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Archaeological commission approves discovery-clause approach for Mendocino Forest Products site
Summary
The Archaeological Commission accepted a negative survey and declined to require a current field study for Mendocino Forest Products' use permit (U20240007), adding a discovery clause; tribal representatives voiced concerns about past mill-site contamination and ongoing groundwater monitoring.
The Mendocino County Archaeological Commission voted Sept. 10 not to require an immediate archaeological field survey for U20240007, an industrial-use permit for Mendocino Forest Products, but added the standard discovery clause that requires archaeological work if unanticipated cultural materials are uncovered during future ground disturbance.
Amy Winn, agent for the applicant, told the commission the site has a lengthy industrial history as a mill and that most of the structures and disturbances date to mid-20th-century operations. Winn asked the commission to use the discovery clause because the current proposal is primarily for material and equipment storage and involves no planned excavation.
“...we respectfully request today that we utilize the discovery clause for this project,” Winn said, adding that previous mill operations have already heavily disturbed much of the property.
Staff planners and the Northwest Information Center noted the project parcels include drainages and are less than a mile from the coast; NWIC recommended a field study because there is moderate potential for unrecorded Native American resources nearby. Commissioners weighed that referral against evidence of past, extensive mill disturbance and protections already in place for riparian areas and ESHA buffers.
Valerie Stanley, representing Sherwood Pomo/Territorial interests, urged caution about historic contamination from mill operations and asked for information about ongoing testing and monitoring. “I would hate to see as people are looking to move further on this to be stirring up things that we may all breathe,” Stanley said; agents and staff replied that groundwater monitoring and cleanup actions have been undertaken and that monitoring wells remain in place.
After discussion, the commission voted unanimously to accept the survey as presented and to add the discovery clause; the motion explicitly noted that the commission could require a survey in the future if plans shift to activities causing ground disturbance. Commissioner Bill Cole recused from later unrelated votes on a separate item where a conflict existed but participated in this decision.
The commission’s action applies to parcels at 32600 Holquist Lane (parcels 01726133, 34 and 35) and covers requests including after-the-fact approvals for a fire suppression training facility, removal of an unpermitted mobile office, removal of asphalt grindings, and storage of equipment and materials. Staff said any future ground-disturbing activity will trigger Coastal Development Permit review and likely return to the commission for archaeological referral.
