Correspondence re cisterns on property

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U Mike Gaffron From: GABRIEL JABBOUR [gabrieljabbour@msn.com] Sent: Monday, February 27, 2012 9:14 PM To: David Rahn (rahnx041 @umn.edu); Lili McMillan (lilim@mac.com); ahprintup; Cynthia Bremer; Doug Franchot (doug@franchotassociates.com); Jessica Loftus; Mike Gaffron Subject: FW: Update of Capping Big Island Cisterns -Three Rivers Park District Attachments: Cultural Resources Report Big Island (2).pdf FYI Gabriel I have been working with our Superintendent, Cris Gears, on developing a plan to mitigate the two open cisterns on Big Island. Things are never as simple as they seem. The short answer is that we will be capping the cisterns to close the holes in lieu of filling the holes at this time. We should have the work completed before winter. I would like to share with you our rationale for pursuing this direction. In 2010, our Board adopted the Park District's first Cultural Resources Management Plan (CRMP) to guide us in dealing with the identification and interpretation of cultural resources found on Park District properties and to ensure that the District was in compliance with state laws. We have tasked ourselves with reviewing possible historical/cultural implications prior to disturbing lands and buildings. We directed our Cultural Resources Coordinator, Bill Walker, to review the area around the cisterns on Big Island with the idea that we would move materials from the site into the cisterns to fill the holes. Bill considered our Management Plan guidelines, checked in with the State Archeologist's Office, and researched the property. He concluded that the cisterns are part of the Olaf Searle estate ruins (c.1887), and as such, the site should be treated as an archaeological resource. It is not that the cisterns themselves are of significant value, but the site and possible artifacts that may be found on the site could very well be important. The Park District, as a governmental agency charged with managing public land, is obligated to comply with requirements regarding archaeological resources as outlined in MN Chapter 138 (138.31-138.42). Per the statute, known archaeological sites located on public land, as well as sites identified as having a high potential for harboring unknown archaeological resources, fall under the purview of the State Archaeologist as ��state sites." As such, the Office of the State Archeologist (OSA) and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) must be informed of any work that has the potential of damaging these sites before the work is begun. If the District wanted to move forward in filling the cisterns from materials on site, we will need to submit a report of our plans to the OSA and SHPO for their review. We would not be able to proceed with any ground disturbing work at the site until both offices have responded to our report (generally within 30 days). Given the level of impact that the project would have on the site if we proceed as planned, Bill believes that neither OSA nor SHPO would approve the current plan, or they would require considerable field work in advance of the work should they grant approval. Considering these factors, the Park District has decided to use the alternative action of capping of the open cisterns to deal with the potential safety hazard. As time permits, Park District Cultural Resources staff will continue to assess the site and other remnant structures of the Olaf Searle estate and provide us direction on how to manage the site. In case you are interested, I attached a copy of the Cultural Resources Report, which includes some historic background on Olaf O. Searle. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to give me a call. 1