Sustainability Policy and Plan

Our Commitment

Commonwealth Cultural & Archaeological Assessors, LLC is committed to conducting cultural resource management and archaeological work in a way that protects the environment, preserves cultural heritage, and supports long term community and professional sustainability. Our work is grounded in stewardship. We recognize that archaeological practice has a direct relationship to land, water, energy use, and public infrastructure, and we aim to minimize negative impacts while delivering high quality, defensible results for our clients.

Sustainability at CCAA means making thoughtful decisions about how we plan projects, travel to sites, collect and manage data, produce reports, and engage with clients and partners. We seek continuous improvement in how we reduce waste, conserve resources, and use technology responsibly.

Environmental Stewardship in Fieldwork

Our field practices are designed to minimize impact while meeting requirements.

• Use non invasive and minimally invasive methods including geophysics, remote sensing, and archival research.
• Plan fieldwork to avoid unnecessary disturbance, repeat visits, or redundant sampling.
• Select equipment staging, access routes, and excavation areas to reduce impacts to vegetation, soils, and waterways.
• Follow leave no trace principles, including proper waste removal and site cleanup.
• Comply fully with local, state, and federal environmental regulations and permitting requirements.

Responsible Use of Technology and Data

We use digital tools to reduce material use and improve efficiency.

• Digital data collection, GIS mapping, and cloud based workflows reduce paper and rework.
• Reports, figures, and maps are produced digitally and shared electronically whenever possible.
• Long term digital archiving reduces physical storage while protecting irreplaceable records.
• Efficient computing infrastructure reduces data duplication and unnecessary hardware replacement.

Energy and Resource Efficiency

We aim to reduce energy use and material consumption across operations.

• Use remote work, virtual meetings, and digital coordination when feasible to reduce travel.
• Plan field travel efficiently to minimize mileage and fuel use.
• Select durable, efficient office equipment and maintain devices to extend life.
• Limit printing to client or regulatory needs; default to double sided, black and white.

Sustainable Procurement

We consider sustainability alongside performance and cost in purchasing.

• Prefer durable, repairable equipment over disposable alternatives.
• Work with vendors and subcontractors who demonstrate responsible practices.
• Purchase supplies in quantities that match project needs to avoid waste.

Cultural and Community Sustainability

We protect cultural resources and engage meaningfully with communities.

• Support identification, evaluation, and protection of archaeological sites and historic resources.
• Follow professional standards and ethical guidelines for accurate, respectful documentation.
• Communicate clearly with clients, agencies, and stakeholders for responsible outcomes.
• Support public understanding of archaeology through clear, accessible reporting where appropriate.

Workforce Sustainability

We maintain a sustainable, professional working environment.

• Plan workloads and schedules to support safety, quality, and long term staff well being.
• Treat field safety, training, and proper equipment use as essential responsibilities.
• Invest in skill development and technical innovation to adapt to evolving expectations.

Continuous Improvement

Sustainability is an ongoing process. We regularly review and refine our practices.

• Evaluate project workflows to reduce environmental impact and increase efficiency.
• Assess new technologies and methods for potential sustainability benefits.
• Incorporate feedback from clients, agencies, and collaborators to improve our approach.

Through these commitments, Commonwealth Cultural & Archaeological Assessors, LLC aims to deliver responsible, efficient, and forward looking archaeological services that respect both cultural heritage and the environment in which it exists.