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Blackstone River Valley Special Resource Study

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Blackstone River Valley Special Resource Study Blackstone River Vall ey SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY STUDY REPORT 2011 223-905_5-18.pdf 1 5/18/11 2:29 PM This report has been prepared to provide United States Congress and the public with information about the resources in the study area and how they relate to criteria for feasibility of a National Heritage Area. Publication and transmittal of this report should not be considered an endorsement or a commitment by the National Park Service to seek or to support either specifi c legislative authorization for the project or appropriation for its implementation. Authorization and funding for any new commitments by the National Park Service will have to be considered in light of competing priorities for existing units of the National Park System and other programs. This report was prepared by the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Northeast Region. For additional copies or more information contact: National Park Service Northeast Region / Boston Offi ce Park Planning and Special Studies 15 State Street Boston, Massachusetts 02109 617.223.5048 223-905_5-18.pdf 2 5/18/11 2:29 PM TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 CHAPTER ONE: STUDY PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND Project Overview . 13 Special Resource Study Process . 15 Planning Context . 17 CHAPTER TWO: HISTORICAL OVERVIEW AND RESOURCE DESCRIPTION Historical Overview . 21 Cultural Resource Areas . .27 Visitor Resource Areas . .39 Natural Resources . 40 Socioeconomic Environment . 42 FINDINGS FOR NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE, CHAPTER THREE: SUITABILITY, FEASIBILITY, AND NEED FOR NPS MANAGEMENT Evaluation of National Signifi cance . .47 Suitability Analysis . 57 Feasibility Analysis . 62 Need For NPS Management . .69 Summary of Findings . 70 CHAPTER FOUR: MANAGEMENT OPTIONS Management Option 1. John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Continues to Operate Under Current Authorities . 73 Management Option 2. Old Slater Mill National Historic Site . 77 Management Option 3. Blackstone River Valley Industrial Heritage National Historical Park . 79 Alternatives Considered but Dismissed . 83 Environmentally Preferred Alternative . 84 223-905_5-18.pdf 3 5/18/11 2:29 PM CHAPTER FIVE: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES Impact Topics Considered . .87 Impact Topics Eliminated from Further Evaluation . 87 Methodology for Assessing Impacts . 88 Impact Analysis . 89 CHAPTER SIX: CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION Public Involvement . 97 Consultation . 97 List of Preparers . 98 APPENDICES A. Study Legislation . 103 B. Washington History Program Offi ce Consultation Letter . 105 C. Scholars Site Visit Participants . 109 D. Selected Bibliography . 110 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Study Area and Focus Areas . 16 Figure 2. Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark District . 30 Figure 3. Slaterville Historic District . .32 Figure 4. Ashton Historic District . 33 Figure 5. Whitinsville Historic District . 35 Figure 6. Hopedale Village Historic District . 38 Figure 7. Slatersville, RI 1895 Bird’s Eye View . 54 Figure 8. Slatersville, RI 2009 Aerial View . 54 Figure 9. Ashton Village Circa 1870 . .55 Figure 10. Ashton Village 2009 Aerial View . .55 Figure 11. Village of Whitinsville, MA Circa 1880 . 56 Figure 12. Village of Whitinsville, MA 2009 Aerial View . 56 Figure 13. Mileage Chart . .64 Figure 14. Summary of Environmental Impacts . 94 223-905_5-18.pdf 4 5/18/11 2:29 PM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 223-905_5-18.pdf 5 5/18/11 2:29 PM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | 5 Project Overview fi nal fi ve-year extension requiring that the Commission cease operation in October 2011. The Commission would With the passage of Title VII of Public Law 109-338 be responsible for the preparation and implementation of (October 12, 2006), the John H. Chafee Blackstone River a management plan for the Corridor. Major management Valley National Heritage Corridor Reauthorization Act of plans were completed for the Corridor in 1989 and 1998. 2006, Congress directed the Secretary of the Interior to The John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National conduct a Special Resource Study (SRS) of sites and as- Heritage Corridor has served as a catalyst for regional ini- sociated landscape features within the boundaries of the tiatives since its creation in 1986. As a result, the Black- John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage stone River Valley has developed a large regional constitu- Corridor (“Corridor”) that contribute to the understanding ency drawing from environmental, cultural, recreational, of the Corridor as the birthplace of the industrial revolution and economic interests. A number of bi-state, Valley-wide in the United States. The primary purpose of the SRS is to initiatives are currently underway to protect and preserve determine whether the resources being evaluated meet the the resources associated with the Blackstone River Valley criteria for inclusion as a unit or units of the National Park and to improve recreational access and opportunities. System. The study team acknowledged the desires of the Com- This legislation also extended the Corridor Commission mission and the public that the long history of federal ac- (“Commission”) an additional fi ve years until 2011 and tivity and investment in the Blackstone River Valley region authorized development funds through 2016. By 2011, the be recognized in the study process. The following elements Commission will have been in operation for 25 years. The were identifi ed to ensure that these previous efforts were SRS is being undertaken concurrently with an update to the given adequate consideration: Corridor’s 1998 management plan, which is also required • Preserve, protect and interpret resources throughout under this public law. the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley The study area encompassed the Blackstone River Val- National Heritage Corridor that exemplify the ley National Heritage Corridor established by Congress in Valley’s nationally signifi cant industrial heritage for November 1986 for the purpose of “preserving and inter- the benefi t and inspiration of future generations. preting for educational and inspirational benefi t of present • Support the preservation, protection, and and future generations the unique and signifi cant contribu- interpretation of the region’s landscape features – tions to our national heritage of certain historic and cultural both urban and rural, including the Blackstone River lands, waterways and structures within the states of Massa- and Canal – that provide an overarching context for the Valley’s industrial heritage. chusetts and Rhode Island.”1 In November 1999, Congress renamed the Corridor the John H. Chafee Blackstone River • Educate the public about the industrial history of the Valley National Heritage Corridor in honor of the late sena- Valley and its signifi cance to our nation’s past and present. tor who championed it.2 The Corridor encompasses all or part of 24 communities from Worcester, MA to Providence, • Protect the substantial federal investment that has RI. been committed to key resources and facilities Valley-wide. The Corridor’s establishing legislation authorized the • Support and enhance the network of partners creation of an operating commission for an initial fi ve years who will continue to engage in the protection, and provided for a possible fi ve-year extension, which the improvement, management, and operation of key Commission was granted. In 1996, Congress extended the resources and facilities throughout the Valley. Commission for ten more years, followed in 2006 with a 1 Public Law 99-647 An Act to Establish the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 2 P.L. 106-113, Approved Nov. 29, 1999, (113 Stat. 1501). 223-905_5-18.pdf 7 5/18/11 2:29 PM 6 | BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY Criteria for New Parklands enjoyment (taking into account current and potential im- pacts from sources beyond its boundaries) and be capable By law (Public Law 91-383 §8 as amended by §303 of of effi cient administration by the NPS at a reasonable cost. Public Law 105-391, The National Parks Omnibus Man- There are many excellent examples of the successful agement Act (Public Law 105-391)) and NPS policy, po- management of important natural and cultural resources by tential new units of the National Park System must 1) other public agencies, private conservation organizations, possess nationally signifi cant resources, 2) be a suitable and individuals. Most notably, state park systems provide addition to the system, 3) be a feasible addition to the sys- for protection of natural and cultural resources throughout tem, and 4) require direct NPS management or adminis- the nation and offer outstanding recreational experiences. tration instead of alternative protection by other agencies The NPS applauds these accomplishments and actively en- or the private sector. courages the expansion of conservation activities by state, An area or resource may be considered nationally sig- local, and private entities, and by other federal agencies. nifi cant if it: Unless direct NPS management of a studied area is identi- • is an outstanding example of a particular type of fi ed as the clearly superior alternative, the NPS will recom- resource; mend that one or more of these other entities assume a lead • possesses exceptional value or quality in illustrating management role and that the area not be considered as a or interpreting the natural or cultural themes of our potential unit of the National Park System. nation’s heritage; • offers superlative opportunities for public enjoyment
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