Ancient Landforms and Archaeological Potential off the Washington Coast
Project ID: M22AC00016
Federal Agency: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Partner Institution: Oregon State University Fiscal Year: 2022
Initial Funding: $550,000
Total Funding: $550,000
Principal Investigator: Davis, Loren Agreement Technical Representative: Ball, Dave Agreement Technical Representative: Moore, Jimmy
Abstract:
Problem: Oral histories from Native American Tribes along the U.S. West Coast tell of places that once existed beyond the current coastline. Now submerged by rising post-glacial sea levels, evidence of these places may remain as submerged cultural landforms within the seafloor of the continental shelf. Offshore energy development and marine mineral extraction have the potential to impact these significant cultural resources.
Intervention: This study will build on similar efforts to more fully understand inundation processes along the U.S. West Coast by synthesizing geological, geophysical, and environmental data from offshore Washington and integrate that information with Tribal oral histories and traditional knowledge to further refine the model for identifying intact submerged landform potential off the Pacific Coast.
Comparison: Results from this study will be compared with a soon-to-be-completed study offshore central Oregon and southern California (BOEM 2021). This type of work has never been undertaken in this area and will fill critical data gaps in our current model. This effort will also provide essential information on the effects of climate change and sea level rise through time.
Outcome: This effort will further improve identification of submerged paleolandforms and provide a model for consultation and incorporation of traditional Tribal knowledge to better describe the affected environment, analyze potential effects, and develop mitigation measures in support of NEPA and NHPA consultations.
Context: Fieldwork for this study will occur offshore Washington; however, the study will be applicable to the entire Pacific OCS Region, except Hawaii. Findings could also have applicability across all BOEM regions and programs.