Arizona watch / Arizona Site Stewards

              D e d i c a t e d To P r o t e c t A n d P r e s e r v e A r i z o n a ' s H e r i t a g e A n d C u l t u r a l R e s o u r c e s
SHPO Message: James Garrison

WATCH
& Stewardship
gram in Arizona allows volunteers to use their time and talents in a particularly meaningful way. We are very proud to present this award to the Arizona Site Steward Program." We hope you will take great pride in all of these awards. They reflect the hard work of Mary Estes, Ann Howard and Carol Griffith in overseeing the Program. They reflect the great effort of our partners, federal agencies, state agencies, county and local governments; but most of all they reflect the combined efforts of Arizona's 850 Site Stewards and their volunteer commitment to the relative new concept in our society, the concept of stewardship.

ARIZONA

Fall 2005   Volume 16   Number 3

Site Stewards
Over the last couple of months stewardship has been on my mind. Back in September the SHPO was involved in a planning a workshop in Tombstone over their stewardship responsibilities for the preservation of it's National Historic Landmark designation. At the same time there was much discussion nationally over the stewardship responsibilities for the natural and cultural resources of the Gulf Coast hit by hurricane Katrina and the resulting flood. The dictionary defines a "steward" as "a person whose job it is to take care of a particular place," but the word "stewardship" is conspicuous by its absence. Not until you go on-line can you find the common definition of "stewardship" as "conducting, supervising or managing something; especially: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care." Just what is entrusted to our care from the preservationist's and Site Steward's point-of-view is "a particular place," a historic place, a historic site, an archaeological site. It is extremely gratifying and humbling for this office to realize that the motivation to save a place, or to be involved in protecting a place to be saved, primarily comes from individual citizens. The grass-roots aspect of historic preservation from the initial movement to save Mount Vernon to the individual Apache's interest in Mount Graham is its greatest asset. Expanding on the theme of the Preservation Conference (Heritage is the Heart of Preservation), I think that each individual's interest in our heritage is the heart of preservation."

Because of the great success of the Site Steward Program in Arizona, because of your work as Site Stewards, the Program has received its third national award in one year. Mary has already told you about the Society of American Archaeology Award and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers Stewardship Award. I am pleased to announce the third national award, the National Trust/Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Award for Federal Partnerships in Historic Preservation. This award celebrates a project or program in which a federal agency and one or more non-federal partners have achieved an exemplary preservation outcome.

This award also recognizes the commitment to the Program of the Bureau of Land Management and was presented on September 29th at the National Trust's Annual Conference in Portland. We should all thank Gary Stumpf, the Arizona BLM Historic Preservation Officer, for his work on this nomination. The Bureau of Land Management has been a strong partner with the Site Steward Program from its inception, and the program's benefit to the Bureau has been substantial. To defray costs, the BLM contributes funding to the State Historic Preservation Office and works closely with the Site Stewards to facilitate their New Regional Coordinators..................... 2 monitoring of archaeological and hisAsk Ann.................................................... 3 toric resources on public lands.

INSIDE

Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, stated at the awards ceremony, "Dedicated volunteers have always formed the backbone of America's preservation movement, but this innovative pro-

Calender of Events................................... 4 Volunteer Opportunity............................... 5 Not All Checking Ruins............................. 5 Regional News..................................... 6&7

STATE PARKS STAFF:
Kenneth E. Travous James Garrison Carol Griffith Ann Howard Mary Estes

Executive Director State Historic Preservation Officer Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Public Programs Manager/Archaeologist Resource Protection Specialist

Starting in January of 2006, the WATCH will be published four times a year, coming out in January, April, July and October.

STATE PARKS BOARD MEMBERS:
Elizabeth Steward, Chair William C. Porter William Cordasco Janice Chilton William C. Scalzo John U. Hays Mark Winkelman Tempe Kingman Flagstaff Payson Phoenix Yarnell State Land Commissioner

State Parks Staff and members of the State Parks Board can be contacted through: Arizona State Parks, 1300 West Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007; Tel & TTY: (602) 542-4174, or Fax: (602) 542-4180; Internet: http://www.azstateparks.com. This brochure was developed with a grant from the Arizona Heritage Fund and printed with matching Federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior. This program receives Federal financial assistance for the identification and protection of historic properties. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or handicap in its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire information, please write: Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. This document is available in alternative formats by contacting Arizona State Parks ADA Coordinator at (602) 542-7152. WATCH Newsletter The Arizona WATCH is published three times a year: March, July, and November by the Arizona State Parks/State Historic Preservation Office. Please submit articles to Mary Estes, Arizona Site Steward Program, ASP/SHPO, 1300 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Articles can be faxed to (602) 542-4180 or E-mailed to mestes@pr.state.az.us. Please write your name on the back of each slide or graphic submitted in order to receive credit and/or for return. Please send articles By November 2nd for the Winter 2006 Issue.

Ray Huber, who with his wife, Juanita, served for many years as the Regional Coordinator for the Arizona Strip, has passed away after a long battle with cancer. Our hearts go out to his beautiful wife and extended family. Roger and Lesley McPeek have offered to accept the volunteer position of Regional Coordinator for the Arizona Strip. The McPeeks can be reached at 435-674-9493. Del Albers, from the Cave Creek Region, has resigned as Regional Coordinator due to health concerns. Andy Owens will serve as the new Regional Coordinator for Cave Creek. Andy can be reached at 623-878-5063. Mike Hayes, from the Kingman Region, has resigned as Regional Coordinator. Jerry Vertrees (928-565-9768) has made the commitment to serve as the Kingman Regional Coordinator. Congratulations to all our new Regional Coordinators, and a big "Thank You" to all those who have served in a leadership roles in the Arizona Site Steward Program.

Activity logs are due on January 1, 2006

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ASK ANN!
The Appropriate Treatment of Visitors' Artifact Piles at Archaeological Sites
By Ann Howard, Archaeology Public Programs Manager / Archaeologist (Because the last paragraph of Ann's article was omitted in the Summer issue of the WATCH, we are printing it again). It has come to the attention of the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) that some Site Stewards have been instructed by land managers to disperse visitors' artifact piles when encountered across sites; the rationale for this practice is that such piles can be attractive nuisances by encouraging other well-meaning visitors to also collect artifacts and pile them up in the same or a different pile. Although these artifacts are already out of context, dispersion of the piles changes the overall surface distribution of artifacts, hindering the accuracy of the archaeological interpretation of activity areas and other spatial patterns at the site that can be gained from the study of surface artifact assemblages. Although the behavior behind visitors' piling up artifacts is usually well-meaning, Site Stewards need to consider artifact piling as a type of site vandalism, as it adversely affects the information potential of a site. If a Site Steward (SS) notices a visitor's pile of artifacts at a site, the SS needs to leave the pile in place and conduct baseline documentation prior to making a vandalism report to the respective land manager. This documentation should consist of the following information:           plot the location of the pile on the site map (note dimensions of the pile), note the density of the pile by counting the number of different types of artifacts in the pile (i.e. number of sherds, number of lithics, number of shell pieces, etc. photograph the visitors' pile, note the date the pile was first identified, and notify the appropriate land manager of the presence of the pile (include the descriptive information noted above in your vandalism report).

At subsequent visits to the subject site, the SS should determine if the pile is still present. If the pile is absent, this should be noted. If the pile is present, then the following observations should be made:   has the density and/or content of the pile changed? (Have the numbers of artifacts in the pile increased? If so, note the number of sherds, the number of lithics, etc. Have the artifacts decreased in quantity? If so, note the changes. Has the character of the pile changed [i.e., decorated sherds once present are not gone]? If so, note the changes),   if the artifact pile has changed in density or content, then the pile should be photographed again,   note the date of your observations, and   make a vandalism report to the land manager if any of the following conditionshave occurred: 1) The pile is gone, 2) The density or content of the pile has changed in anyway, 3) You notice additional, new visitors' piles of artifacts. It is the land manager's decision as to whether or not visitors' pile(s) need to be removed from the site in order to deter further piling activity or artifact removal. SHPO believes that dispersion of the artifacts across a site adversely impacts the spatial distribution and the content of surface artifacts, and should not be conducted. Collection of visitor piles from a National or State Register-eligible or -listed site would constitute data recovery and would require consultation with SHPO under Section 106 (for federal land managers). State land managers would also need to consult with SHPO and the Arizona State Museum (ASM) under the State Historic Preservation Act, and city and county land managers would also need to consult with SHPO and ASM under the Arizona Antiquities Act. These collections would need to be conducted by qualified archaeologists. If the land manager has qualified archaeologists on staff, then the land managing archaeologist could conduct the collection; however, if the land manager needed to hire an archaeological consultant to collect the visitors' pile, then there could be issues under the Antiquities Act (e.g., permits) for state, municipal, and county lands, and the ASM would need to be consulted regarding such actions.

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Calendar of Regional Stewards' Workshops
Northwestern Workshop:
November 19, 2005 Kingman, AZ 8:45 am to 5:00 pm This workshop focuses on historical archaeology. We are pleased to have a special guest speaker, Bruce Crespin, who will speak on "Historic Properties in Eastern Oregon." Other speakers and topics are: "Historic Overview of Mohave County" - Dan W. Messersmith, Mohave County Historian; "Research Project at Signal Mining Camp" - Craig Johnson, BLM Archaeologist, Kingman Field Office; and "Shafted: The Anita Copper Mining Bust of 1905" - Neil Weintraub, Archaeologist, Kaibab National Forest. The afternoon speaker is James Ayres, Historical Archaeologist, Statistical Research, Inc. who will give a hands-on demonstration on "How to Use Historic Artifacts to Interpret Sites." Kingman Historian, Loren Wilson, will lead a late afternoon tour of Camp Beale Springs. Please contact Mary Estes at (602) 542-7143, for more information on this workshop, or to register for the workshop. The deadline for registration is November 14.

Southwestern Workshop:

Feb. 25, 2006 Yuma, AZ 8:30 am   5:00 pm This workshop will be held at the Yuma Art Center in the historic downtown business district in Yuma. The workshop will include a lunchtime tour of the recently restored 1912 Yuma Theatre, originally used as a vaudeville and movie house, located next to the Art Center (see photo). Scott Thompson, Historian with Statistical Research, Inc. will provide training on recording oral history. Whether you are planning to work on a formal oral history project or just interested in how to get "grandma" to share her "story" for your family, you will learn a lot about recording oral history at this workshop. Please contact Mary Estes, (602) 542-7143, if you wish more information on this workshop or would like to register. Deadline for registration is February 17, 2006.

2006 Arizona Site Steward Conference

"100 Years of Preservation: Antiquities Act Centennial."

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Tucson, Arizona March 24, 25, 26, 2006 The annual conference's Friday Night Reception will be held at the Arizona State Museum (ASM) on the campus of the University of Arizona. The body of the Conference will be held at the Arizona Historical Society Museum across from ASM. Please mark your calendars to attend. More information on this event will be in the Winter issue of the WATCH, coming out in January.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT THE AMERIND!
The Amerind Foundation Museum (located in Dragoon, AZ, Exit 318 off I-10) is a private, nonprofit archaeological research facility and museum of art, history, and culture of Native people from the Americas. They are looking for volunteers to help with greeting visitors, assisting with their school and docent programs, and from time to time in various other capacities. Contact Jill Williams at 520.586.3666, ext.17, or by e-mail: jillwilliams@amerind.org, or log on to www.amerind.org to find out more.

SITE STEWARDING IS NOT ALL CHECKING RUINS
By Ron Subject, Assistant Regional Coordinator If you have been a Site Steward for even a short time, you have probably found out that sometimes there are more things to it than checking ruins. The summer months are a good time for us to reflect on strange and unusual events that have occurred over the years, and that gives us a reason to stay out of the 115 degree heat. On a visit a while ago to a historic cabin far, far away, we observed a car with out-of-state plates sitting next to the cabin. A bit of smoke was coming from the chimney and a dog was tied up near the door. We thought it best not to approach, and obtained the license plate number through our binoculars, then left the area. Returning to the BLM office, the ranger ran a check on the car and found nothing out of the normal. The Ranger than paid the squatter a visit and found the young man just wanted to get away from people. He had decided to restore the cabin and move in. He had already brought in a load of lumber and was preparing to start his project--living there was his goal. The ranger politely asked him to move, which he did. I wonder where the young man went. Have you ever had two flat tires at the same time when you are 45 miles from anywhere, and it is 112 degrees in the shade? Having a BLM radio is great, or so we thought. The problem is that they are not made to communicate with a mountain range in between the sender and the receiver. We planned to spend the night, when fortunately, a BLM Ranger from another district heard our messages with no one answering, so he relayed them. Three hours later, a very welcome BLM vehicle showed up with two tires and a case of ice water. Murphy's law strikes again. If it can happen, it will. Another time on our inspections at Swansea, we found a small dog tied to a tree. We wondered how it had survived out there without water or food; however, it looked like it hadn't been there too long. Needless to say, there are wild things out there that would have loved a snack like that. We named the dog "Swanee" and shared our water and lunches with him. We placed a radio message to our favorite BLM archaeologist who then contacted the Parker animal control. Within a few hours, they showed up and took our new friend back with them. The good news is that the next day we checked and were told that a family had taken him. Everything was fine. I'm sure we all have some stories about our adventures as Site Stewards. Some of my recollections are reminders of some basic Site Steward rules: always carry plenty of water, don't approach anyone that you may be unsure of, take some sort of communication, such as a cell phone or radio, and even a spare tire or two. Trust me, it would be well worth it if ever needed. One last thing about being in the wild. Never attempt to pick up a little diamondback rattler, even it is only six or eight inches long. Those cut little fangs can go through a glove easier than you think. In keeping with our identity security, I shall not mention any names. As it has been said, everyone gets his/her 15 minutes of fame, but you could have yours as the "Star of the Show" at your local emergency room. Anyone interested in writing a book on Site Steward adventures? Or snake handling? [Editor 's note: If you can top Ron's adventures, write it up and submit it for the next WATCH. Submit to Mary Estes by November 2, 2005.]

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Agua Fria Region

Lila Elam, Regional Coordinator, Reporting:

Many archaeological sites were burned in the Agua Fria Region during the horrific fires. I've not heard of loss of petroglyphs from heat spalling, but it remains a concern. Thanks to the Site Stewards for staying away from the Agua Fria Monument while it was closed. With the return of cooler weather we will be out in full force doing damage survey. When you visit your sites, please contact me regarding their condition. All the Agua Fria Sites and Bumble Bee have an assigned Steward and are being monitored. Please turn in your Quarterly Reports so the Land Managers will know what a good job you are doing. At any time you would like to change or add sites, contact me. If you are having a difficult time locating someone to hike with, contact me and we'll work out something so no one goes into the field alone. DesertDaz@interwrx.com or 928-6680330. Enjoy the Desert and monitoring your sites during our cool winter months. Arizona Strip
Lesley McPeek, Site Steward, Reporting:

have always done a truly superb job and will be greatly missed. Cave Creek Region
Del Albers, Resigning Regional Coordinator, Reporting:

to find a date for our next meeting in November that will prove to be open for all of our Site Stewards in the Region. Hassayampa Region
Shelley Rasmussen, Regional Coordinator, Reporting:

As most of you know, I have been being treated for lung cancer for the past three months. Although radiation and chemotherapy seem to be working, recovery will be prolonged and make it impossible for me to continue as Regional Coordinator. Andy Owens has agreed to take over the job, at least for the present, and I have no doubts that he will do it well. Therefore, for any Regional Coordinator business, contact Andy at 623-878-5063. Many thanks to all of you for your support while I was Regional Coordinator. You really made the job a joy. As you know the last few months have not been conducive to Steward activities in the region. It has been very hot and fires have burned over most of the region. Subsequently, the heavy rains have caused extensive damage to the roads, etc. At the time I am writing this (late August), both the Seven Springs Road and the Horseshoe Dam Road are closed indefinitely. Road repair and debris removal are difficult and hazardous, but the Forest Service and Department of Transportation are working overtime to get the mess cleaned up and open. For the latest information concerning the road closures/conditions, contact D.O.T. 602-506-6063. Thanks again for your stewardship and personal support.
Elmer Houghten, Regional Coordinator, Reporting:

NEWS

A big welcome is in order for John and Ruth D., our newest recruits for this region. On your first outing we discovered two beehives in rock shelters. Making a hasty retreat, we decided that the rock shelters didn't need our assistance in protecting them. We also had another bee incident close to a historic site that Bill S. has been monitoring. Please keep on the lookout for signs of bees! Although the wild fires did not impact sites in this region, we still had some damage due to flooding. High

Site visits have been cut back this summer in many areas. The fire-starting potential of the heat from vehicles has been a genuine concern as has the record high vegetation has added unwelcome fuel for the wildfires that have occurred in many places on the Arizona Strip. Fortunately, no major destruction has been noted, although Grand Gulch Mine and other historic structures have been threatened. The Region 20 Site Stewards had the opportunity to participate in three excellent workshops this spring and summer. John Herron, Archaeologist for the Parashant-Grand Staircase National Monument, taught a class in site recording techniques for all who were interested. Have you ever tried to map a conference room? Interesting experience! In June, BLM specialist Dave Keil again led us through a GPS and map reading class, which was great and sorely needed by a bunch of us. Finally, in August, geologist Becky Hammond spoke on the geology of the Arizona Strip and actually explained the geological history of the "Grand Staircase" in clear language. Sadly, our Region 20 coordinators Juanita and Ray Huber have had to resign because of Ray's cancer diagnosis. Juanita and Ray have been an enormous asset to the Site Steward Program. They reorganized and then expanded the program in Region 20 to include active Site Stewards from Page, Arizona to Mesquite, Nevada. They

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water, as well as erosion, was a problem with some sites, but it didn't seem to deter the graffiti guys. Ruth D. and I were right behind them, removing the paint As more people move out to the "fringes" we are seeing more vandalism to sites. Sites are also being lost on the canyon walls. Thankfully the petroglyphs were to housing, road or other development. If you attended not painted (see photo of Ruth with her scrub brush and graffiti remover in action). the 2006 Site Steward Conference, or have kept informed by reading the WATCH, you learned of a new Kingman Region form for reporting visitors' piles (see "Ask Ann's" article). Visitors' piles are to be photographed and reported Jerry Vertrees, Regional Coordinator, Reporting: on a vandalism report form, just like any other form of The Kingman Region is again/still going through vandalism. Always have a camera with you when visit- the process of reorganization with myself having been ing sites, as well as a notebook, so that you are able to recently appointed the Regional Coordinator. Due to make a complete report, including the exact location of a lack of any regional staff for an extended period of the vandalism or visitor pile. Questions? Call or e-mail time before this year, there is much catch-up adminisme at ehoughten@hotmail.com. trative work to be done. Recently it has come to our attention that some Site Needed resources were lost in the 1st quarter when Steward visits have been made, but not reported. It is 40+ Site Stewards were dropped from the Region for most important that Site Stewards record and report inactivity. Fortunately, eleven new and very enthusiastic their visits. When the result of a vandal act is observed, volunteers signed up, were trained, and have been it helps if prior visits have been recorded so that the assigned sites since then. An effort is being made to time frame of the act can be determined. Also, in contact those whom we lost to try to get them to reinshowing the hours we have volunteered, we are being state. accountable. We are volunteers and our reward is the At the present time, about 40% of the region's listed satisfaction we have of knowing that we have contribsites have not been visited in some time and there uted a service to something that will benefit others are many new sites to add to our inventory. Many today, and in the future, as well as honoring those who of them cannot be located due to a lack of proper lived in the past. If your grandchildren ask you what documentation. We are going through the process of you have done in your lifetime, it would be good to tell trying to locate these sites so that they may be properly them about being a Site Steward. inventoried and assigned or reassigned. Whereas all The number of active Stewards in our Region has Site Stewards have been left to their own devices for grown significantly in the last year and a half. I urge all some time, with little or no guidance, an attempt is now of you to keep up the site visits. Some have mentioned being made to promote a team effort. All Site Stewards that they wish to have someone else to go with them to have been asked to participate in the process of obtainsites as they do not have a partner. If you attend the ing the site documentation that is required and needed. local Regional meetings we schedule, you will likely We are looking forward to a very productive 4th quarmeet someone that you will feel comfortable with to ter, including a visit from the State Land Department's accompany you on site visits. Site Steward Coordinator in October to resolve some Our Regional meeting in February was an interestof the site problems. We also plan to have a Regional ing learning success for those who attended. We hope Stewards' Workshop in November. The Kingman Region will strive to be the best. Central Arizona

REGIONAL

Flagstaff Region

Special recognition was given to John P. for his 15 years service as Regional Coordinator. Because he is resigning that position, Chana G. will be the new Flagstaff has had a wonderful, wet monsoon season Regional Coordinator. She received an award too. this year, which has made very pleasant conditions for Region 16 has been very busy lately because of lootmonitoring our sites over the summer. Unfortunately, ing on one of our sites. Special recognition is due to we did have vandalism to report. Joe and Nancy J. some of our Site Stewards for their immediate response discovered one of the historic cabins (the oldest one in to this crisis--Dave and Dorothy R., Sheri, Gene, Flagstaff!) that they monitor had been disassembled Maggie, Tamara and Don. Extra kudos to Carol F. and and used for firewood! It was very sad to see the before and after pictures. The Forest Service archaeolo- Linda M. for their special help. Extra special thanks also go to Sherri and H., my assistants and helpers gists are going to try and "put it back together" but on the other side of the mountain. Thanks to all our obviously, it will never be the same. We did a new Site Steward training in June and members as well. would like to welcome four new Stewards to our "team": Eric and Nina S., Karin H., Lori R., and Jeff W. Prescott Region We hope they will join us on our monthly, fun fieldtrips. Judy Stoycheff, Regional Coordinator, Reporting: For several months, vandalism has been on-going at Lower San Pedro Region a site outside of Mayer, despite intense monitoring by Jacquie Dale, Regional Coordinator, Reporting: several Site Stewards on the ground and in the air, as This spring, eleven, new, enthusiastic Site Stewards well as BLM law enforcement. This prehistoric dwelling were trained at Central Arizona College for the Lower of several rooms is easy to get to and has been vandalSan Pedro Region. All of the new volunteers will be ized frequently in past years. The current vandal(s) has monitoring sites near San Manuel, Mammoth and been exposing walls in two rooms and making piles Dudleyville. This area has traditionally seen a lot of of pottery shards, as though putting them on display-activity in the winter and spring months, with vandalism possibly for us! Because of its accessibility off a county particularly bad this last winter. The Site Stewards from road, it is also used as a dumping ground. BLM is the Lower San Pedro and Tucson Regions have been weighing their options for protection of this site. doing a tremendous job in monitoring these sites and Region 22 hosted a training session this summer. reporting vandalism. Hopefully, with the help of these Dan B. did an excellent job of classroom training and new Site Stewards, we will provide more frequent and the folks who came up from Phoenix enjoyed the relacomprehensive coverage, thereby discouraging vandal- tively cool weather of Prescott Valley. The rain held off ism on many of these sites. Some additional workshops and the twelve new Site Stewards enjoyed the field trip are currently being planned for this region and Site to Fitzmaurice Ruin. Stewards will be informed as more information is available. New volunteers can expect to be oriented starting Safford Region in September and continuing through October. Thanks Jacquie Dale, Regional Coordinator, Reporting: for being patient. It's been a busy, hot summer. The Safford Region now has five, new, energetic and eager Site Stewards. Thanks to Ann Marie W. and Middle Verde Cherie F. for making their way through snow, rain and Ned Greeneltch, Regional Coordinator, Reporting: sleet to do the training this past winter. You should Things were relatively quiet in the newly reestabhave gotten an award! lished Middle Verde Region. We reorganized in fall Some of the new Site Stewards were initiated rather of `04. Our sites consist of ones located in the Prescott quickly, helping out as surveyors with the Center for National Forest, even though most of our members Desert Archaeology on a survey of BLM land. Thanks are located in Cottonwood and Clarkdale, and can see guys, you did a great job! In the spring, the Site several sites across the river from our homes. Across Stewards received site orientation for two sites and the river is the Coconino National Forest, and the Red were accompanied by BLM Law Enforcement Officer, Rock District watches these. So, I guess you can say, we Rob Vaitkus. He provided information on recognizing watch them watching their sites. and reporting vandalism at archaeological sites. Dan With all the rain from last winter bringing high McGrew, the new Site Steward Coordinator contact at weeds and grasses, some of our sites are under cover the BLM Office in Safford has been very helpful in getthis summer and this makes it difficult to see artifacts. ting the Stewards site information and orienting them It also hides the critters that call these areas their to some new sites. homes. With a little more care, it's not much of a problem. The biggest problem is cleaning the burrs Salt River from your boots and socks. I believe its time to break Rose Werner, Regional Coordinator, Reporting: out the gaiters. The First Americans left a wealth of art, We are thankful that the Cave Creek complex fire that history, and culture. There were many raged north of Phoenix didn't quite make it to any of people with very different cultures, and all our sites, but it did close us off from visiting during this very different than our own. These early time. Probably kept the bad guys out, too. cultures left behind pictures and buildings. It is our task to understand their world Northeastern Region and how it eventually shaped the world Chana Gray, Regional Coordinators, Reporting: On July 16th the Regional Site Steward Meeting was we currently know. We need to preserve held in Eagar at the home of Nancy D. We had a great all of the fragile items that remain; if they are destroyed or removed, they are gone time in her garden. It was a barbecue and potluck event. Charlotte Hunter, Forest Service Archaeologist for forever. We know that archaeology is just a glimpse into the the Apache  Sitgreaves National Forest, gave a talk to our group. Local businesses gave nice door prizes and donated past and that through scientific study and interpretation, future generations will be able to understand food. Miaya L. sang old time songs and played guitar. much more. Unearthing this information is a daunting
Christine Stephenson, Regional Coordinator, Reporting:

task. Without volunteers, we would never be able to watch and monitor these sites. We have had two sites with problems. Not the usual vandalism. Our first site was on the back of Shaw Butte. A homeless person was digging (assumed homeless due to the digging pattern) at the rock. Holes in the wall were found and petroglyphs were damaged. The other problem, found at another site, was a recent pet burial. This is the first time we have experienced this. We are in the process in taking care of both of these different types of vandalism. Many thanks to each and every one of the Salt River Site Stewards that work hard at preserving the past. Williams Region
Neil Weintraub, Regional Coordinator, Reporting:

REGIONAL NEWS
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On Friday, June 10th, I was conducting training for four Arizona Site Stewards, Gene P., Lisa H., Loretta and Gene R. When we got out of the vehicle around 9 a.m., we heard voices. They clearly saw us, but continued collecting rocks. Upon seeing the folks stealing stones, we got back in the vehicle and had a difficult time contacting dispatch. At this time, Loretta R. took photos (see photo). We left the scene and went to monitor the nearby petroglyph site near Partridge Creek. At this location, I figured we might hear their car leave. Sure enough, about 10 minutes later, we did hear a vehicle. We followed and caught up to a blue Ford pickup. We were close enough to read the license plate. The license plate was AZ 150NNV. We passed the information to Red Butte lookout and heard that law enforcement had been dispatched to the scene. The driver of the blue Ford let me pass. At that point, we turned off the road, while they continued south. We returned to the site to investigate to see if any rock art had been damaged. While no panels were removed, they came very close to disturbing an isolated panel near the hilltop. The

good news is, we finally have two Site Stewards who live in the Ash Fork area. Loretta and Gene R. live about twenty minutes from the largest sites.