Native American Consultation, Los Osos Wastewater Treatment Project Project Manager: Clinton Blount Date: 2003 - Present The community of Los Osos in San Luis Obispo County is beginning construction of a community wide Wastewater Treatment Project. The project will reduce or eliminate the amount of affluent flowing into Moro Bay and the nearby estuary. This project is funded wholly by the community with the aid of a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. Los Osos is at the center of some controversy concerning Native American ties to the area, and therefore the rights to participate in planning and executing the project. In 2003 Albion Principal began consultation with the many representatives of the Chumash and Salinan communities concerning their interests in the project. This list of respondents grew to 25 individuals, representing at least six communities. The Native American Heritage Commission reduced this list to five individuals with demonstrated ties to the Los Osos area. Albion along with the District worked with these Chumash representatives to develop a Memorandum of Agreement for the Treatment of Human remains. This document details the procedures for Native American involvement in the project and the disposition of the remains of Chumash ancestors. Far Western and Albion recently completed an intensive testing and data recovery program in Los Osos, where human remains were discovered at two sites. The MOA functioned as designed, satisfying the concerns of the Native Americans and minimizing project delays. Construction of the project will begin in August 2005 and the MOA will remain in force during construction of the main sewer line and subsequent lateral tie-ins. Return to "Mitigation Planning."
1414 Soquel Avenue, Suite 205, Santa Cruz, California 95062  ||  Tel: (831) 469-9128, Fax: (831) 469-9137 3421 Mitchell Street, McClellan, California 95652  ||  Tel: (916) 640-0031, Fax: (916) 640-0047