Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 01/25/2021

Home

and compaction of these floodplain soils, it is likely this area was flooded consistently enough in the past it was not an attractive location for settlements or camps. 7.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 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. Work began with a literature review October 7 followed by fieldwork completed October 9, 14, and 15, 2020. Fieldwork consisted of surface surveying corn fields, a cabbage, and pumpkin patch, and shovel testing the wooded area. Surface visibility in the agricultural fields ranged between 0 and 80%. Surface survey transects were spaced on a four to five-meter interval. Fifty-two shovel tests were excavated. Shovel tests were typically 35-40 centimeters (cm) wide and at least 80cm deep. All soils were screened 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 15 Ramsey, Anoka County, Minnesota Nienow Cultural Consultants, LLC