BLM WPI and Pole Brushing Cultural Resource Surveys
Project Overview:
A Major Utility must conduct yearly inspections and vegetation removal around wood poles in its service territory. Many of these poles are on BLM managed lands. WPI or Wood Pole Inspections involve injections of protective pesticidal chemicals in the poles, while pole brushing involves removing the vegetation around and above poles to reduce fire risk. Poles with known cultural resources are surveyed just ahead of the pole maintenance crews to protect cultural resources.
Scope of Work:
Prior to fieldwork, PanGIS obtains a Field Work Authorization (FWA) Permits from various BLM field offices to receive permission to conduct a survey on BLM managed lands. During the pole maintenance activities, PanGIS archaeologists survey ahead of the crews and direct access to the poles in ways that will not harm cultural resources. PanGIS staff use iPADS with Survey123 forms and ArcCollector to complete survey logs and record resources. After fieldwork is complete, qualified PanGIS staff write survey reports of their findings in BLM report format including DPR forms, create GIS databases and maps, and submit the reports to BLM archaeologists for review and approval.
