Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 10/15/2018

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(c) The contractor, lessee or employees will consult with SHPO to safeguard the resource and note its location, depth, etc. for future report, and to determine what type of investigation (if any) or mitigation is appropriate for the circumstances. Unmarked Human Burial Sites. The discovery of human remains is covered under Minnesota Statute, Section 307.08. Human remains deserve respect and should be treated appropriately. The discovery of human remains involves legal as well as archaeological issues. The odds of discovering human remains are low; however, complete records of all Native American, pioneer and settler burial sites are not available. Therefore, discovery of such unidentified sites is typically accidental and will occur at sites where the soil has not been previously excavated to an appropriate depth. Immediately upon the discovery of buried human remains, the procedures listed below will to be followed: (a) Stop the excavation, and using appropriate safety precautions, and with a minimum of further disturbance to the remains, verify that it appears to be human remains. Make note of what was found, its location and depth, etc. (b) Contact the supervisor in charge immediately. The supervisor will contact the Ramsey Police Department immediately if it is suspected that the remains are recent. (c) If unable to contact a supervisor, or if instructed, call the Ramsey Police Department and report the discovery. If necessary, the developer will cooperate with law enforcement authorities in securing the site. (d) As soon as possible but within 48 hours, the supervisor shall contact the State Archaeologist and consult with them on how to proceed. Disposition - Ownership/disposition of historic and prehistoric archaeological items, including Native American human remains or grave goods, will be determined by the State Archaeologist, the Native American Council or other appropriate authority. Because there is no prime farmland on the site, there are no mitigation measures needed to address the change in land use. The very small amount of State-wide Important Farmland in the far southeast corner of the site will be lost from productive agricultural land, but will be replaced by green space uses that preserve the open character of the land. Although the RTC site is not within the geographic area covered by MNRRA, every effort will be made by RTC LLC to work with Anoka County Parks, Ramsey Parks and the National Park Service to comply with the policies of these agencies and to minimize or avoid any adverse impacts from development of the RTC site. 25-8