Cultural Survey and Site Protection The work consists of cultural survey on the Homochitto National Forest.

2022 Additional First Thin Timber Sales Cultural Survey and Site Protection Work in Franklin and Wilkinson County on the Homochitto National Forest Project Description: A cultural resource survey and site protection in support of Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Treatment on the Homochitto National Forest. This timber project is located in Franklin and Wilkinson County Mississippi on the Homochitto National Forest at Township 6 North, Range 2 East, Sections 34, 42-43, and 45; Township 5 North, Range 2 East, Sections 15, 15, 18, and 21-23; Township 5 North, Range 1 East, Sections 19, 22, and 37; Township 4 North, Range 1 West, Section 31. The total acreage of this project is 279.59 (All lacking adequate previous survey). Task: This task includes surveying timber sale areas on the Homochitto National Forest that lack adequate previous survey and painting (and, where necessary, adequately delineating) previously recorded sites. Item 1. Complete cultural resources survey totaling 279.59 acres in timber sale blocks on the Homochitto National Forest (see Attachment 1 for location maps). Shapefiles for these areas will be provided. The District Archaeologist will complete, and provide the results of, the relevant pre-field work (reviewing District files, checking MDAH database, and reviewing historic maps) that is related to determining the survey areas and the previously recorded sites needing protection. The results of this pre-field work are reflected in the shape files provided. This task encompasses all of the fieldwork (including maintaining GPS data, photographs, notes, and records). The survey will follow standard procedures on the Homochitto National Forest, with transects spaced at 30-meter intervals and shovel testing at 30-meter intervals, except in areas of standing water or on slopes greater than 15%. For slopes greater than 15%, judgmental shovel tests may be dug. (Note that topographic maps showing the Homochitto National Forest can provide a misleading sense of the topography, as it tends to be more dissected than the maps indicate.) Locations of all survey points including dug shovel tests are to be GPS'd (see attached Shovel Test Requirements for GIS Reporting). All soil must be screened through - inch hardware cloth wire. All newly recorded site boundaries must be painted with white tracer paint provided by the Forest Service. Within the boundaries of newly recorded sites, once the sites have been fully delineated and the boundaries have been GPS'd and painted, the flags marking the shovel tests within the site boundary must be removed. Item 2. Paint and delineate 3 previously recorded sites for avoidance with white tracer paint provided by the Forest Service (see Attachment 2 for maps). The District Archaeologist will complete, and provide the results of, all relevant pre-field work (reviewing District files, checking MDAH database, and reviewing historic maps) and provide copies of the relevant site cards. Shapefiles will also be provided. Sites that require painting and further delineation: 22 Fr 563, 22 Fr 564, and 22 Fr 756. Previously recorded sites will be relocated by using a combination of provided GIS shape files, UTM coordinates, site card information, and professional judgement. Sites will be painted using white tracer paint (provided by the Forest Service) to be placed on trees. The boundary trees are to be painted with a ring with a dot above and below the ring and with a dot at the base of the tree. The dots will be placed facing away from the site. Site delineation will be completed for the sites that cannot be confirmed to have adequate delineation, as indicated in Attachment 2. Within the boundaries of the delineated sites, once the sites have been fully delineated and the boundaries have been GPS'd and painted, the flags marking the shovel tests within the site boundary must be removed. Timeframe: All fieldwork must be completed, and deliverables turned in by November 15, 2021.