05-05-2014 Park Commission Packet

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Status of Native American Sacred Sites The 3 acre proposed park site is believed to be a sacred site known to many Native Americans as the "seven flags area." Many respected spiritual leaders and tribal elders including Joseph Brewer, Melvin Greybear, Pokey White, Clyde Bellcourt, Arvol Looking Horse, Richard Lagaard and Richard DuBois have identified the site as a gathering place of the seven nations and a sacred ceremonial site with great historical significance, The site is not documented in any know historical studies nor has it been identified by the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council or the State Historical Society. Therefor, MNDOT as part of the Highway 12 EIS has retained a consultant to research the history of the site, and to speak to those with first hand knowledge of the site to determine the sites authenticity. The MNDOT consultant will work with the Indian Affairs Council to reach a conclusion by April or May, 1994. . Tandem has reviewed numerous letters and talked with Mr. and Mrs. Dickey about the site. We believe the site, shown as park, is of Native American historic and sacred value and should be preserved. Site Plan. Elements Wetlands/Natural Features/Streets F.J. 6voboda and Associates, a wetland/environmental consultant, analyzed the sites and prepared a study (Wetland Classification, Identification and Delineation Oct 29, 1993). The study identified many class 1 and 2 wetlands which are "highly disturbed basins which are farmed under typical conditions." The challenge for us is to come up with a residential. development that would respect the woods and wetlands, provide public Improvements in a logical manner and create a desirable, marketable and attractive neighborhood. The wetlands have been preserved where possible and if not, replaced with a better quality wetland, one nutigations area on each site. The Coffin site has .55 acre of wetland lose 1.1 acre of wetland replacement adjacent to the Luce Line, The Dickey site has 1.0. acres of lose and a 2 acre wetland created in the southwest corner of the property on lots 3-7 block 1. We believe the replacement of small class land 2 wetlands with the 2 mitigation areas is a permanent improvement to thearea.