MXRD_11-0077_-_Attach.7_-_APP.pdf

Archaeological Site Protection Plan

Building 1103 Demolition Lexington, Massachusetts

As requested by the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) to assist in the United States Air Force (USAF) compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (36 CFR 800) and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 9, Sections 26-27C (950 CMR 70-71), this protection plan has been development for the demolition of Building 1103 located on Hanscom AFB in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Background

The events of the revolutionary war battlefield are protected by the Minute Man National Historic Park, operated by the National Park Service, that abuts Hanscom AFB to the southeast and includes the project site. Prior to its Revolutionary War period history, the resource rich environment of the Shawsheen River drainage was home to multiple Native American groups, evidence of whose encampments have been dated back to PaleoIndian times (approximately 10,000-12,000 years ago). Native American occupation of the area was continuous until massive depopulation occurred with the influx of European immigrants and resulting conflict that ensued during the mid-seventeenth century. The Hanscom AFB area played an important role in the Revolutionary War, and was near the war's first battle, on April 19, 1775. The British authorities in Boston sent an expedition of about 700 grenadiers and light infantry to Concord to capture military supplies and to arrest John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Warned of the British advance, the Colonial Militia was mustered in the various towns. Fighting broke out in Lexington at dawn, with the British force inflicting 18 casualties upon the dispersing colonial force. The British then advanced to Concord and the North Bridge, seizing and burning all military supplies in and around the town. Colonial and British forces engaged at North Bridge and later at Meriam's Corner, east of Concord. The British forces, returning to Boston, were harried by 3,000 to 4,000 members of the Colonial Militia from about noon until nightfall, when they reached Bunker Hill on the outskirts of Boston. Several specific sites from this battle, including Bloody Angle, Nelson's Boulders, and Parker's Ambush, exist on or adjacent to Hanscom AFB property. While colonial casualties were buried in local cemeteries, the British dead were often buried near where they fell, so that unknown British graves may exist along the southern border of Hanscom AFB.

In 2007, a Report of a Specialized Intensive (Locational) Survey Lexington Battle Road Hanscom AFB Middlesex County, Massachusetts (Donohue 2007) was published. The survey was designed to locate battlefield debris associated with the Battle of April 19, 1775. As a result of the survey five artifacts believed to be associated with the battle and four that may be associated with the battle were recovered near B1103. Documentary research also revealed that features associated with the eighteenth-century Thomas Nelson Sr. Farm Site (19-MD-347/LEX-HA-6) may also be present within the Main Base. This report was sent to the MHC in May 2007. A total of 617 artifact were uncovered in the area surrounding Building 1103. Since Building 1103 was constructed prior to this investigation, it is highly likely that additional artifacts may be uncovered during the demolition of Building 1103.

Execution

This Archaeological Site Protection Plan shall be implemented to avoid and minimize ground impacts to the property during the demolition and removal of buildings and associated structures.

The following site protection measures shall be implemented within the boundaries of project and shall be implemented prior to and during contractor construction work for the demolition and removal of all buildings, paved parking lots and roads, fences, underground utilities, etc.

1. A qualified professional surveyor will stake the boundaries of the archaeological site “sensitive resource area” with wooden surveyor stakes with blaze orange spray-paint tops and flagging tape. The boundaries will be staked in accordance with the “sensitive resource area” at all boundaries of the limit of work. All areas outside the limits of work as noted in the design drawings shall be classified as “sensitive resource area”.

2. The demolition will be limited to the footprint of the buildings, the surrounding paved parking and road areas, and the underground utilities. All demolition activity will be limited to these previously disturbed areas. The ground area adjacent to the previously disturbed areas shall be protected using plywood sheets (or similar) during demolition.

3. Suitable language will be included in contract, subcontract, and construction documents to prevent inadvertent impacts to the ground surface outside of the previously disturbed areas within the designated “sensitive resource area” and to other undisturbed areas of the property that may be archaeologically sensitive.

a. Construction personnel and contractors will be informed verbally and in writing that the staked area is a “sensitive resource area” where the ground surfaces around the structures proposed for removal are to be protected as indicated above.

b. Construction personnel and contractors will neither perform nor permit any tree cutting or tree stumping, construction, excavation, grading, filling, dumping, or the storage or staging of equipment, vehicles, or supplies within the “sensitive resource area” on unpaved, undisturbed ground surfaces within the staked “sensitive resource area.”

c. Prior to construction, all construction personnel shall attend a one-hour on-site training with the base Cultural Resources Manager (CRM) to review the archaeological protection plan and procedures for inadvertent discovery procedures.

4. No unauthorized artifact collecting or archaeological investigations will be permitted in any area without a state archaeological permit (950 CMT 70) issued by the Massachusetts State Archaeologist/MHC.

5. The site boundary stakes should be removed upon completion of the project.

6. Contractor shall follow the procedures below for inadvertent discovery of cultural resources.

Inadvertent Discoveries

Discoveries of cultural items, including traditional cultural properties, human remains and archaeological resources, may occur. When discoveries are made, the proper actions must be taken to minimize damage to resources and to ensure that applicable laws and requirements are identified and met.

All discoveries of Native American cultural items, including Native American Graves and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)-defined objects, must comply with NAGPRA and 43 CFR 10, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Regulations.

It is a federal offense, under the provisions of Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) and 32 CFR 229, to excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise deface any archaeological resources located on federal lands. The provisions of ARPA apply to archaeological material greater than 100 years in age, regardless of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) status of the site where they are found. Any person wishing to excavate or remove archaeological resources from an AF installation must apply for an ARPA permit. In the event of a permit request, the CRM should notify the AFCEC Cultural Resources Subject Matter Expert.

Procedures:

AF or Contractor personnel that make a potential cultural discovery should:

• Immediately notify the CRM of the nature and location of the discovery.

• Immediately cease potentially damaging activities and take efforts to ensure protection of resources until arrival of the CRM or designee.

The CRM should:

• Ensure that all cultural items are left in place and that no further disturbance is permitted to occur.

• Sufficiently identify the location of the discovery to provide efficient relocation, yet take efforts to minimize the types of signs that could attract personnel and place the discovery in danger.

• Notify Security Forces of the discovery.

• Direct installation personnel and contractors to take efforts to resume mission-associated activities in a reasonable and timely manner.

Security Forces should:

• Notify the Wing Commander regarding the location, nature, and circumstances of the discovery.

• Provide security/protection for the site to prevent unauthorized disturbance, looting, or vandalism.

If human remains are discovered or if there is sufficient reason to suspect that human remains are present (such as the observation of an oval-shaped rock or earthen mound), the CRM should:

• Determine (with the aid of a coroner or forensic anthropologist) if the remains are human, and whether or not they are associated with an archaeological deposit.

If the remains are not human, and not associated with an archaeological deposit, work may continue.

If the remains are human, Security Forces should notify local law enforcement agency and a coroner, who will determine if the remains are recent, or ancient (with the aid of a forensic anthropologist). If the human remains are modern, the matter may become the responsibility of law enforcement officials who will determine when project activities may resume.

• Invite consultation with Native American tribes, as appropriate. If the human remains are determined to be Native American, the provisions of NAGPRA apply, and the regulations outlined in 43 CFR 10 should be followed.

• Notify the installation commander of the inadvertent discovery immediately, follow-up notification with a written report following the Template provided, and receive written confirmation of the receipt of the notification within 48 hours of the initial discovery.

• Notify the appropriate lineal descendants or Indian tribes within 3 working days after receipt of written notification by the installation commander of the discovery of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony.

• The project may proceed 30 days after the relevant tribes certify receipt of notification (or 30 days after the Secretary of the Air Force certifies that the relevant tribes have been notified), or at any time after a written, binding agreement has been executed by Hanscom AFB and the Tribes that includes a recovery plan for the removal, treatment, and disposition of the human remains, and any associated cultural objects.

Template for Memorandum of Notification of the Commanding Officer

Purpose:

a. To notify the installation commander that Native American human remains and/or cultural objects have been inadvertently discovered on Hanscom AFB.

b. Recommend an action plan that implements requirements of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) [25 U.S.C. 3001-3013] and [43 C.F.R. 10], outlined in the NAGPRA Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

c. Request certification of this notification by the Commander to be directly forwarded to the Cultural Resources Manager (CRM).

Situation:

a. Describe circumstances of discovery: by whom, where, and how were Native American human remains and/or cultural objects discovered on the installation.

b. Describe discovered items: condition and contents of the burial, including any grave goods; the primary context of the remains and any artifacts, including site location described according to standard archeological practice; probable age and significance of the remains and/or cultural objects.

Action Plan

a. Receive certification of notification from the Commander by the CRM, within 48 hours of receipt of this notification by his office.

b. Notify the federally recognized, culturally affiliated Indian tribes of the discovery by telephone and written report within three working days after receipt of certification of notification from the Commander.

c. Consult the notified tribes about cultural affiliation, treatment, and disposition of the remains and/or objects.

d. Document the decisions made as a result of consultation in a written plan of action or implement a prior formal agreement.

e. Carry out treatment and disposition of remains and/or objects as agreed upon in consultations according to the process outlined in this NAGPRA SOP.

The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that the above specifications are carried out by the project construction personnel and contractors.

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