Barb has more than twenty-seven years of experience in archaeology and cultural resources management throughout California and Nevada. She serves as the project manager and principal investigator for precontact archaeological and multidisciplinary compliance projects. She has been managing large scale, complex regulatory projects, which include archaeological identification, evaluation, and mitigation, as well as large scale monitoring efforts in compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA, NEPA, and CEQA for clients in both the public and private sectors. She has specific expertise with Caltrans Standard Environmental Regulations Vol. 2 and the 2014 Programmatic Agreement, and Local Assistance programs, and has managed numerous projects associated with relicensing efforts for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in California. She works extensively with Pacific Gas and Electric throughout their service territory on the full range of utility projects. Barb has experience preparing and implementing Historic Properties Management Plans, Memoranda of Agreements, developing resolution of adverse effects to NRHP listed and eligible resources and working with Native American representatives and groups and on projects throughout California and Nevada. Her regulatory expertise particularly in the utility, transportation, and water resources arenas, extends across both state and federal regulations, with a focus on Section 106 and 36 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800, as well as creatively managing due diligence work with clients in the absence of regulatory requirements.
Barb has been working closely with the Native American tribal groups on all types of cultural resources investigations including complex regulatory projects and the treatment of human remains. Her long-term relationships with Tribal groups have resulted in meaningful collaboration, successful consultation, and projects that are implemented successfully based on trust and transparent coordination between stakeholders including Tribal members, agencies, clients, and cultural resources specialists. Barb brings a strong background in the technical and compliance aspects of archaeology, mentoring staff, dedication to respectful collaboration with tribal groups and treatment of ancestral resources with the highest degree of integrity, and depth of management capabilities.
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Far Western Foundation
Barb Siskin is currently the President of the Far Western Foundation
The Far Western Foundation is a recently established non-profit organization dedicated to the study and appreciation of western North American archaeology and anthropology, as well as to provide avenues for individuals and organizations representing diverse cultural backgrounds to participate in these goals. The Foundation was conceived by the owners of Far Western Anthropological Research Group, in consideration of both the successes and challenges identified during more than 40 years of experience in Cultural Resource Management (CRM) in the American West. They are joined by a group of eminent teachers and scholars from the American Museum of Natural History and Washington State University in pursuit of this effort.
Barb’s Public Outreach
April 2018 Presentation for regarding professional women and archaeological careers, Sonoma County, CA
In the wake of fire debris removal activities in Sonoma County, the disaster response contractor, AshBritt, Inc. asked Barb to participate in an event for young women from TechBridge, an organization that provides education and experience for girls from low-income communities by delivering high-quality programming that empowers a girl to achieve economic mobility and opportunity. She participated in a collaborative presentation with other women colleagues and a Tribal representative from the Federated Indians of the Graton Rancheria.
March 2018 Presentation to South Bay Engineers Club, Freemont, CA
Barb was asked to conduct a presentation to the South Bay Engineers club regarding cultural resources compliance with FHWA regulations. Her presentation highlighted collaborative efforts between cultural resources consultants and engineers to address Section 106 and FHWA Requirements including: establishing the Area of Potential Effects; 2) the value of early field meetings and consultation with stakeholders, Tribal Groups, Caltrans, local agencies, and project engineers; and types of cultural resources and mitigation options.
Barb’s Professional Presentations and Papers:
Sisken, B., C. DeBaker, and B. McQuillen
2019
Collaborative Efforts to Establish Significance and Treatment for Remnant Shell Mounds. Society for California Archaeology Annual Meeting, Sacramento, CA
Siskin, B. and S. Davis-King
2015
Collaboration at the Old Bridge Site, CA-CAL-237/H. Society for California Archaeology Annual Meeting, Redding, CA