SETTING

San Diego County has a long cultural history. It is generally accepted that the area has been occupied for at least 10,000 to 12,000 years, though some human skeletal material from the region has been dated to as much as 48,000 years before the present.

The entry of Spanish missionaries into the coastal region in 1769 in part brought about the end of the Native Americans’ way of life in the San Diego area. Several missions were established in the coastal area in the last three decades of the 18th century. Although these lasted only about 50 years, they formed the nuclei of settlements which grew up along the coast in the 19th century.

In light of known ethnography, prehistory, and archaeology, the entire coastal area is archaeologically highly sensitive. The area is rich in food resources (e.g., shellfish, acorns), which have been used by occupants of the area for thousands of years.

This information relies on SDG&E’s Proponent’s Environmental Assessment (SDG&E, 1997) and has been supplemented by recent record searches for archaeological and paleontological resources, conducted at the South Coast Information Center of the California Archaeological Survey, the San Diego Museum of Man, and the San Diego Natural History Museum.

Based on existing record information, the Encina Power Plant and associated Agua Hedionda Lagoon properties occupy Quaternary terrace deposits; there are no recorded paleontological sites within the project area, and none recorded in the general area. The paleontological sensitivity of these properties is low.

The Encina Power Plant and associated Agua Hedionda Lagoon properties have been subjected to numerous archaeological resource surveys, although the entire acreage has not been surveyed. There is no evidence that any of the archaeological resources have been evaluated for National Register eligibility or state significance however. A review of the National Register of Historic Places and California Historic Landmarks showed no listed properties within SDG&E’s property at the power plant, the lagoon area, or adjacent land. Archaeological resources recorded within the Encina Power Plant and associated Agua Hedionda Lagoon properties include the following (SCIC, 1998):

• CA-SDI-210, a coastal shell midden deposit;
• CA-SDI-6751, a shell midden site consisting of four distinct marine shell deposits;
• CA-SDI-6831, a shell midden deposit with flaked stone tools and lithic scatter;
• CA-SDI-8794, a shell midden site with flaked stone tools, fire-affected rock, and lithic scatter;
• CA-SDI-8795/H, historic wood beam and steel cable feature (possible anchorage/dock);
• CA-SDI-8796, a shell midden deposit with flaked lithic scatter, fire-affected rock, and milling tools;
• CA-SDI-13,701, a shell midden site with flaked lithic scatter, milling tools, and fire-affected rock.

Because the Encina Power Plant and associated Agua Hedionda Lagoon properties have not been entirely surveyed or fully inventoried, there is some potential that additional archaeological resources might be found as a result of further survey.

The Encina Power Plant and associated Agua Hedionda Lagoon properties are located within the boundary of the Agua Hedionda Rancho, granted to Don Juan María Marrón in 1842 (Pourade, 1969). There are no structures or other historic evidence within the area of divestiture that date to that period.

A review of early historic maps for this region reveals that in 1948 a portion of the Encina Power Plant property was occupied by a small (less than 40 acres) military reservation consisting of an access road, turn around, and building structure (USGS, 1948). The purpose of this military reservation is not known.

Construction of the Encina Power Plant began in 1951, and the plant went into service in 1954. Because none of the structures are 50 years old, they do not meet the age requirement for consideration or placement on the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historic Resources.

Based on ethnographic information, the Encina Power Plant and associated Agua Hedionda Lagoon properties are located on the boundary between the traditional territories of the Luiseño and northern Diegueño (or Ipai) Native American tribes. The boundary between these territories extended along Agua Hedionda Creek and to the east as far as the northern tip of the valley of San Jose. Although the Encina Power Plant and associated Agua Hedionda Lagoon properties are not known to have any unique, ethnic, or religious sensitivities, such resources could exist at the Encina Power Plant property given its location between the traditional territories of these two indigenous groups.

Based on existing record information, the South Bay Power Plant is located on Quaternary alluvium and artificial fill. No paleontological resources are known to exist at the South Bay Power Plant site, and none are recorded for the general area. The paleontological sensitivity of the South Bay Power Plant site is low.

Record search information discloses that at least five previous archaeological investigations have been conducted on and in the vicinity of the South Bay Power Plant, although the entire acreage proposed for divestiture has not been surveyed. Early historic map evidence (Wheeler, 1872) suggests that much of the land underlying the South Bay Power Plant was once tidal flat lands that were converted by landfill operations into dry, developed land.

Two archaeological resources are recorded in the vicinity the South Bay Power Plant but not on SDG&E’s property (SCIC, 1998):

• CA-SDI-13073/H, historic railroad grade, tracks, ties, and bridges originally built for the Coronado Railroad;
• CA-SDI-4886, an isolated flaked stone tool.

Because the South Bay Power Plant is located on tidal flats and fill, there is little potential that additional archaeological resources would be discovered as a result of additional archaeological survey.

The South Bay Power Plant is located within the boundary of the Rancho de la Nación, granted to Don Juan (John) Forster in 1845 (Pourade, 1969). There are no structures or other historic evidence within the area of divestiture that date to that period.

The oldest structures at the South Bay Power Plant were constructed in 1960. Because none of the structures are 50 years old, they do not meet the age requirement for placement on the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historic Resources.

The South Bay Power Plant is located on the southeastern shoreline of San Diego Bay, in the traditional territories of the southern Diegueño (Tipai) Native American tribe. Although the bay and tidal flatlands are known to have been used for the collection of marine resources (e.g., foodstuffs, construction materials, salt) by early indigenous populations, no unique, ethnic, or religious sensitivities are known to be ascribed to the properties within the area of divestiture.

Based on existing record information, none of the sites on which the CTs are located contain unique paleontological, historic, or archaeological resources. In addition, no unique ethnic or religious sensitivities are known to be ascribed to the properties on which the CTs are situated. There is, however, potential for buried prehistoric deposits at two of the sites, the Division Substation and Naval Station, given the extensive nature of the recorded buried prehistoric deposits in the vicinities of these sites.

While the sensitive area of divestiture at the Division Substation site previously was surveyed for archaeological resources and nothing was found, seven other archaeological examinations have been conducted in the vicinity of the Division Street gas combustion turbine facility. As a result of these examinations, six resource sites have been recorded in the vicinity of the area of divestiture (SCIC, 1998):

• CA-SDI-12087, a shell scatter with one lithic flake; recorded in 1990 and reexamined in 1998; based on reexamination, this resource does not appear to represent a cultural deposit;
• CA-SDI-12090, a prehistoric temporary camp or habitation shell midden with flaked lithic scatter and fire-affected rock, and additional historic material (e.g., purple glass, glass ceramics, and metal) from near the turn of the 20th century;
• CA-SDI-12091, a small, buried prehistoric temporary camp or habitation shell midden with three occupation strata;
• CA-SDI-12092, a large, prehistoric, temporary camp or habitation shell midden with fire hearths, flaked stone tools, and flaked lithic scatter; records indicate the site was occupied at the time of Spanish contact and was known as Las Chollas because it was surrounded by a hedge of cactus;
• CA-SDI-12093, a large, prehistoric, temporary camp or habitation shell midden with fire hearths, flaked and ground stone tools, and flaked lithic scatter;
• CA-SDI-13073/H, historic railroad grade, tracks, ties, and bridges originally built for the Coronado Railroad.

While eight archaeological examinations have previously been conducted on or in the vicinity of the Naval Station site, it is not entirely clear that this facility has actually been surveyed for the presence/absence of cultural resources.

As a result of previous archaeological examinations, six resource sites are recorded in the vicinity of the area of divestiture (SCIC, 1998):

• CA-SDI-12087, a shell scatter with one lithic flake, recorded in 1990 and reexamined in 1998; based on reexamination, this resource does not appear to represent a cultural deposit;
• CA-SDI-12090, a prehistoric, temporary camp or habitation shell midden with flaked lithic scatter and fire-affected rock, and additional historic material (e.g., purple glass, glass ceramics, and metal) from near the turn of the 20th century;
• CA-SDI-12091, a small, buried prehistoric, temporary camp or habitation shell midden with three occupation strata;
• CA-SDI-12092, a large, prehistoric, temporary camp or habitation shell midden with fire hearths, flaked stone tools, and flaked lithic scatter; records indicate the site was occupied at the time of Spanish contact and was known as Las Chollas because it was surrounded by a hedge of cactus;
• CA-SDI-12093, a large, prehistoric, temporary camp or habitation shell midden with fire hearths, flaked and ground stone tools, and flaked lithic scatter;
• CA-SDI-13073/H, historic railroad grade, tracks, ties, and bridges originally built for the Coronado Railroad.

Based on existing record information, the 24th Street Terminal is entirely underlain by artificial fill. No paleontological, archaeological, historic, or ethnographic resources are located at the site.

CHECKLIST ISSUES

No paleontological resources are known to exist at either the Encina or South Bay Power Plant sites, the 24th Street Terminal, or any of the seven combustion turbine facilities. Therefore, the project would have no effect on paleontological resources. No major construction or earthmoving activities would occur as a result of the project; however, fences may be constructed to separate divested properties from retained properties, and soil remediation activities may occur. While there is a moderate possibility that previously undiscovered paleontological resources could be deeply buried at some of the sites, neither the minor construction activities nor the soil remediation activities are expected to encounter any such resources.

None of the properties proposed for divestiture contain paleontological resources. Therefore, no impact would occur.

No archaeological resources are recorded at the 24th Street Terminal or at the CT facilities located at Kearny, Miramar, El Cajon, North Island Naval Station, or Naval Training Center. Therefore, the project would not affect archaeological resources at these properties.

Archaeological resources are recorded for the Encina Power Plant property and associated Agua Hedionda Lagoon properties. An extensive record of buried prehistoric archaeological deposits exists for properties adjacent to, and in the vicinity of, the South Bay Power Plant and for the CT facilities at the Division Substation and Naval Station. It is not entirely clear whether these properties at the Division Substation and Naval Station have been completely surveyed for surface archaeological discoveries. Thus, the possibility for buried cultural deposits cannot be entirely ruled out.

Although major construction or earthmoving activities would not occur as a result of the project, fencing may be constructed to separate divested properties from retained properties, and soil remediation activities may occur. Therefore, without mitigation, the project may have the potential to impact archaeological resources at the Encina and South Bay Power Plants and at the Division Substation and Naval Station CT facilities.

With implementation of the above mitigation measures, the impact of the project on archaeological resources would be less than significant.

None of the properties proposed for divestiture are considered to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources. Furthermore, there are no National Register or California Register properties in the vicinity of these generating assets. Therefore, no historic resources impacts would occur at either of the two power plants or any of the CT facilities as a result of the project.

The project would not effect historic resources. Therefore, no impact would occur.

Neither of the two power plants nor any of the other facilities represent unique ethnic cultural values and are not located in areas where ethnographic resources are present. Therefore, the project would not affect any unique ethnic cultural values.

The project would not affect any unique or ethnic cultural values; therefore, no impact would occur.

The Encina Power Plant, the Naval Training Center, the Division Substation, and the Naval Station are within areas that have the potential to represent religious or sacred uses of Native American people. No religious or sacred uses exist at the South Bay Power Plant, the 24th Street Terminal, or the CT facilities located at the Kearny, El Cajon, North Island, or Miramar generating sites. However, since no physical changes affecting religious or sacred uses would result from the project at any of these properties, no impact would occur.

Religious or sacred uses could exist at four facilities: the Encina Power Plant; the Naval Training Center; and the Division Substation and Naval Station CT facilities. However, since the project would not result in physical alterations that would affect religious or sacred use areas, there would be no impacts.

REFERENCES – Cultural Resources

Kroeber, A. L., Handbook of the Indians of California, Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin 78. Smithsonian Institute, Washington. Reprinted in 1976 by Dover Publications, New York, 1925.

Pourade, Richard F., Historic Ranchos of San Diego, Union Tribune Publishing Company. San Diego, 1969.

SDG&E, Proponent’s Environmental Assessment: San Diego Gas & Electric Company’s Proposed Sale of Its Electrical Generation Facilities and Power Contracts, December 19, 1997.

Shipek, Florence, Site Record Supplement for W-193/CA-SDI-12092. San Diego Museum of Man. Supplement record on file at South Coastal Information Center, San Diego State University, 1976.

South Coastal Information Center (SCIC), Site Record Forms on file, San Diego State University, 1998.

Southwest Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Initial Assessment Study of Naval Training Center, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, and Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center, San Diego, 1986.

United States Geological Survey (USGS), La Jolla, California 7.5 minute quadrangle, 1953.

USGS, Point Loma, California 15 minute quadrangle, 1904.

USGS, San Luis Rey, California 7.5 minute quadrangle, 1948.

Wheeler, M. G., Official Map of the Western Portion of San Diego County, California, made under the direction of the Board of Supervisors, County of San Diego (map on file at South Coastal Information Center, San Diego State University), 1872.