Questions_ _Answers.docx

Questions:

1) Section 3.05 indicates that the test unit should be dug "20cm into the natural undisturbed C horizon." Section 2.05 indicates multiple C horizons. Does this mean 20cm into C1? If not, into which C horizon?

2) if the fieldwork for this project can’t commence until May 22nd at the earliest, and field work would only take a few days. Assuming conditions are suitable for excavation by May 22nd, and I’m still able to have a final report done before the deadline, Would this be acceptable? Given the weather, this fieldwork schedule is likely to be true for anyone (at least to complete the formal excavation unit). The Sheyenne River is already predicted at a greater than 50% chance of being at flood stage until 4/29. Given the new wave of precipitation, the probability will likely increase and the flood will likely come later.

Response to Questions:

1. Since we are trying to confirm if there is a burial at this location, any burial pit should start being evident in soil horizons C1-C2-C3, with the bottom of these horizons at approximately 25 cm (7.6 inches), 41 cm (12.5 inches), and 122 cm (37 inches), below the ground surface respectively (per WebSoilSurvey). While the reported burial location is subject to flooding and thus river overbank deposits, it is not itself in a plowed area. Therefore, if there is no evidence of a burial pit after reaching 20 cm into an undisturbed C3 horizon (at ca. 60 cmbs/18 inches below the surface), then it can be assumed there is no burial at that location. A shovel test or soil probe in the bottom of the excavation unit would further validate that conclusion, especially when compared with the other soil probes in the vicinity. Professional judgement would still supercede stopping the excavation unit at this depth if there is any indication in that the burial may be located there, just deeper.

2. Currently the temporary easements granting rights of entry for testing at the reported burial location expire on May 13, 2013. The Corps would prefer it if the fieldwork could be completed by that date if at all possible. If frozen ground and/or flooding do not permit meeting that date, fieldwork could not be conducted until the Fargo-Moorhead Project's local sponsors acquire extensions to those temporary easements and field conditions improved, both presumably in May.