Piñon Heritage Solutions
Cultural Resources Services
Small Woman-Owned Business – SB/DBE/WBE
Archaeology - History - Architectural History
Staff
Elizabeth (Beth) Bagwell, PhD, RPA - Owner and Principal
Piñon is owned and managed by Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Bagwell. She is a Registered Professional Archaeologist (#16564) who meets the Secretary of the Interior’s qualification criteria as an archaeologist. Dr. Bagwell, brings nearly 30 years of experience in archaeology and anthropology. She has directed cultural resources projects of all types and managed project budgets ranging from $1,500 to $1 million. Dr. Bagwell has more than a decade of experience preparing environmental documents as part of CEQA and NEPA for some of the largest and most controversial infrastructure projects in California. She is experienced with the studies and logistics associated with large projects as well as the unusual challenges that come with balancing the conflicting needs of stakeholders.
Elizabeth Barthold O'Brien, MA - Senior Architectural Historian
Ms. Barthold O'Brien is an architectural historian who exceeds the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards in Architectural History. She has conducted field work, research and writing about history, architectural history, landscape architecture and city planning for more than 13 years in California, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, Georgia, and the United Kingdom. Recent California experience includes serving as the architectural history CEQA reviewer of the 358-mile SCE Ivanpah-Control project. Some of the highlights of her experience include the HABS documentation and National Historic Landmark registration of L’Enfant Plan of the District of Columbia. She was also lead architectural historian for the HABS documentation of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site and Preservation District in Plains, Georgia. Ms. Barthold O'Brien's historical research has been key in the support of historical archaeological projects as well. Excavations associated with the construction of the National Museum of the American Indian uncovered evidence of a high-class Civil War-era brothel. Her documentary research and historic context regarding the brothel and its owner Mary Ann Hall attracted public interest and resulted in publications, public presentations, television interviews and formed the basis of a Smithsonian exhibit.
Kayla Weatherbee - Project Manager and Senior Archaeologist
Ms. Weatherbee is a Project Manager and Senior Archaeologist with more than 10 years of experience conducting all phases of project work. Her responsibilities include managing large and small scale projects, writing and reviewing reports, managing and training junior staff, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget, and interacting with clients. Ms. Weatherbee also serves an an archaeological field director.
Sarah Mace, MA - GIS Analyst and Staff Archaeologist
Ms. Mace is a Secretary of Interior Qualified archaeologist with a Master's Degree with an emphasis in archaeological GIS from the University of Chicago. Her responsibilities include using GIS related software and programs to create and maintain data and/or maps that can be combined with geographically referenced data. She supports field crews by preparing handheld GPS units prior to field sessions and backing up data. Ms. Mace also serves as a field archaeologist.
Representative Projects
Southern California Edison Ivanpah Control Project, CPUC CEQA Review
SCE proposes to rebuild 358 miles of transmission line spanning south from Bishop, California, into Inyo County, through the northeastern corner of Kern County, and through San Bernardino County and terminating at the SCE Ivanpah Solar Generating Facility just west of the California–Nevada border. Dr. Bagwell and her staff are conducting an independent review of the CRHR eligibility of 750 archaeological sites and 450 built environment resources. The team is compiling a standalone Tribal Cultural Resources (TCR) Report including information provided by tribes during AB 52 consultation in support of the identification and evaluation of TCRs. The team will also author the EIR Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources Sections.
Caltrans Placerville Highway 49/193 Hazardous Tree Removal Project, El Dorado County, CA
Caltrans removed hazardous trees along State Routes 49 and 193 in El Dorado County covering approximately 60 miles near Placerville, California. The purpose of the project was to remove 900 dead, dying, and diseased trees that pose a hazard to life, property, and vital infrastructure. As a sub-consultant to Bargas Environmental Group, Piñon provided cultural resources staff for this emergency effort. In coordination with Caltrans field staff, qualified biologists, tree removal specialists and a traffic control team Piñon staff surveyed a 30 m buffer around each tree and then immediately monitored the subsequent tree removal. Piñon developed a digital daily survey/monitoring form using ArcGIS Survey 123. More than 150 previously identified resources were in the project area, and another 15 resources were identified during project work. In addition, this route passes through the town of Coloma, the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park and National Historic Landmark District.
Upper Westside Master Planned Development Project, Sacramento County, CA
Under contract with Bargas Environmental Consulting, Piñon Heritage Solutions is preparing a record search, research design and work plan for a 2,078 acres residential development. Upon completion, Piñon will conduct archaeological and built environment surveys. The project area is encompassed by Reclamation District 1000 a NRHP-eligible Rural Historic Landscape District. The district dates to between 1911 to 1939 and includes levees, canals and roads intersecting to form large blocks of fields.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, Mineral Headquarters Sewer Replacement Project
Piñon provided cultural resources monitors during construction activities within the boundaries of a NRHP-eligible historic district, and contributed to the monitoring report.
Affiliations and accreditations
