Cultural Resources Study for the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility

LSA conducted cultural resource studies for the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility Project, a project that involved wetland treatment, a 30-acre polishing lagoon, and state-of-the art technology to produce about 708 million gallons of recycled water annually. As part of the regulatory involvement of 17 federal, state, and county agencies, environmental review of the project included compliance with the Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Pursuant to this requirement, the City of Petaluma requested that LSA evaluate the National Register of Historic Places eligibility of the Masciorini Ranch, an early 19th century dairy in the Lakeville area that included archaeological deposits, historical railroad remains, and wharf remains related to early commerce on the Petaluma River. LSA’s evaluation concluded that the Ranch was historically significant and that an adverse effect would occur as the result of project implementation.

LSA developed and executed a Memorandum of Agreement among the City, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO); and prepared and implemented a Historic Property Treatment Plan to reduce the severity of the adverse effect. LSA received concurrence on the evaluation, treatment plan, and agreement document through extensive consultation with SWRCB, USACE, and SHPO. LSA conducted archaeological test excavation and monitoring; photo-documentation; and interpretive outreach, including brochures and signage.

Client: City of Petaluma

Location: Petaluma, Sonoma County, California