National Park Service- Creation of Predictive Model using GIS at Dinosaur National Monument

About This Grant

Creation of Predictive Model using GIS for Grazing Allotments and Archaeological Field School in Dinosaur National Monument. This cooperative agreement between Dinosaur National Monument (DNM) and Utah State University (USU) will focus on creating a predictive model using Geographic Information System (GIS) to determine high probability locations for cultural resource sites located within grazing allotments in DNM. USU PI, Judson Finley, and DNM Chief of Resource Stewardship and Science (RSS), Lisa Baldwin, will consult with both the Utah and Colorado State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) on a research design in order to provide consistency across state lines. The predictive model will be used to target areas for survey to be conducted during Archaeological Field Schools over the course of the next 5 years as funding becomes available. This project will provide an opportunity for student youth to be involved in cultural resource management in the National Park Service and provide basic training in techniques used by professional archaeologists. The skills that students will develop completing the scheduled tasks for this project will give them some of the necessary tools to pursue a career in a state or federal land management agency as a cultural resource specialist. Statement of work: A.Statement of work: This cooperative agreement between DNM and USU will focus on the creation of a predictive model to determine high priority locations that may contain cultural resources. Once the predictive model has been created, students, as part of an Archaeological Field School, will conduct a Class III pedestrian survey in grazing allotments. Funding is currently available for fieldwork for summer 2018 and 2019. Additional fieldwork will be conducted under this agreement when funding is available. The objectives of the field school are threefold. First, we seek to educate promising new archaeological students, exposing them to the basic techniques of the discipline and instilling an understanding of Cultural Resource Management on public lands. Second, the field school will collect important information through survey and testing which will be used to further refine the GIS predictive model which will be used in future planning efforts. Last, the field school will provide important information which will be used to inform park visitors and other researchers about the cultural resources located within DNM. B.Project schedule and products: The project schedule will depend on an academic calendar. Final dates for the field school will be determined by the PI and DNM Chief RSS as the field school portion of the project approaches. Products: Shapefiles for GIS high, medium and low probability archaeological site locations; field forms for sites recorded, photographs, maps, and locational data; final report. C.Recipient agrees to: Task 1: Identify Suitable Students PI will identify suitable students for participation in the project and consult with the DNM Chief RSS on final selection. The PI, in connection with DNM Chief RSS will provide an orientation to DNM and an overview of the project itself including necessary training, supervision and review of work products. PI will provide supervision and instruction of field school students. Task 2: Conduct Archival Research Archival research will include DNM s archaeological site and curatorial files to obtain all site locations within DNM for use in GIS predictive modeling. PI will ensure protection of sensitive information from un-necessary distribution. Task 3: Creation of Predictive Modeling for Archaeological Sites within Grazing Allotments USU students will create a predictive model for determining probability of archeological sites within grazing allotments. PI will assist in the consultation with the Utah and Colorado SHPOs on the use of the predictive model and research design. Task 4: Field School USU students will conduct a pedestrian Class III archaeological survey in grazing allotments to field check and refine predictive modeling parameters. The field school will consist of two to three 10-day sessions, depending on availability of funding. 1. Complete IMACS site recording forms, photo documentation, and update/obtain spatial data. Site numbers must be obtained from the Utah SHPO. 2. Produce archaeological site maps showing surface features, artifact concentrations, and major environmental features such as surface relief, outcrops, and vegetation. 3. Analyze representative samples of surface artifacts as needed from archaeological sites located within the boundary of grazing allotments for the purpose of determining dates of site occupation or use, range of activities conducted at the sites and cultural affiliations of the people responsible for site formation. 4. Create GIS shapefiles of project area, archeological sites, features and isolated occurrences with appropriate metadata following NPS guidelines. Submit GIS information as part of final products to DNM for inclusion in archeological geodatabase. Task 5: Final Report USU students will produce a professional quality final report on the creation of the predictive model and the results of the pedestrian survey. The report will summarize the finds of the project and the management implications of the findings and include recommendations of specific actions that might be taken by the NPS to better preserve and manage the cultural resources in the project area. Five bound copies and one digital version (PDF) of the final report will be submitted to DNM. Two complete sets of photos must be submitted (one for the SHPO and one for DNM archives). Include all photos in archival photo sleeve, on acid-free photographic paper with archival quality ink. A photo log must be included. Photos must not be smaller than 3 x 5 . Site data will be entered into the NPS Archaeological Sites Management Information System (ASMIS). DNM will arrange for student(s) to obtain temporary access to ASMIS in order to enter site information. D. NPS agrees to: 1). Assist the PI in the selection of suitable students for this project. The DNM Chief RSS will provide an orientation, in connection with the PI, to DNM and the project. The Chief RSS will oversee all assignments related to this agreement, provide technical assistance, and any necessary training related to the project or DNM. 2). Assist in the development of the predictive model and field school research design. Provide logistical and scheduling support for the project. 3). Provide access to all field forms, records, reports, GIS spatial data etc. located within the DNM site files and archives. A signed non-disclosure form may be required by DNM, prior to being granted access to archives. Coordinate access to information held outside of the monument (i.e. SHPO, BLM, and ASMIS). 4). Conduct consultation with the Utah and Colorado State Historic Preservation Offices related to the use of the predictive model in determining locations of survey in grazing allotments. 5). Provide opportunities to participate in other cultural/environmental programs, field trips, etc. for students involved in this agreement.