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A cultural resources inventory study was conducted for the National Weather Service (NWS) Upper Air Facility (UAF) at San Diego in San Diego County, California. The UAF is located on property leased to the NWS by Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Miramar. In summary, the NWS proposes to upgrade the existing UAF to repair wear and tear and to install technology that will improve the quality and accuracy of the data supplied by weather balloons. The proposed action would consist of internal improvements to existing structures and installation of new underground utility lines; no new towers, buildings, or additions to existing buildings would be constructed. For this project, the Area of Potential Effects (APE) has been identified as a 600 by 600-foot area encompassing the UAF and surrounding area. The scope of work for this investigation included a complete records search for the project prepared by the South Coastal Information Center (SCIC) at San Diego State University, a field inspection of the APE, and a report that documented the results of the investigation. A reconnaissance-level survey of the UAF APE, conducted on November 6, 2001, failed to reveal any type of prehistoric artifacts or features; scientifically important early historic materials or features were similarly absent. The only cultural material noted within the APE consisted of relatively modern trash deposits that had been transported to the area and dumped as well as a light amount of wind-blown paper and plastic debris. While the Inflation Building has a unique look because of the dome on top of the structure, the building was developed at this location in 1989 and is not considered historic. Likewise, the two 1957 trailers within the APE are not considered historically important. Since this investigation failed to reveal the presence of any prehistoric or historic resources within the APE, this particular area of San Diego County is not considered to be a historic property or eligible to be included in the National Register of Historic Places. Therefore, the proposed improvements to the UAF will not have an adverse effect to any known cultural resources. Due to previous grading of the land within the APE, future discovery of buried or otherwise hidden archaeological resources are not anticipated at this time. Additionally, the proposed improvement work within the APE will not have an adverse effect on site P-37-013814, the nearest recorded site. |
