contributors;

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

iv. The agency and/or client for whom the report has been prepared;

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

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

vii. The date of report submission or completion.

4. Combined archaeological and architectural survey reports shall include a management summary of not more than two pages in length that includes:

i. The report title;

ii. A description of the undertaking;

iii. A description of the area of the undertaking's potential impacts;

iv. The location of the area of the undertaking's potential impacts including county(s) and municipality(s);

v. The approximate size of the area of the undertaking's potential impacts in square miles or acreage;

vi. A description of the boundaries of the subject study area;

vii. The title(s) of the 7.5-minute USGS Topographic Quadrangle(s) that corresponds to the location of the area of the undertaking's potential impacts;

viii. The name of the review authority(s), if applicable;

ix. A summary of the survey effort that includes a description of field methods used, the number of properties surveyed, the number of properties previously identified as eligible, the number of properties recommended as eligible, an assessment of effect of the project on properties identified by the survey, and recommendations for the treatment of historic properties, if applicable;

x. The location(s) where copies of the report are on file; and

xi. The planned repository(s) for artifacts and records from National Register eligible and potentially National Register eligible archaeological sites.

5. Combined archaeological and architectural survey reports shall include Lists identifying all Figures, Plates, and Tables by page number and formatted as follows:

i. All graphic titles include the graphic type (figure, plate, or table) and a sequential number within that type in accordance with The Chicago Manual of Style, 14th Edition, incorporated by reference, as amended and supplemented, as referenced in 7:4-8.6(a)1 iv; and

ii. All graphic titles related to archaeological sites shall include the corresponding Smithsonian number.

6. Combined archaeological and architectural survey reports shall include an introduction that contains the following:

i. A statement of the purpose and goals of the undertaking;

ii. A list of all applicable regulations and permit requirements, as known;

iii. A description of the administration of the undertaking and contracting agency including specific representatives;

iv. A general description of the survey effort, including the undertaking location, approximate number of person days spent in the field, environmental conditions and constraints, acreage of the area of ground disturbance and, if different, the acreage of the archaeological survey area;

v. A project base map depicting the boundaries of the survey area, the location and boundaries of all surveyed properties, and the limits of constructive activity, including access routes, staging areas, and delineated lay down areas;

vi. A county soil survey map with the archaeological survey area delineated; and

vii. A section of the 7.5-minute USGS Topographic Quadrangle(s) reproduced to scale on which the project is located with archaeological survey area delineated identifying the titles of the quadrangles on which the project site is located.

7. Combined archaeological and architectural survey reports shall include a summary of the research design that contains the following:

i. A statement of objectives;

ii. A list of research locations where information relevant to the project is expected to exist, which may include:

(1) The Historic Preservation Office;

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

(3) County Cultural and Heritage Commissions;

(4) Certified Local Governments;

(5) Local historic preservation commissions;

(6) Local historical societies;

(7) Members of the Archaeological Society of New Jersey;

(8) Native American informants both within and outside of New Jersey, if applicable;

(9) The New Jersey Pinelands Commission, if applicable;

(10) The New Jersey Highlands Council, if applicable;

(11) The Canal Society of New Jersey and other related canal groups, if applicable; and

(12) Other individuals, agencies, and groups possessing knowledge of the history and prehistory of the study area.

iii. A list of research materials that are expected to be used in background research including:

(1) Historic maps;

(2) Historic plates;

(3) Census returns (population, agricultural, and/or industrial);

(4) Oral histories;

(5) Building permits;

(6) Blueprints;

(7) Title abstracts;

(8) Local directories/gazetteers;

(9) Insurance records;

(10) Newspapers;

(11) Deeds and wills;

(12) Property tax records;

(13) Road survey data;

(14) Building contracts;

(15) Documentation generated as part of the National Park Service's Heritage Documentation Programs (Historic American Building Survey, Historic American Engineering Record, or Historic American Landscape Survey) a substantial portion of which is available through the Library of Congress online at http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/collections/habs_haer/;

(16) Ethnographies;

(17) Cemetery records;

(18) Commercial histories;

(19) Court documents;

(20) Estate records;

(21) Military records;

(22) Photographs and postcards;

(23) Incorporation records; and

(24) Published histories;

iv. A description of the field research and evaluation methods including:

(1) A definition of the term "site" as used in an archaeological context in the report;

(2) A description of the methods used to determine the area of potential effects (APE), including consideration of indirect impacts such as vibration or a change in setting, and including references to consultation between a Federal agency and the Historic Preservation Office in determining the APE when such consultation has occurred;

(3) A summary of when various aspects of background research were conducted during the overall survey, including references to the repositories listed at (g)2 above and to the sources listed at (g)3 above, and a rationale for any aspects of the background research that were not conducted prior to initiation of field survey;

(4) A detailed description of field methods including changes made over the project duration and the rationale for any changes made;

(5) A description of evaluation methods;

(6) A description of laboratory methods; and

(7) A discussion of 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, and including: the number, excluding unexcavated tests, and dimension of all shovel tests, test excavation units, and trenches; site plans illustrating locations of all excavated subsurface tests; and illustration(s) of excavated subsurface test locations in relationship to proposed constructive activity.

(8) The criteria used to determine significance;

(9) The criteria used to determine effect;

(10) The estimated percentage of total project area investigated; and

(11) A discussion of any specific problems or biases encountered during research; and

v. A discussion of expected results, including the kind, number, character, and condition of property types that may exist in the project area based on background research.

8. Combined archaeological and architectural survey reports shall include a description of the setting of the area of the undertaking's potential impacts including:

i. A description of urban, rural, or suburban character of the area of the undertaking's potential impacts;

ii. A description of the surrounding natural environment including:

(1) Topography;

(2) Soils;

(3) Hydrology;

(4) Geology;

(5) Present climate;

(6) Current vegetation; and

(7) Paleoenvironment;

iii. A description of the surrounding built environment including: properties designated as National Historic Landmarks; properties listed in the New Jersey and/or National Registers of Historic Places; properties previously recommended as eligible for listing in the New Jersey and/or National Registers of Historic Places; Archaeological sites registered with the New Jersey State Museum; Locally designated historic properties; and the presence or absence of surveyed properties in prior survey efforts including prior recommendations regarding significance and potential eligibility, as applicable; and

iv. A brief architectural analysis of the area including a discussion of integrity, physical condition, and layout.

9. Combined archaeological and architectural survey reports shall include a historical overview of the area of the undertaking's potential impacts including:

i. A background history of the area of the undertaking's potential impacts and its surroundings that incorporates the New Jersey historic contexts on file at the Historic Preservation Office and addresses the development of modes of transportation and their systems, the development and roles of community and economic institutions, any ethnic customs and neighborhoods, and prominent local personalities, and which:

(1) Supplements existing New Jersey historic contexts with subsequent scholarly references in order to adequately and completely frame research design, methodology, and site evaluation in accordance with National Register Criterion D, 36 CFR 60.4(d), incorporated by reference, as amended and supplemented; and

(2) Supplements existing New Jersey historic contexts with standard professional and other references; and

ii. A narrative history specific to the area of the undertaking's potential impacts and the historic properties it contains.

10. Combined archaeological and architectural survey reports shall include a discussion of field results including:

i. Relevant architectural survey forms with all applicable fields completed. The architectural survey forms are incorporated herein by reference as chapter Appendix 2;

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

iii. A calculation to indicate the number of shovel tests per acre excavated, excluding areas excluded from testing (for example, because of disturbance) for Phase I testing;

iv. A summary of soils and stratigraphy, across the project site, by location, including areas and types of disturbance including variations in natural stratigraphy encountered in shovel tests and units;

v. Descriptions of the stratigraphy of representative shovel tests discussed with representative illustrations or listings appended to the report;

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

vii. A discussion of artifact proveniencing methods employed during surface collection;

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

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

x. A discussion of any field sorting and disposal of cultural material recovered during the archaeological survey and rationale for these decisions;

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

xii. Locations of all archaeological sites delineated on a section of the U.S.G.S. 7.5-minute Topographic Quadrangle(s) reproduced to scale;

xiii. Maps, figures, and plates of test locations and proveniences (including those for all shovel tests, features, soil profiles, and disturbances, as appropriate), to illustrate the presentation of results and recommendations; and

xiv. Survey reports must contain a detailed site map clearly annotating the location of potential or identified resources, test locations and locator information (for example, roads, streams, structures).

11. Combined archaeological and architectural survey reports shall include an archaeological 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, and shall also include:

i. Photographs and/or drawings of diagnostic and representative artifacts meeting the standards specified at 7:4-8.3(d)5, and including a scale;

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

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 artifact collection, copies of all project records and files, and reference to the draft deed of gift form, if applicable (with the draft deed of gift form appended);

v. 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;

12. Combined archaeological and architectural survey reports shall include an evaluation of the New Jersey and National Register eligibility of all archaeological sites identified during the survey. This section will vary in length depending on the phase of survey and results of investigation and shall include:

i. For Phase I reports, a discussion of the potential New Jersey and National Register eligibility of all archaeological sites identified during the survey;

ii. Documentation sufficient to allow for independent evaluations of New Jersey and National Register eligibility, including sufficient documentation to evaluate significance using all appropriate National Register Criteria and Criteria Considerations, 36 CFR 60.4, incorporated by reference, as amended and supplemented, if applicable;

iii. Information and evaluations on both horizontal and vertical extents of evaluated sites, if applicable; and

iv. For all phase reports, documentation of a recommendation that a site is not eligible for the New Jersey and National Register eligible including:

(1) An evaluation of the site in terms of known information and research potential, within the context of current broad questions in anthropological and historical theory;

(2) An assessment of eligibility using the National Register Criteria and Criteria Considerations for Evaluation at 36 CFR 60.4, incorporated by reference, as amended and supplemented. The factors considered in making the assessment shall be fully described. The eligibility of each property shall be evaluated within an historic context framework. Specific information potential shall be identified.

13. Combined archaeological and architectural survey reports shall include a discussion of the undertaking's potential impacts on historic properties, including:

i. A discussion of evaluated alternatives to the proposed undertaking;

ii. A description of both direct and indirect impacts of the undertaking on each historic property identified, including:

(1) Depictions of identified properties on project maps/plans (if available);

(2) Known or estimated historic property boundaries shall be described and illustrated in relation to the boundaries of ground disturbance and other potential project-related impacts;

iii. An impact assessment for preferred alternative;

iv. Appropriate recommendations for each archaeological site, including no further work, additional investigations, data recovery, and/or avoidance, and, specific tools, methods, and analyses recommended to achieve these goals; and

v. A discussion of mitigation options, as applicable.

14. Combined archaeological and architectural reports shall include a summary of data recovered from the survey effort that includes:

i. A list of all surveyed properties including: property name, property address, eligibility recommendation, and effect recommendation;

ii. An interpretation of archaeological survey results that addresses:

(1) A discussion of results in terms of background cultural context, research design, goals, and research problems;

(2) A discussion of constraints and reliability/appropriateness of methods; and

(3) Recommendations for additional research and/or methods of investigation in light of the results of the reported work.

15. Combined archaeological and architectural reports shall include a bibliography for all research materials consulted and references cited, including all maps, archival documentation, interviews, pertinent correspondence and all personal communications and sources of information from State, county and local organizations and informants including oral histories. Bibliographic entries shall reference repositories or source locations.

16. Combined archaeological and architectural reports shall include the following as appendices, as applicable:

i. The request for proposal (RFP) or scope of work statement for the survey effort;

ii. Supporting documents including pertinent project correspondence;

iii. The author(s) and contributors vitae/resume;

iv. Information on local designation ordinances and authority;

v. Representative soil logs;

vi. The archaeological artifact inventory, organized by provenience;

vii. Specialized analyses and deed research that were conducted as part of the survey and reporting, if applicable;

viii. New Jersey State Museum archaeological site registration forms for all recorded archaeological sites, and New Jersey State Museum archaeological site registration form updates for all revisited archaeological sites. The New Jersey State Museum registration forms are available from the New Jersey State Museum at 205 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08625-0530 or on the Historic Preservation Office's website at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/hpo/1identify/njsm_siteform.pdf or at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/hpo/1identify/njsm_siteform.doc; and

ix. All relevant completed architectural survey forms.

17. All figures, plates, and tables included in the combined archaeological and architectural survey report shall be incorporated into the body of the report on or immediately following the page(s) on which they are discussed.

18. All plates included in the combined archaeological and architectural survey report shall be:

i. Reproduced with sufficient visual quality and clarity to accurately convey the subject and to convey a comprehensive record of the findings;

ii. Photographic prints generated from 35 millimeter film, or, if submitted in digital form, shall conform to the standards for digital images specified at 7:4-8.9(a)3;

iii. Reproduced with a minimum print size of 3.5 inches by five inches; and

iv. Labeled with captions that identify the name of the subject, location, name of photographer, date of exposure, and camera orientation.

19. All maps included in a combined archaeological and architectural survey report shall include:

i. A bar scale;

ii. A north arrow;

iii. A legend;

iv. A title;

v. The year of publication; and

vi. A delineation of the area of the undertaking's potential impacts as applicable and possible.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:4-8.7

New Rule, R.2008 d.261, effective 9/2/2008.
See: 40 N.J.R. 1428(a), 40 N.J.R. 4945(b).