36C78618R0100-005.pdf

JN: 10747.002 INITIAL CULTURAL RESOURCE

IMPACT PREDICTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INITIAL CULTURAL RESOURCE IMPACT PREDICTION REPORT

Introduction Existing Investigated Site Literature and Records Research Field Investigation Summary of Findings

EXHIBITS

Exhibit 1 USGS Topographic Location Map Exhibit 2 Aerial Photographic Location Map Exhibit 3 NRCS Soils Location Map Exhibit 4 Maine Historic Preservation Commission Review Exhibit 5 Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indians Letter Exhibit 6 Site Photographs Exhibit 7 1881 - Floyd Property Deed Exhibit 8 1881 Jonesboro Atlas Exhibit 9 Historic and Cultural Resources

JN: 10747.002 1 INITIAL CULTURAL RESOURCE

INITIAL CULTURAL RESOURCE

INTRODUCTION

This report was prepared for the United States of America Department of Veteran’s Affairs Administration for a proposed National Veteran’s Burial Grounds in Jonesboro, Maine.

Information in this report includes an initial cultural resource impact prediction. This is a brief determination of the possible effects of the project on the human environment under the National Environmental Policy Act and on historic resources under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The purpose of the report is to provide baseline data and recommendations to inform the Veteran’s Administration, and its consultants, The State of Maine Historic Preservation Officer, or other interested parties, and recommendations for a more detailed impact assessment, if required.

EXISTING INVESTIGATED SITE

The existing investigated site includes an approximately six acre parcel of land with approximately 885 feet of frontage on US Route 1. The parcel is generally rectangular in shape and extends off US Route 1 approximately 450 feet northerly off the roadway.

The site is generally undeveloped. It does contain an existing gravel roadway running along the westerly site boundary. This roadway appears to be the principal access to commercial blueberry fields located to the north and northeast of the site. An approximately 1.5 acre mowed field is located near the center of the site adjacent to the gravel access road. The remaining site is generally a mixture of fields and Balsam Fir regeneration growth. Mature trees consisting of Red Maple and Balsam Fir extend along the road frontage and approximately 75 feet into the site.

Topography is generally in a northeast to southwest direction with the northeast corner of the property being the highest point. There is approximately 36 feet of relief across the site with slopes averaging 5%. Indian River is located approximately 850 feet to the west.

LITERATURE AND RECORDS RESEARCH

The literature and records research for the site began with investigations at the Washington County Registry of Deeds. The current property owner purchased the site from International Paper Company in 2001. From early 1917 to 2001 the property was owned by several paper companies including Eastern Pulp Company, St. Croix Paper, and St. Regis Paper. Prior to 1917 the property was owned by several individuals including E.P. Grimes, Briggs C. Floyd, and William T. Tenney. These individuals owned the site for various periods extending from 1837 to 1917.

Deed descriptions throughout the history of ownership did not reference any structures, homesteads, or improvements on the property.

An 1881 Atlas of Washington County by George N. Colby indicated a possible structure with a notation of “B. Floyd in the project site area. A copy of this map is included in the Exhibit 8 of this report.

JN: 10747.002 2 INITIAL CULTURAL RESOURCE

The Town of Jonesboro was formed in 1809. They began keeping vital records in 1766 and Town records in 1918. Investigation of readily available tax and property information did not result in any historic data. Further investigation of archived information may produce information on historic property owners and their status in the community.

The Town of Jonesboro, being a very small rural community, does not appear to have any significant historical society or organization which could have information on the historic uses of the property. Discussions with residents in the Town did not generate any information on the property. As far as anyone knew, the site was always undeveloped and part of the adjacent commercial blueberry lands.

In regard to the natural environment, research of public records and maps did not indicate any special areas on the site, or lands directly adjacent. This investigation included published information by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection in regard to know Bald Eagle nesting site, inland wading waterfowl habitat areas, significant wetlands and vernal pools, and deer wintering areas. Review of State of Maine soils and geologic information also did not indicate the presence of any unique land forms.

FIELD INVESTIGATION

A field investigation was completed on the proposed project site on July 10, 2015. This investigation included the project site as well as adjacent lands extending approximately 200 feet from the westerly, northerly, and easterly proposed site boundaries.

Transect lines were walked through the property starting on US Route 1 and extending into the site approximately every 200 feet along the frontage. These transects were compassed and paced and no instrument survey was completed.

The results of the field investigation did not identify any structures, cellar holes, rock walls, dug wells, or apparent soil disturbance that would indicate historic use of the site. An existing wood sculpture of an eagle on a post was found in the mowed field area adjacent to the gravel road.

This was reportedly recently installed by the current landowner and does not appear to be of any historic significance.

As previously noted, a mature stand of trees runs along US Route 1 and extends approximately 75 feet into the site. Beyond that area and extending to the northerly line of the proposed site, a mixture of fields, woody vegetation, and Balsam Fir saplings dominate the landscape. This area may have been part of the commercial blueberry lands which exist to the north and east. Aerial images of the site from 2010 show evidence the site may have had forest harvesting activities completed. The extent of these activities is unknown; however, cut tree stumps were noted throughout the site during the investigation.

The only soils disturbance noted included the existing access road and possibly the existing mowed field area. The proposed site appears to contain upland soils, vegetation, and hydraulic conditions. Off site of the project boundaries to the west and portions of the north, drainage swales and possible wetland areas were noted. These areas appear to be associated with the floodplain and recharge areas of Indian River which is located approximately 850 feet to the west of the site.

JN: 10747.002 3 INITIAL CULTURAL RESOURCE

Additional investigations were completed between the proposed site and Indian River to attempt to identify a possible structure or foundation hole as indicated on the 1881 Atlas noted in the Literature and Records Research section of this report. This initial investigation did not identify any evidence of any structure or human activity in the area. It is possible if there ever was a structure in the area, it no longer exists.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

Based on the initial cultural resource impact investigation completed and descripted in this report, the project does not appear to have any adverse effects on the human environment under the NEPA or Historic Resources under Section 106 of the NHPA. The only potential human activity near the proposed site may have been an apparent structure shown on the 1881 Atlas of the area. It appears that any structure that may have existed is no longer standing. If required, further more in depth investigations could be performed to attempt to identify its possible location in the area. No excavations were completed as part of this study to determine any Native American activity; however the area does not appear to include any significant natural areas that would make it an area of interest. No significant or critical natural areas were identified on, or adjacent, to the project site

A list of State, local agencies, and individuals is provided in his report (Exhibit 9- Historic and Cultural Resources) in the event further investigations are considered.

EXHIBIT 1

USGS TOPOGRAPHIC LOCATION MAP

R o u t e 1

Copyright:© 2011 National Geographic Society, i-cubed

Legend Project Extent Parcels

R I D

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1,000 0 1,000500

Feet

Site Location

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MAP NOTES:

1: ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARIES

COURTESY OF THE MAINE OFFICE

OF GIS (MEGIS).

2: TOPOGRAPHIC MAP IS USGS

1:24,000 TOPOGRAPHIC QUADRANGLE.

PUBLISHED BY USGS, 2011. ACQUIRED

FROM ESRI ARCGIS ONLINE, 2015.

L o c a t i o n M a pL o c a t i o n M a p

Site Location

Parcel 5 U.S. Veteran's Administration Jonesboro, ME Project No.: 10747.002-02 Updated: 7/2/2015 [lladd]

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M A I N EM A I N E

EXHIBIT 2

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC LOCATION MAP

R o u t e 1

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community

Legend Project Extent Parcels

R I D

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1,000 0 1,000500

Feet

Site Location

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MAP NOTES:

1: ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARIES

COURTESY OF THE MAINE OFFICE

OF GIS (MEGIS).

2: BASE MAP AERIAL IMAGES ARE

SEPT., 2013 6-METER NAIP IMAGERY,

COURTESY OF USDA FSA. ACQUIRED

FROM ESRI, 2015.

L o c a t i o n M a pL o c a t i o n M a p

Site Location

Parcel 5 U.S. Veteran's Administration Jonesboro, ME Project No.: 10747.002-02 Updated: 7/2/2015 [lladd]

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M A I N EM A I N E

EXHIBIT 3

NRCS SOILS LOCATION MAP

EXHIBIT 4

MAINE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION REVIEW

EXHIBIT 5

PASSAMAQUODDY TRIBE OF INDIANS LETTER

Mr. Donald Soctomah | 07.06.2015 | 10747.002

July 6, 2015

Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indians Pleasant Point Reservation Attn: Mr. Donald Soctomah, THPO P.O. Box 343 Perry, Maine 04667

Re: Historic and Archeology Site Inquiry

Dear Mr. Soctomah:

We are currently assisting the Veterans Administration with investigations for a new Veterans cemetery to be located in the Machias area. They currently have selected a site in Jonesboro off US Route 1. The property currently consists of blueberry fields and woods. There are no buildings/structures on the property. The site consists of approximately 885 feet of frontage on Route 1 and approximately 450 feet off the road.

At your earliest convenience, can you provide us with any information and/or concerns the Passamaquoddy Tribe may have with this project.

We are particularly interested in any historic or cultural resources that may be in this area which we should address.

Sincerely, CES, Inc.

Tim Brochu, Project Manager Senior Vice President

TB/jok Enc.

No response to this request has been received as of the time of this report preparation.

EXHIBIT 6

SITE PHOTOGRAPHS

VETERAN’S AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION

INITIAL CULTURAL RESOURCE IMPACT PREDICTION

JN: 10747.002 PAGE 1

Photo No. 1

Photo Date:

July 10, 2015

Site Location:

Portion of Parcel 5 Range 1 US Route 1 Jonesboro, Maine Description:

Existing statue recently erected by current landowner.

Photo By:

TRB

Photo No. 2

July 10, 2015

Site Location:

Portion of Parcel 5 Range 1 US Route 1 Jonesboro, Maine Description:

View of existing mowed field from approximate center of site looking south.

JN: 10747.002 PAGE 2

Photo No. 3

July 10, 2015

Site Location:

Portion of Parcel 5 Range 1 US Route 1 Jonesboro, Maine Description:

View of access road from approximate northwesterly boundary looking south.

Photo No. 4

July 10, 2015

Site Location:

Portion of Parcel 5 Range 1 US Route 1 Jonesboro, Maine Description:

View of existing mowed field from gravel road looking east.

JN: 10747.002 PAGE 3

Photo No. 5

July 10, 2015

Site Location:

Portion of Parcel 5 Range 1 US Route 1 Jonesboro, Maine Description:

View of proposed site frontage on US Route 1 from easterly corner looking west.

Photo No. 6

July 10, 2015

Site Location:

Portion of Parcel 5 Range 1 US Route 1 Jonesboro, Maine Description:

View of existing gravel access road as it leaves northerly boundary of proposed site, looking northwest.

JN: 10747.002 PAGE 4

Photo No. 7

July 10, 2015

Site Location:

Portion of Parcel 5 Range 1 US Route 1 Jonesboro, Maine Description:

View of entrance road to site from US Route 1 looking north.

EXHIBIT 7

1881 – FLOYD PROPERTY DEED

EXHIBIT 8

1881 – JONESBORO ATLAS MAP

1881 – JONESBORO ATLAS MAP

EXHIBIT 9

HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

FOR

PORTION OF PARCEL 5, RANGE 1

US ROUTE 1, JONESBORO, MAINE

Machias Historical Society Attn: Betsy Fitzgerald 85 Court Street Machias, ME 04654 207-255-4432

Town of Jonesboro Station Road P.O. Box 86 Jonesboro, ME 207-434-5141

Maine Historical Society 480 Congress Street Portland, ME 04101 207-774-1822

Maine Historic Preservation Commission 65 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0014 207-287-2132

University of Maine at Machias Karen Kimball, Assoc. Prof. of History 2 Kimball hall 116 O’Brien Hall Machias, ME 04654

Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indians Indian Township Reservation Attn: Donald Soctomah, THPO P.O. Box 301 Princeton, ME 04668 207-796-2301