Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 01/25/2021

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Management Summary Capstone Homes is proposing to build a residential development in the City of Ramsey, Anoka County, Minnesota. The project area, approximately 78.63 acres in size, is located in the E ½ of Section 30 and W ¼ of Section 29 of Township 32N, Range 25W in Archaeological Region 4e: Central Lakes Deciduous East. Historically and recently the majority of the project area was cultivated with a long wooded patch along the southwestern edge. The project area is bordered by Highway 10 approximately 500 feet to the north, the Mississippi River approximately 600 to 700 feet to the south, Bowers Drive approximately 200 feet to the west, and a solar farm on the east. Planned development includes a tree preservation area within the existing stretch of woods, 243 detached residential units, residential streets, and single-acre public park at the center. Nienow Cultural Consultants LLC (NCC) was contracted to complete a Phase I Archaeological Survey in October s for this project were Jeremy Nienow, PhD., RPA, who is licensed for Phase I archaeological work in Minnesota (20-042, Appendix A), and Laura Koski, MSc, RPA. Work began with a literature review October 7 followed by fieldwork completed October 9, 14-15, 2020. Fieldwork consisted of surface survey of corn fields and a cabbage and pumpkin patch, and shovel testing of the wooded area. Surface visibility in the agricultural fields ranged between 0 and 80%. Surface survey transects were spaced on a maximum of a five-meter interval. Fifty-two shovel tests were excavated. Shovel tests were typically 35-40 centimeters (cm) wide and at least 80 detailed profile notes completed, photographs taken, and GPS points collected for each shovel test. No prehistoric cultural materials were encountered. Recent historic materials (i.e. shotgun shells, whiteware sherds) and modern debris (i.e. plastics, aluminum cans) were encountered, but not collected. Shovel test profiles documented consistent ancient floodplain soils. No prehistoric cultural material or archaeological features were identified during the field survey. Based on these results, Nienow Cultural Consultants recommends no further archaeological work be completed, and the project continues as planned. With any project there is the chance of unanticipated discovery. Should archaeological materials surface during any future construction, it is advised a professional archaeologist be consulted. Minnesota Statute 307.08 protects unplatted cemeteries (including burial mounds) and issues guidelines for dealing with unexpected finds. Should human remains be encountered during earth moving activity, all work must stop and local law enforcement must be called. Phase I Archaeological Survey of Proposed Capstone Homes Housing Development ii Ramsey, Anoka County, Minnesota Nienow Cultural Consultants LLC