This contains two reports. The first is by authors from Statistical Research, Inc. that provides background information on the definition and application of the traditional cultural places designation under the National Historic Preservation Act. The second report is from the National Forest Service and expands on the first with examples of how traditional cultural places can be considered as part of land management planning.

This report is one of several from Statistical Research Inc. written to develop the Cultural and Historic Resources Element of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. Divided into four parts, the report summarizes available information that reflects the experience of (1) ancient peoples of Southern Arizona; (2) indigenous peoples; (3) non-indigenous peoples of the historical period; and (4) Pima County today.

This study covers the time period after 1200 A.D. in terms of the domestic landscape, the agricultural landscape, and the social landscape as the residents of southern Arizona adjust to upheaval and change in environmental and social conditions. This memorandum summarizes the study about the Classic Period and provides a comparison of findings and theories about area residents from both before and after 1200 A.D., which is the approximate time frame of the collapse and restructuring of cultural landscapes.

From May 2005 to June 2005, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality conducted a study, Potable Well Sampling Task 4.0, to determine if the chromium and chromium VI plume due to the discharge of the Pacific Gas and Electronic Topock Compressor Station has migrated under the Colorado River and impacted water supplies in Arizona. The ADEQ investigated the total chromium and hexavalent chromium (chromium VI) concentrations in (1) public water supply wells, (2) combined industrial and domestic water supply wells, and (3) private domestic water supply wells at Topock and Golden Shores, Arizona. The communities of Topock and Golden Shores have expressed their concerns regarding the findings. Thus, the ADEQ requested the Arizona Department of Health Services to evaluate the potential health effects of exposure to well water contaminated with chromium.

The Arizona Department of Health Services completed this health consultation at the request of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. This consult evaluates whether soil vapors from volatile organic compounds in the subsurface near the Silver Creek Subdivision in Tucson, Arizona are present at levels that may cause adverse health effects.

The Stoneridge subdivision is a growing rural community with approximately 5,000 residents. The Prescott Valley Water Company (Prescott Valley, AZ) provides drinking water for residents in this area. A resident in the community indicated that there is a “paint thinner” type odor coming from the tap water. The Prescott Valley Water Company sampled the water due to request of the resident. On July 27, 2004, the resident called the Arizona Department of Health Services to express his/her concern regarding the analytical results of benzene in tap water samples collected from faucets inside the house. As a result, the Arizona Department of Health Services completed a health consultation to evaluate if benzene and other volatile organic compounds in the water supplied by the Prescott Valley Water Company pose any adverse health effects.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the California Department of Toxic Substance Control worked together to assess background levels of naturally occurring metals in groundwater wells at Topock and Golden Shores, Arizona. The communities expressed concerns regarding the findings, thus the ADEQ requested the Arizona Department of Health Services to evaluate whether these naturally occurring metals in groundwater wells are present at levels that may cause adverse health effects.