[OR_Archaeology] Excavators & their Firm are honored as Heritage Heroes!

[Susan White]

EXCAVATORS & HOOD RIVER FIRM HONORED FOR RESPONSE AND RESPECT
 
Beam & Couch Excavation Co. of Hood River has been honored by the Heritage Programs of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for its handling of the discovery of human remains during an excavation project.
 
In November, while digging a trench, a company crew discovered human remains, immediately stopped work and contacted local authorities. A high probability that the remains were Native American was determined so the State Police and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) were notified. The two agencies worked with the appropriate Native American Tribes to treat the remains sensitively.
 
Both the SHPO and the participating Tribes are thankful for the prompt response and respectful treatment of the remains by Beam and Couch Excavation Co. Tara Gauthier, an archaeologist with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, stated that the excavators, along with the property owner, "were all very helpful, and did their best to do the right thing. Because of their help we were able to quickly return the ancestral remains to the ground."
 
Beam & Couch showed that companies can work ethically and still complete their projects in a timely manner, instead of covering up the discoveries in hopes that will save time and money.  "SHPO would like to thank the four excavators for having the 'right stuff' and doing the
right thing'," said Asst. State Archaeologist Susan Lynn White.
 
See current and past Heritage Hero award recipients at 
 
http://www.oregonheritage.org/OPRD/HCD/HH.shtml 
 
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