BLM plans South Pass celebrations
Rock Springs BLM Celebrates the Antiquities Act Centennial in South Pass Area
by Bureau of Land Management
March 15, 2006
As part of the Antiquities Act Centennial Celebration, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Rock Springs will observe three distinctive events. The first is a study of the National Historic Trails in the South Pass area. This will be a joint effort between the Lander and Rock Springs BLM offices.
"We will observe the celebration with three separate events," said Terry Del Bene, lead archeologist with the Rock Springs BLM. The BLM is in need of skilled volunteers to assist in trail recordation and trail site/feature documentation for this particular project.
The Bureau has partnered with willing landowners; the National Park Service; the Oregon-California Trails Association; and the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office. The BLM has already started making contact with landowners in the areas who may be involved in the study. Collectively, these groups and agencies will complete historical document research and the field assessments for the South Pass area.
The research being completed is the first comprehensive review of documentation combined with field-checking ever done for the entire South Pass area.
"The volunteers accepted for this particular study need to have established skills, such as trail recordation, prior experience with global positioning system (GPS) units; an understanding of digital cameras; and comprehensive writing experience," said Colleen Sievers, co-lead for this project.
"We will be conducting a volunteer program bringing together historians, trail experts, and professional archaeologists from across the country," explained Del Bene.
Fieldwork will take place from June 19-30, 2006, in the South Pass area.
Anyone interested in being a part of this unique opportunity should contact the Rock Springs Field Office BLM office in writing by May 1, 2006. The office address is:
Rock Springs BLM
ATTN: Cultural Resources
280 Highway 191 North
Rock Springs, WY 82901
Include your name, mailing address, a brief list of qualifications and dates available to volunteer. There is limited space available and qualified volunteers will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Qualified volunteers will be mailed a volunteer packet with more specific information.
The other two events that will be observed include the Kansas School for the Blind visit to the Cherokee Trail. This event is set for July 12, 2006. The Ezra Meeker Commemoration is the third event and that is slated for Aug. 1, 2006. It will be held at the South Pass Summit near the Ezra Meeker Monument.
For more information, contact Terry Del Bene at 307-352-0301 or Colleen Sievers 307-352-0324.
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