HERITAGE RESOURCE IMPACT MITIGATION (HRIM)

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If a significant archaeological or historic resource is found that will be impacted by a proposed development, one that otherwise cannot be avoided in project footprint re-design, BMHC will recommend mitigative studies to collect important information that may otherwise be lost forever.

Mitigation studies are devised on a case-by-case basis, and can include additional photography, precise measurement of features, or collection of surface artifacts.  However, studies most commonly include systematic archaeological excavation, ranging from relatively minor testing that make take less than a day, to major block excavations that may take months. During excavation each level of soil is carefully removed by shovel and/or trowel in distinct levels, and the soil is screened through mesh to help collect artifacts.  Detailed mapping and photography of each site and feature is completed, as are detailed descriptions of soil horizons, disturbance factors, and other observations. 

Site mitigations require reports presenting detailed information on methodology, stratigraphy, historical research, artifacts recovered (including metrics and other analyses), and possibly radiocarbon dating, blood residue testing, or other technical studies.  The reports synthesize all of this information and provide interpretations and conclusions based on the artifacts and features recovered, their relationship to similar types of sites, and the culture history of a region on the whole.  An HRIM report will also make recommendations for the site in the context of the development, and the future.