Santa Fe ARC approves two archaeologist listings, clears two PNM monitoring plans with trenching condition

The Santa Fe Archaeological Review Committee (ARC) approved two individual listings and cleared two monitoring reports and plans for Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) at its meeting, taking voice votes on each action and adding a condition that any trenching be fully documented.

The approvals will allow the newly listed individuals to be used on projects that require qualified archaeologists in the city’s River and Trail, suburban and downtown archaeological districts. The committee also accepted a retrospective monitoring report and a proposed monitoring plan from PNM’s contractors, adding a stipulation that any switch from boring to trenching must be profiled and recorded in the field record.

Why it matters: Listings place qualified individuals on the city’s approved roster for municipal projects and private contractors working inside historic archaeological districts. Approval of monitoring reports and plans governs how subsurface utility work is recorded near sensitive resources; the committee’s added condition is intended to ensure that unplanned trenching does not go undocumented.

The actions taken

- Case 20259905 — Listing: The committee approved listing Chelsea Winter on the city’s roster for the River and Trail and suburban archaeological districts. Committee members questioned the applicant about supervisory experience, state permitting and whether the applicant appeared on professional directories. The applicant described her field and laboratory experience and said she “currently work[s] for … Southeast search archeological research” and that she had previously held a permit and led projects in the region.

- Case 20259942 — Listing: The committee approved Paul Duran to be listed as an archaeologist and historian for the North Downtown, River, Trails and suburban districts. Duran told the committee the city is trying to bolster in‑house archaeological capacity and said, “we are taking on the responsibility of being more accountable for our own archaeological sites within the city, and doing that in as best and thoughtful manner as possible.” He described prior work in the City of Santa Fe Water Division, monitoring and reporting on water‑line projects, and said the city will still rely on the Office of Archaeological Studies (OAS) and outside contractors for large or inadvertent discoveries.

- Case 20259898 — Monitoring report (PNM / 207 Old Santa Fe Trail): The committee approved a monitoring report prepared after the installation of about 247 feet of subsurface electrical line at 207 Old Santa Fe Trail in the Historic Downtown Archaeological District. Committee discussion noted that the field crew and contractor deviated from the alignment shown in plans and that better in‑field communication and monitor training were agreed to going forward; staff and PNM’s cultural liaison had been surprised by the field alignment. The committee’s motion to accept the report passed by voice vote.

- Case 20259901 — Monitoring plan (PNM / 1018 Sierra Del Norte): The committee conditionally approved a monitoring plan for installation of roughly 2,660 feet of subsurface electrical lines on Sierra Del Norte. A committee member moved to approve the plan with a stipulation that, should trenching become necessary rather than boring, trenches be documented and profiled using standard archaeological methodology; the motion passed by voice vote.

Discussion highlights and context

Committee members pressed applicants for specifics about supervisory months and Southwest experience when reviewing professional qualifications. In reviewing PNM work downtown, staff and consultants acknowledged that some field judgments on the original project “moved too fast” in the field and that additional photos and profiles would have been useful for context. The committee and PNM staff agreed to additional training for project monitors so that monitors will notify PNM and city staff immediately if a field change requires pausing work and re‑coordinating.

On in‑house capacity, Paul Duran explained the city’s intent to reduce reliance on outside contractors for small, routine projects and to streamline monitoring and reporting across water, parks and rec, and other departments; he said the city will still contract out for larger or emergency discoveries and will continue to coordinate with OAS.

Votes at a glance

- 20259905 — Chelsea Winter: Approved (voice vote; mover/second not specified). Note: transcript records a voice vote and “motion prevailed.” - 20259942 — Paul Duran: Approved (voice vote; mover/second not specified). Note: transcript records mover/second and “motion passes.” - 20259898 — TRC/PNM report, 207 Old Santa Fe Trail (≈247 ft): Approved (voice vote). Notes in committee record raise field alignment deviations and commit to monitor training. - 20259901 — Chronicle of Heritage / PNM monitoring plan, 1018 Sierra Del Norte (≈2,660 ft): Approved with condition (voice vote). Condition requires documentation and profiling if trenching is used instead of boring.

What the committee asked staff to follow up on

Committee members asked staff to verify final ACPI/HCPI form boundaries and to confirm whether photos and profile photos referenced in reports are available for the record. Staff said they will coordinate with PNM, PNM’s cultural liaison (Shelby McGee), and consultants to ensure monitor training and clearer in‑field notification procedures.

Administrative items

Staff announced the 2025 Santa Fe Preservation Heritage Awards on May 15 at San Miguel Chapel and scheduled a special ARC meeting for April 10 to review Phase 1 of city code updates related to archaeological procedures and to finalize award nominations.

Ending

The committee emphasized that routine in‑house monitoring combined with clearer field protocols and monitor training should reduce unplanned impacts to archaeological resources, but staff reiterated that the city will continue to call on OAS and external firms for larger discoveries or where additional lab capacity is required.