Appendix A PSS Filing Notice FLINT MINE SOLAR FACILITY Greene County, New York
NOTICE OF FILING OF PRELIMINARY SCOPING STATEMENT
Flint Mine Solar LLC (“Flint Mine” or “Applicant”) is proposing to construct a major solar electric generating facility up to 100 Megawatts (MW) in size in the Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York. To construct the facility, the Applicant must obtain a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (“CECPN”) from the New York State Board on Electric Generating Siting and the Environment (“Siting Board”) pursuant to Article 10 of the Public Service Law and the Siting Board’s rules (16 NYCRR Part 1000). This notice announces that on or about November 2, 2018, Flint Mine will file a Preliminary Scoping Statement (“PSS”), pursuant to 16 NYCRR 1000.5, which is designed to gather input from the public and interested agencies on the scope and methodology of studies to be conducted in support of a future Application. The filing of the PSS will start a 21-day public comment period on the scope and methodology of the studies proposed.
The PSS filing marks the beginning of a formal public scoping process. The PSS document will, among other things, describe and identify: the environmental setting in the area where the Facility is proposed, the potential environmental and community impacts from construction and operation of the Facility, and anticipated benefits of the Facility on the environment and local community, as well as on the State’s achievement of its renewable energy generation goals. The PSS will identify and describe the proposed environmental studies it plans to conduct during the Article 10 process in order to assess potential impacts to land uses in the Facility area; public health and safety; ecological resources, protected species and habitats, and water resources; communications, transportation, and utilities; cultural, historical and recreational resources; visual impacts and screening; sound; and impacts on the statewide electrical system, among other things. Further, the PSS will outline potential measures to minimize environmental impacts from the Facility, as well as reasonable alternatives, other required permits/authorizations, and other relevant information to be provided in the Article 10 Application.
The proposed 100MW Facility will provide up to approximately 175,000 MW hrs in renewable energy produced from the sun, and will be located in the Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, NY. The Facility will include solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, electrical storage devices, inverters to convert direct current electricity generated by the Facility to alternating current electricity that can be delivered to the New York State electric grid, as well as electrical collection lines, access roads, temporary construction staging and storage areas. The Facility will connect to the State electric grid via a substation and switchyard to be located in the Town of Coxsackie. More information on the proposed Facility can be found on the Siting Board’s website under Case 18-F-0087, and at the local document repositories listed at the end of this notice.
Within 21 days after filing of the PSS, any person, agency or municipality may submit comments on the PSS by serving such comments on the Applicant and filing a copy with the Secretary of the Department of Public Service at the addresses provided below. The Applicant will prepare a summary of the material comments and its reply to those comments within 21 days after the closing of the comment period. The scoping process is overseen and mediated by a Hearing Examiner. The Hearing Examiner will schedule a pre-application meeting, which will commence the stipulations negotiation process and will allow for the discussion and award of intervenor funding. Additional notice of the pre-application meeting will be published by the Examiners.
To facilitate participation by local municipalities and community groups, Flint Mine Solar will provide $35,000 toward an intervenor fund, which is disbursed by the Hearing Examiners to groups seeking assistance with expenses associated with their participation in the Article 10 process during the pre-application review phase. By law, at least fifty percent of these intervenor funds are reserved for impacted municipalities. Once the PSS is filed, the Hearing Examiners will issue a notice that such intervenor funds are available, will describe the kinds of expenditures which are eligible for receipt of those monies, and will provide instructions and a schedule for interested groups to apply for pre-application intervenor funds. Later in the Article 10 process, when the formal Article 10 Application is submitted, additional application-phase intervenor funding will be made available to facilitate municipal and party participation in the Application and Hearing phase.
Contact Information
To obtain information regarding the Project, please contact:
Patrick Doyle 2021 Western Ave, Suite 105A Albany, NY 12203 [email protected] 1-866-218-0658 (toll free)
Contact information for the DPS public information coordinator:
James Denn NYS Department of Public Service 3 Empire State Plaza Albany, NY (518)474-7080 [email protected]
Hard copies of the PSS and related project documents are available for review at the following local document repositories: Heermance Memorial Library, 1 Ely St, Coxsackie, NY 12051; D.R. Evart Library, 80 Second St, Athens, NY 12015; Coxsackie Town Hall, 16 Reed St, Coxsackie, NY 12051; Athens Town Hall, First Street, Athens, NY 12015.
Digital copies of the PSS and related project documents are available on the Siting Board’s Docket for this case, which can be accessed by visiting http://www.dps.ny.gov/, going to “Search” on the top of the webpage and then searching using the Case Number 18-F-0087.
Requests for Notices Any interested member of the public may file a request with the DPS Secretary to receive copies of all notices concerning the Project, including but not limited to notices regarding any proposed pre-application stipulation. Written requests should be sent to the DPS Secretary at [email protected] or sent by mail to the following address:
Honorable Kathleen H. Burgess Secretary to the Commission NYS Public Service Commission Agency Building 3 Albany, New York 12223-1350
Appendix B Meeting Log FLINT MINE SOLAR (FMS) PIP TRACKER COVERING 5.27.2018 through 11.02.2018 Date Stakeholder Form of Communication Location Stakeholder FMS Representatives Topics Feedback Follow-up Representative(s) 5/28/2018 Town of Athens Resident In-Person Colarusso Jen Crawford (C&A) General Impressions Chance meeting with an individual Athens resident while taking photos of the Invited resident to Flint Mine's Sunstream Solar Facility in Greenport. Resident was excited to hear that one Open House on May 30th of New York's largest solar facilities might be installed in his back yard. Having (resident could not attend due worked adjacent to the Sunstream facility for a few years, he had few to work). concerns and thought solar would be a good neighbor.
5/30/2018 Coxsackie Resident Open House Meeting Pegasus Jen Crawford & General concerns, methods of Stakeholder appreciated FMS straightforwardness. Had experience with Continue dialog. Michelle Mormile sheep grazing. sheep and discussed options. (C&A) 5/30/2018 American Solar Grazing Association Open House Meeting Pegasus Lexie Hain Jen Crawford & Design considerations for Be sure to plan to provide water. Fencing should be set up to rotate sheep Consider pros & cons of Michelle Mormile sheep grazing within paddocks and needs to be slightly buried to prevent escape. utilizing sheep. (C&A) 5/30/2018 American Solar Grazing Association Open House Meeting Pegasus Ivan Goodman Jen Crawford & Design considerations for He is setting up a second pilot project at his farm in Ulster County Stay in communication to learn Michelle Mormile sheep grazing from pilot project in Hudson (C&A) Valley. 5/30/2018 Landowner Open House Meeting Pegasus Jen Crawford & Design considerations for Residents were interested in learning more about how sheep and solar would Continue dialog w Stakeholder Michelle Mormile sheep grazing work. (C&A) 5/30/2018 Neighboring Landowner Open House Meeting Pegasus Patrick Doyle Heat generation Landowner requested that more information be provided on the potential Look into conducting such a heat emissions the solar facility could have, and potential impacts to ambient study; add heat emission air conditions at property on Flats Road just to the east of the proposed discussion to Preliminary project. Scoping Statement at Section 2.15 5/30/2018 NYSERDA Open House Meeting Pegasus Maureen Leddy Jen Crawford & NYSERDA Contract Wanted it made clear that a NYSERDA contract for Renewable Energy Credits Include brief discussion of Michelle Mormile wasn't equivalent to approval of the project (i.e. projects still need to NYSERDA contract in next (C&A) complete the Article 10 and NYISO processes to be approved for construction Open House. & interconnection) 5/30/2018 Association of Property Owners of Sleepy Open House Meeting Pegasus Laurel Wolfe Jen Crawford & Stormwater and water quality APOSHL wanted FMS to consider the fact that Sleepy Hollow is an impaired APOSHL will send the Sleepy Hollow Lake (APOSHL) Michelle Mormile water body, and stormwater designs should consider that. They worry about Hollow Lake Watershed (C&A). Patrick Doyle additional phosphorus loading that may arise from introduction of sheep. Management Plan for review (FMS, separate Discussed the general requirements with regards to NYSDEC GP-0-15-002 and by the project team. Add conversations). the stormwater design manual. Sleepy Hollow watershed information to PSS Section 23.
5/30/2018 Scenic Hudson Open House Meeting Pegasus Audrey Friedrichsen Jen Crawford & Scenic Hudson's interest in Scenic Hudson will be focused on three main categories: farmland protection, Schedule a meeting with Michelle Mormile the project wildlife habitat conservation, and aesthetics. They have a newer renewables Scenic Hudson and the (C&A) group, focused on helping figure out how to prioritize lands to conserve and developers at SH's offices in find compromises to support the state's goal of 50% by 2030. Poughkeepsie
5/30/2018 Village of Coxsackie Trustee, Liaison to Fire Open House Meeting Pegasus Joseph Ellis Jen Crawford & First Response Joe asked about fire response planning, and how the local volunteer Follow up with John Farrell. Department & School District Michelle Mormile firefighters would be trained to handle emergencies on site. He said to be sure Plan training for volunteer (C&A) to coordinate with John Farrell, county car 1. firefighters. Incorporate into PSS Section 2.18.
5/30/2018 Coxsackie & Athens Residents Open House Meeting Pegasus Unknown Jen Crawford & General * Numerous residents asked about the benefit to local economy, PILOTs, and Address questions in Michelle Mormile where the power would be sold. Many asked "why here?". preliminary scoping statement, (C&A) * A few residents expressed concern about potential visual impacts. at appropriate sections. * Many residents were curious what would happen to the project at the end of its lifetime, and typical solar decommissioning practices were explained. * Some residents were concerned about impacts to wildlife, birds in particular * Some residents were concerned about runoff & water quality. Some asked whether pesticides would be used for vegetation management. * One resident asked whether panels contained hazardous materials, and whether they could be a air/water quality danger if damaged or left on site after the lifetime of the project.
5/30/2018 Coxsackie Resident Open House Meeting Pegasus Flats Road Property Jimmy Parsley (FMS) Project Impacts Concerns about effect of project on wildlife. E-mail exchange to arrange Owner meeting between FMS & resident 5/30/2018 Coxsackie Resident Open House Meeting Pegasus Flats Road Property Patrick Doyle Project Impacts Concerns about being surrounded on all sides by the Flint Mine & Greene Arrange meeting between Owner County solar projects. FMS & resident at property on Flats Rd. 6/4/2018 Athens Town Board & Members of the Town of Athens Regular Athens Town Athens Town Board & Patrick Doyle Solar Energy. Saving Greene presented to Town Board. Discussion of zoning came up. Continue to find land for solar Public. Saving Greene Meeting Hall Members of the Supervisor stated an openness to moving the boundaries of existing zoning, that is naturally screened, or Public. Saving Greene but doesn't want to create new types of zones. Said that solar is generally that can be screened with permitted along the power line, within an area totaling ~1200acres. Looking plantings. Work to ensure to move land on 9W from agriculture to commercial/mixed use. Supervisor there are tangible benefits to requested a map of the Flint Mine project from FMS. Saving Greene is the community that are concerned that "everywhere we look there will be solar and all our land will be conveyed to the community. covered with black panels." Saving Greene sees lots of urbanites coming up Ensure that land used by FMS and wants to keep Cocsackie accessible for people looking to buy cheap land. for solar will not impact the Saving Greene speculated that Flint Mine will "bring its own contractor" and state's food supply. Ensure that there will be "pretty much nothing on the jobs". Towns hosting the that appropriate security is in project will not be seeing any benefit (taxes were supposed to go down after place to ensure the project is the warehouses were built, but this never happened). Saving Greene stated decommissioned at the end of that New York couldn't feed itself if all this land is taken for solar. Saving its useful like. Ensure that Greene asked about decommissioning bonds, which the Supervisor agreed misunderstandings or was a concern. concerns raised in presentation are addressed and explained appropriately in conversations and PSS.
6/4/2018 Athens Town Board & Members of the Report on FMS Open House Athens Town Carol McBride, Athens Patrick Doyle Reported on FMS Open Explained that Projects over 25MW must go through Article 10. Noted there E-mail Assessor to expand on Public by Assessor to Town of Hall Assessor House to Town Board and will be intervenor funding available: $35k at PSS stage and $100k at Report to TB. Continue Athens Regular Meeting Public Application Stage. Reported on FMS Principals, studies to be done, visibility communication with Assessor and screening. and Athens Officials.
6/5/2018 Athens Assessor E-mail E-mail Carol McBride Patrick Doyle Follow Up Provided additional details on FMS development team, intervenor funding, Continue communication with project schedule and status. Assessor and Athens Officials.
6/7/2018 Coxsackie Planning Board Chair Face-to-face Meeting prior Coxsackie Town Bruce Haeussler Patrick Doyle (FMS) Open House FMS handed over presentation & copy of posters from Open House. Chair Limit participation in future to regular PB meeting Hall made it clear that as FMS is an Article 10 project, the PB wouldn't be involved. Planning Board meetings, until further developments.
6/7/2018 Coxsackie Planning Board Coxsackie PB Regular Coxsackie Town Coxsackie Planning Patrick Doyle (FMS) Community Solar project CCR explained that they were relocating their proposed project across the Consider actions of CCR on Meeting Hall Board (Fallen Tree) street, from an open crop field to a former Christmas Tree farm. The latter habitat and factor in to FMS was chosen after a site walk with the DEC and has been deemed to be design. marginal habitat (for Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls). Delaware Engineering said that both Town Law and the DEC require habitat to be preserved. A concern about the use of herbicides and its impact on drinking water was raised. A question was raised if the original site would be protected for habitat. The planning board typically asks for screening between a fence and affected houses.
6/7/2018 Sleepy Hollow Residents Face-to-face Meeting Reed St. MCMG Patrick Doyle (FMS) Height of panels off the Explained that technical details would be finalized later in the process. Continue to engage with ground, angle of panels. Discussed screening and setbacks from 9W and Flint Mine Road; FMS is Stakeholders on technical seeking input from the public prior to making decisions. details. Date Stakeholder Form of Communication Location Stakeholder FMS Representatives Topics Feedback Follow-up Representative(s) 6/7/2018 Athens PB Chair & Greene Land Trust Face-to-face Meeting Reed St. Hal Brodie Patrick Doyle (FMS) Amount of land being Expressed concern about the amount of land under option for solar. FMS said Invite GLT to visit the project Board Member acquired by Solar companies that a major reason for acquiring additional land was to make sure that habitat site. Clearly explain in PSS and in the area. would be preserved. It is incumbent on developers to demonstrate how related figures the actual area habitat is being preserved. to be used for PV panels, versus habitat and cultural conservation, buffer areas, wetlands to be avoided, etc.
6/12/2018 Coxsackie Town Board & Members of the Town of Coxsackie Regular Coxsackie Town Coxsackie Town Board Patrick Doyle (FMS) FMS handed over Open House Materials to Town Board. Councilor Veeder is Follow up on new solar town Public Meeting Hall working on a draft town law. Councilors stated that residents need to get law provisions. more involved. 6/13/2018 Coxsackie part-time farmer within Facility Project visit & Phone-call Telephone & Farmer John Lacey (EDR), Preform analysis of soil Farmer stated that he found it impossible to grow any crops by hay, and that Continue to study agricultural Site FMS Facility Patrick Doyle (FMS) throughout Facility Area the market for hay was extremely poor. There were few, if any, local buyers market, soils and other issues. Area and downstate buyers had high standards, rejecting bales with issues that Note issues in PSS Sections 21 were inevitable given the weather and soil conditions. and 22.
6/15/2018 American Solar Grazing Association E-mail E-mail Lexie Hain Patrick Doyle (FMS) Sheep/manure/interested Offered introductions to sheep owners interested in grazing sheep at Flint Continue communications. sheep farmers Mine; also to experts who could advice to FMS on sheep, including from NYSDAM 6/18/2018 Coxsackie & Athens landowners Phone-call Phone-call Patrick Doyle (FMS) Impact of general opposition Landowners are concerned about mis-information about solar on FMS. Agree to continue discussions to solar farms in Greene Expressed desire to counteract the misinformation. with landowners and to County on FMS provide additional information in PSS, Open House, and other venues.
6/20/2018 Co-owner of Farm & Flower Business in In-Person Germantown Jen Crawford (C&A) Design considerations for Primary concerns include access to water & irrigation, as well as row spacing Continue consultation as Columbia County farming at a solar facility to accommodate tractors. Perennials may work in between rows if the spacing project design is developed. is wide enough, and that low growth fruit trees, such as apple or pear, could be considered around the perimeter of a site. Recommended looking into "silvopasture" farming, a method of combining trees, plants, and livestock at one site. 6/22/2018 Coxsackie & Athens landowners Phone-call Phone-call Patrick Doyle (FMS) Impact on the Flint Mine Further discussions about landowner concerns about mis-information being Agree to continue discussion Facility of the opposition to spread on FMS. with landowners solar in Greene County 6/23/2018 NYSDAM (via American Solar Grazing E-mail E-mail Lexie Hain, G Albrecht Patrick Doyle (FMS) Links to resources Prescribed grazing management, forage & biomass planting standards, fence Review and consider in Association) (NYSDAM Agricultural & water standards etc. continuing development Environmental efforts. Management (AEM) Specialist
6/23/2018 Neighboring Landowner Site Walk Property in Patrick Doyle (FMS) Solar potential & impacts Landowner expressed interest in land being used for some form of mitigation FMS agreed to re-engage LO at Athens of impacts on the environment. a later date when its mitigation strategy was better defined.
6/25/2018 Scenic Hudson Presentation Audrey Friedrichsen, Jennifer Crawford Discussion of FMS Project FMS presented project (wildlife-friendly fences, native grasses, pilings to fix Consider feedback from Scenic Hayley Carlock, Seth (C&A), Bill Moore, the racking). Scenic Hudson are focused on three main categories: farmland Hudson. Set up field visit. McKee, Nava Tabak, Patrick Doyle FMS) protection, wildlife habitat conservation, and aesthetics. They will be an Jeff Anzevino, Rebecca intervenor in A10, and will look at the local impacts vs the public benefit. In DeLaCruz, Nicky Chung general, SH felt one 100MW project was preferable to five 20MW dispersed (all Scenic Hudson) projects. SH don't believe that there will be grassland habitat under the panels. They were interested in the size of the POI Switchyard. SH asked if FMS would conduct post-construction monitoring. They were interested in the idea of storage and felt it made sense for FMS to consider installing storage capability in this Facility.
6/28/2018 Coxsackie Town Board Town of Coxsackie Regular Coxsackie Town Coxsackie Town Board Patrick Doyle Regular business. Attend meeting and listen. Continue attending meetings Workshop Hall 7/2/2018 Athens Town Board & Members of the Town of Athens Regular Athens Town Athens Town Board & Patrick Doyle (FMS) Solar Energy. Saving Greene presented to Town Board. Discussion of zoning came up. Deliver map & follow up on Public. Saving Greene Meeting Hall Members of the Supervisor requested a map of the Flint Mine project from FMS. zoning. Public. Saving Greene
7/6/2018 Town of Athens Phone-call Carol McBride Patrick Doyle (FMS) Property Assessments Discussed valuations of farm land in northern Athens, noting that the huge Continue discussions on (Assessor) pylons and rights of way contributed, along with soil conditions, to the project. difficulty in farming. 7/6/2018 Athens Deputy Town Clerk Face-to-face Meeting Athens Town Gail Stacey (Deputy Patrick Doyle Preliminary project map Delivered large-scale map to Town, at request of Supervisor and Town Offered to meet in-person Hall Town Clerk), posterboard from Open Attorney (smaller maps being difficult to read) with Town Supervisor, but House latter not available for a number of weeks due to busy schedule. 7/6/2018 American Farmland Trust Phone-call Phone-call Samantha Levy Patrick Doyle Impacts on farmland Keeping land in farming is core to AFT's mission. AFT is also interested in Invite AFT to visit the project receding climate change. AFT would like to find a way to preserve the most site. productive farmland, while making space for solar. FMS pointed out that the majority of land under consideration was not being farmed productively, and that no prime land was under consideration for solar panels. AFT wants land put to the best use possible.
7/10/2018 Coxsackie Town Board & ~40 Members of Town of Coxsackie Regular Coxsackie Town Coxsackie Town Board Bill Moore, Patrick Presentation on Article 10 by FMS handed over a posterboard map of the FMS Facility, valid as of the May Follow up on DPS presentation the Public Meeting Hall Doyle Andy Davis. Presentation on 30th Open House. A Davis made a presentation of the A10 process. In on Article 10, by continuing to technical assistance in response to concern expressed by a TB Member about how seriously the educate the public. implementing clean energy by Siting Board takes the public's comments, Davis replied that an elaborate Tara Donation buy the Capital process had been set up to involve the public, that public comments are District Regional Planning important and are taken into consideration. Davis stated that Article 10 was Commission. like a trial. TB member recognized that one can't just say they don't like solar. In response to another question on when an applicant might abandon a project, Davis said that was up to the applicant. Saving Greene representative stated that in practice A10 is used "to run roughshod over the community". Resident asked about cumulative impacts. Davis said that local laws, local land use plans and other proposed projects nearby were taken into consideration. Resident expressed concern that A10 didn't call for property value guarantee. At the end of the meeting, the Town Board passed a resolution opposing different utility-scale solar project in a different zoning district in the town by 5-0.
7/10/2018 NYSERDA Face-to-face meeting NYSERDA Houtan Moaveni Bill Moore, Patrick PILOTs, FMS project, Discussed PILOTs and methods for valuing renewable energy projects. Local Continue discussions on Albany Office Doyle NYSERDA role & interests governments need to know more about renewables, but NYSERDA hasn't project. been able to hold a workshop in Greene County. NYSERDA supports storage. NYSERDA wants to meet with all local officials here there are projects with NYSERDA contracts. Discussed Community Choice Aggregation in general.
7/10/2018 NYISO E-mail E-mail Arun Gandhi Patrick Doyle Technical Data Provided data requested by NYISO for SRIS/OSRIS Follow up on progress 7/24/2018 Coxsackie Town Board Member & Solar Voice-mails Phone Phone Patrick Doyle Update on project & town None Will follow up w Councilor Law Committee Member Mike Veeder law Veeder.
7/28/2018 Coxsackie Resident Meeting Outside Resident Patrick Doyle Attitude to Flint Mine Solar Flint Mine Solar is in a more rural, isolated part of town. Resident & others Maintain offer to meet with Coxsackie Town don't care about Flint Mine Solar. Saving Greene isn't interested in meeting community groups. Hall with Flint Mine 7/28/2018 Town of Germantown Fire Department In-Person Palatine Park Captain MM Jen Crawford (C&A) Fire Suppression Discussed methods to respond to a fire at a large scale solar facility. Requested introductions to Recommended containment as a primary strategy, but also using foam to Greene County Fire Chiefs help reduce the magnitude of a potential fire. 7/28/2018 Coxsackie Town Board Member & Solar Voice-mails Phone Patrick Doyle Update on project & town None Will follow up w Councilor Law Committee Member Mike Veeder law Veeder.
8/1/2018 Greene County Emergency Services Email n/a John P. Farrell Jr., Jen Crawford (C&A) GIS data, set up meeting to Dan King would be the best to know what GIS data is available. Schedule a meeting for late Director, Greene discuss FMS project. August or September. County Car 1 Date Stakeholder Form of Communication Location Stakeholder FMS Representatives Topics Feedback Follow-up Representative(s) 8/2/2018 Greene Land Trust (GLT) Phone-call Phone-call Jill Knapp Patrick Doyle Cumulative Impacts. FMS GLT are keeping an open mind on solar. Their primary concern is the amount GLT will tour the project site in layout. of land that could be used if two utility-scale solar projects are built. GLT August with FMS. FMS will would like to see where FMS plans on installing panels. discuss layout options an concerns with GLT. Clearly address these issues in the PSS. 8/2/2018 Solarize Albany (& surrounding counties) Bi-monthly Meeting Albany Solarize Team Patrick Doyle NYSERDA program to Solarize had been involved in discussions on another utility-scale project. Continue dialog construct EV-charging Considering applicability of Community Choice Aggregation. stations at scale. Co-operation between FMS & Solarize.
8/2/2018 Dave Barnard (Solarize Technology Face-to-face Meeting Albany Dave Barnard Patrick Doyle Concerned about fit of FMS said that, although the generation profile of solar was generally a good Share information on project. Specialist) renewable energy programs match for the current load profile, installing storage capacity in the project to market-needs, in particular was under consideration, to address this issue. Proximity to transmission and as regards the variable output load and being in a region with anticipated future capacity needs were of solar. important criteria in site selection.
8/3/2018 Greene County IDA Phone-call Phone-call Rene VanSchaack, Patrick Doyle Project update, recent actions Discussion regarding FMS project and role that IDA will play. The IDA Continue to site project Executive Director. by IDA on solar, PILOT. represents the community's interests. And while there is a recognition that components to minimize the quality of the soil makes farming difficult, particularly in the vicinity of Flint visibility and impact on Mine Road (referenced family that wanted to farm vegetables for own productive agricultural land. restaurant business but couldn't because the soil was so bad), and that many Continue to interface with family farms in the area were out of business by the 1970's due to the buy- town boards. Ensure that PSS out, there are also some concerns that need to be addressed. Suggested that addresses concerns raised by FMS needed to carefully consider community input, including the Towns and community, such as residents, on issues such as visibility and agricultural impacts. agricultural land status and viability, and visual impacts.
8/3/2018 National Grid Phone-call Phone-call Kevin Kennedy Patrick Doyle Re-introduce project. Discuss Discussed interface of solar project with two Ngrid lines that run through the Ngrid requested FMS follow up ROW use Facility Site (115kV & 345kV). Ingrid said that obtaining a crossing agreement with an -email that can be is a lengthy process. shared with the relevant departments. 8/6/2018 Town of Athens Town of Athens Regular Athens Town Athens Town Board & Patrick Doyle Project Update, Athens FMS updated town board on progress on the project (continuing wetland Follow up with town officials Meeting Hall Members of the Public Zoning. delineation, IDA strategy, interplay between local laws and A10). Discussed on solar zoning. need for certain parcels to be rezoned and requested meeting with Supervisor, town attorney to discuss specific request.
8/7/2018 Scenic Hudson & Greene Land Trust Meeting & Site Visit The Willows & Scenic Hudson (Audrey Patrick Doyle & Habitat, visibility, land use. FMS gave an update on development strategy. Discussed ideas of where Follow up with GLT & Scenic Flint Mine Friedrichsen, Hayley William Moore (Flint Site visit. panels might be sited & what land could be kept for habitat. EDR stated there Hudson for feedback on site Facility Site Carlock, Jeff Anzevino, Mine), Pat Heaton can be an educational/recreational component to habitat preservation, visit & discussion. Flag Seth McKee, Nikki, (EDR) leading to the idea of a viewing station and trails. The Shawangunk National suggested Nava Tabak) & Greene Refuge was mentioned as an example. SH wants to support solar while educational/recreational Land Trust (Bob remaining true to their mission. recommendation for further Knighton, Hal Brodie, investigation. Jill Knapp)
8/8/2018 New Yorkers for Clean Power (NYCP) Phone-call Phone-call Elizabeth Broad Patrick Doyle Solar projects in Greene Are Coxsackie and/or Athens Climate Smart or Clean Energy Communities? Work with NYCP on clean County; opposition to clean power education within the power. area. 8/14/2018 Town of Coxsackie Town Board, members Public Hearing on Draft Coxsackie Town Coxsackie Town Board Patrick Doyle Regular business. Draft solar Cllr Veeder said crafting the law was time-consuming but they tried to take Study and comment on draft of the public, Solar Law Hall law. everything into consideration. Supervisor said they needed to protect the town law. character of the town, the growing tourist industry, the people who grew up here and those who moved in. Landowner stated that in the 4 decades he has cultivated his land, the number of farms on Farm-to-Market has dropped from ten to two. Supervisor felt that Article 10 bypassed the local law, but FMS expressed a desire to comply with the town's laws.
8/14/2018 Greene County Emergency Services Email n/a John P. Farrell Jr., Jen Crawford (C&A) Emergency response GIS data Asked that John request that Ray share GIS data Director, Greene County Car 1
8/29/2018 Greene County Emergency Services Meeting 25 Volunteer John P. Farrell Jr., Jen Crawford (C&A), Emergency response planning GC Fire reps have no major concerns at this point, since PV is a well known Crawford will send CalFire Drive, Cairo Director, Greene Patrick Doyle technology. FMS should make education and training of the local volunteer manual, Dan will share Greene County Car 1, Dan fire departments a priority. They recommended an annual training that would County CEMP, John will share King, Emergency be coordinated through their office for all the different departments to fire chiefs' contact info. This Management attend. Training should be offered to all districts that the project is located information was all exchanged Specialist within (Athens, West Athens, and Coxsackie) as well as each bordering district over email in the following due to the anticipation that mutual aid could be required. They indicated that week. Address items in PSS operationally, getting across CSX tracks can be difficult because long freight Section 2.18. trains can block passage for up to 45min. The trains are also known to cause sparks and brush fires in locations that are difficult to access. In the plan, they hope to see at least one appendix that is the ~2pg quick response guide for use during emergencies, and hope it is kept simple. They also want to be sure the plan provides contact info for who of FMS to call in the event of emergencies.
8/30/2018 Town of Athens Meeting Athens Town Supervisor Butler, Rob Panasci, Laura Explore approaches to Discussed existing Town zoning law and map, and potential amendments that Present request to Board. Hall Town Attorney Bomyea (Young rezoning to accommodate would be needed to accommodate FMS. Discussed Article 10 process an Have landowners attend. Sommer), Patrick solar. applicability of substantive provisions of local law. Expressed FMS's desire to Doyle (FMS) be compliant with local laws and not rely on Siting Board waivers. Want the relationship to be cooperative and productive, not adversarial.
9/1/2018 NYSDEC, NYSDAM, NYSDPS Site Tour Facility Site Andy Davis, Jeremy Erik Kiveat Site overview, agriculture, Discussed raptor behavior & habitat; potential to conserve raptors and rare Look at implementing ideas Rosenthal, John (Hudsonia), J Hecklau, habitat, potential layout plants together; potential for managing the National Grid ROW. Discussed discussed. Follow up on Quackenbush, Jeremy P Heaton, J areas, interconnection viability of agricultural operations within the Facility Site. various topics (e.g. habitat Flaum, Chase Chaskey, Wojcikiewicz (EDR), L location. mitigation) and incorporate Heather Behkne, Bomyea (YS), Bill issues, questions, and topics Andrea Cerbin (DPS), Moore, P Doyle (FMS) discussed in PSS. Mike Saviola, Kathleen Close, Tara Wells (NYSDAM), Kristen Cady-Poulin, Georgette Walters, Brianna Denancourt, Paul Novak, Jenny Murtaugh (DEC)
9/7/2018 Coxsackie Hose Company Email n/a Fire Chief Shawn Jen Crawford (C&A) Emergency response planning Introduced Crawford & Flint Mine Project Have a call to discuss project & Burdick concerns. 9/7/2018 Athens Volunteer Fire Department Email n/a Fire Chief David Jen Crawford (C&A) Emergency response planning Introduced Crawford & Flint Mine Project Have a call to discuss project & Disbrow concerns. He'll come find me at the convention this weekend. 9/7/2018 West Athens Lime St. Fire District Email n/a Fire Chief Tim Farrell Jen Crawford (C&A) Emergency response planning Introduced Crawford & Flint Mine Project Have a call to discuss project & concerns. 9/11/2018 Town of Coxsackie Town Board, ~ 50 Public Hearing on Draft Coxsackie Town Coxsackie Town Board Laura Bomyea (Young Regular business, plus public FMS and Young Sommer spoke in favor of permitting solar in the RA-2 district, Submit additional material on members of the public, TV & press Solar Law Hall Sommer, Patrick hearing on draft solar law where most of the Facility would be located. Handed over letter and stated solar. Doyle that the land to be used in unproductive, the modules would be well screened by natural features and the Facility would bring significant economic development. Fifteen speakers were in favor of solar. Date Stakeholder Form of Communication Location Stakeholder FMS Representatives Topics Feedback Follow-up Representative(s) 9/12/2018 Flint Mine Supporters and Landowners Various Coxsackie Numerous NA Misinformation Received concerns and complaints from a number of FMS supporters who Solar supporters were advised Elementary attended a meeting held by Saving Greene and were disturbed by how the that they needed to organize School meeting was conducted. According to HudsonValley360, Assemblyman Tague themselves and make their was under the impression that "25% of the town" could be turned into a solar voices heard. Offered to farm (Flint Mine Solar, which is the largest solar Facility proposed for provide information on how to Coxsackie, would use about 1% of the acreage of the town). When solar participate in Article 10 supporters attempted to challenge the misinformation , they were prevented process. from speaking.
9/18/2018 Friends of Flint Mine Solar Meeting Coxsackie Landowners and Laura Bomyea (Young Article 10, information on Landowners and solar supporters are concerned about the process, about Provide information on A10 supporters of Flint Sommer), Patrick solar misinformation and about their voices not being heard. FMS and regional process and how to Mine Solar Doyle (FMS) clean energy advocates attended to answer group's questions on solar energy participate. Offer to answer in NYS, Article 10, economic benefits, the impact of local laws. FOFMS any further questions about recognized the importance of organizing and participating in the process. project, process and participation. 9/21/2018 Cornell Atkinson Survey Center, ASGA Survey Survey Dr. M Thonney, N Patrick Doyle Operations & maintenance Completed survey Review results & survey, in Kochendoerfer (Dept issues, costs and context of FMS and specific of Animal Science, opportunities for ground- restrictions within Facility Cornell), L Hain (ASGA) mounted solar arrays. Study Area.
9/24/2018 Department of Public Service Meeting Empire State Andy Davis, Mike P Heaton (EDR - Feedback on site visit, POI Discussed interplay between A10 and local laws. Staff recognized there are Continue agency outreach and Plaza, Albany Saviola, Andrea Cerbin, Phone), L Bomyea & location, timing of PSS and concerns surrounding solar locally. Discuss expectation to submit PSS shortly consultation. Submit PSS. Heather Behnke, David R Panasci (Young application, Local laws and the Application in early 2019, and solicit feedback on items of DPS concern Solimeno Sommer), P Doyle & to be addressed in PSS. B Moore (FMS) 9/25/2018 Friends of Flint Mine Solar E-mail Coxsackie Landowners and Laura Bomyea (Young Article 10, FMS letter to Town Followed up on questions from group by providing requested information on Continue to provide supporters of Flint Sommer) Board on issues with participating in A10 and intervenor funding. information on A10 and Mine Solar proposed new town solar law respond to questions regarding how stakeholders can participate in these processes.
9/27/2018 Coxsackie Town Board Workshop Coxsackie Town Coxsackie Town Board Patrick Doyle New Fire Trucks; minor Hose 3 Fire Department needs at least one additional truck, but new trucks Continue to monitor draft Hall changes to draft solar law can cost one million dollars. Draft solar law is a work in progress. solar law.
10/1/2018 Athens Town Board Town Board Meeting Athens Town Athens Town Board & Patrick Doyle Zoning for solar Discussed proposal and need to have zoning laws amended or zoning map Presentation scheduled for Hall Members of the Public adjusted to allow FMS on certain parcels. November 5 with Town Board.
10/2/2018 NYISO, National Grid E-mail E-mail Jessica Gamache, Ross Patrick Doyle Status of SRIS & requested Advised NYISO, copy to National Grid, that FMS wished the SRIS to be FMS will stay in touch with Altman, Arun Gandhi schedule. completed and approved in time for FMS to have the option to participate in NYISO on SRIS status. (NYISO), Kathryn Cox, the next Facility Study Class Year. NYISO technical staff are aware of FMS goal Daniel DiMarco (Ngrid) re. the Class Year.
10/2/2018 New Yorkers for Clean Power Phone-call Phone-call Elizabeth Broad Patrick Doyle Upcoming Meetings Felt there was a lot of excitement about the Flint Mine project. Discussed Will endeavor to attend future importance of going about the development in the right way. events.
10/4/2018 Friends of FMS (FoFMS) Meeting Coxsackie FoFMS Patrick Doyle Project Update FOFMS want additional information on project benefits and Article 10/Local Continue to provide Law information on A10 and respond to questions regarding how stakeholders can participate in these processes.
10/5/2018 Friends of FMS Meeting Black Horse Friends of FMS Jen Crawford (C&A); Roles that consultants play in EDR & Crawford participated in individual video interviews at the request of FOFMS webmaster will submit Farm Stand webmaster John W. (EDR), Justin the development process, Friends of FMS to put on their website. Crawford described who C&A was, a draft edited version of the (EDR), Patrick D. types of site constraints that Crawford are the civil engineers and are also coordinating surveying & video for C&A to review prior (HSD) currently being researched emergency response planning and public safety tasks. Crawford described the to putting it on the website. various site constraints the Project has to consider in layout, such as wetlands, Follow up to answer any wetland buffers, zoning setbacks, topography, wildlife habitat, archaeologically questions from the group. sensitive areas, soil types, and more.
10/9/2018 Town of Coxsackie Town Board Regular Monthly Meeting Coxsackie Town Coxsackie Town Board Patrick Doyle Regular Agenda. Draft solar Citizen stated that the town had a great opportunity with their solar resource Participate in November 13 Hall law. Climate Change. and they should take it seriously. Handed over recent report on climate public hearing. Business Opportunity change. Impacts on views can be mitigated. FMS spoke, confirming view that 80% of people support solar. Local farmer said that if solar isn't allowed, farming will cease in the town. Solar developer stated that communities can benefit from climate wealth, that 2016 solar law was reasonable, that A10 is a comprehensive and open process . Town was recommended to hear things out. Town board said they were considering modest changes to the draft discussed on 9/11 (size of bond, lot coverage ratio), but the permitted zones would remain to be Commercial and Industrial. Draft will be sent to the county planning board for review.
10/9/2018 Association of Property Owners of Sleepy Meeting Sleepy Hollow SHL Board Members Michelle Mormile SHL watershed, SHL support Crawford advised APOSHL that FMS will design to requirements and Continue to communicate with Hollow Lake Lake APO Office (C&A), Giuseppina for FMS standards. They are worried about sediment loading and phosphorus (from the APOSHL and property Agovino (Friends of crop fields). Once FMS makes a submission, they will have their hired owners. Ensure Sleepy Hollow FMS) consultants reviewing the documents. APOSHL Board stated that they are Lake concerns are identified in neutral on the subject of solar projects and will not show support for one solar PSS. project over another. 10/10/2018 Friends of FMS Conversation ACE-NY Jen Crawford (C&A) Interplay between local Discussed the interplay between local laws and Article 10, and common Continue to provide Conference zoning laws and Article 10, misconceptions about substantive provisions' applicability to A10 Projects. information on A10 and how PILOTs are negotiated. Provided information on impact of PILOTs on project viability. respond to questions regarding how stakeholders can participate in these processes.
10/11/2018 Friends of FMS Email N/A Jen Crawford (C&A) What local business or Obtained the name of at least one landowner. Will continue discussion on use farmers have backhoes that of local workers to perform FMS Engineers could hire to necessary tasks related to the dig deep tests to inform the Facility construction and SWPPP design? operation.
10/12/2018 Athens Officials Meeting Athens Town TB Member T Paluch, Patrick Doyle Discussion of FMS project, PB official was concerned that visibility of the project would be minimized. Attend October 15th TB Hall PB Member F impacts and benefits; FMS was requested to attend Athens PB meeting(s) to present project. meeting to continue McCusker, CEO Albert requested rezoning in Athens. interaction with TB on Gasparini rezoning. 10/13/2018 Various (What a Hoot event) Face-to-Face Coxsackie Yacht Various local leaders Patrick Doyle Charity Event FMS purchased Owl #51. Proceeds benefit CAFÉ (Foundation for Education), Display Owl #51 and literature Club active in solar Helping Hands, Food Pantry, Library among others. at FMS office & events to discussions (MC, SJ) promote associated causes.
10/14/2018 Various Candidates for Office Candidate Forum Sleepy Hollow NY19 Candidate Patrick Doyle, Flint Introduction to FMS project. Meetings were very brief. Agreed to meet with Assemblyman Tague. Contact Assemblyman Tague Lodge, Delgado, State Senate Mine Landowners Mentioned upcoming November Open House to a number of candidates, to arrange meeting. Follow up Candidate Pat Strong, some of whom had attended. FMS received feedback on scheduling for Open on County Planning Board. Assemblyman Tague, House around Nov. 6th election. Dr. McGunnigle invited FMS to attend Assembly Candidate County Planning Board meeting(s) O'Connor, County Legislator Martinez, Candidate for GC Treasurer Dr. McGunnigle Date Stakeholder Form of Communication Location Stakeholder FMS Representatives Topics Feedback Follow-up Representative(s) 10/15/2018 Athens Town Board Town Board Meeting Athens Town Athens Town Board & Laura Bomyea (Young Regular Agenda. Rezoning of Landowners representing a total of four parcels were in attendance. One Attend November 5th TB Hall Members of the Public Sommer), Patrick certain parcels to allow utility- landowner had previously requested a rezoning and the other made their case meeting to continue Doyle & FMS scale solar. as to why the land should be rezoned (mainly that the land wasn't otherwise interaction with TB on Landowners useful or as productive as the landowner would like). Supervisor requested rezoning. local landowners requesting rezoning to appear in person, although that wasn't required for out-of-town landowners.
10/19/2018 Athens Planning Board Phone-call Phone-call Secretary Peggy Patrick Doyle Schedule requested meeting Athens PB meets infrequently and only allows presentations when there is Secretary will discuss with Snyder w Athens PB business in front of the board. Chair and revert to FMS 10/22/2018 Athens Planning Board Phone-call Phone-call Secretary Peggy Patrick Doyle Presentation to Athens PB October meeting is not ideal time for presentation, but PB will revert to FMS Stay in touch with PB Snyder to request presentation at the appropriate juncture. Chair/Secretary. 10/24/2018 RiSE (Reliable Information on Solar Energy) Meeting Sleepy Hollow, Multiple Individuals Patrick Doyle Introduction to FMS project. RiSE supports clean renewable energy. Expressed concern about the Provide RiSE with information Coxsackie Discussion of A10 and misinformation that had been spread about solar (3,600 acres to be covered, on Flint Mine, Article 10 and intersection with local laws. razor wire etc.). Rise asked how they could participate in the local and state solar. Invited Rise to Nov 8th processes. Open House.
10/24/2018 Greene County IDA Phone-call Telephone Rene VanSchaack Patrick Doyle Open House, results of Updated IDA on status of PSS. Confirmed that IDA is staying neutral in the Follow advice on PSS and wetland delineations, project solar projects. Rene recommended FMS consider options for wetland wetlands. Invited IDA to Open updates. Green Land Trust. mitigation; recommend that FMS submit PSS that has been prepared with House. care and is accurate with regard to local situation. 10/25/2018 Town of Coxsackie Email E-mail Clerk, Supervisor Patrick Doyle Open House II None Call Clerk, Supervisor 10/25/2018 Neighboring Home Owner Meeting Meeting Patrick Doyle Neighbor wanted to hear Discussed status of studies (many studies have been carried out, but more will Follow up in writing with about status of project, status be needed). FMS stated that the goal is to set-aside a significant amount of neighbor. of studies. land for winter raptor habitat, and that such a set-aside can limit impacts of solar on neighboring property owners (i.e. panels could be further away from neighboring homes). Discussed history of agriculture in the area.
10/26/2018 Town of Coxsackie Phone-call Telephone Clerk Patrick Doyle Open House II Clerk has received Open House invitation 10/26/2018 Town of Coxsackie Phone-call Telephone Supervisor Patrick Doyle Supervisor received Open House invitation and will attend. Clerk will post Continue discourse with town invitation on notice board. Supervisor is concerned about Article 10 and board on new solar law. impact on home rule. FMS re-iterated importance to the project of zoning decisions in draft new local solar law, and FMS desire to comply with local regulations. 10/31/2018 Neighboring Home Owner Phone-call Telephone Patrick Doyle Follow up on Resident's Discussed FMS mitigation proposals Follow up on E-mail concerns. Ongoing Facility Site Property Owners (>20 acres) Questionnaires E-mail, phone, ~15 Facility Site John Lacey (EDR), Request information on Property owners response is generally that they haven't been able to produce Continue with Ag study. in-person Property Owners Patrick Doyle (FMS) historical and current use of agricultural crops from their land that compensates them adequately for their property input costs. Many landowners reported that even without valuing their time there were losing money.
Appendix C Certificate of Formation Delaware Page 1 The First State
I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF
DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT
COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION OF “FLINT MINE SOLAR,
LLC”, FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE TENTH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2017,
AT 5:38 O`CLOCK P.M.
6407016 8100 Authentication: 202522077 SR# 20173328786 Date: 05-11-17 You may verify this certificate online at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION
OF
FLINT MINE SOLAR, LLC
This certificate of formation of Flint Mine Solar, LLC (this "Certificate of Formation") has been duly executed and is being filed by Steven G. Thomas as an authorized person to fonn a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.
FIRST: The name of the limited liability company is Flint Mine Solar, LLC (hereinafter referred to as the "Company").
SECOND: The address of the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware is Cogency Global Inc., 850 New Burton Road, Suite 201, Dover, Delaware 19904.
THIRD: The name and address of the registered agent for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware is: Cogency Global Inc., 850 New Burton Road, Suite 201 , Dover, Delaware 19904.
FOURTH: The limited liability company is to be managed by one or more managers, which may be members of the limited liability company; provided, however, that any members who serve as managers may only bind the limited liability company in accordance with the terms of the operating agreement of the limited liability company.
FIFTH: This Certificate of Formation shall be effective upon filing.
[Signature Page to Follow]
State of Delaware Secretary of State Division of Corporations Delivered 05:38 PM 05/10/2017 FILED 05:38 PM 05/10/2017 SR 20173328786 - File Number 6407016 IN JITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Formation on this _JQ aay of May, 2017.
By: Steven G. Thomas Authorized Person Lavelle & Finn, LLP 29 British American Boulevard Latham, New York 12110
Appendix D List of Stakeholders Flint Mine Solar
Master List of Stakeholders/Notification List
1
STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES
New York State Agencies New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Richard A. Ball, Commissioner 10B Airline Drive Albany, NY 12235 (585) 457-8876 [email protected] Tara Wells, Counsel [email protected] Kathleen Close [email protected]
New York State Department of Economic Development Howard Zemsky, Commissioner 633 Third Avenue, Floor 37 New York, NY 10017 [email protected]
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Richard Kaufmann, Chair Alicia Barton, President & CEO Maureen Leddy 17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203 (518) 862-10100 [email protected]
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Basil Seggos, Commissioner 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233-1011 [email protected] Kara Paulsen, Counsel
[email protected] Michael Higgins, Project Manager [email protected]
Department of Environmental Conservation; Region 4 Keith Goertz, Regional Director 1130 North Westcott Road Schenectady, NY 12306-2014 (518) 357-2068 [email protected]
The Hudson River Estuary Program NYSDEC Region 3 21 S Putt Corners Rd New Paltz, NY 12561 845-256-3016 [email protected]
NYS Attorney General Barbara Underwood, Attorney General State Capitol Building Albany, NY 12224 1-800-771-7755 Email not available
NYS Department of Health Howard Zucker, Commissioner Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza Albany, NY 12237 [email protected] Richard Thomas, Counsel [email protected]
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Rose Harvey, Commissioner Peebles Island State Park, P.O. Box 189 Waterford, NY 12188-0189 (518) 268-2171 email not available
NYS Department of Public Service Kathleen Burgess, Secretary Empire State Plaza, Agency Building 3 Albany, NY 12223 (518) 474-6530 [email protected] Heather Behnke, Counsel [email protected] James Denn, Public Information Coordinator james.denn @dps.ny.gov Lorna Gillings, Outreach Contact [email protected] Andrew Davis, Utility Supervisor [email protected]
New York Department of State Rossana Rosado, Secretary of State One Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12231-0001 (518) 473-2293 [email protected]
New York Department of State Office of Planning and Development Suite 1010, One Commerce Place
99 Washington Avenue Albany, New York 12231-0001 (518) 474-6000 [email protected]
NYS Thruway Authority Bill Finch, Executive Director Administrative Headquarters 200 Southern Blvd., P.O. Box 189 Albany, NY 12201-0189 (518)-436-2700 Email not available
NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Jerome Hauer, Commissioner 1220 Washington Ave. State Office Campus, Building 7A, Suite 710 Albany, NY 12242 (518) 242-5000 [email protected]
New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Anthony J. Annucci, Acting Commissioner Bldg. 2, 1220 Washington Ave. Extn Albany, NY 12226 (518) 457-8126 Email not available
Coxsackie Correctional Facility 11260 Route 9W, P.O. Box 200 Coxsackie, New York 12051-0200 (518) 731-2781
Greene Correctional Facility 165 Plank Road P.O. Box 8 Coxsackie, New York 12051-0008 (518) 731-2741
NYS Department of Transportation Paul A. Karas, Acting Commissioner 50 Wolf Road Albany, NY 12232
NYS Department of Transportation; Region One Steve Clinton, P.E. Resident Engineer, Greene County 50 Wolf Road Albany, NY 12232 (518) 622-9312 Email not available
NY State Senate George A. Amedore Jr., NYS Senator, 46th District Legislative Office Building, Room 802 Albany, NY 12247 (518) 455-2350 [email protected]
Tony Avella, NYS Senator, 11th District Legislative Office Building, Room 902 Albany, NY 12247 (518) 455-2210 [email protected]
David Carlucci, NYS Senator, 38th District Legislative Office Building, Room 509
Albany, NY 12247 (518) 455-2991 [email protected]
Brian Kavanagh, NYS Senator, 26th District Legislative Office Building, Room 515 Albany, NY 12247 (518) 455-2625 [email protected]
New York State Assembly Patricia Fahy, Assembly Member, District 109 Legislative Office Building, Room 452 Albany, NY 12248 (518) 455-4178 [email protected]
Pamela J. Hunter, Assembly Member, District 128 711 East Genesee St., 2nd Floor Syracuse, NY 13210-1540 (315) 449-9536 [email protected]
Aravella Simotas, Assembly Member, District 36 31-19 Newtown Ave., Ste. 401 Astoria, NY 11102 (718) 545-3889 [email protected]
Christopher Tague, Assembly Member, District 102 District Office 45 Five Mile Woods Rd., Ste. 3 Catskill, NY 12414 518-943-1371
New York Power Authority Gil Quiniones, President and CEO 123 Main St. Mail Stop 10 - H White Plains, NY 10601-3170 (914) 681-6200 [email protected]
Empire State Development Corporation, Capital Region Michael Yevoli, Director Hedley Park Place 433 River Street – Suite 1003 Troy, NY 12180 (518) 270-1130 [email protected]
Hudson River Greenway Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley, Inc. Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council 625 Broadway Fl4 Albany, NY 12207 Phone: (518) 473-3835 Fax: (518) 473-4518 [email protected]
Olana State Historic Site Kimberly Flook, Historic Site Manager 5720 State Route 9G Hudson, New York 12534 518-828-0135 ext. 303 [email protected]
Federal Agencies
US Senate Charles E. Schumer, US Senator Leo O'Brien Building, Room 420 Albany, NY 12207 (518) 431-4070 Email not available
Kirsten E. Gillibrand, US Senator Leo O'Brien Building, Room 821 Albany, NY 12207 (518) 431-0120 Email not available
US House of Representatives John Faso, Representative, 19th Congressional District 1616 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 [email protected]
US Army Corps of Engineers, New York District New York District Public Affairs 26 Federal Plaza, Rm 2113 New York, NY 10278 (917)790-8007 [email protected]
US Army Corps of Engineers, Upstate Regulatory Field Office ATTN: CENAN- OP-RU, Bldg. 10, 3rd Floor North, 1 Buffington Street Watervliet Arsenal Watervliet, NY 12198-4000 (518) 266-6350 [email protected]
US Environmental Protection Agency; Region 2 (NJ, NY, PR, VI) Natural Resources Conservation Service - American Heritage River Program Environmental Protection Agency 290 Broadway New York, NY 10007-1866 Phone: (212) 637-3000
US Fish and Wildlife Service David Stilwell, Field Supervisor 3817 Luker Road Cortland, NY 13045 (607) 753-9335 [email protected]
Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area1 625 Broadway - 4th Floor Albany, NY 12207 (518)473-3835 [email protected]
National Park Service Mike Caldwell, Regional Director, Northeast Region U.S. Custom House 200 Chestnut Street, 5th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 597-7013 Email not available
LOCAL AGENCIES AND HOST MUNICIPALITIES County Agencies
Greene County Administrator
1 See also Hudson River Greenway.
Shaun S. Groden 411 Main Street Catskill, NY 12414 (518) 719 3270 [email protected]
Greene County Clerk Marilyn Farrell, County Clerk Suite 300, 411 Main Street, 3rd Floor Catskill, NY 12414 (518) 719 3255 [email protected]
Greene County Public Health Department Kim Kaplan, Director Suite 300, 411 Main Street, 3rd Floor Catskill, NY 12414 (518) 719 3600 [email protected]
Greene County Economic Development, Tourism and Planning Warren Hart, Director Suite 419, 411 Main St., 4th Floor Catskill, NY 12414 (518) 719 3789 [email protected]
Greene County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board c/o Eric Rasmussen, Chairman 907 Greene County Office Building Cairo, NY 12413 (518) 622 3620
Greene County Highway Department Robert Van Valkenburg, Superintendent 290 West Main Street, P.O. Box 485 Catskill, NY 12414 (518) 943 4600 [email protected]
Greene County Historian David Dorpfeld 71 Sutton Place Coxsackie, NY 12051 (518) 320 8545
Greene County Emergency Services John P. Farrell Jr., Director 25 Volunteer Drive Cairo, NY 12413 (518) 622 3643 [email protected]
Greene County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) Rene VonSchaack, Interim Executive Director, 270 Mansion St. Coxsackie, NY 12051 (518) 731 5500 [email protected]
Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District Jeff Flack, Executive Director 907 Greene County Office Building, Cairo, NY 12413 (518) 622 3620 [email protected]
Greene County Legislator District No. 2, Coxsackie Charles A. Martinez 38 Flint Mine Road, Coxsackie, NY 12051 (518) 731 8825 [email protected]
Greene County Legislator District No. 2, Coxsackie Thomas M. Hobart 411 Main St., Suite 408 Catskill, NY 12414 (518) 859-7803 [email protected]
Greene County Legislator District No. 3, Athens
Lee Palmateer 411 Main Street, Suite 408 Catskill, NY (518) 719-3270 [email protected]
Towns
Town of Coxsackie 16 Reed St. #1 Coxsackie, NY 12051 (518) 731-2727 Richard K. Hanse, Supervisor [email protected] Bambi Hotaling, Clerk [email protected] Ed Pebler, Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer Larry Ross, Superintendent of Highways [email protected]
Gordon Bennett, Sole Assessor [email protected]
Town of Coxsackie Planning Board Bruce Hauessler, Chair Dawn Marie Smith, Secretary 16 Reed St. #1 Coxsackie, NY 12051 (518) 731-2727 [email protected]
Town of Coxsackie Historian Michael H. Rausch [email protected]
Village of Coxsackie Mark Evans, Mayor Nikki Bereznak, Village Clerk 119 Mansion St. Coxsackie, NY 12051 (518) 731-2718 [email protected]
Village of Coxsackie Police Department Samul Mento, Police Chief 119 Mansion St. Coxsackie, NY 12051 (518) 731-8121
Town of Athens 2 First St. Athens, NY 12015 (518) 945-1052 Robert F. Butler Jr, Supervisor
Linda M. Stacey, Clerk [email protected] John J. Farrell, Highway Superintendent Albert Gasparini, Code Enforcement Officer [email protected] Carol J. McBride, Appointed Assessor [email protected]
Town of Athens Planning Board Hal Brodie, Chairman 2 First St. Athens, NY 12015 (518) 945-1052 [email protected]
Town of Athens Historian Lynn J. Brunner, Historian email not available
Village of Athens 2 First St. Athens, NY 12015 Peter Alberti, Mayor Mary Jo Wynne, Village Clerk [email protected] (518) 945-1551
Village of Athens Police Department 2 First Street Athens, NY 12015 (518)945-1559
School and Fire Departments
Coxsackie Hose Company 218 Mansion St. Coxsackie, NY 12051 (518) 731-6510
Athens Volunteer Fire Department 39 Third Street Athens, NY 12015 518-945-2599
West Athens Lime St. Fire District P.O. Box 156 Athens, NY 12015 (518) 945-1885
Coxsackie-Athens Central School District Randall W. Squier, Superintendent of Schools 24 Sunset Blvd Coxsackie, NY 12051 (518) 731-1700 [email protected]
REGIONAL STAKEHOLDERS AND PUBLIC INTEREST GROUPS
New York Independent System Operator Brad Jones, President 10 Krey Boulevard Rensselaer, NY 12144 (518) 356-6060 [email protected]
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp Michael Mosher, President 284 South Ave.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (845) 452-2700
National Grid Kevin Kennedy 300 Erie Blvd. W Syracuse, NY 13202 (716) 831-7767
CSX Selkirk Yard & Facility 1 Bell Cressig Rd. Selkirk, NY 12158 (518) 767-0208
Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans Bonney Hartley, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer 65 1st St. Troy, NY 12180 (518) 244-3164 [email protected]
Greene County Historical Society/Bronck Museum ATTN: Board of Trustees 90 County Hwy 42 Coxsackie, NY 12051 (518) 731-6490 [email protected]
Greene County Chamber of Commerce3 Jeff Friedman, President/Executive Director 327 Main St.
2 Legal Notices must be sent via regular mail. 3 Incorporates Coxsackie Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Catskill, NY 12414 [email protected]
Hecate Energy LLC 621 W. Randolph St Chicago, IL 60661 (312) 722-5900 [email protected]
Champlain-Hudson Power Express c/o Transmission Developers Inc. 600 Broadway Albany, NY 12207 (518) 465-0710 [email protected]
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia - Greene Counties Linda Tripp, Interim Executive Director 6055 Route 23 Acra, NY 12405 [email protected]
Greene Land Trust Bob Knighton, President 270 Mansion Street Coxsackie, NY 12051 (518) 731-5544 [email protected]
American Farmland Trust Samantha Levy, New York Policy Manager 112 Spring Street, Suite 207 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 581-0078
Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society Post Office Box 145 Athens, NY 12015 (518) 828-5294 [email protected]
Sierra Club Hudson Mohawk Group Pete Sheehan, Chair P.O. Box 8447 Albany, NY 12208 (518) 210-5294 [email protected]
The Nature Conservancy - Eastern NY 195 New Karner Road Suite 200 Albany, NY 12205 (518) 690-7850 [email protected]
Scenic Hudson ATTN: Audrey Friedrichsen One Civic Center Plaza, Suite 200 Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (845) 473 4440 [email protected] Hayley Carlock [email protected]
Ducommun Aerostructures NY Inc 23301 S Wilmington Ave. Carson, CA 90745
Ferguson Building Supplies 11545 Route 9W Coxsackie, NY 12051
Essedant 12089 Route 9W West Coxsackie, NY 12192
Serta 15 Houghtaling Road West Coxsackie, NY 12192
NY Public Interest Research Group 107 Washington Avenue Extension Albany, NY 12210 (518) 436-0876 [email protected]
Northern Catskills Audubon Society Larry Federman PO Box 68 Palenville, NY 12463 (518) 678-3248 [email protected]
Audubon New York Richard Merritt, Director of Operations 2 Third Street, Suite 480 Troy NY 12180 (518) 869-9731 [email protected]
New York Farm Bureau 159 Wolf Road. P.O. Box 5330
Albany, NY 12205-0330 (518) 436 8495 [email protected]
Association of Property Owners of Sleepy Hollow Lake, Inc. (Sleepy Hollow Lake Community) Unit 1095, 92 Randy Road Athens, NY 12015 (518) 731-6175 Laurel Mann Association Manager [email protected]
New Yorkers for Clean Power [email protected] Betta Broad [email protected]
Archeological Conservancy Eastern Regional Office 22 South Market Street, Suite 2A Frederick, MD 21701 (301) 682-6359 Andy Stout, Regional Director [email protected]
Riverkeeper, Inc. 20 Secor Road Ossining, NY 10562 [email protected]
Greene County Agricultural Society, Inc. P.O Box 84 Greenville, NY 12083
(518) 853-3313 Email not available
Freehold Airport LLC c/o Bruce Stein P.O. Box 1182 Stratford, CT 06615 (518) 622-3307 Email not available
Deer Run Airport Herman Sameisky 57a Limestreet Rd. Coxsackie, NY 12051 (518) 945-1894 Email not available
Greenville-Rainbow Airport Walter J. Birman 3822 Route 26 Greenville, NY 12083 (518) 966-5343 Email not available
Wayne Delp Airport Tom Delp RD 1 Haas Hill Road West Coxsackie, NY 12192 (518) 966-5343 [email protected]
Catskill Valley Airpark 74 Garcia Ln Leeds, NY 12451
(518) 622-3307 Email not available
Athens Emergency Med-Evac Heliport Mike Regaini, Fire Commissioner West Athens Lime St. Fire District P.O. Box 156 Athens, NY 12015 (518) 945-1885 Email not available
Evergreen Mtn Heliport Eric & Mike Petosa Petosa, Mountain Top Charter 25 Evergreen Mountain Rd. Westkill, NY 12492 (518) 898-9400 Email not available
Solarize Albany Bill Reinhardy & Zack Dufresne [email protected]
HOST AND ADJACENT LANDOWNERS, AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS ADDED TO NOTIFICATION LIST *
* For privacy purposes, individual names and contact information for persons in this category will not be included here. An anonymized list of host and adjacent landowners will be attached.
Appendix E Phase 1A Archaeological Survey Work Plan Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York
Prepared for: Flint Mine Solar, LLC 2021 Western Avenue Suite 105A Albany, NY 12203
Prepared by: Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture, Engineering & Environmental Services, D.P.C. 217 Montgomery Street, Suite 1000 Syracuse, New York 13202 P: 315.471.0688 F: 315.471.1061 www.edrdpc.com
November 2018 Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment
Flint Mine Solar
Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York
Prepared for:
Flint Mine Solar, LLC 2021 Western Avenue Suite 105A Albany, NY 12203
Prepared by:
Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, & Environmental Services, D.P.C. 217 Montgomery Street, Suite 1000 Syracuse, New York 13202 P: 315.471.0688 F: 315.471.1061 www.edrdpc.com
November 2018
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY
SHPO Project Review Number: -
Involved State and Federal Agencies: NYS Department of Public Service, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Phase of Survey: Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment
Location Information: Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County
Survey Area: Project Description: Up to 100-megawatt industrial-scale solar facility including photovoltaic arrays, electrical inverters, electrical collection system, access roads, temporary laydown areas, and a point-of-interconnection substation.
Project Area: Facility layout is still being determined, but is anticipated to include approximately 600 acres developed with photovoltaic panel arrays within the approximately 1,730-acre Facility Site. The remaining approximately 1,130 acres would remain undeveloped.
USGS 7.5-Minute Quadrangle Map: Hudson North, NY
Archaeological Resources Overview: The Facility Site is located within portions of the Flint Mine Hill Archaeological District; 14 previously recorded Pre-Contact Native American archaeological sites, two historic-period archaeological sites, and two multiple component Pre-Contact Native American and historic- period archaeological sites occur within the Facility Site.
Report Authors: Nicholas P. Freeland, RPA; Jordon D. Loucks, RPA; Patrick J. Heaton, RPA; and Matthew Victor Weiss, RPA
Date of Report: November 2018
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar ii TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Purpose of the Investigation ...... 1 1.2 Project Description ...... 2 1.3 Proposed Construction Methods ...... 3 1.4 Project Consultation ...... 5 2.0 BACKGROUND RESEARCH ...... 7 2.1 Environmental Setting, Geology, and Soils ...... 7 2.1.1 Geographic Setting ...... 7 2.1.2 Bedrock Geology ...... 7 2.1.3 Glacial Geology and Paleo-Environmental Setting...... 10 2.1.4 Soils within APE for Direct Effects ...... 12 2.2 Previously Identified Archaeological Sites ...... 16 2.3 Previous Archaeological Investigations ...... 55 2.4 Historic Context for the Facility Site and Vicinity ...... 59 2.5 Existing Conditions and Previous Ground Disturbance ...... 62 3.0 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT ...... 65 3.1 Pre-Contact Native-American Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment ...... 65 3.2 Historic-Period Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment ...... 66 3.3 Ground Slope and Disturbance ...... 67 4.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ...... 68 4.1 Summary Results of the Phase 1A Archaeological Assessment ...... 68 4.2 Recommendations ...... 68 4.3 Conclusions ...... 70 5.0 REFERENCES CITED ...... 71
LIST OF INSETS Inset 1. Archaeological Sites in the Towns of Athens and Coxsackie (from Parker, 1922)...... 17 Inset 2. Parker’s (1925: Figure 4) Map of Flint Mine Hill (north is to the right of the map) ...... 34
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar ii LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Soils within the Facility Site (SCS, 1993; Esri and NRCS, 2017; NRCS, 2017)...... 13 Table 2. Archaeological Sites within the Facility Site and/or the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District...... 20 Table 3. Retouched Artifacts Collected from the Swale Site (Funk, 2004: Table 35)...... 27 Table 4. Retouched Artifacts Collected from the Kings Road Site (Funk, 2004: Table 35)...... 38 Table 5. Archaeological Sites Within 1 mile of the Facility Site (but outside the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District)...... 49 Table 6. Previous Archaeological Projects Located Within 1 mile of the Facility Site...... 56 Table 7. Summary of Pre-Contact Native American Cultural Periods for the Hudson Valley, New York (Ritchie and Funk 1973, Lothrop and Bradley 2012)...... 59
LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Regional Facility Location Figure 2. Facility Site Topography and Facility Layout Figure 3. Existing Conditions Figure 4. Facility Site Bedrock Geology Figure 5. Facility Site Soils Figure 6. Previously Conducted Archaeological Surveys Figure 7. 1856 Samuel Geil Map of Greene County: From Actual Surveys Figure 8. 1894 USGS Coxsackie, New York 15-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map Figure 9. 1953 USGS Hudson North, New York 7.5-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map
LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A. Photographs
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar iii 1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose of the Investigation On behalf of Flint Mine Solar, LLC (the Applicant), Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, & Environmental Services, D.P.C. (EDR) prepared this Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment for Flint Mine Solar (the Facility), which is a proposed utility-scale solar project in the Towns of Athens and Coxsackie, in Greene County, New York. The purpose of this Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment is to describe previously identified archaeological resources located in the Facility’s Area of Potential Effect (APE), and to evaluate the potential for previously unidentified archaeological resources to be located within the APE. The report has been prepared in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and/or Section 14.09 of the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Law, as applicable. This archaeological sensitivity assessment is intended to assist the Department of Public Service (DPS), the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP), and other involved stakeholders/consulting parties in their review of the proposed Facility in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations, including Article 10 (Certification of Major Generating Facilities) of the New York State Public Service Law. Please note that this report addresses only archaeological resources; information concerning the Facility’s potential effect on historic properties will be provided to NYSOPRHP under separate cover.
As described in 16 NYCRR § 1001.20 (Exhibit 20: Cultural Resources), an Article 10 application must include the following information specific to archaeological resources:
(a) A study of the impacts of the construction and operation of the facility interconnections and related facilities on archaeological resources including: (1) a summary of the nature of the probable impact on any archaeological/cultural resources identified addressing how those impacts shall be avoided or minimized; (2) a Phase 1A archaeological/cultural resources study for the Area of Potential Effect (APE) for the facility site and any areas to be used for interconnections or related facilities, including a description of the methodology used for such study; (3) a Phase 1B study, if required, as determined in consultation with OPRHP; (4) where warranted based on Phase I study results as determined in consultation with OPRHP, a Phase II study based on intensive archaeological field investigations shall be conducted to assess the boundaries, integrity and significance of cultural resources identified in Phase I studies. Phase II shall be designed to obtain detailed information on the integrity, limits, structure, function, and cultural/historical context of an archaeological site, as feasible, sufficient to evaluate its potential eligibility for listing on the State or National Register of Historic Places. The need for and scope of work for such investigations shall be determined in consultation with OPRHP and DPS; (5) a statement demonstrating that all archaeological materials recovered during the facility cultural resources investigation shall be cleaned, catalogued, inventoried, and curated according to New York Archaeological Council standards; that to the extent possible, recovered artifacts shall be identified as to material, temporal or cultural/chronological associations, style and function; and that the facility archaeologists shall provide temporary storage for artifacts until a permanent curatorial facility is identified; and (6) an Unanticipated Discovery Plan that shall identify the actions to be taken in the unexpected event that resources of cultural, historical, or archaeological importance are encountered during the excavation process. This plan shall include a provision for work stoppage upon the discovery of possible archaeological or human remains. In addition, the plan shall specify the degree to which the methodology used to assess any discoveries follows the most recent Standards for Cultural Resource Investigations and Curation of Archaeological Collections in New York State. Such an assessment, if warranted, shall be conducted by a professional archaeologist, qualified according to the standards of New York State Archaeological Council.
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 1
The purpose of the Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment is to:
• define the Facility’s APE for Direct Effects relative to archaeological resources; • determine whether previously identified archaeological resources are located within the APE for Direct Effects; and, • propose a methodology to identify archaeological resources within the APE for Direct Effects, evaluate their eligibility for the State/National Register of Historic Places (S/NRHP), and assess the potential effect of the Facility on those resources.
The Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment was prepared by professionals who satisfy the qualifications criteria per the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation (36 CFR 61) in Archaeology and under the supervision of a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA). The research methods and report preparation were conducted in accordance with the New York Archaeological Council’s (NYAC’s) Standards for Cultural Resources Investigations and the Curation of Archaeological Collections in New York State (the NYAC Standards; NYAC, 1994). This report is organized in a manner consistent with the NYSOPRHP’s Phase I Archaeological Report Format Requirements (NYSOPRHP, 2005).
1.2 Project Description Flint Mine Solar is a proposed 100-megawatt (MW), utility-scale, photovoltaic (PV) solar facility located within the Towns of Athens and Coxsackie, Greene County, New York (Figure 1). The proposed Facility Site and current layout is depicted on Figures 2 and 3. The Facility Site as depicted on the attached figures includes approximately 1,730 acres; however, the actual extent of soil disturbance associated with the Facility will be significantly less. As presently envisioned, the Facility would include approximately 600 acres of fenced areas with PV panel arrays. The remaining approximately 1,130 acres would remain undeveloped.
The following terms are used throughout this document to describe the proposed action:
• Facility: The Flint Mine Solar project, which consists of an up to 100-MW PV solar facility consisting of ground- mounted PV arrays, buried and/or aboveground collection lines, access roads, temporary laydown areas, and a point-of-interconnection (POI) substation in the Towns of Athens and Coxsackie, Greene County, New York (Figures 1 and 2). • Facility Site: The Facility Site is defined as all the property parcels containing proposed Facility components of the current Facility layout, totaling approximately 1,730 acres.
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 2
• Area of Potential Effect (APE) for Direct Effects: The Area of Potential Effect (or APE) for Direct Effects for the Facility is the area containing all proposed soil disturbance associated with the Facility. Because a specific Facility layout/design has not been finalized, the entire Facility Site is analyzed in this report. However, it is important to note that the actual extent of soil disturbance associated with construction of the Facility will be significantly less than 1,730 acres. Construction methods specific to this Facility are discussed below in Section 1.3 of this report.
The Facility Site is characterized by rural, former agricultural land that is in various stages of succession with interspersed pockets of forestland (see Figure 3). Developed features within the Facility Site include roadways and farms. Undeveloped land includes abandoned agricultural fields in various stages of succession, a few active agricultural fields (hayfields), forestland, and some wetlands. Further information on land use and ecological communities within the Facility Site is provided in Section 2.5 of this report.
1.3 Proposed Construction Methods Relative to conventional energy generation methods of a similar scale, solar facilities result in minimal impacts to the environment. Impacts from the construction and operation of solar generation are largely the result of the fact that utility-scale solar energy facilities require a large continuous area for the collection and distribution of energy. The Applicant has sited the Facility in areas that are for the most part former agricultural fields in various stages of succession to minimize the need for land clearing and typical construction processes such as surface grading and soil compaction. Following construction, any disturbed areas will be restored with topsoil, and a cover of low-growing grass species will be established underneath and around the solar panels during use.
Furthermore, due to the archaeologically sensitive nature of the Facility Site, the Applicant is committed to minimizing soil disturbance associated with the proposed Facility to minimize impacts to archaeological resources. Therefore, the following section includes a description of the components of the proposed Facility and the proposed construction/installation methods associated with each component. These methods will minimize potential impacts to archaeological resources within the Facility Site. However, certain previously recorded resources are still recommended for complete avoidance by all Facility-related activities. These resources, and site-specific avoidance measures, are discussed below in Section 4.3.
It should also be noted that areas proposed for development consist almost entirely of flat agricultural fields. Due to the flat relief, minimal grading (if any, depending on the Facility’s final layout) will be necessary for the Facility and, in general, no large areas of excavation or soil removal/disturbance are anticipated. Construction of the Facility will be
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 3 accomplished with machines that are consistent in terms of size, weight, and tread with the agricultural machines that are currently used on these properties. Therefore, the existing conditions within the Facility Site, coupled with the specific construction/installation measures discussed below will serve to minimize impacts to archaeological resources within the APE for Direct Effects for the Facility.
As presently envisioned, it is anticipated that the Facility will include the following components: • PV Panels: Solar energy will be captured by PV panels. These PV panels will either be mounted on fixed pole structures or on single-axis tracking structures that will follow the sun throughout the day. The panels will have a small footprint, typically consisting of small I-beam posts driven into the ground by a pile-driving machine to a depth of approximately 5 to 8 feet (approximately 1.5 to 2.4 meters). As previously noted, because the site is relatively flat, very little grading is anticipated for the Facility. • Electrical Inverters: The PV panels produce direct current (DC) electricity. Inverters will be placed throughout the Facility (internal to the panel arrays) to convert DC electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity. These components will be built on concrete footers set on the ground surface with minimal associated excavation. • Electrical Collection System: The Facility will require a network of cables, which will be located within the panel arrays and along access roads built to serve construction and maintenance of the Facility. To avoid impacts to archaeological resources, the Applicant is currently pursuing the possibility of installing the collection cables above the ground surface, likely within a PVC conduit, with no associated earth disturbance. If this is not possible, the cables will be buried 36 to 48 inches below grade within narrow (less than 1-foot wide, if feasible) trenches. From each block of panel arrays, electricity will typically be conveyed via an underground circuit to a 34.5 kV switchgear and bus that gathers the output of the PV panels. From each collection bus, electricity will be conveyed via an underground or overhead 34.5 kV collector circuit to a common 34.5 kV bus within the Facility substation. • Substation: The Facility will require construction of a point-of-interconnection substation that will include transformers, breakers, switches, meters, a control room, security fence, and other related equipment. The substation will be a central hub for the 34.5 kV collector circuits and will step-up the electricity voltage from 34.5 kV to 138 kV. The substation footprint will only cover approximately 1 acre. Of all the Facility components, the substation potentially represents the most substantial ground disturbance at a single location. Therefore, it will be carefully sited to avoid known archaeological sites and, if practicable, take advantage of a previously disturbed site. • Access Roads: The locations accommodating solar panels (generating sites) will be served by a network of unpaved access roads. The main access driveway for each generating site will be approximately 20 feet wide and consist of unpaved, engineered construction (gravel or aggregate base). Lateral driveways within each
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 4
generating site that will provide maintenance access to the solar fields are expected to be between 8 and 12 feet wide. The roads will be built by adding crushed stone/gravel to the existing ground surface, with minimal (if any) need for excavation. Parking areas for maintenance vehicles within the Facility will be constructed in a similar fashion, with compacted gravel added to the ground surface with little to no excavation. • Temporary Laydown Areas: During Facility construction, temporary laydown areas will be used for storage of construction equipment and supplies. Similar to the lateral access roads and parking areas, laydown areas will be constructed by adding crushed stone/gravel to the existing ground surface with minimal, if any modification.
1.4 Project Consultation
16 NYCRR § 1001.20 indicates that the scope of cultural resources studies for a major electrical generating facility should be determined in consultation with NYSOPRHP. The Public Involvement Program Plan (PIP) for the proposed Facility was prepared as part of the Article 10 process. The PIP was initially filed on February 9, 2018, with an updated version filed on April 9, 2018. The PIP is designed to initiate the Article 10 process, and includes consultation with the affected agencies and other stakeholders; pre-application activities to encourage stakeholders to participate at the earliest opportunity; activities designed to educate the public as to the specific proposal and the Article 10 review process, including the availability of funding for municipal and local parties; the establishment of a website to disseminate information to the public and updates regarding the Facility and the Article 10 process; notifications to affected agencies and other stakeholders; and activities designed to encourage participation by stakeholders in the certification and compliance process.
The Applicant initiated formal consultation with the NYSOPRHP via an in-person meeting held on February 9, 2017 at the offices of the NYSOPRHP, Division for Historic Preservation in Peebles Island, NY. A follow-up meeting occurred at the NYSOPRHP’s Peebles Island Office on March 13, 2017. This meeting included representatives from the NYSOPRHP, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), and the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians (SMBMI). During these meetings, the Applicant described the intended location and scope of the Facility and acknowledged the archaeological sensitivity of the Facility Site and surrounding area. The Applicant discussed various ideas and options of minimizing impacts to archaeological resources, including consideration of design elements and construction methods (e.g., minimizing the need for trenching for collection lines) that would help to minimize potential soil disturbance. In addition, the Applicant suggested their interest in potentially acquiring or otherwise assisting with the transference of a portion of the nearby Flint Mine Hill archaeological site to create a permanent conservation easement, or similar, for the site.
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 5
At these meetings, Bonney Hartley of the SMBMI expressed concern that the highly sensitive archaeological landscape surrounding the Facility Site (see additional discussion in Sections 2.2 and 3.1) was being impacted by piecemeal archaeological investigations on a project-by-project basis. Additionally, at this meeting, the NYSOPRHP indicated that a Phase 1A archaeological survey report and Phase 1B work plan should be prepared for the Facility prior to any archaeological investigation, and that proposals for archaeological mitigation should be included in the Phase 1B work plan.
On July 21, 2017 the Applicant, EDR, and representatives from the NYSOPRHP, SMBMI, NYSDEC, Southold Indian Museum, and the Archaeological Conservancy met at the Facility Site. During the site visit, attendees discussed the conceptual site layout and design, including roads, collection lines, the switchyard location, and other Facility components; as well as avoidance, minimization, and mitigation options. In addition, the Southold Indian Museum hosted a tour of the nearby Flint Mine Hill archaeological site, which they currently own. At the conclusion of the site visit, the Applicant discussed potential cultural resources mitigation projects with the Southold Indian Museum and the Archaeological Conservancy. This included consideration of potentially transferring ownership of the portion of the Flint Mine Hill site that is currently owned by the Southold Indian Museum to the ownership of the Archaeological Conservancy as a means to mitigate potential impacts to archaeological resources that could result from soil disturbance during construction of the Facility.
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 6
2.0 BACKGROUND RESEARCH 2.1 Environmental Setting, Geology, and Soils 2.1.1 Geographic Setting The Facility Site is located in east-central Greene County in the Hudson Valley section of the Ridge and Valley physiographic province. The Ridge and Valley Physiographic Province is characterized by roughly parallel ridges and valleys oriented on an approximately northeast/southwest axis. The Hudson Valley represents essentially the northeastern-most extent of the Ridge and Valley Province. The west side of the Hudson Valley, in the vicinity of the proposed Facility, is characterized by a level terrace adjacent to the river, backed by a band of low hills to the west, which in turn are backed by a range of higher hills that abut the Catskill/Allegheny Plateau to the west (Soil Conservation Service [SCS], 1993). The Facility Site is located in an area where the river terrace is unusually wide on the west side of the Hudson River, extending approximately 4 miles (6.4 kilometers [km]) from the river to the western hills.
The Facility Site occurs in an area where several low hills and ridges rise from the river terrace on a north-northeast to south-southwest axis. Two of the most prominent (Flint Mine Hill and an unnamed hill to the west) abut the Facility Site on the east and west, respectively. The northern half of the Facility Site is located between the two hills and consists of the south-trending valley of an unnamed fork of Murderers Creek. The southern half of the Facility Site contains the main north-trending branch of Murderers Creek as well as a smaller east-trending fork. The Facility Site is drained entirely by Murderers Creek which trends northeast through the area before making an abrupt turn to the southwest just east of the Facility Site. Murderers Creek drains into the Hudson River via Sleepy Hollow Lake (a manmade reservoir).
2.1.2 Bedrock Geology The bedrock underlying the Facility Site consists of the Middle Ordovician (approximately 472 to 461 million years old) Austin Glen, Mount Merino, and Taconic Mélange Formations, as well as the Lower Devonian Port Ewen Formation (approximately 419 to 393 million years old) (Figure 4) (Fisher et al., 1970; Dicken et al., 2005; University of California Museum of Paleontology, 2011). The Mount Merino Formation is present only on the slopes and summit of Flint Mine Hill, whereas the Austin Glen Formation occurs on the surrounding flats. A small area of the Taconic Mélange Formation is present on a ridge in the northwest portion of the Facility Site and two small areas of the Helderberg Formation occur along the western boundary of the Facility Site. The Taconic Mélange was formed during the Middle Ordovician Period but consists of Early Cambrian (approximately 541 to 521 million years old) to Middle Ordovician pebble to block-sized fragments contained in Middle Ordovician sedimentary rock; and the Port Ewen Formation (part of the Helderberg Group) consists of Lower Devonian limestones and dolostones (United States Geological Survey [USGS], 2018). The Taconic Mélange and Port Ewen Formations occupy negligible portions of the Facility Site
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 7
(approximately 2% and <1%, respectively). Therefore, the following discussion of bedrock geology focuses on the Austin Glen and Mount Merino Formations. The correct terminology for the two major bedrock units within the Facility Site is Mount Merino and Austin Glen Formations; however, in Geology of the Coxsackie Quadrangle, prior to their redefinition as separate formations, Goldring (1943), refers to Austin Glen and Mount Merino as members of the more broadly categorized Normanskill Formation. Therefore, when citing Goldring (1943) below, the term “Normanskill Formation” is used, but it should be understood to refer to the combined Mount Merino and Austin Glen Formations. More recent geological studies (using up-to-date terminology) are summarized below following the discussion of Goldring’s (1943) work.
According to Goldring (1943:290-291), many of the ridges on the west side of the Hudson River in the vicinity of the Facility Site, including Flint Mine Hill, were formed by steeply folded (isoclinal) anticlines, where the stratified Normanskill Formation rocks have been folded such that the strata slope downward from the elevated hinge of the fold. However, Goldring (1943:291) also notes that some ridges in the area appear to have been formed by synclines, where stratified rock has been folded such that the strata slope upward from the depressed hinge of the fold. Both the anticlinal and synclinal ridges on the west side of the Hudson River Valley were formed during the Taconic Orogeny (a mountain-building episode between approximately 570 and 440 million years ago), during which a crustal block collided obliquely with the east coast of North America causing folding and faulting, as well as varying degrees of metamorphism along the east coast of New York and New England (USGS, 2003; Encyclopedia Britannica, 2007). The persistent prominence of these ridges can be accounted for by the highly resistant rocks of which they consist. In the cases of Flint Mine Hill and West Athens Hill to the south (to name two archaeologically-significant examples), the rock consists primarily of the Mount Merino chert. All the ridges in the vicinity of the Facility Site are roughly parallel, with a strike (orientation) of between approximately 10° and 35° north. Flint Mine Hill has a strike of approximately 20° north (Goldring, 1943; Lang, 1969).
Brumbach and Weinstein (1999:5) note that while previous literature (Ruedemann and Wilson, 1936; Goldring, 1943) had identified Flint Mine Hill chert as part of the Middle Ordovician Normanskill Formation, or even the Lower Ordovician Deepkill Formation (Wray, 1948), more recent research (Lang, 1969) demonstrates that cherts in southeastern New York are not part of the same formation as the shales and grits (also called greywackes) with which they co-occur, but rather were inserted into these rocks via metamorphic processes during the Taconic Orogeny. Therefore, the chert outcropping at Flint Mine Hill, West Athens Hill, and other locations in eastern New York should be identified as the Mount Merino chert and shale, a Middle Ordovician Formation, which is part of the Taconic Allochthon, not the Normanskill Formation. Brumbach and Weinstein (1999:5-6) describe the Taconic Allochthon as:
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 8
The Allochthon (from the Greek for "out of place" or "non-indigenous") consists of a sequence of rocks (some of which are in correct stratified context) on the east side of the Hudson River in New York and parts of western Vermont outcropping in an elongate belt approximately 200 km long and 20-30 km wide. In addition, on the west side of the Hudson River, there are isolated blocks and slices, some of which are found along major fault lines (Rowley et al. 1979:186). In this area, the allochthon tectonically overlies and is surrounded by an autochthonous ("in place" or geologically indigenous) sequence of shallow carbonates and clastics which were formed before, during, and after emplacement of the allochthonous layers (Rowley et al 1979:186).
Therefore, although they also date to the Middle Ordovician, Mount Merino cherts and shales are intrusive into the surrounding Austin Glen Formation greywacke (previously called out as the Austin Glen Member or Austin Glen Grit). Brumbach and Weinstein (1999), therefore advocate use of the term “Mount Merino chert” to accurately describe the prehistorically utilized toolstone from Flint Mine Hill, West Athens Hill, and other sites throughout the region. However, it has been archaeological tradition to refer to the material as “Normanskill Chert” (e.g. Parker, 1925; Ritchie, 1957; 1958; Funk, 2004). Therefore, to minimize confusion, the material will be referred to herein as Mount Merino/Normanskill Chert.
The Mount Merino Formation contains two members, an upper and a lower: the lower is banded chert (referred to herein as the Mount Merino/Normanskill Chert), and the upper is black slate (the Stoddard Road member) (Brumbach and Weinstein, 1999:6). Brumbach and Weinstein (1999:6) state that the majority of cherts historically referred to as “Normanskill” come from the lower member of the Mount Merino Formation.
During the tectonic events of the Taconic Orogeny, the Mount Merino/Normanskill chert was incorporated in places into a mélange (the Taconic Mélange) of older material, the majority of which was less resistant than the chert. The result is that much of the less resistant material has eroded away, leaving large exposures of chert in certain ridges along the west side of the Hudson River (Goldring, 1943; Rowley et al., 1979; Brumbach and Weinstein, 1999).
Lang (1969:9) describes the chert outcropping on Flint Mine Hill (which she designated bedding assemblage one [out of a total of three bedding assemblages observed in her study]) as: “cherty beds 2 inches to 8 feet thick, but mostly thicker than two feet. Cherts and argillites predominate; shale pairings (less than 1/8 inch thick) occur rarely.” Based on their own more recent research at Flint Mine Hill, Brumbach and Weinstein (1999:7) note the presence of two other formations on the hill: an outcrop of coarse-grained sandstone (or grit), identified as the Austin Glen greywacke, and outcrops of lustrous blue-gray and green-gray chert in the northeast portion of the hill, which they tentatively identify as the Middle Ordovician Indian River Formation. It is important to note that these two small outcrops are not depicted in the bedrock mapping of Figure 4 due to the scale utilized by Dicken et al. (2005) which is too coarse-grained to identify highly localized outcroppings such as these. Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 9
Regarding the specific characteristics of Mount Merino/Normanskill chert from Flint Mine Hill, Brumbach and Weinstein (1999:8) note: The chert does not tend to break along the color bands…irregularities, clastic inclusions, and fault lines, among other factors, presented difficulties in flaking, but…the color bands did not appear to affect the stone's performance as a raw material. While the color bands do not seem to affect fracturing in manufacture, they do appear to affect weathering, the duller or non-lustrous bands weather at a faster rate than the more lustrous ones. Inclusions in the chert (possibly clays or chalks) which contribute to the color and texture of banding appear to weather at different rates.
…specimens can be green (Munsell 5GY 4/1, 5/1), gray (5Y 4/1,5/1,6/1), blue gray (5B 4/1, 5/1, 6/1), green gray (5G 4/1, 5BG 4/1), brown gray, or black. Weathered pieces are light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) and light gray (10YR 7/1 and 7/2) Some hand specimens have characteristic, sub-parallel color bands (measuring a few millimeters to several centimeters in width) varying between a medium bluish grey (Munsell 5B 5/1) and dark greenish grey (5BG 4/1) for the lustrous portions, and a light brownish grey (10YR 6/2) or light grey (10YR 7/1, 7/2) for the duller bands. The color difference is due in part to greater weathering of the non-lustrous stone. Samples from the north end of the Hill were especially likely to be banded. Other outcrops produced dark grey (Munsell YR N3) to almost black samples with a slight green hue, some pieces have highly lustrous, irregular ribbons or bands of lighter grey (25Y 7/0) stone which appear to be chalcedony. Texture ranges from gritty and/or chalky to highly lustrous.
2.1.3 Glacial Geology and Paleo-Environmental Setting The final maximal extent of Pleistocene glaciers in New York occurred between approximately 28,000 and 24,000 calendar years before present (cal. BP). After that point, the Laurentide ice sheet began to recede, with periodic re- advances. By approximately 15,500 cal. BP, the ice sheet had receded as far as modern-day Albany. After that point, the ice withdrawal occurred more quickly, and it receded into modern-day Quebec around 13,100 cal. BP. Immediately following the glacial retreat, between approximately 24,000 and 17,000 cal. BP, a series of small (relative to what came later) proglacial lakes formed west of the Hudson gorge following the retreating ice sheet (Ridge, 2003; Lothrop and Bradley, 2012).
Beginning around 22,500 years ago, proglacial Lake Albany began to form in the isostatically depressed lower Hudson Valley, dammed by the terminal moraines at Long Island but with a spillway into Long Island Sound. The Lake Albany water surface was below the modern-day sea level (De Simone et al. 2008). Over the next approximately 8,000 to 10,000 years the lake expanded northward as far as modern-day Glens Falls. The lake’s southern outlet into Long Island Sound began to migrate northward around 17,500 cal. BP and the water flowing out carved the course of the modern-day Lower Hudson River (the Hudson Gorge). It is believed that by approximately 15,000 cal. BP (or possibly more recently), the final draining of proglacial Lake Albany had occurred. As the lake drained, it left sandy deltaic deposits in some areas which became unstable dune fields in the terminal Pleistocene/early Holocene. These dune fields would later become vegetated and now form the Albany Pine Bush ecosystem (see further discussion below). After approximately 11,600 cal. BP, sea level rise began to outpace isostatic rebound and the lower Hudson Valley, Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 10 south of the current Facility Site, was flooded with seawater. Due to these events, the surficial geology of the Hudson River Valley in the vicinity of the Facility can generally be characterized by glacial till on higher elevations and proglacial lake bed deposits in the valley bottoms (De Simone et al., 2008; Lothrop and Bradley, 2012).
In Central New York, around 16,200 cal. BP in the Ontario Basin, proglacial Lake Iroquois formed against the receding ice front to the north. It received water input from the other Great Lakes to the west and eventually expanded beyond the footprint of modern-day Lake Ontario (Lothrop and Bradley, 2012). Sometime between approximately 14,600 and 13,800 cal. BP, the retreating ice opened an outlet for Lake Iroquois near modern-day Rome, New York and the lake began to drain via the ancestral IroMohawk River Valley (essentially the same course as the modern Mohawk Valley) into the lower/later stages of Lake Albany in the Hudson Valley (Lothrop and Bradley, 2012). Wall (2008) has estimated flow rates within the IroMohawk River of up to 42,500 cubic meters per second at the height of Lake Iroquois drainage (for reference, this level of discharge would place the IroMohawk second among all modern-day rivers, globally). Only the Amazon River currently has a higher average discharge [Wohl, 2007]). The delta where the IroMohawk River fed into Lake Albany is now the Albany Pine Bush ecosystem. Those sandy deltaic deposits formed the large extent of (now stabilized) sand dunes in that area. This extreme level of discharge into Lake Albany lasted for between 100 and 300 years before the Lake Iroquois drainage shifted to the St. Lawrence Valley at the northeast end of the Ontario Basin. This occurred as glacial ice retreated from the north slope of the Adirondacks around 13,400 cal. BP, freeing up the St. Lawrence Valley as far east as the Champlain Basin where water flowed south and eventually into the Hudson Valley from the northeast (Wall, 2008; Lothrop and Bradley, 2012). Between approximately 13,100 to 13,000 cal. BP, as glacial ice continued to retreat, seawater flooded the isostatically depressed lower St. Lawrence Valley and Champlain Basin, forming the Champlain Sea. By this point, however, there was no longer a submerged linkage between the Champlain Basin and the Hudson Valley. The Champlain Sea (thus formed) slowly retreated until finally being cut off from the Atlantic Ocean around 9,800 to 9,700 cal. BP (Ridge, 2003; Richard and Occhietti, 2005; Lothrop and Bradley, 2012).
Immediately following glacial recession, the Bolling-Allerød interval brought approximately 1,400 years of warmer conditions. During this period, boreal and temperate forest species established themselves in the newly ice-free lower and middle Hudson Valley (Miller 2008a; Lothrop and Bradley, 2012). Following the Bolling-Allerød, between approximately 12,900 and 11,600 cal. BP, climate became much colder and drier during the Younger Dryas period. During this period, the proportion of boreal species such as spruce, balsam fir, tamarack, birch, and alder, in the middle to lower Hudson Valley increased relative to the preceding period. Tree-ring evidence points to both closed forest and more open woodland, or even parkland like habitats, in the Hudson Valley during this time (Miller, 2008b).
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Following the conclusion of the Younger Dryas around 11,600 cal. BP, conditions became much warmer, but stayed dry, encouraging the spread of pine and oak-dominated forests in the Hudson Valley. During the terminal Pleistocene, the Hudson Valley was also home to several now-extinct or extirpated varieties of large mammals: among them the American mastodon, Columbian mammoth, caribou, stag-moose, muskox, giant beaver, and flat-headed peccary. In total, 44 extinct or extirpated genera of mammals were present at that time and all were gone from the area by approximately 10,000 cal. BP (Funk, 1992; Lothrop and Bradley, 2012). Additionally, several varieties of freshwater fish including sucker, trout, sunfish, and yellow perch colonized freshwater habitats within the Hudson Valley shortly following glacial recession. These species generally remain in the area (Lothrop and Bradley, 2012).
Climatic conditions throughout the Holocene are summarized in Table 7 within Section 2.4.
2.1.4 Soils within APE for Direct Effects The Soil Survey of Greene County, New York (SCS, 1993) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Web Soil Survey (NRCS, 2017) show that the Facility Site consists largely of deep, poor to well drained soils with textures ranging from clay to gravelly loam and slopes in the range of 0 to 55%, with most areas less than 15% slope. Depth to bedrock is typically more than 60 inches (NRCS, 2017). In general, depth to bedrock decreases as slope and elevation increase, so the soils located on the ridge slopes and tops in the northern and southwestern portions of the Facility Site are the shallowest. These are also the areas most likely to contain Mount Merino/Normanskill chert outcrops. Given the history of glaciation and proglacial lakes in the Hudson Valley, the soils in the Facility Site are all relatively young and derive primarily from lake bottom deposits (on lowland flats) and glacial till (on upland hills and ridges).
According to Esri and NRCS (2017), 22 mapped soil units occur within the Facility Site (Table 1; Figure 5), although only 13 comprise 2% or more of the Facility Site. It is worth noting that Kingsbury and Rhinebeck soils (KrA and KrB) cover approximately 56% of the Facility Site. Kingsbury soils consist of deep, somewhat poorly drained clays, clay loams, and silty clay loams formed from lacustrine or marine deposits during the terminal Pleistocene/early Holocene (SCS, 1993:177). Rhinebeck soils consist of deep, somewhat poorly drained silt loams, silty clays, and silty clay loams deposited on the bed of proglacial Lake Albany (SCS, 1993:186). No soil units indicative of significant disturbance are mapped within the Facility Site. However, this should not be taken as an indication that such disturbance is completely absent because the scale of the soil mapping provided by Esri and NRCS (2017) may not recognize smaller areas of previous disturbance (e.g., a narrow railroad or secondary road right-of-way).
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Table 1. Soils within the Facility Site (SCS, 1993; Esri and NRCS, 2017; NRCS, 2017). Acres Soil % of Soil Unit within Horizon Facility Color Texture Slope % Drainage Landform Name Facility Depth Site Site (inches) Arnot Arnot Arnot • 0 to 1 • Dk RBrn • SiLo • 1 to 12 • RBrn • SiLo Arnot Arnot- • 12+ • Red • Sandstone Arnot Arnot • Hills, ridges, Lordstown • 8 to 15 • Well drained benches channery 1 16 Lordstown Lordstown Lordstown silt loams • 0 to 5 • Dk Brn • SiLo Lordstown Lordstown Lordstown (AsC) • 5 to 11 • Dk YBrn • SiLo • 8 to 15 • Well drained • Benches, hills, • 11 to 21 • YBrn • SiLo ridges • 21 to 26 • Lt OBrn • SiLo • 26+ • Gry • Sandstone Arnot Arnot Arnot • 0 to 1 • Dk RBrn • SiLo • 1 to 12 • RBrn • SiLo Arnot Arnot- • 12+ • Red • Sandstone Arnot Arnot • Hills, ridges, Lordstown • 3 to 15 • Well drained benches channery 2 31 Lordstown Lordstown Lordstown silt loams • 0 to 5 • Dk Brn • SiLo Lordstown Lordstown Lordstown (AuC) • 5 to 11 • Dk YBrn • SiLo • 3 to 15 • Well drained • Benches, hill, • 11 to 21 • YBrn • SiLo ridges • 21 to 26 • Lt OBrn • SiLo • 26+ • Gry • Sandstone Arnot Arnot Arnot • 0 to 1 • Dk RBrn • SiLo • 1 to 12 • RBrn • SiLo Arnot Arnot- • 12+ • Red • Sandstone Arnot Arnot • Hills, ridges, Lordstown • 15 to 35 • Well drained benches channery 3 50 Lordstown Lordstown Lordstown silt loams • 0 to 5 • Dk Brn • SiLo Lordstown Lordstown Lordstown (AvD) • 5 to 11 • Dk YBrn • SiLo • 15 to 35 • Well drained • Benches, hills, • 11 to 21 • YBrn • SiLo ridges • 21 to 26 • Lt OBrn • SiLo • 26+ • Gry • Sandstone Arnot Arnot Arnot • 0 to 1 • Dk RBrn • SiLo • 1 to 12 • RBrn • SiLo Arnot Arnot- • 12+ • Red • Sandstone Arnot Arnot • Hills, ridges, Lordstown • 35 to 55 • Well drained benches channery <1 3 Lordstown Lordstown Lordstown silt loams • 0 to 5 • Dk Brn • SiLo Lordstown Lordstown Lordstown (AvF) • 5 to 11 • Dk YBrn • SiLo • 35 to 55 • Well drained • Benches, hills, • 11 to 21 • YBrn • SiLo ridges • 21 to 26 • Lt OBrn • SiLo • 26+ • Gry • Sandstone Covington Covington Covington • 0 to 7 • V. Dk GBrn • SiCl Covington • 7 to 13 • Gry • Cl Covington • Poorly Covington Covington • 13 to 28 • Gry • Cl • 0 to 3 drained • Depressions and 11 196 28 to 60 Gry SiCl Madalin • • • Madalin Madalin Madalin soils (Co) Madalin Madalin Madalin • 0 to 3 • Very poorly • Depressions • 0 to 9 • V. Dk Gry • SiLo drained • 9 to 15 • Dk GBrn • SiCl Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 13
Acres Soil % of Soil Unit within Horizon Facility Color Texture Slope % Drainage Landform Name Facility Depth Site Site (inches) • 15 to 30 • Gry • SiCl • 30 to 60 • Dk GBrn • SiCl
Farmington • 0 to 8 • Dk Brn • Grl SiLo Benches, ridges, gravelly silt <1 <1 • 8 to 13 • YBrn • SiLo 15 to 25 Well drained till plains loam (FaD) • 13+ • Gry • Limestone Hudson Hudson Hudson • 0 to 4 • Dk Brn • SiLo • 4 to 8 • Pl Brn • SiLo • 8 to 13 • Brn • SiClLo • 13 to 21 • OBrn • SiClLo • 21 to 25 • Lt OBrn • SiClLo Hudson • 25 to 30 • Lt OBrn • SiCl Hudson • Moderately Hudson Hudson • 30 to 60 • Lt OBrn • SiCl • 3 to 8 well drained • Lake plains and <1 2 Vergennes Vergennes Vergennes Vergennes Vergennes Lordstown Vergennes soils (HvB) • 0 to 10 • Dk Brn • Lo • 3 to 8 • Moderately • Lake plains • 10 to 17 • GBrn • ClLo well drained • 17 to 26 • Brn • Cl • 26 to 34 • Brn • Cl • 34 to 47 • GBrn, Lt • SiCl • 47 to 60 YBrn, Dk Brn • SiCl and • GBrn, Lt SiClLo YBrn, Brn Hudson Hudson Hudson • 0 to 4 • Dk Brn • SiLo • 4 to 8 • Pl Brn • SiLo • 8 to 13 • Brn • SiClLo • 13 to 21 • OBrn • SiClLo • 21 to 25 • Lt OBrn • SiClLo Hudson • 25 to 30 • Lt OBrn • SiCl Hudson • Moderately Hudson Hudson • 30 to 60 • Lt OBrn • SiCl • 8 to 15 well drained • Lake plains and 1 23 Vergennes Vergennes Vergennes Vergennes Vergennes Lordstown Vergennes soils (HvC) • 0 to 10 • Dk Brn • Lo • 8 to 15 • Moderately • Lake plains • 10 to 17 • GBrn • ClLo well drained • 17 to 26 • Brn • Cl • 26 to 34 • Brn • Cl • 34 to 47 • GBrn, Lt • SiCl • 47 to 60 YBrn, Dk Brn • SiCl and • GBrn, Lt SiClLo YBrn, Brn Hudson Hudson Hudson • 0 to 7 • Dk Brn • SiClLo • 7 to 21 • OBrn • SiClLo Hudson Hudson • 21 to 25 • Lt OBrn • SiClLo Hudson • Moderately Hudson and • 25 to 30 • Lt OBrn • SiCl • 15 to 25 well drained • Lake plains Vergennes 2 32 30 to 60 Lt OBrn SiCl silty clay • • • Vergennes Vergennes Vergennes loams Vergennes Vergennes Vergennes 15 to 25 Moderately Lake plains (HwD3) • • • • 0 to 6 • Dk Brn • SiClLo well drained • 6 to 26 • Brn • Cl • 26 to 34 • Brn • Cl
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Acres Soil % of Soil Unit within Horizon Facility Color Texture Slope % Drainage Landform Name Facility Depth Site Site (inches) • 34 to 47 • GBrn, Lt • SiCl • 47 to 60 YBrn, Dk Brn • SiCl and • GBrn, Lt SiClLo YBrn, Brn Kingsbury Kingsbury Kingsbury • 0 to 7 • Dk GBrn • ClLo • 7 to 9 • Pl Brn • SiClLo • 9 to 14 • Brn • Cl Kingsbury • 14 to 23 • Dk GBrn • Cl Somewhat Kingsbury • • 23 to 36 • Dk GBrn • Cl poorly Kingsbury Kingsbury • 0 to 3 • 36 to 70 • Gry, YBrn, • SiClLo drained • Lake plains and 40 699 RGry Rhinebeck Rhinebeck Rhinebeck Rhinebeck soils (KrA) • 0 to 3 Rhinebeck Rhinebeck Rhinebeck • Somewhat • Lake plains
• 0 to 7 • Dk Brn • SiLo poorly • 7 to 11 • Brn • SiClLo drained • 11 to 19 • Dk YBrn • SiCl • 19 to 32 • Brn • SiCl • 32 to 60 • YBrn • SiCl Kingsbury Kingsbury Kingsbury • 0 to 7 • Dk GBrn • ClLo • 7 to 9 • Pl Brn • SiClLo • 9 to 14 • Brn • Cl Kingsbury • 14 to 23 • Dk GBrn • Cl Somewhat Kingsbury • • 23 to 36 • Dk GBrn • Cl poorly Kingsbury Kingsbury • 3 to 8 • 36 to 70 • Gry, YBrn, • SiClLo drained • Lake plains and 16 280 RBrn Rhinebeck Rhinebeck Rhinebeck Rhinebeck soils (KrB) • 3 to 8 Rhinebeck Rhinebeck Rhinebeck • Somewhat • Lake plains
• 0 to 7 • Dk Brn • SiLo poorly • 7 to 11 • Brn • SiClLo drained • 11 to 19 • Dk YBrn • SiClLo • 19 to 32 • Brn • SiCl • 32 to 60 • YBrn • SiCl • 0 to 5 • Dk Brn • SiLo Lordstown • 5 to 11 • Dk YBrn • SiLo channery 1 20 • 11 to 21 • YBrn • SiLo 15 to 25 Well drained Hills, mountains silt loam (LoD) • 21 to 26 • Lt OBrn • SiLo • 26+ • Gry • Sandstone • 0 to 9 • Dk Brn • Grl SiLo Mardin • 9 to 15 • YBrn • Grl SiLo Moderately gravelly silt 3 49 3 to 15 Mountains, hills 15 to 21 Lt OBrn Grl Lo well drained loam (MeC) • • • • 21 to 60 • OBrn • Grl Lo Nassau • 0 to 3 • Dk Brn • SiLo Somewhat channery • 3 to 13 • Brn • SiLo Benches, ridges, 3 54 5 to 15 excessively silt loam 13 to 18 YBrn SiLo till plains • • • drained (NaC) • 18+ • Gry • Shale Nassau • 0 to 3 • Dk Brn • SiLo Somewhat channery • 3 to 13 • Brn • SiLo Benches, ridges, 2 39 8 to 15 excessively silt loam 13 to 18 YBrn SiLo till plains • • • drained (NrC) • 18+ • Gry • Shale
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Acres Soil % of Soil Unit within Horizon Facility Color Texture Slope % Drainage Landform Name Facility Depth Site Site (inches) Nassau • 0 to 3 • Dk Brn • SiLo Somewhat channery • 3 to 13 • Brn • SiLo Benches, ridges, 1 11 15 to 25 excessively silt loam 13 to 18 YBrn SiLo till plains • • • drained (NrD) • 18+ • Gry • Shale • 0 to 8 • Dk Brn • Grl Lo Valois Valley sides, • 8 to 14 • Dk YBrn • Grl Lo gravelly <1 1 8 to 15 Well drained lateral moraines, 14 to 34 OBrn Grl Lo loam (VaC) • • • end moraines • 34 to 60 • OBrn • Grl SiLo • 0 to 8 • Dk Brn • Grl Lo Valois End moraines, • 8 to 14 • Dk YBrn • Grl Lo gravelly <1 3 15 to 25 Well drained valley sides, 14 to 34 OBrn Grl Lo loam (VaD) • • • lateral moraines • 34 to 60 • OBrn • Grl SiLo • 0 to 8 • Dk Brn • Grl Lo Valois End moraines, • 8 to 14 • Dk YBrn • Grl Lo gravelly 7 122 15 to 35 Well drained valley sides, 14 to 34 OBrn Grl Lo loam (VbE) • • • lateral moraines • 34 to 60 • OBrn • Grl SiLo Valois Valois Valois Valois • 0 to 8 • Dk Brn • Grl Lo • End moraines, • 8 to 14 • Dk YBrn • Grl Lo Valois valley sides, • 14 to 34 • OBrn • Grl Lo Valois • Well drained Valois- lateral • 34 to 60 • OBrn • Grl SiLo • 3 to 8 Nassau moraines 1 10 Nassau complex Nassau Nassau Nassau Nassau Somewhat (VdB) • Nassau • 0 to 3 • Dk Brn • SiLo • 3 to 8 excessively • Ridges, till 3 to 13 Brn SiLo drained • • • plains, • 13 to 18 • YBrn • SiLo benches • 18+ • Gry • Shale Valois Valois Valois Valois • 0 to 8 • Dk Brn • Grl Lo • End moraines, • 8 to 14 • Dk YBrn • Grl Lo Valois valley sides, • 14 to 34 • OBrn • Grl Lo Valois • Well drained Valois- lateral • 34 to 60 • OBrn • Grl SiLo • 15 to 25 Nassau moraines 2 27 Nassau complex Nassau Nassau Nassau Nassau Somewhat (VdD) • Nassau • 0 to 3 • Dk Brn • SiLo • 15 to 25 excessively • Ridges, till 3 to 13 Brn SiLo drained • • • plains, • 13 to 18 • YBrn • SiLo benches • 18+ • Gry • Shale
Water (W) 3 58 ------
• 0 to 9 • V. Dk GBrn • SiLo Wayland • 9 to 20 • OGry • SiLo soils 3 58 • 20 to 29 • Gry • SiClLo 0 to 3 Poorly drained Floodplains complex (Wa) • 29 to 49 • Lt Gry • SiClLo • 49 to 60 • Dk Gry • V. Grl Lo
2.2 Previously Identified Archaeological Sites In The Archeological History of New York, referring to Greene County, Parker (1922:566) notes that “most of the sites in the county are situated along the banks of the Hudson or in the valley of Catskill creek…” and “there are some
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 16 extensive chert quarries on a ridge of land back of Coxsackie (sic).” In the vicinity of the Facility Site, on the border between the Towns of Athens and Coxsackie, Parker (1922: Plate 173) depicts a grave or burial site (on the east side of the railroad tracks), and symbols indicating “traces of occupation” in the general location of Flint Mine Hill, which is presumably the chert quarry near Coxsackie to which he refers (Parker, 1922:566) (Inset 1).
Inset 1. Archaeological Sites in the Towns of Athens and Coxsackie (from Parker, 1922). Map (left) and legend (right) of archaeological sites in the vicinity of the Facility Site from The Archeological History of New York, Part 2 (Parker, 1922: Plate 173 [left] and Figure 69 [right]).
In fact, Parker did not become aware of the Flint Mine Hill location (historically referred to as “Mineburg”) until 1921 (Parker, 1925), and presumably it was too late to include his observations in his Archeological History of New York which was published the next year (Parker, 1922). In his 1925 article describing the 1924 field investigations at Flint Mine Hill (discussed in detail in Section 2.3 of this report), Parker (1925:109) notes the area “was listed as a quarry site by Wm. M. Beauchamp as early as 1900” in New York State Museum (NYSM) records.
The map excerpted as Inset 1 of this report is interesting for a number of reasons. The profusion of Pre-Contact Native American village sites along Catskill Creek is depicted, as are a large number of campsites along the Hudson River. Overall, the northern part of the county, including the Towns of Athens and Coxsackie, is relatively devoid of archaeological sites. However, research in the last 95 years has identified numerous Pre-Contact Native American sites in northern Greene County generally, and the vicinity of the Facility Site in particular.
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EDR conducted a review of the consolidated archaeological site files of the NYSOPRHP and NYSM to identify previously documented archaeological sites located within 1 mile (1.6 km) of the Facility Site. This provides an adequate basis for assessing the previously recorded archaeological sites within and surrounding the Facility as well as evaluating the likelihood for previously unidentified archaeological resources to be present within the APE for Direct Effects. EDR conducted a site visit to NYSOPRHP and NYSM on February 22, 2017 to review the archaeological site files and records pertaining to the Flint Mine Hill National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) Archaeological District (“the District”) and the surrounding area. Additionally, EDR conducted file reviews of the NYSOPRHP’s online Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS) database in March 2017 and February 2018 to confirm and complement the information collected during the in-person file searches and to identify previously recorded sites located outside the District. As part of research for the project, EDR staff also reviewed the files of the Southold Indian Museum to review information they had pertaining to the Flint Mine Hill property and site.
It was observed and confirmed based on communication with NYSOPRHP and NYSM staff members, that the archaeological sites digitized in CRIS within the District are not entirely accurate. Therefore, for sites within the District, EDR has relied primarily upon paper maps and resources obtained from NYOSPHRP and NYSM. These consist of an annotated copy of the 1953 USGS Hudson North 7.5-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map and two annotated photocopies of the portion of the 1953 quadrangle map containing the District. All three maps contained hand-drawn site locations, names, and notes. It should be noted that several of the sites depicted on the annotated maps obtained from the NYSOPRHP and NYSM records are also plotted in the CRIS database. In cases where the location of a site plotted in CRIS disagreed, the location plotted on the NYSOPRHP and NYSM records were privileged over CRIS for archaeological sites within the District. In these instances, the discrepancies have been brought to the attention of the NYSOPRHP.
According to EDR’s background research, 36 previously recorded archaeological sites (or areas) occur within the Facility Site and/or within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District (see Table 2); however, because many of these designations represent the same resources, a total of 26 previously recorded archaeological sites actually occur within this area. These include a mix of sites with NYSOPRHP Unique Site Numbers (USNs), NYSM numbers, and one site (the Swale Site) with no identifying number. Each site is summarized in Table 2 and discussed in detail below. Note that the “source” column in Table 2 differentiates between archaeological sites identified through research materials in the NYSOPRHP and NYSM files and those identified through a search of the CRIS database. Table 2 also includes information about the landform on which the sites occur and the maximum depth below surface of cultural material. Both these attributes are discussed below in Section 3.1.
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The previously recorded sites within the Facility Site and/or within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District consist of 22 Pre- Contact Native American sites (85%), two (8%) historic-period sites, and two (8%) sites with both Pre-Contact Native American and historic-period components. The historic-period sites consist of the former Black Horse Inn/Tavern and the historic-period King’s Road (not to be confused with the Paleoindian site also referred to as Kings Road [NYSM 397]) while the multiple component sites consist of a prehistoric workshop/camp with two reported former historic-period structure locations (Cedar Terrace Series) and a combination lithic scatter and historic-period debris scatter (TRC-14- NYP). The 22 Pre-Contact Native American sites consist of one (5%) quarry/workshop/campsite, three (14%) quarries/workshops, three (14%) workshops/campsites (including one rockshelter), two (9%) workshops, two (9%) campsites, six (27%) lithic scatters of indeterminate function, one (5%) site containing graves and a possible mound, and four (18%) sites of indeterminate function. A total of 14 of the previously recorded archaeological sites, including both historic-period sites and both multiple components sites containing Pre-Contact Native American and historic-period components, occur within the Facility Site. Although the Facility Site overlaps with portions of the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District, it is important to note that Flint Mine Hill itself, and many of the associated sites, is located outside of the Facility Site. Information on the 83 archaeological sites located within one mile of the Facility Site, but outside the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District, is provided in Table 5.
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Table 2. Archaeological Sites within the Facility Site and/or the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. Maximum Depth Below Distance from Source Site Identifier Site Name Time Period Site Description Landform Surface for S/NRHP Status Reference Facility Site (Mapping) Cultural Material Approximately 1,775- Multiple acre district of hills 0 feet (partially Flint Mine Hill Component 90NR00539 and flats including overlaps with Florance, Archeological Pre-Contact Hill/ridge Not available Listed CRIS (03905.000202) quarries, workshops, 1978 District (13,000-500 Facility Site) and domestic years ago) campsites Paleo-Indian NYSM & No USN Period (13,000- 0 feet (within Swale Paleo-Indian Campsite Slight rise Not available Undetermined NYSOPRHP Funk, 2004 Available 10,000 years Facility Site) Records ago) 0 feet (partially CRIS; Graves, possibly 03902.000007 Possible Undetermined overlaps with NYSM & Schambach, associated with Flat Not available Undetermined (NYSM 432) Mound Pre-Contact era NYSOPRHP 1963 earthen mound Facility Site) Records Colonial (ca. 1680) 0 feet (within SUNY 03902.000016 King’s Road Historic King’s Road (modern- Hill/ridge Not available Undetermined CRIS Facility Site) Albany, 1977 day Route 9W) CRIS; Historic: Early- Not available 0 feet (within Black Horse Site of tavern along NYSM & Florance, 03902.000017 Eighteenth Flat (never Listed Inn/Tavern "Old King's Road" Facility Site) NYSOPRHP 1978 Century excavated) Records Middle Woodland Artifact cluster with Approximately 0 feet (partially CRIS; Weinman 03902.000218 Cedar Terrace Period (2,300- Levanna, Greene, 91 cm (36 overlaps with NYSM & and Hill/ridge Listed (NYSM 396) Series (I – II) 1,000 years Snook Kill, and inches) below Facility Site) NYSOPRHP Weinman, ago) and Lamoka points ground surface Records 1978a historic-period 0 feet (within TEL-ALB 25- Undetermined One chert core and 03902.000219 Flat Not available Listed CRIS CAI, 1999 26 Pre-Contact era four chert flakes. Facility Site) Approximately 31+ cm (12+ Late Archaic- Camps/lithic CRIS; Weinman inches) below 0 feet (within Bittersweet Transitional workshops on rise NYSM & and 03902.000220 Hill/ridge ground surface Listed Series (I – V) (6,000-3,000 above Murderers Facility Site) NYSOPRHP Weinman, (depth of lowest years ago) Creek Records 1977b stratum not provided) Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 20
Maximum Depth Below Distance from Source Site Identifier Site Name Time Period Site Description Landform Surface for S/NRHP Status Reference Facility Site (Mapping) Cultural Material Undetermined Lithic scatter and 0 feet (within Pre-Contact era 03902.000285 TRC-14-NYP historic-period debris Flat Not available Undetermined CRIS TRC, 2017 and historic- Facility Site) scatter period Parker, CRIS; 03905.000005 0 feet (within 1925; Workshop Undetermined Chert quarries and NYSM & (NYSM 406 Flat Not available Listed Florance, Area Pre-Contact era lithic workshops Facility Site) NYSOPRHP and 8555) 1978; NYSM Records records Early (3,000- 2,300 years Approximately CRIS; Weinman 03905.000007 Baldwin ago) and Middle Prehistoric camp and 94 cm (37 0 feet (partially NYSM & and Hill/ridge Listed (NYSM 407) Rockshelter Woodland workshop inches) below within Facility Site) NYSOPRHP Weinman, (2,300-1,000 ground surface Records 1967 years ago) Approximately Late Archaic 46 cm (18 (6,000-3,500 Lithic Weinman inches) below CRIS; 03905.000008 years ago) to workshop/scatter with 0 feet (within and Dead Sheep surface NYSM & (NYSM 467 Early Woodland Snook Kill and Slight rise Listed Weinman, Series (I – II) (estimate – Facility Site) NYSOPRHP and 7107) Period (3,000- Susquehanna Broad 1973; NYSM exact depth of Records 2,300 years blanks Records lowest stratum ago) not provided) CRIS; No information; Not available 0 feet (within Baldwin Farm Undetermined NYSM & Florance, 03905.000013 surface collected, Flat (surface Listed Flats Pre-Contact era Facility Site) NYSOPRHP 1978 never excavated. collection only) Records Funk et al. Paleo-Indian Approximately CRIS; 1969; Early Paleoindian 0 feet (within Period (13,000- 31 cm (12 NYSM & Weinman NYSM 397 Kings Road campsite, exotic lithic Slight rise Listed 10,000 years inches) below Facility Site) NYSOPRHP and materials. ago) ground surface Records Weinman, 1978b CRIS; 0 feet (within Undetermined Chert quarries and NYSM & Florance, NYSM 409 Scott Quarry Hill/ridge Not available Listed Pre-Contact era lithic workshops Facility Site) NYSOPRHP 1978 Records
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Maximum Depth Below Distance from Source Site Identifier Site Name Time Period Site Description Landform Surface for S/NRHP Status Reference Facility Site (Mapping) Cultural Material Paleo-Indian Hill/ridge 0 feet (partially Period (13,000- Prehistoric (Fluted and flat overlaps with NYSM NYSM 8025 NYSM 8025 Not available Undetermined CRIS 10,000 years Point) (very large Facility Site) records ago) area) 0 feet (partially Undetermined overlaps with NYSM NYSM 8280 NYSM 8280 RYDER 65:FS ? Flat Not available Undetermined CRIS Pre-Contact era Facility Site) records
CRIS; 0 feet (within Undetermined Old SF 1921R NYSM & NYSM NYSM 8628 NYSM 8628 Hill/ridge Not available Undetermined Pre-Contact era Coxsackie 15’ Facility Site) NYSOPRHP Records Records Undetermined 160 feet (49 Florance, NYSM 408 No information Flat Not available Listed CRIS Railroad #2 Pre-Contact era meters) south 1978 Potentially Paleoindian Lithic scatter – (13,000-10,000 described as 200 feet (61 03902.000261 TEL/ALB 24 years ago) or potentially Paleoindian Flat Not available Undetermined CRIS CAI, 1999 meters) south Early Archaic or Early Archaic in site (10,000-8,000 form years ago) Transitional TEL-ALB 27- Period (4,000- 205 feet (62 03902.000023 Lithic scatter Flat Not available Not Eligible CRIS CAI, 1999 28 3,000 years meters) south ago) Multiple Approximately Multari Farm component Campsite and lithic 36 cm (14 205 feet (62 03902.000269 Site Loci 1 and Slight rise Not Eligible CRIS TAS, 2002 undetermined workshop inches) below meters) north 2 Pre-Contact era ground surface Multi- Parker, 1925 Component 03905.000003 Flint Mine Hill 230 feet (70 and Pre-Contact era Workshops/quarries Hill/ridge Not available Listed CRIS (NYSM 404) (Mineburg Hill) meters) east Florance, (13,000-400 1978 years ago) TEL/ALB 29- Undetermined 360 feet (110 03902.000262 Lithic scatter Flat Not available Not Eligible CRIS CAI, 1999 30 Pre-Contact era meters) northwest
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Maximum Depth Below Distance from Source Site Identifier Site Name Time Period Site Description Landform Surface for S/NRHP Status Reference Facility Site (Mapping) Cultural Material Prehistoric workshops Flint Mine Hill CRIS; 03905.000006 (stone and copper Workshops Undetermined 910 feet (277 NYSM & (NYSM 405 tools, amulets, Flat Not available Listed Parker, 1925 [Russian Pre-Contact era meters) east NYSOPRHP and 8554) thousands of projectile Workshop] Records points) CRIS; Undetermined 1,115 feet (340 NYSM & NYSM 7105 NYSM 7105 Isolated celt/pendant Hill/ridge Not available Undetermined Fiedel, 1991 Pre-Contact era meters) east NYSOPRHP Records
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Previously recorded sites located within the Facility Site and/or the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District are described below:
• The Flint Mine Hill Archaeological District Site: 90NR00539 (03905.000202) o S/NRHP Eligibility: Listed (District) o Location: The Flint Mine Hill Archaeological District occupies approximately 1,775 acres of hills, ridges, and flats approximately 2.0 to 2.5 miles west of the Hudson River in the Towns of Coxsackie and Athens. Approximately 1,135 acres (66%) of the Facility Site occur within the District. o Description: The Flint Mine Hill Archaeological District (90NR00539) was listed on the NRHP in 1978 (Florance, 1978). The District is large, measuring approximately 1,775 acres, and its boundaries were selected to include Flint Mine Hill in the north and the Scott Quarry Site (NYSM 409) in the southwest. In addition to Flint Mine Hill and Scott Quarry, the nomination also included the following sites which are discussed individually in this section: • Flint Mine Hill (03905.000003; NYSM 404) • Workshop Area (03905.000005; NYSM 406, 8555) • Flint Mine Hill Workshops [Russian Workshop] (03905.000006; NYSM 405, 8554) • Baldwin Rockshelter (03905.000007; NYSM 407) • Dead Sheep Series (I – II) (03905.000008; NYSM 467, 7107) • Railroad #2 (NYSM 408) • Scott Quarry (NYSM 409) • Cedar Terrace Series (I – II) (03902.000218; NYSM 396) • Kings Road (NYSM 397) • Baldwin Farm Flats (03905.000013) • Bittersweet Series (I – V) (03902.000220) • Black Horse Inn/Tavern and nearby house mounds (these mounds are believed to be those discussed above as part of the Cedar Terrace site) (03902.000016) • TEL-ALB 25-26 (03902.000219)
In the NRHP District nomination, the statement of significance emphasized the potential for future research to answer questions concerning: • The organization of prehistoric lithic technology from quarrying to workshops exhibiting early stage reduction, to camp sites exhibiting late stage reduction, tool resharpening, and the discard of exhausted tools.
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 24 • Paleoindian settlement of the northeast, based on the presence of two Paleoindian Period camp sites (Kings Road and Swale), as well as numerous isolated finds of Paleoindian projectile points throughout the District. • The chronological relationship between the Snook Kill (associated with the eponymous projectile point) and Frost Island (associated with Susquehanna Broad projectile points) phases. At the time the nomination was written, the two phases appeared essentially coeval and several sites within the District contained occupations of groups associated with one or both phases.
Additionally, Florance (1978) notes that several sites within the District, including the Workshop Area, the Flint Mine Hill Workshops (Russian Workshop), Railroad #2, Scott Quarry, and Baldwin Farm Flats, have been surface collected but never excavated.
o Current Condition: As previously noted, the District occupies approximately 1,775 acres of hills, ridges, and flats. The land use within and surrounding the District is dominated by a mix of agricultural land (primarily on the flats) with associated rural residences, forested land (primarily on hills and ridges), and successional communities, typically around the edges of agricultural fields. New York Interstate 87 runs north/south approximately 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to the west of the District. Residential land use occurs along area roads such as US Route 9W, Flats Road, Flint Mine Road, and Schoharie Turnpike. The nearest area of concentrated residential development is around Sleepy Hollow Lake, approximately 0.7 miles (1.1 km) t east of the District. Small-to-medium-sized farms are common throughout the area.
The current condition of individual sites is discussed below; however, it is worth noting in a general sense that although historic-period and modern development has occurred within the District, it has been relatively minimal compared to many other areas in the Hudson Valley. Due to the steep slopes and rugged topography of the hills and ridges in the area, archaeological sites located on these landforms are less likely to have been impacted by development than sites on the surrounding flats. Although primary impacts to sites located on the flats are related to agriculture, and therefore relatively minimal, some of these sites may have also been impacted by residential and commercial construction, as well as road construction and maintenance. Historic-period and modern artifact collection has also been a significant impact to many sites in the area (e.g., Parker, 1925). Due to the preference of collectors for projectile points, it is likely that these artifacts are now severely underrepresented in the surface components of archaeological sites within the District.
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• Swale Site: No Site Number. o S/NRHP Eligibility: Undetermined o Location: The Swale Site is located within the central portion of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: The Swale Site is an early Paleoindian campsite located approximately 700 feet (213 meters) southeast of the Kings Road Site. There is no published site report for the Swale Site but a note from Thomas Weinman dated to April 15, 1981 on file at the NYSM refers to a “Kings Road II” site which was reportedly discovered in 1980 (Weinman, 1980). Another note on file at NYSM from Thomas Weinman dated January 13, 1999 refers to the “Swale Site” and states that it had produced over 250 “Paleoindian artifacts” (likely meaning formal tools) (Weinman, 1999).
The Swale Site is discussed, and many of its attributes are summarized, by Funk (2004). The site is in many respects similar to the Kings Road Site: both sites occur on very slight rises within an otherwise flat plain, both occur at roughly the same elevation, both are situated on lake bottom clays deposited from pro-glacial Lake Albany, and both occupy an area of approximately 400 square meters (Funk, 2004). Even the artifact assemblage composition is comparable between the two sites. One significant difference, however, is in the unusually high percentage of exotic lithic materials present in the Swale artifact assemblage, 49%, as opposed to only 9% at Kings Road (Funk, 2004: Table 42).
Retouched artifacts collected from the Swale Site are summarized in Table 3. Funk (2004: Table 40) additionally notes that 914 cores and flakes were recovered from the Swale Site. However, in the same table he notes 241 retouched artifacts had been recovered. This is different from the total of 247 reported in Funk’s (2004) Table 35.
Regarding the exotic lithic material present at Swale, Funk (2004:106) states:
“Most impressive is the very high amount of Pennsylvania jasper in the Swale collection, plus other red cherts perhaps obtained from the Munsungan quarries in Maine. One is tempted to speculate that the Swale material represents a pioneering group from the Delaware Valley, but Swale is almost certainly part of the same encampment as the adjoining Kings Road site, which features a much lower incidence of red cherts (including one piece of Munsungan chert).”
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Table 3. Retouched Artifacts Collected from the Swale Site (Funk, 2004: Table 35). Tool Type Count Percentage of Assemblage
Fluted points (finished) 6 2.4%
Fluted points in process 12 4.9%
Possible fluted points 1 0.4%
Biface knives 7 2.8%
Bifaces in process 23 9.3%
Misc. bifaces 4 1.6%
Drills/awls 0 0.0%
End scrapers 89 36.0%
End-side scrapers 3 1.2%
Side scrapers 36 14.6%
Spokeshaves 0 0.0%
Flake knives 5 2.0%
Retouched flakes 5 2.0%
Gravers 0 0.0%
Denticulates 0 0.0%
Pieces esquilles 4 1.6%
Tool fragments 16 6.5%
Other unifaces 8 3.2%
Utilized flakes 28 11.3%
Rough stone tools 0 0.0%
Totals 247 100.0
In addition to the Pennsylvania jasper and Munsungan chert noted above, Funk (2004:Table 43) also identified Vanport chert from Flint Ridge Ohio in the Swale assemblage.
Significant for the currently proposed Facility, Funk (2004:129) also notes: “It seems probable that additional sites comparable to Kings Road/Swale exist in other places on the Athens Flat. Yet others may exist in the largely unsurveyed terrain of low hills and occasional chert-bearing outcrops east of the flat and west of the river.”
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 27 o Current Condition: The Swale Site is situated in an active agricultural field. There have been no significant recent disturbances to the site. Therefore, significant intact buried cultural deposits likely remain present.
• Possible Mound Site: USN 03902.000007; NYSM 432 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Undetermined o Location: The Possible Mound Site consists of two adjacent but discrete polygons. The western polygon is partially located within the Facility Site while the eastern polygon is located approximately 75 feet (23 meters) east of the Facility Site, as well as completely outside the District. It should be noted that the point representing USN 03902.000007 in the CRIS database occurs outside the District, near the center of the eastern polygon; however, since it is affiliated with the NYSM 432, which occurs partially inside the district, it is included here. o Description: The Possible Mound Site consists of a Pre-Contact Native American site containing graves and a possible earthen mound reported in one of two locations (hence the two polygons), as indicated by Schambach (1963). The western possible area occupies approximately 18 acres and the eastern possible area occupies approximately 21 acres. They are divided by a north/south- trending railroad ROW. This site is the same as USN 03902.000007 which is located just outside the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. No other information is available.
o Current Condition: As previously noted, the two potential locations for NYSM 432 are located on the east and west sides of a north/south-trending railroad ROW in an area consisting of mixed agricultural fields, successional vegetation, second-growth forest, and a small pond. It is not known if the graves and earthen mound, or any other artifacts or features associated with the site, remain intact.
• King’s Road Site: USN 03902.000016 o S/RHP Eligibility: Undetermined o Location: This site is located within the central portion of the Facility Site, but outside of the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: The only available description of this site is provided by the NYSOPRHP Inventory form completed by SUNY Albany staff in 1977. It states a cultural affiliation date of “1680s” and is assumed to represent a contact era historic-period site.
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o Current Condition: This site is currently located in a fallow field adjacent to the west side of US Route 9W.
• Black Horse Inn/Tavern Site: USN 03902.000017 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Listed (part of Flint Mine Hill NRHP District) o Location: The site is located in the south-central portion of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: The Black Horse Inn/Tavern Site consists of the former location of an early 18th century inn and tavern located along Old Kings Road (US Route 9W). The inn was a well-known establishment well into the 19th century. A structure at the location burned down in 1950 (note: the Flint Mine Hill NRHP nomination states this fire occurred in the early 1970s [Florance, 1978]), but there is some question as to whether this was the original inn or a later installation (Dorpfield, 2013). According to the NRHP nomination, the structural remains were pushed into the cellar hole after the fire. Therefore, historic-period archaeological materials presumably remain intact at the site, whether or not they represent the original 18th century structure (Florance, 1978).
The NYSOPRHP Archeological Site Inventory Form notes that the site was reported in 1977 and that there is no visible evidence of the former inn at the location.
o Current Condition: The site is located immediately west of US Route 9W in an area occupied by the Black Horse Farms farm stand which includes a paved parking lot and several small buildings, including greenhouses.
• Cedar Terrace Series (I – II) Site: USN 03902.000218; NYSM 396 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Listed (part of Flint Mine Hill NRHP District) o Location: The Cedar Terrace Series is located on an east-facing slope or terrace overlooking the headwaters of Murderers Creek in the south-central portion of the Facility Site, immediately east of US Route 9W. The site is located within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: The Cedar Terrace Series is a single archaeological site consisting of two Pre-Contact Native American loci (Cedar Terrace I and Cedar Terrace II) and one reported historic-period loci located on the same low hill or terrace. Cedar Terrace I was investigated in 1975 by the New York
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 29 State Archaeological Association (NYSAA) who excavated 32 5 x5 ft (1.5 x 1.5-meter) excavation units at the site (Weinman and Weinman, 1977a). Cedar Terrace I contained four distinct cultural complexes, dating from the Late Archaic through the Middle Woodland Periods, within two stratigraphic layers. Weinman and Weinman (1977a) recovered diagnostic projectile points dating to the Late Archaic through Middle Woodland Periods; however, no ceramic artifacts or intact features were encountered during the excavations, and no radiocarbon dates were obtained from the site. In addition to the projectile points, the 1977 excavations also recovered projectile point and knife preforms, knives, bifaces, retouched flakes, end scrapers, sidescrapers, and drills. The non- chipped stone assemblage included nine sandstone hammerstones, some of which were pitted on one or two sides, one ground slate knife fragment, and one possible slate bannerstone fragment. Fire-cracked rock was reportedly scattered lightly throughout the excavated area.
Cedar Terrace II is located approximately 45 feet (14 meters) south of Cedar Terrace I and consists of a domestic camp and workshop occupied during the Late Archaic through Middle Woodland periods. Weinman and Weinman (1978a) excavated 15 5 x 5-foot (1.5 x 1.5-meter) excavation units at the site in the spring of 1976. They encountered three distinct strata between the ground surface and bedrock which was encountered at a depth of approximately 3 feet (0.9 meter). Significantly, one feature, a basin-shaped hearth, was identified during the 1976 excavation. The feature was assigned to the Late Archaic Sylvan Lake Tradition based on the presence of a diagnostic Lamoka- like projectile point within it. However, no charcoal was present in the feature and no radiocarbon dates were obtained for the site (Weinman and Weinman, 1978a).
Brumbach and Weinstein (1999) also report conducting excavations and analyzing artifacts from a “Cedar Terrace” workshop. However, they state it was “the quarry-workshop at the southern end of the hill (this name is incorrect both botanically and geologically but was selected to protect the location)” (Brumach and Weinstein, 1999:9).” Therefore, Brumbach and Weinstein’s (1999) “Cedar Terrace” is not equivalent to and should not be confused with Weinman and Weinman’s (1977a; 1978a) Cedar Terrace (USN 3902.000218) which is also the Cedar Terrace site discussed in the Flint Mine Hill NRHP nomination (Florance, 1978).
The historic-period component of the Cedar Terrace Series consists of two low mounds believed to represent historic-period structures immediately south of the Cedar Terrace I locus (Florance, 1978). They likely correspond to a farmstead depicted in the vicinity and labeled as P.W. Hallenbeck on the 1856 Samuel Geil Map of Greene County (Geil, 1856). The farmstead is also depicted on the 1929
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 30 USGS Coxsackie, New York 15-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map (USGS, 1929) but not on the 1953 Hudson North, New York 7.5-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map (USGS, 1953). To date, these historic-period features have not been investigated.
o Current Condition: The Cedar Terrace Series is located on a low north/south trending ridge in a patch of second-growth forest between US Route 9W to the west and an active agricultural field to the east. Based on the present conditions, there is no indication that the sites have been disturbed since Weinman and Weinman’s (1977a; 1978a) and Florance’s (1978) reporting of them. It is, therefore, likely that additional significant prehistoric materials and potentially significant historic- period materials remain buried and intact at this location.
• TEL-ALB 25-26 Site: USN 03902.000219 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Listed (part of Flint Mine Hill NRHP District) o Location: This site is located in the south-central portion of the Facility Site and within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: This site was initially identified during the Phase 1B archaeological survey for the Telergy/Albany to Pleasant Valley Fiber Optic Cable Line project (CAI, 1999). CAI (1999) identified the site as two separate isolated finds but they have been combined into a single site in the CRIS database. The site consists of a single chert core and four chert flakes collected from shovel tests. Impacts to the site were avoided by utilizing a directional bore to pass the fiber optic cable underneath the site (CAI, 1999).
o Current Condition: The site is currently located within a cleared overhead transmission line ROW and a small patch of second-growth forest immediately west of the ROW. There is an active agricultural field west of the patch of forest. The transmission line ROW was present at the time the site was initially identified (1998) and there do not appear to have been any significant new disturbances to the site vicinity since its initial recording by CAI (1999).
• Bittersweet Series (I – V) Site: 03902.000220 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Listed (part of Flint Mine Hill NRHP District) o Location: The Bittersweet Sites are located within the southern portion of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District.
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 31 o Description: Bittersweet Sites I through III were excavated by Weinman and Weinman (1977b) in 1975 and 1976. Bittersweet I through III (and presumably IV and V as well) are more accurately viewed as loci of a single archaeological site, rather than separate sites. The fact that they share a single USN between all of them, further underlines this point. During the field seasons of 1975 and 1976, Weinman and Weinman (1977b) excavated 625 square feet at Bittersweet I, 475 square feet at Bittersweet II, and 375 square feet at Bittersweet III.
The site contained Late Archaic/Transitional Snook Kill and Susquehanna Broad projectile points, although the excavators were unable to separate the two components stratigraphically. In addition to the Snook Kill and Susquehanna Broad projectile points, Weinman and Weinman (1977b) also recovered a large number of knives, primarily of the corner-removed, lobate-stemmed, and pentaganoid forms. The vast majority of lithic artifacts from the site are made of Mount Merino/Normanskill chert, although a small number of Onondaga chert and Pennsylvania Jasper artifacts were also noted.
Additionally, Bittersweet III, which is located between Bittersweet I and Bittersweet II, contained a rectangular hearth feature (Florance, 1978). Similar to Dead Sheep I and II, the Bittersweet Site was interpreted by Weinman and Weinman (1977b) as primarily a lithic processing locale with an affiliated briefly occupied camp.
According to Florance (1978), the Bittersweet IV and V sites had recently been excavated (as of his writing in 1978) and a report was being prepared by Weinman and Weinman. However, it is not currently known if such a report ever emerged, or if it did, where it was published or presented.
o Current Condition: Bittersweet I-V have been previously excavated. The excavated area at localities I through III totals 1,475 square feet. The extent of excavation at localities IV and V is currently unknown. Despite previous excavation, it is likely that significant intact buried cultural material remains at this site. The site is located in undeveloped second-growth forest and has not been subjected to any obvious impacts since excavation in the 1970s.
• TRC-14-NYP Site: USN 03902.000285 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Undetermined
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 32 o Location: TRC-14-NYP is located within the southern portion of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: TRC Environmental Corporation (TRC) identified the site during the Phase 1 archaeological survey for the Pilgrim Pipeline Project. The survey report has not yet been submitted to NYSOPRHP, but a copy of the site report was provided to EDR by TRC (2017). The site consists of a multiple component Pre-Contact and historic-period site identified on the basis of 47 positive shovel tests from which TRC recovered 233 Pre-Contact artifacts (207 fragments of debitage, 25 stone tools, and one fragment of fire-cracked rock) and three historic-period artifacts. All tools and debitage consisted of Mount Merino/Normanskill chert. The chipped stone tools included 13 utilized flakes, eight unifacial scrapers, two bifaces, one non-diagnostic projectile point fragment, and one blade fragment. TRC (2017) noted that this was an unusually high percentage of tools (10.7%) to be found at a site in this area. More typically, sites in the vicinity are dominated by Mount Merino/Normanskill chert debitage and cores with very few chipped stone tools. The NRHP eligibility of the site is currently undetermined.
o Current Condition: USN 03902.000285 is located in an active agricultural field approximately 140 feet (43 meters) west of a large north/south-trending overhead utility line. The Pilgrim Pipeline has not been constructed and additional intact buried cultural material is currently present at the site.
• Workshop Area Site: USN 03905.000005; NYSM 406 and 8555 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Listed (part of Flint Mine Hill NRHP District) o Location: The Workshop Area Site is located within the northern portion of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: The Workshop Area consists of a small (approximately 2-acre) area within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District, located on flat terrain at the western base of Flint Mine Hill. It corresponds to an area indicated as “Work Shops” by Parker (1925: Figure 4) (Inset 2). Florance (1978) included this area in the Flint Mine Hill Archaeological District NRHP Nomination both on the map supporting the nomination (at a location that corresponds to Parker’s [1925: Figure 4] “Work Shops”), and in the text, noting only that it was an area which had since been surface collected but not formally excavated.
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 33
Inset 2. Parker’s (1925: Figure 4) Map of Flint Mine Hill (north is to the right of the map)
o Current Condition: The Workshop Area is currently located partially within an active agricultural field and partially with in an adjacent successional old-field area. It does not appear that significant impacts have occurred since Parker’s (1925) visit to the area in 1924; however, this cannot be stated with certainty. It is likely that the surface component of the site has been collected by local residents both before and after Parker’s visit and other impacts may have occurred.
• Baldwin Rockshelter Site: USN 03905.000007; NYSM 407 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Listed (part of Flint Mine Hill NRHP District) o Location: This site is partially located within the north-central portion of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: Baldwin Rockshelter consists of a domestic camp and workshop located within a northwest-facing shale rockshelter approximately 70 feet (21 meters) above the surrounding flats (Weinman and Weinman, 1967). The NYSM and NYSAA collaborated to excavate six 4 x 4-foot (1.2 x 1.2-meter) excavation units at the site. The excavations identified two strata (Stratum I and II). One Levanna and one Meadowood projectile point were recovered from Stratum I, indicating Early and Middle Woodland occupations. Stratum I also contained a hearth, faunal remains consisting of deer bone and freshwater clam shell, a small number of other lithic tools, 12 chert cores, and 1,294 chert flakes. Weinman and Weinman (1967) do not note whether the hearth contained intact charcoal, but no radiocarbon dates were obtained from the site. Stratum II lacked
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 34 diagnostic projectile points or features but contained additional faunal remains consisting of deer bone, freshwater clam shell, turkey bone, and a fragment of box turtle carapace, as well as a small number of lithic tools, five chert cores, and 1,078 chert flakes (Weinman and Weinman, 1967).
Weinman and Weinman (1967) concluded that the site had been sporadically occupied by small groups throughout the Early and Middle Woodland periods, and possibly earlier. Based on the limited artifact assemblage which was dominated by local chert cores and flakes, the primary activity at the site appears to have been procurement and processing of the local Mount Merino/Normanskill chert.
o Current Condition: The Baldwin Rockshelter site is currently situated in second growth forest approximately 150 feet south of Flint Mine Road. There do not appear to have been any significant impacts to the site vicinity since the 1967 excavations. Weinman and Weinman (1967) do not note if any cultural deposits were left intact following the joint NYSM/NYSAA excavations in 1967, but it is safe to assume, given the methods of the day, that the majority of the site was excavated. However, small areas of intact deposits may remain around the periphery of the 1967 excavation block.
• Dead Sheep Series (I – II) Site: USN 03905.000008; NYSM 467 and 7107 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Listed (part of Flint Mine Hill NRHP District) o Location: The Dead Sheep Series sites are located within the southwestern portion of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: Dead Sheep I and II consist of two adjacent loci located on a low rise bordered on the west by a wetland, merging into flats to the north and east, and backed by a north/south-trending finger ridge to the south (Florance, 1978). The site is located approximately 350 feet (107 meters) north of the Bittersweet Series sites. Dead Sheep I consists of a small domestic campsite and lithic processing area initially interpreted as containing both Susquehanna Broad (diagnostic of the Frost Island Phase) and Snook Kill (diagnostic of the Snook Kill Phase) projectile points (Weinman and Weinman, 1973). The two components were initially thought to be mixed at the site; however, excavations at Dead Sheep II, a small domestic campsite with no lithic processing area, recovered additional Susquehanna Broad projectile points. Weinman and Weinman (1973) determined that the small number of Susquehanna Broad projectile points recovered at Dead Sheep I were located immediately adjacent to Dead Sheep II, which only contained Susquehanna Broad projectile points (i.e., not Snook Kill). Therefore, they concluded that Dead Sheep I represented a Snook Kill Phase
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 35 occupation and Dead Sheep II represented a Frost Island Phase occupation (Weinman and Weinman, 1973). This separation between the two components was consistent with Ritchie’s (1965) suggestion that the Snook Kill Phase preceded the Frost Island Phase and that the former belonged in the Late Archaic whereas the latter belonged in the Transitional Period.
In total, 950 square feet were excavated at Dead Sheep I and 275 square feet were excavated at Dead Sheep II by Weinman and Weinman (1973). The lithic assemblage of both sites was dominated by local Mount Merino/Normanskill chert. No ceramic artifacts, faunal remains, or intact features were identified at the site.
o Current Condition: The Dead Sheep Series sites is currently located in an area of undeveloped second-growth forest. It does not appear that any significant impacts have occurred in the area since Weinman and Weinman’s investigations of the site in the 1960s (Weinman and Weinman, 1973). There is a large overhead transmission line ROW approximately 500 feet (152 m) to the northeast, but it does not appear to have impacted the vicinity of the site. It is not currently known what percentage of the buried deposits at the site were excavated by Weinman and Weinman (1973) but it is highly likely that at least some significant buried cultural material remains at the site.
• Baldwin Farm Flats Site: USN 03905.000013 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Listed (part of Flint Mine Hill NRHP District) o Location: The Baldwin Farm Flats Site is located within the north-central portion of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: Florance (1978) states that Baldwin Farm Flats is a Pre-Contact Native American site that has been surface collected but not excavated. The 1976 Archaeological Site Inventory Form for Baldwin Farm Flats refers to reader to the Flint Mine Hill NRHP Nomination being prepared and contains little additional information.
The location of the site roughly corresponds to the numbers “1” and “2” marked on an annotated copy of the 1953 USGS Hudson North, New York 7.5-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map attached to Schambach’s (1963) An Archaeological Site and Collection Survey of the Hudson North Quadrangle. Both numbers are present in multiple locations on the annotated map (both within and outside the Facility Site) and they may correspond to specific artifact collectors with whom
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 36 Schambach (1963) communicated. However, Schambach’s (1963: Appendix A) collection reports were not available for review at the time of this writing so this could not be confirmed.
o Current Condition: The location is plotted within an active farm/barnyard immediately south of Flint Mine Hill Road. The current condition is unknown.
• Kings Road Site: NYSM 397 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Listed (part of Flint Mine Hill NRHP District) o Location: The Kings Road Site is located approximately 1,000 feet (305 meters) east of the Cedar Terrace Series site. It is located within the central portion of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: The Kings Road Site consists of an early Paleoindian Period campsite. It was initially identified in 1966 by Thomas Weinman who was at the time conducting extensive pedestrian survey in central Greene County (Funk et al., 1969). Funk et al. (1969:1) describe the site as situated on “a very low, almost imperceptible, rise” near a small swale, within a flat agricultural field. The site is located on clays associated with pro-glacial Lake Albany (Funk, 2004). Following the site’s discovery, Funk et al. (1969) excavated several test pits and an L-shaped trench of five 5 x 5-foot (1.5 x 1.5-meter) excavation units through the plow zone (typically approximately 12 inches [30.5 cm] deep) to the underlying hard clay layer. Artifacts were found throughout the plow zone, but no features were identified. Following the subsurface testing and excavation, Funk et al. (1969) conducted extensive surface collection in 1967 and 1968. Following the surface collection and excavations described by Funk et al. (1969), the field containing the site was plowed in 1974 (the last time it had been plowed before that was 1968) (Weinman and Weinman, 1978b). Therefore, additional surface collection was conducted in 1974 which obtained an additional 166 retouched artifacts from the site.
The retouched stone artifacts collected by Funk et al. (1969) and Weinman and Weinman (1978b) between 1966 and 1974 from the surface of the site are summarized in Table 4 (Funk, 2004: Table 35). It is notable that approximately 9% of the tool assemblage at Kings Road consisted of exotic lithic materials. This is significantly higher than the 1.2% of exotic materials from the tool assemblage at the nearby Paleoindian Athens Hill Site assemblage (Funk, 1972; 2004). Funk et al. (1969:20) interpret the site as representing a single occupation event by a single group. It is important to note that these artifacts were recovered both through surface collection and through the
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 37 excavation of test pits and excavation units. Funk et al. (1969; Funk, 2004) do not indicate which artifacts came from surface or subsurface contexts.
Table 4. Retouched Artifacts Collected from the Kings Road Site (Funk, 2004: Table 35). Tool Type Count Percentage of Assemblage
Fluted points (finished) 3 0.8%
Fluted points in process 5 1.3%
Possible fluted points 2 0.5%
Biface knives 0 0.0%
Bifaces in process 65 16.7%
Misc. bifaces 29 7.4%
Drills/awls 0 0.0%
End scrapers 55 14.1%
End-side scrapers 0 0.0%
Side scrapers 67 17.2%
Spokeshaves 3 0.8%
Flake knives 41 10.5%
Retouched flakes 10 2.6%
Gravers 0 0.0%
Denticulates 0 0.0%
Pieces esquilles 1 0.3%
Tool fragments 0 0.0%
Other unifaces 1 0.3
Utilized flakes 102 26.2
Rough stone tools 6 1.6
Totals 390 100.0
It should be noted that Weinman and Weinman (1978b:1) state the total artifacts recovered from the 1974 fieldwork is 183; however, only 166 are described in the text. Similarly, Weinman and Weinman (1978b) note that the total debitage recovered from the site, including the 1974 collections, is 16,486 artifacts, but this is inconsistent with separately reported debitage totals reported by Funk et al. (1969) (5,350) and Weinman and Weinman (1978b:4) (955) which total only 6,305. Furthermore, Funk (2004:Table 40) reports a total of 6,570 cores and debitage recovered from Kings Road surface
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 38 collections (separate numbers for cores and debitage, or for cores and debitage recovered from excavations not reported).
Since the initial investigations, the significance of the Kings Road Site to North American Paleoindian archaeology has only grown. It is one of the type sites for the Kings Road/Whipple fluted point form, believed to be the earliest style of fluted point in the northeastern United States (Lothrop and Bradley, 2012). Lothrop and Bradley (2012) speculate that sites in the Hudson Valley containing Kings Road/Whipple projectile points, such as Kings Road and Swale (discussed above) represent the earliest human habitation of the area. Therefore, the Kings Road site is highly significant on a continent-wide scale.
Regarding the horizontal extent of cultural material at the Kings Road Site, Funk et al. (1969:2) note that the extent of surface artifacts when the site was first examined was approximately 50 x 80 feet (15 x 24 meters). Weinman and Weinman (1978b) do not note if their 1974 surface collection at the site expanded its horizontal extent. Funk (2004) notes that the Kings Road and Swale sites each occupy approximately 400 square meters.
o Current Condition: The Kings Road Site is situated in an active agricultural field. There has been no significant disturbance to the site since the investigations in the 1960s and 1970s (Funk et al. 1969; Weinman and Weinman, 1978b). Therefore, significant intact buried cultural deposits likely remain present at the site.
• Scott Quarry Site: NYSM 409 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Listed (part of Flint Mine Hill NRHP District) o Location: NYSM 409 is located within the southern portion of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: The Scott Quarry Site (sometimes referred to as the Scott Farm Flint Quarry or Quarries) consists of a quarried outcrop of Mount Merino/Normanskill chert located on the southern end of a north/south-trending ridgetop. Schambach (1963:74) mentions Scott Quarry as a known quarry location and Florance (1978) notes that the boundary of the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District was specifically designed to include Scott Quarry within its southwestern corner. Scott Quarry is one of several sites within the District that has been subjected to surface collection and, possibly, limited shovel testing but no systematic excavation (Florance, 1978).
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 39
Under the entry for NYSM 409, the NYSM Sites Spreadsheet refers to NYSM 9510 (which is said to include NYSM 409 in the spreadsheet) and 9597 (which is said to be adjacent to NYSM 409 in the spreadsheet); however, neither of these areas are depicted in the CRIS database. The NYSM Sites Spreadsheet describes NYSM 9510 as “Scott Quarries: R. Scott Quarries” and NYSM 9597 as “Scott Wetland.”
o Current Condition: Florance (1978:1) states “limited quarrying for highway and railroad bed fill has been undertaken at the Scott Quarry. Although no longer quarried, the activity has altered surface and subsurface deposits.” No more detail is provided, but based on this description, it can be assumed that the site, or at least portions of it, have been adversely impacted by this historic-period and/or modern quarrying activity. The full extent of disturbance is currently unknown.
• No Formal Name Site: NYSM 8025 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Undetermined o Location: NYSM 8025 is partially located within the northern portion of the Facility Site and partially overlaps with the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: Based on the NYSM Sites Spreadsheet, this area appears to be based on one or more reports of fluted points collected in the vicinity of Flint Mine Hill. No other information is provided.
o Current Condition: NYSM 8025 appears to be based on reports of artifacts which have already been collected, presumably from the surface. These artifacts may be indicative of additional Paleoindian Period archaeological sites in the vicinity. The area currently consists of a mixture of agricultural fields, second-growth forest, farms, and residences. It contains two paved roads: Flint Mine Hill Road and Flats Road, as well as numerous unpaved farm and woods roads. The condition of any extant cultural materials within NYSM 8025 is not currently known.
• No Formal Name Site: NYSM 8280 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Undetermined o Location: NYSM 8280 is partially located within the northeastern portion of the Facility Site. Additionally, the western half of the area occurs within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District.
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 40 o Description: Little information is available regarding this site. The NYSM Sites Spreadsheet references both “Ryder ‘65” and “Schambach ’63:272,” The first is an apparent reference to a local artifact collector, F.L. Ryder who is mentioned by Schambach (1963) in reference to the Little Nutton Hook Site on the Hudson River in Greene County. It is possible that Ryder provided written communication to the NYSM regarding the presence of a site at this location, but no documentation of this communication could be located.
The location of the site roughly corresponds to the number “1” marked on an annotated copy of the 1953 USGS Hudson North, New York 7.5-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map attached to Schambach’s (1963) paper. The number “1” is marked on the annotated map in several locations (both within and outside the Facility Site), and it may correspond to an individual collector with whom Schambach (1963) communicated. However, Schambach’s (1963: Appendix A) collection reports were not available for review at the time of this writing so this could not be confirmed.
o Current Condition: NYSM 8280 occupies an area currently made up of (in decreasing order of extent) active agricultural fields, second-growth forest, and railroad ROW. So little information is available regarding the site that it is difficult to discuss potential adverse impacts. However, it is likely that any cultural materials present in the agricultural fields or second-growth forest remain at least somewhat intact. Portions of the site within the railroad ROW have likely been severely impacted by railbed construction and maintenance. However, there is potential for intact cultural material to remain at the site.
• No Formal Name Site: NYSM 8628 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Undetermined o Location: NYSM 8628 is located within the southwestern portion of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine NRHP District. o Description: Little information is available regarding this site. The NYSM Sites Spreadsheet references “Carl Sundler,” an avocational archaeologist who reported the site in 1921. It is possible that Sundler provided written communication to the NYSM regarding the presence of a site at this location, but no documentation of this communication could be located.
The location of the site roughly corresponds to a shaded portion of an annotated copy of the 1953 USGS Hudson North, New York 7.5-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map attached to Schambach’s
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 41 (1963) paper. Neither this map or the NYSM Sites Spreadsheet provides any further information regarding this site. It is likely though that the site likely contains debitage and/or tools that were surface collected by one or more local residents.
o Current Condition: NYSM 8628 is currently located within a large second-growth forest stand. This area’s depiction as forest on the 1953 USGS Hudson North, New York 7.5-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map suggests that this area has undergone little to no change since its reporting in 1921. Therefore, it is likely that any cultural materials present may remain intact.
• Railroad #2 Site: NYSM 408 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Listed (part of Flint Mine Hill NRHP District) o Location: The Railroad #2 Site is located approximately 160 feet (49 meters) south of the Facility Site, but within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: Florance (1978) describes the Railroad #2 Site as one of several sites within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District that has been identified based on surface artifacts, and surface collected, but never excavated. No additional information is available regarding this site.
o Current Condition: The site is currently located in a successional woodland/wetland area overlooking an upper fork of Murderers Creek. No significant disturbance is currently obvious, but the condition of the site is largely unknown.
• TEL/ALB 24 Site: USN 03902.000261 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Undetermined o Location: TEL/ALB 24 is located approximately 200 feet (61 meters) south of the Facility Site, but within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: Site 03902.000261 was initially identified during the Phase 1B archaeological survey for the Telergy/Albany to Pleasant Valley Fiber Optic Cable Line project (CAI, 1999). It consists of a moderate to large subsurface lithic scatter identified in 93 positive shovel tests (excavated at 25- foot [7.6 m] intervals) from which four early stage bifaces, three final bifaces, 133 pieces of chert and quartzite debitage, an unknown number of core fragments, an unknown number of flake knives, and an unknown number of unifaces were recovered (CAI, 1999). CAI (1999) recommended the site be avoided via a directional bore and if this was not possible, that Phase 2 and 3 investigations
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 42 be conducted at the site prior to project construction. Limited Phase 2 investigations consisting of an additional 56 shovel tests excavated at 12.5-foot (3.8-m) intervals were conducted at the site. CAI’s (1999) study was apparently cut short prematurely, so at the time the report was published, many of the materials recovered during Phase II investigations had not been analyzed or catalogued. The 1999 CAI report seems to indicate that only two pieces of debitage were recovered from the site during Phase 2 investigation. However, that figure seems improbably low given the density of material recovered from the site during Phase 1B testing. It is also worth noting that the New York State Prehistoric Archaeological Site Inventory Form for the site notes a potential Paleoindian or Early Archaic cultural affiliation. However, no additional information supporting this assertion is provided in the site or the CAI (1999) report.
o Current Condition: The site is currently located within an active agricultural field immediately adjacent to an overhead transmission line ROW. The site was recommended for avoidance by CAI (1999) and there is no reason to believe it was not avoided. Therefore, it is likely that additional intact buried cultural material is present at the site.
• TEL/ALB 27-28 Site: USN 03902.000023 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Not Eligible o Location: TEL/ALB 27-28 is located approximately 205 feet (62 meters) south of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine NRHP District. o Description: This site was initially identified during the Phase 1B archaeological survey for the Telergy/Albany to Pleasant Valley Fiber Optic Cable Line (CAI, 1999). CAI (1999) initially identified two separate sites at this location but they have been combined into a single site in the CRIS database. The site consists of one Orient Fishtail projectile point preform (diagnostic of the Transitional Period), one chert knife, two core fragments, and a single flake, all recovered from shovel tests. CAI (1999) conducted limited Phase 2 investigations at the site but only identified nine additional pieces of chert debitage. Therefore, they recommended the site as not eligible for listing on the S/NRHP and concluded that the use of a cable plow to install a cable through the site would not pose an adverse impact.
o Current Condition: The site is currently located within an active agricultural field approximately 150 feet (46 meters) east of an overhead transmission line ROW. CAI (1999) recommended the fiber optic cable be installed through the site with no further archaeological work, and there is no reason
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 43 to believe this did not occur. Given the small area of impact associated with cable installation, it is likely that additional intact cultural materials remain at this site, although CAI (1999) found a relatively low density of artifacts at this location and recommended it as not eligible for listing on the S/NRHP.
• Multari Farm Site Loci 1 and 2 Site: USN 03902.000269 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Not Eligible o Location: The Multari Farms Site, Loci 1 and 2, is located approximately 205 feet (62 meters) north of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: Tracker Archaeology Services, Inc. (TAS, 2002) identified the Multari Farm Site Loci 1 and 2 during the Phase 1 archaeological survey for the Greene County Highway Facility. Recognizing the potential significance of the site, TAS (2002) recommended and conducted Phase 2 investigations. During Phase 1 and 2 investigations, artifacts were found primarily within the plow zone. Only chipped stone artifacts and fire-cracked rock were recovered from the site and no diagnostic projectile points were recovered. TAS (2002) determined the site represented a seasonal camp where activity focused on the final stages of lithic reduction, butchering, hide preparation, cooking, and limited amounts of early stage lithic reduction. No intact features were encountered, but an activity area was identified based on high lithic artifact and fire-cracked rock densities. Based on the lack of diagnostic artifacts and intact features, TAS (2002) recommended the site as not eligible for listing on the NRHP, with no further archaeological work recommended.
o Current Condition: In 2002, TAS recommended USN 03902.000269 as not eligible for listing on the NRHP. In the following years, the Greene County Highway Garage was constructed at the location and would have impacted any remaining archaeological materials left at the site.
• Flint Mine Hill (Mineburg Hill) Site: USN 03905.000003; NYSM 404 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Listed (part of Flint Mine Hill NRHP District) o Location: The Flint Mine Hill Site is located approximately 230 feet (70 meters) east of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: Flint Mine Hill is the most extensively studied site in the area and the central component of the Flint Mine NRHP District. Flint Mine Hill (which was historically called Mineburg Hill) was initially brought to the attention of Arthur C. Parker, archaeologist for the NYSM, by West
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 44 Coxsackie resident Jefferson D. Ray in 1921. During a site visit in that same year, Ray showed Parker several projectile points that he had collected from the flats below the hill (Parker, 1925).
Parker returned to the site in May of 1924 to mount a month-long investigation of the hill. The investigation is described in detail by Parker (1925); however, a few points are worth mentioning here: • Parker (1925:110) describes the largest quarry pit on the hill as measuring approximately 40 feet (12 m) deep on the uphill side. • The investigators collected 3,000 hammerstones from the site. • Parker (1925:113) also notes: “all along the eastern slope of the hill the soil is stained a deep black with Indian camp refuse and beneath for a foot or more are layers of broken quarry material and rejected implements.” No other reference to this extensive black staining has been located and it is not clear if it actually represents Pre-Contact middens, as Parker (1925) seems to suggest, or something else. • The investigators noted fragments of animal bone mixed in with debitage in deposits near their camp on the top of the hill (near the north end of the hill) (Parker, 1925:114). • Describing a site visit from a local newspaper reporter, Parker (1925:114) states “the newspaper reporter found a full dozen [projectile points] in a cleft between two rocks.” This is the only known reference to what appears to have been a Pre-Contact projectile point cache at Flint Mine Hill. Parker (1925) does not describe the projectile points found by the reporter further. • Relevant to the current Facility Site, located on the flats surrounding the hill, Parker (1925:116) notes: “Few completed implements were found upon the hill itself, most of the objects being work blades and the rougher forms in process of reduction. An examination of the flats along the eastern side of the hill and one to the north-west revealed that if arrow heads were wanted the places to look for them were here. Jefferson Ray made this his work and found more than 3,000 beautiful specimens of completed points of all sizes, many of them strangely shaped. He also found four amulets in or near the springs and one copper chisel edge. The usual village site objects were lacking. There was no clay pottery whatever but a fine portable mortar and pestle were found near the barn.”
Following Parker’s 1924 investigations at the site, attempts were made to designate Flint Mine Hill a State Scientific Reservation. A bill was drafted and passed both houses of the New York State
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 45 legislature to procure state funds for purchasing the site; however, the bill was never signed into law by the governor and the property was never acquired by the state. Notably, the property parcel containing the bulk of Flint Mine Hill was purchased by the Incorporated Long Island Chapter of the NYSAA/Southold Indian Museum in 1960 and remains in their ownership to this day. Since the initial purchase, the parcel has been added to and now consists of approximately 62.5 acres.
Formal archaeological work was not undertaken at the site again until 1993 when a group of researchers from the Anthropology Department at the State University of New York (SUNY) Albany initiated research at the site (Brumbach and Weinstein, 1999). The SUNY Albany group worked at the site in 1993 and 1994 mapping chert outcrops and workshop loci and conducting subsurface excavations within two workshop areas. Approximately 10 workshops and smaller outcrops were mapped and inventoried; however, surface collections were only rarely made outside the two excavated workshops (Brumbach and Weinstein, 1999).
The primary artifacts recovered from Brumbach and Weinstein’s (1999) excavation consisted of fragmentary cores, bifaces, and debitage; however, a small number of diagnostic projectile points dating to the Late Archaic and Transitional periods were also recovered. The researchers note that isolated surface finds of projectile points indicate at least periodic use of the site dating back to the Paleoindian Period. Aside from the quarry pits themselves, the only features documented by the SUNY Albany team consisted of concentrations of flakes, cores, early stage bifaces, and/or hammerstones. No hearths were identified, and no ceramic artifacts of any type were recovered. Brumbach and Weinstein (1999) note that they encountered no evidence of habitation in their investigations on the hill. All the evidence they encountered was indicative of quarrying and tool stone processing (or workshop) activities, and they speculate that the surrounding flats would have been more suitable for habitation due to level terrain and access to water. As discussed above and below, this is borne out by the archaeological record of the area.
o Current Condition: As previously noted, the bulk of Flint Mine Hill was purchased by the Long Island Chapter of the NYSAA/Southold Indian Museum in 1960 and remains in their ownership to the present day. Therefore, no significant development has occurred at the site since 1960, and, due to the hill’s rugged topography, very little development occurred prior to 1960 either. Flint Mine Road runs along the eastern base of the hill and there are residences to the north, south, and east. It is also likely that the hill was logged during the nineteenth century, although a photograph presented by Parker (1925: Plate 1) shows the hill as heavily wooded. The most significant past
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 46 impact to the site has likely been artifact collection by local residents and even the 1924 Parker expedition (Parker, 1925; Brumbach and Weinstein, 1999).
• TEL/ALB 29-30 Site: USN 03902.000262 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Not eligible o Location: TEL/ALB 29-30 is located approximately 360 feet northwest of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: TEL/ALB 29-30 was initially identified during the Phase 1B archaeological survey for the Telergy/Albany to Pleasant Valley Fiber Optic Cable Line project (CAI, 1999). It is a small lithic scatter consisting of two retouched flakes and two unmodified flakes recovered from three shovel tests. It was initially recorded as two separate stray or isolated finds which were later combined under a single USN. CAI (1999) recommended the two finds as not eligible for listing on the S/NRHP with no further work.
o Current Condition: Site 03902.000262 is located within a large overhead transmission line ROW in an area of successional vegetation. The site may have been impacted by the installation of the Telergy/Albany to Pleasant Valley Fiber Optic Cable Line Project. Given the low density of cultural material encountered by CAI (1999) at the site, a small number of scattered artifacts may remain, but significant intact buried cultural deposits do not appear to be present.
• Flint Mine Hill Workshops [Russian Workshop] Site: USN 03905.000006; NYSM 405 and 8554 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Listed (part of Flint Mine Hill NRHP District) o Location: The Flint Mine Hill Workshops Site is located approximately 910 feet (277 meters) east of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: The site corresponds to an area indicated as “Work Shop Sites” by Parker (1925: Figure 4), following his initial 1924 investigations at Flint Mine Hill (see Inset 2). It is worth noting that Parker (1925) does not use the term “Russian Workshop” at all, although he does discuss an interaction with a Russian immigrant who owned a local farm. Parker (1925:112-113) records collecting projectile points, blades, debitage, and hammerstones from the barnyard of said farm.
The location of the site roughly corresponds to the number “4” marked on an annotated copy of the 1953 USGS Hudson North, New York 7.5-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map attached to
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 47 Schambach’s (1963) paper. The number “4” is marked on the map only in this location, and it may correspond to an individual collector with whom Schambach (1963) communicated. However, Schambach’s (1963: Appendix A) collection reports were not available for review at the time of this writing so this could not be confirmed.
The Flint Mine Hill Workshops Site is included in the 1978 Flint Mine Hill Archaeological District NRHP nomination (Florance, 1978). Florance (1978) notes that the Russian Workshop is one of a number of sites (several of which have been discussed above) which had been subjected to surface collection and possibly a small amount of shovel testing, but not formal excavation.
o Current Condition: The site currently occupies an active agricultural field and a small residential area including one structure and the surrounding lawn immediately east of Flint Mine Road. Very little is known about the site, but it is assumed it has been heavily surface collected by local residents and the 1924 Parker expedition (Parker, 1925). However, the extent, nature, and condition of subsurface cultural material at the site is currently unknown. Regardless of its current condition, the site is located outside the Facility Site and will not be impacted by Facility-related activities.
• No Formal Name Site: NYSM 7105 o S/NRHP Eligibility: Undetermined o Location: NYSM 7105 is located approximately 1,115 feet (340 meters) east of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. o Description: Based on the NYSM Sites Spreadsheet, the site consists of an isolated celt or pendant, apparently reported by Stuart Fiedel in March of 1991. The find was likely collected from the ground surface and, according to its depiction in the CRIS database, was recovered from the eastern slope of Flint Mine Hill. No other information is provided.
o Current Condition: The site is currently located within a residential lawn, adjacent to a house and the immediately adjacent to the east side of Flint Mine Road. Construction and maintenance of this road may have disturbed any subsurface component of this site.
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 48 Table 5. Archaeological Sites Within 1 mile of the Facility Site (but outside the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District). Distance Site Identifier Site Name Time Period Site Description from Facility S/NRHP Status Source Site
Undetermined Pre- 25 ft (8 03905.000148 TEL/ALB 22-23 Lithic scatter Undetermined CRIS Contact era meters) west
Lithic scatter: 5 Flats Road Undetermined Pre- 85 feet (26 03905.000203 flake tools and 26 Undetermined CRIS Precontact site Contact era meters) west flakes
Undetermined Pre- 95 feet (29 03905.000146 TEL/ALB 18 Lithic scatter Undetermined CRIS Contact era meters) west
Undetermined Pre- 125 feet (38 03905.000147 TEL/ALB 20-21 Lithic scatter Undetermined CRIS Contact era meters) west
Historic-period 0.1 mile (0.2 03902.000010 Cemetery (nineteenth Cemetery Undetermined CRIS km) north century)
Lithic scatter: Undetermined Pre- retouched flake 0.1 mile (0.2 03902.000263 TEL/ALB 31-32 Undetermined CRIS Contact era and unmodified km) southwest debitage
Mountaintop Archaic (10,000 to 0.1 mile (0.2 NYSM 394 Quarry/Workshop Undetermined CRIS Quarry #1 3,000 years ago) km) south
Historic, no visible 0.2 mile (0.3 03902.000011 Lime Kiln Historic-period evidence, Beers Undetermined CRIS km) west Map reference
Lithic scatter: Undetermined Pre- retouched flake 0.2 mile (0.3 03902.000047 IGTS 193-2-1 Undetermined CRIS Contact era and unmodified km) southwest debitage
Late Archaic Camp: projectile (6,000 to 3,500 point, bifaces, years ago)/Early 0.2 mile (0.3 03902.000048 IGTS 193-2-2 hammerstone, Undetermined CRIS Woodland (3,000 km) southwest debitage, fire- to 2,300 years cracked rock. ago)
Undetermined Pre- Lithic scatter: 0.2 mile (0.3 03902.000051 IGTS 194-1-1 Undetermined CRIS Contact era debitage km) west
Undetermined Pre- Lithic scatter: 0.2 mile (0.3 03902.000052 IGTS 194-1-2 Undetermined CRIS Contact era debitage km) west
Undetermined Pre- Lithic scatter: 0.2 mile (0.3 03902.000068 IGTS 195-1-1/2-1 Eligible CRIS Contact era debitage km) southwest
Undetermined Pre- Lithic scatter: 0.2 mile (0.3 03902.000069 IGTS 195-5-1 Eligible CRIS Contact era debitage km) southwest
Camp: bifaces, West Athens utilized flakes, Undetermined Pre- 0.2 mile (0.3 03902.000286 Dollar General scrapers, strike-a- Eligible CRIS Contact era km) west Precontact Site lights, cores debitage
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 49 Distance Site Identifier Site Name Time Period Site Description from Facility S/NRHP Status Source Site
IGTS Athens Undetermined Pre- 0.2 mile (0.3 03902.000293 Hangar Isolated flake Not Eligible CRIS Contact era km) south Precontact Find
Solar Field Undetermined Pre- 0.2 mile (0.3 03905.000191 Lithic scatter Undetermined CRIS Precontact Site 6 Contact era km) northeast
Middle Archaic 8,000 – 6,600 Solar Field years ago) and 0.2 mile (0.3 03905.000192 Lithic scatter Undetermined CRIS Precontact Site 7 Early Woodland km) northeast (2,500 – 3,000 years ago)
Projectile points, bifaces, cores, drills, scrapers, Athens Paleo-Indian to flake tools, Compressor- Late Woodland 0.2 mile (0.3 03902.000222 debitage, Undetermined CRIS Athens Airstrip (13,000 to 400 km) south hammerstones, Site (Loci 1-16) years ago) groundstone, fire- cracked rock, soapstone
Undetermined Pre- 0.3 mile (0.5 03902.000046 IGTS 193-1-1 Isolated flake Undetermined CRIS Contact era km) southwest
Lithic scatter: 4 Multicomponent flakes. 4 brown- 0.3 mile (0.5 03902.000049 IGTS 193-3-1 Pre-Contact and glazed Undetermined CRIS km) west historic-period earthenware fragments
Undetermined Pre- Lithic scatter: 0.3 mile (0.5 03902.000053 IGTS 194-1-3 Undetermined CRIS Contact era debitage km) west
Lithic scatter: 2 Undetermined Pre- 0.3 mile (0.5 03902.000061 IGTS 194-2-1 flake tools, 26 Eligible CRIS Contact era km) south flakes
Camp: bifaces scrapers, other chipped stone tools, polished stone tool, cores, Solar Field Early through Late hammerstones, 0.3 mile (0.5 03905.000186 Precontact & Archaic and Undetermined CRIS debitage, fire- km) northeast Historic Site 1 Historic-period cracked rock. Historic-period scatter: brick, mortar, ceramic, glass.
Camp: stone tools Solar Field Undetermined Pre- 0.3 mile (0.5 03905.000187 debitage, fire- Undetermined CRIS Precontact Site 2 Contact era km) northeast cracked rock.
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 50 Distance Site Identifier Site Name Time Period Site Description from Facility S/NRHP Status Source Site
Camp: stone tools Solar Field Undetermined Pre- 0.3 mile (0.5 03905.000189 debitage, fire- Undetermined CRIS Precontact Site 4 Contact era km) northeast cracked rock.
Solar Field Undetermined Pre- 0.3 mile (0.5 03905.000193 Lithic scatter Undetermined CRIS Precontact Site 8 Contact era km) northeast
Lithic scatter Middle Archaic including Snook NYSM 8025 through Woodland Kill projectile point 0.3 mile (0.5 03905.000212 Undetermined CRIS Extension (8,000 to 400 and grit tempered km) north years ago) Pre-Contact ceramic
Undetermined Pre- Lithic scatter: 1 0.4 mile (0.6 03902.000050 IGTS 193-4-1 Undetermined CRIS Contact era core, 12 flakes km) west
Undetermined Pre- Lithic scatter: 0.4 mile (0.6 03902.000065 IGTS 193-5-1 Not Eligible CRIS Contact era debitage km) southwest
Lithic scatter including chert Undetermined Pre- 0.4 mile (0.6 03902.000066 IGTS 194-3-1 flakes, stone tools, Eligible CRIS Contact era km) west and fire-cracked rock
Lithic scatter: 30 chert flakes (1 retouched), 2 Undetermined Pre- 0.4 mile (0.6 03902.000067 IGTS 194-3-2 bifaces, 3 chert Not Eligible CRIS Contact era km) west chunks, quartz crystal, hammerstone
Meyer Prehistoric Undetermined Pre- Lithic scatter: 1 0.4 mile (0.6 03902.000277 Undetermined CRIS Site 1 Contact era scraper, 16 flakes km) west
Camp: projectile points, bifaces, Middle Archaic Solar Field scrapers, cores, 0.4 mile (0.6 03905.000188 (8,000 to 6,000 Undetermined CRIS Precontact Site 3 hammerstone, km) northeast years ago) debitage, fire- cracked rock
Lithic scatter: Middle Archaic Solar Field bifaces, scraper, 0.4 mile (0.6 03905.000190 (8,000 to 6,000 Undetermined CRIS Precontact Site 5 pestle, other tools, km) northeast years ago) cores, debitage.
Solar Field Lithic scatter: 31 Undetermined Pre- 0.4 mile (0.6 03905.000195 Precontact Site flakes, shatter, Undetermined CRIS Contact era km) east 10 biface, core
Solar Field Lithic scatter: 41 Archaic (10,000 to 0.4 mile (0.6 03905.000196 Precontact Site flakes, 2 bifaces, Undetermined CRIS 3,500 years ago) km) northeast 11 chipped stone tool
Henry White Undetermined Pre- Projectile points 0.4 mile (0.6 NYSM 8274 Undetermined CRIS Farm Contact era (type unknown) km) east
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 51 Distance Site Identifier Site Name Time Period Site Description from Facility S/NRHP Status Source Site
Undetermined Pre- 0.5 mile (0.8 03902.000264 TEL/ALB 33 Lithic scatter Undetermined CRIS Contact era km) south
Peckham Locus 1 Undetermined Pre- 0.5 mile (0.8 03902.000282 Lithic scatter Undetermined CRIS Precontact Site Contact era km) southeast
Peckham Locus 2 Undetermined Pre- 0.5 mile (0.8 03902.000283 Lithic scatter Undetermined CRIS Precontact Site Contact era km) southeast
Coxsackie Paleoindian Prehistoric village Correctional through Woodland site containing 0.5 mile (0.8 03905.000095 Undetermined CRIS Facility Retention (13,000 to 400 projectile points km) north Pond Site years ago) and stone tools
Hamlet on the Middle Woodland Lithic scatter: 0.5 mile (0.8 03905.000177 Hudson (2,300 to 1,000 projectile point, Undetermined CRIS km) east Prehistoric Site G years ago) cores, debitage.
Lithic scatter: Solar Field Undetermined Pre- 0.5 mile (0.8 03905.000194 cores and Undetermined CRIS Precontact Site 9 Contact era km) northeast debitage
Undetermined Pre- 0.5 mile (0.8 03905.000206 GCCF Site Workshop Not Eligible CRIS Contact era km) northwest
Mountain Top Undetermined Pre- 0.5 mile (0.8 NYSM 395 Quarry/workshop Undetermined CRIS Quarry #2 Contact era km) southwest
Lithic scatter: Undetermined Pre- 0.6 mile (1.0 03902.000064 IGTS 192-2-1 debitage and flake Not Eligible CRIS Contact era km) west tools
Possible Site on 03905.000024 Undetermined Pre- 0.6 mile (1.0 Kadlick Farm Unknown Undetermined CRIS (NYSM 441) Contact era km) northeast SM#441
03905.000029 POSSIBLE SITE Undetermined Pre- 0.6 mile (1.0 Unknown Undetermined CRIS (NYSM 430) SM#430 Contact era km) southwest
03905.000035 East Ridge Site Undetermined Pre- 0.6 mile (1.0 Unknown Undetermined CRIS (NYSM 403) SM#403 Contact era km) east
Village: 2,600 Late Archaic artifacts including through Late 03905.000162 Victoria Site stone tools, 0.6 mile (1.0 Middle Woodland Eligible CRIS (NYSM 10742) projectile points, km) northeast (NYSM 10742) (6,000 to 1,000 bone, oyster shell, years ago) and plant remains
Possibly Paleo- Henry White Possible fluted 0.6 mile (1.0 NYSM 8275 Indian (13,000 to Undetermined CRIS Farm point km) east 10,000 years ago)
Cemetery- Cemetery, Beers 0.7 mile (1.1 03902.000012 Historic-period Undetermined CRIS Possible Site Map reference km) southwest
Undetermined Pre- Lithic scatter: 7 0.7 mile (1.1 03902.000041 IGTS 191-1-1 Undetermined CRIS Contact era flakes km) west
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 52 Distance Site Identifier Site Name Time Period Site Description from Facility S/NRHP Status Source Site
03905.000030 Reported Bedrock Undetermined Pre- 0.7 mile (1.1 Bedrock mortars Undetermined CRIS (NYSM 431) Mortars SM#431 Contact era km) east
Lithic scatter: chert Hamlet on the Undetermined Pre- flakes, bifaces, 0.7 mile (1.1 03905.000172 Hudson Undetermined CRIS Contact era cores, point km) east Prehistoric Site C fragments, scraper
Devil's Hole Undetermined Pre- 0.7 mile (1.1 NYSM 386 Rockshelter Undetermined CRIS Rockshelter Contact era km) west
Undetermined Pre- 0.8 mile (1.3 03902.000042 IGTS 191-1-2 Isolated flake Undetermined CRIS Contact era km) west
Lithic scatter: 1 Undetermined Pre- biface fragment, 0.8 mile (1.3 03902.000043 IGTS 191-1-3 Undetermined CRIS Contact era 2,289 flakes, 3 km) west hammerstones
Bronck No information 0.8 mile (1.3 03905.000002 Homestead Historic-period Listed CRIS (form missing) km) northwest Buildings
Lithic scatter: 19 Debbie Search flakes, 3 03905.000018 Farm Undetermined Pre- secondary flakes, 0.8 mile (1.3 Undetermined CRIS (NYSM 450) SM#450/TEL-ALB Contact era 17 debitage flakes, km) northwest 15 2 block flakes, 1 flake with retouch
Possible Site on 03905.000023 Undetermined Pre- 0.8 mile (1.3 Kadlick Farm Unknown Undetermined CRIS (NYSM 440) Contact era km) northeast SM#440
03905.000041 Large Workshop Undetermined Pre- 0.8 mile (1.3 Unknown Undetermined CRIS (NYSM 424) SM#424 Contact era km) northwest
Camp: projectile point, bifaces, Hamlet on the Late Archaic 03905.000176 scraper, chopper, 0.8 mile (1.3 Hudson (6,000 to 3,500 Undetermined CRIS (NYSM 439 & 440) anvil stone, pitted km) northeast Prehistoric Site F years ago) stone, debitage, fire-cracked rock.
Gardner Historic 0.8 mile (1.3 03905.000169 Historic-period Farmstead Undetermined CRIS Site km) northeast
Lithic scatter: 1 Woodland (3,000 projectile point, 1 0.9 mile (1.4 03902.000044 IGTS 191-2-1 Undetermined CRIS to 400 years ago) core, 40 flakes, 7 km) west shatter
Undetermined Pre- Lithic scatter: 8 0.9 mile (1.4 03902.000058 IGTS 196-9-1 Undetermined CRIS Contact era flakes km) southeast
Undetermined Pre- Lithic scatter: 6 0.9 mile (1.4 03902.000059 IGTS 196-10-1 Undetermined CRIS Contact era flakes, 1 shatter km) southeast
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 53 Distance Site Identifier Site Name Time Period Site Description from Facility S/NRHP Status Source Site
Lithic scatter: 1 projectile point, 5 Athens Late Archaic scrapers, 1 biface, 0.9 mile (1.4 03902.000215 Compressor (6,000 to 3,500 Undetermined CRIS 2 cores, 1 km) southeast Locus 1 Site years ago) hammerstone, and debitage
Possible Site on 03905.000022 Undetermined Pre- 0.9 mile (1.4 Kadlick Farm Unknown Undetermined CRIS (NYSM 439) Contact era km) northeast SM#439
03905.000031 POSSIBLE SITE Undetermined Pre- 0.9 mile (1.4 Unknown Undetermined CRIS (NYSM 442) SM#442 Contact era km) east
Lithic scatter: 3 Undetermined Pre- 0.9 mile (1.4 03905.000144 TEL/ALB 16 chert flake, chert Undetermined CRIS Contact era km) northwest core
Lithic scatter: Undetermined Pre- knife, biface, 0.9 mile (1.4 03905.000145 TEL/ALB 17 Undetermined CRIS Contact era retouched flakes, km) west core, debitage.
Rockshelter with Hammerstone Undetermined Pre- 0.9 mile (1.4 NYSM 385 workshop and Undetermined CRIS Shelter Contact era km) west projectile points
Day-Dynamite Undetermined Pre- 0.9 mile (1.4 NYSM 402 Rockshelter Undetermined CRIS Rockshelter Contact era km) northwest
Early Woodland Prehistoric 0.9 mile (1.4 NYSM 6022 NYSM 6022 (3,000 to 2,300 (isolated Undetermined CRIS km) northeast years ago) Meadowood point)
Athens Undetermined Pre- 1.0 mile (1.6 03902.000271 Compressor Site Quarry and camp Eligible CRIS Contact era km) south Locus 12
03905.000036 Jenson Site SM# Undetermined Pre- Several projectile 1.0 mile (1.6 Undetermined CRIS (NYSM 444) 444 Contact era points km) northeast
Lithic scatter: chert Hamlet on the Undetermined Pre- flakes, bifaces, 1.0 mile (1.6 03905.000173 Hudson Undetermined CRIS Contact era cores, and point km) northeast Prehistoric Site B fragments
Lithic scatter: Hamlet on the Undetermined Pre- bifaces, cores, 1.0 mile (1.6 03905.000175 Hudson Undetermined CRIS Contact era debitage, km) northeast Prehistoric Site E hammerstones.
Middle Archaic through Middle Zimmerman 1.0 mile (1.6 NYSM 398 Woodland (8,000 Rockshelter Undetermined CRIS Rockshelter km) northwest to 1,000 years ago)
Bronck House Undetermined Pre- 1.0 mile (1.6 NYSM 399 Rockshelter Undetermined CRIS Rockshelter Contact era km) northwest
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 54 Distance Site Identifier Site Name Time Period Site Description from Facility S/NRHP Status Source Site
Undetermined Pre- 1.0 mile (1.6 NYSM 464 NYSM 464 Camp Undetermined CRIS Contact era km) east
2.3 Previous Archaeological Investigations EDR conducted a review of the consolidated archaeological files of the NYSOPRHP and NYSM to identify previously conducted archaeological surveys and projects within the vicinity of the Facility Site. As previously discussed, EDR conducted a site visit to NYSOPRHP and the NYSM on February 22, 2017 to review the archaeological files relevant to the Flint Mine Hill Archaeological District and surrounding area. Additionally, EDR conducted a file review of the NYSOPRHP’s online CRIS database to confirm the information collected during the office files search and identify any previously conducted surveys/projects not identified during the office search.
Three archaeological surveys/projects have been previously conducted within and/or amongst the parcels of the Facility Site (Figure 6). The projects were conducted between 1999 and 2015, and consist of one Phase 1 archaeological survey, and two combination Phase 1 archaeological surveys/Phase 2 archaeological site investigations. The Phase 1 survey was conducted for a railroad project and the combination Phase 1 survey/Phase 2 site investigations were conducted for one fiber optic cable installation and one highway garage facility. The previously conducted projects are discussed in detail below:
• In 1999, CAI (1999) conducted Phase 1B archaeological survey and limited Phase 2 archaeological site investigation for the Telergy/Albany to Pleasant Valley Fiber Optic Cable Line Project in Albany and Greene Counties (NYSOPRHP project number 98PR1336). The Telergy/Albany to Pleasant Valley Fiber Optic Cable Route trends roughly north/south, intersecting the western and south-central portions of the Facility Site. Approximately 5.5 linear miles (8.9 km) of the cable route occur within 1 mile of the Facility Site. Approximately 1.5 linear miles also falls within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District.
Forty-one archaeological sites were identified between Albany and the Hudson River during CAI’s (1999) Phase 1B survey. Eleven of these sites are located within 1 mile of the Facility Site (Sites 03902.000023 [TEL-ALB 27-28], 03902.000219 [TEL/ALB 25-26], 03902.000261 [TEL/ALB 24], 03902.000262 [TEL/ALB 29- 30], 03902.000263 [TEL/ALB 31-32], 03902.000264 [TEL/ALB 33], 03905.000144 [TEL/ALB 16], 03905.000145 [TEL/ALB 17], 03905.000146 [TEL/ALB 18], 03905.000147 [TEL/ALB 20-21], and 03905.000148 [TEL/ALB 22-23],). These sites were discussed above in Section 2.2 of this report (see Tables 2 and 5). Following the Phase 1B survey, CAI (1999) conducted limited Phase II investigations at Sites 03902.000023 (TEL/ALB 27-28), 03902.000219 (TEL/ALB 25-26), 03902.000261 (TEL/ALB 24),
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 55 03902.000263 (TEL/ALB 31-32), 03902.000264 [TEL/ALB 33], 03905.000147 (TEL/ALB 20-21), and 03905.000148 (TEL/ALB 22-23) within 1 mile of the current Facility Site, as well as a few others that occur further than 1 mile away from the current Facility Site.
• In 2001, TAS (2002) conducted a Phase 1 archaeological survey and Phase 2 archaeological site investigation for the Multari Farm Site, for the proposed Greene County Highway Facility project (NYSOPRHP survey number 02SR52316). The survey area is located within the south-central portion of the Facility Site, as well as within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District. The Phase 1 archaeological survey included the excavation of 165 shovel tests which identified a single Pre-Contact Native American archaeological site: the Multari Farm Site (USN 03902.000269). The site is discussed above in Section 2.2 of this report (see Table 2). Later in 2001, TAS (2002) conducted Phase II archaeological site investigations which consisted of the excavation of 68 shovel tests and 10 1-meter square excavation units. Following Phase II investigations, TAS (2002) recommended the Multari Farm Site as not eligible for listing on the NRHP and recommended no further archaeological work at the location.
• In 2015, LAI (2015) conducted a Phase 1 archaeological survey for the ROW, a staging area, and an access road associated with the CSXT Catskill Second Mainline Track Project (NYSOPRHP survey number 15SR00253). The Phase 1 archaeological survey included the excavation of 44 shovel tests which identified a single Pre-Contact Native American site (the Flats Road Precontact Site – USN 03905.000203) (see Table 5). LAI (2015) noted that the site was potentially significant and recommended it be avoided by all project- related activities or subjected to Phase 2 investigation.
In addition to the previous projects conducted within and/or amongst the parcels of the Facility Site discussed above, 26 archaeological projects have been previously conducted outside, but within 1 mile (1.6 km), of the Facility Site (Table 6 and Figure 6). These projects consist of three (12%) Phase 1A studies, three (12%) Phase 1B surveys, 10 (38%) combination Phase 1A/Phase 1B surveys, six (23%) combination Phase 1/2 investigations, two (8%) Phase 2 investigations, and two (8%) Phase 3 investigations.
Table 6. Previous Archaeological Projects Located Within 1 mile of the Facility Site. Survey/ Survey/ Distance from Findings and Type Reference Project No. Project Name Facility Site Recommendations Report of Archeological Investigations for the 50 feet (15 96PR3054 Proposed Athens Phase 1/2 Results unavailable HAA, 1996 meters) south Compressor Station, County Route 28 Site File Search and 380 feet (116 93PR2556 Windshield Survey for Six Phase 1A Results unavailable HAA, 1994 meters) west Additional Parking Areas
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 56 Survey/ Survey/ Distance from Findings and Type Reference Project No. Project Name Facility Site Recommendations 11 Pre-Contact archaeological Phase 1A/1B Survey and sites and 1 historic-period site. 10SR60269 & Phase 2 Site 470 feet (143 CACI, 2010a; Phase 1/2 No further work recommended for 10SR60270 Investigations, Proposed meters) east 2010b all but one site, which was Solar Field Project avoided. Iroquois Gas Identified 6 Pre-Contact sites in Transmission System 0.1 mile (0.2 90SR62163 Phase 1 vicinity, recommended Phase II GAI, 1990 Phase 1 Archaeological km) south investigations/ avoidance at 5. Survey, Phase I and Phase II Archaeological 16SR00402 & Investigation for Proposed 0.1 mile (0.2 1 Pre-Contact site. Phase 1/2 TAS, 2016 16SR00474 Dollar General at the West km) west Recommended avoidance. Athens Dollar General Site Additional Phase II Close Additional testing to establish Interval Shovel Testing at 0.1 mile (0.2 boundaries of previously 17SR00111 Phase 2 TAS, 2017 the West Athens Dollar km) west identified Pre-Contact site. General Site Recommended no further work. Phase III Data Recovery Excavations of the West 0.1 mile (0.2 18SR56158 Phase 3 One Pre-Contact site investigated TAS, 2018 Athens Dollar General km) west Site Investigations at the Greene 0.1 mile (0.2 Proposed Alsen Coal Phase 1B Results unavailable CAI, 1985 County 31 km) north Terminal Iroquois Gas 0.2 mile (0.3 Recommended 4 Pre-Contact Transmission System 91SR62164 Phase 2 km) south and sites in vicinity for additional GAI, 1991 Phase II Archaeological west research/ avoidance. Evaluations Phase 1A Literature Review and Sensitivity No identified cultural material, no Assessment and Phase 0.2 mile (0.3 00SR50758 Phase 1 further investigation HAA, 2000 1B Archaeological Field km) northwest recommended. Investigation, Proposed Coxsackie Cell Tower Phase 1A/1B Identified 9 Pre-Contact and 2 Archaeological Survey, 0.2 mile (0.3 historic-period sites. All 06SR56673 Phase 1 Curtin, 2006 Proposed Hamlet on the km) northeast recommended for Phase II or Hudson avoidance. Phase IA Literature Review and Sensitivity Area sensitive for both Pre- 0.2 mile (0.3 09SR59187 Assessment, Sleepy Phase 1A Contact and historic-period BAS, 2009 km) east Hollow Lake Management archaeological resources Plan Project Phase 1 Archaeological Survey, Training Academy 0.2 mile (0.3 1 Pre-Contact site; recommended 17SR00669 Phase 1 EDR, 2017 Firing Range and Training km) north Phase 2 Building Phase IB Archaeological Field Reconnaissance, 0.2 mile (0.3 1 Pre-Contact site. Site was 18SR56267 Phase 1B HAA, 2018 IGTS Athens Hangar km) south avoided. Turbine Storage Project A Cultural Resource Greene 0.2 mile (0.3 1 Pre-Contact site identified; no Survey of DOCS Greene Phase 1 NYSM, 1990 County 37 km) north further work recommended Wetlands Phase I Archaeological 0.3 mile (0.5 16SR00721 Phase 1/2 1 Pre-Contact site HAA, 2016 Investigation and Phase II km) west
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 57 Survey/ Survey/ Distance from Findings and Type Reference Project No. Project Name Facility Site Recommendations Site Evaluation, Greene County Public Facilities Phase 1A Literature Review and Site 0.4 mile (0.6 01PR5281 Sensitivity Assessment, Phase 1A Results unavailable HAA, 2001 km) south IGTS Athens Gas Lateral Project Changing Patterns in Resource Exploitation at 1 Pre-Contact site; conducted full Greene the Coxsackie 0.4 mile (0.6 Phase 3 Phase 3 excavation of features. HAA, 1984 County 19 Correctional Facility: km) north Site now destroyed. Paleo-Indian Through Woodland Times Phase I Archaeological Survey and Phase II Archaeological 0.5 mile (0.8 97PR2637 Phase 1/2 Results unavailable JMA, 1998 Evaluations of Electrical km) south Transmission Line to Leeds Subdivision Cultural Resource Reconnaissance Survey 1 Pre-Contact site: after and Site Examination conclusion of Phase II, site is 0.6 mile (1.0 03SR53362 Report of OGS-DOCS, Phase 1/2 interpreted as being potentially NYSM, 2003 km) northeast OGS #S6580, Cemetery significant and avoidance or Site, Greene Correctional Phase III was recommended. Facility Phase I Literature Review No cultural material identified, and Field 0.6 mile (1.0 12SR61266 Phase 1 and no further work HAA, 2012 Reconnaissance, IGTS km) south recommended Athens Pig Facilities Cultural Resource Reconnaissance Survey No identified cultural material, no Report of OGS-DOCS 0.7 mile (1.1 01SR51436 Phase 1 further investigation NYSM, 2001 #E8449, Replace Facility km) north recommended. Waterline, Coxsackie Correctional Facility Phase IA, Phase IB and Additional Phase IB 0.8 mile (1.3 97PR1049 Cultural Resource Phase 1 Results unavailable CAI, 1998 km) south Investigations for the Athens Generating Project Report of Archeological Survey and Testing, 0.9 mile (1.4 96PR0409 Proposed Athens Phase 1 1 Pre-Contact site HAA, 1995 km) southeast Compressor Station Route 53 Literature Review and Greene Limited Field 0.9 mile (1.4 Phase 1 Results unavailable HAA, 1988 County 28 Reconnaissance of the km) north Town of Coxsackie Cultural Resources Greene Survey Report, Greene 0.9 mile (1.4 Phase 1B Results unavailable NYSM, 1992 County 42 Correctional Facility km) northeast Annex
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 58 2.4 Historic Context for the Facility Site and Vicinity Archives and repositories consulted during EDR’s research for the Facility included on-line history resources and EDR’s in-house collection of reference materials. Sources reviewed for the Project included the Dear Old Greene County (Gallt, 1915) and The Encyclopedia of New York State. Historical maps reproduced in the report include the 1856 Samuel Geil Map of Greene County: From Actual Surveys, the 1894 USGS Coxsackie 15-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map, and the 1953 USGS Hudson North 7.5-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map (Geil, 1856; USGS 1894; 1953) (Figures 7-9).
The Facility Site is located within and adjacent to the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District in the Towns of Athens and Coxsackie. The area was occupied by Native American groups beginning approximately 13,000 years ago during the Paleoindian period. Pre-Contact Native American occupations typically focused on quarrying and processing the Mount Merino/Normanskill Formation chert present at Flint Mine Hill, Scott Quarry, and other locations with exposed bedrock. The hills and ridges in the area were used for quarries and workshops, whereas the surrounding flats were used for campsites and later stage lithic processing locales. At European Contact (A.D. 1609), the area was occupied by the Mohican and Lenape Nations. Major Pre-Contact trends in the Hudson River Valley are summarized in Table 7 and the Pre-Contact Native American occupation of the area has been discussed above in Section 2.2 and will be discussed further below in Section 3.1.
Initial European contact in the middle Hudson River Valley occurred during Henry Hudson’s 1609 expedition. During September 1609, Hudson sailed up the Hudson River to the approximate location of modern-day Albany and met with Native groups there (Hunter, 2009). During most of the seventeenth and eighteenth century, European involvement in the Hudson Valley consisted of commercial and military endeavors, many of which occurred along the shores of the Hudson River. Dutch settlers, British imperialists, and Native American Nations all had complex and sometimes violent interactions in this region (Ritchie, 1958). In 1624, the Dutch West India Company established the first permanent European settlement in the Hudson Valley, Fort Orange, in the vicinity of the modern-day City of Albany. An earlier fort, Fort Nassau, established in 1614, had failed at a similar location (Huey, 1991; Bielinski, 2005). In 1652, the small town of Beverwijck was laid out north of Fort Orange. Both the town and the fort were surrounded by the large patroonship of Rensselaerswijck (a large agricultural land-grant/estate) (Bielinski, 2005).
Table 7. Summary of Pre-Contact Native American Cultural Periods for the Hudson Valley, New York (Ritchie and Funk 1973, Lothrop and Bradley 2012). Settlement Pattern & Time Period Paleoenvironment Artifact Assemblage Comments Subsistence Strategy Pleistocene megafauna Mobile hunting and Diagnostic fluted points, Relatively high density of sites Paleo-Indian present early in period. gathering. Sites in including Kings surrounding Flint Mine Hill and adjacent Period Open sedge-dominated the vicinity of Flint Road/Whipple, Gainey, chert quarry locations as well as tundra alternating with Mine Hill include Barnes, and Crowfield,
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 59 Settlement Pattern & Time Period Paleoenvironment Artifact Assemblage Comments Subsistence Strategy (ca. 13,000- spruce-dominated quarries on hills and unfluted points following the Hudson River. Low 10,000 years parkland and closed and ridges and including Holcombe, Hi- population density. ago) boreal forest, giving way camps on flats. Lo, and to closed pine forests by Lanceolate/Plano types. ca. 10,000 years ago. Mix of exotic and local lithic materials used (all high quality). Unifacial end- and side- scrapers, knives, borers, and gravers. Early Archaic Mobile hunting and Warmer conditions Side- and corner- Finds of diagnostic points relatively Period gathering (but relative to previous notched projectile points. common in certain areas but few (ca. 10,000- decreased mobility period. Pine- and oak- Vergennes and Vosburg stratified occupations known. Low 8,000 years compared to dominated forests. Phases. population density. ago) previous period) Continuation of warm conditions with increasing Middle moisture. Pine- and oak- Finds of diagnostic points relatively Archaic dominated forests give Bifurcated-base, common in areas but few stratified Period way to mixed deciduous Mobile hunting and stemmed, and notched occupations known. Low population (ca. 8,000- forests including beech, gathering. projectile points. density (although, increasing from 6,000 years maple, and oak. Increase Sylvan Lake Phase previous periods). ago) in deer, turkey, and squirrel with increased mast trees. Diverse settlement patterns including Side-, corner-notched, partial sedentism. Residential base and stemmed projectile Late Archaic Continuation of warm and camps near water in spring and Somewhat high points. Antler and lithic Period wet conditions. Mixed summer, upland wetlands in fall and residential mobility, pendants, and exotic (ca. 6,000- deciduous forests, similar winter. Increased ceremonialism likely on a goods including copper 3,500 years to modern day forests, including large cemeteries and seasonal basis. and marine shells. ago) persist. internments with exotic grave goods. River and Snook Kill Relatively high density of sites near Phases Flint Mine Hill. Broad-bladed bifaces, Transition from Archaic to Woodland projectile points, drills, Period is marked by the inception of Transitional Somewhat high flake knives. Increase in portable cooking containers, increased Period (ca. Cooling trend. Mixed residential mobility, jasper and rhyolite. reliance on native plants, and increased 4,000 – 3,000 deciduous forests persist. likely on a Steatite and early trade. More elaborate mortuary sites. ago) seasonal basis. ceramic vessels. Relatively high density of sites near Flint Mine Hill. Early Foraging (“Hunting Woodland Cord-marked ceramics, Settlement near major waterways. Cooler temperatures & Gathering”), Period stemmed, bi-pointed, Shift in diet to increased reliance on persist. Mixed deciduous supplemented by (ca. 3,000- side-notched, and fishtail plant foods, including cultivated forests persist. cultivation of 2,300 years projectile points. squash. squash. ago) Middle Foraging (“Hunting Stylistic changes in Woodland Warming and drying trend & Gathering”), Decorated ceramic vessels. ceramics. Paddle, cord, Period (Medieval Climatic slight increase in Elaboration of burial ritual, expanding and net impressed, (ca. 2,300- Anomaly). Mixed sedentism. reliance on squash and maize incised, dentate 1,000 years deciduous forests persist. Adoption of maize agriculture. stamping. ago) agriculture. Triangular projectile Cultural continuity with previous period, Late Warm and dry conditions Sedentary villages points settlement shifts to nucleated Woodland persist. Mixed deciduous supported by large (bow and arrow), paddle longhouse villages in floodplains by 900 Period forests persist. scale agriculture & anvil and corded years ago; villages shift to upland
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 60 Settlement Pattern & Time Period Paleoenvironment Artifact Assemblage Comments Subsistence Strategy (ca. 1,000- and logistical ceramics, knives, hoes, settings by end of period. Increasing 400 years foraging. hammerstones, anvils, intergroup conflict toward end of period. ago) grinding stones, mortars and pestles. Sedentary villages. Development of villages with up to 500 Maize, beans & Contact Cooler and wetter residents, longhouses, palisades and squash agriculture. Period conditions (Little Ice Age). storage facilities. Contact with Still some hunting European trade goods. (ca. AD Mixed deciduous forests European settlers. Adoption of and gathering of 1609-1800) persist. European settlement patterns (i.e., wild animals and cabins, hamlets) plants.
The American Revolution had many key engagements along the Hudson River Valley that dictated the measure of the war in the northeast. The Hudson River was laden with the British Navy carrying reinforcements and supplies between New York Harbor and the fronts prior to defeats throughout the state, specifically at Saratoga, Lake George, and Ticonderoga (Halsey, 1910). After the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825, the Hudson River Valley, coupled with the canal, became the most efficient means of moving people and goods from the east coast to the frontier and Great Lakes (Sheriff, 1996). From 1825 until the completion of many of the railroad systems that connected the country post- 1860, the expansive commercial developments along this corridor made the communities along the Hudson and Erie Canal highly lucrative and powerful (Koeppel, 2009). Gallt (1915:60) reports the population of Greene County as growing from 19,536 in 1810 to 30,214 in 1910, having peaked at 33,126 in 1850. The county’s population as of 2010 was 49,221 (United States Census Bureau, 2017).
Throughout the twentieth century, the Hudson River Valley served as a major transportation corridor, first for barges and railroads and later for trucks along the New York State Thruway, which was completed in 1956 (Adams, 2006). Populations spread out into suburbs around small and large cities during the mid-twentieth century, with many cities in the Hudson Valley seeing their populations decline during the second half of the twentieth century. Much of the Lower Hudson Valley became a northern extension of New York City’s ever-expanding economic influence, and many communities along the Hudson River became connected to one another through arterial highway construction and improvements.
Historical maps indicate that the Facility Site has remained largely undeveloped throughout the historic period with hills and ridges remaining wooded and flats used for agriculture, as well as widely scattered residential development. The results of EDR’s historical map review are summarized as follows:
• The 1829 David H. Burr Map of the County of Greene, New York shows the Facility Site as undeveloped land, devoid of mills, forges, churches, or other map-documented structures (MDS). Important characteristics
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 61 shown on this map include three county roads and a stage road which pass through the Facility Site (Burr, 1829).
• The 1856 Samuel Geil Map of Greene County: From Actual Surveys depicts several MDS within the Facility Site (see Figure 7). The MDS depicted on this map are all denoted with landowner names, indicating that they are either residences, family farms, or both. No mills, smithies, or industrial businesses are depicted within the Facility Site (see Figure 7) (Geil, 1856).
• The 1894 USGS Coxsackie, New York 15-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map depicts several MDS within the Facility Site, albeit fewer than the previous map. This map also depicts the north/south-trending New York Central (West Shore) Railroad within the eastern margin of Facility Site (see Figure 8) (USGS, 1894).
• The 1929 USGS Coxsackie, New York 15-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map depicts similar conditions as the previous USGS map, but includes shading to indicate that the hills are wooded while the flats are cleared of trees, presumably for agricultural purposes. This map depicts several MDS within the Facility Site, as well as the New York Central (West Shore) Railroad and a north/south-trending transmission line labeled as “Adirondack Light and Power Company.” This transmission line runs through the center of the Facility Site. An unnamed cemetery is also depicted within the northeastern portion of the Facility Site, adjacent to Murderers Creek (USGS, 1929). The contents of the 1929 map are largely redundant with the 1894 and 1953 maps reproduced herein (and discussed above and below, respectively), and therefore, is not reproduced in this report.
• The 1953 USGS Hudson North, New York 7.5-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map depicts several MDS within the Facility Site (see Figure 9). The majority of the additional MDS (relative to the earlier USGS maps) occur adjacent to structures depicted on the 1894 and 1929 maps, and as such likely represent outbuildings associated with small farms. The Adirondack Light and Power Company transmission line, the New York Central (West Shore) Railroad, and the unnamed cemetery depicted on earlier maps are also depicted on the 1953 map (see Figure 9) (USGS, 1953).
2.5 Existing Conditions and Previous Ground Disturbance EDR personnel visited the Facility Site to observe existing conditions on May 25, 2017 and October 5, 2018. For the purposes of the following discussion of existing conditions, the landscape within the Facility Site can be considered to fall into two physiographic categories: hills/ridges and flats. Generally speaking, the hills/ridges remain primarily undeveloped and forested whereas the flats have seen a greater degree of development consisting of agricultural fields
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 62 and structures, residential structures, roads, transmission lines, and a railroad. It should be noted that the flats consist of flat to gently sloping terrain and are not completely level. Each area is discussed in more detail below and existing conditions are depicted on Figure 3 and in photographs contained in Appendix A.
Pertinent characteristics of the existing conditions of the hills/ridges within the Facility Site include: • The Facility Site contains portions of several north/south- to north-northeast/south-southwest-trending ridges, including the southern portion of Flint Mine Hill (see Figures 2 and 3; Appendix A: Photos 1-4, 10, and 21). These ridges are largely wooded with second-growth forests consisting of mixed deciduous and coniferous trees (see Figure 3; Appendix A: Photo 13). • Although the hills/ridges are primarily forested, the following areas are currently cleared: o The southern portion of Flint Mine Hill, which occurs inside the Facility Site. The southern portion of Flint Mine Hill contains an agricultural field and a small farmstead with a house and several outbuildings on the north side of Flint Mine Road. o The southern portion of a small ridge southwest of Flint Mine Hill. A farm is located at the southern end of this ridge. • Based on reports (e.g., Parker, 1925; Schambach, 1963; Weinman and Weinman, 1967; Brumbach and Weinstein, 1999), the hills/ridges contain variable, sometimes extensive, exposures of Mount Merino/Normanskill chert as well as Mount Merino Formation shale and Austin Glen Formation greywacke bedrock. Some of these exposures were created by Pre-Contact period quarrying activity (Appendix A: Photos 29 and 30) but most are natural.
Pertinent characteristics of the existing conditions of the flats within the Facility Site include: • The flats contain four broadly defined types of vegetation: agricultural fields, hayfields/pastures, successional areas, and riparian zones. • Agricultural fields in the area are primarily planted in corn, with weedy grasses and forbs present within some fields and around field margins (Appendix A: Photo 17). • Hayfields/pastures consist of a mix of grasses and forbs (Appendix A: Photos 7, 9, 12, 20, 24, and 25). • Successional areas consist of weedy grasses and forbs, including goldenrod, as well as wetland vegetation such as sedges and giant phragmites in low-lying wet areas. These areas also contain various deciduous shrubs and small trees (Appendix A: Photos 3-5, 8, 9, 11, 15, and 16). • Riparian zones occur along the forks of Murderers Creek (see discussion of the Creek below) and contain a mix of second-growth deciduous trees with an understory of forbs and deciduous shrubs (Appendix A: Photos 14 and 18).
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 63 • The three forks of Murderers Creek occur within the flats of the Facility Site: one flows south through the northern half of the Facility Site and another meanders roughly northeast through the south-central portion of the Facility Site. These first two forks converge near the center of the Facility Site and flow east to join with the main creek fork which flows north through the southeastern and east-central portions of the Facility Site. At the confluence of all three forks, the creek flows north-northeast through the east-central and northwestern portions of the Facility Site. The minor forks of the creek are surrounded by narrow bands of mixed deciduous trees whereas the main fork of the creek contains a broader riparian zone containing wetland and riparian vegetation. • The CSX Railroad ROW trends north/south across the flats along the east side of the Facility Site. • A large roughly north/south-trending powerline corridor bisects the western, central, and southern portions of the Facility Site (Appendix A: Photo 19). • Flint Mine Road trends east/west across the northern portion of the Facility Site. It splits near the eastern edge of the Facility Site, with Flint Mine Road continuing to the northeast and Flats Road to the south- southeast (Appendix A: Photos 1, 2, and 23). • US Route 9W trends north/south through the center of the Facility Site. • In addition to the named roads, multiple farms lanes traverse the area providing vehicle and equipment access to the agricultural fields on the flats and, presumably, woodlots on the ridges/hills. • The unnamed cemetery depicted on USGS maps is located within the Facility Site and has apparently been designated as the “Spoor Cemetery” (Appendix A: Photos 26-28).
In summary, previous disturbance within the Facility Site is limited to a small number of transportation and utility ROWs, a few small areas containing residential/agricultural structures, and agricultural use of the flats in the vicinity (Appendix A: Photo 6 and 22). The hills/ridges in the area remain largely undisturbed and the majority of the flats have only been disturbed by agricultural plowing and disking which is not considered a significant source of disturbance for archaeological materials.
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 64 3.0 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT 3.1 Pre-Contact Native-American Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment Fourteen previously recorded Pre-Contact Native American archaeological sites and two multiple component Pre- Contact/historic-period archaeological sites occur wholly or partially within the Facility Site. Additionally, approximately 1,135 acres of the NRHP-listed Flint Mine Hill Archaeological District also occur within the Facility Site. The Pre- Contact Native American sites in the vicinity (i.e., those within the Facility Site and/or within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District) contain occupations ranging from the Paleoindian to the Woodland Period, although occupation dating to the Early and Middle Archaic Periods are currently unknown.
Table 2 above summarizes the 26 archaeological sites that occur within the Flint Mine Hill NRHP District and/or the Facility Site. Twenty-four of these sites contain Pre-Contact Native American components (or at least are reported to contain such components). To evaluate settlement patterns in the vicinity, each site in Table 2 was classified within one of three landscape zones: flats, slight rises, or hills/ridges. “Flats” are defined as the level or nearly level areas between the prominent uplands in the vicinity, where there is no discernable topographic relief. “Slight rises” are defined as areas within the flats where a slight (generally less than 10 feet above the surrounding landscape) hill or knoll is present. “Hills/ridges” are defined as the areas of prominent topographic relief, consisting of roughly north/south-trending ridges in the area. The classification did not differentiate between those sites located on hill/ridge slopes vs. hill/ridge tops but included both within the “hills/ridges” category. The results of the analysis show that 11 sites (46%) are located on flats, eight sites (33%) are located on hills/ridges, four sites (17%) are located on slight rises, and one site (4%) (a large NYSM area) is located on both flats and hills/ridges.
Several things are worth noting regarding this analysis: • First, the data reviewed indicate an apparent preference for the flats by Pre-Contact people, but this may be misleading for three reasons: the flats in the vicinity have been subject to more CRM surveys in the past 25 years than the hills/ridges. In fact, the hills/ridges in the area have not been systematically surveyed by any CRM projects. Furthermore, some of the sites included in the hills/ridges category are actually large NYSM areas which likely contain multiple individual archaeological sites. Finally, some of the sites included in the flats category could conceivably be included in the slight rise category; however, that level of detailed information regarding landforms was not always available. • Despite the possible preference for the “flats” category, Pre-Contact Native American sites are widely spread throughout all three categories, underlining Schambach’s (1963:74) assertion that “almost every tract of land surveyed on foot yielded some quantity, large or small, of workshop debris.” However, it is interesting to note the majority of sites which have yielded significant archaeological data (Flint Mine Hill, the Cedar Terrace Series, Kings Road, Baldwin Rockshelter, Swale, the Bittersweet Series, and the Dead Sheep Series) all
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 65 occur either on hills/ridges or on slight rises. This may be a significant observation, but in the absence of a formal model evaluating this trend, it should not be assumed that archaeological sites in the flats would not yield significant data. Many of the sites recorded by CAI (1999) in the flats were avoided, and therefore never subjected to Phase 2 or Phase 3 investigation. • Although all quarry sites are necessarily located on hills/ridges because chert exposures are restricted to these upland landforms, workshops and camp sites occur within all three landscape categories.
It is also worth pointing out that per the sites summarized in Table 2, artifacts can be expected to occur at depths approaching 1 meter below the ground surface, although it should be noted that these data were only available for six of the sites reviewed. Baldwin Rockshelter (Weinman and Weinman, 1967), the most deeply stratified site in the sample at 94 cm below surface, represents a unique depositional situation (i.e., a rockshelters); however, the open-air Cedar Terrace Series contained artifacts at depths of approximately 91 cm below the ground surface (Weinman and Weinman, 1978a). Although the sample reviewed in Table 2 is small, there is a trend toward more deeply buried sites on more elevated landforms with more shallowly buried sites, such as Kings Road, located on slight rises or flats. Therefore, investigators working in the area should be prepared to encounter archaeological materials at depths of up to 1 meter. There is no evidence of deeply buried cultural material at depths greater than 1 meter in the area; although such deposits could occur along the floodplain of Murderers Creek, within the deeply stratified Covington, Madalin, and Wayland Series soils (Esri and NRCS, 2017; NRCS, 2017) (see Figure 4).
It should also be noted that the Flint Mine Hill landform itself, the central feature of the NRHP district, is the most significant archaeological site in the vicinity. The Flint Mine Hill District has been listed on the NRHP since 1978 as a nationally significant archaeological district due to its extensive quarry and workshop areas, temporal depth of occupation, and density of stratified archaeological sites (Florance, 1978). The two Paleoindian sites, Kings Road and Swale, are also archaeologically significant. Due to the rarity of Paleoindian sites in the northeastern United States, Paleoindian sites are generally considered highly significant (e.g., Funk, 2004; Lothrop and Bradley, 2012). However, although these specific sites (Flint Mine Hill, Kings Road, and Swale) may be considered more archaeological significant than others, the entire Facility Site must be considered highly sensitive for Pre-Contact Native American archaeology. Based on the extent of previously identified Pre-Contact Native American archaeological sites in the area, any soil disturbing activities within the Facility Site have the potential to impact potentially significant archaeological materials.
3.2 Historic-Period Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment Two previously recorded historic-period sites and two previously recorded multiple component Pre-Contact Native American/historic-period sites occur within the Facility Site. The area was occupied historically, potentially as early as
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 66 the seventeenth century by Dutch and English settlers. EDR reviewed historical maps and identified numerous MDS locations within the Facility Site, almost all of which are along existing roads. Areas located in the immediate vicinity (within approximately 200 feet [61 meters]) of previously recorded historic-period archaeological sites/features and/or MDS locations are considered to have high potential for the presence of historic-period archaeological resources. The remaining portions of the Facility Site exhibit minimal (if any) likelihood for significant historic-period archaeological sites to be present.
3.3 Ground Slope and Disturbance The NYAC Standards indicate that a Phase 1 archaeological survey is not necessary in inundated wetland (or standing water) areas, previously disturbed areas, and areas where slopes exceed 12-15% (NYAC, 1994). Slope is anticipated to be a relatively minor factor in the archaeological sensitivity of the APE for Direct Effects (once it is defined) because the Facility Site generally consists of flat to gently rolling topography with few steep slopes. Additionally, Facility components will be preferentially sited on level to nearly level ground in order to minimize the grading required for Facility construction.
Previous ground disturbance within the Facility Site is, for the most part, limited to previous or ongoing agricultural activities. Farming is not considered significant in terms of its potential to affect the integrity of archaeological resources (NYAC, 1994; NYSOPRHP, 2005). Additionally, some areas immediately adjacent to existing roads within the Facility Area include drainage ditches, culverts, buried utilities, and areas of cut and/or fill. A powerline corridor and railroad also lie immediately adjacent to much of the Facility Site parcels. With the exception of these areas, the Facility Site in general does not appear to have been subjected to significant previous ground disturbance.
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 67 4.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 4.1 Summary Results of the Phase 1A Archaeological Assessment Relative to the potential for archaeological sites to be located in the Facility Site, the results of the Phase 1A archaeological resources survey for the proposed Flint Mine Solar project can be summarized as follows: • Fourteen previously recorded Pre-Contact Native American archaeological sites, two previously recorded historic-period archaeological sites, and two previously recorded multiple component Pre-Contact/historic- period archaeological sites occur wholly or partially within the Facility Site. Additionally, approximately 1,135 acres of the NRHP-listed Flint Mine Hill Archaeological District occur within the Facility Site. • The Facility Site and surrounding vicinity were utilized throughout the Pre-Contact period (from approximately 13,000 years ago to approximately 500 years ago) by Native American groups who exploited the abundant exposures of Mount Merino/Normanskill chert present in the local hills and ridges. These groups also made camps on the flats and lower hills and ridges throughout the area. • The area is highly sensitive for Pre-Contact Native American archaeology and the entire Facility Site has a high potential for Pre-Contact archaeological materials. Previously unrecorded Pre-Contact sites could consist of isolated artifacts, small lithic scatters, domestic camps, workshop localities, or small to large quarry localities; and could potentially date from the Paleoindian period to the Late Woodland Period. • As previously, noted, only four previously recorded sites with historic-period components (two historic-period sites and two multiple component Pre-Contact/historic-period sites) occur within the Facility Site. Historical maps, however, (see Figures 7-9) identify the locations of farmsteads and other potential historic-period archaeological sites at numerous locations within the Facility Site. Archaeological resources associated with these sites could include foundations, structural remains, artifact scatters, and/or other features. The sensitivity for historic-period archaeological remains is considered to be high within close proximity (i.e., within approximately 200 feet [61 meters]) to these previously recorded sites and map-documented structures and low for the rest of the Facility Site.
4.2 Recommendations Due to the low-impact (relative to other industrial-scale energy facilities) nature of industrial-scale solar facilities, the NYSOPRHP has developed Phase 1B archaeological survey recommendations specific to solar energy projects. These recommendations are as follows:
“Phase IB archaeological testing is recommended for the locations of proposed roads, facilities, retention ponds, staging areas, utility trenches over a foot wide, drainages over foot wide, and areas of grubbing and grading.
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 68 Phase IB archaeological testing is NOT recommended for panel arrays, perimeter fencing and utility poles if their associated posts are driven into the ground and no grubbing or grading is involved. However, if the installation of the panel array supports, fencing or utility poles requires excavation or grubbing and grading then Phase IB archaeological testing is recommended.”
Per NYSOPRHP’s recommendations, the Facility’s substation, access roads, electrical inverters, and temporary laydown areas would undergo archaeological survey, while the PV panel arrays would only undergo archaeological survey in areas where grubbing or grading was necessary for their installation. Survey for the electrical collection system would occur if its installation is below ground. Survey methods would consist of the excavation of shovel tests along a 50-foot (15-meter) grid and a pedestrian survey, where applicable, in accordance with the NYAC Standards (NYAC, 1994).
In recent years, cultural resource managers have begun to shift their focus from individual resources (sites) to cultural/archaeological landscapes as a functional unit of management (e.g., NYSOPRHP, 2006; Schlanger et al., 2013; Doelle et al. 2016; McManamon et al., 2016). The essential realization behind this revised approach to archaeological resource management is, as Doelle et al. (2016:119) put it, “the way in which the NHPA [National Historic Preservation Act] is usually applied has led to an overemphasis on site-by-site evaluation at the expense of more regional approaches to historic preservation…” Furthermore, as McManamon et al. (2016:135) point out, “the management and treatment of archaeological resources on a project-by-project basis typically focuses on identification and evaluation investigations of small impact areas. In some cases, this leads to data recovery mitigation efforts at individual sites or, more typically, portions of sites. These short-term preservation practices may not lead to the best preservation or resource use solutions.”
Borrowing from natural resource management, a landscape-based approach to archaeological resource management treats the population (or archaeological landscape) rather than the individual (or archaeological site) as the unit of analysis. This approach seeks to counteract some of the shortcomings of traditional archaeological resources management where the proverbial forest is often missed for the trees (McManamon et al., 2016). However, it should also be noted that the nature of archaeological data is such that some individual sites, especially those associated with underrepresented time periods, activities, or groups, would still need to be evaluated in terms of their potential significance.
Therefore, to minimize unproductive and potentially destructive shovel testing within the Flint Mine Hill Archaeological District, and consistent with NYSOPRHP’s standard recommended approach for Phase 1B surveys for solar projects, it is currently proposed that Phase 1B archaeological testing be conducted only in areas of significant proposed ground disturbance, such as the substation location or areas requiring the excavation of trenches greater than 1-foot, or
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 69 multiple parallel trenches. The Applicant will continue to evaluate the feasibility of the construction methods described above (i.e., aboveground electrical collection system) which will minimize ground disturbance associated with the Facility. In addition, the potential acquisition of portions of the Flint Mine Hill archaeological site, and transference to a permanent conservation easement (or similar), would represent a significant benefit to the preservation of cultural heritage in the region, consistent with the “landscape-based” approach to archaeological resources management described above.
The Applicant believes that the Facility can be installed with minimal impacts to archaeological resources by incorporating the site design and construction elements described herein that minimize the need for soil disturbance and conducting Phase 1B archaeological survey in areas where significant ground disturbance is proposed. If potentially significant archaeological sites are identified and cannot be avoided, Phase 2 investigations would be necessary to fully evaluate the potential NRHP-eligibility of those sites. The need for and scope of potential Phase 2 investigations would be developed in consultation with NYSOPRHP and other stakeholders, as appropriate.
4.3 Conclusions
The Flint Mine Solar project is an up to 100-MW industrial solar energy facility proposed to be constructed on agricultural lands in the Towns of Athens and Coxsackie in Greene County, New York. The proposed Facility Site (approximately 1,730 acres total) overlaps with approximately 1,135 acres of the NRHP-listed Flint Mine Hill Archaeological District, which contains numerous Pre-Contact Native American archaeological sites dating from the Paleoindian Period (approximately 13,000 years ago) to the Late Woodland Period (approximately 500 years ago). Portions of the Facility Site outside the District also contain a high density of previously recorded archaeological sites and are considered highly archaeologically sensitive.
In addition to the low-impact (relative to other industrial-scale energy facilities) nature of industrial-scale solar facilities, the Applicant is exploring construction methodologies which will minimize soil disturbance during the construction and maintenance of the Facility (such as use of an aboveground electrical collection system or restricting trench excavations to 1-foot-width, where feasible). In accordance with NYSOPRHP’s standard recommendations for Phase 1B archaeological surveys for solar projects, Phase 1B investigations would be limited to areas of significant proposed disturbance.
Furthermore, the Applicant is currently evaluating the feasibility of purchasing the 62.5-acre portion of Flint Mine Hill currently owned by the Southold Indian Museum to transfer the property into a permanent conservation easement (or similar). The permanent preservation of this significant and unique archaeological site would further mitigate potential impacts to archaeological resources that could result from construction of the proposed Facility.
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Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment – Flint Mine Solar 78
Figures
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Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Existing Transmission Line Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment POI Substation \\\ Figure 2: Facility Site Topography and Facility Layout \\\Potential PV Panel Layout \\\ Notes: 1. Basemap: ESRI ArcGIS Online "USA Topo Maps" map service. 2. This map was generated in ArcMap by Environmental Design and Research on October 24, 2018. 3. This is a Facility Site color graphic. Reproduction in grayscale may misrepresent the data. CR 42
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Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Facility Site Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment Figure 3: Existing Conditions Notes: 1. Basemap: ESRI ArcGIS Online "World Imagery" map service. 2. This map was generated in ArcMap by Environmental Design and Research on October 24, 2018. 3. This is a color graphic. Reproduction in grayscale may misrepresent the data. µ 0 1,000 2,000 4,000 Feet
Flint Mine Solar Austin Glen Formation Onondaga Limestone and Ulster Group Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Glenerie Formation Stuyvesant Falls Formation Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment Figure 4: Facility Site Bedrock Geology Hamilton Group Taconic Melange Notes: 1. Basemap: ESRI ArcGIS Online "World Topographic Map" map service and hillshade Helderberger Group Water generated from 2-meter resolution DEM data. 2. This map was generated in ArcMap by Environmental Design and Research on November 1, 2018. 3. This is a color graphic. Mount Merino Formation Facility Site Reproduction in grayscale may misrepresent the data. Arnot-Lordstown channery silt loams, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky (AsC) Flint Mine Solar Arnot-Lordstown channery silt loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes, rocky (AuC) Towns of Coxsackie and AvD AuC Arnot-Lordstown channery silt loams, 35 to 55 percent slopes, very rocky (AvD) Athens, Greene County, HvC New York Arnot-Lordstown channery silt loams, rolling (AvF) AvF Co HvC Covington and Madalin soils (Co) Phase 1A Archaeological Farmington gravelly silt loam, hilly, rocky (FaD) Sensitivity Assessment Hudson and Vergennes silty clay loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded (HvB) KrA HvC Hudson and Vergennes soils, 3 to 8 percent slopes (HvC) Figure 5: Facility Site Soils
AsC KrA Hudson and Vergennes soils, 8 to 15 percent slopes (HwD3) AvF AuC NaC Kingsbury and Rhinebeck soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes (KrA) LoD NaC KrB Kingsbury and Rhinebeck soils, 3 to 8 percent slopes (KrB) KrB VdD Lordstown channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes (LoD) KrA KrB AvD AvD KrA AvD KrA Mardin gravelly silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, very stony (MeC) KrB KrA Wa KrB Nassau channery silt loam, hilly, very rocky (NaC) Co KrB AvD VdD Co NaC Nassau channery silt loam, rolling (NrC) KrA KrA KrA KrB KrB KrB AvD KrB Nassau channery silt loam, rolling, very rocky (NrD) KrB KrA Valois gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes (VaC) NrD HwD3 KrB KrA KrB Co VbE KrA NrC VdB Valois gravelly loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony (VaD) Wa HvC VdB Co Valois gravelly loam, rolling (VbE) KrB Co HvB NaC Co Wa Valois-Nassau complex, hilly (VdB) KrA KrB Wa KrA Wa VdD Valois-Nassau complex, undulating (VdD) Facility Site HwD3 KrB KrA KrA KrA Water (W) NrD Co Wa KrB KrB Co Wayland silt loam (Wa) Co KrB KrA VdD KrA Co NrC KrA KrB Co NrC KrB Co VdD Co Co KrA Co VdB Co Co KrA Co Co VdD KrB KrB KrB HvC KrB MeC VbE KrA FaD KrB VdD HvC VbE NrC KrB VaD Co Co KrB KrB HvC NaC MeC Co KrB VaC NrD NrC KrA Wa VbE NrC VbE KrA VaC Co KrB MeC NrC NaC VbE KrB KrB KrA NrC NrC KrB Co KrB VdD NrC KrA KrA KrA Co Notes: 1. Basemap: ESRI ArcGIS Online MeC KrB "World Topographic Map" map service and Co KrA Wa Co KrB hillshade generated from 2-meter Co Co Co resolution DEM data. 2. This map was KrA generated in ArcMap by Environmental Design and Research on October 24, 2018. 3. This is a color graphic. Reproduction in grayscale may misrepresent the data. Co Co KrA Co KrA Co Co Wa µ KrA KrA 0 1,000 2,000 4,000 Feet Cultural Resources Changing Patterns in Resource Survey Report, Exploitation at the Coxsackie Greene Correctional Correctional Facility: Literature Review Facility Annex Paleo-Indian Through Woodland and Limited Field (Greene County 42) Reconnaissance of Times (Greene County 19) the Town of Coxsackie (Greene County 28) A Cultural Resource Survey Cultural Resource of DOCS Greene Wetlands Reconnaissance Survey (Greene County 37) Cultural Resource Reconnaissance Survey Report of OGS-DOCS, and Site Examination Report of OGS-DOCS, OGS # E8449, Replace OGS #S6580, Cemetery Site, Greene Facility Waterline, Correctional Facility (03SR53362) Coxsackie Correctional Facility (01SR51436)
Phase 1 Archaeological Changing Patterns in Resource Survey, Training Academy Exploitation at the Coxsackie Firing Range and Training Correctional Facility: Building (17SR00669) Paleo-Indian Through Woodland Times (Greene County 19)
Phase I Archeological Phase 1A Literature Review Investigations Investigation and Phase and Sensitivity Assessment at the Proposed II Site Evaluation, and Phase 1B Archeological Alsen Coal Terminal Greene County Public Field Investigation, (Greene County 31) Proposed Coxsackie Facilities (16SR00721) Phase 1A/1B Archaeological Cell Tower (00SR50758) Survey, Proposed Hamlet on the Hudson (06SR56673)
Phase 1A/1B Survey and Phase IB and Limited II Phase 2 Site Investigations, Summary Report for the Proposed Solar Field Project Telergy/Albany to Pleasant (10SR60269 & 10SR60270) Valley Fiber Optic Cable Line Project (98PR1336)
Phase I Archaeological Investigations of the CSXT Catskill Second Mainline Track Project Mile Posts QR 111.1 to QR 118.9 (15SR00253)
Iroquois Gas Transmission Phase I and II Archaeological System Phase I Archaeological Investigation, Multari Survey (90SR62163) Farm Site, for the Proposed Greene County Highway Site File Search and Facility (02SR52316) Windshield Survey for Six Additional Parking Areas (93PR2556)
Phase IA Literature Phase I and Phase II Archaeological Review and Sensitivity Investigation for Proposed Dollar General Assessment, Sleepy Hollow Additional Phase II Close Lake Management Plan Interval Shovel Testing at the West Athens Dollar General Project (09SR59187) at the West Athens Dollar Site (16SR00402 & 16SR00474) General Site (17SR00111) Iroquois Gas Transmission System Phase II Archaeological Evaluations (91SR62164) Phase IB Archeological Field Reconnaissance,IGTS Athens Hangar Turbine Storage Project (18SR56267)
Phase III Data Recovery Report of Archeological Excavations of the West Investigations for the Proposed Athens Dollar General Athens Compressor Station, Site (18SR56158) County Route 28 (96PR3054)
Phase 1A Literature Review and Site Sensitivity Assessment, IGTS Athens Gas Lateral Project (01PR5281)
Phase I Literature Review and Field Reconnaissance, IGTS Athens Pig Facilities (12SR61266)
Report of Archeological Phase I Archeological Survey Survey and Testing, and Phase II Archeological Phase IA, Phase IB Proposed Athens Evaluations of Electrical and Additional Phase Compressor Station Transmission Line to Leeds IB Cultural Resource Route 53 (96PR0409) Subdivision (97PR2637) Investigations for the Athens Generating µ Project (97PR1049) 0 1,000 2,000 4,000 Feet
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York
Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment Previous Archaeological Survey Facility Site Figure 6: Previously Conducted Archaeological Surveys
Notes: 1. Basemap: ESRI ArcGIS Online "World Topograhic Map" map service and hillshade generated from 2- meter resolution DEM data. 2. This map was generated in ArcMap on October 25, 2018. 3. This is a color graphic. Reproduction in grayscale may misrepresent the data. µ 0 500 1,000 2,000 Feet
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Facility Site Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment Figure 7: 1856 Samuel Geil Map of Greene County: From Actual Surveys Notes: 1. Basemap: 1856 Samuel Geil Map of Greene County: From Actual Surveys. 2. This map was generated in ArcMap by Environmental Design and Research on November 2, 2018. 3. This is a color graphic. Reproduction in grayscale may misrepresent the data. µ 0 500 1,000 2,000 Feet
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Facility Site Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment Figure 8: 1894 USGS Coxsackie, New York 15-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map Notes: 1. Basemap: 1894 USGS Coxsackie, New York 15-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map. 2. This map was generated in ArcMap by Environmental Design and Research on November 2, 2018. 3. This is a color graphic. Reproduction in grayscale may misrepresent the data. µ 0 500 1,000 2,000 Feet
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Facility Site Phase 1A Archaeological Sensitivity Assessment Figure 9: 1953 USGS Hudson North, New York 7.5-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map Notes: 1. Basemap: 1953 USGS Hudson North, New York 7.5-minute Topographic Quadrangle Map. 2. This map was generated in ArcMap by Environmental Design and Research on November 2, 2018. 3. This is a color graphic. Reproduction in grayscale may misrepresent the data.
Appendix A: Photographs
Photo 1
General view of Facility Site from Flint Mine Road. View to the northwest.
Photo 2
General view of Facility Site from Flint Mine Road. View to the southwest.
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Appendix A: Photographs Sheet 1 of 15 Photo 3
Successional vegetation within the Facility Site. View to the south.
Photo 4
Successional vegetation within the Facility Site. Note south end of Flint Mine Hill in background (right). View to the northeast.
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Appendix A: Photographs Sheet 2 of 15 Photo 5
Successional vegetation and a treeline within the Facility Site. View to the northwest.
Photo 6
Example of a low-lying wet area with a small drainage ditch in the Facility Site. View to the southeast.
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Appendix A: Photographs Sheet 3 of 15 Photo 7
Example of a hayfield within the Facility Site. View to the northeast.
Photo 8
Example of successional vegetation within the Facility Site. The treeline in the background contains Murderers Creek. View to the south-southeast.
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Appendix A: Photographs Sheet 4 of 15 Photo 9
Successional vegetation (foreground), a hayfield (midground), and second- growth forest (background) within the Facility Site. View to the southwest.
Photo 10
Flats and uplands within the Facility Site. Note Flint Mine Hill in background (right). View to the north-northwest.
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Appendix A: Photographs Sheet 5 of 15 Photo 11
Successional vegetation and second-growth forest within the Facility Site. View to the northwest.
Photo 12
Hayfield (foreground) and second-growth forest (background) within the Facility Site. View to the west.
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Appendix A: Photographs Sheet 6 of 15 Photo 13
Young second-growth forest within the Facility Site. View to the southeast.
Photo 14
Wetland/floodplain area adjacent to Murderers Creek within the Facility Site. View to the north-northwest.
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Appendix A: Photographs Sheet 7 of 15 Photo 15
Successional vegetation within the Facility Site. View to the south.
Photo 16
Successional vegetation within the Facility Site. Note farm in background. View to the east-northeast.
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Appendix A: Photographs Sheet 8 of 15 Photo 17
Example of active agricultural field within the Facility Site. View to the south.
Photo 18
Southern fork of Murderers Creek within the Facility Site. View to the north.
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Appendix A: Photographs Sheet 9 of 15 Photo 19
Transmission line in the Facility Site. View to the north.
Photo 20
Hayfield (foreground and midground), treeline (right), and a larger patch of second- growth forest (background) in the Facility Site. View to the east.
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Appendix A: Photographs Sheet 10 of 15 Photo 21
Transmission structures and unassociated buildings in the Facility Site. View to the west-southwest.
Photo 22
A farm within the Facility Site. View to the north-northwest.
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Appendix A: Photographs Sheet 11 of 15 Photo 23
Flint Mine Hill Road crossing a wetland within the Facility Site. View to the east.
Photo 24
A hayfield in the Facility Site. View to the northeast.
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Appendix A: Photographs Sheet 12 of 15 Photo 25
A hayfield in the Facility Site. View to the north-northwest.
Photo 26
General view of Spoor Cemetery within the Facility Site. View to the northwest.
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Appendix A: Photographs Sheet 13 of 15 Photo 27
General view of Spoor Cemetery within the Facility Site. View to the northeast.
Photo 28
Example of eighteenth- century gravestone, in Spoor Cemetery, within the Facility Site. View to the southeast.
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Appendix A: Photographs Sheet 14 of 15 Photo 29
Area mined by Pre-Contact Native Americans within the Facility Site. View to the northeast.
Photo 30
Debris from mining activity by Pre-Contact Native Americans within the Facility Site. View to the south.
Flint Mine Solar Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County, New York Appendix A: Photographs Sheet 15 of 15
Appendix F NHP and IPaC Information United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE New York Ecological Services Field Office 3817 Luker Road Cortland, NY 13045-9385 Phone: (607) 753-9334 Fax: (607) 753-9699 http://www.fws.gov/northeast/nyfo/es/section7.htm
In Reply Refer To: July 31, 2018 Consultation Code: 05E1NY00-2018-SLI-2878 Event Code: 05E1NY00-2018-E-08547 Project Name: Flint Mine Solar Project
Subject: List of threatened and endangered species that may occur in your proposed project location, and/or may be affected by your proposed project
To Whom It May Concern:
The enclosed species list identifies threatened, endangered, proposed and candidate species, as well as proposed and final designated critical habitat, that may occur within the boundary of your proposed project and/or may be affected by your proposed project. The species list fulfills the requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) under section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). This list can also be used to determine whether listed species may be present for projects without federal agency involvement. New information based on updated surveys, changes in the abundance and distribution of species, changed habitat conditions, or other factors could change this list.
Please feel free to contact us if you need more current information or assistance regarding the potential impacts to federally proposed, listed, and candidate species and federally designated and proposed critical habitat. Please note that under 50 CFR 402.12(e) of the regulations implementing section 7 of the ESA, the accuracy of this species list should be verified after 90 days. This verification can be completed formally or informally as desired. The Service recommends that verification be completed by visiting the ECOS-IPaC site at regular intervals during project planning and implementation for updates to species lists and information. An updated list may be requested through the ECOS-IPaC system by completing the same process used to receive the enclosed list. If listed, proposed, or candidate species were identified as potentially occurring in the project area, coordination with our office is encouraged. Information on the steps involved with assessing potential impacts from projects can be found at: http:// www.fws.gov/northeast/nyfo/es/section7.htm
Please be aware that bald and golden eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.), and projects affecting these species may require development of an eagle conservation plan (http://www.fws.gov/windenergy/ 07/31/2018 Event Code: 05E1NY00-2018-E-08547 2 eagle_guidance.html). Additionally, wind energy projects should follow the Services wind energy guidelines (http://www.fws.gov/windenergy/) for minimizing impacts to migratory birds and bats.
Guidance for minimizing impacts to migratory birds for projects including communications towers (e.g., cellular, digital television, radio, and emergency broadcast) can be found at: http:// www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/towers.htm; http:// www.towerkill.com; and http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/ comtow.html.
We appreciate your concern for threatened and endangered species. The Service encourages Federal agencies to include conservation of threatened and endangered species into their project planning to further the purposes of the ESA. Please include the Consultation Tracking Number in the header of this letter with any request for consultation or correspondence about your project that you submit to our office.
Attachment(s):
▪ Official Species List
07/31/2018 Event Code: 05E1NY00-2018-E-08547 1
Official Species List This list is provided pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and fulfills the requirement for Federal agencies to "request of the Secretary of the Interior information whether any species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the area of a proposed action".
This species list is provided by:
New York Ecological Services Field Office 3817 Luker Road Cortland, NY 13045-9385 (607) 753-9334
07/31/2018 Event Code: 05E1NY00-2018-E-08547 2
Project Summary Consultation Code: 05E1NY00-2018-SLI-2878
Event Code: 05E1NY00-2018-E-08547
Project Name: Flint Mine Solar Project
Project Type: DEVELOPMENT
Project Description: Utility Scale Solar Project, Up to 100 MW, Currently proposed
Project Location: Approximate location of the project can be viewed in Google Maps: https:// www.google.com/maps/place/42.31226918832145N73.84191678157698W
Counties: Greene, NY
07/31/2018 Event Code: 05E1NY00-2018-E-08547 3
Endangered Species Act Species There is a total of 2 threatened, endangered, or candidate species on this species list.
Species on this list should be considered in an effects analysis for your project and could include species that exist in another geographic area. For example, certain fish may appear on the species list because a project could affect downstream species.
IPaC does not display listed species or critical habitats under the sole jurisdiction of NOAA Fisheries1, as USFWS does not have the authority to speak on behalf of NOAA and the Department of Commerce.
See the "Critical habitats" section below for those critical habitats that lie wholly or partially within your project area under this office's jurisdiction. Please contact the designated FWS office if you have questions.
1. NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of Commerce.
Mammals NAME STATUS Indiana Bat Myotis sodalis Endangered There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat. Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5949
Northern Long-eared Bat Myotis septentrionalis Threatened No critical habitat has been designated for this species. Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9045
Critical habitats THERE ARE NO CRITICAL HABITATS WITHIN YOUR PROJECT AREA UNDER THIS OFFICE'S JURISDICTION.
August 30, 2018 John Wojcikiewicz Environmental Design & Research 217 Montgomery Street, Suite 1000 Syracuse, NY 13202
Re: Flint Mine Solar Project County: Greene Town/City: Athens, Coxsackie
Dear Mr. Wojcikiewicz:
In response to your recent request, we have reviewed the New York Natural Heritage Program database with respect to the above project.
Enclosed is a report of rare or state-listed animals and plants, and significant natural communities that our database indicates occur in the vicinity of the project site.
For most sites, comprehensive field surveys have not been conducted; the enclosed report only includes records from our database. We cannot provide a definitive statement as to the presence or absence of all rare or state-listed species or significant natural communities. Depending on the nature of the project and the conditions at the project site, further information from on-site surveys or other sources may be required to fully assess impacts on biological resources.
Our database is continually growing as records are added and updated. If this proposed project is still under development one year from now, we recommend that you contact us again so that we may update this response with the most current information.
The presence of the plants and animals identified in the enclosed report may result in this project requiring additional review or permit conditions. For further guidance, and for information regarding other permits that may be required under state law for regulated areas or activities (e.g., regulated wetlands), please contact the NYS DEC Region 4 Office, Division of Environmental Permits, at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Nicholas Conrad Information Resources Coordinator 867 New York Natural Heritage Program New York Natural Heritage Program Report on State-listed Animals
The following state-listed animals have been documented at the project site or in its vicinity.
The following list includes animals that are listed by NYS as Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern; and/or that are federally listed or are candidates for federal listing.
For information about any permit considerations for the project, contact the NYSDEC Region 4 Office, Division of Environmental Permits, at [email protected], , 518-357-2449.
The following species have been documented on the project site.
COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME NY STATE LISTING FEDERAL LISTING
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Endangered 11089 Wintering
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus Threatened 11128 Wintering
The project site also includes part of a state-significant Raptor Winter Concentration Area.
The following species has been documented within five miles of the southern portion of the project site. Individual animals may travel five miles from documented locations. The main impact of concern for bats is the removal of potential roost trees.
COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME NY STATE LISTING FEDERAL LISTING
Northern Long-eared Bat Myotis septentrionalis Threatened Threatened 14216 Hibernaculum
This report only includes records from the NY Natural Heritage database. If any rare plants or animals are documented during site visits, we request that information on the observations be provided to the New York Natural Heritage Program so that we may update our database.
Information about many of the listed animals in New York, including habitat, biology, identification, conservation, and management, are available online in Natural Heritage’s Conservation Guides at www.guides.nynhp.org, and from NYSDEC at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7494.html.
8/30/2018 Page 1 of 1 Report on Rare Animals, Rare Plants, and New York Natural Heritage Program Significant Natural Communities
The following rare plants and significant natural communities have been documented at the project site, or in its vicinity.
We recommend that potential impacts of the proposed project on these species or communities be addressed as part of any environmental assessment or review conducted as part of the planning, permitting and approval process, such as reviews conducted under SEQR. Field surveys of the project site may be necessary to determine the status of a species at the site, particularly for sites that are currently undeveloped and may still contain suitable habitat. Final requirements of the project to avoid, minimize, or mitigate potential impacts are determined by the lead permitting agency or the government body approving the project.
The following plant is listed as Endangered or Threatened by New York State, and so is a vulnerable natural resource of conservation concern.
COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME NY STATE LISTING HERITAGE CONSERVATION STATUS
Vascular Plants
Stiff Flat-topped Goldenrod Solidago rigida var. rigida Threatened Imperiled in NYS
West Athens, adjacent to southern edge of project site east of power line, 2005-09-14: An old field, dominated by 818 shrubs and herbs. Mostly flat, with wet and dry sections. The area is dominated by Aster dumosus in October.
The following natural communities are considered significant from a statewide perspective by the NY Natural Heritage Program. Each community is either an example of a community type that is rare in the state, or a high-quality example of a more common community type. By meeting specific, documented criteria, the NY Natural Heritage Program considers these community occurrences to have high ecological and conservation value.
COMMON NAME HERITAGE CONSERVATION STATUS
The following communities are located along the entire western edge of the project site, on steep slopes and cliffs.
Calcareous Talus Slope Woodland High Quality Occurrence of Uncommon Community Type
The community is large in size, extensive length, and has high species diversity, few exotic species, and some patches 709 of disturbance.
Calcareous Cliff Community High Quality Occurrence of Uncommon Community Type
Very long, moderately high (very high at one location), in good condition with minimal disturbance and some exotic 8416 plant species. Good habitat diversity, not in a remote area, but in landscape of associated communities.
8/30/2018 Page 1 of 2 This report only includes records from the NY Natural Heritage database. For most sites, comprehensive field surveys have not been conducted, and we cannot provide a definitive statement as to the presence or absence of all rare or state-listed species. Depending on the nature of the project and the conditions at the project site, further information from on-site surveys or other sources may be required to fully assess impacts on biological resources.
If any rare plants or animals are documented during site visits, we request that information on the observations be provided to the New York Natural Heritage Program so that we may update our database. Information about many of the rare animals and plants in New York, including habitat, biology, identification, conservation, and management, are available online in Natural Heritage’s Conservation Guides at www.guides.nynhp.org, from NatureServe Explorer at www.natureserve.org/explorer, and from USDA’s Plants Database at http://plants.usda.gov/index.html (for plants). Information about many of the natural community types in New York, including identification, dominant and characteristic vegetation, distribution, conservation, and management, is available online in Natural Heritage’s Conservation Guides at www.guides.nynhp.org. For descriptions of all community types, go to www.dec.ny.gov/animals/97703.html for Ecological Communities of New York State.
8/30/2018 Page 2 of 2