Southwest Archaeology Today for April 12, 2007

– Support Builds for the Proposed Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area: Granted, we can’t expect miracles from the proposed Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area. But we can expect considerable progress, as demonstrated by the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Act of 2000. Ranchers, farmers, business promoters, environmentalists and government officials have collaborated for more than four years on this plan, which was initiated by the Center for Desert Archaeology.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/opinion/47950.php

– More Information on the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area: The Santa Cruz Valley is a unique and diverse watershed in the southwestern United States, encompassing a mosaic of cultures and history. Living together in this region are Native Americans who trace their roots back to prehistoric times, the descendents of Spanish ancestors who colonized the valley in the late 1600’s, Mexican families who settled the area before the 1854 Gadsden Purchase made it part of the United States, and current generations of the nineteenth century American pioneers who ventured into this borderland seeking new beginnings. Their living traditions and the abundance of well-preserved historic and archaeological resources associated with this rich multicultural history-along with spectacular natural, scenic, and outdoor recreation resources-represent a significant and unique part of the identity of the United States. These characteristics make it an ideal region to be added to the 37 existing National Heritage Areas in the United States.
http://www.santacruzheritage.org
http://www.cdarc.org/pages/what/current/national_heritage/areas/scnha.php

– Call for Papers, Society for Historic Archaeology 2008 Meetings:The Call for Papers for the SHA 2008 Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology is now available for download from the SHA website. The online abstract submission system will open on May 1, 2007, and all SHA members will receive their user name and password for the online system prior to that date. If you have any questions on the Call for Papers or the online system, please contact the SHA Headquarters staff at hq@sha.org or 301/990-2454. The SHA 2008 Conference will be held January 9-12, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We look forward to seeing you there.
http://www.sha.org

– Request for Lookout Tower Symposium Participants: I am trying to find out if there is enough interest in having a Symposium on Lookout Towers as Historic Sites at the January 2008 Meetings of the Society for Historical Archaeology in Albuquerque. Please distribute widely among the Forest Service and BLM archaeologists. I already have three positive responses. The submission Deadline is June 15th so I would need names, titles, abstract and associated materials before then. Smoke (Michael A.) Pfeiffer, RPA Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. 605 West Main Street, Russellville, Arkansas 72801 (479) 964-7200 Ext. 7233 e-mail: mpfeiffer@fs.fed.us

– Pima County Will Use Open Space Conservation Funds for Archaeological Preservation: The amended bond issue provides $4.3 million for Tortolita Mountain Park, $262,924 for Los Morteros and $1.3 million for Tumamoc Hill. The Los Morteros money will be added to $1 million in 2004 bond funds so the county can make an offer on 24.5 acres owned by a Tucson doctor. The doctor outbid the county at auction, and a proposed land swap fell through. The county has appraised the land at $1.015 million. Los Morteros is the site of an ancient Hohokam ball court and village. Discussions continue between the State Land Department and county and city officials on 350 acres of state trust land on Tumamoc Hill.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/8vgc – Arizona Daily Star Via Yahoo News

– Employment Opportunity: NAGPRA Coordinator, SW Region Forest Service, Albuquerque: The Southwestern Region of the Forest Service is looking for an energetic, motivated individual to fill the Regional Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Coordinator position. This is a permanent full-time GS-170 12 position, located in the Regional Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As the NAGPRA Coordinator, the incumbent serves as the lead for all NAGPRA related activities in the Region. The incumbent also provides technical expertise and assistance in researching Native American and Hispanic traditional cultural properties, cultural uses, and land claims. In this position the incumbent will also provide technical assistance, advice, and expertise to the Washington Office and other Regions in implementing NAGPRA. It is anticipated that the position will be advertised later this Spring. Please help us to ensure that this outreach is widely distributed. Interested parties are asked to contact David Johnson (dmjohnson@fs.fed.us), Regional Heritage Program Manager, no later than May 1, 2007. Thank you for your assistance.

– Employment Opportunity: Staff Archaeologist, New Mexico Game and Fish Department. Staff archaeologist position that participates in the management of State Game Commissioned owned and leased properties to provide for cultural resource compliance and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) consultation. Use the provided link to the employment website and search for job id 6640
http://www.spo.state.nm.us/NMState_Recruitment/NMRecruitment_JobSearch.htm