Pipestone NM, Final General Management Plan

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Pipestone National Monument · Minnesota

Final General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement Pipestone National Monument

Draft General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT Pipestone County, Minnesota

This General Management Plan / Environmental Impact use of the Three Maidens area would be unchanged. The Statement describes four alternatives for the future Hiawatha Club would continue to use the Three Maidens management of Pipestone National Monument. The as a backdrop for its pageant under permit restrictions, approved plan will guide the management of the national and the area would be restored to prairie. Sun Dances monument for the next 15 to 20 years. It will establish a would continue, but modifications of use might be made direction for managing cultural and natural resources, on the basis of impact and the sustainability of resources. the visitor experience, and American Indian cultural use Quarries would continue to be allocated by permit. so that future opportunities and problems can be Razing the visitor center would cause a major adverse addressed effectively. effect on a historic structure and one historic cultural landscape. Removal of the structures will be addressed in The Draft General Management Plan / Environmental Im- consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office. pact Statement identified alternative 3 as the preferred alternative. As a result of public comment on that Alternative 2 would focus on the significance of the document, the National Park Service reconsidered its pipestone quarries, the quarrying process, and its preferred alternative in light of substantial comment and importance in American Indian culture. The entry road consultation with American Indian tribes. Accordingly, and housing for a law enforcement ranger would be alternative 1 is now the preferred alternative. unchanged. Sun Dances would be discontinued, and the Pipestone National Monument protects quarries of area would be restored to tallgrass prairie. This would pipestone (catlinite) that have been used by American decrease compaction and allow remnant prairie to Indians since prehistoric times. Pipestone is carved into recover. The bridge below Winnewissa Falls would be objects, most notably pipes, for use in sacred rituals. The replaced downstream, removing a restriction to the quarries remain sites of sacred importance to American creek’s natural flow. The National Park Service would Indians. The national monument also contains examples acquire the Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s of remnant prairie types, some globally threatened, and house, the school district parcel, and the Pipestone two federally listed species, one threatened and one Wildlife Management Area, adding 116 acres of wildlife endangered. habitat and resulting in an overall increase of about 112 acres of restored prairie, a long-term major beneficial Issues of concern in the plan include sensitivity to and effect. Acquiring the USFWS/ MDNR land would interpretation of American Indian practices and tra- expand visitors’ opportunities to learn about cultural and ditions associated with the quarries and sacred sites, natural resources and prairie restoration. American inadequate facilities, external threats to the national Indian ceremonial use of the Three Maidens would be monument’s integrity from development along or visible unchanged. The Hiawatha Club would continue to use from its boundaries, and preserving the superintendent’s the Three Maidens as a backdrop for its pageant under house of the former Pipestone Indian School (outside the permit restrictions. The visitor center would be national monument). rehabilitated, and measures would be taken to protect it against flooding. The Pipestone Indian School The no-action alternative would continue the current superintendent’s house would be rehabilitated and management of Pipestone National Monument. interpreted to explain its relationship to the national Maintenance, the visitor center, trails, the entry road, and monument and the Indian school phenomenon in parking would be unchanged, as would onsite housing general. for a law enforcement ranger. American Indian ceremonial use of The Three Maidens rock formation Alternative 3 would focus on the improvement of would be unchanged, as would use by the Hiawatha Club existing facilities and conditions without a major change as a backdrop for its annual pageant. No land would be in operations. The visitor center would be rehabilitated acquired. Adverse effects on floodplains would continue, to better accommodate visitor services, exhibits, and if flooding occurred there could be some danger to American Indian demonstrators, the cooperating visitors and employees. association, and national memorial staff. The museum collections would be moved within the visitor center to a Alternative 1 is the new preferred alternative. The location out of the floodplain. The use of the Three alternative would reduce the development in the heart of Maidens by American Indians and the Hiawatha Club the national monument, preserving its setting, site would continue as in alternative 2. Sun Dances would be history, and spiritual significance as the source of permitted, but modifications of use might be made. The pipestone. The visitor center and parking area would be bridge below Winnewissa Falls would be replaced removed, enabling visitors to see the site much as it downstream, removing a restriction to the creek’s natural appeared prehistorically and to sense its significance to flow. The National Park Service would acquire the American Indians. The national monument would school district parcel and would seek a cooperative acquire a parcel of school district land to the northeast agreement to coordinate management of the and would seek a cooperative agreement with the U.S. USFWS/MDNR wildlife management area. The National Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Minnesota Park Service would not acquire the Pipestone Indian Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) to School superintendent’s house but would seek to assist coordinate management of the 100-acre Pipestone with preservation and interpretation. Wildlife Management Area. American Indian ceremonial ______United States Department of the Interior • National Park Service

SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED

This General Management Plan / Environ- Key management issues are summarized in mental Impact Statement is intended to define five questions, called decision points. The a direction for the management of Pipestone decision points helped define the manage- National Monument for the next 15 to 20 ment alternatives that are described and years. The approved plan will provide a evaluated in this draft general management framework for making decisions about man- plan. The decision points ask aging cultural and natural resources, the visitor experience, and American Indian cultural • How can the national monument use so that future opportunities and problems accommodate American Indian uses and can be addressed effectively. The plan will interests while managing for cultural and prescribe the resource conditions and visitor natural resource values? experiences to be achieved according to law, policy, regulations, public expectations, and • To what degree will affiliated tribes and the national monument’s purpose, signifi- the National Park Service collaborate to cance, and special mandates. interpret the history, culture, and artistic heritage of the Plains Indians? General management plans are intended to be long-term documents that establish and ar- • How can the national monument preserve ticulate a management philosophy and frame- cultural resources and natural resources work for decision making and problem solv- while providing effective visitor services? ing in units of the national park system. • To what degree can the national Pipestone National Monument protects active monument respond more effectively to quarries of pipestone (catlinite) that have been external activities, concerns, and threats? used by American Indians from prehistoric times to the present. The pipestone is carved • To what extent should facilities be into objects, most notably pipes, for personal expanded to accommodate current or or ceremonial use. The quarries remain a site future uses, and what type of management of spiritual importance to American Indians. actions might be desirable to better manage the flow of visitors in various Besides the quarries, the national monument facilities and areas of the national contains examples of remnant prairie types monument at one time? that have been lost elsewhere in the plains states. The area also is significant in the his- ALTERNATIVES AND EFFECTS tory of American botany. This document analyzes the current condi- The planning team evaluated the potential tions and three alternatives for the appro- consequences that the actions of each alter- priate levels of service and use at Pipestone native would have on cultural and natural National Monument. resources, the visitor experience, and socioeconomic resources. The beneficial or adverse The Draft General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement identified effects were categorized as either short term alternative 3 as the preferred alternative. As a or long term, and their intensity was rated as result of public comment on that document, negligible, minor, moderate, or major. the National Park Service reconsidered its preferred alternative in light of substantial

iii SUMMARY comment and consultation with American The Indian School superintendent’s house Indian tribes. Accordingly, alternative 1 is now would remain outside the national monument, the preferred alternative. and there would be no National Park Service (NPS) interpretation of that structure. The No-Action Alternative The National Park Service would not acquire Under the no-action alternative, which repre- the school district land south of Minnesota sents the existing conditions, the management West Community and Technical College on of Pipestone National Monument would con- the eastern boundary. tinue as before. This alternative is presented as a way of comparing current conditions to pos- The Pipestone Wildlife Management Area, sible future conditions, as described in the which the Minnesota Department of Natural other alternatives. It provides a baseline for Resources (MDNR) manages for hunting and understanding why certain future changes fishing under an agreement with the U.S. Fish may be necessary or advisable. and Wildlife Service (USFWS), would be managed as at present, while the National Park In this alternative, maintenance would remain Service would work toward a cooperative attached to the visitor center, which would agreement with these two agencies to better remain in its present location, and the parking coordinate activities. would be unchanged. The cooperating association would remain in the visitor center. Ad- As at present, the remnant prairie would be ministration would remain in the visitor cen- managed to preserve its significance; restored ter and a converted house. The entry road prairie would be managed to recover native would be unchanged. Housing for a law en- species; and the National Park Service would forcement ranger still would be onsite in a continue its efforts to control exotic plant second existing house. species in the national monument.

The museum collections and archives, re- NPS efforts to restore the tallgrass prairie maining in the visitor center as at present, would result in a moderate beneficial effect on would be secure under this alternative, but vegetation overall despite the fragmentation there could be long-term adverse impacts of habitat, the existence of structures, the unless the threat of flooding was eliminated. presence of corridors for the entrance of exotic plants, and heavy visitation in a large The trails in the national monument would be area of the national monument. unchanged, as would the bridge on Pipestone Creek below Winnewissa Falls. Adverse effects on natural and beneficial floodplain values would continue, as would The Three Maidens area management would adverse effects on the floodplains’ ability to be unchanged, as would American Indian function normally during flooding. Although ceremonial use. The Hiawatha Club would the possibility of loss of life would be extreme- continue to use the Three Maidens formation ly small, if flooding occurred there could be in its pageant under permit as at present. The some danger to visitors and employees, a wayside exhibit parking area, the picnic area, major adverse impact. and the restrooms would be unchanged. Alternative 1 (New Preferred Alternative) An informal superintendent’s Indian consultation group would be established under Alternative 1 would focus on reducing devel- the no-action alternative. Sun Dances would opment in the heart of the national monu- continue to be permitted. Quarries would ment. Emphasis would be placed on preserv- continue to be allocated by permit.

iv Summary ing the setting, the site history, and the spirit- the national monument and the site restored ual significance of the national monument as to prairie. the source of pipestone. The existing visitor center and parking would be removed from A staffed interpretive kiosk, parking, and among the quarries. This, along with ongoing restroom facilities would be placed at a new prairie restoration, would enable visitors to entrance above Winnewissa Falls. see the site much as it appeared prehistorically and to sense the significance of the site to The picnic area and associated parking would American Indians. Razing the Mission 66 be removed from the national monument, and visitor center would cause a major adverse the area would be restored to prairie. The ex- effect on a historic structure and one historic isting wayside exhibit parking area at the cultural landscape. An agreement with the Three Maidens would be retained. The cur- State Historic Preservation Officer would be rent visitor center parking area would be sought to provide a means to document the removed. Mission 66 structures. The entry road would be shortened to end in a A new entrance would be created on the east small parking area at the south quarry side of the national monument just north of entrance. This would be used only by Pipestone Creek. quarriers and visitors with disabilities.

The maintenance operation would be moved American Indian ceremonial use of the Three out of the national monument. A cooperative Maidens area would be unchanged. The Hia- maintenance agreement would be sought with watha Club would continue to use the Three another public or private entity to house the Maidens as a backdrop for its pageant under operation. If that should prove impossible, the permit restrictions, but there would be no National Park Service would contract for or direct contact with the formation, and the area lease space. would be restored to prairie.

A visitor center for the national monument Sun Dances still would be permitted, but would be created outside the boundaries. A modifications of use might be made on the cooperative agreement, lease, or contract basis of impact and the sustainability of re- would be made with a private or public entity. sources. Quarries would continue to be Administration still would be in the visitor allocated by permit. center (at its new location). The cooperating association’s office and sales area and the An informal superintendent’s Indian con- American Indian demonstrators also would sultation group would be established. move into the new facility. The National Park Service would acquire the Moving the museum collections and archives 15.3 acres of school district land south of outside the national monument would result Minnesota West Community and Technical in short-term minor adverse effects from the College on the eastern boundary, and the move, but in the long term, moderate benefi- prairie would be restored. cial effects would result from gaining state-of- the-art space for curation, research, and The National Park Service would not acquire storage. the Indian School superintendent’s house but would work with the owners to provide NPS The converted house and the law enforce- assistance with interpretation and ment ranger housing would be removed from preservation of the structure (see appendix F).

SUMMARY

New visitor trails would be developed to some danger to visitors and employees, a reach the existing trail system. The bridge on major adverse impact. Pipestone Creek below Winnewissa Falls would be unchanged. The National Park Service would continue its efforts to control exotic plant species in the The National Park Service would seek a co- national monument and would work with the operative agreement with the U.S. Fish and owners of adjacent property to identify and Wildlife Service and the Minnesota Depart- eradicate exotics. ment of Natural Resources to preserve and protect the resources in the wildlife manage- Alternative 2 ment area and to promote coordination of mutually beneficial management activities. The focus of alternative 2 would be on the sig- Working with these two agencies to restore nificance of the pipestone quarries, the quar- 100 acres of their land, along with managing rying process, the methods used, the items the Sun Dance area within a carrying capacity created, and their importance in American and removing 3 acres of development and Indian culture. This alternative would depend restoring the prairie, would result in a long- heavily on interpretation in the visitor center. term moderate beneficial effect on remnant and restored tallgrass prairie. The visitor center would be rehabilitated, and measures would be taken to protect it against Removing the entry road and restoring the flooding. Most administrative functions natural contours of the land would improve would remain in the visitor center. The build- the water flow through the national monu- ing would be enlarged to include an expanded ment, possibly restoring soil moisture levels in research library; better collections storage, mesic crystalline bedrock prairie, a long-term classrooms for educational and community moderate beneficial effect. use, more office space, updated exhibits, and improved space for the cooperating associa- Mowing the Sun Dance area and allowing the tion’s offices, displays, and storage. Parking at Sun Dances to continue would cause a long- the visitor center would remain, but the con- term moderate adverse effect on wildlife, figuration might change because of the expan- which might be mitigated somewhat by estab- sion. The entry road would be unchanged. lishing a carrying capacity. Housing for a law enforcement ranger still would be in the existing house. A new prairie overlook would be developed on the west edge of the national monument. The National Park Service would acquire the The entire prairie would be managed to Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s decrease visitor impacts on remnant and house, the 15.3-acre tract of school district restored prairies. land south of that house, and about 100 acres of USFWS/MDNR land. The boundary of The actions of alternative 1 would result in Pipestone National Monument would be long-term moderate beneficial effects on wet- adjusted to include these acquisitions. lands (including those in the riparian corridor) and noticeable long-term moderate local By acquiring the USFWS/MDNR wildlife beneficial effects on hydrology. management area, the National Park Service could expand opportunities for visitors to Removing about 2 acres of buildings and learn about cultural and natural resources, impermeable surfaces would cause a bene- ceremonial uses, and prairie restoration. ficial effect on floodplain values. Although the possibility of loss of life would be extremely small, if flooding occurred there could be

vi Summary

Acquiring the USFWS/MDNR land and the The Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s school district lands, removing the outdoor house would be rehabilitated and interpreted maintenance storage area, and managing the to explain its relationship to the national acquired areas as prairie would result in a net monument and the Indian school gain of about 116 acres of wildlife habitat: a phenomenon in general. This would be a long-term moderate beneficial effect on major interpretive focus in the national wildlife. monument.

Managing the USFWS/MDNR land to main- American Indian ceremonial use of the Three tain or improve water flow would cause a Maidens area would be unchanged. The Hia- moderate long-term beneficial effect on watha Club would continue to use the forma- hydrology. tion as a backdrop for its pageant under permit restrictions. The picnic area and The acreage of tallgrass prairie would be in- restrooms would be unchanged. creased by restoring 1 acre of maintenance storage area, acquiring 100 acres of USFWS/ A new parking area would be created along MDNR land, and acquiring and managing as the entry road by expanding the existing way- prairie 13 acres of the 15.3 acres of acquired side. The road / paved area between this site school district land. With prairie preservation and the Three Maidens would be removed so decreased by about 2 acres if the quarry zone that prairie plant species could be reestab- was extended beyond the present limits, the lished. overall increase in restored prairie would be about 112 acres; a long-term major beneficial The use of the Sun Dance grounds would be effect on the prairies. discontinued under this alternative, and the area would be restored to tallgrass prairie. Maintenance would be moved onto part of Discontinuing the Sun Dances and not mow- the acquired land just south of Minnesota ing the Sun Dance grounds would allow rem- West Community and Technical College. nant prairie to recover and would decrease compaction, both long-term moderate bene- Building a separate maintenance facility would ficial effects. adversely affect about 2 acres of soils. Removing the maintenance storage area and Quarries would continue to be allocated by restoring it to its natural state would eliminate permit. An active demonstration quarry would soil compaction, allowing natural processes to be developed to offer better understanding of return. the quarrying process and training for new quarriers in techniques, safety, and interpre- Rehabilitating the visitor center would cause tation. long-term moderate beneficial effects on the cultural landscape from the Civilian Conser- Adverse effects on natural and beneficial vation Corps (CCC) era, on historic struc- floodplain values would continue, as would tures, and on museum collections and adverse effects on the floodplains’ ability to archives. function normally during flooding. Although the possibility of loss of life would be extreme- Moving artifacts, specimens, and documents ly small, if flooding occurred there could be to new quarters in the rehabilitated building some danger to visitors and employees, a ma- would result in long-term moderate beneficial jor adverse impact. effects from gaining state-of-the-art space for curation, research, and storage. The bridge below Winnewissa Falls would be removed and a new bridge constructed down-

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SUMMARY stream. Relocating the bridge could inhibit moderate beneficial effects on the CCC-era access and traditional use of the falls as an cultural landscape and on historic structures. ethnographic resource, a long-term moderate adverse effect. Relocating the bridge farther The museum collections and archives would downstream would remove a restriction to the be moved to a new or newly rehabilitated area creek’s natural flow, a moderate long-term within the visitor center above the 500-year beneficial effect. floodplain or into the converted house. Moving the collections and archives would An informal superintendent’s Indian cause short-term minor adverse effects from consultation group would be established. the move, but in the long term, moderate beneficial effects would result from gaining All existing trails would be upgraded to NPS state-of-the-art space for curation, research, standards. New trails might be added for on- and storage. site interpretation and education. One house would be designated as housing for The remnant prairie would be managed to a law enforcement ranger; the other would be preserve its significance, and restored prairie rehabilitated as office space, museum would be managed to recover native plant collections storage, or staff housing. species. The National Park Service would continue its efforts to control exotic plant species American Indian ceremonial use of the Three in the national monument and would work Maidens area would be unchanged. The Hia- with the owners of adjacent property to watha Club would continue to use the forma- identify and eradicate exotics. tion as a backdrop for its pageant under permit restrictions. The picnic area and Alternative 3 restrooms would be unchanged. The wayside parking area along the entry road would Alternative 3 was developed to upgrade and remain, as would the parking between the maintain the current operations and Three Maidens and the picnic area. structures of the Monument. Sun Dances would be permitted, but modifi- The maintenance function would be moved cations of use might be made on the basis of offsite. A cooperative agreement with another impact and the sustainability of resources. governmental agency could be worked out Continuing the two annual Sun Dances would under which the maintenance facility could be result in either a long-term minor beneficial housed jointly with a similar facility, whether effect or a moderate adverse effect on ethno- city, county, or state. graphic resources, depending on the perspective of the person rendering the opinion. The visitor center would be rehabilitated to better accommodate visitor services, exhibits, Quarries would continue to be allocated by American Indian demonstrators, the cooper- permit. An active demonstration quarry would ating association, and national monument be developed to help visitors better under- staff. With maintenance moved offsite, more stand the quarrying process and to offer train- space would be available for classrooms, ing for new quarriers in techniques, safety, interpretation, and exhibits. Expanded and interpretation. facilities would include a research library and access to collections. The parking for this An informal superintendent’s Indian consul- facility would be unchanged. Rehabilitating tation group would be established. the building would result in long-term The National Park Service would not acquire the Indian School superintendent’s house but

viii Summary would work with the owners to provide NPS carrying capacity). This is because systematic assistance with interpretation and preserva- efforts would increase the abundance, dis- tion of the structure (see appendix F). tribution, quantity, and quality of habitat. Rehabilitation/preservation of the house would cause a long-term moderate beneficial Alternative 3 would result in a moderate long- effect on that historic structure. term local beneficial effect on hydrology.

The National Park Service would acquire the Adverse effects on natural and beneficial 15.3 acres of school district land south of floodplain values would continue, as would Minnesota West Community and Technical adverse effects on the floodplains’ ability to College on the eastern boundary, and the function normally during flooding. Although prairie would be restored. the possibility of loss of life would be extremely small, if flooding occurred there could be The National Park Service would initiate a some danger to visitors and employees, a cooperative agreement with the Minnesota major adverse impact. Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to coordinate All existing trails would be upgraded to NPS the management of law enforcement, Indian standards. New trails might be added for on- ceremonial use, research, prescribed fires, site interpretation and education. The bridge exotic plants, seed collection, and prairie below Winnewissa Falls would be removed restoration and rehabilitation. and a new bridge built downstream.

The efforts to restore the tallgrass prairie (in- The remnant prairie would be managed to cluding 100 acres of USFWS/MDNR land and preserve its significance, and restored prairie 15.3 acres of school district lands) would re- would be managed to recover native plant sult in a moderate overall beneficial effect on species. vegetation from alternative 3. These benefits would occur despite the fragmentation of The National Park Service would continue its habitat, the existence of structures, the pres- efforts to control exotic plant species in the ence of corridors for the entrance of exotic national monument and would work with the plants, and heavy visitation in a large area of owners of adjacent property to identify and the national monument (managed within a eradicate exotics.

CONTENTS

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

Purpose, Need, and Scoping 3 Brief Description of the National Monument 3 Purpose of the Plan 3 Need for the Plan 4 The Scoping Process 4 Notices and Meetings 4 Newsletters 7 Issues 7 Cultural Resource Management 7 Natural Resource Management 9 Interpretation and Visitor Orientation 9 Boundary and Cross-Boundary Concerns 10 Facilities 11 Issues Not Addressed in This Plan 12 Deauthorization 12 Permit Changes 12 Cultural Resource Issues 12 Natural Resource Issues 13 Impact Topics (Resources and Values at Stake in the Planning Process) 13 Cultural Resources 13 Natural Resources 14 Visitor Experience 14 Socioeconomic Environment 14 National Monument Operations 14 Impact Topics Considered but Dismissed from Further Consideration 15 Archeology 15 Indian Trust Resources 15 Environmental Justice 17 Sioux Quartzite Rock Formation and Sioux Quartzite Prairie 17 Water Quality 18 Water Quantity 19 Prime and Unique Farmland 19 Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 19 Air Quality 20 Public Health and Safety 20 Energy Requirements and Conservation Potential 20 Traffic 23 Conflicts with Local Land Use Plans and Policies 23

Laws, Policies, and Mandates 24 National Monument Purpose 24 National Monument Significance 24 Mission and Themes 24 Mission Goals 24 Interpretive Themes 24

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Special Mandates and Administrative Commitments 25 Servicewide Laws and Policies 25 Management Requirements for Cultural Resources 26 Management Requirements for Natural Resources 30 Management Requirements for Visitor Use and Experience 37 Rights-of-Way and Telecommunications Infrastructure 38 Sustainable Design and Development 39 Trails 40

ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Introduction 43 Decision Points 43 Relationship to Other Agencies’ Plans 44 The Permitting Process to Quarry Pipestone 44 Land Acquisition 44 Pipestone Indian School Superintendent’s House 45 Pipestone Area School District Land 46 Pipestone Wildlife Management Area 48 Development of Cost Estimates 49 Initial One-Time Costs 49 Recurring Annual Costs 49 Land Acquisition Costs 49 NPS Facilities Model 49 Comparison of Alternatives and Environmental Consequences 49

Management Zones / Management Prescriptions 50 Administrative Zone 50 Resource Condition or Character 50 Visitor Experience 50 Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 50 Visitor Services Zone 50 Resource Condition or Character 50 Visitor Experience 50 Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 50 Prairie Preservation Zone 51 Resource Condition or Character 51 Visitor Experience 51 Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 51 Quarry Zone 51 Resource Condition or Character 51 Visitor Experience 51 Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 51 Ceremonial Use Zone 51 Resource Condition or Character 51 Visitor Experience 52 Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 52 Three Maidens Zone 52 Resource Condition or Character 52

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Visitor Experience 52 Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 52

No-Action Alternative 54 Description 54 Protection of Cultural Resources 57 Boundary Adjustments 58 Costs 58 Implementation of the Plan 59

Alternative 1 (Preferred Alternative) 60 Description 60 Management Zones 60 Administrative Zone 60 Visitor Services Zone 60 Prairie Preservation Zone 63 Quarry Zone 63 Ceremonial Use Zone 64 Three Maidens Zone 64 Visitor Use and Experience 64 Resource Protection 65 Cultural Resources 65 Natural Resources 66 Boundary Adjustments 67 Costs 67

Alternative 2 68 Description 68 Management Zones 68 Administrative Zone 68 Visitor Services Zone 68 Prairie Preservation Zone 68 Quarry Zone 69 Ceremonial Use Zone 69 Three Maidens Zone 69 Visitor Use and Experience 70 Resource Protection 70 Cultural Resources 70 Natural Resources 73 Boundary Adjustments 74 Costs 74

Alternative 3 76 Description 76 Management Zones 76 Administrative Zone 76 Visitor Services Zone 77 Prairie Preservation Zone 77 Quarry Zone 77 Ceremonial Use Zone 78 Three Maidens Zone 78

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CONTENTS

Visitor Use and Experience 78 Resource Protection 81 Cultural Resources 81 Natural Resources 82 Boundary Adjustments 82 Costs 83

Alternatives Eliminated from Further Consideration 84 Introduce Bison To The National Monument 84 Make Pipestone National Monument a Regional Center for Indigenous Studies 84 Provide Campground Facilities for Ceremonial Use 84

The Environmentally Preferable Alternative 85

Mitigation and Additional Studies 87 Cultural Resources 87 Historic Structures 87 Cultural Landscapes 87 Ethnographic Resources 87 Natural Resources 87 Ground Disturbance/Soils 87 Vegetation 87 Water Resources 88 Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 88 Air Quality 89

Comparison of Alternatives 90

Costs Estimates 102

AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

Introduction 105

Cultural Resources 106 Introduction 106 Catlinite 106 Archeological Resources 107 Ethnographic Resources 108 Pipestone National Monument: An Ethnographic Landscape 108 Landscape Periods 110 Ethnographic Resources 113 Historic Structures and Cultural Landscapes 114 National Register of Historic Places Listings 114 Eligibility for National Register of Historic Places 115 No Historic Cultural Landscapes Documented 115 Landscape Setting 115 Historic Contexts 116 Museum Collections and Archives 116 The Number and Nature of Collections 117

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Collections Management 118 Upper Midwest Indian Cultural Center 120 Petroglyphs 120

Natural Resources 122 Setting 122 Sioux Quartzite Rock Formation 122 Vegetation 122 Sioux Quartzite Prairie 122 Remnant Tallgrass Prairie 123 Restored Tallgrass Prairie 123 Oak Savanna/Woodland Areas 124 Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 124 Floodplains 125 Hydrology 126 Soils 126 Wildlife 126 Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 127

Visitor Use and Experience 129 Experiencing the Resources 129 Freedom to Go at One’s Own Pace 129 Orientation and Interpretation 129 Safety 130

Socioeconomic Environment 131 Pipestone County 131 Income 131 Population and Housing 131 Fees and Visitation 132 Economic Influences of the National Monument 132

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

Methodology for Analyzing Environmental Consequences 137 Introduction 137 Projects That Make up the Cumulative Impact Scenario 137 Past Actions 138 Current and Future Actions 139 Impairment of Resources 139 Methodology for Assessing Effects on Cultural Resources 140 Effects on Cultural Resources and Section 106 140 Intensity — Cultural Landscapes 141 Intensity — Ethnographic Resources 142 Intensity — Historic Structures 143 Intensity — Museum Collections and Archives 144 Methodology for Assessing Effects on Natural Resources 144 Vegetation 145 Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 145

CONTENTS

Floodplains 145 Hydrology 145 Soils 146 Wildlife 146 Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 146 Methodology for Assessing Effects on Visitor Use and Experience 147 Methodology for Assessing Effects on the Socioeconomic Environment 147 Methodology for Assessing Effects on National Monument Operations 147

Impacts of the No-Action Alternative 149 Cultural Resources 149 Cultural Landscapes 149 Ethnographic Resources 150 Historic Structures 153 Museum Collections and Archives 154 Natural Resources 154 Vegetation 154 Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 156 Floodplains 157 Hydrology 158 Soils 159 Wildlife 160 Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 160 Visitor Use and Experience 161 Three Maidens Area 161 Visitor Center Area 161 Circle Trail Area 162 Quarry Area 162 Prairie Area 162 Socioeconomic Environment 162 Quarriers and Demonstrators 162 Businesses 163 Community 163 National Monument Operations 163 Maintenance 163 Facilities 164 Emergency Response Time 164 Ability to Enforce Regulations 164 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 164 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources 165 Relationships of Short-term Uses of the Environment and Long-term Productivity 165

Impacts of Alternative 1 166 Cultural Resources 166 Cultural Landscapes 166 Ethnographic Resources 168 Historic Structures 170 Museum Collections and Archives 172 Natural Resources 173 Vegetation 173 Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 175 Floodplains 176

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Hydrology 177 Soils 178 Wildlife 179 Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 180 Visitor Use and Experience 181 Three Maidens Area 181 New Entrance Area 181 Circle Trail Area 182 Quarry Area 182 Prairie Area 182 Socioeconomic Environment 182 Quarriers and Demonstrators 182 Businesses 183 Community 183 National Monument Operations 183 Maintenance 183 Facilities 184 Emergency Response Time 184 Ability to Enforce Regulations 184 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 185 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources 185 Relationship of Short-term Uses of the Environment and Long-term Productivity 185

Impacts of Alternative 2 187 Cultural Resources 187 Cultural Landscapes 187 Ethnographic Resources 188 Historic Structures 191 Museum Collections and Archives 192 Natural Resources 193 Vegetation 193 Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 195 Floodplains 195 Hydrology 196 Soils 197 Wildlife 198 Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 199 Visitor Use and Experience 200 Three Maidens Area 200 New Visitor Center Area 200 Circle Trail Area 200 Quarry Area 200 Prairie Area 200 Socioeconomic Environment 201 Quarriers and Demonstrators 201 Businesses 201 Community 201 National Monument Operations 202 Maintenance 202 Facilities 202 Emergency Response Time 202

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CONTENTS

Ability to Enforce Regulations 202 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 202 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources 203 Relationships of Short-term Uses of the Environment and Long-term Productivity 203

Impacts of Alternative 3 204 Cultural Resources 204 Cultural Landscapes 204 Ethnographic Resources 205 Historic Structures 207 Museum Collections and Archives 209 Natural Resources 209 Vegetation 209 Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 211 Floodplains 212 Hydrology 214 Soils 214 Wildlife 215 Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 216 Visitor Use and Experience 217 Three Maidens Area 217 Visitor Center Area 218 Circle Trail Area 218 Prairie Area 218 Socioeconomic Environment 218 Quarriers and Demonstrators 218 Businesses 218 Community 219 National Monument Operations 219 Maintenance 219 Facilities 219 Emergency Response Time 219 Ability to Enforce Regulations 220 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 220 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources 220 Relationships of Short-term Uses of the Environment and Long-term Productivity 220

CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION WITH OTHERS

Public Involvement 225 American Indian Involvement 225 Public Meetings and Newsletters 225 Consultation 226 Tribes, Agencies, and Organizations to Which This Document Was Sent 228

Substantive Comments and NPS Responses 233

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APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX

Appendix A: Relationships with American Indians 287 Appendix B: Establishing Legislation 290 Appendix C: Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 292 Appendix D: Correspondence with Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office 305 Appendix E: Statement of Findings — Floodplains 309 Appendix F: The National Historic Preservation Act and NPS Assistance 311

Selected Bibliography 312

Preparers of the Document 319

Index 321

Maps Vicinity 5 No-Action Alternative 55 Alternative 1 61 Alternative 2 71 Alternative 3 79

Tables

Table 1: Special Status Species and Critical Habitat at Pipestone National Monument 22 Table 2: Management Prescriptions 53 Table 3: Comparison of Alternatives 90 Table 4: Comparison of Environmental Consequences 94 Table 5: Estimated Costs 102 Table 6: Pipestone County Per Capita Income Change, 1959–1999 131 Table 7: Population Trends in the Study Area 1960–2000 131 Table 8: Visitation, 1990–2003 132 Table 9: Local Economic Influences from Visitation to Pipestone National Monument 133 Table 10: Economic Impacts of Visitor Spending by Sectors 133 Table 11: Future National Historic Preservation Act Compliance Required for Implementation of Specific Actions (Preferred Alternative) 227

xix

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

PURPOSE, NEED, AND SCOPING

This Draft General Management Plan / Envi- American Indians from prehistoric times to ronmental Impact Statement presents and ana- the present. The pipestone was carved into lyzes three alternative future directions for the objects, most notably pipes, for use in sacred management and use of Pipestone National rituals. That practice continues today. The Monument. Alternative 1 has been identified quarries remain a site of sacred importance to as the alternative preferred by the National American Indians. Other locations in the Park Service (NPS) for the future direction of national monument play a role in stories and management. The potential environmental ceremonies associated with the quarrying of effects of all alternatives have been identified pipestone and American Indian history. and assessed. Besides the quarries, the national monument General management plans are intended to be contains examples of remnant prairie vegeta- long-term documents that establish and ar- tion types that have been lost elsewhere in the ticulate a management philosophy and frame- plains states. The site is also significant in the work for decision making and problem history of American botany, as the Nicollet solving in units of the national park system. expedition stopped here to record the native General management plans usually provide plant life. The expedition notes are still avail- guidance during a 15-to 20-year period. able to verify how little the site has changed since that time. Actions directed by general management plans or in subsequent implementation plans The paved Circle Trail allows visitors to ob- are accomplished over time. Budget restric- serve the quarries and other locations associ- tions, requirements for additional data or ated with American Indian use of the site, regulatory compliance, and competing na- Winnewissa Falls, a plaque commemorating tional park system priorities prevent the im- the Nicollet expedition, approximately 150 mediate implementation of many actions. years of names carved into rock, several Major or especially costly actions could be unique rock formations, and the native tall- implemented 10 or more years into the future. grass prairie. A visitor center provides information and orientation to site resources BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE before visitors start to walk along the trail. NATIONAL MONUMENT PURPOSE OF THE PLAN Pipestone National Monument was established on August 25, 1937, by an act of Con- The purpose of this General Management gress. It is in southwestern Minnesota in Plan / Environmental Impact Statement is to Pipestone County, population 9,895 (2000 clearly define a direction for resource pres- census). Three incorporated communities ervation, visitor experience, and American exist in Pipestone County: Edgerton, popu- Indian cultural use at Pipestone National lation 1,037; Jasper, population 558; and the Monument. city of Pipestone, which borders the national monument, population 4,359 (see the Loca- The approved plan will provide a framework tion map). for proactive decision-making, including decisions about managing cultural and natural Pipestone National Monument encompasses resources and about visitor use and develop- 281.78 acres. The national monument protects ment. This will allow managers to address quarries of pipestone (catlinite) used by future opportunities and problems effectively.

3 PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

This plan will prescribe the resource condi- This plan will provide broad direction for the tions, visitor experiences, and American In- future of Pipestone National Monument and dian cultural uses that are to be achieved and will help managers make purposeful decisions maintained in the national monument over based on a deliberate vision. time. What must be achieved according to law and policy will be clarified on the basis of re- THE SCOPING PROCESS view of the national monument’s purpose, significance, special mandates, and the body Notices and Meetings of laws and policies directing management. Management decisions that must be made The planning for a general management plan where law, policy, or regulations do not pro- for Pipestone National Monument began in vide clear guidance or limits will be based on August 2000 with a news release announcing the national monument’s purpose, the range the beginning of the general management of public expectations and concerns, resource plan / environmental impact statement analysis, the evaluation of the cultural, natural, process and a notice that was published in the and social impacts of alternative courses of Federal Register (September 25, 2000, vol. 65, action, and consideration of long-term eco- no. 186, p.5, 7620). nomic costs. In accordance with federal compliance re- This document will not describe how par- quirements, members of the national monu- ticular programs or projects will be implement staff wrote letters to 27 tribes inviting mented or prioritized. Those decisions will be participation in two October 2000 public open deferred to more detailed implementation houses at the national monument and offering planning, which will follow the broad, com- to meet individually with tribes at a later date, prehensive decision-making presented in this should they so request. Other letters were sent document. to the Advisory Council on Historic Preser- vation, the Minnesota state historic preserva- NEED FOR THE PLAN tion officer, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Minnesota state representative who repre- The previous Master Plan for Pipestone sents the Pipestone area, the Minnesota De- National Monument, which was approved in partment of Natural Resources, other inter- 1966, contained no accompanying environ- ested federal and state agencies, local governmental analysis document. Because that plan ments, quarriers, and interested individuals dealt mainly with site development rather and organizations. Followup telephone calls than management, it was essentially obsolete were also made to the 27 tribes. following the completion of the visitor center addition in 1972. Since then, several of the The open houses of October 11 and 12, 2000, facilities have changed functions, have been were designed to hear the concerns and de- significantly altered, or have been removed. sires of the public regarding the national monument before planning began and to help Pipestone National Monument never has had the planning team take those issues and de- a general management plan to guide its man- sires into consideration during the planning agement, interpretation, and development. It process. Comments were received in the gen- has functioned only with the guidance of peri- eral areas of protecting cultural and natural odic Statement for Management documents resources, interpretation and orientation, the and, more recently, annual performance plans national monument boundary, American prepared under the guidance of the Govern- Indian use, facilities, cooperative programs, ment Performance and Results Act of 1993. and community outreach. A total of 19 people attended the meetings.

4 CAMDEN STATE PARK Brookings

14 29 14

75 LAKE

S O U T H D A K O T A SHETEK M I N E S O T A STATE PARK PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT Slayton 34 Pipestone 30 269 SPLIT ROCK CREEK STATE PARK Jasper 59 23

BLUE MOUNDS PALISADES STATE PARK STATE PARK Luverne 11 Worthington 90 Sioux Falls M I N N E S O T A 229 I O W A

NORTH DAKOTA MINNESOTA

0 10 20 Km 29 WISCONSIN PIPESTONE 0 10 20 Mi SOUTH DAKOTA NATIONAL St. Paul MONUMENT Sioux 90 Falls Madison 35

IOWA Vicinity NEBRASKA PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT Des Moines United States Department of the Interior Omaha National Park Service DSC • Aug. 2007 • 372 • 20002A

Purpose, Need, and Scoping

Twelve more tribal governments were later schedule had been slowed in order to gain identified as having a connection to Pipestone more public input. It again explained how the National Monument and were invited by let- public might express its thoughts and ter and telephone contact to participate and concerns to the planning team. provide input into the plan. Newsletters The planning team met at the national monument with tribal council members and the A newsletter produced in June 2002 described Elder Cultural Resource Committee of the two preliminary alternatives and requested Lower Brule Sioux Tribe on October 30, 2000, that members of the public respond using a to discuss their concerns and participation in postage-paid mail-back form. A total of 12 the planning process. comments about that newsletter were received. On January 22, 2001, the Chairman of the Upper Sioux Community met with the superintendent at the national monument to discuss ISSUES the plan. The major issues to be addressed in the plan A second news release was sent out in Febru- are outlined below. They were identified dur- ary 2001. That release outlined the planning ing public meetings, from responses to the process and reiterated how the public could first newsletter, through data gathering, and become involved in the process. Approxi- from internal NPS discussions. mately 20 letters, e-mail messages, and mail-in responses were received in response to this Cultural Resource Management and the initial news release that was sent out in August 2000, requesting public comment. Visitor Center. The visitor center is within This was in addition to the comments pro- the 100-year floodplain, and floodwaters have vided by the people who attended the public threatened the visitor center in the past. The meetings. alternatives need to identify how to protect the cultural resources on display and in On Wednesday, April 25, 2001, the superin- storage. tendent, the team captain, and two members of the planning team met at the invitation of The current visitor center museum was com- the Yankton Sioux Tribe at the Fort Randall pleted in 1958 as part of the “Mission 66” pro- (South Dakota) Casino/Hotel to explain the gram of the National Park Service. There have planning process and to answer questions been minor changes and additions to the about the plan and American Indian involve- exhibits. Some museum exhibits do not meet ment in it. current curatorial standards, placing the collection at risk. The museum does not meet A representative of the Minnesota state NPS baseline research guidelines contained in historic preservation office (SHPO) met with NPS-28, “Cultural Resource Management the national monument staff and planning Guidelines” (1995). The cultural workroom team on June 28, 2001, to discuss the prelimi- space was converted to curatorial storage and nary alternatives and the role of that office in office space; therefore, there is no workroom. the planning. Dust particles from the cultural demonstrations of pipestone carving cause curatorial The national monument issued a third news problems for the collections and exhibits release on August 1, 2001, which explained the throughout the visitor center. There is no plan’s progress to that date and noted that the

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN separate library space for research. The library story, the first stop on a tour of Pipestone Na- shares space with the interpretation office. tional Monument. A nearby picnic area and parking area are used considerably by visitors, Cultural resource management is a collateral and American Indians may be somewhat duty of the resource program manager. reluctant to visit the Three Maidens when Because of other workload responsibilities, visitors are at the site. only basic management and protection are provided for the collections. For more than 50 years the Hiawatha Club has used the Three Maidens formation as a back- Sacred Site and Use by Visitors. There is an drop and staging area for its annual Song of inherent tension between the Pipestone Na- Hiawatha Pageant (the 59th pageant is in tional Monument that is a sacred site to many 2007). The national monument has worked American Indians and the Pipestone National with the Hiawatha Club to minimize any Monument that is a part of the national park physical contact with the formation and to system. Some American Indians believe that ensure that American Indian use is not im- the pipestone quarried at the national monu- peded. However, the Sisseton-Wahpeton ment is sacred and hold the site to be a place Sioux Tribe has declared the formation a of reverence. Many American Indians still sacred site (along with Leaping Rock and a adhere to the traditions and practices sur- rock formation called The Oracle). That rounding the quarrying of pipestone. action may call for an additional level of care as the pageant’s secular use of an American The national monument relates to the oral Indian sacred site continues. history and culture of many tribes because it contains several locations associated with The issue of balancing Pipestone National stories that are passed from generation to Monument’s significance to American Indians generation. The National Park Service is in a sensitive way with providing an educa- charged with preserving and interpreting those tional experience to visitors as a National Park practices and traditions for all visitors. The Service area is difficult. NPS managers must western viewpoint of the exhibits and the be constantly aware of potential conflicts and interpretation offered may not always tell the react thoughtfully and sensitively. entire story from the American Indian perspective. Pipestone Indian School Superintendent’s House. The former Pipestone Indian School One example of this difference in the world is an integral part of the site’s history. The In- view is the current location of the visitor dian School superintendent’s house (outside center. One group of tribal elders has asked the national monument boundary) represents the National Park Service to consider remov- the history of that institution and the national ing the visitor center from its location in the monument. The structure is deteriorated. The middle of the national monument. The visitor organization that owns it, the Keepers of the center was placed where it is in the 1950s to Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers, lacks the immerse visitors in the national monument funds to stabilize and rehabilitate this struc- and to ease access to the quarries. That de- ture, which is listed in the National Register of cision may not have reflected consideration of Historic Places. Its role in interpretation needs the Indian viewpoint. to be defined, and a determination needs to be made about whether the National Park Ser- Another example is related to the Three vice should acquire it. Maidens rock formation near the entrance to the national monument. Some American In- dians pray and leave offerings at this location. It also is a major feature of the interpretive

8 Purpose, Need, and Scoping

Natural Resource Management Inadequate Facilities. The national monument staff’s ability to offer orientation and Floodplains and Wetlands. Floodplain and interpretation is limited by existing facilities, wetland values are compromised by the pres- exhibits, and staffing. Improved orientation ence of the visitor center and residences in the and interpretation would enhance visitor 100-year floodplain or wetland areas. The understanding of the significance of Pipestone bridges on Pipestone Creek are an impedi- National Monument and allow visitors to ment to floodwaters. make the best use of their time. Year-round interpretive efforts consist of an orientation Threatened or Endangered Species. Two film, a self-guiding trail and brochure, mu- federally listed threatened or endangered seum exhibits, wayside exhibits, and inter- species inhabit the national monument, the pretive talks. In addition, from April to Octo- endangered Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka) ber American Indians demonstrate and inter- and the threatened western prairie fringed pret pipe-making and other craft items. orchid (Platanthera praeclara). In addition, a number of Minnesota state-listed rare plants In recent years Congress has required Pipe- can be found within the national monument stone National Monument to collect an en- boundaries. Most of these are located along a trance fee from all visitors except American globally threatened habitat, the Sioux quartz- Indians. The logical location for fee collection ite prairie. The plan must ensure the pro- would be the entrance off Hiawatha Avenue; tection of these species. however, this is made infeasible by the visitation numbers, the seasonality of visitation, the Tallgrass Prairie. The national monument expense of hiring fee collection staff, and the has areas of remnant tallgrass prairie and small return after salaries are paid. Instead, restored tallgrass prairie that are affected by fees are collected at the information desk in an employee residence and administrative the visitor center to take advantage of the per- offices, by special uses in the national monu- son already behind the counter. This does not ment, and by exotic weeds growing inside and allow the collection of fees from visitors who, outside of its boundaries. It also contains for one reason or another, do not enter the Sioux quartzite prairie that has been relatively visitor center. This would include repeat visi- unaffected by development in the national tors, people who have little time to see the site monument. and therefore skip the visitor center, and people who use the trails for exercise or the Interpretation and Visitor Orientation picnic area for gatherings.

Congestion. Visitation is concentrated into The visitor center was constructed in two sep- the prime resource areas of the national arate phases. The first phase, which consisted monument, the visitor center area, the circle of administrative and maintenance areas and a and quarry trails, and the Three Maidens public area with sales and museum exhibit picnic area. space, was completed in 1958. The second phase, the Upper Midwest Cultural Center, At times of special events involving school completed in 1972, added a large exhibit, groups, or during times of heavier visitation demonstration, and sales area with storage. periods between Memorial Day and Labor The original sales area was then redesigned; it Day, there is visitor congestion at the visitor is now used for projection equipment for the center. The most congested areas are the theater. The two-phase design created essen- restrooms, the exhibit areas, and the infor- tially two visitor areas separated by a breeze- mation desk. way. The breezeway functions as exhibit space and as the exit to the Circle Trail through the

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN north side door and the end of the Circle Trail tation is growing on adjacent land just outside through the south side door. The ranger at the the national monument boundary. information desk is not able to see what is occurring in the rear demonstration area or to Access. Restricted vehicle access to the north monitor the activities of visitors using the quarries and the Sun Dance area is available breezeway doors. via a dirt road through the Pipestone Wildlife Management Area, which the Minnesota De- The phase one interpretive exhibits are dated, partment of Natural Resources (MDNR) historically inaccurate, inadequate in number, manages for hunting and fishing under an poorly designed by today’s standards, difficult agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife to maintain, and culturally offensive to some. Service (USFWS). The museum is cramped during high visitation, and display lighting is dated. The theater Private land abuts the south boundary. It is di- seats only 45 visitors. The orientation slide vided between the Hiawatha Club on the east program, which was designed in the 1960s and and private residential and agricultural land updated in the 1980s, although still on the west. The Hiawatha Club property is serviceable, does not meet modern standards, bounded on the east by Hiawatha Avenue, on and it does not include discussion of the the north by the entrance road to the national prairie landscape. monument, and on the south by the Three Maidens formation and the picnic area. This The phase two area consists of a large room land has a historic field of tiled lines and shal- with tile floors, demonstration booths, ex- low ditches that drain slowly into a natural hibits, and a cooperating association sales area before crossing into the national monu- area. American Indian demonstrators carve ment. pipestone and answer visitors’ questions in the three small demonstration booths. The The second parcel abuts the Hiawatha Club cooperating association area gives visitors an property on the east and the south boundary opportunity to buy items carved from pipe- of the national monument. Single and multi- stone, books, and educational items related to family dwellings are slowly being added in the the history of the national monument. The parcel while vacant land is farmed. When fully association’s office is behind the sales desk. developed, it will have the potential to direct stormwater into the national monument if not Opposite the sales area is a small exhibit area abated. This would affect tallgrass prairie and (The Gallery) for permanent or short-term wetlands. Development also would increase displays. Behind the demonstrator booths is sound, affecting wildlife movement. It would the national monument’s collection storage, a have the potential to introduce exotic species small break room, a law enforcement ranger and, if left unscreened, it could add to the office, cooperating association storage and existing visual intrusions along the southern work area, and general storage. The config- boundary. uration and size of this area do not allow it to meet the national monument’s functional If the school land northeast of the national needs. monument was filled and developed, flooding problems in the national monument would increase. Boundary and Cross-Boundary Concerns School District Land. On the northeast Exotic Plants. The national monument is boundary of Pipestone National Monument, working to restore native tallgrass prairie just south of the Minnesota West Community vegetation within the boundary. This is made and Technical College, are 15.3 acres belong- more difficult in areas where nonnative vege- ing to the local school district. This parcel of

10 Purpose, Need, and Scoping land, which has direct access to Hiawatha sageway serves as an office for the chief of Avenue, has been zoned for development by maintenance and also accommodates supply the city of Pipestone. Development is storage. occurring across Hiawatha Avenue to the east, and it is logical to conclude that the school The visitor center shows the typical problems district land also will be developed in the of an older building — occasional roof leaks, future. small and inadequate restrooms and workspace, limited library space and Scenic Resources. The view of the prairie collection storage, inadequate storage for landscape is interrupted on the southwestern supplies, and no conference rooms. The office vista by large powerline towers and a 200-foot portion is not large enough to handle the wind turbine. Wind power is a recently dis- current staff size, so the staff offices are split covered natural resource in southwestern between this and a converted residence. The Minnesota, and initial planning for the devel- space available for the cooperating opment of wind farms and individually owned association’s office, sales area, and storage is wind turbines has begun. Pipestone National also inadequate, necessitating the rental of Monument has eight potential cultural land- offsite storage space. scapes and one ethnographic landscape. The development of wind farms and wind turbines The maintenance facility, which also is in the within the viewsheds of the national monu- building described above, is inadequate for ment would be inconsistent with the scenic the kinds of activities that are required of it values of these landscapes. today. It is inefficient and lacks storage space. It is necessary to leave the garage doors open When Pipestone National Monument was during some functions such as painting and created, the surrounding lands were agricul- sanding for health reasons (even in winter). It tural, and there were few obstructions to lacks office space, is far from the storage yard views from the national monument all the way for large items, has limited covered storage for to the horizon. Now, as the city of Pipestone vehicles, and is adjacent to the Circle Trail. has grown closer to the national monument, This is one of the few maintenance facilities and as developments have appeared within anywhere in the national park system that is view, the sense of open, endless prairie that physically part of a visitor center. was the setting for the quarries is being compromised. The cultural and ethnographic The plumbing and electrical systems are dated landscape of the national monument and the and not up to current codes. The heating, aesthetic values of the prairie are becoming ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) units more difficult for visitors to picture and for are subject to recurring problems and are in- interpreters to explain. adequate to heat and cool the building. The building lacks insulation and therefore is un- comfortable in both summer and winter. The Facilities air handling system does not completely remove pipestone dust from the air, but the dust Building Inadequacies. The national monu- does not appear to pose a health hazard under ment’s visitor center / administrative and maintenance building was constructed in two current standards. (According to the Septem- phases. The first phase containing these com- ber 28, 2001, memorandum from Industrial ponents was completed in 1958. The second Hygienist, U.S. Department of the Interior, phase added the Upper Midwest Indian Cul- “personal exposures to respirable silica were tural Center in 1972. A garage bay and enclo- well below any of the occupational exposure standards.”) However, a film of pipestone sure of the passageway to the maintenance area were added in 1985. The enclosed pas- 11

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN dust appears throughout the building, necessi- monial activity at the national monument. A tating constant cleaning. thorough understanding of all positions is needed to make informed decisions. Because ISSUES NOT ADDRESSED IN THIS PLAN Congress has specifically addressed these activities (see Code of Federal Regulations, 36 Deauthorization CFR 7.42), giving purview to the superintendent of Pipestone National Monument, During scoping for this plan, various Ameri- issues surrounding permits will not be can Indian individuals and groups asked about discussed further in this plan. continued NPS management of Pipestone Na- tional Monument. Many American Indians Cultural Resource Issues consider this area sacred. Some have said they feel that its status as a national monument di- Quarry Safety. As the quarries are worked, minishes the sacredness of the site. Because the rubble from the process becomes a safety authorizing new units of the national park concern for the quarrier. Quarriers are ex- system and deauthorizing existing units is the pected to construct walls of quarried quartzite responsibility of Congress, this plan does not rock to hold back the rubble. However, as evaluate the option of deauthorizing Pipe- quarries become deeper and rubble piles get stone National Monument. Such an action larger, there is a greater possibility of accident would follow a request by Congress for the for both the public and the quarriers. Visitors National Park Service to evaluate the positive are warned not to climb on rubble piles and to and negative effects of that option. Until Con- stay on the trails. The violation of these re- gress makes such a request, deauthorization is quirements is a matter of enforcement rather not within the scope or authority of this plan. than an issue normally dealt with in a general management plan. Permit Changes The national monument instructs quarriers Some American Indians have said they think about the importance of wall construction and the amount of stone quarried should be con- methods for safe quarrying. Further, the na- trolled by the National Park Service or tribal tional monument staff monitors the quarries authority. Others suggest that pipestone to identify unsafe conditions and has the abil- should be quarried by the National Park Ser- ity to enforce the safety conditions described vice, with American Indian employees, or it in the permit. At some point, the depth of the should be provided to American Indians at no quarry and the difficulty of moving the over- cost. Still others question the appropriateness burden out of the quarry will dictate that the of the items carved and want the National quarry be abandoned. In such a situation, Park Service to limit the production of sacred safety is a matter of permit enforcement rather objects for sale only to American Indians. than a general management plan issue.

The National Park Service oversees the per- Limits on Quarrying. Some American Indian mits under which American Indians are al- groups have said they believe that it is appro- lowed to quarry pipestone. Once quarried, the priate to allow only a defined amount of exca- pipestone is the property of the quarrier, and vation, and they want the national monument the National Park Service cannot control what to set limits or allow them to set limits. Again, is carved. the superintendent has the discretion to set appropriate limits on quarrying, so this is not a There is much disagreement and misunder- general management plan issue (see discus- standing about what is appropriate in the sion of the regulations, p. 16). quarrying process, pipemaking, and cere-

12 Purpose, Need, and Scoping

Natural Resource Issues from quarries onto the prairie to provide early season access are unknown. Hydrology, Water Quality. Runoff from the city of Pipe- vegetation, soils, and threatened or stone and byproducts from agriculture into endangered species might be affected by water Pipestone Creek degrade water quality in the pumped out of the quarries and onto the national monument and may affect species of prairie. The water quality is unknown. concern and rare habitats. Because concentra- Sometimes pumping the quarries is an tions of fecal coliform have exceeded water ineffective tool, since they often refill as they quality standards, Minnesota has listed Pipe- are being pumped. This issue will not be dealt stone Creek as an impaired water body (Minn. with in this plan. However, a hydrology and Pollution Control Agency 1984). This issue, ecology study is proposed to determine any brought up in scoping, cannot be solved by mitigation measures that might be needed and the General Management Plan because most to understand all other issues surrounding factors affecting the water quality of Pipestone pumping. Creek originate outside the national monument. However, the National Park Service IMPACT TOPICS (RESOURCES would coordinate with local governments, AND VALUES AT STAKE IN landowners, or the state to improve water THE PLANNING PROCESS) quality. Impact topics are aspects of the environment To ensure that activities in the national that National Park Service staff, the public, or monument would not introduce pollutants others believe could be affected by actions in into Pipestone Creek, the National Park one or more of the alternatives. Specific im- Service would follow the “servicewide laws pact topics were developed for discussion and and policies” described later in this chapter (p. to allow comparison of the environmental 25) and the “Mitigation and Additional consequences of each alternative. These im- Studies” section in the “Alternatives” chapter. pact topics were identified on the basis of fed- (p. 87). eral laws, regulations, and executive orders; NPS Management Policies 2006; and NPS New Quarries. Studies have indicated that knowledge of limited or easily affected re- there are adequate quantities of pipestone in sources. A brief rationale for the selection of the national monument, although the pipe- each impact topic is given below. stone layer declines at a 6% slope to the east. There is a concern that quarrying will become so difficult (because of the depth and overbur- Cultural Resources den) that current methods of excavation will become infeasible. Opening more quarries Cultural resource impact topics were selected might affect the natural resources. The open- on the basis of major values identified in the ing or closing of quarries is at the discretion of national monument’s enabling legislation, val- the superintendent, who must balance the sig- ues identified in the scoping process, and ap- nificance of any natural resources with the plicable laws and executive orders pertaining legislated purpose of the national monument to cultural resources (the 1966 National His- and other applicable laws before making a toric Preservation Act, the National Environ- decision (see discussion of the regulations, p. mental Policy Act). The topics are ethno- 16). This is not a general management plan graphic resources, collections, historic struc- issue. tures, and cultural landscapes.

Pumping. The effects on natural resources Opening any new pipestone quarries is at the from pumping spring runoff and groundwater discretion of the superintendent of the nation-

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN al monument. In any future year, to open new mesic crystalline bedrock prairie quarries before issuing the annual quarrying restored tallgrass prairie permits would require taking into account wetlands and riparian corridor natural resource and cultural resource factors. floodplains The latter would include the desire to make hydrology the quarries as accessible as possible to Ameri- soils can Indians wanting to quarry, while at the wildlife same time balancing the need to preserve threatened or endangered species (Topeka natural resources. Whether the number of shiner and western prairie fringed orchid) quarriers is restricted or enlarged in any given year would depend on how the superinten- Table 1 (p. 22) contains a complete list of dent determined the number of permits to federally listed threatened, endangered, and issue that year. candidate species and state-listed threatened, endangered, and special concern species. Ethnographic resources, which make up much These listings were provided by the U.S. Fish of the national monument’s collections, land- and Wildlife Service and the state of Minne- scapes, and exhibits, are the focus for much of sota. The table shows whether each species the story of Pipestone National Monument. will be an impact topic or has been dismissed Several sites that are sacred to American In- as an impact topic. dians are, at the same time, important interpretive locales in the national monument. This Visitor Experience plan proposes actions that would affect some or all of these resources. The planning team identified the visitor experience as an important topic that would be Collections, historic structures, and cultural affected appreciably under all the alternatives. landscapes will be directly affected by the de- Visitor experience involves such things as visi- cisions made in a general management plan. tor enjoyment, freedom to go at one’s own Both the collections and the historic struc- pace, orientation, interpretation, and access. tures are in a floodplain, so this plan suggests various ways to protect them. Actions that would involve various levels of treatment for Socioeconomic Environment specific areas of the national monument’s landscape are proposed in this plan. Analyzing the local economic impacts provides the context for evaluating the possible effects on the local economy that could result Natural Resources from adopting any of the alternatives. In addition, the national monument has neighbors The planning team selected nine natural re- that could be affected by the plan alternatives. source impact topics. The selection was based The impact topics discussed are the local and on the major values or issues the team identi- regional economy. fied early in the planning process, as well as on applicable laws and executive orders (for example, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as National Monument Operations amended; Executive Order [EO] 11988, “floodplain management”; and EO 11990, The alternatives proposed in this plan could “protection of wetlands”). The following as- affect NPS operations in the national monu- pects of the natural environment will be im- ment; therefore, this topic will be considered pact topics because the actions of the alterna- for each alternative. Items in the operations tives might affect them: category are staffing, maintenance, facilities, remnant tallgrass prairie

14 Purpose, Need, and Scoping emergency response time, and ability to office and the associated tribes. It also should enforce regulations. be noted here that all actions with the potential to affect cultural resources would be the IMPACT TOPICS CONSIDERED subjects of consultation with the Minnesota BUT DISMISSED FROM state historic preservation office and, if necessary, the Advisory Council of Historic FURTHER CONSIDERATION Preservation, as appropriate. Archeology (The term traditionally associated peoples is About 95% of Pipestone National Monument defined in appendix A, p. 287. Traditional, has been systematically surveyed archeologic- used as an adjective in this document, as in ally. Because of the thorough archeological traditional practices or traditional cultural surveying and inventorying that has been con- practices, connotes a contemporary interest in ducted, archeological resources as an impact Pipestone National Monument linked to a topic is dismissed from further consideration tribe’s, a family’s, a group’s, or a people’s cul- in this General Management Plan / Environ- tural heritage and social identity involved in mental Impact Statement. The amount of the past with what is now the national ground disturbance for proposed develop- monument.) ment in the three “action” alternatives would be minimal, and known archeological resour- Indian Trust Resources ces would be avoided by any development proposed, such as a new parking lot or new President Clinton’s April 29, 1994, “Memo- segments of existing trails as rerouted. Poten- randum for the Heads of Executive Depart- tial new facility sites would be resurveyed for ments and Agencies” directs that archeological resources, and the National Park Service would follow other steps de- Each executive department and agency scribed in “Management Requirements for shall assess the impact of federal govern- Cultural Resources” (beginning on p. 26). ment plans, projects, programs, and activities on tribal trust resources and Any sites discovered would be evaluated for assure that tribal government rights and their eligibility for listing in the National concerns are considered during the Register of Historic Places in their own right development of such plans, projects, or as an amendment to the existing national programs, and activities. register listing for the entire national monu- Order 3175 of the secretary of the interior, ment. Archeological monitoring procedures November 8, 1993, says the following: would be put in place to deal with any inadvertent discoveries of artifacts or human re- The heads of bureaus and offices are mains. If discoveries were made, construction responsible for being aware of the impact underway would be stopped immediately, the of their plans, projects, programs or activ- national monument’s superintendent would ities on Indian trust resources. Bureaus be notified, and proper consultation would be and offices when engaged in the planning initiated with the state historic preservation of any proposed project or action will office and the American Indian tribes tradi- ensure that any anticipated effects on tionally associated with Pipestone National Indian trust resources are explicitly ad- Monument. dressed in the planning, decision and operational documents. These documents Any sites found to be potentially affected should clearly state the rationale for the would be the subjects of appropriate consul- recommended decision and explain how tations with the state historic preservation 15

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

the decision will be consistent with the The text of the act — “An Act to Establish the department’s trust responsibilities. Pipestone National Monument in the State of Minnesota” — of August 25, 1937, is reprinted In addition to the executive and secretarial in appendix B. Section 1 establishes that Con- orders, the NPS planning process requires the gress created the national monument “for the evaluation of potential Indian trust resources benefit and enjoyment of the people of the in planning documents. That is, are Indian United States.” Section 2 states that the na- trust resources present or not? The planning tional monument shall be managed by the team has concluded that there are no Indian National Park Service under the direction of trust resources at Pipestone, and the subject the secretary of the interior consistent with will not be an impact topic for the following the provisions of the Organic Act of the Na- reasons: tional Park Service — “An Act to Establish a a. One definition of tribal trust resources is National Park Service” — of August 25, 1916. “those natural resources, either on or off The Organic Act requires the secretary of the Indian lands, retained by, or reserved by interior through the National Park Service “to or for Indian tribes through treaties, conserve the scenery and the natural and his- statutes, judicial decisions, and executive toric objects and the wild life therein and to orders, which are protected by a fiduciary provide for the enjoyment of the same in such [trust] obligation on the part of the United manner and by such means as will leave them States” (subsection B, section 3, Secretarial unimpaired for the enjoyment of future Order 3206, Bruce Babbitt, June 5, 1997). generations” of all Americans. None of the lands in Pipestone are trust resources according to this definition. It is section 3 of the 1937 enabling legislation that speaks of “the quarrying of the red pipe- b. The planning team considered whether stone” as “reserved to Indians of all tribes.” the red catlinite pipestone in Pipestone Section 3 adds that the quarrying is to occur National Monument or the national “under regulations to be prescribed by the monument itself should be regarded as an Secretary of the Interior.” The National Park Indian trust resource. The lands com- Service believes that “the quarrying of the prising Pipestone National Monument in red pipestone . . . reserved to Indians of all southwestern Minnesota are not held in tribes . . . under regulations to be prescribed trust by the secretary of the interior for by the Secretary of the Interior” recognized a the benefit of American Indians because historic and cultural use of the resource. But of their status as American Indians. The such recognition does not translate into the National Park Service has considered creation of a trust resource because the quar- whether when, in 1937, Congress created rying is to take place in the context of first the national monument and “reserved to managing and preserving the pipestone for the Indians of all tribes . . . the quarrying of benefit of all Americans as required by both the red pipestone” within the national the Organic Act and the enabling legislation. monument, the pipestone became a trust resource for the benefit and use of Indians The current regulations are reprinted below. or tribes. The National Park Service has They are published in the Code of Federal concluded it did not. In other words, the Regulations (36 CFR 7.42) July 1, 2000, enabling legislation’s reservation of the revision, and first published for Pipestone quarrying of pipestone “to Indians of all National Monument in the Federal Register tribes” did not establish an Indian trust (34 FR 5377) on March 19, 1969. resource just because it was being done on behalf of American Indians. “[Volume] 36 [Part] 7 [Section] 42, Pipestone National Monument [36 CFR 7.42]:

16 Purpose, Need, and Scoping

(a) An American Indian desiring to quarry the alternatives would not significantly and work ‘Catlinite’ pipestone shall first and adversely affect any minority or low- secure a permit from the Superintendent. income population or community. The Superintendent shall issue a permit to • any American Indian applicant, Provided The alternatives would not result in any that: (1) In the judgment of the Superin- identified effects that would be specific to tendent, the number of permittees then any minority or low-income community. quarrying or working the pipestone is not • The planning team actively solicited pub- so large as to be inconsistent with preser- lic comments during the development of vation of the deposit and (2) a suitable this plan and gave equal consideration to area is available for conduct of the opera- all input, regardless of the commenter’s tion. The permit shall be issued without charge and shall be valid only during the age, race, income status, or other socio- calendar year in which it is issued. economic or demographic factors. • “(b) An American Indian desiring to sell The staff of Pipestone National Monu- handicraft products produced by him, ment has consulted and worked with the members of his family, or by other Indians various American Indian communities and under his supervision or under contract to will continue to do so in cooperative him, including pipestone articles, shall efforts to improve communications and apply to the Superintendent. The Superin- resolve any problems that occur. No ef- tendent shall grant the permit provided fects were identified that would dispro- that (1) in his judgment the number of portionately and adversely affect Ameri- permittees selling handicraft products is can Indians. not so large as to be inconsistent with the • enjoyment of visitors to the Pipestone Effects on the socioeconomic environ- National Monument and (2) a suitable ment due to the alternatives would be area is available for conduct of the opera- minor or positive and would occur mostly tion. The permit shall be issued without within the local and regional geographic charge and shall be valid only during the area near the national monument. These calendar year in which it is issued.” effects would not occur at one time but would be spread over a number of years. Environmental Justice The effects on the socioeconomic environment would not substantially alter the Executive Order (EO) 12898 requires that physical and social structure of the nearby federal agencies identify and address dis- communities. proportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority Sioux Quartzite Rock Formation and low-income populations. None of the and Sioux Quartzite Prairie proposed alternatives would have a dispro- portionately high and adverse effect on any Sioux quartzite, old metamorphosed sand- minority or low-income population or com- stone, is the dominant geologic feature of the munity. This conclusion is based on the fol- national monument. It forms a prominent es- lowing information: carpment (cliff face) trending south to north through the eastern part of the national • The proposed developments and actions monument. The outcrops provide unique in the alternatives would not result in any habitat for many plant species not found else- identifiable adverse human health effects. where in the prairie; therefore, this is known • The impacts on the natural and physical as the Sioux quartzite prairie. According to the environment that would occur in any of memorandum of understanding with the Min-

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN nesota Natural Heritage Register, “The rock erations, stormwater runoff, recreational use, outcrop flora, however, appears to be fairly and atmospheric deposition. well protected from threat due to its unsuitability for other uses” (Minn. DNR 1983b). Pipestone Creek is listed on the state of Min- The Sioux quartzite prairie at Pipestone Na- nesota’s 303D list of streams that do not meet tional Monument represents one of the least water quality standards. It was placed on the disturbed examples of this rare community list because it contains high bacterial counts. type globally (NPS 2001a). Bacterial counts could affect visitors getting into the water. For this reason, signs and The Nature Conservancy has designated the national monument employees advise visitors 20 acres of Sioux Quartzite prairie type as “en- not to enter Pipestone Creek. dangered throughout its range” and cites the national monument’s Sioux quartzite out- The water quality of Pipestone Creek might be crops as one of the few intact examples of this affected by the actions of the alternatives such rare community type. Considering the impor- as construction, removing facilities, or relo- tance of the globally significant outcrops and cating the bridge on Pipestone Creek below associated vegetation, there are no actions Winnewissa Falls. Actions such as construc- proposed in the alternatives that would affect tion, removing facilities, or relocating the these aspects of the natural environment. New bridge would use best management practices development, including trails, would avoid such as the placement of silt fences to ensure these resources. Manual weed control would that construction-related effects would be continue. Monitoring of water levels in exist- minimal and to prevent long-term impacts on ing wells would detect changes in water levels, water quality from the displacement of soils. if any, caused by the pumping of quarries so Construction materials would be kept in work that pumping could be mitigated or stopped if areas, especially if the construction took place necessary. Because actions that would affect near streams or natural drainages. the outcrops would be avoided in every alternative, there would be no impacts on the The National Park Service would coordinate Sioux quartzite rock formation and the Sioux with local governments, landowners, or the quartzite prairie. Therefore, they will not be state and would take the actions described in impact topics in this document. this section.

To ensure that activities in the national monu- Water Quality ment do not introduce pollutants to Pipestone Creek, the national monument staff would Most factors affecting the water quality of continue to implement the actions described Pipestone Creek originate outside the national under “Servicewide Laws and Policies,” (be- monument. The Water Resources Division of ginning on page 25) under the headings “Wa- the National Park Service retrieved surface ter Resources,” “Floodplains,” and “Wetlands water quality data for Pipestone National and Riparian Corridor.” The staff also would Monument from six of the U.S. Environ- implement the mitigating measures described mental Protection Agency’s national data- under “Mitigation and Additional Studies,” bases. On the basis of the data inventories and beginning on page 87. analyses contained in its report, the Water Resources Division concluded that surface A group of stakeholders is working to set up a waters in the study area appear to have been watershed council that would address water affected by human activities. Potential human- quality issues. However, because the water- caused sources of contaminants are municipal shed covers more than 30 square miles and the wastewater discharges, agricultural opera- national monument covers only 282 acres, tions, residential development, gravel pit op-

18 Purpose, Need, and Scoping national monument actions are unlikely to The section of land along the west boundary, affect water quality appreciably. which was added to the national monument in the 1950s, was farmed, and grazing probably Adhering to servicewide laws and policies and occurred in other areas of the national monu- implementing the mitigating measures de- ment. Although historically sections of the scribed in this document would reduce the national monument were farmed, the Natural potential impacts to a negligible level and a Resources Conservation Service advises that short-term duration. Therefore, water quality the land at Pipestone National Monument is not an impact topic in this document. probably never was used for commercial cropland. In the 1930s, when the national Water Quantity monument was established, farming in the area was family farming, in which food and In all alternatives of this plan, water for use by fiber were grown for the use of family and visitors and national monument employees livestock. There were no cash crops. would come from the city of Pipestone. The water for personal consumption is abundant. NRCS records do not go back to the 1930s; Therefore, water quantity will not be a topic therefore, it is most reasonable to conclude for impact analysis. that family subsistence farming was the type of farming, if any, that was taking place in the area that is now the national monument Prime and Unique Farmland (NRCS, Jerry Purdin, District Conservationist, Pipestone, MN, pers. comm., 11/6/01). In August 1980, the Council on Environ- mental Quality (CEQ) directed that federal Because prime farmland in the national monu- agencies must assess the effects of their ac- ment was not used to produce cash crops, it is tions on farmland soils classified as prime or not necessary to prepare an NRCS form AD unique by the Natural Resources Conserva- 1006, “Farmland Conversion Impact Read- tion Service (NRCS), U.S. Department of ing,” and prime farmland need not be consid- Agriculture. Prime or unique farmland is de- ered as an impact topic in this document fined as soil that produces general crops such (NRCS, Ken Matzdorf, Technical Soils Ser- as common foods, forage, fiber, and oil seed. vices Coordinator, Saint Paul, MN, 11/07/01). Unique farmland produces specialty crops Therefore, this topic has been dismissed from such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts. According further consideration. to the Natural Resources Conservation Ser- vice, the following seven soil types in Pipe- stone National Monument occupy approxi- Threatened or Endangered Species mately 50% of the national monument and are and Species of Special Concern classified as prime farmlands: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Athelwold silty clay loam state of Minnesota have provided lists of spe- Brookings silty clay loam, 0–3% slopes cies that may possibly occur in the national Ihlen silty clay loam, 0–2% slopes monument (see appendix C). Some species Kranzburg silty clay loam, 0–2% slopes that might be affected by the actions of the Kranzburg silty clay loam, 2–4% slopes alternatives will be impact topics. Others Kranzburg silty clay loam, 3–6% slopes, would not be affected and have been dis- eroded missed as impact topics for this document. Vienna silty clay loam, 3–6% slopes, eroded (VbB2) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists the following federally listed threatened (T),

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN endangered (E), and candidate (C) species for Act of 1977. In a class II area, moderate degra- Pipestone County: dation of air quality is allowed. The national monument is in the airshed of a city of about Topeka shiner (E) 4,500 people. No air quality monitoring sta- Western prairie fringed orchid (T) tions are nearby. There have been no air qual- Dakota skipper (C) ity problems in the national monument except Two federally listed species will be topics for odors and dust from agricultural activities. impact assessment, Topeka shiner (endan- Actions of the alternatives that have the po- gered) and western prairie fringed orchid tential to affect air quality are demolition, con- (threatened). Also see table 1. struction, and the use of heavy equipment. The Minnesota Natural Heritage Database, Adhering to servicewide laws and policies and Element Occurrence Records, “List of Known implementing the mitigating measures de- Rare Features in Pipestone National Monu- scribed in this document would reduce the ment Sorted by Class and Element Name” lists potential impacts to a negligible level and a the following special status species at the na- short-term duration. Therefore, air quality tional monument. These species are associ- will not be a topic for impact assessment. ated with the Sioux quartzite prairie: Public Health and Safety water-hyssop buffalo grass The proposed developments and actions in short-pointed umbrella-sedge the alternatives would not result in any identi- mud plantain fiable human health or safety impacts, either blackfoot quillwort direct or indirect. The alternatives were de- mudwort signed to take these factors into consideration hairy water clover and to remove them wherever possible. plains prickly pear tumble grass slender plantain Energy Requirements and Conservation Potential None of the alternatives would affect Sioux quartzite prairie; therefore, these species have Some alternatives describe the need for new been dismissed as impact topics. facilities, some for the expansion of facilities. The actions of the alternatives could affect Several state-listed species have been dis- energy consumption through the use of large missed. It is unlikely that Henslow’s sparrow machinery to construct or demolish facilities, can be found in the national monument be- through the design of new facilities or addi- cause, even though it was sighted in the nations to facilities, and through the use of tional monument in 1985, it was not found in equipment to maintain the national monu- the grassland bird inventory in 2000. There- ment and for such activities as pumping fore, Henslow’s sparrow has been dismissed quarries and restoring prairie. as an impact topic. Two species have been dismissed because the national monument has no Energy consumption in buildings and utilities documented observations of them: the Dakota would be considered in alternative design skipper and a lichen (Buella nigra). concepts. The maximum energy saving concepts would be implemented in consistency Air Quality with fiscal constraints. As has been mentioned (p. 11), the facilities in the national monument Pipestone National Monument is classified as are outdated, with serious problems in heat- a class II area under the National Clean Air ing, ventilating, and air conditioning systems.

20 Purpose, Need, and Scoping

Without detailed designs for all structures, it is possible to say only that energy consumption would be minimized as much as possible with the use of the latest energy-saving measures and “green design.” However, in any action alternative, rehabilitation or expansion would involve improvements to current energy

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

TABLE 1: SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES AND CRITICAL HABITAT AT PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT

Designated Found in I = Impact Topic Critical National D = Dismissed as Species Status Habitat Monument Potential Presence in Project Area an Impact Topic [FE= federal endangered; FT= federal threatened; FC=federal candidate; SE= state endangered; ST= state threatened; SS= state special concern.] Western prairie fringed or- FT no yes Potential habitat: Western mesic prairies and sedge meadows—present. Species I chid (Platanthera praeclara) SE present in national monument. Topeka shiner FE yes yes Potential habitat: Prairie rivers and streams; first order prairie streams—present. I (Notropis topeka) SS Species present in national monument in Pipestone Creek. Dakota skipper FC no no Potential habitat: native mixed-grass prairie to tallgrass prairie—present. Species not (Hesperia dacotae) ST present in monument; no documented observations of this species; therefore, it will D not be an impact topic. Henslow’s sparrow SE no Potential habitat: tall grasses, wetter areas—present. Species not present in national (Ammodramus henslowii) monument; was present in 1985 (Snyder 1986). Not recorded in 1998 bird survey D (NPS 2000b). Unlikely that species is present now, so it would not be affected by any alternative of this plan. Water hyssop SS yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite prairie—present. Species present in the national D (Bacopa rotundifolia) monument. Buffalo grass SS yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite prairie—present. Species present in the national D (Buchloe dactyloides) monument. Lichen SE no Potential habitat present. Species not known to be present in national monument. (Buella nigra) Not listed in 1984 “Changes in the Lichen Flora of Pipestone National Monument, D Minnesota,” by Gary D. Wilson and Timothy W. Vinyard in The Prairie Naturalist 8(1): 9–14. Short-pointed umbrella- ST yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite cliffs near wet pools—present. Whether species still D sedge (Cyperus acuminatus) can be found in the national monument is uncertain. Mud plantain ST yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite prairie—present. Species can be found in the D (Heteranthera limosa) national monument. Blackfoot quillwort SE yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite prairie—present. Whether species still can be found D (Isoetes melanopoda) in the national monument is uncertain. Mudwort SS yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite prairie—present. Species can be found in the D (Limosella aquatica) national monument. Hairy water clover (hairy SE yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite prairie—present. Species can be found in the pepperwort) national monument. D (Marsilea vestita) Plains prickly pear SS yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite prairie—present. Species can be found in the D (Opuntia macrohiza) national monument. Slender plantain (long-leaf ST yes Potential habitat: ephemeral pools in Sioux quartzite—present. Whether species still D plantain) (Plantago elongata) can be found in the national monument is uncertain. Tumble grass SS yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite prairie—present. Species can be found in the D (Schedonnardus paniculatus) national monument. * On June 13, 2002, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published an updated list of candidates for Endangered Species Act listing. The Dakota skipper was listed in several states, including Minnesota. NPS management policies require that candidates for listing be treated the same as listed species would be. Pipestone is well within the current range of this primitive type of butterfly. On March 30, 2004, the species was still listed as “candidate.”

22 Purpose, Need, and Scoping inefficiencies. The difference in energy drive north on Hiawatha Avenue to Reserva- consumption among the action alternatives tion Avenue, then turn west into the national would be minimal. The facilities in each action monument. Only during special events such as alternative would be expected to be the Hiawatha Pageant or the Watertower Fes- comparable to or more energy-efficient than tival do city streets and highways become con- the existing facilities. gested. None of the alternatives described would appreciably alter traffic on any highway In addition, to minimize energy consumption, or city street, so there would be no impact on the national monument staff would follow the traffic. The topic has been considered and principles described in the “Sustainable dismissed. Design and Development” table under “Servicewide Laws and Policies” (p. 87). Conflicts with Local Land Use Therefore, energy consumption will not be a Plans and Policies topic for impact assessment. Pipestone National Monument is in con- Traffic formance with all local land use plans, policies, or controls. The staff of the national One U.S. Highway and two state highways monument works closely with city and county (MN 23 and 30) bisect the city of Pipestone. governments to ensure that its actions do not conflict in any way with those of local govern- Most visitors either exit the north-south U.S. ment. No alternative would be implemented if 75, turning west on Reservation Avenue and such conflicts could not be resolved. following it into the national monument, or

LAWS, POLICIES, AND MANDATES

Each unit in the national park system is guided • The national monument is significant as a by agencywide and park-specific laws, regula- sacred site associated with American In- tions, and policies. Understanding this guid- dian spiritual beliefs and cultural activities. ance and how it affects each unit’s mission is • Pipestone National Monument is signifi- fundamental to planning for the future. This cant for its history of American Indian and section highlights the missions (expressed as European–American contact and explora- purpose, significance, and mission goals) and tion in the early 1800s, specific quarrying legal and policy mandates that guide the man- rights, and the Pipestone Indian School agement of Pipestone National Monument. (1893–1953). These mission and mandate statements define the parameters within which all management • Pipestone National Monument protects a actions must fall. All alternatives to be con- significant cultural/ethnographic sidered in the general management planning landscape. effort must be consistent with and contribute • Pipestone National Monument is signifi- to fulfilling these missions and mandates. cant for the landscape it protects, which consists of the tallgrass prairie that devel- NATIONAL MONUMENT PURPOSE oped in association with the site’s distinct geologic and hydrologic features. These The legislative purpose of Pipestone National features combine to provide an unusual Monument is threefold: array of habitats supporting a diverse as- • to administer and protect the pipestone sortment of prairie plants and animals and quarries, reserving the quarrying of rare habitats, federally listed threatened pipestone for Indians of all tribes and endangered species, and globally rare remnant plant communities. • to preserve, protect, and interpret the cultural and natural resources associated with Pipestone National Monument MISSION AND THEMES • to provide for the enjoyment and benefit Mission Goals of all people • Continue to provide for American Indian NATIONAL MONUMENT use and access for the quarrying of the SIGNIFICANCE pipestone and cultural uses. • Preserve and protect cultural and natural The following statements identify significant resources. cultural and natural components of Pipestone National Monument’s ethnographic • Provide for the public use, enjoyment, and landscape. understanding of Pipestone National • Pipestone National Monument is signifi- Monument. cant as the only location where American Indians have quarried the red pipestone Interpretive Themes (catlinite) from very early times to the • In traditional and contemporary American present. Indian cultures, pipes represent both a symbolic and tangible connection to their spiritual and everyday life.

24 Laws, Policies, and Mandates

• The perpetuation of the ancient practice research and teaching of conservation and of quarrying pipestone by hand at Pipe- for the preservation of valuable plant and stone National Monument illustrates the animal species and communities. Specific vitality and continuity of American Indian features of interest are the Sioux Quartzite cultures in the 21st century. Prairie, Sioux Quartzite Outcrops and eleven species designated endangered, • Many American Indians regard the land- threatened, or of special concern to the scape protected at Pipestone National state. Monument with reverence and respect as a sacred and spiritual place of great im- Nine federally listed and/or state listed species portance and significance — a place to are now present in the national monument. honor traditional ways and celebrate living cultures. SERVICEWIDE LAWS AND POLICIES • For many generations, American Indians gathered in the area of the national monu- As with all units of the national park system, ment to seek the sacred red stone, cat- the management of Pipestone National linite. When European–Americans en- Monument is guided by the 1916 Organic Act tered the surrounding area to farm its fer- (which created the National Park Service), the tile prairie soils, misunderstanding and General Authorities Act of 1970, the act of tensions inevitably developed over the March 27, 1978, relating to the management profoundly different beliefs about the of the national park system, and other ap- meaning and significance of the land. plicable federal laws and regulations such as the Endangered Species Act and the National • The unique components of the remnant Historic Preservation Act. Actions are also prairie ecosystem thus far have demon- guided by NPS Management Policies 2006 and strated resilience to past patterns of land the enabling legislation (see appendix B). use in and around Pipestone National Monument. The survival of this fragile Many resource conditions and some aspects prairie through conservation offers proof of the visitor experience are prescribed by that persistence can overcome adversity. these legal mandates and NPS policies. Al- though attaining some of these conditions has SPECIAL MANDATES AND been deferred in the national monument be- ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITMENTS cause of funding or staffing limitations, the National Park Service will continue to strive to Pipestone National Monument is listed in the implement these requirements with or with- National Register of Historic Places. out a new general management plan. This plan is not needed to decide, for instance, whether The memorandum of understanding of 1983 or not it is appropriate to protect endangered between the National Park Service and the species, control exotic species, improve water state placed Pipestone National Monument quality, protect archeological sites, provide on the Minnesota Natural Heritage Register access for visitors with disabilities, permit because it has features of Minnesota’s natural quarrying of pipestone, or conserve artifacts. diversity. According to the memorandum of understanding, The conditions prescribed by laws, regulations, and policies most pertinent to the These lands are vital to the development planning and management of the national and maintenance of a system of areas with monument are summarized in the following scientific and/or natural values for the sections.

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

Management Requirements for Cultural Resources

The management requirements for archeological resources, ethnographic resources, (see definition in the “Affected Environment chapter, p. 103), historic structures, cultural landscapes, resources, and museum collections and archives are delineated below.

Archeological Resources Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved in national park system units: Desired Conditions Source Archeological sites will be identified and inventoried and National Historic Preservation Act; Archeological their significance determined and documented. Archeo- Resources Protection Act; The Secretary of the logical sites will be protected in an undisturbed condition Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology unless it is determined through formal processes that dis- and Historic Preservation; programmatic memo- turbance or natural deterioration is unavoidable. When randum of agreement among the National Park disturbance or deterioration is unavoidable, the site will be Service, the Advisory Council on Historic Pres- professionally documented and salvaged in consultation ervation, and the National Council of State Historic with the state historic preservation officer and American Preservation Officers (1995); NPS Management Indian tribes. Policies 2006 Compliance Actions The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related to archeological sites: • Treat all archeological resources as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places pending a formal determination by the National Park Service and the Minnesota state historic preservation office as to their significance. • Protect all archeological resources eligible for listing in or listed in the national register. If disturbing such resources is unavoidable, conduct formal consultation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, as appropriate, the state historic preservation officer, and when appropriate, affiliated American Indian tribes in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act and implementing regulations.

Ethnographic Resources. Certain contemporary American Indian and other communities are permitted by law, regulation, or policy to pursue customary religious, subsistence, and other cultural uses of NPS resources with which they are traditionally associated. Recognizing that its resource protection mandate affects this human use and cultural context of national monument resources, the National Park Service plans and executes programs in ways to safeguard cultural and natural resources while reflecting informed concern for contemporary peoples and cultures traditionally associated with them (also see appendix A).

Ethnographic Resources Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved in national park system units: Desired Conditions Source Appropriate cultural anthropological research sites will be National Historic Preservation Act; Advisory conducted with groups associated with the national Council on Historic Preservation implementing monument. regulations; NPS Management Policies 2006 All agencies, including the National Park Service, are required EO 13007 on American Indian Sacred Sites; to accommodate access to and ceremonial use of Indian American Indian Religious Freedom Act sacred sites by Indian religious practitioners and avoid adversely affecting the physical integrity of sacred sites.

Laws, Policies, and Mandates

Ethnographic Resources (continued) Desired Conditions Source Management decisions will reflect knowledge about and under- NPS Management Policies 2006 standing of potentially affect Native American cultures and people, gained through research and consultations with the potentially affected groups. Resources based on ethnographic inventory results will be evaluated for eligibility and listing in the National Register of Historic Places as traditional cultural properties as appropriate according to the relevant peoples involved. NPS general regulations on access to and use of natural and cultural EO 13007 on American Indian Sacred Sites; resources in parks will be applied in an informed and balanced American Indian Religious Freedom Act; manner consistent with national monument purposes, and the NPS Management Policies 2006 National Park Service will not unreasonably interfere with any American Indian use of traditional areas or sacred resources that does not result in the degradation of resources. Other federal agencies, state and local governments, potentially National Historic Preservation Act; pro- affected American Indian and other communities, interested grammatic memorandum of agreement groups, the state historic preservation officer, and the Advisory among NPS, the Advisory Council on His- Council on Historic Preservation will be given opportunities to toric Preservation, and the National Coun- become informed about and comment on anticipated NPS actions cil of State Historic Preservation Officers at the earliest practicable time. (1995); American Indian Religious Freedom Act; Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act; EO 13007 on Ameri- can Indian Sacred Sites, presidential memorandum of April 29, 1994, on government- to-government relations with tribal governments; NPS Management Policies 2006 All agencies are required to consult with tribal governments before American Indian Religious Freedom Act; taking actions that affect federally recognized tribal governments. Presidential memorandum of April 29, These consultations are to be open and candid so that all interested 1994, on government-to-government rela- parties may evaluate for themselves the potential impact of relevant tions with tribal governments; National proposals. Parks (including Pipestone National Monument) must Historic Preservation Act; Advisory Coun- regularly consult with traditionally associated American Indians cil for Historic Preservation implementing about planning, management, and operational decisions that affect regulations subsistence activities, sacred materials or places, or other ethnographic resources with which they are historically associated. The identities of community consultants and information about sa- National Historic Preservation Act; NPS cred and other culturally sensitive places and practices will be kept Management Policies 2006 confidential when research agreements or other circumstances warrant. American Indians and other individuals and groups linked by ties of NPS Management Policies 2006; Native kinship or culture to ethnically identifiable human remains, sacred American Graves Protection and objects, objects of cultural patrimony, and associated funerary ob- Repatriation Act jects will be consulted when such items may be disturbed or are encountered on national monument lands.

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

Ethnographic Resources—Compliance Actions • To accomplish the above goals, the National Park Service will take the following actions: • Continue to provide access to sacred sites and pipestone quarries for Indians of all tribes. • Survey and inventory ethnographic resources and document their significance. • The entire national monument is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, which includes a list of ethnographic resources found at the national monument. • Protect all ethnographic resources listed in the national register. If disturbance of such resources is unavoidable, conduct formal consultation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, as appropriate, with the state historic preservation officer, and with American Indian tribes. This consultation will be in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, the implementing regulations of the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation, and the programmatic agreement. • Conduct regular consultations with affiliated tribes to continue to improve communications and resolve any problems or misunderstandings that occur. • Continue to encourage the employment of American Indians from all tribes to apply for employment as vacancies occur. This will improve and encourage cultural diversity in the workplace.

Historic Structures and Cultural Landscapes Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved for historic properties (buildings, structures, roads, trails, or cultural landscapes: Desired Conditions Source Historic structures and cultural landscapes will National Historic Preservation Act; Archeological and Historic be inventoried and their significance and integ- Resources Preservation Act; The Secretary of the Interior’s rity evaluated under national register criteria. Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preser- The qualities that contribute to the listing or vation; the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treat- eligibility for listing of historic properties in the ment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for the Treatment of National Register of Historic Places will be pro- Cultural Landscapes; programmatic memorandum of agree- tected in accordance with The Secretary of the ment among NPS, the Advisory Council on Historic Preserva- Interior’s Treatment Standards (unless it is tion, and the National Council of State Historic Preservation determined through a formal process that Officers (1995); NPS Management Policies 2006; NPS-28: “Cul- disturbance or natural deterioration is tural Resource Management Guidelines” (1994); Directive to unavoidable). evaluate Mission 66 Properties Compliance Actions The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related to historic structures and cultural landscapes: • Determine the appropriate level of preservation for each resource formally determined to be eligible for listing or listed in the national register (subject to The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. • Implement and maintain the appropriate level of preservation for such resources. • Analyze the design elements (materials, colors, shape, massing, scale, architectural details, and site details) of historic structures (intersections, curbing, signs, picnic tables, roads and trails, and cultural landscapes) in the national monument to guide the rehabilitation and maintenance of sites and structures. • Before modifying any historic properties that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the National Park Service will consult with the Minnesota state historic preservation officer and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and American Indian tribes, as appropriate.

Laws, Policies, and Mandates

Museum Collections Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved in the national monument for museum collections. Desired Conditions Source All museum objects and manuscripts will be identified and in- Native American Graves Protection and Re- ventoried and their significance determined and documented. patriation Act; NPS Management Policies 2006; The qualities that contribute to the significance of collections Director’s Order 24;: NPS Museum Collections will be protected in accordance with established standards. Management; NPS Museum Handbook Compliance Actions To accomplish the above goals, the National Park Service will take the following actions: • Inventory and catalog all national monument museum collections in accordance with standards in the NPS Museum Handbook. • Develop and implement a collection management program according to NPS standards to guide the protection, conservation, and use of museum objects. • Analyze the design elements (materials, colors, shape, massing, scale, architectural details, and site details) of historic structures (intersections, curbing, signs, picnic tables, roads and trails, and cultural landscapes) in the national monument to guide the rehabilitation and maintenance of sites and structures. • This program will also address the proper display of artifacts (such as pipes bowls and stems) in a culturally sensitive manner.

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

Management Requirements for Natural Resources

The management requirements for natural resources— air quality, wetlands, floodplains, water resources, soils, threatened and endangered species, native vegetation and animals, exotic species, ecosystem management, natural sounds, night sky, and wildland fire — are delineated below.

Air Quality The national monument is a class II air quality area. Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved in the national monument: Desired Conditions Source Air quality in the national monument meets national ambient air Clean Air Act; NPS Management Policies quality standards (NAAQS) for specified pollutants. Healthful indoor 2006 air quality at NPS facilities will be ensured. Pipestone National Monument activities will not contribute to Clean Air Act; NPS Management Policies deterioration in air quality. 2006 Compliance Actions The National Park Service has little direct control over air quality in the airshed encompassing the national monument, and no monitoring is being conducted. The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related to air quality: • Participate in regional air pollution control plans and regulations and review permit applications for major new air pollution sources. • Conduct operations in compliance with federal, state, and local air quality regulations.

Wetlands Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for wetlands be achieved in the national monument: Desired Conditions Source The natural and beneficial values of wetlands will be preserved Clean Water Act; EO 11990 “Protection of Wet- and enhanced. lands”; NPS Management Policies 2006; DO 77-1, “Wetland Protection”; Rivers and Harbors Act The National Park Service will implement a “no net loss of DO 77-1, “Wetland Protection”; NPS Manage- wetlands” policy and strive to achieve a longer-term goal of ment Policies 2006; EO 11514, “Protection and net gain of wetlands across the national park system through Enhancement of Environmental Quality the restoration of previously degraded or destroyed wetlands. Where natural wetland characteristics or functions have been DO 77-1, “Wetland Protection”; NPS Manage- degraded or lost through previous or ongoing human activi- ment Policies 2006 ties, the National Park Service will, to the extent appropriate and practicable, restore them to predisturbance conditions. The National Park Service will avoid direct or indirect support EO 11990 “Protection of Wetlands”; NPS Man- of new construction in wetlands unless there are no reason- agement Policies 2006 able alternatives, and the preferred alternative includes all practicable measures to minimize harm to wetlands. The National Park Service will compensate for remaining una- DO 77-1, “Wetland Protection”; NPS Manage- voidable adverse impacts on wetlands by restoring wetlands ment Policies 2006; Rivers and Harbors Act; EO that have been previously destroyed or degraded. 11514, “Protection and Enhancement of Envi- ronmental Quality

Laws, Policies, and Mandates

Compliance Actions The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related to wetlands: • Prepare maps of jurisdictional and other wetlands using the NPS-required Cowardin system as described in U.S. EPA 1989. • Continue efforts to restore native vegetation in wetland areas in the national monument.

Floodplains Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for wetlands be achieved in the national monument: Desired Conditions Source Natural floodplain values will be preserved or restored. EO 11988, “Floodplain Management”; Rivers and Harbors Act; NPS Management Policies 2006; Special Directive (SD) 93-4, “Floodplain Management: Re- vised Guidelines for National Park Service Flood- plain Compliance” (1993) Long-term and short-term environmental effects associ- DO 77-2, “Floodplain Management”; National Flood ated with the occupancy and modification of floodplains Insurance Program (44 CFR 60); SD 93-4, “Flood- will be avoided. plain Management: Revised Guidelines for National Park Service Floodplain Compliance” (1993); NPS Management Policies 2006 When it is not practicable to locate or relocate develop- DO 77-1, “Wetland Protection”; NPS Management ment or inappropriate human activities to a site outside Policies 2006 the floodplain or where the floodplain will not be affected, the NPS will do the following: • prepare and approve a statement of findings in accordance with DO 77-2 • use nonstructural measures as much as practicable to reduce hazards to human life and property while minimizing impacts on the natural resources of floodplains •ensure that structures and facilities are designed to be consistent with the intent of the standards and criteria of the National Flood Insurance Program (44 CFR 60)

Compliance Actions The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related to floodplains: • Remove from the 500-year floodplain or protect from the 500-year flood the following items that are within the 100-year floodplain at the visitor center/administration/maintenance building: curatorial storage of artifacts and museum items • Should the national monument headquarters building remain in its current location within the 100-year floodplain, prepare a statement of findings describing why there is no practicable alternative to leaving the building in the floodplain and what mitigation will be undertaken to protect the building from the effects of flooding. • Work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the city of Pipestone to ensure that actions taken to reduce damage from future flooding outside the national monument do not cause detrimental effects on the national monument’s cultural and natural resources. • If any additional structures are proposed for construction in the floodplain, prepare a statement of findings as described above. • Any future construction in the national monument or outside using federal monies will be accompanied by a statement of findings describing the need to place development within the 100-year floodplain, the flood hazard associated with the proposed development site, and the plans to mitigate this flood hazard.

Water Resources Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for wetlands be achieved in the national monument:

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

Desired Conditions Source Surface water and groundwater will be restored or enhanced. Clean Water Act; NPS Management Policies 2006 NPS and NPS-permitted programs and facilities will be Clean Water Act; EO 12088, “Protection and En- maintained and operated to avoid the pollution of surface hancement of Environmental Quality”; NPS Man- water and groundwater. agement Policies 2006; Rivers and Harbors Act

Water Resources (continued) Compliance Actions The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related to water resources: • Where possible within the national monument and where funds are available, restore Pipestone Creek to a more sustainable ecosystem with a native riparian vegetation community and natural creek geomorphology. • Continue water quality monitoring to complete water quality database. • Apply best management practices to all pollution-generating activities and facilities in the national monument (such as NPS maintenance and storage facilities and parking areas); minimize the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals and manage them in keeping with NPS policy and federal regulations. • Work through or with other entities to resolve known water quality problems. • Press for continued and expanded monitoring to complete the requirement for a water quality database and reveal any unknown water quality problems. • Work with interested groups near the national monument to achieve cooperative ecosystem management of the area surrounding Pipestone Creek through a long-term, comprehensive plan for conservation and use. • Conduct a study to evaluate the impacts, if any, on national monument resources caused by pumping water from quarries onto prairie. Hydrology, vegetation, soils, and threatened and endangered species might be affected by water pumped out of quarries onto the prairie. • Monitor water level in the national monument well and in any other drill holes to be sure that pumping of quarries does not affect water table. Drilling more wells might be necessary for test purposes. If the water level in any well or drill hole falls, consult Water Resources Division of the National Park Service about what actions, if any, should be taken. Monitor vegetation, soils, and threatened and endangered species, looking for any changes in their conditions that might be attributable to pumping.

Soils Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for wetlands be achieved in the national monument: Desired Conditions Source The National Park Service will actively seek to understand and preserve the soil resources NPS Management and to prevent, to the extent possible, the unnatural erosion, physical removal, or contami- Policies 2006 nation of the soil or its contamination of other resources. The superintendent will take management action to prevent — or, if that is not possible, to NPS Management minimize — adverse, potentially irreversible impacts on soils. Soil conservation and soil Policies 2006 amendment practices may be implemented to reduce impacts. The importation of offsite soil or soil amendments may be used to restore damaged sites. Offsite soil normally will be salvaged soil, not soil removed from pristine sites, unless the use of pristine site soil can be achieved without causing any overall ecosystem impairment. Before using any offsite materials, the national monument will develop a prescription and select materials that will be needed to restore the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of original native soils without introducing any exotic species. When soil excavation is an unavoidable part of an approved facility development project, the NPS Management National Park Service will minimize soil excavation, erosion, and offsite soil migration during Policies 2006 and after the development activity.

Laws, Policies, and Mandates

When the use of a soil fertilizer or other soil amendment is an unavoidable part of restoring a NPS Management natural landscape or maintaining an altered plant community, the use will be guided by a Policies 2006 written prescription. The prescription will be designed to ensure that such use of soil fertilizer or soil amendment will not unacceptably alter the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of the soil, the biological community, or surface water or groundwater. Compliance Actions The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related to soils: • Update the soils map of the national monument in digital format so that it can be used in the national monument’s geographic information system (GIS). • Whenever possible, the staff of the national monument will educate visitors about soils.

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

Threatened and Endangered Species Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for wetlands be achieved in the national monument: Desired Conditions Source Federally listed and state-listed threatened and endangered species and their Endangered Species Act; NPS habitats will be sustained. Management Policies 2006 Managing populations of exotic plant and animal species, up to and including NPS Management Policies 2006; eradication, will be undertaken wherever such species threaten national monu- EO 13112, “Invasive Species ment resources or public health and when control is prudent and feasible. Native species populations that have been severely reduced in or extirpated NPS Management Policies 2006 from the national monument will be restored where feasible and sustainable. Compliance Actions The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions (listed in priority order) to meet legal and policy requirements related to species of special concern: • Complete an inventory of plants and animals in the national monument and regularly monitor the distribution and condition (health, disease) of selected species that are (a) indicators of ecosystem condition and diversity, (b) rare or protected species, (c) invasive exotics, (d) native species capable of creating resource problems (such as habitat decline due to overpopulation). • Develop a long-term program for reversing the destructive effects of exotic species. • Study the environmental and ecological effects of exotic species invasion to assess threats and prioritize management actions. • Undertake research to assess the methods by which exotic species become established and spread into native plant communities so that strategies for preventing their introduction and establishment can be developed and implemented. • Continue to develop methods to restore native tallgrass prairie and stabilize eroding areas. • Research soil properties, including nutrients and microorganisms, to learn how to restore native plant communities. • Determine the source of soil nutrients and the effects of atmospheric pollution on soils.

Native Vegetation and Animals Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for wetlands be achieved in the national monument: Desired Conditions Source The National Park Service will maintain as parts of the natural ecosystem all na- NPS Management Policies 2006; tive plants and animals in the national monument. Federally listed and state- NPS-77, “Natural Resources listed threatened and endangered species and their habitats will be sustained. Management Guidelines Compliance Actions The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related to native wildlife and vegetation: • Complete an inventory of plants and animals in the national monument and regularly monitor the distribution and condition of selected species that are indicators of the ecosystem condition and diversity. • Develop methods to restore native biological communities. • Minimize human impacts on native plants, animals, populations, communities, and ecosystems and the processes that sustain them. • Where feasible, restore native plant and animal populations that have been extirpated in the national monument by past human-caused action. • Whenever possible, rely on natural processes to maintain native plant and animal species and to influence natural fluctuations in populations of these species. • Protect a full range of genetic types (genotypes) of native plant and animal populations in the national monument by perpetuating natural evolutionary processes and minimizing human interference with evolving genetic diversity.

Laws, Policies, and Mandates

Exotic Species Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for wetlands be achieved in the national monument: Desired Conditions Source The management of populations of exotic plant and animal species, up to NPS Management Policies 2006; EO and including eradication, will be undertaken wherever such species threat- 13112, “Invasive Species”; NPS-77, en national monument resources or public health and when control is “Natural Resources Management prudent and feasible. Guidelines” Compliance Actions Many species of invasive exotic plants have become established throughout much of the national monument and threaten native species. Given time, these aggressive exotic plants can greatly expand their populations, alter prairie and wildlife habitats, and change scenery by replacing native species. These effects, which clearly are already occurring in some areas of the national monument, will worsen substantially if left untreated. A sustained effort is needed to control these internal threats to the native species and their natural habitats. Similar impacts can occur with some native species, and care must be taken to manage these species. The national monument monitors the tallgrass prairie and sensitive native species through the Prairie Cluster Long Term Ecological Monitoring Program. The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related to exotic species: • Complete an inventory of plants and animals in the national monument and regularly monitor the distribution and condition (health, disease) of selected species that are (a) invasive exotics (b) native species capable of creating resource problems (such as habitat decline due to overpopulation). • Develop a long-term program for reversing the destructive effects of exotic species. • Study the environmental and ecological effects of exotic species invasion to assess threats and prioritize management actions. • Undertake research to assess the methods by which exotic species become established and spread into native plant communities so that strategies for preventing their introduction and establishment can be developed and implemented. • Continue to develop methods to restore native tallgrass prairie and stabilize eroding areas. • Research soil properties, including nutrients and microorganisms, to learn how to restore native plant communities. • Determine the source of soil nutrients and the effects of atmospheric pollution on soils.

Ecosystem Management Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for wetlands be achieved in the national monument: Desired Conditions Source The national monument is managed holistically as part of a greater ecological, NPS Management Policies 2006 social, economic, and cultural system. (ch.1,4) Compliance Actions The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related to ecosystem management: • To protect ecosystem habitat and wildlife corridors, continue to seek cooperative agreements with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and other agencies that manage adjacent land. • Continue to develop cooperative agreements, partnerships, and other feasible arrangements to set an example in resource conservation and innovation and to facilitate research related to national monument resources and their management. • Work collaboratively with the landowners inside and outside the monument to protect viewsheds leading into and in the national monument and seen from within the national monument. Use cooperative agreements, conservation easements, donation, land exchanges, cooperatively produced management plans, or other tools to accomplish the protection of the views.

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

Natural Sounds An important part of the NPS mission is to preserve or restore the natural soundscapes associated with national parks. The sounds of nature are among the intrinsic elements that combine to form the environment of our national parks. Desired Conditions Source The National Park Service will preserve the natural ambient soundscapes, NPS Management Policies 2006 restore degraded soundscapes to the natural ambient condition wherever possible, and protect natural soundscapes from degradation due to human- caused noise. Disruptions from recreational uses will be managed to provide a high quality visitor experience in an effort to preserve or restore the natural quiet and natural sounds. Noise sources are managed to preserve or restore the natural soundscape. Executive memorandum signed by President Clinton on April 22, 1996 Compliance Actions The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to comply with the policies listed above: • Actions will be taken to prevent or minimize unnatural sounds adversely affecting national monument resources or values or visitors’ enjoyment of them. • The National Park Service will work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), tour operators, commercial businesses, and general aviation interests to encourage aircraft to fly outside the national monument, especially for flights where the presence of the national monument is incidental to the purpose of the flight (transit between two points). Actions that might be considered to encourage pilots to fly outside the national monument include identifying the national monument on route maps as a noise-sensitive area, educating pilots about the reasons for keeping a distance from the national monument, and encouraging pilots to comply with FAA regulations and advisory guidance, in a manner that will minimize noise and other impacts. • The national monument staff will continue to require tour bus companies to comply with regulations designed to reduce noise levels (for example, turning off engines when buses are parked). • Noise generated by NPS management activities will be minimized by strictly regulating administrative functions such as the use of motorized equipment. Noise will be a consideration in the procurement and use of equipment by the national monument staff.

Night Sky The national monument’s night sky is a feature that contributes to visitors’ experiences. Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved in the national monument: Desired Conditions Source The National Park Service will cooperate with national monument NPS Management Policies 2006 neighbors and local government agencies to seek ways to minimize the intrusion of artificial light into the night scene in the national monument. In natural areas, artificial outdoor lighting will be limited to basic safety requirements and will be shielded when possible. Compliance Actions The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to comply with the policy mentioned above: • The national monument staff will work with local communities and other agencies to encourage the protection of the night sky. • The national monument staff will evaluate the impacts on the night sky caused by national monument facilities. If light sources in the national monument are determined to be affecting night skies, the staff will study alternatives such as shielding lights, changing lamp types, or eliminating unnecessary sources.

Laws, Policies, and Mandates

Wildland Fire Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved in the national monument: Desired Conditions Source Pipestone National Monument fire management programs will be designed to meet re- DO 18, “Wildland source management objectives prescribed for the various areas of the national monument Fire Management”; and to ensure that the safety of firefighters and the public is not compromised. All wild- NPS Management land fires will be aggressively suppressed, taking into account the cultural and natural Policies 2006 resources to be protected and the safety of firefighters and the public. Compliance Actions The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to comply with the policies listed above: • All fires burning in natural or landscaped vegetation will be classified as either wildland fires or prescribed fires. • All wildland fires will be effectively managed, considering resource values to be protected and firefighter and public safety, using the full range of strategic and tactical operations as described in an approved fire management plan. • Prescribed fires are those fires ignited by managers to achieve resource objectives. To provide information on whether specified objectives are met, monitoring programs will be instituted for such fires to record fire behavior, smoke behavior, fire decisions, and fire effects. • The national monument has an approved fire management plan and is in the process of updating the plan taking in account new requirements and formats. • Since archeological resources, historic structures, and cultural landscapes could be affected by either wildland fires or prescribed fires, certain of these resources will be flagged for avoidance before any prescribed burn is conducted. After a wildland fire or prescribed fire, a post-fire cultural resource survey will be conducted to identify and evaluate any newly discovered resources or to document any damage to known resources.

Management Requirements for Visitor Use and Experience

The visitor experience is influenced by visitor activities, programs, and facilities. The management requirements for the visitor use and experience are delineated below.

Visitor Use and Experience Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved in the national monument Desired Conditions Source Visitors will understand and appreciate resources and NPS Organic Act; NPS Management Policies 2006; DO have the information necessary to adapt to the national 22, “Fee Collection” monument’s environments. Visitors will have opportunities to enjoy the national monument in ways that leave the resources unimpaired for future generations. Recreational uses will be promoted and regulated, and NPS Organic Act; 36 CFR; NPS Management Policies basic visitor needs will be met in keeping with the 2006 national monument’s purposes. To the extent feasible, facilities, programs, and services Americans with Disabilities Act; Architectural Barriers in the national monument will be accessible to and Act; Rehabilitation Act; NPS Management Policies 2006 usable by all people, including those with disabilities. Visitors who use federal facilities and services for out- NPS Management Policies 2006; 1998 Executive Sum- door recreation may be required to pay a greater share of mary to Congress; Recreational Fee Demonstration the cost of providing those opportunities than the Program, Progress Report to Congress, vol. 1: Over- population as a whole. view and Summary (U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service)

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

Visitor Use and Experience (continued) Desired Conditions Source Pipestone National Monument will identify implementation com- 1978 National Parks and Recreation Act (PL mitments for visitor carrying capacities for all areas of the unit. 95-625), NPS Management Policies 2006 Compliance Actions The laws, regulations, and policies leave considerable room for judgment about the best mix of types and levels of visitor use activities, programs, and facilities. However, the authority to charge fees is dictated by law and is therefore the same for all alternatives. The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related to visitor experience and use of the national monument: • Give visitors the opportunity to understand, appreciate, and enjoy the national monument (management directions within this broad policy are discussed in the alternatives). • Continue to enforce the regulations governing visitor use and behavior in Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR). • Ensure that all programs and facilities in the national monument are accessible to the extent feasible. • Following approval of the Final General Management Plan, the National Park Service will undertake detailed planning to establish visitor carrying capacity strategies and monitoring programs.

Rights-of-Way and Telecommunications Infrastructure The management requirements for rights-of- way and telecommunications infrastructure are delineated in the table below.

Rights-of-Way and Telecommunications Infrastructure Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved in the national monument: Desired Conditions Source Pipestone National Monument resources or public enjoyment of the na- Telecommunications Act; 16 USC tional monument will not be denigrated by nonconforming uses. Telecom- 79; 23 USC 317; 36 CFR 14; NPS munication structures will be permitted in the national monument to the Management Policies 2006; DO 53A, extent that they do not jeopardize its mission and resources. No new non- “Wireless Telecommunications”; conforming uses or rights-of-way will be permitted through the national Reference Manual 53, “Special Park monument without specific statutory authority and approval by the di- Uses.” 1978 National Parks and rector of the National Park Service or his/her representative, and such uses Recreation Act (PL 95-625), NPS will be permitted only if there is no practicable alternative to such use of Management Policies 2006 NPS lands. Compliance Actions The Telecommunications Act of 1996 directs all federal agencies to help in the national goal of achieving a seam- less telecommunications system throughout the United States by accommodating requests by telecommunication companies for the use of property, rights-of-way and easements to the extent allowable under each agency’s mission. The National Park Service is legally obligated to permit telecommunication infrastructure in the parks if such facilities can be structured to avoid interference with national monument purposes. The management of Pipestone National Monument has determined that because of the national monument’s small size and the scenic and ethnographic significance of its resources, there are no appropriate locations for aboveground telecommunication infrastructure in Pipestone National Monument.

Laws, Policies, and Mandates

Sustainable Design and Development

Sustainability can be described as the result achieved by managing units of the national park system in ways that do not compromise the environment or its capacity to provide for present and future generations. Sustainable practices minimize the short-term and long- term environmental impacts of developments and other activities through conserving resources, recycling, minimizing waste, and using energy- efficient and ecologically responsible materials and techniques. The management requirements for sustainable design and development are delineated in the table on the next page.

Sustainable Design and Development Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for sustainability be achieved in the national monument: Desired Conditions Source National Park Service and cooperating association facilities NPS Management Policies 2006; EO 13123, for visitor management will be harmonious with national “Greening the Government through Efficient monument resources, compatible with natural processes, Energy Management”; EO 13101, “Greening the aesthetically pleasing, functional, as accessible as possible to Government through Waste Prevention, Recyc- all segments of the population, energy-efficient, and cost- ling, and Federal Acquisition”; NPS Guiding effective. Pipestone National Monument will identify imple- Principles of Sustainable Design; DO 13, “Envi- mentation commitments for visitor carrying capacities for all ronmental Leadership”; DO 90, “Value Analysis; areas of the unit. D0 32 “Cooperating Associations” Compliance Actions The NPS Guiding Principles of Sustainable Design (1993b) directs NPS management philosophy. It provides a basis for achieving sustainability in facility planning and design, emphasizes the importance of biodiversity, and encourages responsible decisions. The guidebook articulates principles to be used in the design and management of tourist facilities that emphasize environmental sensitivity in construction, the use of nontoxic materials, resource conservation, recycling, and integrating visitors with natural and cultural settings. Sustainability principles have been developed and will be followed for interpretation, natural resources, cultural resources, site design, building design, energy management, water supply, waste prevention, and facility maintenance and operations. The National Park Service also reduces energy costs, eliminates waste, and conserves energy resources by using energy-efficient and cost-effective technology. Energy efficiency is incorporated into the decision-making process during the design and acquisition of buildings, facilities, and transportation systems emphasizing the use of renewable energy sources. In addition to following the above principles, the National Park Service will take the following steps: • The national monument staff will work with appropriate experts to make facilities and programs sustainable. Value analysis and value engineering, including life cycle cost analysis, will be performed to examine the energy, environmental, and economic implications of proposed developments. • The national monument staff will support and encourage suppliers, permittees, and contractors to follow sustainable practices. • National monument interpretive programs will address sustainable practices in and outside the national monument.

Trails

Trails Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved in the national monument: Desired Conditions Source All trails will provide high-quality recreational opportunities while NPS Management Policies 2006; NPS Trails the resources of the national monument are protected. Trails will be Management Handbook; Architectural Bar- designed and constructed to produce minimum disturbance to the riers Rehabilitation Act; 43 CFR 17, “Regu- natural environment, ensure the safety and enjoyment of users, and lations Regarding Enforcement of Nondis- protect adjacent resources. The aesthetic quality of the area must be crimination on the Basis of Disability in considered, and trails will function adequately for the intended use. Department of the Interior Programs.” All trails will be accessible to the extent possible. Compliance Actions (for Trails) The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to comply with the policies mentioned above: • All new or upgraded trails will need to be carefully situated, designed, and managed to do the following: reduce conflicts with automobiles and incompatible uses allow for a satisfying visitor experience of the national monument allow accessibility by the greatest number of people protect the resources of the national monument • Heavily used trails and walks may be surfaced as necessary for visitor safety, accessibility for persons with impaired mobility, resource protection, or erosion control. • Bridges will be kept to the minimum size needed to serve trail users and will be designed to harmonize with the surrounding natural scene and to be as unobtrusive as possible. • All reasonable efforts will be made to make NPS facilities, programs, and services accessible to and usable by all people, including those with disabilities.

ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

INTRODUCTION

Because Pipestone National Monument is Scoping demonstrated that there is much that sacred to many American Indians, every effort the public likes about the national monument. will be made to enhance that sacredness In particular, people want the existing feeling within the bounds of the National Park and character of the national monument to Service mission. Quiet and peacefulness in continue and be expanded. On the basis of keeping with the spiritual nature of the site these comments and agency concerns, four will be maintained. major resource condition and visitor experience issues, called decision points, were iden- DECISION POINTS tified. This Draft General Management Plan focuses on addressing these decision points, A variety of issues and concerns were identi- which are shown below. fied by the general public, the national monument staff, tribes, and other agencies during This document analyzes the current condition scoping for this Draft General Management and three alternatives for the appropriate Plan. Comments, which were solicited at pub- levels of service and use at the national monu- lic meetings and through news releases, were ment. Concerns (“decision points”) that led to received by e-mail, telephone, and letters. the development of these alternatives include Additional information about public involve- the following: ment is available in the “Consultation and 1. How can the national monument accom- Coordination” chapter. modate American Indian uses and interests while managing for cultural and Some comments were outside of the scope of natural resource values? this plan. Some concerns identified during scoping are already covered by laws, regula- Related issue categories: (a) use of quarries, tions, or policies or would be in violation of (b) American Indian ceremonies, (c) spe- such requirements. These kinds of require- cial use permits, (d) carrying capacity for ments are discussed under “Servicewide Laws Sun Dance grounds. and Policies,” beginning on page 25. Because 2. To what degree will affiliated tribes and they are mandatory requirements, these mat- the National Park Service collaborate to ters are not subject to decision in this plan. interpret the history, culture, and artistic heritage of the Plains Indians? Other issues identified during scoping were at an operational or developmental level of de- Related issue categories: (a) facilities, (b) tail. Such issues are most appropriately associ- cultural resources, (c) American Indian ated with the national monument’s five-year ceremonies, (d) interpretation and visitor strategic plan or implementation plans that are use, (e) collections. more detailed. Those plans will be based on 3. How can the national monument preserve the resource conditions and visitor cultural resources and natural resources experiences to be achieved at Pipestone while providing effective visitor services? National Monument, which will be Related issue categories: (a) prairie restora- established in the final general management tion, (b) visitor facilities (c) interpretation plan. However, some of the concepts behind and visitor use,(d) cultural resources operational or developmental issues were (landscape, artifacts, traditional uses, incorporated into the alternatives considered collections). in this draft plan to provide more clarity.

43 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

4. To what degree can the national monu- water quality monitoring program is consis- ment respond more effectively to external tent with the program established by the activities, concerns, and threats? Clean Water Act and the NPS Servicewide Strategic Plan. Related issue categories: (a) prairie restoration, (b) boundary concerns, (c) cultural The Pipestone National Monument staff will resources, (d) water quality, (e) manage western prairie fringed orchid and the encroachment of exotic species, (f) Topeka shiner as required by the recovery viewshed. plans of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Critical habitat designated by the U.S. Fish 5. To what extent should facilities be and Wildlife Service in the national expanded to accommodate current or monument will be managed as stipulated by future uses, and what type of management that agency. actions might be desirable to better manage the flow of visitors in various facilities and areas of the national THE PERMITTING PROCESS monument at one time? TO QUARRY PIPESTONE

Related issue categories: (b) boundary The superintendent of Pipestone National concerns, (c) cultural resources, (d) water Monument requires that an individual apply- quality, (f) viewshed. ing for an annual permit to quarry pipestone show proof of affiliation with an American Indian tribe. More than one person may quar- RELATIONSHIP TO ry at the same site. Any person assisting the OTHER AGENCIES’ PLANS quarrier at a site must also validate his or her affiliation with an American Indian tribe. Water quality sampling and field tests were conducted in Pipestone Creek both upstream No permits are issued to tribes. The 1937 and downstream of the national monument. enabling legislation clearly states that pipe- Testing was done for fecal coliform, turbidity, stone quarrying is reserved to individual “In- total phosphorus, total nitrogen, nitrite- dians of all tribes,” not to particular tribes. nitrate nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, and total suspended sediments (through a partnership with the Pipestone County Soil and Water LAND ACQUISITION Conservation District and the Minnesota Pol- lution Control Agency). Analysis and data Three properties contiguous to the present management are being done by the Minnesota Pipestone National Monument are consid- Department of Health. The purpose of the ered for acquisition in one or more of the sampling is to verify the section 303(d) listing alternatives of this plan. Each property is de- of Pipestone Creek as an impaired water body scribed below. The criteria under which each and eventually to determine the sources of could be acquired (from NPS Management pollution. Policies 2006, 3.5, “Boundary Adjustments”) are listed below, and the relevant criteria are The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has indicated in the following property listed designated uses for the creek, including descriptions. swimming and aquatic life. The section of Pipestone Creek in the national monument 1. Protect significant resources and values, or and upstream and downstream of the national to enhance opportunities for public monument does not comply with state water enjoyment related to park purposes;. quality standards. The national monument’s

Introduction

2. Address operational and management The Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s issues, such as the need for access or the house is closely related to the history of Pipe- need for boundaries to correspond to logical stone National Monument. After the reserva- boundary delineations such as topographic tion period, the Pipestone Indian School or other natural features or roads; or encompassed all the land that later would be- 3. Otherwise protect park resources that come the national monument. Many of the are critical to fulfilling park purposes. landscape features of the national monument can be dated to the Indian School period. A The following criteria must also be met if the part of the national monument’s significance acquisition is made with appropriated funds is derived from the former Indian School and is not merely a technical boundary lands. When the Hiawatha Pageant was first revision. performed by Hiawatha Lake in the national 4. The added lands will be feasible to monument, students from the Indian School administer considering their size, con- played parts in the pageant, a reenactment of figuration, ownership, and hazardous the famous Longfellow poem, “The Song of substances, costs, the views of and im- Hiawatha.” pacts on local communities and surrounding jurisdictions, and other Indian School students may have engaged in factors such as the presence of exotic quarrying activities or shaping pieces of pipe- species, and stone. The original quarrying regulations for 5. Other alternatives for management and the new national monument were proposed resource protection are not adequate. by the Indian School superintendent. Some of those original regulations are still in effect. (Meets criterion 1.) Pipestone Indian School Superintendent’s House The history of the Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s house (which is listed in the The Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s National Register of Historic Places) is closely house, which is listed in the National Register related to the history of Pipestone National of Historic Places, is a two-story brick struc- Monument and is covered by one of the ture with a screened wooden porch. It sits on significance statements [“Pipestone National less than 1 acre of land within the south Monument is significant for its history of boundary of the Minnesota West Community American Indian and European–American and Technical College west of Hiawatha Ave- contact and exploration in the early 1800s, nue. The structure, which has been unoccu- specific quarrying rights, and the Pipestone pied for many years, is deteriorating rapidly. It Indian School (1893–1953)”]. Its acquisition is one of the few remaining structures from would preserve this structure and provide a the Pipestone Indian School period; the others place for visitors to learn about the school’s have been modified for use by the students of role in the national monument’s history. the college. (Meets criterion 4.) Because of its relatively small size and interior There is no known controversy about this configuration, the superintendent’s house was acquisition. Preserving the Pipestone Indian of little value to Minnesota West Community School superintendent’s house is of concern and Technical College. However, its historical to American Indians and community members importance influenced the state to give the alike. Its location on the edge of the national house to the Keepers of the Sacred Tradition monument would facilitate administration of Pipemakers. and ease of access. Its story is closely related to the national monument’s significance. There would be an initial preservation cost

45 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE and ongoing maintenance and staffing costs. oped in association with the site’s distinct (Meets criterion 5.) geologic and hydrologic features. These features combine to provide an unusual The owners of the Pipestone Indian School array of habitats supporting a diverse as- superintendent’s house have been unable to sortment of prairie plants and animals and raise sufficient funds to stabilize it. The likeli- rare habitats, federally listed threatened hood of state or federal grants is unknown. and endangered species, and globally rare Preservation organizations in Pipestone, Min- remnant plant communities. nesota, have an active interest in seeing the house preserved and interpreted, but they lack Approximately 100 yards to the south of the the funds to move forward. The structure was school district lands is the Sioux quartzite transferred to its present owners from the ridge, home to a globally significant endan- Minnesota Community and Technical College gered plant community (Nature Conservancy, through the State of Minnesota. Therefore, it Association for Biodiversity Information, and is unlikely that another preservation organiza- the State of Minnesota). tion (such as the Minnesota Historical Soci- The school district parcel functions as a ety) would acquire the property. Without “sponge” holding runoff water, slowly re- outside funding, and with its current owners leasing it across the national monument as the lacking the funds to properly preserve and soils dry out. It filters runoff from farming and manage the property, the structure would development that otherwise would go directly continue to deteriorate. into Pipestone Creek. The land also forms a barrier against exotic plant species that are Pipestone Area School District Land more likely to get a foothold on disturbed land and then spread into the national monument. A 15.3-acre parcel of land belonging to the Pipestone Area School District is along the The school district land also would help to northeast border of Pipestone National preserve the soundscapes associated with the Monument, along the west side of Hiawatha Winnewissa Falls and the Circle Trail by Avenue. The border of the property is placing distance between these features and common with the south boundary of the the road noise and present and planned devel- Minnesota West Community and Technical opment along Hiawatha Avenue. NPS owner- College. The land has been cleared for ship of the property would allow the bound- cultivation. On the west and south sides, the ary of the national monument to expand to sides abutting the national monument, the Hiawatha Avenue, precluding any incom- property is bounded by trees and the national patible development between the avenue and monument’s boundary fence. On the east, the the national monument. property is unfenced, forming an open landscape to Hiawatha Avenue. On the north, Significant archeological resources that prob- the property abuts the campus of the college. ably are related to those in the national monu- The property was originally a part of the ment have been traced to the school district Pipestone Indian School. (Meets criterion 3.) land. The Richner Site, discovered in 1994, extends along the existing eastern boundary The above criterion relates directly to the inside the monument bordering the school following passage in the national monument’s lands. It is believed this site was a catlinite significance statement: workshop site. The debris found to date indicates that the site predates metal tools and Pipestone National Monument is signifi- may hold important clues to prehistoric pro- cant for the landscape it protects, which cesses for manufacturing catlinite artifacts. consists of the tallgrass prairie that devel-

Introduction

There is no reason to believe it does not ex- easily reached and managed as part of the na- tend into school district lands, particularly tional monument. There are no buildings on since pipestone debris has been seen on the the property to maintain. NPS management surface of this land. would be the same as actions underway elsewhere in the national monument — installing If the National Park Service acquired this or repairing fences, removing nonnative spe- property, it could serve as a living laboratory cies, and replanting with native species. These for the restoration of a tallgrass prairie. Vol- actions would be carried out gradually over unteers, local schools, and colleges could be the life of the plan by the existing resource partnered in an educational project to reclaim management and maintenance staff. (Meets this former prairie land. If the National Park criterion 2.) Service did not acquire the property, the opportunity to preserve related archeological re- The entire property is owned by one owner, sources would be lost, as would the educa- the Pipestone Area School District, which tional opportunity to use the restoration of intends to sell it as excess to the school the tallgrass prairie as an interpretive tool. district’s needs. There is no known controversy about this sale. Acquiring the If this property was developed, the opportun- school district parcel would help the national ity to protect resources in the national monu- monument to control the entry of exotic plant ment would be seriously jeopardized because species that have begun to get a foothold on any hard surfaces would result in faster runoff the property, because the area could be directly into the national monument or into replanted, extending the tallgrass prairie Pipestone Creek, increasing the possibility of ecosystem. It also would end the annual flooding and diminishing the land’s ability to applications of pesticides and fertilizer that filter out pollution. have been used to sustain and improve agricultural crop yields. (Meets criterion 5.) Pipestone National Monument is working with state and local authorities to improve the Up to this point, the management of this prop- water quality in Pipestone Creek. The national erty by the school district has protected it monument does not measurably contribute to from development. The school board plans to the high bacterial levels in the creek. The Na- sell the parcel to be free from its day-to-day tional Park Service is concerned about the ef- management. The most likely buyers would be fects of odors, prohibiting body contact for private developers wanting to construct com- visitor safety, and improving this critical habi- mercial buildings or houses. The property’s tat for a federally listed endangered species, size and nearness to the town of Pipestone the Topeka shiner. Acquiring the school dis- make it highly desirable for commercial or trict parcel would demonstrate that the Na- homesite development. tional Park Service is serious about improving the water quality by returning the property to The school district land is zoned R-3, which prairie and thus to a more natural condition. would allow, for example, multifamily devel- (Meets criterion 4.) opment, parks, playgrounds, convalescent or nursing care homes, day care facilities, agricul- Adding the school district parcel to the nature, and other essential services. Other con- tional monument would result in a continuous ditional uses could be private schools, hotels, NPS boundary along Hiawatha Avenue from or nonprofit recreation. For any of these uses, the national monument’s south boundary to a developer probably would drain the land to the south boundary of Minnesota West Com- prepare it for commercial development. If the munity and Technical College. Existing con- area should be used for any of these purposes, tiguous NPS land along Pipestone Creek to the effect on the national monument’s water the south and west would allow this land to be quality and hydrology could be adverse.

47 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Pipestone Wildlife Management Area dence also indicates that a rather large area once served as a dumping ground for the In- Along the north boundary of Pipestone Na- dian School; this began in 1892 and ended in tional Monument is the Pipestone Wildlife 1953. A study of this area would be necessary Management Area, which the Minnesota De- to determine whether any hazardous materials partment of Natural Resources (MDNR) exist prior to acquisition. manages for hunting and fishing under an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife At present, access from the north through the Service (USFWS). The wildlife management game refuge during hunting seasons endan- area occupies approximately 100 acres, orig- gers visitor safety and hinders the use of the inally part of the Pipestone Indian School. The national monument. NPS acquisition of the property is bounded on the north and west by USFWS/MDNR property would result in the County Road 67, on the south by the national national monument boundary on the west and monument, and on the east by the Minnesota north being the county road, and it would al- West Community and Technical College. low the national monument to control and maintain the north access used by national The USFWS/MDNR property, which is man- monument maintenance staff, quarriers, and aged for its wildlife values and the hunting of Indians during the Sun Dance and other times game birds and deer, contains Indian Lake of ceremonial use. (Meets criteria 2 and 4.) and a smaller lake along Pipestone Creek that provide shelter for game birds and fish. The There are no buildings on the USFWS/MDNR landscape and resources are similar to those of property to maintain. NPS management the national monument, but this land is not would involve the actions underway else- actively managed as prairie. Exotic, nonnative where in the national monument — removing plant species have caused some degradation of fences, removing any human-made drainage the landscape. The property may contain evi- structures to allow the soils to return to a dence of prehistoric quarrying and other use more natural condition, removing nonnative by American Indians. (Meets criterion 1.) plant species, and replanting with native species. These actions would be carried out grad- NPS acquisition of the USFWS/MDNR prop- ually over the life of the plan by the existing erty to the north would allow the national resource management and maintenance staff. monument to actively restore prairie north to County Road 67. As with the school district NPS acquisition of the USFWS/MDNR lands property, acquiring this property would pre- would result in the boundary of the national serve any existing archeological resources as- monument being continuous from the west sociated with the national monument and of- boundary of the Minnesota West Community fer an educational opportunity for visitors to and Technical College along the county road see the restoration of prairie in progress. west and south to the southwest corner of the national monument. Existing contiguous NPS Surface evidence indicates that the pipestone land would allow this land to be easily reached seam runs across this land. When the land was and managed as a part of the national monu- trenched and tile drainage lines were laid, ment. If the land is acquired, hunting would pieces of pipestone were exposed. Thus, the not continue on the USFWS/ MDNR parcel. seam in the monument extends from the (Meets criterion 2.) north quarry line onto the USFWS/MDNR land. If the National Park Service acquired Differing missions of the USFWS/MDNR and this land, the additional pipestone resource the National Park Service, a lack of funds, and would be available for quarrying by future the small size of the property have resulted in generations of American Indians. Surface evi- the USFWS/MDNR property being managed

Introduction in a manner very different from the national Recurring Annual Costs monument. Continuing the current manage- • annual national monument operating costs ment practices would not resolve the (staff salary and benefits, equipment, concerns for the spread of exotic plant species maintenance, utilities, monitoring, or the maintenance of the northern road contract services, and the like) access used by national monument maintenance, quarriers, and American Indians • ongoing repair and rehabilitation of to reach the Sun Dance grounds. The facilities (the projection of past trends and possibility that another agency or organization known future needs into an annual would acquire the property and manage it estimate) similarly to the National Park Service is unknown, but it is considered unlikely. Land Acquisition Costs The acquisition of lands may be through DEVELOPMENT OF COST ESTIMATES donation or purchase. In either case, merely adding lands to the national monument does NPS decision makers and the public must not immediately make funds available for consider an overall picture of the complete maintenance, restoration, and operation. costs and advantages of various alternatives, Although these have been figured into the including the no-action alternative, to make initial and recurring costs explained above, it wise planning and management decisions for may be several years before funds are actually the national monument. Such consideration available to implement the plan. can shed light on the cost of the no-action alternative and make possible a more legiti- Although the recurring costs associated with mate comparison to the action alternatives. new lands have been figured into the cost estimates, the actual cost of purchasing the lands has not. Initial One-Time Costs • deferred maintenance or the cost of NPS Facilities Model bringing existing assets up to NPS The National Park Service has developed standards facility models for several types of facilities, • new development (including NPS such as visitor centers and maintenance transportation infrastructure costs) facilities, based on a number of factors unique to each national park system unit. This model • major rehabilitation or replacement of was used in the development of cost estimates existing facilities and infrastructure for Pipestone National Monument. • interpretive media (audiovisual materials, exhibits, waysides, and publications) COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES AND • resource management and visitor service ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES costs (resource and visitor inventories, implementation planning, compliance) The actions of the alternatives are compared in table 3. The environmental consequences • other significant one-time costs such as that would result from each alternative are removing development, purchasing trans- compared in table 4. portation equipment, restoring resources, action on specific implementation plans or major compliance needs

MANAGEMENT ZONES / MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTIONS

An important tool in planning and manage- door maintenance equipment storage area, ment is the establishment of management pre- offices, and staff parking. Historic structures scriptions for various areas or management not related to the national monument’s story zones in the national monument. Manage- could be adaptively used for any of these ment prescriptions identify how each zone is functions. to be managed to achieve a variety of desired future resource conditions and visitor VISITOR SERVICES ZONE experiences. The prescriptions for each zone are different, based on the significance of the Resource Condition or Character resources, how visitors might access or use the zone, and the appropriateness of the facilities The visitor services zone would be in previ- in that zone. The following management ously disturbed areas, or areas of relatively zones have been identified and their durable resources that could be modified for management prescriptions outlined. The essential visitor needs. Any such modification management zones also are summarized in would harmonize with the natural table 2. environment, natural processes, and scenic quality of the adjacent zones. Tolerance for ADMINISTRATIVE ZONE any resource degradation would be higher than in most other zones. Adaptive reuse of Resource Condition or Character historic structures would be appropriate.

Because it would contain support facilities, the Visitor Experience administrative zone would consist mainly of areas of previously disturbed or developed The visitor services zone would be the pri- areas. There would be no organized effort to mary focus of the visitor experience. Visitor restore prairie around structures in this zone, services would be highly accessible and con- but it would be important to landscape with venient, with a low level of physical exertion native plants to be as unobtrusive as possible. expected. Visitors would be heavily concen- Maintaining the scenic quality of the trated in this area, and interaction with NPS surrounding area would be important. Noise staff could be high. Natural sounds might be levels could be higher than elsewhere if compromised because of the presence of maintenance activities were to be carried out vehicles and high levels of visitor use. here.

Appropriate Kinds of Facilities Visitor Experience The visitor services zone would include Visitors would not be likely to spend time in destination-oriented visitor facilities such as the administrative zone. visitor centers, learning centers, staging areas, restrooms, and picnic facilities. Some trails, Appropriate Kinds of Facilities walkways, and parking areas also would be appropriate. Fences, barriers, and paving Facilities in the administrative zone would be might be necessary to protect sensitive those necessary to the operation of the na- resources. tional monument but not generally used by visitors, such as housing, maintenance, out-

50 Management Zones / Management Prescriptions

PRAIRIE PRESERVATION ZONE QUARRY ZONE

Resource Condition or Character Resource Condition or Character

The emphasis in the prairie preservation zone Consumptive use of the red catlinite by would be on restoring and perpetuating American Indians would continue to be natural systems and processes. It would be permitted. The focus of the quarry zone intensively managed for the restoration of would be the quarries and associated activi- native species on disturbed lands. Where high ties. The tolerance for the disruption of quality prairie exists, monitoring and preemp- natural processes associated with quarrying tive measures would be practiced to forestall would be high. any degradation. The integrity of the prairie in this zone is paramount. The goal would be to Visitor Experience one day have a prairie whose restored areas would be virtually identical to the natural Parts of the quarry zone would be a high prairie. Tolerance for resource degradation visitor use area that would be a focus of NPS would be low. interpretation. These quarries are the ones closely associated with developed trails. The Visitor Experience other quarries (mostly the northern quarries) would be closed to visitor access. Scenic qual- The prairie preservation zone would be a low ity and natural sounds would be somewhat density visitation area. Use would be restrict- compromised because of the visitor use and ed to existing trails. Natural quiet and scenic quarry drainage pumps. At times associated quality would be important in this zone. The ceremonial activities might be carried out in restoration of native prairie would create a this zone. sense of the historic environment in which quarrying took place. There would be a sense Appropriate Kinds of Facilities of discovery and immersion in the natural landscape. The probability of encountering Wayside exhibits and trash receptacles would other visitors and NPS staff would be low to be appropriate, as would retention walls along moderate. the trail, short trails, and benches.

Appropriate Kinds of Facilities CEREMONIAL USE ZONE

Paved and unpaved trails would be appropri- Resource Condition or Character ate in the prairie preservation zone, depending on the level of use and the likelihood of When not being used for American Indian environmental damage. Orientation signs and ceremonies, the ceremonial use zone would subtle wayside exhibits also would be appro- be treated in a way similar to the prairie pres- priate. Other structures (such as fences, ervation zone. Native vegetation would be bridges, or boardwalks) would be appropriate encouraged and nonnative species removed. only if they were required for resource Moderate (easily reversible) resource degra- protection. dation would be allowed during the infrequent periods of ceremonial use.

51 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Visitor Experience natural and spiritual qualities of the immediate area around the Three Maidens rock forma- Visitors normally would not be found in the tion. It would be intensively managed to re- ceremonial use zone. American Indians occa- store a semblance of its prairie setting. The sionally would use the zone for ceremonies tolerance for resource degradation would be such as the Sun Dance and sweat lodges. low. When it was being used only for sweat lodges, American Indians might experience solitude Visitor Experience and natural sounds in a prairie environment. Sounds associated with ceremonial activities Visitors would learn about the Three Maidens such as a Sun Dance would be moderate. at discreet waysides at the roadside parking area and by brochure. The significance of the Appropriate Kinds of Facilities Three Maidens to American Indian spiritual and ceremonial life would be explained. Visi- Semipermanent or temporary facilities might tors would be expected to remain on the trail. consist of sweat lodges and facilities associ- Visitation would be moderate to high. ated with the Sun Dances, such as the arbor and kitchen facilities. Trails and roads would Appropriate Kinds of Facilities remain unpaved. Simple wayside signs and exhibits and a trail THREE MAIDENS ZONE would be appropriate within the restored prairie. Fences could be appropriate only for Resource Condition or Character resource protection.

The emphasis in the Three Maidens zone would be on maintaining and enhancing the

Management Zones / Management Prescriptions

TABLE 2: MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTIONS Appropriate Kinds of Resource Condition Visitor Experience Facilities Administrative Zone Support facilities mainly in previously Visitor presence in this zone unlikely. Facilities necessary to op- disturbed areas or developed areas; no erate national monument organized effort to restore prairie, but (such as housing, offices, landscaping with native plants to be maintenance storage, and unobtrusive; scenic quality of staff parking); historic surrounding area maintained; more structures could be adap- noise than elsewhere caused by tively used for some maintenance. functions. Visitor Services Zone Previously disturbed areas or areas with This zone would be primary focus of the visitor Destination-oriented fa- relatively durable resources that could experience; visitor services accessible and cilities (visitor center, be modified to harmonize with natural convenient; much onsite interpretation; high learning center, staging environment, natural processes, and interaction with NPS staff; opportunities to area, picnic tables, rest- scenic qualities of adjacent zones; interact with quarriers and demonstrators, rooms); some trails and natural resources actively managed; self-guiding and ranger-led tours; vehicles and parking areas; fences, historic structures and natural resources large numbers of visitors might compromise barriers, and paving might could be adapted or modified to natural sounds be needed to protect support visitor activities. sensitive resources. Prairie Preservation Zone Integrity of prairie foremost in this zone; Low density visitation; use restricted to ex- Paved and unpaved trails; emphasis on restoring and perpetuating isting trails; natural quiet and scenic quality signs and wayside exhibits; natural systems and processes; low protected; restored prairie would give a sense fences, bridges, or tolerance for resource degradation; of historic environment, sense of discovery, boardwalks appropriate intensive management to restore native immersion in natural landscape; low to only if needed to protect species on disturbed lands; in areas with moderate chance of contact with NPS staff or resources. high quality prairie, monitoring and other visitors; interpretation by self-guiding preemptive measures taken to forestall brochures or signs, some changed seasonally. degradation; goal to have prairie nearly identical to natural state. Quarry Zone Consumptive use of catlinite (pipestone) High visitation to some parts of zone, with Access roads, parking continued; high resource impact area interpretation of quarrying by self-guiding or areas; at times, retention consistent with legislation; high ranger-led tours; other quarry areas not open walls or paving to protect tolerance for disruption of natural to visitors; scenic quality and natural sounds sensitive areas. processes by quarrying. somewhat compromised by visitation and drainage pumps; many opportunities to interact with quarriers and NPS staff; ceremonial activities in this zone at times. Ceremonial Use Zone Native prairie vegetation would be Not normally open to visitors; occasional Sweat lodges and tempor- encouraged; moderate effects on prairie American Indian use for sweat lodges or Sun ary Sun Dance facilities from ceremonial use acceptable; Dances; when used for sweat lodges, solitude such as arbor and kitch- archeological resources left undisturbed. and natural sounds in a prairie environment ens; trails and roads left available to American Indian users; sounds unpaved. associated with ceremonial activities could be moderate. Three Maidens Zone Emphasis on maintaining and enhancing High to moderate visitation, with visitors ex- Trails, wayside exhibits, natural and spiritual qualities at Three pected to remain on trails; waysides and bro- and signs in restored Maidens formation; formation not chure would explain significance of formation prairie; fences appropriate disturbed; prairie restored. to American Indian spiritual and ceremonial if needed to protect life. resources.

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

DESCRIPTION There would be no change in visitor facilities or in operations in the national monument. Under the no-action alternative the current Visitor center operations, maintenance, and management direction at the national monu- most headquarters operations would be car- ment would continue, and there would be no ried out from the existing visitor center struc- significant change in interpretation. This ture. A house near the entrance would con- alternative is presented as a basis for tinue to be used as office space for a ranger, comparing the three “action” alternatives. for resource management staff, and for sea- Examining the no-action alternative is also sonal operations; another house would con- useful in understanding why the National tinue as a residence. Space for storage and Park Service or the public may believe that staff offices would continue to be inadequate certain changes are necessary or advisable. at the visitor center and the converted house. The three “action” alternatives present ways of exploring those changes. The primary con- In areas near the popular Circle Trail, there cerns with the no-action alternative are would continue to be maintenance practices related to visitor, administrative, and mainten- that are inappropriate for visitor use areas, ance facilities and the treatment and inter- such as fuel and vehicle storage, as well as pretation of cultural and natural resources. activities that cause noise and fumes, such as vehicle repair, painting, or construction. Actions that are already funded have been included in the no-action alternative. One future The visitor center and administrative func- action planned for implementation by the nations would continue as at present. Structures tional monument, which has not been funded, and grounds would be maintained, NPS staff is discussed under “Current and Future Ac- would continue to operate in a facility tat is tions,” page 139. The impacts of this action cramped and dated. are analyzed as part of the cumulative impact analysis (see the No-Action Alternative map). The national monument would continue to coordinate with federal, state, and local agen- The national monument staff would continue cies and other groups regarding the quality to protect and maintain known cultural and and quantity of water in Pipestone Creek. natural resources as made possible by avail- Coordination also would continue regarding able time and funding. Inventories and moni- endangered species, wildlife management, and toring of cultural and natural resources would law enforcement. continue and be expanded if possible. The staff also would continue to encourage and Visitors’ use of the Three Maidens area would seek funding for research needed to fill the continue to be high. The area, which would be gaps in knowledge about resources (following mowed for convenience, would continue to the national monument’s strategic plan). figure prominently in the Hiawatha Club’s yearly pageant under the terms of a special use Efforts that are underway to remove exotic permit. Major interpretation of this feature species and rehabilitate the existing prairies would remain at a nearby wayside. would continue. However, such efforts would be hampered by the existence of such species A driveway and the picnic area parking lot on adjacent lands, which provides a ready separate a picnic area from the Three Maid- source for reintroduction onto national ens. The picnic area and restrooms are popu- monument lands. lar with local users, as well as with visitors and

54 Minnesota West Community and Technical College

e k PIPESTONE WILDLIFE a L MANAGEMENT AREA India n Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and US Fish and Wildlife Service Good Former Samaritan Indian School Village Superintendent's House Parking Approximate Boundary of School Lands Sun Dance Area Sun Dance Falls Landing Quarry School Assisted Living Line Lands

P i p e North Sioux s to Sweat Quarry Quartzite n Lodge e Line Escarpment C Area r e e k Maintenance Storage Area

Winnewissa Pipestone Creek Falls Visitor Center Lake and parking Visitor Hiawatha Center

l ai Tr Sioux Quartzite Escarpment County Road 67 South Hiawatha Avenue Quarry Line Residence

Office Wayside Parking Picnic Area & Restrooms Picnic Parking Three Maidens Hiawatha Club

City of Pipestone

NPS BOUNDARY NORTH NO ACTION PIPESTONE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT United States Department of the Interior National Park Service DSC • Aug. 2007 • 372 • 20,003A

No-Action Alternative

PROTECTION OF school groups that visit the national monu- CULTURAL RESOURCES ment. All these would remain unchanged. The National Park Service would continue to The Circle Trail leads from the visitor center protect potential cultural landscapes by di- to several quarries along the north quarry line, recting visitors to stay on designated trails and Pipestone Creek, Hiawatha Lake, the Nicollet roads. The national monument staff would expedition marker, Winnewissa Falls, Leaping continue to research the historic context of Rock, and two natural stone faces visible in different landscape periods over time, as de- rock formations — before the trail circles back scribed in the “Affected Environment” chap- to the visitor center by way of the south quar- ter. Later, cultural landscape specialists would ry line. A bridge at Winnewissa Falls would use that information to identify, inventory, continue to flood yearly and require repairs, and report about the eligibility of potential and periodic repairs also would be necessary cultural landscapes for listing in the National for the stone walls along the trail. The trail Register of Historic Places as contributing would continue to be a major focal point in elements to the existing listing of the national the national monument. monument as a whole (as of October 15, The no-action alternative would not entail any 1966). Additional study could suggest some changes to the north or south quarries; they interactions with particular land areas of cer- would continue to be managed under the tain plants, trees, and geographic formations terms of a permit. The associated sweat lodges integral to a landscape, the continued pres- along the north quarry line would continue to ence of which would protect the landscape. be used. More study also could lead to the greater level of resource protection afforded by national The ceremonial grounds where the yearly Sun register eligibility or listing. Dances take place would remain. The national The national monument staff would continue monument staff would continue to mow the to protect ethnographic resources like the area yearly and monitor any changes in the rock formations called The Oracle and the prairie resulting from the use of the site. The Three Maidens by directing visitors to stay on kitchen facilities and the arbor used in the Sun designated trails and roads. Visitor education Dances would be allowed to remain year- about the cultural importance of ethnographic round as long as they were maintained by the resources would continue through different permittee. All activities would continue to be types of informal interpretation available at governed by permit. the visitor center, which would increase visitors’ cultural awareness of and sensitivity to The Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s American Indians’ traditional uses of the eth- house on the grounds of the Minnesota West nographic resources. Such interpretation Community and Technical College is owned would help visitors to understand various tra- by the Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of ditional uses in the vicinity of the resources Pipemakers. It has a historical connection to such as spiritual communication near the Pipestone National Monument. The deteri- resources or leaving sage or other offerings orating house would remain outside of the nearby. Visitor education would help to pro- national monument, unpreserved and tect ethnographic resources by enhancing uninterpreted. visitor understanding. The staff would continue to study ethnographic resources by conducting ongoing consultations with American Indians and by researching the ethnohistoric significance of the resources within the historic context of different

57 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE landscape periods over time. Cultural The national monument’s collection of resource specialists would later use that in- American Indian pipestone (catlinite) pipes formation to identify, inventory, and report and other museum collections and archives about the eligibility of potential traditional would continue to be housed in the visitor cultural properties for listing in the National center. This would keep those important re- Register of Historic Places as contributing ele- sources in the 100-year and 500-year flood- ments to the existing listing of the national plains, subject to damage in the unlikely but monument as a whole (as of October 15, real possibility of a flood. However, the col- 1966). lections and archives still would be protected by implementing the national monument’s To be considered a traditional cultural prop- collections emergency operations plan. erty, an ethnographic resource must be listed in or eligible for listing in the national register. Despite the fact that the historic Pipestone More study could lead to the additional level Indian School superintendent’s house was of resource protection afforded by national listed in the National Register of Historic register eligibility or listing. Places on April 5, 1993, the no-action alternative would not in any way help to protect Requiring a special use permit for the Hia- that historic structure as a cultural resource watha Club to use the Three Maidens forma- because the building would neither be action for its Hiawatha Pageant would protect quired by the National Park Service nor would the formation by specifying the conditions of any NPS assistance be provided to preserve use and recovery. The continuing and suc- the building. It would continue to molder and cessful negotiations with the Hiawatha Club deteriorate because of a lack of preservation to reduce its intrusive use of the Three Maid- funding under its present status. ens as part of the pageant is a source of com- fort to American Indians who believe that the BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS past practice of using the Three Maidens as a component of the pageant is inappropriate. The no-action alternative would not involve any change in the boundary of the national The Mission 66 visitor center would continue monument. to be protected under the no-action alternative through its continued use as the national monument’s administrative center, for inter- COSTS pretation of the national monument to visitors, and for the curation and storage of the The costs for the no-action alternative are national monument’s important collections. given for comparison to other alternatives The National Park Service considers the visi- only; they are not to be used for budgeting tor center eligible for listing in the National purposes. The following assumptions have Register of Historic Places because of its Mis- been made: sion 66 history, its architecture, and its associ- • All actions start in year one of the 20- ated landscaping and Circle Trail connections. year plan for comparison purposes (in actuality they may be funded at any The National Park Service has received time within the 20 years). concurrence from the state historic preservation officer. The building’s current eligibil- • Some proposals may never be funded ity and its anticipated eventual listing mean within the 20 year life of the general that the additional level of resource protection management plan. afforded by national register eligibility or listing may be considered to be in place now.

No-Action Alternative

• Approval of the general management new construction, the cost of removal or plan does not guarantee any funding divestiture of resources, the cost of for the proposed actions. restoration of resources, the cost of • Funding for some aspects of the plan rehabilitation, the cost of additions to may be provided by partners, structures, and any costs associated with donation, or other nonfederal funding documentation and research on the resources. sources. Annual operating costs: $8,759,000 • All costs are shown in today’s dollars One-time costs: $547,000 (actual costs may range from 30% below to 50% above the estimate). Total costs: $9,306,000 Costs have been broken down into two categories—annual operating costs and one- IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN time costs. Implementation of the alternatives is subject Annual costs include the costs associated with to future funding availability. Inclusion in an ongoing maintenance, utilities, staffing, alternative does not mean that an action is supplies and materials, and any leasing costs. guaranteed funding.

One-time costs include deferred maintenance (such as bringing structures up to standard),

ALTERNATIVE 1 (PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE)

DESCRIPTION Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to coordinate Alternative 1 would focus on the reduction of certain activities such as law enforcement, development within the heart of the national research, seed collection, and the manage- monument. Emphasis would be placed on ment of exotic species. Other activities that preserving the setting, the site history, and the might be coordinated between the three spiritual significance of the national monu- agencies are the management of prescribed ment as the source of pipestone (see the fires, prairie restoration and rehabilitation, Alternative 1 map). The visitor center and and the establishment of a northern access associated parking (both eligible for inclusion route to the national monument. on the National Register of Historic Places) would be removed from among the quarries, MANAGEMENT ZONES and with ongoing prairie restoration, visitors would be able to see the site much as it was Administrative Zone prehistorically and sense the power and significance of the site to American Indians. There would be no administrative zone in this alternative because the visitor center and its Primary visitor services would be moved to a administrative function would be removed location close to or just within the monument from the national monument, along with boundary that would provide views of the site parking, maintenance, and the housing area. and/or good access, and promote a high probability of visitor contact. At that time the cooperating association’s office, packing Visitor Services Zone room, and sales area would be moved to the new location, along with the American Indian In alternative 1 the visitor services zone would demonstrators. The facility would be in a consist of three small areas — a new entrance location that would promote a high area above Winnewissa Falls just west of Hia- probability of visitor contact. watha Avenue and north of Pipestone Creek, a restroom facility on the western end of the A new national monument entrance would be Circle Trail, and a new prairie overlook on the developed on already disturbed land north of west perimeter. Pipestone Creek on the national monument’s east boundary. Parking, restrooms, and The new entrance area, which would be information kiosk, and trials would be placed in a previously disturbed area, would developed. have visitor parking, restroom facilities, and an interpretive/fee collection kiosk. The The Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s staffed kiosk would offer general information house would not be acquired under alterna- and orientation to the site and direct visitors tive 1, but the National Park Service would to the trail system. It also would direct visitors provide preservation technical assistance to to the new visitor center for a more in-depth the owners and commit to searching for understanding of the site. Visitors would fol- funding for the stabilization and restoration of low a trail above Winnewissa Falls to connect the House which is listed in the National with the existing Circle Trail. Register of Historic Places (see appendix F for details). The National Park Service would initiate a cooperative agreement with the Minnesota

60 Cooperative Agreement with Minnesota West Community MDNR/USFWS and Technical College to coordinate Former Indian School activities Superintendent's House not acquired but NPS would e k provide preservation a PIPESTONE WILDLIFE L and interpretive Indian MANAGEMENT AREA assistance to owners Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Good Samaritan US Fish and Wildlife Service Village

Parking

Sun Dance Area Sun Dance Quarry Line Falls Landing Sweat Acquired Assisted Living Lodge Area and managed NOTE: for Primary P prairie Visitor Services i p restoration Administation e Sioux s Maintenance to Quartzite n Escarpment Resource Management e offsite C r North e e Quarry k New National Monument Line Parking Entrance Trailhead Existing Outdoor Maintenance Restrooms Storage Area Removed Winnewissa Pipestone Creek New Falls restroom Visitor Center facility Lake and parking Hiawatha removed Prairie Overlook Sioux Quartzite Trail Escarpment

South County Road 67 Hiawatha Avenue Quarry Two houses Line and garage removed

Parking for visitors Parking with disabilities and quarriers

Entrance road ends Prairie at South Quarry line Three Maidens restored Picnic Area and parking removed Hiawatha Club LEGEND (restrooms remain) QUARRY ZONE City of Pipestone ADMINISTRATION ZONE

VISITOR SERVICES ZONE PRAIRIE RESTORATION ZONE

CEREMONIAL USE ZONE NORTH PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE FUTURE LAND ACQUISITION PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT NPS BOUNDARY United States Department of the Interior National Park Service EXISTING TRAIL DSC • August 2007 • 372 • 20,004 PROPOSED TRAIL

Alternative 1 (Preferred Alternative)

A new restroom facility would be constructed The National Park Service would initiate a on the west end of the Circle Trail. The facility cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and would be located so as to prevent conflicts Wildlife Service and the Minnesota Depart- with the sacred nature of the quarries and to ment of Natural Resources to coordinate the prevent obstruction of scenic views. resource management activities on the land north of the national monument. This would A new prairie overlook off County Road 67 allow the removal of exotic plant species from would provide visitors a vista into the national that land so that it could be brought into a monument, unobstructed by powerlines or condition similar to that of the national monu- structures. It would allow a view ment, helping to curtail the invasion of such approximating the site before Euro-American species into the national monument. Such co- settlement. ordination also would be necessary for prescribed burns, Sun Dances, quarrier access, Prairie Preservation Zone and tallgrass prairie restoration.

The prairie preservation zone would en- Quarry Zone compass most of the national monument. It would include both restored and preserved In alternative 1, the quarry zone would consist prairie. Exotic species would be aggressively of the north and south quarry lines and the removed to create a semblance of the historic area along, and south of, the entrance road prairie appearance. The national monument from the south quarry line east to Hiawatha staff would work with the owners of adjacent Avenue. It also would contain the Three property to remove such species on adjoining Maidens area. The existing small parking area lands. The water quality of Pipestone Creek adjacent to the Three Maidens would be and Indian and Hiawatha Lakes would be im- removed. The quarry zone would be the proved through renewed cooperation with the primary focus of visitor activity. local and state authorities and the owners of upstream land. Features along the trails would The appearance of the north and south quarry be made accessible, or other interpretive lines would remain much the same as at means would be developed to give visitors present. The management of the individual with disabilities an opportunity to visualize quarries would not change. The quarry lines the landscape. would continue to be areas of high resource impact consistent with the national monu- Two houses and a garage structure just off the ment’s legislation and individual quarry entrance road would be removed and the site permits. replanted with native species. The ranger now The current national monument entry road living in one of the structures would find would end at the south quarry line, where housing in nearby Pipestone. The office func- several parking spaces would be installed for tion of the other structure would be incorpor- quarriers and visitors with disabilities. The ated into the administrative facility offsite. picnic area and restrooms would be removed, The National Park Service would acquire the and native plant species would be replanted to local school district land along the national encourage reversion to prairie. Visitors monument’s east boundary south of Minne- requesting picnic facilities would be directed sota West Community and Technical College to the city park approximately two blocks and would manage it to return it to a south of the intersection of Reservation and semblance of native prairie. Hiawatha avenues. In areas not actively being quarried, nonnative plant species would be removed and native species encouraged in a

63 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE manner similar to that practiced in the prairie A carrying capacity study would be under- preservation zone. taken to determine how much human use could occur within the zone before it would The quarry sweat lodge area in this zone cause environmental damage. After this would be removed, with new sweat lodges determination, ceremonial events would not allowed in the ceremonial use zone, where be allowed to exceed the maximum capacity. such activity already exists. The area where Identifying and enforcing the carrying capa- the sweat lodges are now would revert to city would allow the natural healing of the site prairie. between uses.

New visitor trails could be constructed in this Semipermanent structures for ceremonial zone if necessary as a part of general access purposes and ancillary structures such as and interpretation of the quarries and other kitchen facilities would remain year-round as site features. Motorized vehicle access gen- long as they were maintained by the permittee erally would be discouraged, but trails used by and did not present a safety hazard. quarriers would be hardened in some fashion to ease the use of carts, wheelbarrows, and Three Maidens Zone maintenance vehicles. There would be no Three Maidens zone in The Three Maidens area would continue to be alternative 1. It has been combined with the both an interpretive focus of NPS interpreta- quarry zone. tion and an important locale associated with the quarrying process. The site would be planted with native species and allowed to VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE revert to prairie, with a trail nearby helping to guide and control visitor access. Because the In alternative 1, most visitors would continue Three Maidens should be a place of quiet con- to approach Pipestone National Monument templation and respect, interpretive signs from the south by driving north on U.S. High- would explain the importance of the site in way 75 from the city of Pipestone. Quarriers American Indian culture and request visitors’ and visitors with disabilities might make their help in preserving that atmosphere. The use of first stop at the Three Maidens area near the the Three Maidens during the Hiawatha south boundary of the national monument, Pageant would be restricted under permit. but most would follow the directional signs along the east boundary to a new entrance area just west of Hiawatha Avenue and north Ceremonial Use Zone of Pipestone Creek above Winnewissa Falls. In alternative 1, the ceremonial use zone After leaving their vehicles in the parking lot, would encompass only the area along the visitors would walk to a staffed kiosk to be north boundary line where the annual Sun greeted by a ranger, pay their entrance fees, Dances take place, along with associated get general information, and be oriented to campsites and kitchen facilities. the national monument’s resources and trails. Fully accessible restrooms would be available Before ceremonial use of the site, the zone nearby. Visitors with disabilities would be would be seeded with locally harvested given a key to the Reservation Avenue gate, tallgrass prairie plant species and mowed to a where there would be an accessible trail to the height consistent with species regeneration. quarries. Nonnative plant species would be actively removed.

Alternative 1 (Preferred Alternative)

Orientation provided by a ranger and a bro- house is located north of the national chure would explain that a short trail from monument on the west side of Hiawatha that kiosk leads to a location above Winne- Avenue. The National Park Service would not wissa Falls. From this vantage point, visitors acquire the Indian School superintendent’s would experience the site much as American house but would work with the owners to Indians have done for centuries. This short provide NPS assistance with interpretation trail would connect to the existing Circle and preservation of the structure (see Trail, where visitors still could walk past the appendix F). Nicollet inscription and marker and see and hear Winnewissa Falls cascade over the RESOURCE PROTECTION quartzite bluffs. They could follow Pipestone Creek to Hiawatha Lake, see some pipestone Cultural Resources quarry sites, and stroll past a remnant of a tallgrass prairie. Wayside exhibits along the The national monument staff would continue trail would offer site-specific interpretation. to research the historic context of different landscape periods over time, as described in Visitors with disabilities would enter the the “Affected Environment” chapter. Later, national monument through the Reservation cultural landscape specialists would use that Avenue gate and park in a new parking area information to identify, inventory, and report south of the quarry line also used by quarriers. about the eligibility of potential cultural The Three Maidens rock formation would be landscapes for listing in the National Register visible among prairie grasses instead of its of Historic Places as contributing elements to current setting amid a mowed lawn and picnic the existing listing of the national monument area. Wayside exhibits here would explain as a whole (as of October 15, 1966). Additional that American Indians continue to revere study could suggest some interactions with these rocks as sacred. The exhibits also would particular land areas of certain plants, trees, describe the historic and cultural significance and geographic formations integral to a of this site; a trailhead exhibit would orient landscape, the continued presence of which visitors to a trail leading to the quarries. Like would protect the landscape. More study also the spur trail from the new entrance area, this could lead to the greater level of resource trail would connect to the existing Circle protection afforded by national register Trail. eligibility or listing.

Visitors driving to the prairie overlook off The national monument contains overlapping County Road 67 would be treated to a view cultural landscapes. In this alternative, in approximating how the site looked before which the visitor center would be razed, the European–American settlement — a swath of anticipated result would be rehabilitation of a tallgrass prairie extending to the quartzite portion of the landscape associated with the bluffs. With few interruptions by modern de- historic, yet contemporary, line of pipestone velopment, visitors would get a historically quarries near the visitor center, which is the accurate experience. In keeping with this con- cultural landscape associated with quarrying cept, no facilities would be developed at this and the one that relates most to the national overlook. Only wayside exhibits would inter- monument’s purpose. The later Mission 66 pret the national monument’s natural and landscape features would be documented and cultural history. removed.

Visitors driving north on Hiawatha Avenue on The national monument staff would continue the east side of the national monument could to protect ethnographic resources such as stop at the Pipestone Indian School and the unique rock formations — for example, The Indian School superintendent’s house. The

65 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Oracle, Leaping Rock, and the Three Maidens through a memorandum of agreement — by directing visitors to stay on designated between the National Park Service and the trails and roads. Visitor education about the state historic preservation officer. cultural importance of ethnographic re- Concurrence with the state historic sources would continue through varied types preservation officer and, if necessary, the of interpretation available at the visitor center. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, This would increase visitors’ cultural aware- would be carried out in accordance with ness of and sensitivity to American Indians’ section 106 of the National Historic traditional uses of specific sites and resources Preservation Act. in the national monument. Such interpretation would help visitors to understand various The National Park Service would not acquire traditional uses in the vicinity of the resources the Indian School superintendent’s house but such as leaving sage or other offerings nearby. would provide preservation technical Visitor education would help to protect eth- assistance to the owners and commit to nographic resources by building up an en- searching for funding for the stabilization and lightened constituency whose appreciative restoration of the House and interpretation presence would value the resources and dis- (see appendices F and G). Thus, this courage the possibility of isolated vandalism. alternative would help protect the house as a cultural resource. The staff would continue to study ethnographic resources through ongoing consulta- In alternative 1 the national monument’s mu- tions with American Indians and by research- seum collections and archives would be pro- ing the ethnohistoric significance of the re- tected in a facility away from the national sources within the historic context of different monument. This would remove those landscape periods over time. Later, cultural important resources from their current resource specialists would use that informa- location in the 100-year and 500-year flood- tion to identify, inventory, and report about plains, where they could be subject to damage the eligibility of potential traditional cultural in the unlikely but real possibility of a flood. properties for listing in the National Register of Historic Places as contributing elements to Natural Resources the existing listing of the national monument as a whole (as of October 15, 1966). More The restoration of tallgrass prairie, including study could lead to the greater level of re- the management of exotic plants and the use source protection afforded by national of prescribed fire, would continue in most of register eligibility or listing. the national monument. The National Park Service would seek the cooperation of the The Hiawatha Club’s yearly use of the Three national monument’s neighbors in removing Maidens as a backdrop for its Hiawatha exotic plants on their lands, thereby reducing Pageant would continue; however, physical the chance of exotics moving onto national contact with the Three Maidens would not be monument land. permitted. NPS staff would continue to ensure that activ- This alternative would involve razing the ities in the national monument would not in- Mission 66 visitor center. Visitor orientation troduce pollutants into Pipestone Creek. The and administration functions would be moved National Park Service would work with local to another location. The adverse effect on the governments, landowners, and the state to historic fabric of the existing visitor center improve the water quality in Pipestone Creek. and on the other historic Mission 66 landscape features would be mitigated

Alternative 1 (Preferred Alternative)

The staff would monitor the water level in the • Funding for some aspects of the plan national monument’s well to be sure that the may be provided by partners, pumping of quarries was not affecting the donation, or other nonfederal funding water table. It might be necessary to drill more sources. wells for test purposes. Should the water level • All costs are shown in today’s dollars in any well fall, the staff would consult the (actual costs may range from 30% Water Resources Division of the National below to 50% above the estimate). Park Service about what actions, if any, should be taken. Costs have been broken down into two categories—annual operating costs and one- time costs. BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS Annual costs include the costs associated with In alternative 1, a boundary adjustment would ongoing maintenance, utilities, staffing, be made to acquire a parcel of land owned by supplies and materials, and any leasing costs. the Pipestone Area School District, placing the school district lands within the boundaries of One-time costs include deferred maintenance the national monument. The land is south of (such as bringing structures up to standard), Minnesota West Community and Technical new construction, the cost of removal or College. This would add 15.3 acres to Pipe- divestiture of resources, the cost of stone National Monument. The property restoration of resources, the cost of would be managed as part of the prairie rehabilitation, the cost of additions to preservation zone. structures, and any costs associated with documentation and research on the resources. COSTS Initial land acquisition costs are not included Costs for alternative 1 are given for in the cost estimates below. The acquisition of comparison to other alternatives only; they lands might be through donation or purchase. are not to be used for budgeting purposes. In either case, merely adding lands to the national monument would not immediately The following assumptions have been made: make funds available for maintenance, restoration, and operation. Although these • All actions start in year one of the 20 have been figured into the initial cost year plan for comparison purposes (in explained above, it might be several years actuality they may be funded at any before funds are actually available to time within the 20 years). implement the plan. • Some proposals may never be funded within the 20 year life of the general Annual operating costs: $11,865,000 management plan. One-time costs: $1,771,000 • Approval of the general management Total costs: $13,636,000 plan does not guarantee any funding for the proposed actions.

ALTERNATIVE 2

DESCRIPTION Visitor Services Zone

The focus of alternative 2 would be on the The maintenance function would be separated pipestone quarries, their significance, and the from the visitor center / administration build- quarrying process. Emphasis would be placed ing and moved to a new location, as described on the methods used, the items created, their above. This would allow the main structure, importance in American Indian culture, and which contains the visitor center and the the quarriers. Visitor access to the quarries Upper Midwest Indian Cultural Center, to be would be enhanced. This alternative would rehabilitated and enlarged to include an depend heavily on interpretation and an en- expanded research library; better collections larged visitor center (see alternative 2 map). storage; classrooms for educational and community use; additional office space; The National Park Service would acquire the updated exhibits and programs; and upgraded Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s cooperating association storage, office, and house and 15.3 acres of land south of that display space. The visitor center redevelop- house. The boundary of Pipestone National ment would include measures to protect Monument would be adjusted to include against flooding. An active demonstration these acquisitions. The superintendent’s quarry would be developed to offer better house would be rehabilitated and interpreted understanding of the quarrying process and to explain its relationship to the national training for new quarriers in techniques, monument and the Indian school phenome- safety, and interpretation. non (characteristic of the 19th and 20th centuries) that occurred in different parts of the The large parking area in front of the visitor United States (Fish 2001). This would be a center would remain unchanged or would be major interpretive area in the national monu- slightly reconfigured to serve the enlarged ment. The National Park Service also would facility. Also in the visitor services zone would seek to acquire the USFWS/MDNR land be the picnic area and restrooms. A new park- north of the boundary (about 100 acres) to ing area would be created along the entry manage as part of the national monument. road, and the road / paved area between this site and the Three Maidens would be removed MANAGEMENT ZONES so that prairie plant species could be reestab- lished. Administrative Zone Prairie Preservation Zone The administrative zone would consist of two areas. In the first, the two houses just north of The prairie preservation zone would comprise the entry road that are now used for office most of the site. It would contain the USFWS/ space and ranger housing would remain and MDNR lands north of the present national function as at present. The second area would monument boundary. Also in this zone would contain a new maintenance facility developed be 15.3 acres of land proposed for acquisition on newly acquired land along Hiawatha Ave- along Hiawatha Avenue south of Minnesota nue south of Minnesota West Community and West Community and Technical College, Technical College. Most administrative func- which would be proposed for a maintenance tions would remain in the visitor center with area. The water quality of Pipestone Creek visitor services. and Indian and Hiawatha Lakes would be improved through cooperation with the local

68 Alternative 2 and state authorities and the owners of In areas not actively being quarried, nonnative upstream lands. plant species would be removed and native species encouraged, similar to the practices in Exotic species would be aggressively removed the prairie preservation zone. However, the to create a semblance of the historic prairie primary purpose of this zone is quarrying; the appearance. The national monument staff removal of those reintroduced species might would work with the owners of adjacent later be necessary because of the expansion of property to remove such species on adjoining quarries. lands. This would be a way of forestalling the inadvertent reseeding of these unwanted spe- New visitor trails could be constructed in this cies on national monument land. zone, if necessary, as a part of general access and interpretation of the quarries and other All existing trails would be modified where site features. Motorized vehicle access gen- feasible to bring them up to NPS standards. erally would be discouraged, but trails used by Features along the trails would be made ac- quarriers and national monument mainten- cessible, or other interpretive means would be ance efforts would be hardened in some way developed to give visitors with disabilities an to ease the use of carts and wheelbarrows. opportunity to visualize the landscape. The nonhistoric bridge below the falls would be removed and a new bridge constructed Ceremonial Use Zone downstream. In alternative 2, Sun Dance ceremonies would The use of the Sun Dance grounds would be be discontinued. The existing kitchen facilities discontinued under this alternative, and the would be removed, and the land would be al- area would be restored to tallgrass prairie. lowed to revert to tallgrass prairie. The ceremonial use zone would consist only of the site of existing sweat lodges along the north quar- Quarry Zone ry line. These are closely associated with the In the quarry zone, emphasis would be placed rituals surrounding the quarries and pipestone on interpreting the quarrying and pipe- extraction. To allow privacy of use, the area making processes. would continue to be out of the normal visitor interpretive areas. If it was determined that acceptable quality pipestone can be found on the USFWS/ Three Maidens Zone MDNR lands, the quarry zone would roughly encompass the quarry line from the south The Three Maidens Zone in this alternative boundary to the proposed north boundary would consist of the immediate area sur- line at the county road. Otherwise, the zone rounding the Three Maidens formation, in the would end at the existing national monument national monument south of the entry road boundary. The visitor center and a new dem- and east of the picnic area and restroom. This onstration quarry in the visitor services zone zone would continue to be both a focus of would separate the north and south quarry NPS interpretation and an important locale lines. associated with American Indian use of the quarries. The site would be planted with The management of the individual quarries native species and allowed to revert to prairie, would not change greatly. The quarry lines with a trail nearby helping to guide and con- would continue to be areas of high resource trol visitor access. The parking area along the impact consistent with national monument entry road would remain, but the parking be- legislation and individual quarry permits. tween the Three Maidens and the picnic area would be removed.

69 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Because the Three Maidens should be a place would find needed resources in the expanded of respect and quiet contemplation, interpre- research library and collection area. tive signs would explain the importance of the site in American Indian culture and request Outside the visitor center would be an active visitors’ help in preserving that atmosphere. demonstration and teaching quarry that visi- The use of the Three Maidens by the tors could observe. A demonstrator would Hiawatha Club as a backdrop during the physically work the quarry, teaching enrolled group’s annual pageant could continue, but tribal members the art and science of quarry- there would be no direct contact with the ing. Visitors also would be able to watch the formation, as outlined in the special use demonstrator to see how quarrying is done. permit. Orientation by a ranger or a wayside exhibit would direct visitors to the existing Circle VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE Trail. Wayside exhibits along the trail would give site-specific interpretation and allow visi- In alternative 2, visitors would enter the na- tors to look into several quarries, follow along tional monument by the existing entry road, Pipestone Creek to Hiawatha Lake and Win- and many would make their first stop at the newissa Falls, walk up to the Nicollet inscrip- Three Maidens area. With parking for the tion and marker, and stroll past the edge of picnic area eliminated and prairie grasses al- the tallgrass prairie. lowed to grow in this alternative, visitors would be better able to understand and ap- Even visitors who chose not to walk the trails preciate the cultural and spiritual significance would experience a prairie environment be- associated with this rock formation. Wayside cause most of the national monument would exhibits here would explain the historic and be in the prairie preservation zone. If some cultural significance of this site. visitors chose not to take one of the existing trails, interpretive opportunities would be A short drive (or walk or bicycle ride) down available to enable visitors, especially those the entrance road would bring visitors to an with disabilities, to understand and appreciate enlarged visitor facility. After leaving their ve- the prairie landscape that once covered vast hicles in the parking lot, visitors would walk to regions of the Midwest. the visitor center to be greeted by a ranger, pay their entrance/user fees, get general information, and be oriented to the national monu- RESOURCE PROTECTION ment’s resources and trails. Fully accessible restrooms would be available in the visitor Cultural Resources center. The national monument staff would continue Inside the enlarged visitor center, visitors to protect ethnographic resources such as would see well-designed exhibits interpreting unique rock formations — for example, The the significance of the quarries, the pipes, and Oracle, Leaping Rock, and the Three Maidens their importance in American Indian culture. — by directing visitors to stay on designated Visitors also could observe and interact with trails and roads. Visitor education about the American Indians demonstrating pipemaking cultural importance of ethnographic re- and other crafts in the demonstration area. sources would continue through different Educational groups would gather in a class- types of interpretation available at the visitor room setting to explore concepts that would center. This would increase visitors’ cultural connect their school curriculum to the na- awareness of and sensitivity to American In- tional monument’s resources. Researchers dians’ traditional uses of specific sites in the national monument. Such interpretation 70

Acquired and Managed for Restoration of Prairie

Minnesota West Community and Technical College

Former Indian School Superintendent's e PIPESTONE WILDLIFE k House a MANAGEMENT AREA L India n Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and US Fish and Wildlife Service Good Samaritan Village

Parking

Sun Dance Facilities Maintenance Facility Removed and Site Managed for Prairie (Administration Zone) Restoration Falls Landing School Assisted Living District Land acquired P and i p Sioux managed e Sweat s Quartzite for prairie to Lodge n Escarpment restoration e Area North C Quarry r e e Line k Existing Outdoor Maintenance Storage Area Removed Visitor Center Expanded Winnewissa Pipestone Creek Demonstration Quarry Falls Developed Lake Hiawatha New Winnewissa Falls Bridge (Existing bridge removed. Visitor Trail location shown Center is conceptual) Trail Sioux Quartzite Escarpment County Road 67 South Hiawatha Avenue Quarry Line Residence Administration Offices Zone

Picnic Area Three & Restrooms Maidens

Wayside Parking Prairie Expanded To Serve restored Both Three Maidens and Picnic Area Hiawatha LEGEND Club

QUARRY ZONE City of Pipestone ADMINISTRATION ZONE

VISITOR SERVICES ZONE PRAIRIE RESTORATION ZONE THREE MAIDENS CEREMONIAL USE ZONE NORTH ALTERNATIVE 2 FUTURE LAND ACQUISITION PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT NPS BOUNDARY United States Department of the Interior EXISTING TRAIL National Park Service DSC • Aug. 2007 • 372 • 20,005A PROPOSED TRAIL

Alternative 2 would help visitors to understand various tra- the Midwest Region of the National Park Ser- ditional uses in the vicinity of the resources vice evaluated the Mission 66 development at such as leaving sage or other offerings nearby. Pipestone National Monument to determine Visitor education would help to protect eth- its eligibility for the national register. The nographic resources by building up an en- visitor center, the parking lot, the entry road, lightened constituency that would appreciate the interpretive trail, and the housing met the the resources and discourage the possibility of national register criteria for historic signifi- isolated vandalism. cance for properties less than 50 years old. The Minnesota state historic preservation The staff would continue to study ethno- officer concurred with the determination of graphic resources through ongoing consul- eligibility on June 30, 2003. Appendix D tations with American Indians and by re- contains a copy of the concurrence letter. searching the ethnohistoric significance of the resources within the historic context of dif- Housing the national monument’s collection ferent landscape periods over time. Later, of American Indian pipestone (catlinite) pipes cultural resource specialists would use that and other museum collections and archives in information to identify, inventory, and report the rehabilitated visitor center would give about the eligibility of potential traditional those important resources more space at a cultural properties for listing in the National higher level of protection. Although the visitor Register of Historic Places as contributing ele- center still would be in the 100-year and 500- ments to the existing listing of the national year floodplains, the likelihood of flood dam- monument as a whole (as of October 15, age would be minimized by raising the cura- 1966). More study could lead to the greater tion and storage areas in the unlikely but real resource protection afforded by national possibility of a flood. In addition, the collec- register eligibility or listing. tions and archives still would be protected by the actions recommended in the national A special use permit would continue to be monument’s emergency operations plan. issued to the Hiawatha Club for its use of the Rehabilitating the visitor center would mean Three Maidens for its Hiawatha Pageant. The that museum standards would be met, and permit would specify the conditions under there would be little possibility of flood which the site could be used. damage or the need to implement the emergency plan. Relocating the 1998 bridge near Winnewissa Falls to a spot farther downstream would By acquiring the Pipestone Indian School sup- permit an unimpeded view of the falls. This erintendent’s house under alternative 2, the would make the view more consistent with National Park Service would take responsi- traditional American Indian use of the falls, bility for its preservation, which would help because traditionally there would have been greatly to protect the house as a cultural re- no bridge as a means of access to the falls. source. The building would be rehabilitated to serve as an interpretive center for the Pipe- Enlarging and rehabilitating the Mission 66 stone Indian School aspect of the national visitor center and using it as the national monument’s history. monument’s administrative center, for interpreting the national monument to visitors Natural Resources and for the curation and storage of important collections would protect that historic The restoration of tallgrass prairie, including structure. the management of exotic plants and the use of prescribed fire, would continue in most of As part of this general management planning the national monument. The National Park process, cultural resource professionals from

73 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Service would seek the cooperation of the part of the visitor services zone. The USFWS/ national monument’s neighbors in removing MDNR land and the school district parcel exotic plants on their lands, thereby reducing would be managed as part of the prairie the chance of exotics moving onto national preservation zone. monument land. COSTS The NPS staff would continue to ensure that activities in the national monument would not Costs for alternative 2 are given for introduce pollutants into Pipestone Creek. comparison to other alternatives only; they The National Park Service would work with are not to be used for budgeting purposes. local governments, landowners, and the state to improve the water quality in Pipestone The following assumptions have been made: Creek. • All actions start in year one of the 20 The staff would monitor the water level in the year plan for comparison purposes (in national monument’s well to be sure that the actuality they may be funded at any pumping of quarries was not affecting the wa- time within the 20 years). ter table. It might be necessary to drill more • Some proposals may never be funded wells for test purposes. Should the water level within the 20 year life of the general in any well fall, the staff would consult the management plan. NPS Water Resources Division about what • actions, if any, should be taken. Approval of the general management plan does not guarantee any funding The bridge on Pipestone Creek below Winne- for the proposed actions. wissa Falls would be relocated to remove the • Funding for some aspects of the plan barrier to the free flow of floodwaters that it may be provided by partners, creates. The redevelopment of the visitor cen- donation, or other nonfederal funding ter would include measures to protect that sources. structure and the people who use it against • All costs are shown in today’s dollars flooding. (actual costs may range from 30% below to 50% above the estimate). The use of the Sun Dance grounds would be discontinued, and the area would be restored Costs have been broken down into two to tallgrass prairie. categories—annual operating costs and one- time costs.

BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS Annual costs include the costs associated with ongoing maintenance, utilities, staffing, Under alternative 2, a boundary adjustment supplies and materials, and any leasing costs. would be made to place three properties within the boundaries of Pipestone National One-time costs include deferred maintenance Monument. Adding the parcel of school dis- (such as bringing structures up to standard), trict land south of the Minnesota West Com- new construction, the cost of removal or munity and Technical College would add 15.3 divestiture of resources, the cost of acres, the Pipestone Indian School superin- restoration of resources, the cost of tendent’s house would add less than 1 acre, rehabilitation, the cost of additions to and the USFWS/MDNR property on the structures, and any costs associated with north boundary would add about 100 acres, documentation and research on the resources. for a total of approximately 116 acres. The superintendent’s house would be managed as 74

Alternative 2

Initial land acquisition costs are not included explained above, it might be several years in the cost estimates below. The acquisition of before funds are actually available to lands might be through donation or purchase. implement the plan. In either case, merely adding lands to the national monument would not immediately Annual operating costs: $8,759,000 make funds available for maintenance, One-time costs: $5,080,000 restoration, and operation. Although these Total costs: $13,839,000 have been figured into the initial cost

ALTERNATIVE 3

DESCRIPTION function would be co-located with another public entity, possibly through a lease/build Alternative 3 was developed as a way to meld agreement, with the city, county, or the most advantageous features of the other Minnesota West Community and Technical alternatives along with a rethinking of the College, on a property outside the national visitor center’s purpose and to better use its monument boundary. existing space (see Alternative 3 map). In determining the preferred alternative, Although the Indian School superintendent’s planners considered which alternative would house would not be acquired in this best meet the national monument’s purpose, alternative, the National Park Service would needs, and objectives as well as the following work with the owners to provide technical considerations: assistance for the preservation and interpretation of the structure (see appendix • Provide for American Indian F). The National Park Service would also traditional and ceremonial uses. work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Preserve cultural and natural and the Minnesota Department of Natural resources. Resources to develop a cooperative agreement • Enhance spiritual qualities. for prairie restoration, American Indian • Provide for visitor use, education, and ceremonial use, law enforcement, and enjoyment. possible visitor opportunities on the land • Improve operational effectiveness immediately north of the national monument and sustainability. (such as access to the Sun Dance area and the The national monument’s visitor center/ quarries). Other activities that might be administration building would be totally coordinated between the three agencies redesigned within the current structure. The would be the management of prescribed fires building exterior would be preserved while and the establishment of a northern access the interior would be fully rehabilitated to route to the national monument. better serve national monument visitor and staffing needs. Depending upon space MANAGEMENT ZONES constraints, the superintendent and administrative staff or, possibly, the museum Administrative Zone collections could be housed in one of the houses near the national monument entrance. In alternative 3, the administrative zone would consist of the immediate area surrounding the The maintenance function would be removed two houses. One house would be designated from the visitor center to reduce the conflict as housing for a law enforcement ranger; the between visitor use and national monument other would become office space, space for operations in the transition from the visitor collections, or seasonal housing. center area to the trailheads. The reduction in maintenance activities directly adjacent to the In alternative 3, the administrative zone would visitor center would improve visitor consist of the immediate area surrounding the experience. In addition, the freed-up space two houses that are currently functioning as would allow for the consolidation of the law enforcement ranger housing and office remaining staff into the existing structure and space. One house would continue to be still provide a small “cache” of custodial designated housing for a law enforcement equipment and supplies. The maintenance ranger. The other would be rehabilitated for

76 Alternative 3 staff housing unless, based on floodplain or inadvertent reseeding of these unwanted space constraints within the rehabilitated species on national monument lands. visitor center, it becomes necessary to provide collections storage or additional office space. The water quality of Pipestone Creek and Hiawatha Lake in the national monument and Indian Lake outside the national monument Visitor Services Zone would be improved through renewed cooper- The visitor services zone would comprise the ation and information sharing with the local visitor center, parking, and the immediate and state authorities and the owners of surrounding area including a new, active upstream land. demonstration/teaching quarry. It also would Existing trails would be upgraded where feas- encompass the picnic area and parking, and ible. A new bridge would be built to cross the Three Maidens parking area. Pipestone Creek downstream from Winne- The visitor center would be rehabilitated to wissa Falls. It would be designed to be less better accommodate visitor information, obtrusive on the landscape, to allow visitors a exhibits, museum collections storage, better view of the falls, and perhaps to pre- curatorial functions, an expanded research clude the yearly repairs that are necessary library, American Indian demonstrators, the after the spring thaw. Additional trails could cooperating association, and all national be developed to further site interpretation / monument staff except maintenance. education and visitor outreach. However, a bay or area for maintenance In alternative 3, the prairie preservation zone storage would also be provided. would serve as a learning laboratory for staff, If necessary, one of the houses in the researchers, and visitors regarding the pres- Administrative Zone would be rehabilitated ervation and restoration of native prairie. It for office space for the superintendent and also would serve as an educational tool for administrative staff or collections storage. A Pipestone schools and classes that visit the demonstration quarry nearby would be national monument. developed both to interpret the quarrying process for visitors and to teach new quarriers Quarry Zone the basic quarrying techniques. In the quarry zone, emphasis would be placed on interpreting the quarrying and pipe- Prairie Preservation Zone making processes. The prairie preservation zone, which would The quarry zone would encompass the entire encompass most of the national monument, quarry line from the south boundary to the would consist of both restored and preserved north boundary line bordering the USFWS/ prairie. Also in this zone would be the school MDNR property. On the north end, it would district lands proposed for acquisition along bisect the Sun Dance grounds. Thus, the zone Hiawatha Avenue south of Minnesota West would contain all the quarry line thought to Community and Technical College. possess pipestone except at the visitor center, Exotic species would be aggressively removed where a demonstration quarry would be de- to create a semblance of the appearance of the veloped as part of the visitor services zone. historic prairie. The national monument staff There would not be a substantial change in the would work with the owners of adjacent management of individual quarries under al- property to remove such species on adjoining ternative 3. The quarry lines would continue lands. This would be a way of forestalling

77 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE to be areas of high resource impact consistent trol and replanting of native grasses and gen- with national monument legislation and indi- eral site maintenance necessary after an event. vidual quarry permits. During a Sun Dance, the quarries bisecting the In areas not actively being quarried, nonnative zone would continue to be fenced to ensure plant species would be removed and native the safety of site users. species encouraged, similar to the practices in the prairie preservation zone. However, the Three Maidens Zone primary purpose of this zone is quarrying; the reintroduced species might later have to be In this alternative as in alternative 2, the Three removed as new quarries were opened. Maidens Zone would consist of the immediate area surrounding the Three Maidens forma- New trails could be constructed in this zone, if tion south of the entry road and east of the necessary, as a part of general access and in- picnic area / restroom. This zone would con- terpretation of the quarries and other site fea- tinue to be both a focus of NPS interpretation tures. The use of motorized vehicles would be and an important locale associated with rituals prohibited except when needed for essential surrounding the quarrying process. The site maintenance by national monument staff or would be planted with native species and contractors. allowed to revert to prairie, with a trail nearby to help guide and control visitor access. The Ceremonial Use Zone parking area along the entry road would remain, as would the parking between the Three In alternative 3, the ceremonial use zone Maidens and the picnic area. would contain the area along the north quarry line where sweat lodges now exist and the area Because the Three Maidens should be a place along the north boundary line where the an- of quiet contemplation and respect, interpre- nual Sun Dances take place under permit, tive signs would explain the importance of the along with associated campsites and kitchen site in American Indian culture, and visitors facilities. These semipermanent structures would be asked to help preserve that would be maintained by the users in accord- atmosphere. ance with applicable safety standards. The use of the Three Maidens by the Hia- The Sun Dance site would be bisected by the watha Club as a backdrop during the annual quarry zone. The zone would be mowed be- pageant could continue, but direct contact fore the first ceremonial use of each year. with the formation would be reduced through Nonnative plant species would be actively additional safeguards required in the permit. removed, but other than the use of native species, no attempt would be made to “re- VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE store” the prairie in this zone. A carrying capacity study would be undertaken to deter- In alternative 3, visitors would enter the na- mine how much human use could occur in the tional monument by the existing entry road, Sun Dance site before it would cause environ- and many would make their first stop at the mental damage. After this determination, Three Maidens wayside area. ceremonial events would not be allowed to exceed the maximum capacity. Identifying Prairie grasses would be allowed to grow up and enforcing the carrying capacity would around the Three Maidens. Wayside exhibits allow the natural healing of the site between would explain the historic and cultural uses and reduce the amount of erosion con-

Cooperative Agreement with Minnesota West Community MDNR/USFWS and Technical College to coordinate activities

Former Indian School e k Superintendent's a L House not acquired India n PIPESTONE WILDLIFE but Preservation and MANAGEMENT AREA Interpretive Assistance Minnesota Department Good to Owners of Natural Resources and Samaritan US Fish and Wildlife Service Village

Parking

Sun Dance Area

Sun Dance Falls Landing Quarry Assisted Living Line School District Land acquired Maintenance P and Moved Offsite i p managed e Sioux s Sweat for prairie to Quartzite n Lodge North Escarpment restoration e Area Quarry C r e Line e k Existing Outdoor Maintenance Storage Area Removed Visitor Center Rehabilitated Winnewissa Pipestone Creek Demonstration Quarry Falls Developed Lake Hiawatha New Winnewissa Falls Bridge (Existing bridge removed. Trail location shown Visitor is conceptual) Center Trail Sioux Quartzite Escarpment

South County Road 67 Quarry Hiawatha Avenue Line

Residence Parking Residence Residence becomes

Picnic Area Three office space for & Restrooms Maidens Superintendent and admin. staff, collections management, Picnic Prairie or returned to staff restored LEGEND Parking housing Hiawatha QUARRY ZONE Club City of Pipestone ADMINISTRATION ZONE

VISITOR SERVICES ZONE PRAIRIE RESTORATION ZONE THREE MAIDENS CEREMONIAL USE ZONE ALTERNATIVE 3 NORTH PIPESTONE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE FUTURE LAND ACQUISITION PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT NPS BOUNDARY United States Department of the Interior EXISTING TRAIL National Park Service DSC • Aug. 2007 • 372 • 20,006A PROPOSED TRAIL

Alternative 3 significance of this site and offer orientation RESOURCE PROTECTION to a trail leading to the quarries. Cultural Resources A short drive (or walk or bicycle ride) down the entrance road would bring visitors to a re- As part of this general management planning habilitated version of the existing visitor facil- process, cultural resource professionals from ity. After leaving their vehicles in the parking the Midwest Region of the National Park Ser- lot, visitors could walk to the visitor center to vice evaluated the Mission 66 development at be greeted by a ranger, pay their entrance/user Pipestone National Monument to determine fees, get general information, and be oriented its eligibility for the National Register of His- to the resources and trails of the national toric Places. The visitor center, the parking monument. Accessible restrooms also would lot, the entrance road, the interpretive trail, be available in the rehabilitated visitor center. and the housing met the national register criteria for historic significance for properties Inside the rehabilitated visitor center, im- less than 50 years old. The Minnesota state proved exhibits would interpret each of the historic preservation officer concurred with interpretive themes for the national the determination of eligibility on June 30, monument. Visitors could also observe and 2003. Appendix D contains a copy of the con- interact with American Indians in the currence letter. Although eligible, these struc- demonstration area as pipemaking and other tures have not yet been listed in the national crafts were demonstrated. register.

Outside the visitor center would be an active The national monument staff would continue demonstration quarry that visitors could ob- to protect ethnographic resources (such as serve. Part of the orientation made available unique rock formations) by directing visitors by a ranger or a wayside exhibit would direct to stay on designated trails and roads. Visitor visitors to the existing Circle Trail. Wayside education about the cultural importance of exhibits along the trail would give site-specific ethnographic resources would continue interpretation as visitors could look into a through different types of interpretation avail- quarry or two, follow along Pipestone Creek able at the visitor center. This would increase to Hiawatha Lake and Winnewissa Falls, walk visitors’ cultural awareness of and sensitivity up to the Nicollet inscription and marker, and to American Indians’ traditional uses of the stroll past the edge of tallgrass prairie. ethnographic resources. Such interpretation would help visitors to understand various Visitors who chose not to walk the trails still traditional uses in the vicinity of the resources could experience a prairie environment be- such as leaving sage or other offerings nearby. cause most of the national monument would Visitor education would help to protect eth- be in the prairie preservation zone. If some nographic resources by building up an en- visitors chose not to take one of the existing lightened constituency whose appreciative trails (modified to NPS standards), interpre- presence would value the resources and dis- tive opportunities would be available to encourage the possibility of isolated vandalism. able visitors, especially those with disabilities, to understand and appreciate the prairie land- The staff would continue to study ethno- scape that once covered vast regions of the graphic resources through ongoing consulta- Midwest. tions with American Indians and by researching the ethnohistoric significance of the resources within the historic context of different landscape periods over time. Later, cultural resource specialists would use that information to identify, inventory, and report about

81 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE the eligibility of potential traditional cultural Natural Resources properties for listing in the National Register of Historic Places as contributing elements to The restoration of tallgrass prairie, including the existing listing of the national monument the management of exotic plants and the use as a whole (as of October 15, 1966). More of prescribed fire, would continue in most of study could lead to the greater level of re- the national monument. The National Park source protection afforded by national regis- Service would seek the cooperation of the ter eligibility or listing. national monument’s neighbors in removing exotic plants on their lands, thereby reducing The Hiawatha Club would continue to use the the chance of exotics moving onto national Three Maidens as a backdrop for its annual monument land. pageant. A special use permit would specify the conditions for the use of the site. The NPS staff would continue to ensure that activities in the national monument would not Relocating the bridge near Winnewissa Falls introduce pollutants into Pipestone Creek. to a spot downstream of the falls would per- The National Park Service would work with mit an unimpeded view of the falls. This local governments, landowners, and the state would make the view more consistent with to improve the water quality in Pipestone traditional American Indian use of the falls, Creek. because traditionally there would have been no bridge as a means of access to the falls. The staff would monitor the water level in the national monument’s well to be sure that the Rehabilitating and reorganizing the Mission pumping of quarries was not affecting the 66 visitor center and using it to better inter- water table. It might be necessary to drill more pret the national monument to visitors would wells for test purposes. Should the water level protect that historic structure. in the well fall, the staff would consult the Water Resources Division of the National Museum collections and archives would Park Service about what actions, if any, should remain in the visitor center, a structure within be taken. both the 100- and 500-year floodplains. However, such resources would either be The bridge on Pipestone Creek below Winne- raised above the floodplain or designed to be wissa Falls would be relocated to remove the easily evacuated prior to any flooding. Should barrier to the free flow of floodwaters that it this prove infeasible, museum collections and creates. The redevelopment of the visitor archives could be moved into the former center would include measures to protect that residence now used for office space but structure and the people who use it against proposed for rehabilitation as NPS housing. flooding.

The National Park Service would not acquire BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS the Indian School superintendent’s house but would work with the owners to provide In alternative 3, the preferred alternative, a technical assistance for the interpretation and boundary adjustment would be made to preservation of the structure (see appendix F). acquire a parcel of land owned by the Pipe- stone Area School District, placing the school Thus, this alternative would help protect the district parcel within the boundaries of the house as a cultural resource. national monument. The land is south of Minnesota West Community and Technical College. This would add 15.3 acres to Pipe- stone National Monument. This parcel would 82

Alternative 3 be managed as part of the prairie preservation Costs have been broken down into two zone. categories—annual operating costs and one- time costs. COSTS Annual costs include the costs associated with The costs for alternative 3 are given for com- ongoing maintenance, utilities, staffing, parison to other alternatives only; they are not supplies and materials, and any leasing costs. to be used for budgeting purposes. One-time costs include deferred maintenance The following assumptions have been made: (such as bringing structures up to standard), new construction, the cost of removal or • All actions start in year one of the 20 divestiture of resources, the cost of year plan for comparison purposes (in restoration of resources, the cost of actuality they may be funded at any rehabilitation, the cost of additions to time within the 20 years). structures, and any costs associated with documentation and research on the resources. • Some proposals may never be funded within the 20 year life of the general Initial land acquisition costs are not included management plan. in the cost estimates below. The acquisition of • Approval of the general management lands might be through donation or purchase. plan does not guarantee any funding In either case, merely adding lands to the for the proposed actions. national monument would not immediately • Funding for some aspects of the plan make funds available for maintenance, may be provided by partners, restoration, and operation. Although these donation, or other nonfederal funding have been figured into the initial cost sources. explained above, it might be several years • All costs are shown in today’s dollars before funds are actually available to (actual costs may range from 30% implement the plan. below to 50% above the estimate). Annual operating costs: $9,141,000 One-time costs: $3,372,000 Total costs: $12,513,000

ALTERNATIVES ELIMINATED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION

During the planning process, the public sug- Indian tribes, the cooperating association, and gested several ideas that were dropped from local schools and universities was carefully further consideration because they would considered. It was eventually eliminated be- have resulted in unacceptable impacts on re- cause it was not specifically related to Pipe- sources or visitors, or they were deemed to be stone National Monument, an extensive en- outside the purpose of the national monu- largement of facilities would have been re- ment. These ideas are discussed below. quired to accomplish that aim, and it would have refocused the national monument’s INTRODUCE BISON TO resources away from the Pipestone story to THE NATIONAL MONUMENT one that could be better accommodated outside the national monument. Pipestone National Monument covers 281.78 acres. Approximately one-third to one-half of PROVIDE CAMPGROUND FACILITIES that is an active visitor use area or wetland FOR CEREMONIAL USE along Pipestone Creek. The number of bison that could make use of the remaining acreage The idea of providing campground facilities without significant environmental damage for ceremonial use was suggested by many would be small. They would need to be people during public scoping. It was carefully penned in with heavy-duty bison fence to considered, but in the end it was rejected keep them safely separated from visitors. This because the expense of developing and main- would detract from the open prairie that the taining such a facility for only two or three national monument is trying to restore. A weeks out of the year would have been pro- large herd of bison is maintained at nearby hibitive. It would have required bringing city Blue Mounds State Park, less than 20 miles water, sewer, and electrical service to the site. away. Although they are a part of the site’s his- To justify the cost, it would have been neces- tory, bison are not necessary to an under- sary to encourage more events or open the site standing of Pipestone National Monument or to all visitors. This would have resulted in a the quarrying process. Their maintenance considerable adverse impact on the national would take considerable staff time that could monument’s maintenance staff, the sacredness be used more effectively elsewhere. There- of the site, and local private campgrounds. fore, the introduction of bison was eliminated from further consideration.

MAKE PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT A REGIONAL CENTER FOR INDIGENOUS STUDIES

A suggestion to make Pipestone a research center through cooperation with American

THE ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE ALTERNATIVE

The environmentally preferable alternative is healthful and productive surrounding, the alternative that will promote the national alternative 1 best ensures an esthetically and environmental policy as expressed in section culturally pleasing surrounding by restoring 101(b) of the National Environmental Policy the ethnographic landscape of the quarries Act. In the National Park Service, the environ- within the tallgrass prairie. mentally preferable alternative is identified through the use of the following six criteria. Criterion 3 could be best met by alternative 1 or alternative 3. Either of these alternatives 1. Fulfill the responsibilities of each genera- provide a wide range of beneficial use without tion as trustee of the environment for degradation or risk to health and safety. succeeding generations. Alternative 1 may increase the amount of 2. Ensure for all Americans safe, healthful, traffic on adjacent roadways because of the productive, and esthetically and culturally relocation of primary visitor services. By pleasing surroundings. leaving development in the center of the monument, alternative 3 would continue to 3. Attain the widest range of beneficial uses interrupt the “sacredness” of the site to the of the environment without degradation, culturally affiliated tribes and lessen the risk of health or safety, or other unde- opportunity for other visitors to understand sirable and unintended consequences. the site as sacred. Both alternatives 1 and 3 4. Preserve important historic, cultural, and would allow the yearly Sun Dance ceremonies natural aspects of our national heritage and the Hiawatha Club pageant to take place and maintain, wherever possible, an in areas of the national monument, with environment that supports diversity and caveats to protect the natural resources. variety of individual choice. The primary purpose of the monument 5. Achieve a balance between population focuses on protecting the quarries and and resource use that will permit high preserving quarrying activities. For that standards of living and a wide sharing of reason, Criterion 4 would be best met by life’s amenities. alternative 1 even though by doing so the 6. Enhance the quality of renewable re- National Register eligible visitor center and its sources and approach the maximum associated cultural landscape would be attainable recycling of depletable demolished. Alternative 1 would restore the resources. ethnographic landscape and strengthen the context of the quarries within a tallgrass As a result of public comment on the Draft prairie. Both alternatives 1 and 3 afford a GMP/EIS, the National Park Service has means for preserving the Indian School reconsidered its preferred alternative in light Superintendent’s house. of substantial comment and consultation with American Indian tribes. Accordingly, the Each of the action alternatives would provide analysis of the environmentally preferred a means of restoring the prairie on alternative has been reconsidered. neighboring lands.

Each of the alternatives meets criteria 1 and 5 Alternative 3 would meet criterion 6 because equally well. that alternative includes rehabilitating the existing visitor complex rather than de- Though each of the alternatives meets molishing or expanding the existing building, Criterion 2 in terms of ensuring a safe,

85 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE and would find compatible new uses for the underused existing facilities outside the na- existing houses in the national monument. tional monument for operations and resource management rather than expanding the exist- Alternative 1 would meet criterion 6 because ing facilities in the national monument. that alternative would restore a natural landscape by removing impermeable and The National Park Service has determined the reflective surfaces. Alternative 1, in the environmentally preferable alternative is provision of visitor services in another alternative 1. Although some specific actions location, provides an opportunity to reuse an of other alternatives might achieve levels of existing facility or build a more sustainable protection for certain cultural resources or the structure, adhering to NPS guidelines for visitor experience similar to alternative 1, in obtaining, at a minimum, silver LEED aggregate this alternative would best achieve certification on new construction. Both the six prescribed conditions listed above. alternatives 1 and 3 would make use of

MITIGATION AND ADDITIONAL STUDIES

CULTURAL RESOURCES national monument. This study, when completed, will provide more information that Historic Structures may be helpful in reaching management decisions. The American Indian tribes identified Before razing the visitor center and several to have ancestral ties to Pipestone National associated Mission 66 structures under Monument would be given opportunities for alternative 1, the National Park Service would input in the development of plans or programs prepare a mitigation plan for this adverse involving beliefs, traditions, and other cultural effect on a historic structure. The National values. Park Service would consult with the Minnesota state historic preservation officer, NATURAL RESOURCES seeking concurrence about the necessary levels of collecting architectural drawings and Ground Disturbance/Soils taking photographs to document this Mission 66 building for history. Under alternatives 2 Where possible, new development would be and 3, different rehabilitation plans would be built on previously disturbed sites. During proposed, including the expansion of the design and construction, the national monu- building (possibly vertically) in alternative 2. ment’s natural resource staff would identify To accompany each of these rehabilitation areas to be avoided. plans, a mitigation plan would be developed in consultation with the state historic Best management practices for controlling soil preservation officer. erosion (such as installing silt fencing, retaining and replacing topsoil, revegetating Cultural Landscapes sites with native species, and selective sched- uling of construction activities) would be car- Before pursuing any development under alter- ried out to reduce runoff and soil loss from natives 1, 2, or 3 (such as for new trails or for construction sites. To the extent possible, sal- upgrading trails or for relocating the bridge at vaged vegetation would be used rather than Winnewissa Falls), the National Park Service new planting or seeding. Workers would be would complete appropriate cultural required to control dust, and all construction landscape inventories and reports to deter- machinery would have to meet air emission mine how any potential cultural landscapes standards. Restoration efforts would be might be affected by such actions and ways to scheduled to minimize the effects on down- avoid or minimize any adverse effects on stream water users. potential cultural landscapes. Vegetation Ethnographic Resources The national monument staff would survey An ethnographic study is underway that in- proposed development sites for sensitive volves identifying plants that can be found species and would relocate new development within the national monument’s boundaries if sensitive species populations were present. and that some American Indians use now or Similarly, trails, roads, campsites, and picnic have used in the past for spiritual, medicinal, sites would be located to avoid impacts on or food purposes. The study also seeks further sensitive species. details about the identity of the American In- dian tribes traditionally associated with the

87 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

To the extent possible, to help minimize the approximately seven acres. Hence, a spread of nonnative plants, the managers of statement of findings for wetlands has not the national monument would allow only the been prepared. Caution would be exercised to use of weed-free materials and equipment for protect these “micro” wetlands from damage operations and visitor activities. caused by construction equipment, erosion, siltation, and other activities with the potential Water Resources to affect wetlands.

A statement of findings for floodplains has Construction materials would be kept in work been prepared reflecting the selected areas, especially if the construction took place alternative’s removal of structures from the near streams or natural drainages. 100-year floodplain. More detail is available in Wetlands would be delineated by qualified the “Affected Environment” chapter, under NPS staff or certified wetland specialists, and “Natural Resources,” beginning on page 122. the wetlands would be marked before con- Any new facilities proposed for location in the struction began. floodplain (except trails and picnic facilities) Best management practices such as the use of would be designed to manage flood condi- silt fences would be implemented to ensure tions, and a statement of findings for flood- that construction-related effects were minimal plains would be prepared. A statement of and to prevent long-term impacts on water findings also would be required for any struc- quality, wetlands, and aquatic species from tures that would remain in the floodplain (see displacement of soils. appendix E).

For critical actions in the 500-year floodplain Threatened or Endangered Species (storing museum objects or existing fuel stor- and Species of Special Concern age at the visitor center and maintenance area), mitigating measures would be under- Pumping of the quarries would be discon- taken. Such measures could involve moving tinued if it was determined that it was af- the museum storage and fuel storage to a fecting the Topeka shiner or the western location out of the 500-year floodplain or prairie fringed orchid. constructing a protective embankment. Con- structing an embankment would require the If the National Park Service decided to relo- approval of a statement of findings for flood- cate the bridge near Winnewissa Falls, when plains. Also required would be compliance planning for that project began, the national under section 106 of the National Historic monument staff would consult with the U.S. Preservation Act. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine if relocating the bridge would affect the Topeka All facilities would be located to avoid wet- shiner (a fish found in Pipestone Creek). If lands if feasible. If avoiding wetlands was not there appeared to be potential to affect the feasible, other actions would be taken to com- shiner, the National Park Service would devel- ply with EO 11990 (“Protection of Wet- op mitigating measures to minimize any im- lands”), the Clean Water Act, and Director’s pact. Such measures would be implemented Order (DO) 77-1 (“Wetland Protection”). during the relocation of the bridge. Any further compliance with the Endangered Spe- A search of the NRCS wetlands database did cies Act would be carried out during the plan- not result in the identification of sizeable ning and design phase of the project. (More wetlands at the monument, though a few small information is available in the passage wetlands exist in the monument, totaling “Impacts of Alternative 2,” describing the 88

Mitigation and Additional Studies impacts on threatened or endangered species, Air Quality p. 199) The best available clean fuel technology If the sewer and water lines beneath the entry would be applied (as it becomes available) to road were to be removed, at the beginning of the extent feasible. the planning or design process for removing the lines, the National Park Service, in con- A dust abatement program would be sultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife implemented. Standard dust abatement Service, would evaluate the potential effects measures could include the following: on the western prairie fringed orchid and • water or otherwise stabilize soils develop ways to mitigate those effects. (More • cover haul trucks information is available in the section, “Im- • enforce speed limits on unpaved roads pacts of Alternative 1,” describing the impacts • minimize vegetation clearing on threatened or endangered species, p. 180). • revegetate after construction

COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES

TABLE 3: COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1, Preferred Alternative 2 Alternative 3

Staffing and Operations

Maintenance would remain attached Maintenance function would be co- Maintenance would be moved onto Maintenance function would be co- to visitor center. located with another public entity part of acquired land just south of located with another public entity offsite, possibly through a lease/ build Minnesota West Community and offsite, possibly through a lease/build agreement. Technical College. agreement.

Administrative offices would remain in Administration and visitor center Administrative offices would be Visitor center would be rehabilitated to visitor center and converted house. would be moved out of national consolidated in rehabilitated visitor house all national monument staff monument; cooperative agreement, center; converted house would be except maintenance. Superintendent lease, or contract would be made with used for operations, seasonal staff, or and administrative staff could move to a private or public entity; converted quarters. converted house if space constraints house would be removed. require it. Collections could also occupy converted house in the event they could not be protected from flooding in the visitor center. Otherwise, converted house would be used for staff housing.

Facilities

Entry road would be maintained Entry road would be shortened to end Entry road would be maintained Entry road would be maintained unchanged. in a small parking area at south quarry unchanged. unchanged. entrance for use only by quarriers and visitors with disabilities.

Visitor center would remain at current Visitor center would be moved out of Visitor center would be rehabilitated Visitor center would be rehabilitated for location. No additional space would be national monument; staffed and enlarged for visitor services and visitor services and exhibits, staff office available in the visitor center for interpretive kiosk and restroom staff needs; expanded facilities would space, museum collections storage, classroom, interpretation, or exhibits. facilities would be placed at new be added, including research library, curatorial functions, and/or expanded entrance above Winnewissa Falls. exhibits, collections access, and research library. A new active More space would be available in the education/ teaching facilities for demonstration quarry would be visitor center for classroom, onsite and outreach activities; active developed near the visitor center. interpretation, and exhibits. demonstration quarry would be developed.

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1, Preferred Alternative 2 Alternative 3

Visitor center parking would remain Current visitor center parking area Parking at visitor center would be Visitor center parking would be unchanged. would be removed; new parking area reconfigured depending on visitor unchanged. would be added above Winnewissa center expansion. Falls; parking for quarriers and visitors with disabilities would be developed at end of south quarry line. A new restroom facility would be constructed on the western end of the Circle Trail.

Housing for law enforcement ranger Law enforcement ranger housing Housing for law enforcement ranger Housing for law enforcement ranger would continue to be onsite in existing would be removed from national would be onsite in existing house. would be onsite in existing house. house. monument.

Existing picnic area, with restrooms, Picnic area and associated parking Picnic area would be unchanged, but Existing picnic area, with restrooms, access to water, and parking would would be removed from national parking would be combined with access to water, and parking would remain unchanged. monument; restrooms would be Three Maidens wayside exhibit remain unchanged. removed; area would be restored to parking. prairie.

The Landscape

Remnant prairie would be managed to Remnant prairie would be managed to Remnant prairie would be managed Remnant prairie would be managed to preserve its significance; restored preserve its significance; restored to preserve its significance; restored preserve its significance; restored prairie prairie would be managed to recover prairie would be managed to recover prairie would be managed to recover would be managed to recover native native species. native species; new prairie overlook native plant species; a portion of plant species; a portion of prairie would would be developed on west edge of prairie would serve as a learning serve as a learning laboratory. national monument; all prairie would laboratory. be managed to decrease visitor impacts on remnant and restored prairies.

Pipestone Area School District land Pipestone Area School District land Pipestone Area School District land 15.3 acres of Pipestone Area School south of Minnesota West Community south of Minnesota West Community south of Minnesota West Community District land south of Minnesota West and Technical College on eastern and Technical College on eastern and Technical College on eastern Community and Technical College on boundary would not be acquired. boundary would be acquired and boundary would be acquired; part of eastern boundary would be acquired, prairie would be restored; would be this land would be used for new managed in prairie preservation zone. maintenance facility; would be and prairie would be restored; would be managed in prairie preservation managed in prairie preservation zone. zone.

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1, Preferred Alternative 2 Alternative 3

USFWS/MDNR property north of the USFWS/MDNR property north of the NPS would acquire USFWS/ MDNR USFWS/MDNR property north of the monument would continue to be monument would continue to be land north of the monument to monument would continue to be owned and maintained by USFWS and owned and maintained by USFWS and expand opportunities for visitors to owned and maintained by USFWS and MDNR. NPS would continue to work MDNR. NPS would work toward learn about cultural and natural MDNR. NPS would work toward toward coordination/ cooperation of cooperative agreement for resources, ceremonial uses, and management activities to restore management activities that restore prairie restoration; would be cooperative agreement for prairie, remove exotic species, etc. prairie, remove exotic species, etc. managed in prairie preservation management activities that restore with USFWS/MDNR. with USFWS/MDNR. zone. prairie, remove exotic species, etc. with USFWS/MDNR.

Control of exotic species in national Control of exotic species in national Control of exotic species in national Control of exotic species in national monument would continue. monument would continue; NPS monument would continue; NPS monument would continue; NPS would would work with owners of adjacent would work with owners of adjacent work with owners of adjacent properties to identify and eradicate properties to identify and eradicate properties to identify and eradicate exotics. exotics. exotics.

Existing trails would be maintained; New visitor trails to reach the existing Existing trails would be upgraded; Existing trails would be upgraded; bridge would remain in current trail system would be developed; bridge would be relocated bridge would be relocated downstream location. bridge would remain in current downstream of Winnewissa Falls; of Winnewissa Falls; new trails would be location. new trails would be possible for possible for onsite interpretation, onsite interpretation, education, and outreach activities. education, and outreach activities.

American Indian Interests

Indian School superintendent’s house Indian School superintendent’s house Indian School superintendent’s house Indian School superintendent’s house would remain outside the national would not be acquired but the NPS would be acquired and rehabilitated would not be acquired. monument; no NPS assistance with would assist in the preservation and inside and outside; interpretation interpretation or preservation would interpretation of this historic structure. would be offered onsite; would be be provided. managed as part of visitor services zone.

Cooperating association would remain Cooperating association would be Cooperating association would Cooperating association would remain in visitor center. moved out of national monument into remain in existing visitor center. in existing visitor center. new visitor center.

Sun Dances would continue under Sun Dances would continue under Sun Dance would no longer be Sun Dances would continue under permit. permit; modifications of use might be permitted. permit; modifications of use might be made following a study of impact and made following a study of impact and sustainability of resources. sustainability of resources.

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1, Preferred Alternative 2 Alternative 3

Management of Three Maidens area American Indian ceremonial use of American Indian ceremonial use of American Indian ceremonial use of would be unchanged; American Indian Three Maidens area would be Three Maidens area would be Three Maidens area would be ceremonial use would continue; unchanged; area would be restored to unchanged; area would be restored unchanged; immediate surrounding Hiawatha Club use would continue prairie; picnic area with parking would to prairie; picnic area parking and area would be restored to prairie; Three under permit. be removed and returned to prairie; road would be removed; picnic area Hiawatha Club use of Three Maidens with restroom would be kept, but Maidens parking along entry road would be restricted under permit. parking would be combined with would remain unchanged; picnic area Three Maidens parking along entry with restroom and parking would road; Hiawatha Club use of Three remain unchanged; Hiawatha Club use Maidens would be restricted under of Three Maidens would be restricted permit. under permit.

Quarries would continue to be Quarries would continue to be Quarries would be allocated via Quarries would be allocated via permit; allocated via permit. allocated via permit. permit; opportunities for education opportunities for education and and interpretation of site’s cultural interpretation of site’s cultural heritage heritage and quarrying process and quarrying process would be would be increased; a quarry would be developed for demonstrating increased; a quarry would be developed quarrying process. for demonstrating quarrying process.

No informal superintendent’s Indian Informal superintendent’s Indian Informal superintendent’s Indian Informal superintendent’s Indian consultation group would be consultation group would be consultation group would be consultation group would be established. established. established. established.

TABLE 4: COMPARISON OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES Note: There would be no impairment of national monument resources or values under any of the alternatives.

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1 (Preferred) Alternative 2 Alternative 3 CULTURAL RESOURCES Cultural Landscapes Restoration would continue in con- Seven of the eight potential cultural Implementing alternative 2 would result Implementing alternative 3 would result junction with maintaining and landscapes would not be adversely in a long-term moderate beneficial effect in a long-term moderate beneficial preserving the remnant tallgrass affected. Removing the visitor center on the CCC-era cultural landscape. effect on the CCC-era cultural prairie. This would result in a long-term from the potential ethnographic landscape. minor to moderate beneficial effect on landscape would result in a moderate to cultural landscapes. major long-term beneficial effect on the “Prehistoric Quarrying into the Historic Remnant prairie preservation and Period” aspect of the ethnographic prairie restoration from the recovery of landscape. There would be major long- native plant species would result in term adverse effects on one historic long-term minor to moderate cultural landscape. beneficial effects on potentially eligible national register landscapes in the national monument. Ethnographic Resources Prairie preservation and restoration The inadvertent distracting access of The inadvertent distracting access of The inadvertent distracting access of would result in minor to moderate visitors to ethnographic resources in the visitors to ethnographic resources in the visitors to ethnographic resources in the beneficial effects on the ethnographic presence of traditional practitioners presence of traditional practitioners presence of traditional practitioners landscape. The distraction of traditional would mean that the effects on would result in effects on traditional use would mean that the effects on American Indian practitioners at traditional use associated with associated with ethnographic resources traditional use associated with ethnographic resources by inadvertent ethnographic resources would be minor, under alternative 2 that would be minor, ethnographic resources under interruptions from non-Indian visitors adverse, and long term. Removing the adverse, and long term. Relocating the alternative 3 would be minor, adverse, would result in long-term minor picnic area, parking area and restrooms bridge at Winnewissa Falls could benefit and long term. This would include the adverse effects on traditional use near the Three Maidens rock formation American Indians’ traditional use of the effects from expanding the Three associated with ethnographic would result in a long-term minor falls, resulting in a moderate long-term Maidens parking lot. Relocating the resources. Continuing the two annual beneficial effect. Continuing the two beneficial effect. bridge at Winnewissa Falls would not Sun Dances would result in either a annual Sun Dances would result in either inhibit access and traditional use of the long-term minor beneficial effect or a a long-term minor beneficial effect or a Removing the picnic parking area near falls because the trail and trail long-term moderate adverse effect, moderate adverse effect, depending on the Three Maidens rock formation and abutments would remain, resulting in a depending on the perspective of the the perspective of the person rendering expanding the Three Maidens inter- moderate long-term beneficial effect. person rendering the opinion. the opinion. pretive pullout would result in a long- Continuing the two annual Sun Dances term minor beneficial effect on the would be either a long-term moderate traditional use of the Three Maidens adverse effect or a long-term moderate because access would be accommodated beneficial effect, depending on the without inadvertent distractions from perspective of the person rendering the picnicking visitors. Discontinuing the two opinion. annual Sun Dances would be either a long-term moderate adverse effect or a long-term moderate beneficial effect, depending on the perspective of the person rendering the opinion. 94

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1 (Preferred) Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Historic Structures The historic Mission 66 visitor center Razing the Mission 66 visitor center Rehabilitating the historic Mission 66 Rehabilitating the historic Mission 66 building would continue to be building would cause a major long-term visitor center building and the Pipestone visitor center building and the Pipestone preserved, a minor long-term beneficial adverse effect. Rehabilitating the Indian School superintendent’s house Indian School superintendent’s house effect. Without preservation Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s would result in moderate beneficial long- would result in moderate beneficial intervention, the effects on the house would result in a moderate term effects on those structures. long-term effects on those structures. Pipestone Indian School superinten- beneficial long-term effect on that dent’s house would range from historic structure. moderate today to major over time, and they would be adverse and long term. Museum Collections and Archives Museum collections and archives Museum collections and archives would Museum collections and archives would Museum collections and archives would generally would continue to be secure, be better secured under alternative 1. be better secured under alternative 2. be better secured under alternative 3. but long-term moderate to major Negligible to minor adverse short-term Negligible to minor short-term adverse Negligible to minor short-term adverse adverse impacts on these resources impacts would result from the risk of impacts would result from the risk of impacts would result from the risk of could result unless the threat of packing, moving, storing, and reinstalling packing, storing, and moving the packing, moving, storing, and flooding was eliminated. Museum the artifacts, specimens, and documents artifacts, specimens, and documents to reinstalling the artifacts, specimens, and collections and archives eventually to new quarters. Moderate long-term newly rehabilitated quarters. Moderate documents to a newly rehabilitated area would have to be moved to quarters beneficial effects would result from long-term beneficial effects would result of the visitor center. Moderate long- with more space, presumably to providing new state-of-the-art space for from providing new state-of-the-art term beneficial effects would result another institution in the region. museum collections and archives away space for museum collections and from providing new state-of-the-art Negligible to minor short-term adverse from the national monument, possibly in archives in a rehabilitated visitor center in space for museum collections and impacts would be brought about by downtown Pipestone, to conduct future the national monument to conduct archives. the risk of moving artifacts, specimens, curation, research, and storage. future curation, research, and storage. and documents, and there would be moderate long-term beneficial effects from acquiring new space for curation, research, and storage and from eliminating the threat of flooding.

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1 (Preferred) Alternative 2 Alternative 3

NATURAL RESOURCES Vegetation — Remnant and Restored Tallgrass Prairies Overall, despite the fragmentation of Acquiring the school district lands and Overall, the effects on remnant and Overall, despite the fragmentation of habitat, the occupancy of habitat by restoring 15.3 acres to remnant prairie, restored tallgrass prairie would be long habitat, the occupancy of habitat by structures, the presence of corridors for managing the use of the 8-acre Sun term, major, and beneficial. structures, the presence of corridors for the entrance of exotic plants, heavy Dance area within a carrying capacity, the entrance of exotic plants, and short- visitor use in a large area of the and removing 6 acres of development, term heavy visitor use in an 8-acre area national monument, and ongoing followed by the restoration of remnant of the national monument managed efforts to restore tallgrass prairie would tallgrass prairie, would result in a minor within a carrying capacity, ongoing result in a moderate beneficial effect long-term beneficial effect on this efforts to restore tallgrass prairie would on tallgrass prairie because these community type. result in a moderate beneficial effect on systematic efforts would increase the tallgrass prairie because these abundance, distribution, quantity, and Removing the entrance road from the systematic efforts would increase the quality of the habitat in the national south quarry entrance to the visitor abundance, distribution, quantity, and monument. center, removing the visitor center and quality of the habitat in the national parking area, and restoring natural monument. contours west of the south quarry line would improve water flow through the national monument, potentially restoring historic soil moisture levels in the mesic crystalline bedrock prairie — a potential moderate long-term beneficial effect. Increasing the size of the restored tallgrass prairie would cause a substantial increase in the abundance and distribution of the prairie community, a major long-term beneficial effect. Wetlands and Riparian Corridor Continued foot traffic in the wetlands The actions of alternative 1 would have There would be no impact on wetlands Continued foot traffic in the wetlands near the picnic area, parking, and an appreciable effect on natural processes or the riparian corridor. near the picnic area, parking, and restrooms on the southern boundary of and a minor long-term beneficial effect restrooms on the southern boundary of the national monument would result in on wetlands, including those in the the national monument would result in long term minor adverse effects on riparian corridor. long-term minor adverse effects on wetlands. wetlands.

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1 (Preferred) Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Floodplains The continuing effects on natural and The net removal of about 5 acres of The effects of alternative 2 on the ability The net removal of about 1 acre of beneficial floodplain values and the buildings and impermeable surfaces of the floodplain to function normally buildings and impermeable surfaces continuing effects on the floodplains’ would cause a minor long term beneficial would be local and slightly detectable, a would cause a minor long-term ability to function normally during effect on natural and beneficial floodplain minor adverse long-term effect. beneficial effect on natural and flooding would be minor, adverse, and values. The continuing impact on the long term. Although the possibility of floodplains’ ability to function normally Although the possibility of loss of life beneficial floodplain values. Keeping the loss of life would be extremely small, during flooding would be minor, adverse, from flooding would be extremely small, visitor center, the parking and picnic there would be some danger to visitors and long term. there would be some danger to visitors areas, restrooms, and residences within and employees. Risks would be minor and employees. Risks would be minor to the 100-year floodplain would prevent to moderate, but flooding could cause Although the possibility of loss of life moderate, but flooding could cause the restoration of natural and beneficial major adverse effects on the visitors, from flooding would be extremely small, major adverse impacts on the visitors, floodplain values and continue to affect employees, and property involved. there would be some danger to visitors employees, and property involved. the floodplain’s ability to function and employees. Risks would be minor to normally during flooding, a minor long- moderate, but flooding could cause major term adverse impact. adverse impacts on the visitors, employees, and property involved. Although the possibility of loss of life from flooding would be extremely small, there would be some danger to visitors and employees. Risks would be minor to moderate, but flooding could cause major adverse impacts on the visitors, employees, and property involved.

Hydrology Floodwater would continue to be Alternative 1 would result in a moderate Continued pumping of the quarries could Alternative 3 would result in a moderate impeded by the bridge over Pipestone long-term local beneficial effect on lower the water table or decrease soil long-term local beneficial effect on Creek near Winnewissa Falls, a hydrology. moisture, a potential minor short-term hydrology. moderate intermittent impact. adverse effect that could be mitigated by discontinuing pumping. Relocating the falls bridge farther downstream would remove a restriction to the natural flow of the creek, a moderate long-term beneficial effect.

Acquiring the school district lands south of Minnesota West Community and Technical College on the national monument’s eastern boundary would maintain or improve water flow patterns, a moderate long-term beneficial effect on hydrology.

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1 (Preferred) Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Soils Soil disturbance from such things as Establishing a carrying capacity for the Implementing alternative 2 could result in Establishing a carrying capacity for the ongoing maintenance would result in ceremonial area (about 8 acres) and a long-term moderate adverse effect on ceremonial area (about 8 acres) and minor adverse long-term impacts on removing facilities from about 6 acres about 3 acres of soil at the visitor center removing facilities from about 1 acre soils. The effects from development would cause a minor long-term beneficial and potential new maintenance facility, would cause a minor long-term such as eliminating inflow of water, effect on soils. If grading of sites was and a long-term minor beneficial effect beneficial effect on soils. If grading at diverting precipitation from natural necessary as part of restoration, some of on about 8 acres at the Sun Dance site the fuel storage building or drainages, and soil compaction would the soil profile would be permanently and 1 acre at the maintenance storage maintenance storage area was be minor, long term, and adverse. lost, a minor long-term adverse effect on area. necessary, some of the soil profile could soil. Converting the maintenance outdoor be permanently lost, a minor long-term equipment storage area to parking (about adverse effect on soil. 1 acre), adding a small parking area at the south quarry entrance, and constructing a trail would cause a minor long-term adverse impact on soils.

Wildlife Overall, the fragmentation of wildlife A net gain of about 6 acres of habitat A moderate long-term beneficial effect A net gain of about 15.3 acres of habitat and the alteration of wildlife would cause a moderate long-term on wildlife would result from a net gain habitat would result in a moderate long- movement would continue to result in beneficial effect on wildlife. Establishing a of about 116 acres of wildlife habitat term beneficial effect on wildlife. a long-term minor adverse effect. carrying capacity for the Sun Dance (from acquiring the USFWS/MDNR land, Establishing a carrying capacity for the grounds might mitigate the continuing acquiring the school district land, Sun Dance grounds might mitigate the minor long-term adverse impact on removing the outdoor maintenance adverse impact of holding the Sun wildlife to some degree. storage area, and managing the acquired Dances to some degree, depending on areas as prairie). Because the mowing of the capacity determined, a minor long- the Sun Dance ground (8 acres) no longer term beneficial effect. would be permitted, nor would holding Sun Dances, the remnant prairie would be able to recover, a moderate long-term beneficial effect on wildlife.

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1 (Preferred) Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Threatened or Endangered Species or Species of Special Concern Overall, the continued presence of This alternative would have no effect on Increased quarrying and associated Adding a demonstration quarry and the development in the national the Topeka shiner. pumping might change the area’s associated pumping might change the monument, continued clearing of the hydrology by lowering the water table area’s hydrology by lowering the water road edges, and human disturbance Removing houses and part of the access and decreasing soil moisture availability. table and decreasing soil moisture would have no effect on the Topeka road and restoring natural vegetation If pumping resulted in unacceptable availability. There would be a potential shiner or the western prairie fringed would reduce human disturbance of the impacts on, for example, the Topeka short-term minor adverse impact on orchid. orchid habitat, causing a long-term minor shiner in Pipestone Creek and the threatened and endangered species beneficial effect. If the U.S. Fish and western prairie fringed orchid, it would even though pumping would be Wildlife Service determined that the be discontinued. There would be a stopped if impacts were identified. orchid might be affected by removing the potential short-term minor adverse sewer and water lines from beneath one impact on threatened and endangered Demolishing the bridge and site occupied by orchids or by placing a species. reconstructing it farther downstream small part of orchid habitat in the quarry would not be expected to have any zone, the National Park Service would effect on the Topeka shiner. develop mitigating measures in consultation with that agency to ensure that there would be no impacts on the orchid.

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1 (Preferred) Alternative 2 Alternative 3

VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE Long-term beneficial effects on visitors Alternative 1 would result in long- Alternative 2 would result in major Alternative 3 would result in major at Three Maidens area, cultural term major beneficial effects on the beneficial effects on the visitor experience beneficial effects on the visitor demonstrations in visitor center, along visitor experience at the Three at the new visitor center exhibits, the experience from (1) keeping and Circle Trail, at quarries, and at prairie Maidens area, the exhibits in the new information desk, the demonstration modifying the existing Circle Trail and remnant from continuing existing area, the restrooms, the quarry area, the moving the bridge downstream and management; long-term adverse offsite visitor facility, the restroom prairie area, and the Circle Trail. There redesigning it to make it less obtrusive, impacts from continuing existing accommodations, the Circle Trail would be moderate long-term beneficial and (2) the continued opportunity for conditions at information desk and area, and the prairie remnant. There effects on the visitor experience at the visitors to closely observe the vegetative restrooms and from inappropriate would be long-term moderate Three Maidens area. This alternative species of the prairie remnant from the practices along Circle Trail. beneficial effects on the visitor would cause no adverse effects on the Circle Trail. experience at the information desk visitor experience. Continuing the existing management and the quarry area. A long-term There would be moderate beneficial of visitor services would cause long- moderate adverse effect on visitors effects from (1) allowing the Three term major beneficial effects on visitors would result from the effects on Maidens zone to revert to prairie and viewing the prairie area when walking establishing a trail to guide and control the Circle Trail, at the Three Maidens visitors’ ability to find the new offsite access, (2) the updated exhibits and area, at the cultural demonstrations in visitor center. improved interpretation at the the visitor center, and at the quarries rehabilitated visitor center, and (3) and the prairie remnant. It would result keeping the existing demonstration area in long-term minor beneficial effects in the rehabilitated visitor center and on visitors viewing the prairie area adding a quarrying demonstration area from vehicles going to and from the behind the visitor center. visitor center via the entry road. However, there would be long-term Adding accessible restrooms to the adverse impacts on the visitor rehabilitated visitor center and experience from continuing the continuing opportunity for visitors to existing conditions in the visitor center observe the prairie remnant from the and some inappropriate practices along entry road would result in a minor the Circle Trail. beneficial effect on visitor experiences.

SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT Quarriers and Demonstrators The no-action alternative would have Alternative 1 would cause a minor long- Alternative 2 would cause a negligible Alternative 3 would result in no effect no effect on quarriers and term inconvenience to some quarriers, long-term beneficial economic effect on on quarriers. Although the working demonstrators. and it would cause no impact on quarriers and demonstrators. conditions for demonstrators probably demonstrators. It would not result in any would be improved, there would be a economic effects. negligible increase in earnings.

100

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1 (Preferred) Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Businesses The no-action alternative would result Alternative 1 would result in a negligible Alternative 2 would result in a minor Alternative 3 would result in a negligible in a negligible long-term effect on long term adverse effect on businesses long-term socioeconomic effect on long-term beneficial socioeconomic businesses that are directly dependent that are dependent on the national businesses that are directly dependent on effect on businesses that are directly on the national monument. monument. Should the Pipestone Indian the national monument. dependent on the national monument. Shrine Association move to another location, the effect would likely be minor. Community Because the employment and Development activities included in Alternative 2 would result in a minor Alternative 3 would result in a long- expenditures of the national alternative 1 would result in a minor long-term socioeconomic effect on term minor beneficial socioeconomic monument are small compared to the short-term beneficial effect on the local businesses that are directly dependent on effect on the local and regional county economy as a whole, the and regional economy from construction the national monument. economy. impacts of national monument dollars filtering into the local community. employment and expenditures would continue to be negligible, long term, and beneficial.

NATIONAL MONUMENT OPERATIONS The no-action alternative would result The construction of new facilities would Adding high-quality new facilities would Adding high-quality new facilities would in long-term moderate adverse impacts result in major long-term beneficial result in long-term major beneficial result in long-term major beneficial on maintenance and facilities. There effects. The development of new effects. Moving the maintenance facility effects. Adding a new offsite would be no change in emergency maintenance facilities and the improved offsite would improve the ability of the maintenance facility would remove response time or in the ability of the quality of the work accomplished would visitor center to serve visitors’ needs, a conflicting sights and sounds and national monument staff to enforce cause long-term moderate beneficial long-term moderate beneficial effect. improve the national monument’s ability regulations. effects. There would be no change in the Having the law enforcement ranger to serve visitors’ needs, a long-term national monument’s ability to enforce continue to live on the site and increasing moderate beneficial effect. Having the laws and regulations. Moving the national monument staff would make law enforcement ranger continue to live maintenance away from the site would more people available to respond to on the site and increasing the national result in a long-term negligible adverse emergencies, a long-term negligible monument staff would make more impact on the efficiency of maintenance beneficial effect. There would be no people available to respond to activities. Having the visitor center offsite long-term change in the ability of the emergencies, a long-term negligible would cause a long-term moderate national monument to enforce beneficial effect. There would be no adverse impact on visitor services. Long- regulations. change in the ability of the national term minor adverse impacts could occur monument to enforce regulations. when visitors sought assistance in emergency situations.

101

COSTS ESTIMATES

TABLE 5: ESTIMATED COSTS

ALTERNATIVE 1 NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE 2 ALTERNATIVE 3 (PREFERRED)

ESTIMATED COSTS OVER THE 20-YEAR LIFE OF THE PLAN (2006 dollars)

Initial (Capital) Costs $547,000 $1,771,000* $5,080,000 $3,372,000

Recurring Annual Costs $8,759,000 $11,865,000 $8,759,000 $9,141,000

Total Costs $9,306,000 $13636,000 $13,839,000 $12,513,000

* This assumes construction of a new visitor center. If NPS chooses to relocate primary visitor services into an existing off-site location, capital costs would be minimal.

102 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

INTRODUCTION

In this chapter, the existing environment of nomic characteristics that have the potential Pipestone National Monument is described, to be affected if any of the alternatives were along with the surrounding region. Its focus is implemented. on the resources, uses, facilities, and socioeco-

105

CULTURAL RESOURCES

INTRODUCTION quarrying of catlinite pipestone, was important prehistorically. It continued through the Cultural resources are of five types: historic American Indian period into the 1. archeological resources consisting of arti- Euro–American periods of 19th century facts, objects, or other material remains in exploration and settlement, and it continues the ground as evidence of past human today. habitation or occupation over time Tobacco, or rather the shared use of tobacco, 2. cultural landscapes that are historic or seems to have been a driving force. The cere- ethnographic and consist of distinctive monial smoking of Nicotiana rustica and a few features of the human-built environment other species of tobacco was and is culturally or natural environment, or both, that rep- important. The red catlinite pipestone de- resent aspects of a way of life of a people, posits at Pipestone National Monument be- group, or family came and remain the most important source 3. ethnographic resources consisting of par- of carved pipe bowls for sacred ceremonial ticular places with natural or human-built pipes. features in what are now units of the national park system that contemporary CATLINITE peoples, groups, or families link to their traditional way of life, cultural heritage, The distribution of catlinite has been far and and social identity wide over time and space. Blanks of catlinite, for instance, apparently were traded to villa- 4. historic structures that are important to gers along the Missouri River from this spot, local, regional, or national history which is now Pipestone National Monument, 5. museum collections and archives that re- by A.D. 900, perhaps earlier. People would late to the history and setting of what quarry the red catlinite pipestone for their happened in what is now the national own use and for trading. Over the years, by monument or other type of unit of the way of example, 18th and 19th century cere- national park system monial pipes have been noted and documented for their use in different provinces of Can- Pipestone National Monument contains im- ada like New Brunswick and Quebec and in portant cultural resources representative of states of the United States like Alabama, human use over time, as well as ongoing use in Florida, Maine, and Oklahoma. Some pipes what is now the national monument. The area like these have been historically identified and was used primarily by prehistoric, historic, physically traced to the catlinite quarries of and contemporary American Indian peoples, present-day Pipestone National Monument. tribes, groups, and individuals. The range in general spans the past 5,000 years; that is, from Catlinite deposits occur mostly within the the Late Archaic Period of about 3000 B.C. in boundaries of the national monument, but prehistoric times to the present. Pottery re- some may extend north and south of the covered on land in what is now the national ridgeline of deposits and quarries within the monument attests to American Indian occu- present-day national monument. pation during the Middle Woodland Period, circa. A.D. 500–700, through the Late Prehis- Catlinite is chemically unique as a mineral. toric Period, which ended about A.D. 1700. The tracing back to the national monument of Pipestone quarrying, more precisely called the

106 Cultural Resources pipe bowls and other museum artifacts carved It could be said that the quartzite in which from catlinite can be done scientifically. catlinite is embedded is purple because it generally has a darker hue than catlinite, which Catlinite is named for the artist George Catlin appears red, also due to hematite. Catlinite’s (1796–1872). well-known for his portraits of color, however, may vary from dark maroon American Indians. Catlin was the first to to almost white. The paler colors of catlinite, document the quarries in art and narrative which are due to partial leaching of the hema- and the first to take samples of the red stone tite, often occur as spots. They characterize material back with him when he returned to much of the catlinite taken from the national the East. He visited the quarries in 1836, and monument’s Spotted Quarry. shortly after that the distinctive red stone was named after him by Charles Thomas Jackson ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES (1805–1880), a leading scientist of the time based in New England as a pioneer geologist Pipestone National Monument encompasses and mineralogist. Catlin’s painting relevant to an archeological district, the boundary of the national monument is entitled Pipestone which coincides with that of the national Quarry on the Coteau des Prairies, Minnesota. monument. The entire national monument is officially recorded in the files of the Office of Pipestone is a more general term than catlin- the Minnesota State Archaeologist, part of the ite. It refers to claystones exhibiting color and office of the state historic preservation officer, characteristics similar to, but not identical as archeological site 21PP2. Just as Pipestone with, catlinite. Pipestone is known to occur at National Monument may be perceived as an a number of widespread locations in the ethnographic resource and landscape, as dis- United States, most of which have been used cussed below, so, too, can it be regarded as an for stone aboriginal artifacts in prehistoric and archeological district. Both perceptions are historic times. The term catlinite, however, is consistent with the listing of Pipestone Na- reserved exclusively for claystone from the tional Monument in the National Register of quarries at Pipestone National Monument. Historic Places on October 15, 1966. Like other pipestone deposits, catlinite orig- The archeological district is composed of 42 inated as mud put down on riverine flood- localities where archeological features have plains during major flooding episodes. Subse- been reported at various times over the past quent sedimentary accretions were pressed 120 years. Types of features reported are into hardened clay or claystone as discontinu- quarries, mounds, circular stone alignments ous thin beds encompassed within quartzite that are also known as tipi rings, petroglyphs, deposits that generally overlaid these catlinite a historic cemetery associated with the Pipe- or other pipestone layers as a vast regional stone Indian School, and campsites involving geological stone formation known as Sioux catlinite workshop areas. quartzite. Sioux quartzite is composed of more than 90% medium-to-fine quartz sand There is a long history of investigation of the grains encoated with hematite, which gives the prehistoric and historic archeological stone a reddish to grayish appearance. It is resources of Pipestone National Monument. hard and makes good building material, as the The earliest professional archeological city of Pipestone, Minnesota, attests with its investigation took place in 1882, when many historic buildings constructed of Sioux Philetus W. Norris of the Smithsonian quartzite. In contrast, catlinite is softer, lack- Institution in Washington, D.C., excavated ing quartz in its mineral composition, which several mounds in the vicinity of the quarries. gives it a carvable quality. Another Smithsonian researcher, W. H. Holmes, visited the quarries in 1892 and

107 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT produced a detailed map showing 8 mounds Chipped stone projectile points and the pot- and more than 350 circular stone alignments. tery found in the national monument are evi- In 1949, Paul Beaubien, an NPS archeologist, dence of the presence of Archaic and Wood- excavated at three locations along the quarry land Indian peoples; that is, of peoples who ridge of the north and south quarry lines, at occupied the national monument from Late two locations near the Leaping Rock / The Archaic through Middle Woodland into Late Oracle formation, and elsewhere in the na- Prehistoric times, as mentioned above in the tional monument. John S. Sigstad of the Uni- overview for cultural resources. It is not versity of Colorado conducted a monument- known what the earliest date was by which wide archeological survey in 1965 under a catlinite was being purposefully extracted. It is contract with the National Park Service. At fair to say that quarrying was not the only various times in the 1970s through 1990s, NPS early purpose for being there. American In- archeologists from the Midwest Archeological dians were present for a variety of purposes Center surveyed the national monument’s that could have included hunting, plant gath- archeological resources. ering, seeking shelter, religious and ceremonial observance, or quarrying. The most intensive of these efforts occurred in 1993, 1994, and 1997–1998, when extensive ETHNOGRAPHIC RESOURCES surface surveys of the national monument were conducted after its grassy vegetation was Pipestone National Monument: An reduced by prescribed burning. This work was Ethnographic Landscape done under the auspices of the National Park Service’s Systemwide Archeological Inventory Ethnographic resources relate to particular Program (SAIP). The effort recorded addi- places or areas that contemporary peoples tional archeological resources and produced a link to their traditional way of life and cultural detailed archeological base map. The work heritage. (An ethnographic resource is a site, resulted in the working conclusion that the structure, object, landscape, or natural re- relatively thin soil mantle overlying the bed- source feature assigned traditional legendary, rock in Pipestone National Monument (less religious, subsistence, or other significance in than 10 feet in most places) has been subject the cultural system of a group traditionally to long-term bioturbation by the action of associated with it — [NPS 1998a, 181].) Ordi- burrowing rodents. This ongoing process of narily, ethnographic resources are identified soil churning, so to speak, has the effects of with tribes, peoples, or groups traditionally both burying archeological features such as associated with what is now a unit of the na- circular stone alignments and exposing them. tional park system, starting from the present and going back in time for the continuity of at Because individual cultural features and arti- least two generations. The implication is that a facts can be either buried or exposed by this tribe, people, or group occupied and lived in a natural process at any given time, archeologi- particular spot or territory. However, the cal inventories should be conducted while the general understanding or conventional wis- ground is largely denuded of grass cover after dom is that the catlinite pipestone quarries controlled burns. These efforts will result in were open to all tribes at all times to come and additional features and artifacts being added quarry and to take pieces home, from which to the national monument’s archeological they would carve the pipe bowls that were base map and will increase knowledge of the used for sacred and ceremonial purposes. national monument’s archeological resources as a camping place to quarry and to seek re- No single tribe actually lived at the quarries. ligious experiences such as vision quests. Not even the Yankton Sioux, who have been closely associated with the quarries in modern

108 Cultural Resources times, lived there. The exception to there tionally held at Pipestone” (Hughes and Stew- being no political hegemony over the quar- art 1997, 39). However, a federal government rying location attributed to any one tribe ban on Sun Dances from the late 1800s until would be the Yankton Sioux Treaty of April the mid-1900s created a tremendous historical 19, 1858, which was signed into law in 1859 by gap among subsequent generations in the local President James Buchanan. That treaty estab- community and in the oral history of many lished an Indian reservation there for the tribes. Interviews of elders and archival re- Yankton Sioux Tribe. search may indicate an absence of the Sun Dance, but no doubt Sun Dances were con- European–American encroachment by way of ducted in secret during the time when they the coming of railroads and agricultural settle- were banned by the government, out of sight ment made protecting and preserving the area of federal Indian agents on the reservations as a reservation difficult, particularly since no and out of sight of some tribal members who American Indians lived on the reservation. A might have informed. The fact that tribal oral proposal to place an Indian school on the site history does not note the occurrences of Sun raised additional protest from the Yankton. Dances may not reflect what really happened. The U.S. Justice Department sought a ruling in the United States Supreme Court and began The Sun Dance could have taken place on the negotiations. Jurisdiction later was transferred grounds of what is now Pipestone National to the Indian Court of Claims, and in 1927 the Monument. The National Park Service does Yankton Tribe was awarded a total of not wish to preclude that possibility in history. $330,558.90. With this decision, the Yankton Sun Dances could have been practiced by ceded their right to quarry at Pipestone. Then groups that quarried and camped in the im- the way was clear for Congress to pass the mediate area of what is now the national national monument’s enabling legislation in monument. They also could have occurred 1937. locally, if not right at the quarries, because the traditional time for quarrying coincides with Since 1991 the national monument has served the traditional time for the Sun Dances. as the location of two annual Sun Dances, American Indian groups here to quarry were both held separately at different times during traditional practitioners of the Sun Dance, so summer by special use permit. One is con- it should be said that Sun Dances could well ducted by the American Indian Movement have taken place in what is now the national (AIM). which is headquartered in the Minne- monument. apolis–Saint Paul area. The other Sun Dance is conducted by the Yankton Sioux, whose Sun Dances could have been prompted by the official name as a tribal government is the sacredness of the quarries themselves. Tribes Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. Mid- as tribes did not necessarily come to quarry, summer to late summer is a traditional time to but groups did, in addition to individuals. An conduct a Sun Dance. Both groups conduct extended family or another group within a their ceremonies in the same location in tribe occasionally might have been large Pipestone National Monument. enough and of a disposition to conduct a Sun Dance in consultation with tribal leaders and Although the Sun Dance is an ancient cultural elders as to appropriateness and timeliness element of many tribes of the Great Plains, it is during an encampment at the quarries. To not generally regarded as traditional to the read an ethnographic description of the Sun quarries. Two anthropologists, David Hughes Dance, see Oglala [Lakota] Religion, by the and Alice Stewart, who have conducted eth- anthropologist William K. Powers (1977). nographic interviews and have done ethnohistorical research pertinent to the Pipestone Ethnographic landscapes generally are larger area, say that the Sun Dance “was never tradi- in area and broader in scope than the

109 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT vernacular or designed historic landscapes Some of the national monument’s terrain that often are considered under the category could be incorporated into a prehistoric con- of cultural landscapes. Nonetheless, text that also would include certain archeo- ethnographic landscapes certainly are a type logical sites such as two petroglyph locations of cultural landscape, and they are discussed that remain in situ in the national monument, as cultural resources in this section on along with an area of ancient quarries. The ethnographic resources. glacially deposited granite boulders known as the Three Maidens could contribute to the The entire national monument is an ethno- prehistoric context. This rock formation was graphic resource, as well as an ethnographic the site of numerous petroglyphs that were landscape combined into one entity. This sug- removed in the late 19th century before Pipe- gestion, put forth in this document, is gleaned stone National Monument was established. from ethnographic information from ethno- The petroglyphs now constitute part of the historical works (Hughes 1995; Hughes and national monument’s museum collections. In Stewart 1997), the nomination form of Pipe- general, however, the prehistoric context stone National Monument to the National would call attention to relatively unspoiled Register of Historic Places (NPS 1976), and natural features, including, most notably, consultations with American Indians. patches of remnant tallgrass prairie.

Landscape Periods The relatively treeless features would be reminiscent of George Catlin’s somewhat impres- Three periods are suggested below as a guide sionistic 1836 painting entitled Pipestone to narrate changes in the landscape setting Quarry on the Coteau des Prairies, Minnesota. over time. The activity of quarrying catlinite This painting represents the area shortly after pipestone is focused upon, and incorporated European contact but has attributes of the into, the names of the landscape periods, as prehistoric scene that continued through the the prime cultural behavior that occurs and Early Indian Reservation Period (1858–1874); has occurred since time immemorial in what is that is, until the influx of European–American now the national monument. settlers. Quarrying during this period reflects a continuation of the prehistoric quarrying • Prehistoric Quarrying into the Historic landscape features in that it was relatively Period treeless in a prairie setting, as already men- • Historic Quarrying during European– tioned, with debris from the quarrying pre- American Settlement until the Begin- sumably scattered on the ground. It is believed ning of the Mission 66 Program in the that there would have been no appreciable National Monument (1874–1957) buildup of rubble piles as landscape features, as in Catlin’s painting. This pattern apparently • Quarrying since Mission 66 (1957– continued from the 1830s through the 1850s, present) when an 1858–1859 treaty reserved the catlinite pipestone quarries for the Yankton Prehistoric Quarrying into the Historic Sioux as an Indian reservation, into the 1870s, Period. Prehistoric quarrying before Euro- when Euro–American settlement began to pean contact took place in a tallgrass prairie change things. setting with few or no trees along Pipestone Creek. Fine remnants of the tallgrass prairie Historic Quarrying during Euro–American constitute the main prehistoric context of the Settlement until the Beginning of the prehistoric element of the ethnographic land- Mission 66 Program in the National scape, in association with the quartzite ledge Monument (1874–1957). The scene sur- along which ancient, more recent, and con- rounding quarrying changed in association temporary quarrying sites are located. with Euro–American settlement and

110 Cultural Resources development. This includes the latter part of linite pipestone quarries as an Indian reser- the Indian reservation period (1874–1929), vation. Congress established a residential In- when a railroad traversed it in 1884 and when dian school, the Pipestone Indian School, on part of it was taken to found the Pipestone the reservation in 1890. By 1893 it was opera- Indian School in 1890. The Pipestone Indian tional. It was closed in 1953. Part of the prop- School directed that the Winnewissa Falls be erty now houses the Minnesota West Com- dynamited to reduce its height (circa 1908– munity and Technical College, a campus of 1912), and the school administered an Indian which came to Pipestone in 1967. In the late unit of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) 19th century, Pipestone townspeople lobbied in 1933–1942. The Civilian Conservation for the Indian school as an economic stimulus. Corps created trails and built stone bridges in Similar motives were behind the local and the area that was established as Pipestone state support for the establishment of the na- National Monument in 1937. tional monument in 1937, and 30 years later for the college. Homesteading began in the 1870s, and the prairies surrounding the quarrying area were One historic context has to do with the reduc- cultivated as farmland. Some of this happened tion in the height of Winnewissa Falls by sev- on the Indian reservation because the reserva- eral feet at some point between 1908 and tion had not at first been adequately mapped 1912. The Pipestone Indian School caused this and surveyed to prevent homesteaders from to happen to reduce flooding and thereby in- intruding. What became the city of Pipestone crease the amount of arable land upstream. was surveyed as a townsite in 1874. This was important to the Indian school since, as a residential vocational institution, it aimed Beginning in 1879, railroads came, and ulti- to be self-supporting through farming. The mately four railroads passed through Pipe- change to the falls changed the ethnographic stone, Minnesota. The first train to enter the landscape. The falls is one among many places town arrived in November 1879. It was a work where offerings of tobacco and other items train of the Southern Minnesota Railroad, are left. Winnewissa Falls remains a marker of which was a division of the Chicago, Milwau- the quartzite ledge as Pipestone Creek flows kee, and Saint Paul Railroad. Other railroads over it, but it has lost some of its prehistoric were the Chicago, Saint Paul, Minneapolis, height, if not its ethnographic stature. Its and Omaha Railroad; the Chicago and North- ethnographic importance remains as a central ern Railroad; and the Burlington, Cedar Rap- focus of American Indian origin stories in the ids, and North Railway. The latter came to national monument, which are associated traverse what is now the national monument. with the spiritual significance of the catlinite It was built through the Indian reservation in pipestone quarries as sacred ground. 1884 without permission. It became the Chi- cago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad in Another historic context relates to the Indian 1903; operations ceased in 1967. A historic unit of the Civilian Conservation Corps, context would relate to the visible but aban- which was associated with the Indian school. doned grass-covered bed of this railroad, The work performed by the CCC Indian Divi- without rails and ties, running north and sion, also known as a program of Indian south in the eastern part of the national Emergency Conservation Works (IECW), was monument. Quarrying from 1884 through supervised by the superintendent of the Pipe- 1967 would have been carried out within stone Indian School. That is, the Indian Emer- sights and sounds of the railroad. gency Conservation Works was under the general supervision of Superintendent James The railroads encouraged settlement by mov- W. Balmer and under the immediate super- ing farm produce to markets, making it more vision of R. W. Hellwig and then J. H. Mitch- difficult to preserve the land around the cat- ell. The IECW program began in January 1934.

111 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

By December 1934, detailed supervision was The establishment of the national monument in the hands of Mitchell (Murray 1965, 48–49; in 1937 to protect and preserve the quarrying Mitchell 1934, 25–29). IECW projects includ- and to commemorate the quarries emphasizes ed road, a trail, fencing work, and construct- the continued importance of the catlinite ing a dam, presumably on Pipestone Creek, quarries to American Indians and to the which created a lake on the prairie near the nation. The historic context is quarrying in quarries. Stone work was part of the trail modern times. For 30 years after the national work, including stone steps cut and incor- monument was established, quarrying con- porated into elevated parts of the trails and tinued within the sight and sound of the rail- mini-bridges of stone in the lower parts of the road. A 1947 map shows the Chicago, Rock trails (Mitchell 1934, 27–29). Island, and Pacific Railroad running north and south through the eastern part of the national This Indian IECW–CCC unit also planted monument. A 1965 booklet shows a similar trees (shown on some maps as “tree planta- notation (Murray 1965, 31). Railroad operations”), remnants of which may be evident in tion did not cease until 1967. the northwest of the present-day national monument. The “greening” or “treeing” of the The Mission 66 program, whose configuration quarrying landscape, to which the Civilian marks the present-day national monument, is Conservation Corps contributed, is associated discussed below. Possible remnant trails and with Euro–American settlement. Various roads need to be investigated to determine shrubs and some hardwood trees started to how visitors gained access to the national appear, and they were valued as shade trees monument and toured it before the Mission growing along Pipestone Creek. Seemingly 66 program began in 1957. brought in by the settlers, purposefully or inadvertently, this growth of trees along Pipe- Quarrying Since Mission 66 (1957–present). stone Creek became evident in the 1880s and The Mission 66 program was responsible for reflected the preferences of some settlers for building the present-day visitor center in eastern woodland landscapes. The shade gen- 1957–1958, according to a “centralize and erally was welcomed and is correlated with circulate” philosophy. The idea was to direct the beginning of the general quarrying area visitors to a central place in a unit of the na- being perceived as suitable for a national tional park system, orient them, and then re- monument, to include activities for recreation. direct their experiences of the unit from that In 1919, with the permission of the Indian location. The current trail system has over- school, a bathhouse for recreational bathing tones from earlier CCC activities, which in- and boating was built adjacent to Indian Lake, cluded “carving” the rock steps in the trail to northwest of the present boundaries of the reach the 1838 inscription in rock near Win- national monument. newissa Falls. The inscription was related to the expedition of that year by Joseph Nicolas Landscape changes relate not only to the Nicollet and John Charles Frémont. The presence of the railroad and the growing current trail system is centered in the Circle presence of trees, but also to the appearance Trail (which loops out of the visitor center) of rubble piles from the catlinite quarrying. and stems from 1957–1958 and Mission 66 Substantial rubble piles may have been part of and constitutes the historic context. the cultural landscape earlier than this. Rubble piles are noticeable in Catlin’s 1863 painting of Today, quartzite and pipestone rubble piles the quarries, and they appear in an 1873 pho- from catlinite quarrying continue to grow as tograph of the quarry line taken from the vi- landscape elements. In addition, since the cinity of Winnewissa Falls. This attests to con- 1970s, pumping hoses have become part of the siderable quarrying activity before the landscape. These are relatively large hoses founding of the community of Pipestone. attached to portable gasoline-powered water

112 Cultural Resources pumps to pump water out of the quarries. important to note that American Indian indi- Pumping is done not only in spring and early viduals, not tribes, do the quarrying in accord- summer but also into summer and autumn if ance with the establishing legislation. Permits the amount of precipitation from that winter to quarry, discussed elsewhere in this docu- and spring requires it. The amount and dura- ment, are issued to individuals, not to tribes. It tion of pumping of groundwater filling the is generally understood that the area of the quarries depends on how much snow and rain quarries always has been a place, since time are received by the national monument and immemorial, where individuals of all tribes environs in any one year. Pumping is done so could go in peace to quarry. Presumably this that quarrying can continue during times was so even at times when one tribe or anoth- when the quarriers traditionally would have er might have regarded the quarries as within waited to quarry until the water went down. territory over which they had political hege- That could have been middle to late summer mony, including the period of the Yankton or even sometime in autumn. One pump usu- Sioux Indian reservation, 1858 –1929, as ally is used per quarry. The pumps make a lot mentioned earlier. of noise, loudly and constantly droning on and on for days at a time. Like the reality of The idea of the quarries as a place of peace the pumping hoses as visual intrusions, pump seemingly was incorporated in the 1937 en- noise has become a noticeable part of the abling legislation of the national monument by “soundscape” aspect of the landscape. reserving “to Indians of all tribes. . . the quarrying of the red [catlinite] pipestone.” There The contemporary landscape is a mixture of are ancient, historic, and contemporary con- older and newer elements, as was described texts involving the quarries. That is, certain above through the suggested landscape peri- locations of ancient quarries have been identi- ods over time. Modern quarriers for various fied by archeologists. Historic quarries not personal and cultural purposes have access to currently being worked are generally identi- the surviving landscape features mentioned as fiable by rubble piles adjacent to them. Quar- characteristic of each of the three landscape ries under excavation will often be recogniz- periods. Such access is part of how the quar- able by hand tools and other equipment like riers and other American Indians use the wheelbarrows nearby, if the quarrier himself is national monument in the context of an not at work down in the quarry. ethnographic landscape. The Three Maidens constitute five to seven (depending on how one counts from the origi- Ethnographic Resources nal three that split off into more boulders) The following may be identified as ethno- glacially deposited large boulders within the graphic resources in the national monument: boundaries of the national monument. They are held to be sacred by many American The Quarries Indians. Prehistorically, several petroglyphs The Three Maidens on Sioux quartzite slabs were associated with Winnewissa Falls the Three Maidens. Charles H. Bennett re- The Oracle moved the petroglyphs from their original lo- Old Stone Face / Leaping Rock cation around the Three Maidens in 1888 and Pipestone Creek 1889. Nineteen quartzite slabs featuring many Petroglyphs petroglyphs are now part of the national monument’s museum collections, as is These ethnographic resources are regarded as described in more detail below (p. 120). sacred sites by some American Indians (Hughes 1995; Hughes and Stewart 1997). It is In general terms, a tradition of placing offerings is associated with the Three Maidens and

113 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT may go back to prehistoric times. Ethno- HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND graphically today, some American Indian CULTURAL LANDSCAPES individuals sometimes place at the Three Maidens pieces of sage, bundles of tobacco, National Register of and other offerings of personal items or food. Historic Places Listings

Origin stories about how certain American The house of the superintendent of the Pipe- Indian peoples came to be on earth are asso- stone Indian School (1890–1953) was listed in ciated with the Three Maidens rock forma- the National Register of Historic Places on tion, as well as similar stories about the sym- April 5, 1993. It is an early 20th century two- bolism of the rock formation itself. Origin story structure built in 1907 of local Sioux stories also are associated with Winnewissa quartzite. The architect was R. K. Hafsus. The Falls and nearby Old Stone Face / Leaping house sits on the grounds of what today is the Rock and The Oracle, which are aspects of the Pipestone Campus of the Minnesota West same rock formation. Offerings of sage and Community and Technical College. A few tobacco and other items are seemingly just as years ago the state of Minnesota transferred likely to be found around Winnewissa Falls, title to this historic property to the Keepers of Old Stone Face / Leaping Rock, and The the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers. This Oracle as at the Three Maidens because of American Indian organization, founded in the similar sacredness. Offerings may be left all town of Pipestone in 1996, would welcome over the national monument. preservation help for the structure, which is moldering in poor condition and will continue Sweat lodges, vision quests, and quarrying, to deteriorate unless it is stabilized or more with accompanying rituals and ceremonies, beneficially rehabilitated. constitute the major cultural uses of the national monument within the category of The October 15, 1966, listing of Pipestone ethnographic resources. The national monu- National Monument in the National Register ment is one ethnographic resource and land- of Historic Places is for the entire national scape, with ethnographic elements such as the monument. It emphasizes the cultural im- quarries, the Three Maidens, Winnewissa portance of catlinite quarrying, with many Falls and the related formations of Old Stone contributing elements such as the quarries Face / Leaping Rock, and The Oracle. themselves, Winnewissa Falls, and the rock formations known as the Old Stone Face / In national register terms, no ethnographic Leaping Rock, the Oracle, and the Three resources have been identified per se as tra- Maidens. The need is noted to update the ditional cultural properties eligible for listing National Register of Historic Places nomina- or listed in the National Register of Historic tion form to integrate salient ethnographic, Places. Additional consultations with Ameri- landscape, archeological, and historic features can Indians should be conducted by NPS per- not included in the existing nomination. Also sonnel who are alert to this possibility. That is, please note that some of the resources of Pipe- attention should be paid to the specific pos- stone National Monument have “double cov- sibility of amending the existing national erage,” so to speak, in that the Pipestone register nomination form by adding tradi- petroglyph slabs and their petroglyph con- tional cultural property language. As noted tents are contributing elements of a multiple elsewhere in this document, Pipestone Na- property district based on the theme of Amer- tional Monument, with the Three Maidens as ican Indian rock art in the state of Minnesota. a contributing element, is already listed in the This was listed in the National Register of National Register of Historic Places. Historic Places on November 14, 1996 (Dudzik 1995a, 1995b).

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Eligibility for National Register of historic contexts that might guide future of Historic Places thinking about potential cultural landscapes.

As part of the general management plan pro- This list is intended only to stimulate further cess, cultural resource specialists in the Mid- work. Any cultural landscapes implied here west Regional Office of the National Park Ser- through historic contexts would be in the “po- vice have evaluated the Mission 66 develop- tential” category because they are like topics ment at Pipestone National Monument for to be considered on the subject when more eligibility for listing in the National Register of information is available and further discern- Historic Places. They determined that the visi- ment is possible. The list is not intended to tor center, the parking lot, the entrance road, substitute for CLAIMS consideration, not aspects of the interpretive Circle Trail, and the even at an initial level, which in CLAIMS two houses north of the Three Maidens rock terminology would be the 0 (zero) level of formation meet the national register criteria inventory entry, nor is it intended to substi- for historic significance plus those for excep- tute for a much-needed cultural landscape tional significance for properties less than 50 study. Further study of cultural landscapes years old. The Minnesota state historic preser- will be called for through an implementation vation office concurred with this determina- plan after this General Management Plan is tion of eligibility on June 30, 2003, in a letter to completed. the superintendent of the national monument. These historic features are being treated as eli- A separate study will be undertaken to deter- gible, and it is anticipated that a nomination to mine whether all or parts of Pipestone Na- the National Register of Historic Places will be tional Monument meet the definition of a forthcoming, perhaps as an amendment to the cultural landscape. It is also possible that an existing 1966 listing of the national monument ethnographic component exists at the national as a whole. monument. Such a designation could affect the activities now undertaken at the national monument and could change the way it is No Historic Cultural managed. Preliminary data have been incor- Landscapes Documented porated into this draft plan. Should the study be completed before the plan is finalized, it No historic cultural landscapes have been will be incorporated into the plan. documented at Pipestone National Monu- ment through cultural landscape reports or The national monument is considered one inventories. A cultural landscape is identified resource and landscape in the passages below. and determined eligible for the National A narrative suggests cultural landscape peri- Register of Historic Places concurrently by ods indicative of continuity and change over the National Park Service and the state his- time. toric preservation officer. An NPS database known as the Cultural Landscape Automated Inventory Management System (CLAIMS) is Landscape Setting an evaluation and documentation process for reaching a determination of national register On the north central plains, Pipestone Na- eligibility. Some units of the national park sys- tional Monument is situated on the western tem have used the CLAIMS process to identify slope of the divide between the drainages of preliminarily potential cultural landscapes for the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. It strad- further study. The National Park Service has dles the valley of Pipestone Creek, which is a not so identified any potential cultural land- tributary of the Big Sioux River. The landscapes for Pipestone National Monument. scape of Pipestone National Monument and However, suggested here is a preliminary list the surrounding area are gently rolling, with a

115 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT scattering of rock outcrops. Along the bound- tered the CCC unit that created trails and aries of the national monument are farmlands bridges in the national monument and and development. Before the settlement peri- also influenced CCC work in creating tree od, tallgrass prairie and associated plants were plantations. prevalent. This vegetation still exists in several • Civilian Conservation Corps Era (1933– areas within the boundaries. As European– 1942). The extant landscape features in- Americans moved to the region, farmlands clude trail bridge and trail work in what is along the edges of the quarries began to in- now the national monument. There are trude on the tallgrass prairie. The CCC period possible remnants of tree plantations, and in history brought the planting of several tree there is evidence of no longer extant dams plantations and landscape planting work built to influence the flow of Pipestone along a portion of the creek, as well as in Creek. several other areas. • Mission 66 (1957–1969). Mission 66 was Historic Contexts the largest capital development program ever executed in the history of the nation- The following list of suggested historic con- al park system. The Mission 66 program texts can in turn be used to suggest potential built the physical plant at Pipestone Na- historic cultural landscapes. Please note that tional Monument, including the 1957– the landscape before European–American set- 1958 visitor center. Highlights of the pro- tlement, emphasizing the importance of the gram were the centralization of functions, native tallgrass prairie, is described under the circulation of visitors, and the pres- “Ethnographic Resources,” beginning on page ence of modern facilities to serve visitors 108. and NPS staff. At Pipestone, orienting first-time visitors was the emphasis of the • European–American Settlement (1870s– program, which also included staff hous- 1890s). The completion of a public lands ing and maintenance facilities. Another survey of the Pipestone area in 1870 in- development began in the late 1960s that augurated a new era in settlement. By Sep- was directed toward creating a climate of tember of that year, the public domain in inclusion, and the visitor center was ex- the area was being claimed by homestead- panded to include a cultural center, which ers. The disturbance of remnant farmlands was completed and dedicated in 1972. could be contrasted with unspoiled Trail concepts and construction were remaining remnants of tallgrass prairie. modified to fit the Mission 66 philosophy • Railroad Era (1884–1967). As is de- of centralizing and circulating. This devel- scribed in more detail in the “Ethno- opment still is functioning and intact. graphic Resources” section below, a railroad ran through the area that is now MUSEUM COLLECTIONS Pipestone National Monument from 1884 AND ARCHIVES to 1967, influencing the quarrying environment. An abandoned railroad bed with In the past, three themes predominated at neither railroad ties nor tracks is evidence Pipestone National Monument for inter- of this period. preting the national monument and guiding collections management. To paraphrase, these • Pipestone Indian School (1890–1953). three dealt with the following topics: Circa 1908–1912, the Indian school caused Winnewissa Falls to be reduced by several 1. the cultural, social, religious, and feet in a successful effort to increase the economic importance of the Pipestone amount of farmland upstream, as was de- quarries scribed on page 111. The school adminis-

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2. the geology of the quarries tions. There are some gaps in this category. 3. the natural history of the national monument • Ethnography. The category of ethnography encompasses artifacts, materials, and Two themes were added later, and the word- objects that represent the pipe culture and ing was changed. The current five interpretive other interpretive themes involving the themes are delineated in a list beginning on following tribal groups: Omaha, Ponca, page 24. To paraphrase, those themes deal Ojibwa, Sac and Fox, Winnebago, and with the following topics: Sioux. Future collections will be focused 1. the pipes themselves in the context of on items made from catlinlite pipestone, their important ceremonial, religious, and but also artwork, quillwork, beadwork, secular roles in American Indian life leatherwork and other items of material culture. Some American Indians have ex- 2. the ancient and continuing process of pressed concern about the display and sale hand quarrying the catlinite pipestone of pipestone articles; this is discussed 3. the cultural and natural landscapes that further in appendix A. The disposition of reflect what is now the national monu- ethnographic objects to American Indians ment as a sacred and spiritual place for follows NPS guidelines on the return or American Indians repatriation of items from the national monument’s collection, similar to such 4. the national monument as a special gath- considerations under the Native American ering place for American Indians over Graves Protection and Repatriation Act time (NAGPRA). 5. natural resources that provide a setting for • History with Archives. The “history with certain cultural resources, as well as a tall- archives” collection comprises docu- grass prairie ecosystem, the remnant of ments, photographs, and objects that re- which may be relatively small but is an late to the establishment of the national excellent example of undisturbed tallgrass monument. It also includes paintings on prairie linen from the 1880s, D. F. Barry photos of famous people like Sitting Bull, and paint- The Number and Nature of Collections ings with American Indian themes. The national monument’s collection recog- The purpose of the museum collections and nizes gaps in the photographs available, archives is to support the national monu- the need to secure materials about the ment’s interpretive themes and to assist in re- history of the Pipestone Indian School, search and resource management programs. and the role played by its administrators. The national monument’s museum collections The latter influenced how the area was de- total some 54,324 catalogued items. veloped before Congress designated Pipe- stone National Monument in 1937. The The cultural history collection draws upon collection also needs materials related to three disciplines, as follows: the pipemaking community in Flandreau, South Dakota, after the turn of the 19th to • Archeology with Archives. This category the 20th century. consists of artifacts and other specimens collected primarily during archeological The natural history collection is guided by surveys by Paul Beaubien in 1949 and John the national monument’s scope of research Sigstad in 1965–1966. The archival records and interpretive themes, as well as by National are associated with papers that document Park Service guidelines. Economy of choice is the archeological excavations and collec-

117 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT a factor, too, given the lack of adequate cura- pipes or other pipestone objects, and they torial and storage space, that is, of preserva- include other objects of American Indian tion facilities for museum collections. material culture. The dates that can be ascer- tained range from 1850 to 1930. The collec- The natural history collection draws mainly tions are as follows: upon two disciplines, botany and geology, but • The James H. Austin Collection contains it also includes entomology. The national objects of material culture made by local monument has a fairly large insect collection American Indians at the turn of the 19th– that is housed in the resource operations 20th century. Objects have been traced to building in a museum cabinet but with no more than 25 different tribal groups in the environmental controls or monitoring. Upper Plains. • Botany. The botany category consists of • The Edward Butts Collection, which was lichens collected by T. W. Vinyard (Wil- acquired in 1964, consists of a number of son and Vinyard 1984) and two vascular valued pipes that reputedly belonged to plant collections, one collected by Dennis various Upper Plains Indian chiefs of the Disrud (NPS 1966) and the other by Don- 19th and 20th centuries. (Many of these ald A. Becker (Becker, Bragg, and Suther- have been identified as NAGPRA items — land 1986). Moss, liverworts, and fungi see p. 117). still are needed for the plant collection. • The commitment is to establish a perma- The Albert Heath Collection, like the nent database about native versus exotic Austin collection, contains a number of plants to compare and assist with the pipes representative of various Plains restoration of the prairie. The category Indian tribes of the 19th and 20th could conceivably be larger, to include centuries. zoology along with botany under biology, • The James N. Gundersen Collection, ac- but no animal species are stored or have quired recently in 2004, contains samples been stored in the national monument. of catlinite and other types of pipestone. However, with the new NPS Vital Signs This collection shows how pipestone Inventory and Monitoring (VSIM) initia- pipes or other pipestone objects can be tive, more natural biological species may traced through mineral analysis to the cat- be added to the national monument’s col- linite of Pipestone National Monument or lection. The housing of the specimens is to other quarries of other source pipe- yet to be determined; that is, whether it stone. The collection is now housed in will be at the national monument or in Lincoln, Nebraska, to be catalogued at the another facility. NPS Midwest Archeological Center on • Geology. The geology category comprises behalf of the national monument. approximately a dozen catlinite, quartzite, and granite samples that are on exhibit. Collections Management The commitment here is to collect catlinite pipestone, Sioux quartzite, and non- Museum records and collections that are not catlinite pipestone samples from other on display are kept in the “clean room” in the sources for comparison purposes to re- back of the visitor/cultural center. This room flect the national monument’s thematic is an insulated modular structure. Access to focus. the clean room is strictly limited and controlled, and anyone who enters the clean The national monument controls special room must write his/her purpose and use of collections, which are outstanding in their the room in a logbook. historical importance. They focus on catlinite

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The state of preservation of the museum col- varying conditions for items in the clean lections ranges from fair to excellent. No room. objects have been found to need urgent attention by a conservator. Museum records are Security. The exterior and interior of the kept in a four-drawer fire-rated filing cabinet visitor center are protected by a security sys- with a key lock. tem, but the clean room is not protected by a separate security alarm. Many of the enclosed There is no cultural resource specialist or mu- displays on exhibit are under a security sys- seum curator on the staff of Pipestone Na- tem. No theft of museum objects has been tional Monument, which makes it difficult for reported, but over the years there has been the national monument to meet NPS require- some vandalism of exhibits on display in the ments for the management of collections and museum part of the visitor center. the museum. Curatorial tasks such as recon- ciling museum records and upgrading storage Fire Protection. A general agreement was are the responsibility of the resource program completed in 2001 between the Pipestone manager. There is no scheduled program for Volunteer Fire Department and Pipestone documenting changes in the conditions of the National Monument. A fire detection system objects. at the national monument consists of ioniza- tion type smoke detectors (one is inside the Storage and exhibit space limitations restrict clean room), which are linked via telephone additions to the ethnographic and history line to an offsite central monitoring station. collections. There is no automatic buildingwide fire- detection and fire-suppression system. Hand- The Clean Room and Museum Storage. The held fire extinguishers are located throughout clean room has been the sole collection stor- the visitor center. There is a fire-resistant age area for approximately 14 years. Its exteri- filing cabinet for collections records in the or dimensions are 14′ 6″ X 8′ 9″, and its interior clean room. No hazardous materials are dimensions are 13′ 9″ X 8′ 7″. A sealed locked stored in or near the clean room. door is situated at one end, and there are no windows. There is an electrical outlet inside, Temperature and Relative Humidity. A near the door. The lighting is fluorescent, and digital datalogger in the clean room is checked the lights are turned on only while someone is monthly for changes in temperature and in the room. humidity. Additional dataloggers have been placed in the museum; they are monitored Approximately two-thirds of the national monthly. monument’s objects are stored in the clean room. It is not used for noncuratorial activi- Light. Many light-sensitive objects on exhibit ties. There is no environmental control equip- are exposed to excessive light levels. There is ment to control the climatic conditions inside. no way to monitor the light levels, because the The available space in the clean room is ade- national monument has no light meter. quate to meet current storage needs; working in this space without leaving the door open is Ultraviolet Radiation. Some steps have been difficult. All items are stored in standard metal taken to protect against ultraviolet radiation, cabinets or placed on a storage rack. such as placing UV-filtering sleeves on fluorescent lamps, but not all fluorescent lamps in The condition of the objects in the clean room the museum have these protective sleeves. The varies from fair to excellent. The national national monument has no instrument to test monument’s 1996 “Collections Management periodically for UV radiation. Plan” gives details about the specifics of the

119 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

Dust and Pollution. Live demonstrations of nique of pipes is culturally appropriate. An- pipemaking in the cultural center have created other concern is about the adequacy of the an indoor air pollution problem. Two sets of temperature and humidity controls for the particulate filters in the heating, ventilating, artifacts on display. and air conditioning system collect catlinite- pipestone dust, although they are not de- The historic pipes on display are in good con- signed for this purpose. This system does not dition. The metallic components of the pipes effectively collect all the dust particles, and the have oxidized, although there are no signs of staff spends much time trying to clean up the copper-based corrosion. Some porcupine pipestone dust throughout the visitor center, quills have faded over time. The diorama is in including the museum collections. However, good condition, and the geologic features are this does not pose a health risk, according to stained and superficially polished from hand- the results of tests completed in 2001 by a U.S. ling by visitors over time. Department of the Interior health inspector (USDI, Off. of Sec., Off. of Occup. Safety and Upper Midwest Indian Cultural Center Health 2001). Two areas in the Upper Midwest Indian Cul- Pest Management. The area around the clean tural Center provide exhibit space. The area in room and collections is well maintained, front of the demonstration booths consists of which decreases the likelihood of pests enter- a free-standing exhibit case for a mounted ing the clean room. However, pests can get golden eagle, two eagle feather headdresses, into museum displays through the lighting and a feathered staff and the contemporary panels in the display units. Steps have been artwork mounted on the walls. The head- put in place to follow the provisions of the dresses, feathered staff, and mounted golden national monument’s 2003 “Integrated Pest eagle are in good condition. The second area Management Plan.” is the gallery, which contains many wall- mounted cases that surround a free-standing Curatorial Workspace. There is no work- cylindrical exhibit case in the center of the space dedicated to curatorial activities. Indi- room. The cases contain a variety of pipestone viduals working on collections need to find a carvings and beaded leather objects that are in vacant desk to complete tasks. Many actions good condition. Some of these objects are on that normally would be done in a curatorial loan to the national monument. workspace are often completed in the clean room. Petroglyphs Museum Exhibits. Collections are exhibited in the visitor center and the Upper Midwest A Pipestone resident and businessman, Indian Cultural Center and associated gallery. Charles H. Bennett (1846–1926), removed The cultural center was constructed in 1972 as more than 30 petroglyph slabs from around an addition to the visitor center. the Three Maidens in 1888 and 1889. By 1946, 17 of these Three Maidens petroglyph slabs Exhibits in Visitor Center. There are a num- had been donated to the national monument ber of wall-mounted exhibit cases, a free by the Pipestone Old Settlers Society, the standing case, interpretive panels, and a dio- group to which Bennett had willed them. Ben- rama. These exhibits, which are more than 45 nett founded the Old Settlers Society in 1888 years old, do not meet current curatorial and for historic preservation. It became the Pipe- conservation standards. They are poorly de- stone County Historical Society in 1963, when signed, and there is poor accessibility for lamp it was incorporated as a nonprofit educational maintenance and housekeeping. There is a organization. The national monument owns concern about whether the mounting tech- two more similar (but not Three Maidens)

120 Cultural Resources petroglyph slabs (Dudzik 1995a; Thiessen them. In their present location in the cultural 2002; Thiessen and Bailey 2000). center, the petroglyph slabs are minimally protected, but visitors are constantly warned At one time the petroglyphs were just outside not to handle, stand, walk, or sit on them. A the visitor center along the south leg of the condition assessment of the petroglyphs has Circle Trail; later they were moved into the been completed, and the national monument visitor center for better protection. The petro- staff is working on a contract to interpret, glyphs do not appear to have suffered from protect, and display them. Affiliated tribes the annual freeze/thaw cycles while they were have been invited to provide input on this outside, although some have suffered from project. vandalism when visitors have marked on

121

NATURAL RESOURCES

SETTING escarpment (cliff face) trending south-north through the eastern part of the national The most significant natural resources of the monument. The escarpment ranges from a national monument are the Sioux quartzite few feet to 20 feet. The quartzite is very hard, rock formation with associated pipestone rosy pink in color, and highly jointed. Pipe- (catlinite), 20 acres of associated Sioux stone (catlinite), a soft red clay stone, is found quartzite prairie, 160 acres of remnant tall- in layers sandwiched between the quartzite grass prairie, Pipestone Creek, including seams more than 10 feet below the surface. Winnewissa Falls, and the glacial boulders Glacial markings are found on many of the that make up the Three Maidens. exposed quartzite rocks, and large blocks of talus lie near the base of the escarpment. A number of studies and research about the national monument’s natural resources have The Sioux quartzite is also exposed to a lesser been conducted — surveys of plants, lichens, degree in other areas of the national monu- birds, small mammals, insects, reptiles, ment. A low escarpment bisects the southern amphibians, and fishes. In addition, the national part of the national monument from near monument has a mammal species list derived Lake Hiawatha to the entrance road. Other from observations and aquatic smaller outcrops occur along Pipestone Creek macroinvertebrate monitoring data. The and along intermittent drainages or small German scientist Karl Geyer, who was part of scour basins scattered about the national the Nicollet expedition to the Pipestone region monument. in the 1800s, derived the first botanical description of the Pipestone region. His journal is VEGETATION stored at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Sioux Quartzite Prairie In the late 1980s the U.S. Geological Survey The outcrops make a unique habitat for many conducted an evaluation of the pipestone re- plant species not found elsewhere in the prai- sources at the national monument. Additional rie; therefore, this group of species is known research has been completed on the mineralogi- as the Sioux quartzite prairie. They are de- cal characterization of the pipestone. scribed as follows in the memorandum of understanding between the National Park SIOUX QUARTZITE ROCK FORMATION Service and the Minnesota Natural Heritage register: There are several unique geologic features at Pipestone National Monument — the Sioux A distinctive assemblage of plant species, quartzite outcrops, the pipestone or catlinite, ranging from xeric to hydric, is associated and the large glacial boulders known as the with the various microhabitats found on Three Maidens. The Sioux quartzite outcrops Quartzite rock surfaces. The endanger- affect the national monument’s vegetation. ment status of this natural community type has not been determined. The rock Sioux quartzite, old metamorphosed sand- outcrop flora, however, appears to be stone, is the national monument’s dominant fairly well protected from threat due to its geologic feature. The rock is exposed in many unsuitability for other uses. places in the upper Midwest region (Minne- sota, North Dakota, Iowa) as well as in the The Sioux quartzite prairie at Pipestone Na- national monument. It forms a prominent tional Monument represents one of the least

122 Natural Resources disturbed examples of this rare community orchid, federally listed as threatened. Most of type globally (NPS 2001a). The Nature Con- the prairie in North America has been conservancy has designated the 20 acres of Sioux verted to agricultural uses, leaving only small, quartzite prairie type as “endangered through- isolated undisturbed remnants such as the one out its range” and cites the pipestone outcrops at Pipestone. Presettlement estimates for as one of the few intact examples of this rare tallgrass prairie nationwide are 100 million community type. The combination of water- hectares, of which only 1/10 of 1% remains. retaining swales and the arid environment of Of the 1/3 of Minnesota that once was the thin soils results in the outcrops sup- covered by tallgrass prairie, less than 1% porting many species at the eastern edge of remains. Historically, much of the prairie was their range. Prescribed fire and manual exotic treeless because large wildfires occurred at weed control are employed as management frequent intervals. Prairie restoration activities tools in this community. The memorandum of at Pipestone, such as exotic weed control, understanding between the National Park Ser- prescribed burns, collection of seed, and vice and the Minnesota Natural Heritage reseeding, are making progress. The tallgrass register says the following: prairie community is culturally significant as the historic background of the pipestone Sioux Quartzite . . . . Prairies display quarries. More recently the prairie has be- diverse species assemblages within small come recognized as significant to regional geographic areas due to the varied depth biodiversity (NPS 2001a). of the bedrock which determines soil depth and moisture availability. A range of dry to wet-mesic prairie is commonly Restored Tallgrass Prairie found on Quartzite prairie areas. The Natural Heritage Program considers the The restored tallgrass prairie plant community Sioux Quartzite Prairie landform to be covers an area where tallgrass prairie has died threatened in the state. Examples which out and been replaced with exotic species maintain their presettlement features are such as smooth brome and bluegrass. Plant now limited to a few small areas. Much of species that have been introduced to an area the original tall grass prairie found on by humans rather than through natural migra- Sioux Quartzite bedrock has been tion are termed exotics. Plant species, both converted to pasture. Intensive grazing exotics and natives, are considered weeds has resulted in replacement of the native when they interfere with human activities or prairie flora with weedy invaders. welfare. Tallgrass prairie is being restored at Quartzite prairie has also been destroyed the national monument by reducing the by cultivation in areas where Quartzite number and extent of exotic plants and re- exposures are less numerous and seeding areas with native seed of tallgrass cropping is feasible. The remaining intact prairie plants. To protect the genetic strains of Sioux Quartzite Prairies typically have had species in the national monument, all seeding a history of light grazing or annual is done with seed collected in the national mowing for hay. monument.

Remnant Tallgrass Prairie A goal of the national monument is to maintain and restore the vista that historically sur- The remnant tallgrass prairie (160 acres) rounded the Pipestone quarries while retain- surrounding the pipestone quarries is a part of ing the biodiversity of the tallgrass prairie. A the once extensive Coteau des Prairie, or high component of this goal is the restoration of prairie. The tallgrass prairie at Pipestone sup- tallgrass prairie communities. Prescribed ports more than 500 native vascular plant spe- burning was first used in prairie management cies, including the western prairie fringed at the national monument in 1971, and since

123 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT then sections of Pipestone have been burned Since 1993 Pipestone National Monument has each year. The national monument has been been part of the Prairie Cluster Long-Term divided into quadrants, and one quadrant is Ecological Monitoring Program, now the burned each spring on a rotating basis. These Heartland Network Inventory and burns have been highly successful in restoring Monitoring Network. This program has the dominance of native prairie species such established monitoring at the national as big bluestem in some areas of the national monument for the tallgrass prairie ecosystem monument. Burning has not eliminated weeds and sensitive plant species. Results from the such as Canada thistle or sweet clover and monitoring provide valuable information for some difficult areas of introduced pasture making management decisions relating to grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass. In prairie restoration. addition to prescribed fires and the manual removal of exotics, some spot spraying with Oak Savanna/Woodland Areas approved chemicals has been used, as well as mowing. In addition to the Sioux Quartzite prairie, remnant tallgrass prairie, and restored tall- Restoration efforts in the 1990s focused on grass prairie described above, woodland areas introducing native grass and forb species into are of interest in planning. The wooded areas smooth brome (exotic) dominated fields. at the national monument are primarily along Exotics and persistent weeds predominate in the stream corridor and along the escarpment. formerly cultivated land, along the old rail- These areas have become more dominant road right-of-way, and in other disturbed since European settlement and the exclusion areas. Vegetation in these areas consists of of fire on the landscape. The national monu- several exotic pasture and lawn grasses and ment controls the expansion of the wooded legumes, including smooth brome (Bromus areas into the prairie through the use of pre- inermis), red clover (Trifolium pratensis), and scribed burns, but the prescribed fires are not Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), plus intense enough to remove the well-established weedy species such as white and yellow sweet trees in these areas. clover (Melilotus alba and M. officinalis), quackgrass (Agropyron repens), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), Canada thistle (Cirsium WETLANDS AND RIPARIAN CORRIDOR arvense) and musk thistle (Carduus nutans). The National Wetlands Inventory and map An alien plant ranking system (APRS) “helps shows no wetland in Pipestone National identify those species that have the most seri- Monument; however, the national monument ous impact — those on a site of limited distri- does contain wetlands. The state of Minnesota bution or off site with a high potential to in- has prepared wetlands maps for the state. vade . . .” (Hiebert 2001). Such a study done However, they provide less detail about wet- for Pipestone found 70 alien species at the land areas at the national monument than the national monument, with 11 of them requiring “Prairie Management Plan” prepared for the management. The current plant database for national monument (Becker, Bragg, and Suth- the national monument lists more than 90 ex- erland 1986). No survey of jurisdictional and otics. The plants of greatest concern are com- other wetlands has been prepared for Pipe- mon buckthorn (Rhamnus carthartica), leafy stone National Monument. spurge, and smooth brome. Of somewhat less concern are yellow sweet clover and musk The “Prairie Management Plan” for Pipestone thistle and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundi- National Monument found that wetlands — nacea). The national monument’s active ex- including Pipestone Creek, ponds, intermit- otic weed control program tracks the number tent drainageways, and marsh — occupy about of exotic weeds that are removed annually. 8% of the national monument (Becker, Bragg,

124 Natural Resources and Sutherland 1986). The exotic reed canary within the 500-year floodplain or areas of 100- grass dominates the shorelines of Pipestone year flood, with average depths of less than 1 Creek, Lake Hiawatha, and other ponds along foot, or with drainage areas less than 1 square the stream. It also dominates two deep wet- mile. land basins along the eastern boundary. More than 30 years ago it was observed that the The visitor center / headquarters is in the 100- shoreline of Lake Hiawatha was dominated by year floodplain area, for which no base flood Carex, Scirpus, Calamagrostis, Cicuta, and elevations were determined. The employee Asclepias (Stevens 1969). A comparison of housing is outside the 500-year floodplain, floristic studies from 1967 and 1982–83 indi- although floodwaters have been known to cates that it is likely that 40 native plant spe- come inside the houses. The maintenance out- cies of the national monument were extir- door equipment storage area is in the flood- pated. Approximately 75% of those species way of the Main Ditch. It appears that most of were wetland species. the western part of the USFWS property north of the national monument would be in The area near the southern part of the eastern the 100-year floodplain, although the map boundary still contains wetlands in apparent does not show this. The private property on natural condition, which are dominated by the south side of the national monument ap- cordgrass, sedges, rushes, and hydric forbs. In pears to be outside the 500-year floodplain, or many areas in the national monument, small areas of 100-year flood with average depths of scour ponds or ephemeral pools are located in less than 1 foot or with drainage areas less drainageways where the outlets are controlled than 1 square mile. by rock outcrops. Many of these ponds and drainageways have been heavily grazed in the Flash flooding in the national monument past and have been invaded by quackgrass and along Pipestone Creek occurs relatively smooth brome, but those in the tallgrass frequently following heavy rainfalls, the quick prairie north and east of the main road con- melting of accumulated winter snows, or a tain many native wetland species. combination of rainfall on already saturated ground. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that much of the national monument is FLOODPLAINS underlain by rock layers that make it difficult The Federal Emergency Management Agency for water to drain into the earth. Instead, mapped the floodplains at Pipestone National water forms a sheet that drains across the Monument in 1991. The resulting flood insur- national monument to the west. In particularly ance rate map shows about one-third to one- bad floods, water can come over the escarp- half of the national monument in the 100-year ment in places other than Winnewissa Falls, floodplain, but no base flood elevations are causing major damage to resources such as determined. Base floodplain elevations have trails. The bridge at Winnewissa Falls has been been determined for a small portion on either regularly damaged during floods. side of Pipestone Creek (Main Ditch) above Frequent flash-flooding causes several adverse the falls on the eastern side of the national impacts. Sediments have nearly filled Lake monument. The 100-year floodplain is on Hiawatha, and less than 2 feet of water storage either side of Pipestone Creek. An area about is left in the lake. Aquatic macroinvertebrates 250 feet wide along the eastern boundary of on rocks in the stream are also dislodged, re- the national monument, which extends from sulting in reduced stream productivity. In the 9th street to about 250 feet north of the Main floodplain; biota are exposed to chemical pol- Ditch, is within the 100-year floodplain, with lutants, and debris detracts from aesthetics of base flood elevations calculated at 1,718–1,719 the site. feet. The rest of the national monument lies

125 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

HYDROLOGY along the Pipestone Creek floodplain. (Oja- kangas and Matsch 1982; NPS 1983). Pipestone Creek enters the national monument from the east, cascades over the Sioux The soils in Pipestone National Monument quartzite escarpment as a waterfall, and flows are variable in depth, fertility, and produc- into a small impoundment. From there it tivity. Thirteen soil types have been mapped in meanders northwesterly across the glacial the national monument (USDA, SCS 1976). valley until it exits the north boundary. Above They generally have medium to high erosion the falls, the creek was channelized in the hazard. The land on which the visitor center early 1900s to help drain agricultural lands and houses were built is somewhat limited for and decrease the chance of flooding upstream. the construction of buildings without base- It now flows well below its original creek bed. ments because of the shrinking and swelling of The channel to the falls, which is roughly 21 the soil and because the bedrock is near the feet wide and 5 feet deep, drains approximate- soil surface. ly 30,000 acres of land. Pipestone Creek starts upstream about 13 miles and eventually flows WILDLIFE into the Lower Big Sioux River. According to measurements taken in 1984, the discharge of Many mammals have been extirpated from the creek ranges approximately from 1 to 88 the area, including bison, wolf, elk, and Rich- cubic feet per second (cfs). ardson’s ground squirrel. Among birds formerly known in the national monument, More information about Pipestone Creek’s the whooping crane and McCown’s longspur water quality is available under “Water are now considered extinct in Minnesota Quality” in the section on “Impact Topics (Minn. DNR 1973). Considered but Dismissed from Further Consideration” (see page 18). Native species observed at the site are white- tailed deer, white-tail jackrabbit, eastern SOILS cottontail, woodchuck, striped skunk, rac- coon, badger, red fox, thirteen-lined ground Soils in the national monument are derived squirrel, pocket gopher, eastern mole, wood- from glacial-derived tills, loess, and alluvium. land and prairie deer mice, voles, shrews, and The Sioux quartzite is too hard to weather weasels. Mink, muskrat, and beaver also have significantly. During glaciation, till was ini- been observed near streams and lakes. Har- tially deposited over the bedrock to depths of vest mice and prairie voles were captured by a few inches to 10 feet thick. Later, as the gla- Snyder (1986). cial ice advanced and waned along the Coteau edge to the east, wind-blown sediment was Birds are abundant in the national monument; transported to the Coteau and covered most well over 100 species were recorded in a 1984– of the thin till by about 1–6 feet of loess. Large 85 study (Snyder 1986). Winter or resident boulders, or glacial erratics, were transported birds include juncos, tree sparrows, bluejays, to the national monument by the glacial ice downy woodpeckers, and chickadees. Com- from granite bedrock areas along the Min- mon summer birds are robins, brown nesota Valley to the north. The Three Maid- thrashers, bobolinks, meadowlarks, ens are the largest of these deposits. Small nighthawks, kingfishers, goldfinches, yellow amounts of glacial outwash buried by loess are warblers, red-winged blackbirds, mourning found in the national monument just east of doves, mallard ducks, and blue winged teal. the escarpment. Alluvium transported from The nonnative ring-necked pheasant and wild upstream parts of the watershed is found turkeys also are present. Great blue and green- backed herons and American woodcock also

126 Natural Resources can be observed at times. Migrant birds are tallgrass prairie species requires both protect- numerous in spring and fall. ing its habitat and ensuring the survival of the orchid’s only pollinator, the long-tongued Reptiles known to occupy the national monu- hawkmoth. ment are snapping and painted turtles, prairie skinks, and garter snakes. Leopard and chorus The western prairie fringed orchid, which was frogs are found in or near water bodies, as is not identified at Pipestone National Monu- the tiger salamander. The American toad can ment until the early 1990s, is found in a wet be found throughout the national monument. prairie/sedge meadow community. To determine the possible effects of management ac- Fish observed in the creek and lakes include tions such as prescribed fire and climate varia- northern pike, white sucker, sunfish, bull- tions on the orchid population, a monitoring heads, and bass. Various minnows and program was initiated at Pipestone in 1993 as shiners, including the Topeka shiner (fed- part of the Prairie Cluster Long-Term Eco- erally listed as endangered), also can be found logical Monitoring Program. The objective of here. the orchid monitoring is to report annual trends in the status and distribution of the The Prairie Cluster Long-Term Ecological population based on a count, maps of flow- Monitoring Program has been actively moni- ering plants, and demographic study of toring macroinvertebrates in Pipestone Creek marked plants. since 1997 as indicators of stream health and water quality. The annual numbers of flowering plants have ranged from 0 to 221 (in 2003). At Pipestone, Development in the national monument and the results of demographic monitoring of the presence of visitors and employees inter- marked plants suggest that late spring fires can rupt wildlife habitat and alter wildlife move- detrimentally affect that year’s flowering ment. population, although three years later the highest flowering count was made. The na- THREATENED OR ENDANGERED tional monument staff has determined that the SPECIES AND SPECIES OF orchid population will not be burned in the SPECIAL CONCERN late spring to avoid damage to orchids that have emerged. There is no designated critical The western prairie fringed orchid (Platan- habitat for this species. thera praeclara) was federally listed as a threatened species in 1989. A recovery plan The endangered Topeka shiner (Notropis for the species was written and approved by topeka), found in prairie rivers and streams, is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1996. It known to occur in the national monument. In occurs in scattered, usually small populations 2001, the Long-Term Ecological Monitoring (fewer than 250 individuals) in moist prairies Program initiated monitoring for the Topeka in Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Min- shiner following guidelines established by the nesota, North Dakota, and Manitoba (USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Critical habitat, 1996). The western prairie fringed orchid is including Pipestone Creek within the national threatened by the loss of tallgrass prairie to monument, has been identified. The critical cropland, fragmentation of remaining prairie, habitat would be affected by some actions the obstacle that croplands present to the free described in this plan. movement of hawkmoths (orchid pollinators) between orchid populations, and pesticide The state of Minnesota maintains a list of drift from nearby cropland, which can kill endangered, threatened, and special concern hawkmoths. The long-term survival of this species. The list for Pipestone is in table 1, page 22.

127 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

Most of the state-listed species at Pipestone See Appendix C for more information about are associated with the Sioux quartzite prairie. these species.

128

VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCING THE RESOURCES FREEDOM TO GO AT ONE’S OWN PACE

At present most visitors approach the entry Nearly all the opportunities for visitors to road to Pipestone National Monument by experience can be enjoyed at each visitor’s traveling north from the town of Pipestone own pace. Visits by school classes and other along U.S. Highway 75, then turning west educational groups are more structured be- onto 9th Street NE, which becomes Reserva- cause of school and bus schedules and be- tion Avenue in the national monument. Many cause of the timing of some of the curriculum- visitors stop at the Three Maidens area to based education programs. learn about the significance of this rock formation from the wayside exhibit near the The exhibits, the cultural demonstrations, and parking pullout. Some visitors who stop here the sales area in the visitor center all can be also use the picnic tables. experienced at one’s own pace. The audiovisual program is available on request in Farther down the entrance road, signs direct winter and is offered on the half-hour during visitors to the visitor center and its parking the rest of the year. area. These directional and identification signs note that the national monument is a Outside the visitor center, visitors can walk U.S. fee area and that an entrance/user fee is the 0.75-mile Circle Trail at their own pace by collected inside the visitor center. following the Circle Trail guide booklet (which is for sale or loan at the information After paying their entrance/user fees at the desk in the visitor center), reading the six way- visitor center information desk, many visitors side exhibits along the Circle Trail, listening to look through the national monument’s exhibit rangers or volunteers who occasionally rove area and see the audiovisual program. Be- the trail, walking the trail without any inter- tween April and October, craftworkers dem- pretive messages, or any combination of these. onstrate pipemaking in the Upper Midwest The Circle Trail, which is wheelchair acces- Indian Cultural Center in the back of the visi- sible except along the ridgeline, allows visitors tor center, using stone from the Pipestone to see and gain understanding from the quarry quarries. Almost all visitors go to the visitor north of the visitor center, the demonstration center to see these demonstrations. Many quarry south of the visitor center, Pipestone visitors buy pipes, other craft items, and Creek, Hiawatha Lake, Winnewissa Falls, the educational materials from the gift shop in the quartzite bluffs, the Nicollet inscription and cultural center. The gift shop is operated year- marker, and a restored prairie. round by the Pipestone Indian Shrine Association, the national monument’s ORIENTATION AND INTERPRETATION cooperating association. Orientation to the national monument is After seeing the visitor center and demon- available only in the visitor center from the stration area (which shows pipestone, the ranger or volunteer at the information desk. national monument’s premier resource, being There are three wayside exhibits along the made into pipes and other craft items), visitors Circle Trail and one each at the Nicollet are ready to experience first-hand the national marker and the demonstration quarry. The monument’s other resources. NPS brochure for the national monument provides some orientation, but its only map is

129 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT of the region; it does not provide specific and uneven, and it is doubtful that it would be orientation to the national monument. rated accessible by the Americans with Disa- bilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act The interpretive media inside the visitor Accessibility Guidelines. The stone steps on a center date from the Mission 66 era of the spur trail off the Circle trail, which leads up mid-1960s, and although a few minor changes and down the quartzite cliffs, are uneven at have been made since then, the exhibits and best. The stone steps leading down into the the audiovisual program look dated and con- demonstration quarry just south of the visitor tain some outdated information. The wayside center are uneven and slippery when wet. The exhibits, messages, graphics, and photographs brochure and one wayside exhibit warn need to be updated. The brochure is accurate, visitors not to climb into any of the national but it also needs to be updated. monument’s quarry pits.

Curriculum-based education programs are of- The native prairie, which visitors walk past fered to schools and other groups in spring along the Circle Trail and see from the en- and autumn. trance road, is maintained by prescribed burns set each spring. Visitor warnings are posted SAFETY during all prescribed burns.

Safety concerns at Pipestone National Monu- All parking areas, the visitor center, and the ment are centered on the trails and the pos- restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Two sibility of someone falling on the trails. The wheelchairs are available at the visitor center primary Circle Trail is paved with asphalt and for visitors. described as “wheelchair accessible” in the brochure, but the trail’s surfaces are cracked

130

SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

PIPESTONE COUNTY Population and Housing

The study area for the General Management Three incorporated communities exist within Plan / Environmental Impact Statement for Pipestone County: Edgerton, population Pipestone National Monument has been 1,037; Jasper, population 558; and Pipestone, defined as Pipestone County, Minnesota. This population 4,359. The county population was plan describes economic conditions 9,895. School enrollment was 2509 students. throughout the study area. Population trends for the county, the state, and the nation are compared in table 7. Income In 2000, 96.7% of the population in Pipestone The labor force in Pipestone County in 2000 County was white; 1.5%, American Indian. consisted of 5,077 people over the age of 16, The median household income was $31,909, with an unemployment rate of 1.6%. The most and per capita income was $16,450 (U.S. important sectors of the economy in Bureau of the Census 1999). Per capita income Pipestone County were services, 14.3% of the was 65% of the statewide average and 76% of total earnings of all persons in the county the national average. Living below the poverty (14.6 in 1990); state and local government, level were 9.5% of the county population, 14.2% of earnings (16.1% in 1990); and farm, compared with 7.9% for Minnesota and 13.3% of earnings (20.5% in 1990). 12.4% for the nation.

The yearly payroll for Pipestone National Pipestone County had a total of 4,434 housing Monument (both permanent and temporary units in 2000, 4,069 of which were occupied employees) in 2002 was approximately (92%). About 53% were owner occupied. The $570,000. Aside from national monument median rent in the county was $365 per staff, numerous individuals depend on month, and the median home value was Pipestone National Monument for all or part $49,000. of their yearly income. There were 100 hotel/motel rooms in For this assessment, economic conditions in Pipestone, with an occupancy rate of the study area generally are represented by the approximately 80%–85% during the summer change in per capita income, as shown in table months. There were approximately 50 6. recreational vehicle (RV) sites.

TABLE 6: PIPESTONE COUNTY PER CAPITA INCOME CHANGE, 1959–1999 Location 1959 1969 1979 1989 1999 % Change Pipestone County $ 4,783 $ 7,110 $ 9,265 $10,050 $16,450 244 % Minnesota 6,804 9,561 12,485 14,389 23,198 240 % United States 7,259 9,816 12,224 14,420 21,587 197 %

TABLE 7: POPULATION TRENDS IN THE STUDY AREA 1960–2000 Location 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 % Change Pipestone County 13,605 12,791 11,690 10,491 9,895 – 37 % Minnesota 3,413,864 3,804,971 4,075,970 4,375,099 4,919,479 + 44 % United States 179,323,175 203,211,926 226,545,805 248,709,873 281,421,906 + 57%

131 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

FEES AND VISITATION Quarriers either sell the raw pipestone or carve it into items for sale. They are not Pipestone National Monument is officially a allowed to sell raw pipestone or the items they fee area, but fees are collected only at the make directly to national monument visitors visitor center. No fees are required of Ameri- onsite, but they may do so offsite. Demon- can Indians. Visitors are counted at the visitor strators are paid to carve items onsite, and center at the time of entry, and those who do they then sell them through the Shrine Asso- not enter the visitor center do not pay the fee ciation sales outlet. Pipestone articles and and are not counted. An additional multiplier other craft items worth more than $160,000 of 2.5 is added to the yearly attendance figure were purchased from quarriers or demon- to account for visitors who did not enter at the strators in 2002 and sold by the Shrine Associ- visitor center and so were not counted. Visi- ation. No accounting is available of the value tors in this category would be those who use of other items sold by quarriers outside of the the picnic area, those attending the Sun Dance Pipestone Indian Shrine Association. ceremonies, those who use the national monument trails after hours, and anyone else In addition, the Pipestone Indian Shrine who enters the national monument but does Association sells other items such as books, not enter the visitor center. Visitation from postcards, and clothing. The proceeds from 1990 through 2003 is compared in table 8. sales support projects that benefit visitors or national monument resources. The Pipestone TABLE 8: VISITATION, 1990–2003 Year Total Visits %Change National Monument superintendent proposes 1990 108,000 — such projects to the board of directors of the 1991 120,000 + 10.00 association. These funds may not be used for 1992 122,412 + 1.97 personal services or for operating costs of the 1993 108,263 + 13.07 national monument. 1994 116,889 + 7.38 1995 104,834 + 11.50 According to a visitor services project study 1996 95,917 – 9.30 1997 88,812 – 8.00 (VSP) sample commissioned by the National 1998 90,832 + 2.22 Park Service in 2002 (week of July 7–13), most 1999 90,395 – 0.48 visitors spent one to two hours at Pipestone 2000 94,343 + 4.18 National Monument. Of the visitors ques- 2001 88,131 – 7.05 tioned, 63% spent one night within 25 miles of 2002 84,295 – 4.40 2003 82,600 – 2.77 the national monument, 20% spent two 2004 83,123 + .63 nights, 11% spent three nights, and 7% spent four or more nights. Fifty-three percent of the overnight stays were in hotels, motels, or ECONOMIC INFLUENCES OF lodges and 33% were in campgrounds or THE NATIONAL MONUMENT trailer parks (NPS 2003b).

Several businesses at or near the entrance to The study also found that the average per cap- Pipestone National Monument are dependent ita expenditure within the surrounding 25 on the national monument. They are the Pipe- miles was approximately $44. Assuming the stone Indian Shrine Association, a commercial sample week to be typical, and assuming a like campground, and a large gift shop operation. number of visitors for the whole year 2002 as Other private businesses, such as restaurants in 2001, national monument visitors spent and fast food outlets, are farther from the approximately $3.877 million within 25 miles national monument but depend on it to sup- of Pipestone National Monument (according plement local business. to the visitor services project study). Because 71% of the visitors interviewed said that Pipe- stone was either their primary destination or

132 Socioeconomic Environment one of several destinations, $2.753 million 2001. That was about half a million dollars less could be directly attributable to the national than was estimated by the visitor services monument. project study (above, $2.753 million).

The same data from the July 7–13, 2002, study Using the more conservative $2.27 million fig- were entered into the money generation mod- ure and the assumptions of the money genera- el (MGM) developed by the National Park tion model, the money spent by visitors had a Service and Michigan State University direct economic effect in the Pipestone com- (http://planning.nps.gov/mgm/) to produce munity of $3,030,000 in direct sales, additional information. $1,080,000 in personal income (wages and salaries), $1,650,000 in value added, and 91 Local day visitors contributed 20% of the jobs. As visitor spending circulated through overall visitation to the national monument; the local economy, secondary effects created day visitors from other regions, 40%; visitors 14 jobs and $300,000 more in personal staying at lodges, 20%; and visitors staying at income. campsites, 19%. On average, visitors spent $70 per party per day in the local area (“party” In sum, visitors to Pipestone National Monu- refers to a single person or a group enjoying ment spent $2,270,000 in 2002, which sup- the site together as opposed to the $44 per ported a total of $3,920,000 in sales, individual estimated in the visitor services $1,380,000 in personal income, 105 jobs, and project study cited above). The total visitor $2,210,000 in value added. (Also see tables 9 spending was estimated to be $2.27 million in and 10.)

TABLE 9: LOCAL ECONOMIC INFLUENCES FROM VISITATION TO PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT Local Day Non-Local Hotel Camp or Other Visitors Day Visitors Visitors Visitors Total Recreation Visits 17,829 34,921 18,202 17,163 88,115 Segment Shares 20% 40% 20% 19% 99% Party Days 7,532 14,368 7,081 6,865 35,846 Average Spending $27 $41 $106 $106 $70 Total Spending (millions) $0.20 $0.59 $0.75 $0.73 $2.27

TABLE 10: ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF VISITOR SPENDING BY SECTORS Sales Personal Income Value Added Sector (millions) (millions) Jobs (millions) Direct Effect Motel, Hotel, Cabins, Bed & Breakfast $0.52 $0.15 13 $0.23 Campsites $0.49 $0.14 13 $0.21 Restaurants and Bars $0.66 $0.21 21 $0.29 Admissions and Fees $0.54 $0.19 17 $0.31 Retail $0.62 $0.32 23 $0.50 Other $0.20 $0.07 4 $0.11 Total $3.03 $1.08 91 $1.65 Secondary Effect $0.89 $0.30 14 $0.56 Total Effect $3.92 $1.38 105 $2.21

133

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

METHODOLOGY FOR ANALYZING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

INTRODUCTION PROJECTS THAT MAKE UP THE CUMULATIVE IMPACT SCENARIO The planning team based the impact analysis The regulations of the Council on Environ- and the conclusions in this chapter largely on mental Quality (CEQ), which implement the a review of existing literature and studies, in- National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 formation provided by experts in the National (42 USC 4321 et seq.), require assessment of Park Service and other agencies, and national cumulative effects in the decision-making monument staff insights and professional process for federal projects. Cumulative ef- judgment. The team’s method of analyzing fects are defined as follows in 40 CFR 1508.7: impacts is further explained below. It is important to remember that all the analyses in- the impact on the environment which clude mitigating measures to minimize or results from the incremental impact of the avoid impacts. If mitigating measures were not action when added to other past, present, applied as described in the “Alternatives” and reasonably foreseeable future actions chapter (beginning on page 41), the potential regardless of what agency (Federal or for resource impacts and the magnitude of non-Federal) or person undertakes such those impacts would increase. other actions.

Effects can be direct, indirect, or cumulative. Cumulative effects are determined by com- Direct effects are caused by an action and bining the effects of each alternative with occur at the same time and place as the action. other past, present, and reasonably fore- Indirect effects are caused by the action and seeable future actions. Therefore, it is neces- occur later or farther away, but are still rea- sary to identify and describe the actions of sonably foreseeable. Cumulative effects are other ongoing or reasonably foreseeable discussed below. future projects at the national monument and, if applicable, the surrounding region. Intensity is the degree to which a resource would be beneficially or adversely affected. To determine potential cumulative impacts, The criteria that were used to rate the in- projects in the area surrounding Pipestone tensity of the impacts for each resource topic National Monument were identified. The area are presented later in this section under each included land within 1 mile of the boundary of topic heading. the national monument, including nearby lands administered by the city of Pipestone, Duration refers to how long an effect would the state community college system, other last. For the purposes of this document, the state agencies, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife planning team used the following terms to Service (the area along the north boundary of describe the duration of the effects: the national monument, including Indian Lake). For socioeconomic impacts, Pipestone Short term: The effect would last less than County was the area of impact, because socio- two years (one year for cultural resources), economic information is available by county. normally during construction and recovery. Projects were determined by meetings and telephone calls with county and city govern- Long term: The effect would last more than ments and state land managers as well as two years (one year for cultural resources), national monument staff. Potential projects normally from operations. identified as cumulative actions included any

137 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES planning or development activity that was Agriculture in and outside of the national currently being implemented or that would be monument has greatly reduced native plants implemented in the reasonably foreseeable in favor of food crops and vegetation that future. cattle prefer for food. This in turn has led to the alteration of soil and the loss of soil These cumulative actions are evaluated in the through erosion. Fences have been built in the cumulative impact analysis in conjunction national monument and elsewhere to limit the with the impacts of each alternative to deter- movement of animals, mainly cattle. Along mine if they would have any additive effects with farming has come the use of herbicides to on a particular cultural resource, natural re- kill unwanted plant species and the introduc- source, visitor use, or the socioeconomic en- tion of exotic species of plants. vironment. Because most of these cumulative actions are in the early planning stages, the The national monument’s limited use of evaluation of cumulative effects was based on herbicides to control exotics contributes to a general description of the project. herbicide use in the area. In addition, natural hydrology and landforms have been modified Past Actions to create dams and stock tanks to provide water for nonnative animals. Tiles have been The following past actions could contribute to installed to drain wetlands to increase dry cumulative effects. land for growing crops. Whether this was done in the national monument is not known. Agriculture. Agriculture in the region and the In the summer of 1995, the farm field on the associated development of Pipestone town- southern boundary of Pipestone National building that began in the 1880s started Monument was tiled to aid water drainage; it changing the landscape from the indigenous was retiled in 2003. The national monument prairie scene that George Catlin saw in 1836 lies in the path of these drained waters. Wet- when he visited the pipestone quarries. These lands in the national monument may have changes are described for potential cultural been filled to create the Circle Trail. landscapes under “landscape periods” in the “Affected Environment” chapter, beginning Development. Development has included the on page 110. Indian school, of which the national monument used to be a part, and the remnant track Through the building of small dams and dyna- bed of a railroad that was built later. There are miting and reducing by 8 feet the height of also residential subdivisions on the national Winnewissa Falls, agriculture has influenced monument’s boundaries. The city of Pipe- the ethnographic and historic cultural land- stone’s presence influenced the removal of all scape associated with the falls and Pipestone the petroglyphs from the base of the Three Creek. Development continues today, with Maidens, changing that ethnographic cultural more residential development proposed adja- landscape, and it is important to museum cent to the national monument’s southern collections today. boundary, as well as some commercial development proposed adjacent to its eastern The visitor center is close to the quarry line, boundary. On the eastern boundary, the and its presence may have changed the way addition of an assisted living facility for the some American Indians use the site. In addi- elderly is in progress. Other commercial de- tion, all structures are incongruous with the velopment in that area could possibly include quarrying cultural landscape. an industrial park. Upstream Use of Pipestone Creek. The watershed of Pipestone Creek has been modified to suit the purposes of local communities

138 Methodology for Analyzing Environmental Consequences and agriculture. A combination of flat terrain farms and individual turbines is likely. This and moist climate has created a situation could result in serious cumulative visual im- prone to flooding. Before Pipestone National pacts on the cultural and ethnographic land- Monument was established, the creek had scapes, as well as on the visitor experience and been ditched and diked in an ongoing effort to visitors’ understanding of the national reduce flooding in the adjacent community. monument. The base level of the creek at the waterfall in the national monument was lowered by 8 feet An ongoing project at the national monument between 1910 and 1912 to increase the tillable is restoring natural native prairie vegetation as land upstream. much as possible. It will continue as funding permits. Current and Future Actions IMPAIRMENT OF RESOURCES Current actions and those projected for the future also could contribute to cumulative In addition to determining the environmental effects. consequences of the alternatives, NPS policy requires that the potential effects be analyzed Increased development is occurring along the to determine whether or not proposed actions south and east sides of the national monu- would impair the resources or values of the ment. On the south, housing is being devel- park system unit (in this case, Pipestone Na- oped, with the potential for runoff flowing tional Monument) (NPS Management Policies into the national monument. An assisted living 2006, section 1.4). The fundamental purpose center has been completed on the east side of of the national park system, established by the Hiawatha Avenue. Light industrial develop- Organic Act and reaffirmed by the General ment is expected on other lands owned by the Authorities Act, as amended, begins with a city on the east side. The county recently re- mandate to conserve resources and values. ceived approval to construct a family services NPS managers must always seek ways to avoid agency building on a 7-acre plot adjacent to or minimize, to the greatest degree practic- the Pipestone Creek ditch. Runoff from these able, adverse impacts on the resources and lands flows generally westerly, eventually values. reaching the national monument. However, the laws do give the National Park On the west side of Hiawatha Avenue, south Service the management discretion to allow of the Minnesota West Community and Tech- impacts on the resources and values when nical College and between Hiawatha Avenue necessary and appropriate to fulfill the and the national monument is a 15.3-acre tract purposes of a park, as long as the impact does of land owned by the local school district but not constitute impairment of the affected re- zoned R-3 (multifamily and agricultural). Al- sources and values. Although Congress has though these lands are subject to flooding, given the National Park Service this manage- they could be developed following drainage ment discretion, that discretion is limited by and fill work. the statutory requirement that the National Park Service must leave the resources and val- In southwestern Minnesota, and particularly ues unimpaired unless a particular law directly in Pipestone County, there is a trend toward and specifically provides otherwise. the development of wind farms and individual wind turbines averaging 200 feet or more in The prohibited impairment is an impact that, height. A wind tower is visible in the south- in the professional judgment of the respons- western viewshed from all over the national ible NPS manager, would harm the integrity of monument. Further development of wind the resources and values, including the

139 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES opportunities that otherwise would be present These impact analyses also are intended to for the enjoyment of those resources or comply with NEPA requirements and the values. An impact on any resource or value requirements of section 106 of the National may constitute impairment. An impact would Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as be most likely to constitute an impairment if it amended. In accordance with the regulations affected a resource or value whose of the Advisory Council on Historic Preserva- conservation would be (a) necessary to fulfill tion on implementing section 106 (36 CFR specific purposes identified in the establishing 800, “Protection of Historic Properties”), the legislation or proclamation of the national impacts on cultural resources were identified park system unit, (b) key to its natural or and evaluated by (a) determining the area of cultural integrity or to opportunities to enjoy potential effects; (b) identifying cultural re- it, or (c) identified as a goal in its general sources present in the area of potential effects management plan or other relevant NPS that either are listed in or are eligible to be list- planning documents. ed in the National Register of Historic Places; (c) applying the criteria of adverse effect to Impairment might result from NPS manage- affected cultural resources either listed in or ment activities, visitor activities, or activities eligible to be listed in the national register; and undertaken by concessioners, contractors, (d) considering ways to avoid, minimize, or and others operating in the national monu- mitigate adverse effects. ment. In this document, a determination about impairment is made in the conclusion Under the regulations of the Advisory Council section for each impact topic in the “Environ- on Historic Preservation, a determination of mental Consequences” chapter, except that either adverse effect or no adverse effect must impairment findings are unnecessary for visi- also be made for affected cultural resources tor use and experience and for the socioeco- either listed in the National Register of His- nomic environment. toric Places or eligible to be listed in the national register. An adverse effect occurs when- METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING ever an impact would alter, directly or indi- EFFECTS ON CULTURAL RESOURCES rectly, any characteristic of a cultural resource qualifying it for inclusion in the National Effects on Cultural Resources Register of Historic Places in a manner that and Section 106 would diminish the integrity of the resource’s location, design, setting, materials, workman- In this document, the effects on cultural ship, feeling, or association. Adverse effects resources —historic structures, cultural land- also include reasonably foreseeable effects scapes, and ethnographic resources as tra- caused by the possible actions of an alterna- ditional cultural properties eligible for the tive that would occur later in time, be farther National Register of Historic Places, and mu- removed in distance, or be cumulative (36 seum collections and archives — are described CFR 800.5, “Assessment of Adverse Effects”). in terms of type (beneficial or adverse), con- A determination of no adverse effect could text (site-specific, local, or regional effects), mean there would be an effect, but that the duration (short term — less than one year, effect would not diminish in any way the long term — more than one year, or perma- characteristics of the cultural resource that nent), and intensity (negligible, minor, mod- qualify it for inclusion in the National Register erate, or major). This is consistent with the of Historic Places. CEQ regulations, which implement the Na- tional Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). CEQ regulations and NPS Director’s Order 12, Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-making, also call for a discussion of the appropriateness of

140 Methodology for Analyzing Environmental Consequences mitigation, as well as an analysis of how National Register Criteria for Evaluation”). effective the mitigation would be in reducing The landscape also must have integrity of the intensity of a potential impact. For those patterns and features — spatial organi- example, would the intensity of an impact be zation and landforms, topography, vegetation, reduced from major to moderate or minor? circulation networks, water features, and Any resultant reduction in the intensity of an structures or buildings, site furnishings or impact by mitigation, however, is an estimate objects — necessary to convey its significance of the effectiveness of mitigation under NEPA (Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the only. It does not suggest that the level of effect Treatment of Historic Properties, with Guide- as defined by section 106 would be similarly lines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes). reduced. Although adverse effects under section 106 may be mitigated, the effect would For purposes of analyzing potential impacts remain adverse. on cultural landscapes, the thresholds of change for the intensity of an impact are de- A “Section 106 Summary” is included in the fined as follows: impact analysis sections for historic structures, cultural landscapes as ethnographic Negligible — The effect would be at the resources, and ethnographic resources as tra- lowest levels of detection: barely per- ditional cultural properties eligible for the ceptible and not measurable. For section national register cultural resources. (Section 106 purposes, the determination of effect 106 summaries are not included for museum would be no adverse effect. collections and archives because such resources generally are ineligible to be listed in Minor — Adverse Effect: The actions the national register.) These summaries are in- would alter a pattern(s) or feature(s) of the tended to meet the requirements of section cultural landscape but would not diminish 106 and to assess the effects of the undertak- the overall integrity of the a landscape. For ing on cultural resources, based on the criteri- section 106 purposes, the determination of on of effect and criteria of adverse effect effect would be adverse effect. Beneficial found in the regulations of the Advisory Effect: Preservation of landscape patterns Council on Historic Preservation. and features in accordance with the Secre- tary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, with Intensity — Cultural Landscapes Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes. For section 106 purposes, the For a cultural landscape to be listed in the determination of effect would be no ad- National Register of Historic Places, it must verse effect. meet one or more of the following criteria of significance: (a) it is associated with events Moderate — Adverse Effect: The actions that have made a significant contribution to would alter pattern(s) or feature(s) of a cul- the broad patterns of our history; (b) it is as- tural landscape diminishing the overall in- sociated with the lives of persons significant in tegrity of the landscape. For section 106 our past; (c) it embodies the distinctive char- purposes, the determination of effect acteristics of a type, period, or method of con- would be adverse effect. A memorandum of struction or represents the work of a master, agreement would be executed among the or it possesses high artistic value or represents National Park Service and applicable state a significant and distinguishable entity whose or tribal historic preservation officer and, if components may lack individual distinction; necessary, the Advisory Council on His- (d) it has yielded, or may be likely to yield, in- toric Preservation in accordance with 36 formation important in prehistory or history CFR 800.6(b). The mitigative measures (National Register Bulletin, “How to Apply the identified in the memorandum of

141 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

agreement would reduce the intensity of Some places of traditional cultural importance impact from major to moderate. Beneficial may be eligible for inclusion in the National Effect: The action would result in the Register of Historic Places as traditional cul- rehabilitation of a landscape or its patterns tural properties because of their association and features in accordance with the with cultural practices or beliefs of a living Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the community that are (a) rooted in that com- Treatment of Historic Properties, with munity’s history and (b) important in main- Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural taining the continuing cultural identity of the Landscapes. For section 106 purposes, the community (National Register Bulletin, Guide- determination of effect would be no lines for Evaluating and Documenting Tra- adverse effect. ditional Cultural Properties). For purposes of analyzing potential impacts on ethnographic Major — Adverse Effect: The actions resources, the thresholds of change for the would alter a defining pattern(s) or fea- intensity of an impact are defined below. ture(s) of a cultural landscape, diminishing its overall integrity. For section 106 pur- Negligible — The effect(s) would be barely poses, the determination of effect would be perceptible and would neither alter re- adverse effect. The National Park Service source conditions (such as traditional and applicable state or tribal historic pres- access or site preservation) nor alter the ervation officer would be unable to negoti- relationship between the resource and the ate and execute a memorandum of agree- affiliated group’s body of practices and ment in accordance with 36 CFR 800.6(b). beliefs. For section 106 purposes, the de- Beneficial Effect: The action would result termination of effect on traditional cultural in the restoration of a landscape or its pat- practices would be no adverse effect. terns and features in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Minor — Adverse Effect: The effect(s) Treatment of Historic Properties, with would be slight but noticeable, but the Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural action would neither appreciably alter Landscapes. For section 106 purposes, the resource conditions (such as traditional determination of effect would be no access or site preservation) nor alter the adverse effect. relationship between the resource and the affiliated group’s body of practices and Intensity — Ethnographic Resources beliefs. For section 106 purposes, the determination of effect on traditional cultural Certain important questions about human practices would be no adverse effect. Bene- culture and history can be answered only by ficial Effect: The action would allow ac- gathering information about the cultural con- cess to and/or accommodate a group’s tra- tent and context of cultural resources. Ques- ditional practices or beliefs. For section tions about contemporary peoples or groups, 106 purposes, the determination of effect their identity, and heritage have the potential on traditional cultural practices would be to be addressed through ethnographic re- no adverse effect. sources. As defined by the National Park Ser- vice, an ethnographic resource is a site, struc- Moderate — Adverse Effect: The effect(s) ture, object, landscape, or natural resource would be apparent and would alter re- feature assigned traditional, legendary, resource conditions. Something would inter- ligious, subsistence, or other significance in fere with traditional access, site preserva- the cultural system of a group traditionally tion, or the relationship between the re- associated with it. source and the affiliated group’s practices and beliefs, even though the group’s practices and beliefs would survive. For section

142 Methodology for Analyzing Environmental Consequences

106 purposes, the determination of effect ation). For purposes of analyzing potential on traditional cultural practices would be impacts on historic structures, the thresholds adverse effect. Beneficial Effect: The ac- of change for the intensity of an impact are tion would facilitate traditional access defined as follows: and/or accommodate a group’s practices or beliefs. For section 106 purposes, the de- Negligible — The effect would be at the termination of effect on traditional cultural lowest levels of detection: barely measur- practices would be no adverse effect. able with no perceptible consequences. For section 106 purposes, the determination of Major — Adverse Effect: The effect(s) effect would be no adverse effect. would be apparent and would alter resource conditions. Something would block Minor — Adverse Effect: The actions or greatly affect traditional access, site would alter a feature(s) of a structure but preservation, or the relationship between would not diminish the overall integrity of the resource and the affiliated group’s the resource. For section 106 purposes, the body of practices and beliefs to the extent determination of effect would be no ad- that the survival of a group’s practices verse effect. Beneficial Effect: The action and/or beliefs would be jeopardized. For would stabilize or preserve features in section 106 purposes, the determination of accordance with the Secretary of the In- effect on traditional cultural practices terior’s Standards for the Treatment of would be adverse effect. Beneficial Effect: Historic Properties. For section 106 pur- The action would encourage traditional poses, the determination of effect would be access and/or accommodate a group’s no adverse effect. practices or beliefs. For section 106 purposes, the determination of effect on tra- Moderate — Adverse Effect: The actions ditional cultural practices would be no would alter a feature(s) of a structure, di- adverse effect. minishing the overall integrity of the resource. For section 106 purposes, the determination of effect would be adverse Intensity — Historic Structures effect. A memorandum of agreement would be executed among the National Park Ser- For a structure to be listed in the National vice and applicable state or tribal historic Register of Historic Places, it must meet one preservation officer and, if necessary, the or more of the following criteria of signifi- Advisory Council on Historic Preservation cance: (a) associated with events that have in accordance with 36 CFR 800.6(b). The made a significant contribution to the broad mitigative measures identified in the mem- patterns of our history; (b) associated with the orandum of agreement would reduce the lives of persons significant in our past; (c) em- intensity of impact from major to moder- body the distinctive characteristics of a type, ate. Beneficial Effect: rehabilitation of a period, or method of construction, or repre- structure in accordance with the Secretary sent the work of a master, or possess high ar- of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment tistic value, or represent a significant and dis- of Historic Properties. For section 106 pur- tinguishable entity whose components may poses, the determination of effect would be lack individual distinction; (d) have yielded, or no adverse effect. may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. In addition, the struc- Major — Adverse Effect: The actions ture must possess integrity of location, design, would alter a pattern(s) or feature(s) of a setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, asso- structure, diminishing the overall integrity ciation (National Register Bulletin, How to of the resource. For section 106 purposes, Apply the National Register Criteria for Evalu- the determination of effect would be

143 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

adverse effect. The National Park Service search and interpretation. Beneficial Ef- and applicable state or tribal historic fect: The actions would improve the con- preservation officer would be unable to dition of the collection or its constituent negotiate and execute a memorandum of parts from the threat of degradation. agreement in accordance with 36 CFR 800.6(b). Beneficial Effect: Restoration of Major — Adverse Effect: The actions a structure in accordance with the would affect the integrity of most items in Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the the museum collection and destroy the Treatment of Historic Properties. For usefulness of the collection for future section 106 purposes, the determination of research and interpretation. Beneficial effect would be no adverse effect. Effect: The actions would secure the condition of the collection as a whole or its constituent components from the threat of Intensity — Museum further degradation. Collections and Archives

Museum collections (historic artifacts, natural METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING specimens, and archival and manuscript ma- EFFECTS ON NATURAL RESOURCES terial) may be threatened by fire, theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and careless acts. The For natural resources, effects on the integrity preservation of museum collections is an on- of natural systems are discussed, including going process of preventive conservation, sup- remnant tallgrass prairie, restored tallgrass plemented by conservation treatment when prairie, mesic crystalline bedrock prairie necessary. The primary goal is the preserva- wetlands and riparian corridor, floodplains, tion of artifacts in as stable condition as pos- hydrology, soils, wildlife, and threatened or sible to prevent damage and to minimize de- endangered species. Wetlands are “lands terioration. For purposes of analyzing poten- where saturation with water is the dominant tial impacts, the thresholds of change for the factor determining the nature of soil devel- intensity of an impact are defined as follows: opment and the types of plant and animal communities living in the soil and on its sur- Negligible — The effect would be at the face” (USFWS 1979). Floodplains are defined lowest level of detection: barely measur- by the NPS Floodplain Management Guideline able with no perceptible consequences, (1993a) as “the lowland and relatively flat either adverse or beneficial, to museum areas adjoining inland and coastal waters, in- collections. cluding flood-prone areas of offshore islands, and including, at a minimum, that area subject Minor — Adverse Effect: The actions to temporary inundation by a regulatory would affect the integrity of few items in flood.” Threatened or endangered species are the museum collection but would not de- those listed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife grade the usefulness of the collection for Service as threatened or endangered under future research and interpretation. Bene- the Endangered Species Act. The state of ficial Effect: The action would stabilize the Minnesota also lists threatened and endan- current condition of the collection or its gered species and species of special concern. constituent components to minimize degradation. Information on known resources was compiled. Where possible, map locations of sensi- Moderate — Adverse Effect: The actions tive resources were compared with the loca- would affect the integrity of many items in tions of proposed developments and modi- the museum collection and diminish the fications. Predictions about short-term and usefulness of the collection for future re- long-term site impacts were based on previous

144 Methodology for Analyzing Environmental Consequences studies of the effects on natural resources Moderate — The effects on wetlands would resulting from visitors and facility be clearly detectable, and the action could development. Sociological studies comparing have an appreciable effect on natural the deterrent effects of signs versus ranger processes. presence on sites were also considered in this analysis. Major — The effects on wetlands would be highly noticeable, and the action would The definitions below assume that mitigation have a substantial influence on natural would be implemented. For this document, processes. the planning team qualitatively evaluated the impact intensity for natural resources. Floodplains

Vegetation The following categories were used to evaluate the potential impacts on floodplains: The following categories were used to evaluate the potential impacts on remnant tallgrass Negligible — The effects on the ability of prairie, mesic crystalline bedrock prairie, and the floodplain to function normally would restored tallgrass prairie: not be measurable or perceptible.

Negligible — The effect would result in no Minor — The effects on the ability of the measurable or perceptible changes in plant floodplain to function normally would be community size, integrity or continuity. local and slightly detectable.

Minor — The effects would be measurable Moderate — The effects on the ability of or perceptible and local within a relatively the floodplain to function normally would small area The overall viability of the plant be clearly detectable, and the action could community would not be affected and, if have an appreciable effect on natural left alone, would recover. processes.

Moderate — The actions would cause a Major — The effects on the ability of the change in the plant community (abun- floodplain to function normally would be dance, distribution, quantity, or quality); highly noticeable, and the action would however, the impact would remain local have a substantial influence on natural processes. Major — The effects on plant communities would be substantial, highly noticeable, Hydrology and long term. The following categories were used to evalu- Wetlands and Riparian Corridor ate the potential impacts on hydrology:

The following categories were used to evalu- Negligible — Hydrology would not be af- ate the potential impacts on wetlands and the fected, or the changes either would be riparian corridor: nondetectable or, if detected, would result in effects that would be considered slight Negligible — The effects on wetlands would and local. not be measurable or perceptible. Minor — The changes in hydrology would Minor — The effects on wetlands would be be measurable, although they would be local and slightly detectable. small and local. No mitigating measures

145 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

associated with hydrology would be verse effects would be needed, and their necessary. success could not be guaranteed.

Moderate — The changes in hydrology Wildlife would be measurable and long-term but relatively local. Mitigating measures associ- The following categories were used to ated with hydrology would be necessary, evaluate the potential impacts on wildlife: and they probably would be successful. Negligible — The effects on wildlife or their Major — The changes in hydrology would habitats would not be measurable or be readily measurable, would have sub- perceptible. stantial consequences, and would be no- ticed on a regional scale. Mitigating mea- Minor — The effects on wildlife or their sures would be necessary, and their success habitats would be detectable, although they would not be guaranteed. probably would be local and of little consequence to the population of the species. Soils Moderate — The effects on wildlife or their The following categories were used to habitats would be readily detectable and evaluate the potential impacts on soils: local, with consequences at the population level. Negligible — Soils would not be affected, or the effects would be below or at the lower Major — The effects on wildlife or their levels of detection. Any effects on soil pro- habitats would be obvious, and there ductivity or fertility would be slight. would be substantial consequences on wildlife populations in the region. Minor — The effects on soils would be detectable. The effects on soil productivity or Threatened or Endangered Species fertility would be small, as would the area and Species of Special Concern affected. If mitigation was needed to offset adverse effects, it would be relatively The following categories were used to evalu- simple to implement and probably would ate the potential impacts on threatened or be successful. endangered species or species of special concern: Moderate — The effects on soil productivity or fertility would be readily apparent, Negligible — The action would result in a and it probably would result in a change in change to a population or individuals of a the soil character over a relatively wide species that would be so small that it would area. Mitigating measures probably would not be of any measurable or perceptible be necessary to offset adverse effects, and consequence to the population, or other they probably would be successful. changes would be so small that they would not be measurable or perceptible. Major — The effects on soil productivity or fertility would be readily apparent; there Minor — The action would result in a would be a substantial change in the char- change to a population or individuals of a acter of the soil over a large area in and species that, if measurable, would be small outside of the national monument. Ex- and local, or other changes would be slight tensive mitigating measures to offset ad- but detectable.

146 Methodology for Analyzing Environmental Consequences

Moderate — The action would result in a quarriers and demonstrators, businesses, and change to a population or individuals of a the community. The following information species that would be measurable but local. and assumptions were used to analyze impacts. Major — The action would result in a • Quarriers and Demonstrators. An change to a population or individuals of a impact would occur when an action species that would be measurable and described in this plan changed some would result in a consequence to the aspect of the workers’ job to make it easier population. or more difficult to earn a living. • METHODOLOGY FOR Businesses. An impact would occur when ASSESSING EFFECTS ON an action would be likely to increase or VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE decrease the amount of revenue likely for businesses directly dependent upon the The discussions of visitor use and experience national monument. in this document cover the effects on visitor • Community. An impact would occur enjoyment, freedom to go at one’s own pace, when an action would be likely to increase orientation and interpretation, and visitor or decrease employment or revenue with- access. For analysis purposes, impact in the local or regional economy. intensities for visitor experience impact topics have been defined as follows: For analysis purposes, the intensities for impacts on quarriers and demonstrators, Negligible — The effect on visitors would businesses, and the community will be defined be barely detectable, or the action would as follows: not occur in primary resource areas or would affect few visitors. Negligible — The effect would not be detectable, and there would be no dis- Minor — An adverse or beneficial effect on cernible effect on the socioeconomic visitors would be slight but detectable, or environment. the action would not occur in primary resource areas or would affect few visitors. Minor — The effect would be slightly detectable, but the overall socioeconomic Moderate — An adverse or beneficial effect environment would not be affected. on visitors would be readily apparent, or the action would occur in primary resource Moderate — The effect would be clearly areas or would affect many visitors. detectable, and there could be an appreciable effect on the socioeconomic Major — An effect on visitors would be environment. severely adverse or exceptionally beneficial, or the action would occur in primary Major — Actions would have a substantial, resource areas or would affect the majority highly noticeable influence on the socio- of the visitors. economic environment.

METHODOLOGY FOR METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING ASSESSING EFFECTS ON THE EFFECTS ON NATIONAL SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT MONUMENT OPERATIONS

The discussion of socioeconomic effects In the impact analysis, the effects of the consists of the effects of each alternative on alternatives were evaluated on the following

147 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES aspects of operations: staffing, maintenance, Moderate — The effect would be readily facilities, emergency response time, and the apparent, and the action would result in a ability to enforce national monument regula- substantial change in national monument tions. The analysis was conducted in con- operations that would be noticeable to the sideration of how national monument opera- staff and the public. tions might vary under the different alternatives. The analysis is qualitative rather than Major — The effects would be readily ap- quantitative because of the conceptual nature parent, and the action would result in a of the alternatives; consequently, professional substantial change in national monument judgment was used to reach reasonable con- operations that would be noticeable to the clusions as to the intensity, duration, and type staff and the public, and operations would of each potential impact. be markedly different from existing operations. For analysis purposes, impact intensities for national monument operations have been Beneficial effects would improve NPS defined as follows: operations and/or facilities. Adverse effects would negatively affect NPS operations or fa- Negligible —National monument opera- cilities and could hinder the staff’s ability to tions would not be affected, or the effect provide adequate services and facilities to would be at or below the lower levels of visitors and staff. Some effects could be bene- detection, and the action would not cause ficial for some operations and adverse or an appreciable effect on national monu- neutral for others. ment operations.

Minor — The effects would be detectable, but would be of a magnitude that there would not be an appreciable effect on national monument operations.

148

IMPACTS OF THE NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

CULTURAL RESOURCES commercial development — also would disturb cultural landscapes outside the national Cultural Landscapes monument by damaging or destroying remnant tallgrass prairie patches that might other- As the setting for continuity or change, the wise remain and altered prairie lands that prairie is an important character-defining fea- might be restored by the recovery of native ture of the potential cultural landscapes (see plant species. The long-term regional impacts suggested historic landscape contexts, p. 116). on the prairie components of cultural land- After this plan is completed, the National Park scapes from agricultural development and Service would conduct cultural landscape in- construction would range from minor to ventories. If the reports from those inventor- major. ies indicated that prairie components are contributing elements of the character-defining In the region, the Nature Conservancy has a features of the potential historic cultural land- property called Hole in the Mountain near the scapes, which might be correlated with the town of Lake Benton north of the national suggested historic landscape contexts, the monument where prairie restoration is under- prairie restoration underway would be con- way through the recovery of native plant spe- tinued. This restoration involves the recovery cies. Prairie restoration is underway in the of native plant species. Under the no-action USFWS/MDNR Pipestone Wildlife Manage- alternative, the restoration would be contin- ment Area immediately north of the national ued in conjunction with maintaining and pre- monument. Similar programs are in place to serving the remnant tallgrass prairie. This the southwest at Split Rock Creek State Park would result in a long-term minor to mod- and to the southeast at Blue Mounds State erate beneficial effect on cultural landscapes. Park. The latter is where a bison herd is maintained in a prairie setting. These programs Cumulative Effects. Agricultural develop- would result in a moderate long-term benefi- ment and construction in and around Pipe- cial effect on associated cultural landscapes. stone National Monument have previously affected potential cultural landscapes both in Because there would be no adverse impacts on the national monument and in the general cultural landscapes associated with the no- vicinity. These activities have disturbed or action alternative, this alternative would not changed the prairie setting and ultimately re- contribute to the minor to major range of duced the amount of surviving tallgrass prai- adverse and long-term cumulative effects in rie. Areas where such activities have occurred the region. However, remnant prairie preser- are the Pipestone Indian School and its suc- vation and prairie restoration from the re- cessor, the Minnesota West Community and covery of native plant species would result in Technical College north and northeast of the long-term minor to moderate beneficial ef- national monument and subdivisions to the fects on potentially eligible national register east, south, and west, as well as agricultural landscapes in the national monument. There- areas farther outside the boundaries. The fore, the no-action alternative would con- long-term adverse effects on the tallgrass prai- tribute to the moderate long-term beneficial rie as the setting in cultural landscapes have cumulative effects on cultural landscapes in ranged from minor to moderate. the region.

Reasonably foreseeable future actions that Section 106 Summary. After applying the could occur throughout the region — for ex- criteria of adverse effects of the Advisory ample, continued subdivision and proposed Council on Historic Preservation (36 CFR

149 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

800.5), “Assessment of Adverse Effects,” the Because the current visitor use pattern would National Park Service concludes that there continue, inadvertent visitor chance encoun- would be no adverse effect on the eight ters with American Indians would continue. cultural landscapes that are potentially eligible This could be distracting and intrusive to for the national register. American Indians placing offerings like sage, tobacco, food, and personal items at the Three Conclusion. Restoration would continue in Maidens rock formation. The clustering to- conjunction with maintaining and preserving gether of the picnic area and restroom struc- the remnant tallgrass prairie. This would ture close to the Three Maidens causes people result in a long-term minor to moderate to congregate at times and occasionally to beneficial effect on cultural landscapes. interfere inadvertently with American Indian spiritual practices. The effects on traditional Remnant prairie preservation and prairie American Indian use of the Three Maidens as restoration from the recovery of native plant an ethnographic resource caused by inad- species would result in long-term minor to vertent visitor intrusion would be minor, moderate beneficial effects on potentially adverse, and long term. eligible national register landscapes in the national monument. American Indian access to the Three Maidens during the Hiawatha Pageant has been im- There would be no impairment of the national proved in recent years through national monument’s cultural landscapes or values. monument negotiations with the Hiawatha Club so that the rock formation is not used Ethnographic Resources intrusively as a pageant component. However, the summer use of the Three Maidens in the As the setting for continuity or change, the Hiawatha Pageant would continue on the prairie is an important character-defining fea- relevant weekends. The effects on traditional ture of the three potential landscape periods use of the Three Maidens as an ethnographic of the overall potential ethnographic land- resource from the use by special permit of the scape (see p. 110). After this plan is completed, Hiawatha Club for the Hiawatha Pageant the National Park Service would conduct cul- would be minor, adverse, and long term. tural landscape inventories. If the reports from those inventories indicated that prairie American Indian access to the ethnographic components are contributing elements of the resources associated with the Circle Trail — character-defining features of the potential the Leaping Rock, Winnewissa Falls, and the ethnographic landscape, which might be cor- Oracle — would remain unchanged because related with the three landscape periods, the the Circle Trail would remain unchanged. In- prairie restoration underway would be con- trusion on American Indian practitioners tinued. This restoration involves the recovery from visitors walking along the trail could be of native plant species. Under the no-action occasional and inadvertent. The effects from alternative, the restoration would be contin- such visitor intrusion on traditional use of ued in conjunction with maintaining and pre- these ethnographic resources would be minor, serving the remnant tallgrass prairie. This adverse, and long term. would result in a long-term minor to moderate beneficial effect on the ethnographic The two annual Sun Dances would continue landscape because American Indians value the to take place, and the area in the national prairie as the setting for traditional pipestone monument designated for this ceremonial quarrying. purpose would continue to serve as a place of cultural expression. To American Indians who feel that continuing the Sun Dances here would be culturally appropriate because it is

150 Impacts of the No-Action Alternative spiritually connected to the site, the effects national monument and subdivisions to the would be minor, beneficial, and long term in east, south, and west, as well as agricultural relation to their concept of traditional cultural areas farther outside the boundaries. identity. To American Indians who believe that continuing the Sun Dance here would not Reasonably foreseeable future actions oc- be culturally appropriate because it apparently curring throughout the region — for example, is not a traditional Sun Dance site, the effects continued subdivision and proposed commer- would be moderate, adverse, and long term in cial development — also could disturb the relation to their opinions about traditional prairie setting outside the national monument cultural identity. by threatening any remnant tallgrass prairie patches that might remain and any altered The north quarry line would remain a location prairie lands that might be restored by the for sweat lodges, and it still would be closed to recovery of native plant species. Regional visitors. Although visitors still would be di- long-term adverse effects on the tallgrass prai- rected to stay on designated trails, they occa- rie as a setting reminiscent of a time before sionally stray off the trails, inadvertently in- European-American settlement, agriculture, truding on American Indian practitioners and development have ranged and continue to using sweat lodges. This occasional and inad- range from minor to major. vertent intrusion would apply to sweat lodge users in the areas of the north and Sun Dance In the region, the Nature Conservancy has a quarries. The effects from such visitor intru- property called Hole in the Mountain near the sion on American Indian use of the sweat town of Lake Benton north of the national lodges would range from negligible to minor monument. Prairie restoration is underway in and be adverse and long term. that area through the recovery of native plant species. Prairie restoration also is underway in Cumulative Effects. The ethnographic land- the USFWS/MDNR Pipestone Wildlife Man- scape of Pipestone National Monument agement Area immediately north of the na- means a prairie background setting for the tional monument. Similar programs are in ongoing but traditional American Indian place to the southwest at Split Rock Creek quarrying in what is now the national monu- State Park and to the southeast at Blue ment. Other ethnographic landscapes in the Mounds State Park (where a bison herd is region could be associated with the bison herd maintained). These programs would result in maintained by the state of Minnesota in Blue moderate long-term beneficial effects on po- Mounds State Park or with simply restoring tential ethnographic landscapes associated prairie to patches of preagricultural landscape with traditional scenes. in Split Rock Creek State Park. Prairie preservation and restoration contributes to such The development of a parklike environment landscapes. for American Indians to quarry catlinite pipestone through the Pipestone Indian School Agricultural development and construction and then as a national monument has meant around Pipestone National Monument have change in American Indian access to ethno- previously affected the prairie setting both in graphic resources. That change generally has the national monument and in the general vi- been caused by the development of trails, cinity. These activities have disturbed or bridges, and parking lots to make physical changed the prairie setting and ultimately re- access more convenient to various ethno- duced the amount of surviving tallgrass prai- graphic resources. To the extent that Ameri- rie. Areas where such activities have occurred can Indians value convenience (for example, are the Pipestone Indian School and its suc- to help the elderly participate in activities), the cessor, the Minnesota West Community and long-term effects on ethnographic resources Technical College north and northeast of the from the past and at present were minor to

151 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES moderate and beneficial. To the extent that mation should result, which would be a minor the natural setting contributes to the value of long-term beneficial effect. American Indian traditional use (there is some evidence from NPS observation of American The existing conditions at the national monu- Indian practitioners that it does) and that ment would remain unchanged under the no- there has been a change in the setting away action alternative; therefore, this alternative from nature associated with development, the would not contribute to the adverse impacts long-term effects on ethnographic resources on regional ethnographic resources from from the past and at present were minor to other actions. Prairie preservation and restor- moderate and adverse. ation would be part of the continuing management under this alternative, which would Traditional American Indian practices associ- result in minor to moderate long-term bene- ated with ethnographic resources, which hap- ficial effects on the ethnographic landscape. pen to be all natural resources at Pipestone These effects would contribute to similar mi- National Monument, are subject to inadver- nor to moderate long-term beneficial effects tent distraction from encounters by visitors. on regional ethnographic landscapes that Past visitor use patterns have resulted in such would result from various efforts toward encounters, which have caused long-term mi- prairie restoration outside the national nor adverse impacts on American Indian monument. practitioners. Section 106 Summary. Since the “Affected Development has affected ethnographic Environment” chapter suggests that tradi- resources outside of the national monument tional cultural properties (ethnographic by making potential ethnographic resources resources eligible to be listed in the National harder to identify because of changes brought Register of Historic Places) may be repre- about by agriculture and home and commer- sented at the national monument by the entire cial development. Various rock art sites, in- national monument or by individual resour- cluding Pipestone National Monument, show ces, in accordance with the criteria of adverse the importance of the state of Minnesota as a effect of the Advisory Council on Historic rock art district worthy of listing in the Na- Preservation (36 CFR 800.5), the determina- tional Register of Historic Places, which hap- tion of effect on traditional cultural properties pened on November 14, 1996. would be no adverse effect.

In Minnesota, in the region around the na- Conclusion. Prairie preservation and restora- tional monument, the following locations tion would result in minor to moderate bene- could contain ethnographic resources rele- ficial effects on the ethnographic landscape. vant to American Indians: Blue Mounds State The distraction of traditional American Indian Park, Jeffers Petroglyphs State Historic Site, practitioners at ethnographic resources by Split Rock Creek State Park, and the USFWS inadvertent interruptions from non-Indian land administered by the Minnesota Depart- visitors would result in long-term minor ment of Natural Resources, which is just north adverse effects on traditional use associated of the national monument. Jeffers Petroglyphs with ethnographic resources. Continuing the State Historic Site is the only one that main- two annual Sun Dances would result in either tains an ongoing program of consultation with a long-term minor beneficial effect or a long- American Indians to identify ethnographic term moderate adverse effect, depending on resources (as does Pipestone National Monu- the perspective of the person rendering the ment). The fact that some ongoing American opinion. There would be no impairment of the Indian consultations are underway and con- national monument’s resources and values. tinuing is beneficial. More ethnographic infor-

152 Impacts of the No-Action Alternative

Historic Structures allowed visitors to watch American Indian pipestone carvers at work. Under the no-action alternative, the house that once was the residence of the superin- The ability for visitors to interact with and tendent of the Pipestone Indian School nei- learn from the demonstrators becomes part of ther would be acquired by the National Park the centralized aspect of the visitor experi- Service nor would receive preservation and ence. The 1970s addition enhanced the interpretation from the National Park Service. function of the historic fabric and is part of The building would remain in poor condition historic significance of the visitor center’s and become worse by continuing to molder eligibility in its own right for the National and deteriorate. The organization that owns it, Register of Historic Places. The historic fabric the Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipe- of the structure could be threatened by its ap- makers, lacks the funds to stabilize and re- parent location in the 500-year and 100-year habilitate this structure, which is listed in the floodplains. However, past flooding of Pipe- National Register of Historic Places. There are stone Creek suggests that any serious damage no prospects for such treatment without would be unlikely, although damage could still monetary and technical help from an entity result. Vandalism has not been a problem at like the National Park Service with expertise the visitor center. in historic preservation. Not even routine preservation maintenance is being performed Actions expected in the region in the reason- at present. Without intervention, the long- ably foreseeable future, such as continued term adverse effects would range from mod- subdivision and commercial development, erate today to major over time. have no potential to affect historic structures in the national monument. Such actions The Mission 66 visitor center, a national would result in a negligible effect, if any, on register eligible structure, would continue to historic structures outside the national monu- be used as a visitor center. Routine preserva- ment, except that this economic activity ap- tion maintenance would continue to be pears to be generating no funding to preserve undertaken, resulting in a minor long-term the Indian School superintendent’s house, beneficial effect. which is listed in the National Register of His- toric Places. However, historic preservation Cumulative Effects. Past actions in the efforts are in place in the city of Pipestone and national monument have included the de- other towns in Pipestone County to velopment of trails, bridges, and parking lots rehabilitate and adaptively reuse the late 19th and the construction of maintenance facilities century business and municipal architecture and two houses now used as a resource man- characterized by local Sioux quartzite as the agement office and a residence for a law en- predominant building material. forcement ranger. Placing the visitor center in a central location on the Circle Trail was con- The routine preservation maintenance of the sistent with the “centralize and circulate” national monument’s visitor center and that thinking of the Mission 66 era. The develop- long-term minor beneficial effect on that ment of that trail has affected the way visitors structure from this no-action alternative use the visitor center, but since the center was would contribute overall to the long-term centrally placed, development in the national moderate beneficial cumulative effects on monument has not affected the historic fabric historic structures in the region. of this late 1950s Mission 66 structure, unless the 1970s addition of space for the Indian Section 106 Summary. After applying the cri- Shrine Association is viewed in that light. teria of adverse effect of the Advisory Council However, adding that space was consistent on Historic Preservation (36 CFR 800.5), the with the Mission 66 philosophy because it National Park Service concludes that

153 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES implementing the no-action alternative would tions and archives could be diminished by cause no adverse effect on the national water damage. If such flooding took place, the register-eligible Mission 66 visitor center. long-term adverse impacts on museum collections and archives would range from moder- Conclusion. The historic Mission 66 visitor ate to major. The intensity of the adverse im- center structure would continue to be pre- pact would depend on the amount and rate of served, a minor long-term beneficial effect. flooding and on whether sufficient warning Without preservation intervention, the effects had been received to enable the national on the Pipestone Indian School superinten- monument staff to implement the evacuation dent’s house would range from moderate plan that is in place to protect the collections today to major over time, and they would be and archives. It also would depend on how adverse and long term. high from the floor particular artifacts and documents or photographs were stored in Because there would be no major adverse relation to the height of the water entering the effects on a resource or value whose conser- storage area. vation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific purposes identified in the establishing legislation Conclusion. Museum collections and ar- of Pipestone National Monument, (2) key to chives generally would continue to be secure its natural or cultural integrity or opportuni- under this alternative, but long-term moderate ties for its enjoyment, or (3) identified as a to major adverse impacts on these resources goal in its general management plan or other could result unless the threat of flooding was relevant NPS planning documents, the eliminated. The museum collections and ar- national monument’s resources or values chives eventually would have to be moved to would not be impaired. quarters with more space, presumably to another institution in the region. Negligible to Museum Collections and Archives minor short-term adverse impacts would be brought about by the risk of moving artifacts, The portions of the national monument’s mu- specimens, and documents, and there would seum collections and archives that are in the be moderate long-term beneficial effects from visitor center would continue to be housed in acquiring new space for curation, research, the visitor center under adequate museum and storage and from eliminating the threat of standards for fire detection and suppression flooding. but without adequate temperature and humidity control. Improper lighting in some NATURAL RESOURCES displays would continue to affect the collections on display. Under the no-action alterna- Vegetation tive, the long-term effects would be minor and adverse, based on the lack of temperature and Remnant Tallgrass Prairie. Remnant prairie humidity control and the improper lighting of is a habitat type that has survived despite the displays in the visitor center. other uses having taken place. It is made up of Sioux quartzite prairie, mesic crystalline bed- Although historically the visitor center never rock prairie, and oak savanna/woodland. In has been subject to flooding and although this document, the effects on the remnant prompt efforts would be made to remove the prairie as a whole will be described under museum collections and archives if periodic “remnant tallgrass prairie.” Effects specific to Pipestone Creek flooding was perceived to mesic crystalline bedrock prairie will be de- threaten the curatorial and collections storage scribed under that heading. The alternatives area in the visitor center, it must be assumed would not affect the other two components of that the integrity of many items in the collec- remnant tallgrass prairie, Sioux quartzite

154 Impacts of the No-Action Alternative prairie and oak savanna/woodland because no Mesic Crystalline Bedrock Prairie. The no- actions would be proposed in these areas, action alternative would not result in any including no development. effects on mesic crystalline bedrock prairie except those described for remnant tallgrass In the national monument, the remnant prairie and restored tallgrass prairie. prairie habitat type is fragmented by the entrance road, the visitor center, parking, the Restored Tallgrass Prairie. The restored tall- Circle Trail, restrooms, the picnic area, a grass prairie plant community covers an area residence, a house used for administrative where tallgrass prairie died out but is being re- offices, and a garage. Fragmentation would stored by members of the national monument continue to allow the invasion of exotics along staff, who work to reduce exotic plants and corridors separating segments of prairie and reseed areas with native seed of tallgrass prai- to decrease the success of efforts to control rie plants. In the national monument, there are exotics. Several areas that otherwise probably corridors at the edge of this habitat type for would be vegetated with remnant prairie the entrance of exotics, including part of the would continue to be occupied by the struc- entrance road, the visitor center, a parking tures listed above. area, the Circle Trail, restrooms, the picnic area, and adjacent lands on all sides of the The adjacent lands on the national monu- national monument. These corridors would ment’s boundaries would continue to provide continue to allow the invasion of exotics and seed and other means of introducing exotic to decrease the success of efforts to control species into remnant prairie in the national exotics. monument. Holding Sun Dances in the northern end of Holding Sun Dances in the northern end of the national monument would continue to the national monument would continue to degrade remnant prairie, which is crossed by degrade remnant prairie. Heavy use in this vehicles and foot traffic between the USFWS/ zone would continue to denude native vege- MDNR land on the national monument’s tation and increase the encroachment of ex- north boundary and the Sun Dance grounds. otics. Mowing and trampling of the site during Heavy use in the remnant prairie habitat its use would continue to decrease fuel load- would continue to denude native vegetation ing and fuel continuity, reducing the prairie’s and increase the encroachment of exotics. ability to carry fire, an important means of en- Continued use of the northern part of the hancing the preservation of the prairie ecosys- remnant prairie for large gatherings would tem. Continued use of the northern part of the hinder efforts to restore the prairie. remnant prairie for large gatherings would increase the potential for losing native plants. Overall, despite the existence of corridors for the entrance of exotic plants and heavy use in Overall, despite the fragmentation of habitat, the remnant tallgrass prairie, ongoing efforts the occupancy of habitat by national monu- to restore tallgrass prairie would result in a ment structures and heavy visitor use in a large moderate beneficial effect on the restored area of the national monument, ongoing ef- tallgrass prairie because these systematic forts to restore tallgrass prairie would result in efforts would increase the abundance, dis- a moderate beneficial effect on remnant tall- tribution, quantity, and quality of the habitat grass prairie because these systematic efforts in the national monument. would increase the abundance, distribution, quantity, and quality of the habitat in the Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and devel- national monument. opment have greatly reduced native prairie plants. Plants have been affected by being displaced, and habitat has been lost through

155 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES agricultural uses and the introduction of Because changes in the areas involved would nonnative plants. be local and only slightly detectable and would not appreciably affect natural pro- The development of some private lands for cesses, this continuing adverse impact on residential or commercial uses (such as lands wetlands would be long term and minor. west of, on, or near the national monument’s boundaries in nearby communities) could in- Cumulative Effects. Some wetlands in and crease runoff, wind erosion, exotics, and soil outside the national monument have been compaction and alter soil regimes. filled or drained to make more land available for growing crops. There could be increased Past adverse effects on vegetation from agri- runoff into the monument from the tiled farm culture and development covered wide areas. field on the southern boundary. If this The effects of current and anticipated future occurred, wetlands in the national monument actions outside the national monument, in might be increased in number or size (NPS conjunction with the effects of the no-action 1998b). The presence of tiles over a wide area alternative, would produce major long-term (perhaps including the national monument) adverse impacts on tallgrass prairie. Most im- and continued heavy use of Pipestone Creek pacts would result from development outside would continue to result in major long-term the national monument, which might or might reductions in wetland areas and in the not be mitigated. The actions of the no-action beneficial values of wetlands in the national alternative would contribute a minuscule monument, as well as upstream and increment to the overall cumulative effect. downstream.

Conclusion. Overall, despite the fragmenta- The severe hydrological alterations of the tion of habitat, the occupancy of habitat by creek’s watershed have increased sediment national monument structures, the presence deposition, causing a change in both floral and of corridors for the entrance of exotic plants, faunal composition along the creek corridor. heavy visitor use in a large area of the national monument, and ongoing efforts to restore Cattle and other farm animals probably have tallgrass prairie would result in a moderate been allowed to use some wetland and ripari- beneficial effect on tallgrass prairie because an areas in and near the national monument. these systematic efforts would increase the These practices decrease wetland areas and abundance, distribution, quantity, and quality degrade natural and beneficial wetland values of the habitat in the national monument. in exchange for benefit to agricultural uses. NPS structures and visitor uses in wetland The vegetative resources of Pipestone areas contribute to the loss of natural and National Monument would not be impaired beneficial values. by the actions of the no-action alternative. Further development in wetlands outside the Wetlands and Riparian Corridor national monument for residential, agricultural, or commercial uses would decrease the Wetlands near the picnic area, parking, and area in which natural and beneficial wetland restrooms on the southern boundary of the values would be preserved. national monument would continue to be subject to foot traffic from visitors and staff. The past effects of agriculture and urbani- The entrance road would continue to prevent zation on wetlands covered wide areas and water flow from one wet area to another. The were major and adverse. The continuing use natural functioning of these wetlands would of agricultural and other chemicals that make continue to be compromised by visitor use. their way into Pipestone Creek contributes to adverse impacts on wetlands along the creek.

156 Impacts of the No-Action Alternative

The effects on wetlands from current and plain’s ability to function normally during anticipated future actions outside the national flooding would be minor and long term. monument, along with the effects of the no- action alternative, would be moderate, long If there was a flood, visitors and employees at term, and adverse. Most impacts would result headquarters could be injured by floodwaters, from development actions outside the nation- as could employees and others at the employ- al monument, which might or might not be ee residence or at the house used as an admin- mitigated. The effects from the no-action istrative facility. Although the possibility of alternative would contribute a minuscule loss of life would be extremely small, there increment to the overall cumulative effect. could be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and Conclusion. Continued foot traffic in the the risks would be minor to moderate, but wetlands near the picnic area, parking, and flooding could cause major adverse effects on restrooms on the southern boundary of the the visitors, employees, and property national monument would result in long term involved. minor adverse effects on wetlands. The national monument’s wetland resources would If this alternative was selected for imple- not be impaired by the actions of the no- mentation, a statement of findings for flood- action alternative. plains would be prepared because locating employee residences within the 100-year floodplain is contrary to NPS policy, as is Floodplains placing curatorial facilities or fuel storage in the 500-year floodplain. The statement of Natural and Beneficial Floodplain Values. Because some maintenance activities are findings would explain why the best available housed at national monument headquarters in option would be to leave the structures and or near the 100-year floodplain, fuel used in functions in the floodplain, and it would describe mitigating measures that would be maintenance vehicles and equipment could undertaken to reduce the impacts. enter floodwaters if there should be a 100- year flood. In a 100-year flood, the volume of Cumulative Effects. The heavy use and ditch- floodwater would be expected to be large ing of Pipestone Creek upstream have greatly compared to approximately 200 gallons of fuel reduced the extent of the floodplain and the that could enter the floodwaters from the natural and beneficial values of floodplains in maintenance area. This would mean that the the national monument. potential damage to vegetation and soils along the path of floodwaters would be small. The Cattle and other farm animals probably have effect on natural and beneficial floodplain been allowed to use some riparian areas in and values from such an occurrence would be near the national monument. This practice minor, adverse, and short term. degrades natural and beneficial floodplain values in exchange for benefits to agricultural Flooding. With national monument head- uses. NPS structures and visitor uses in flood- quarters (with administrative, visitor center, plain areas contribute to the loss of natural maintenance, and curatorial functions), an and beneficial values. employee residence, a house used for administrative offices, and a garage continuing to Further development in floodplains and wet- occupy the 100-year floodplain, if there was a lands outside the national monument for resi- flood, the floodwaters would be only slightly dential, agricultural, or commercial uses impeded because the floodplain is extensive. would decrease the area in which natural and This continuing adverse effect on the flood- beneficial floodplain values would be preserved. The natural and beneficial values of

157 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES floodplain areas would continue to be com- Hydrology promised by development at national monument headquarters, the residence, the house If pumping water out of the quarries in the used for administrative offices, and the stor- spring has affected hydrology, those impacts age of hazardous chemicals at headquarters. would continue to be undetected.

Channel adjustment upstream could send The bridge over Pipestone Creek near Win- water down a path toward the visitor center. newissa Falls would continue to impede Channel changes upstream of the national floodwaters. This local impact would occur monument also could direct flow over the intermittently and last until floodwaters sub- bluff in areas other than the existing channel, sided. Because the staff of the national monu- causing the flow to be directed toward the ment has determined that mitigation is re- building (NPS 2003c). quired, the effect from the bridge is classified as moderate. Mitigation would be expected to The past effects of agriculture and urbaniza- be successful. tion on floodplains covered wide areas and were adverse. The effects on floodplains from Cumulative Effects. The area’s hydrology has current and anticipated future actions outside been greatly altered by the heavy use and the national monument, along with the effects ditching of Pipestone Creek upstream, the of the no-action alternative, would be moder- removal of water with wells, quarrying on ate, long term, and adverse. Most impacts adjacent land, the use of tiles to drain areas would result from agricultural and develop- near and possibly within the national monument actions outside the national monument, ment, the reduction of the height of Winne- which might or might not be mitigated. The wissa Falls in the national monument, and effects from the no-action alternative would residential and commercial development. contribute only a minuscule increment to the overall cumulative effect. The past effects on hydrology from draining land and altering water flows for agriculture Conclusion. The continuing effects on na- and urbanization covered wide areas, were tural and beneficial floodplain values from the adverse to natural water flow, and restricted no-action alternative would be minor, ad- the distribution of surface water through the verse, and long term, and the continuing ef- surrounding landscape. The effects on hydrol- fects on the floodplains’ ability to function ogy of current and anticipated future actions normally during flooding also would be mi- inside and outside the national monument, in nor, adverse and long term. Although the pos- conjunction with the impacts of the no-action sibility of loss of life would be extremely small, alternative, would be moderate, long term, there would be some danger to visitors and and adverse. Most impacts would result from employees. Severe flooding has been infre- agricultural use and development actions out- quent, and the risks would be minor to mod- side of the national monument, which might erate, but flooding could cause major adverse or might not be mitigated. The actions of this effects on the visitors, employees, and prop- alternative would contribute a minuscule erty involved. increment to the overall cumulative impact.

The national monument’s floodplain re- Conclusion. Floodwater would continue to sources would not be impaired by the actions be impeded by the bridge over Pipestone of the no-action alternative. Creek near Winnewissa Falls, a moderate intermittent impact.

158 Impacts of the No-Action Alternative

Soils occurred in the developed areas; consequently, impacts such as the inflow of water Under the no-action alternative, soil would be being eliminated, precipitation being diverted disturbed by ongoing maintenance such as from natural drainages, and the compaction of road maintenance, revegetation, restoration, soils would be minor, long term, and adverse. repair of buildings and utility systems, and large group activities in the northern part of Cumulative Effects. Agriculture has led to the national monument. These actions would the erosion of soils by removing native vege- be restricted to the minimum area required. tation. This, along with tilling the soil, has left All the areas that would be affected have been soils exposed to erosion by wind and water. previously disturbed. Sites with soil disturb- The future development of some private lands ance would undergo accelerated wind and (such as those along or near the national water erosion, at least temporarily, until drain- monument borders and in the city of Pipe- age structures were fully operational and stone) for residential use, tourism, or other vegetation had recovered in cleared areas. To uses could increase runoff, wind erosion, and conserve the available organic matter, topsoil, soil compaction and alter soil regimes. where present, would be retained and replaced. The work occurring in disturbed areas The past effects on soils from agriculture would result in minor long-term adverse im- covered wide areas and were adverse. The pacts on soils. effects on soils from current and anticipated future actions inside and outside the national Foot traffic on trails, in the picnic area, and in monument, in conjunction with the effects of the Sun Dance ground would continue to the no-action alternative, would be moderate compact soils, decrease permeability, alter soil and adverse because they would change the moisture, and diminish water storage capacity, character of the soils over a relatively wide all of which would increase erosion and area. Mitigating measures that the national change the natural composition of vegetation. monument staff would undertake to offset the Altered vegetative composition would change adverse effects are described in the “Soils” the soil chemistry. Where foot traffic is heavy, table under “Management Requirements for the trails have been paved, and visitors are en- Natural Resources” (p. 30) and under couraged to stay on the maintained trails. Trail “Ground Disturbance/Soils” in the section rehabilitation would include special design about mitigation (p. 87). Most impacts would methods in areas where soils are easily eroded result from development outside of the na- by wind and water. These impacts already tional monument, which might or might not have occurred to some degree because all the be mitigated. The effects from the no-action areas involved have been disturbed; conse- alternative would contribute only a minuscule quently, soil erosion by wind and water, as increment to the overall cumulative effect. well as soil nutrient transport, would be minor long-term adverse impacts. Conclusion. Soil disturbance from such things as ongoing maintenance would result in Development has wholly or partially elimi- minor adverse long-term impacts on soils. The nated the direct inflow of water and diverted effects from development such as eliminating precipitation from some natural drainages. inflow of water, diverting precipitation from Soils have been compacted by foot traffic. natural drainages, and soil compaction would These adverse effects would continue but be minor, long term, and adverse. The soil would be minimized by management actions resources of Pipestone National Monument such as visitor education about the impacts of would not be impaired by the actions of the off-trail use, site hardening and trail paving, no-action alternative. and restoring affected sites as funding became available. Most of these impacts already have

159 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

Wildlife impacts would result from development actions outside of the national monument, The no-action alternative would result in the which might or might not be mitigated. The disturbance of wildlife by ongoing mainten- effects from the no-action alternative would ance such as road repair, revegetation, and contribute only a minuscule increment to the restoration. However, there would be no overall cumulative effect. change in the amount of wildlife habitat in the national monument under the no-action alter- Conclusion. Overall, the fragmentation of native. Development in the national monu- wildlife habitat and the alteration of wildlife ment would continue to occupy a small area. movement from the no-action alternative would continue to result in a long-term minor Wildlife habitat would continue to be frag- adverse effect. The wildlife resources of Pipe- mented by roads, trails, and facilities. Wildlife stone National Monument would not be im- habits and movement would continue to be paired by the actions of the no-action altered by employees and visitors. People still alternative. would concentrate at the quarries, monument headquarters, the Circle Trail, and the picnic Threatened or Endangered Species area. Twice a year, large gatherings involving and Species of Special Concern many activities would take place in the northern part of the national monument. People Topeka Shiner. The no-action alternative would continue to disturb wildlife and de- would not result in any changes in the habitat grade habitat. These intermittent adverse of the Topeka shiner in the national monu- effects would be minor and long term. ment. The national monument staff would continue efforts to ensure that water quality in Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and devel- the creek would not be degraded by the ac- opment have greatly reduced the number of tions of employees or visitors. The continua- native animals. Wildlife have been affected by tion of current trends would not affect the being displaced and killed as vermin, and Topeka shiner or its critical habitat. habitat has been lost through agricultural uses and the introduction of nonnative animals. Western Prairie Fringed Orchid. The no- Wildlife continues to be disrupted by devel- action alternative would not result in any opment and human activity. changes in the habitat of the western prairie fringed orchid. Some of the orchids are in The future development of some private lands areas that visitors use, and these uses would (such as those along or near the national continue. Because the orchids persist in the monument borders and in communities) for area, they must be reasonably tolerant of the residential, commercial, or other uses could activity level that has been occurring. The alter wildlife habitat and habits and cause the continuation of current trends would have no loss of wildlife in some areas. Water use in effect on the orchid. these developments for residential or other uses could reduce the amount of water Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and devel- available for wildlife. opment have greatly reduced native plants and animals, including threatened and en- The past effects on wildlife from agriculture dangered species. The Topeka shiner has been and development covered wide areas and affected by habitat destruction, degradation, were adverse. The effects on wildlife from modification, and fragmentation caused by current and anticipated future actions outside siltation, reduced water quality, tributary im- the national monument, in conjunction with poundment, stream channelization, in-stream the effects of the no-action alternative, would gravel mining, and changes in stream hydrol- be moderate, long term, and adverse. Most

160 Impacts of the No-Action Alternative ogy. The species also has been affected by VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE introduced predaceous fishes. Under the no-action alternative, the visitor The western prairie fringed orchid has lost experience at Pipestone National Monument habitat (tallgrass prairie) to cropland, and the would continue to be concentrated into the orchid’s remaining habitat has been frag- prime resource areas — the Three Maidens mented. “Mowing, haying, and grazing pre- area, the visitor center area, the Circle Trail, vent the plants from flowering, stalling seed the quarries, and the prairie. production” (Talley 2004). Croplands present an obstacle to the free movement of hawk- Three Maidens Area moths (the orchid’s only pollinator) between orchid populations, and pesticide drift from In the Three Maidens area is a picnic area next nearby cropland can kill hawkmoths. to the Three Maidens formation. The picnic area provides a recreational opportunity that The future development of some private lands would continue to have a long-term minor (such as those along or near the national beneficial effect on visitors. monument’s borders and in communities) for residential, commercial, or other uses could Conclusion. The no-action alternative would affect Topeka shiner or western prairie result in long-term minor beneficial effects on fringed orchid by altering suitable habitat. visitors in the Three Maidens area. The past effects of agriculture and urbanization on threatened or endangered species Visitor Center Area have been major and adverse. The effects on threatened or endangered species from cur- The exhibits in the existing visitor center are rent and anticipated future actions outside of historically inaccurate, difficult to maintain, the national monument, along with the effects culturally offensive to some, and inadequate of the no-action alternative, are not known in space and design. The inadequacies of these because the locations of species outside the exhibits would hinder visitors’ understanding national monument in areas that might be of the national monument and therefore affected are not known. Given the lack of would continue to cause long-term major information about impacts outside of the adverse effects on visitors. national monument, it is not possible to assess the relative magnitude of the effects of the no- The information desk in the visitor center is action alternative, combined with current and inadequate in space and design, and occasion- anticipated future actions outside of the ally it becomes overcrowded. The inadequate national monument. design sometimes discourages visitors from asking for information they need. Therefore, Conclusion. Overall, the continued presence under the no-action alternative the informa- of development in the national monument, tion desk would continue to cause long-term continued clearing of the road edges, and moderate adverse impact on visitors. human disturbance would have no effect on the Topeka shiner or the western prairie Demonstrations of pipemaking and other fringed orchid. The threatened and endan- crafts by American Indians would continue to gered species of Pipestone National Monu- be offered in the demonstration area in the ment would not be impaired by the actions of visitor center. The opportunity to experience the no-action alternative. these traditional activities would continue to result in a long-term major beneficial effect on visitors.

161 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

The restrooms in the visitor center are fully Quarry Area accessible to all visitors after renovations and updating of the sinks and fixtures was done in The quarry trail passes through an area of spring and summer 2003. Occasionally they active quarry sites. The opportunity to become overcrowded. Therefore, the long- observe these traditional quarrying activities term impact on visitors under the no-action would continue to result in a long-term alternative would be moderate and adverse. moderate beneficial effect on visitors.

Conclusion. The no-action alternative would Prairie Area result in (a) long-term major adverse impacts on visitors viewing exhibits in the visitor cen- The Circle Trail loops past the edge of the ter; (b) long-term major beneficial effects on prairie remnant, allowing visitors to closely visitors enjoying and learning from the pipe- observe its species of vegetation. A wayside stone carving demonstrations in the visitor exhibit along this section of trail increases center; and (c) long-term moderate adverse visitors’ knowledge and understanding of the impacts on visitors using the restrooms in the prairie remnant. Therefore, the long-term visitor center. effect on most visitors would continue to be major and beneficial. Circle Trail Area The entry road skirts the edge of the prairie The Circle Trail loops past a few quarry sites, remnant, allowing visitors to observe it from a along Pipestone Creek, past Hiawatha Lake to distance; therefore, the long-term effect on Winnewissa Falls and the Nicollet marker, most visitors would continue to be minor and then it circles back to the visitor center area beneficial. past the edge of the prairie remnant and south quarry line. The trail offers an important rec- Conclusion. Continuing the existing manage- reational and interpretive opportunity, and its ment of visitor services under the no-action long-term effect on most visitors would con- alternative would cause (a) long-term major tinue to be major and beneficial. beneficial effects on visitors viewing the prairie area when walking the Circle Trail, at the However, there are inappropriate mainten- Three Maidens area, at the cultural ance storage areas near the start of the trail, demonstrations in the visitor center, and at and inappropriate practices occur near the the quarries and the prairie remnant. It would start of the trail. Some of the trail is inac- result in (b) long-term minor beneficial effects cessible to visitors in wheelchairs. These on visitors viewing the prairie area from ve- situations degrade the visual and scenic qual- hicles going to and from the visitor center via ity of the trail experience and prevent some the entry road. However, continuing the visitors with mobility impairments from ex- existing conditions in the visitor center and periencing the entire trail; therefore, the long- some inappropriate practices along the Circle term effects on some visitors from these inap- Trail would result in long-term adverse propriate practices and storage areas would impacts on the visitor experience. continue to be moderate and adverse. SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT Conclusion. The no-action alternative would cause (a) long-term major beneficial effects on visitors walking most of the Circle Trail and Quarriers and Demonstrators (b) long-term moderate adverse impacts on visitors walking the part of the Circle Trail Continuing the current management should near the maintenance areas. have no discernible effect on quarriers and demonstrators during the 15–20 year life of

162 Impacts of the No-Action Alternative this plan. It would not affect quarriers’ ability retail sales in the county in 1997 was approxi- to quarry, the ease of quarrying, or the supply mately $94 million. The NPS Money Genera- of pipestone available to demonstrators. tion Model (see p. 133) estimates that Pipe- stone National Monument contributed $7.51 Businesses million into the community directly or indirectly. Therefore, the effect of the national The no-action alternative would not involve monument on the Pipestone County economy any actions that would either stimulate would continue to be moderate, long term, revenue growth or cause it to decrease in and beneficial. businesses that are directly dependent on the national monument. Such businesses might Cumulative Effects. Although past actions have some advantage over similar businesses have affected socioeconomic resources, no at a greater distance from the national actions in the no-action alternative would monument, but quantifying that advantage result in a new perceptible socioeconomic would be difficult. effect. The actions, together with those in the cumulative effect scenario, would not add appreciably to cumulative effects. Community Conclusion. The no-action alternative would Under the no-action alternative, the national have no effect on quarriers or demonstrators. monument could hire more seasonal or permanent employees as NPS funding initiatives The no-action alternative would result in a or budget increases allowed. It is also possible negligible long-term effect on businesses that that unfunded mandates could cause the na- are directly dependent on the national tional monument to reduce the number of monument. employees to meet budget constraints. Pur- chases made in the community by the national Because the employment and expenditures of monument would continue at approximately the national monument are small compared to the current level. the county economy as a whole, the impacts of national monument employment and Eleven permanent employees and as many as expenditures under this alternative would 10 seasonal employees work at Pipestone Na- continue to be negligible, long term, and tional Monument, depending on funding beneficial. levels. As many as 6 part-time demonstrators also are employed. The Pipestone Indian NATIONAL MONUMENT OPERATIONS Shrine Association (the cooperating association) employs 2 full-time workers. The total employment for Pipestone County in 2003 Maintenance was 3,913. According to an NPS study (see p, 132), 118 jobs in the county were either direct- Maintenance facilities would continue to be ly or indirectly attributable to the national cramped, with inadequate work space and in- monument. Therefore, the effect of employ- adequate storage for tools, small equipment, ment at the national monument on the county and supplies. Office space would continue to economy would continue to be moderate, be in makeshift space not intended for offices. long term, and beneficial. Vehicles and large items would continue to be stored outdoors year-round. The national monument’s operating budget for 2005 was $793,000. The value of goods manufactured in Pipestone County in 1997 was approximately $97 million. The value of

163 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

Facilities native. These are residual impacts that would remain after mitigation was implemented. The The visitor center / administration / mainten- negligible and minor impacts are described in ance building would continue to operate with the foregoing analysis. inadequate space for offices, curation, library, restrooms, and storage. The sales area would To those American Indians who believe that continue to lack space for displays, storage, the national monument is not a traditional Sun and staff offices. Trails would be maintained, Dance site, continuing to allow Sun Dances to and the posts and railings would be removed take place under the no-action alternative from the bridge near Winnewissa Falls before would be culturally inappropriate and would winter and any predicted flooding. As struc- thus constitute a moderate, adverse, and long- tures continued to age, the maintenance staff term impact in relation to their world-view — might have more difficulty keeping up with about revitalizing and reinforcing their structural deterioration. traditional cultural identity.

With no preservation intervention, the Pipe- Emergency Response Time stone Indian School superintendent’s house A law enforcement ranger would continue to would continue to deteriorate. The effects on live in one of the houses near the entrance to that structure would range from moderate the national monument and would be avail- today to major over time, and they would be able to respond to emergencies on the site. adverse and long term. The staff of the visitor center / administration Museum collections and archives could be building would remain close to the trails and subject to water damage if Pipestone Creek quarries. There would be no change in dis- flooded. It appears that the visitor center is tance for city fire, police, or emergency within the 100-year floodplain and the 500- vehicles. year floodplain, and the visitor center would remain in its present location under this no- Ability to Enforce Regulations action alternative; therefore, flooding could occur. Historically the visitor center never has A law enforcement ranger would continue to flooded, and although prompt efforts would be on the national monument staff to patrol be made to remove the museum collections trails and help visitors in emergencies. Visitors and archives, if periodic Pipestone Creek still would be able to bypass the visitor center, flooding was perceived to threaten the cura- where the entry fee is collected. Laws and torial and collections storage area in the visi- regulations would be enforced at the same tor center, it is assumed that the integrity of level as at present. many items in the collections and archives could be diminished because of water damage Conclusion. The no-action alternative would from flooding. If such flooding took place, the result in long-term moderate adverse impacts long-term adverse effects on museum collec- on maintenance and facilities. There would be tions and archives would be moderate. no change in emergency response time or in the ability of the national monument staff to Although the possibility of loss of life from enforce regulations. flooding would be extremely small, there could be some danger to visitors and employ- UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS ees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and the risks would be minor to moderate, but The following paragraphs describe the more flooding could cause major adverse effects on important (moderate and major intensity) the visitors, employees, and property adverse impacts would result from this alter- involved.

164 Impacts of the No-Action Alternative

IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE house used for offices would cause a long- COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES term reduction in the natural beneficial values of the floodplain and would prevent it from The loss of integrity of many items in the na- functioning naturally. tional monument’s museum collections and The visitor center, the fuel storage building, archives that could result if flooding took the museum collections, and two houses used place would be irreversible and irretrievable. as an employee residence and for administra- Although the possibility of loss of life from tion all would remain in the floodplain. All flooding would be extremely small, there these resources could be damaged by flood- would be some danger to visitors and employ- ing. Fuel in the fuel storage building could be ees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and released into floodwaters, potentially dam- the risks would be minor to moderate, but aging natural resources. Although the possi- l ll flooding could cause major adverse effects on bility of loss of life would be extreme y sma , the visitors, employees, and property in- there would be some danger to visitors and volved. Any loss of life would be irretrievable. employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and the risks would be minor to moderate, but flooding could cause major adverse RELATIONSHIPS OF SHORT-TERM impacts on the visitors, employees, and USES OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND property involved. LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY Noise, artificial lighting, and human activities As was described on page 54, this no-action associated with ongoing visitor and adminis- alternative would continue to preserve trative use of the national monument would cultural resources (quarries, the visitor center, prevent natural prairie ecosystems and wild- Sun Dances, the Three Maidens, and museum life populations from reaching their full po- collections). It also would preserve and re- tential in size and population density. The store tallgrass prairie. quarrying of pipestone by Indians of all tribes as provided for in the enabling legislation The occupation of the floodplains at head- would continue to reduce the quantity of this quarters, the employee residence, and the natural resource at the national monument.

165

IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 1

CULTURAL RESOURCES 36 CFR 800.6(b). Mitigation identified in the memorandum of agreement would reduce the Cultural Landscapes intensity of impact from major to moderate. Removing the visitor center from the potential Before constructing any facilities or trail ethnographic landscape, whose status is yet changes (for example, involving the Circle undetermined as a traditional cultural prop- Trail, which probably contains features of all erty eligible for the National Register of His- eight potential cultural landscapes), the Na- toric Places, would be a moderate to major tional Park Service would undertake more long-term beneficial effect on the “Prehistoric site-specific study of the affected landscapes. Quarrying into the Historic Period” aspect of This would be done to ensure that character- the ethnographic landscape. defining features (topography, vegetation, circulation, spatial organization, land use, The status of the potential ethnographic land- natural systems and elements, historic struc- scape as a traditional cultural property is still tures and views, and small-scale elements) undetermined. To be considered a traditional would not be affected or that the effects cultural property, an ethnographic resource would be minimal. The potential adverse ef- must be listed in or eligible for listing in the fects on cultural landscapes from such con- National Register of Historic Places. A minor struction would be long term but of negligible long-term beneficial effect would result from to minor intensity. removing the visitor center from the potential ethnographic landscape. As was mentioned earlier, as part of the general management plan process, NPS cultural Cumulative Effects. Agricultural develop- resource specialists from the Midwest Region- ment and construction in and around Pipe- al Office evaluated the Mission 66 develop- stone National Monument have previously ment at the national monument for eligibility affected potential cultural landscapes both in for listing in the National Register of Historic the national monument and in the general Places and determined that several properties vicinity. These activities have disturbed or meet the national register criteria for historic changed the prairie setting and ultimately re- significance. (see p. 115). The Minnesota state duced the amount of surviving tallgrass prai- historic preservation office concurred with rie. Areas where such activities have occurred this determination in June 2003. These are the Pipestone Indian School and its suc- historic features are being treated as eligible, cessor, the Minnesota West Community and and it is anticipated that they will be Technical College north and northeast of the nominated to the national register (see p. 115). national monument and subdivisions to the east, south, and west, as well as agricultural The Mission 66 visitor center, a contributing areas farther outside the boundaries. The feature of the Mission 66 (1957–1969) cultural long-term adverse effects on the tallgrass prai- landscape, would be removed and razed un- rie as the setting in cultural landscapes have der this alternative. The long-term effects on ranged from minor to major. that national register-eligible cultural landscape would be major and adverse. It is likely Reasonably foreseeable future actions that that a memorandum of agreement would be could occur throughout the region — for ex- executed among the National Park Service, ample, continued subdivision and proposed the Minnesota state historic preservation commercial development — also would dis- officer, and the Advisory Council on Historic turb cultural landscapes outside the national Preservation (if necessary) in accordance with monument by damaging or destroying

166 Impacts of Alternative 1 remnant tallgrass prairie patches that might Council on Historic Preservation (36 CFR otherwise remain and altered prairie lands 800.5, “Assessment of Adverse Effects”), the that might be restored by the recovery of National Park Service concludes that imple- native plant species. The long-term regional menting alternative 1 would cause a long-term adverse impacts on the prairie components of adverse effect on the Mission 66 cultural cultural landscapes from agricultural landscape, which is eligible for the national development and construction would range register. Razing the Mission 66 visitor center from minor to major. would alter a character-defining feature of the cultural landscape and diminish the integrity Prairie restoration is underway through the of the landscape to the extent that its national recovery of native plant species at the Nature register eligibility would be jeopardized. Be- Conservancy’s Hole in the Mountain property fore razing the visitor center, the National near the town of Lake Benton. Prairie restora- Park Service would negotiate a memorandum tion also is underway in the USFWS/MDNR of agreement with the Minnesota state his- Pipestone Wildlife Management Area north of toric preservation officer about mitigating the the national monument. Similar programs are adverse effect on the Mission 66 cultural in place to the southwest at Split Rock Creek landscape. The contributing CCC features State Park and to the southeast at Blue constructed by students of the Pipestone Mounds State Park (where a bison herd is Indian School would not be affected because maintained). These programs would lead to a the current trail system to which these moderate long-term beneficial effect on asso- features are integral would remain in place, ciated cultural landscapes. and the proposed new trail segment would not disturb them. Remnant prairie preservation and prairie restoration from the recovery of native plant Conclusion. Seven of the eight potential cul- species would result in long-term minor to tural landscapes would not be adversely af- moderate beneficial effects on landscapes in fected by the actions of alternative 1. Remov- the national monument that are potentially ing the visitor center from the potential ethno- eligible for the national register. Alternative 1 graphic landscape, whose status is yet unde- would contribute to the overall moderate termined as a traditional cultural property beneficial long-term cumulative effects on eligible for the National Register of Historic cultural landscapes in the region from prairie Places, would result in a moderate to major restoration. long-term beneficial effect on the “Prehistoric Quarrying into the Historic Period” aspect of The potential effects on landscapes eligible for the ethnographic landscape. There would be national register listing that could not be major long-term adverse effects on one avoided could be adverse. Such effects would historic cultural landscape. range in intensity from minor to major, depending on the scope of the potential actions Because there would be no major adverse and the landscape features and patterns af- effects on a resource or value whose conserva- fected. Because implementing alternative 1 tion is (1) necessary to fulfill specific purposes would result in razing the Mission 66 visitor identified in the establishing legislation of center, this alternative would contribute a Pipestone National Monument; (2) key to its long-term major adverse impact to the overall natural or cultural integrity or opportunities cumulative minor to major adverse impacts of for its enjoyment, or (3) identified as a goal in other past, present, and reasonably foresee- its general management plan or other relevant able actions. NPS planning documents, the national monument’s resources or values would not be Section 106 Summary. After applying the impaired. criteria of adverse effect of the Advisory

167 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

Ethnographic Resources not be culturally appropriate because it apparently is not a traditional Sun Dance site, Visitors could be intrusive to American Indian the effects would be moderate, adverse, and individuals placing offerings like sage, food, long term in relation to their opinions about and personal items at the nearby Three revitalizing and reinforcing their traditional Maidens rock formation. The effects from cultural identity. occasional, inadvertent intrusion on traditional use of the Three Maidens as an ethno- The north quarry line would remain a location graphic resource would be minor, adverse, for sweat lodges, and it still would be closed to and long term. visitors. Although visitors still would be directed to stay on designated trails, they occa- The picnic area and restrooms near the Three sionally stray off the trails, inadvertently in- Maidens rock formation would be removed as truding on American Indian practitioners a source of inadvertent visitor intrusion, and using sweat lodges. This occasional and the summer use of the Three Maidens as a inadvertent intrusion would apply to sweat component of the Hiawatha Pageant would lodge users in the areas of the north and Sun cease, ending a specially permitted intrusion. Dance quarries. The effects from such visitor This would be a minor long-term beneficial intrusion on American Indian use of the sweat effect. lodges would range from negligible to minor and be adverse and long term. Although there would be new trails creating a new circulation pattern, including new access This occasional and inadvertent intrusion to the Circle Trail, that trail itself would re- from straying visitors would apply to quarriers main unchanged. Therefore, American Indian in the area of the main quarries and in the Sun access for similar religious reasons as above to Dance quarry area. During the two times of the ethnographic resources associated with summer when the two different Sun Dances the Circle Trail — the Old Stone Face / Leap- are performed, visitors are welcome at the Sun ing Rock, Winnewissa Falls, and the Oracle Dance ceremonies as long as they observe the rock formation — would be unchanged. Visi- protocols. Occasionally and inadvertently, tors walking along the trail occasionally would wandering visitors intrude inappropriately inadvertently intrude on American Indian during Sun Dances. The effects from such visi- practitioners. The effects caused by such inad- tor intrusion on American Indian use of the vertent visitor intrusion on traditional use of sweat lodges in the northern sweat lodge area, these ethnographic resources would be minor, the quarries in the main quarry area, and the adverse, and long term. Sun Dances in the Sun Dance area as ethnographic resources would range from negligible The two annual Sun Dances would continue to minor and be adverse and long term. How- to take place, even if limited somewhat by the ever, overall in this alternative, the effects establishment of carrying capacity numbers from reducing the chances of visitor intrusion for the land. The area in the national monu- on American Indian use of the sweat lodges as ment designated for this ceremonial purpose ethnographic resources by requiring all of would continue to serve as a place of cultural them to be placed in a more remote location expression. To American Indians who feel would be minor, beneficial, and long term. that continuing the Sun Dance here would be culturally appropriate because it seems to be a Overall, visitors walking among the quarries good modern site for a Sun Dance, the effects could cause occasional and inadvertent intru- would be minor, beneficial, and long-term in sions on American Indian practitioners work- relation to their concept of traditional cultural ing the main quarries or the Sun Dance identity. To American Indians who feel that quarry. The effects from visitor intrusion on continuing the Sun Dance in this place would the traditional use of the quarries as

168 Impacts of Alternative 1 ethnographic resources would be minor, on potential ethnographic landscapes adverse, and long term. associated with traditional scenes.

Cumulative Effects. The ethnographic land- The development of a parklike environment scape of Pipestone National Monument is for American Indians to quarry catlinite pipe- prairie background setting for the ongoing but stone through the Pipestone Indian School traditional American Indian quarrying in what and then as a national monument has meant is now the national monument. change in American Indian access to ethnographic resources. That change generally has Agricultural development and construction in been caused by the development of trails, and around Pipestone National Monument bridges, and parking lots to make physical have previously affected the prairie setting access to various ethnographic resources both in the national monument and in the more convenient. To the extent that American general vicinity. These activities have dis- Indians value convenience (for example, to turbed or changed the prairie setting and ulti- help the elderly participate in activities), the mately reduced the amount of surviving tall- long-term effects on ethnographic resources grass prairie. Areas where such activities have from the past and at present were minor to occurred are the Pipestone Indian School and moderate and beneficial. To the extent that its successor, the Minnesota West Community the natural setting contributes to the value of and Technical College north and northeast of American Indian traditional use (there is some the national monument and subdivisions to evidence from NPS observation of American the east, south, and west, as well as agricul- Indian practitioners that it does) and that tural areas farther outside the boundaries. there has been a change in the setting away Regional long-term adverse effects on the from nature associated with development, the tallgrass prairie as a setting reminiscent of a long-term effects on ethnographic resources time before European–American influences from the past and at present were minor to continue to range from minor to major. moderate and adverse.

Reasonably foreseeable future actions oc- Traditional American Indian practices associ- curring throughout the region — for example, ated with ethnographic resources (which hap- continued subdivision and proposed com- pen to be all natural resources at Pipestone mercial development — also could disturb the National Monument) are subject to inadver- prairie setting outside the national monument tent distraction from encounters by visitors. by threatening any remnant tallgrass prairie Past visitor use patterns have resulted in such patches that might remain and any altered encounters, which have caused long-term prairie lands that might be restored by the negligible to minor adverse impacts on recovery of native plant species. American Indian practitioners.

In the region, prairie restoration through the Development has affected ethnographic re- recovery of native plant species is underway at sources outside of the national monument by the Nature Conservancy’s Hole in the Moun- making identifying potential ethnographic tain property near Lake Benton. Prairie resources harder because of changes brought restoration also is underway in the USFWS/ about by agriculture and home and commer- MDNR Pipestone Wildlife Management Area cial development. Various rock art sites, in- north of the national monument. Similar pro- cluding Pipestone National Monument, show grams are in place at Split Rock Creek State the importance of the state of Minnesota as a Park, Touch the Sky Prairie in Rock County, rock art district worthy of listing in the Na- and at Blue Mounds State Park (where a bison tional Register of Historic Places, which herd is maintained). These programs would happened on October 15, 1996. result in moderate long-term beneficial effects

169 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

In Minnesota, in the region around the na- the picnic area and restrooms near the Three tional monument, the following locations Maidens rock formation would result in a could contain ethnographic resources rele- long-term minor beneficial effect. Continuing vant to American Indians: Blue Mounds State the two annual Sun Dances would result in Park, Jeffers Petroglyphs State Historic Site, either a long-term minor beneficial effect or a Split Rock Creek State Park, and the USFWS moderate adverse effect, depending on the land administered by the Minnesota Depart- perspective of the person rendering the ment of Natural Resources, which is just north opinion. of the national monument. Jeffers Petroglyphs State Historic Site is the only one that main- Because there would be no major adverse tains an ongoing program of consultation with effects on a resource or value whose conser- American Indians to identify ethnographic re- vation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific pur- sources (as does Pipestone National Monu- poses identified in the establishing legislation ment). The fact that some ongoing American of Pipestone National Monument, (2) key to Indian consultations are underway and con- its natural or cultural integrity or opportuni- tinuing is beneficial. More ethnographic infor- ties for its enjoyment, or (3) identified as a mation should result, which would be a minor goal in its general management plan or other long-term beneficial effect. relevant NPS planning documents, the national monument’s resources or values would not Removing the picnic area and restrooms near be impaired. the Three Maidens rock formation under alternative 1 would contribute a long-term Historic Structures minor beneficial effect to the cumulative effects of other past, present, and reasonably If the visitor center function was moved out of foreseeable actions. Although alternative 1 the national monument, the national register- would contribute both adverse and beneficial eligible Mission 66 visitor center building effects to such cumulative effects, and these would be razed. The effect on this historic would be small components of any overall structure would be major, adverse, and long cumulative effect, the overall contribution to term. The National Park Service would not cumulative effects would be beneficial. take this action before consulting with the state historic preservation officer and Section 106 Summary. Since the “Affected identifying appropriate mitigation; for Environment” chapter suggests that tradi- example, architectural, historical, and tional cultural properties (ethnographic re- photographic documentation. sources eligible to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places) may be repre- A memorandum of agreement (MOA) be- sented at the national monument by the entire tween the National Park Service and the state national monument or by individual resour- historic preservation office would be sought ces, in accordance with the criteria of adverse in accordance with 36 CFR 800.6(b). If neces- effect of the Advisory Council on Historic sary the Advisory Council on Historic Preser- Preservation (36 CFR 800.5), the determina- vation also would be included in the memo- tion of effect on traditional cultural properties randum of agreement. The MOA mitigative would be no adverse effect. measures would reduce the intensity of the impacts on the visitor center building from Conclusion. The inadvertent distracting ac- major to moderate, but the effects would re- cess of visitors to ethnographic resources in main adverse and long term. However, if the the presence of traditional practitioners visitor center function was relocated to down- would mean that the effects on traditional use town Pipestone in a historic building or build- associated with ethnographic resources would ings of Sioux quartzite, it would result in a be minor, adverse, and long term. Removing

170 Impacts of Alternative 1 long-term moderate beneficial effect on the The 1970s addition enhanced the function of city’s and county’s historic preservation pro- the historic fabric and is part of historic sig- gram by promoting the rehabilitation and use nificance of the visitor center’s eligibility in its of historic buildings. own right for the National Register of Historic Places. The historic fabric of the structure With the Pipestone Indian School superinten- could be threatened by its apparent location in dent’s house not being acquired by the Na- the 500-year and 100-year floodplains. How- tional Park Service under alternative 1, the ever, past flooding of Pipestone Creek sug- National Park Service could contribute to the gests that any serious damage would be un- preservation and rehabilitation of this historic likely, although damage still could result. structure (see appendix F). Any rehabilitation Vandalism has not been a problem at the visi- assistance would necessitate conformance tor center. with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, with Actions expected in the region in the reason- Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, ably foreseeable future, such as continued Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic subdivision and commercial development, Buildings. With much of the external historic have no potential to affect historic structures fabric — the façade —preserved and the in the national monument. Such actions interior possibly redesigned (to make the would result in a negligible effect, if any, on building serve visitors and staffers better), the historic structures outside the national monu- effects on this structure would be moderate, ment, except that this economic activity ap- beneficial, and long term. These actions would pears to be generating no funding to preserve be taken only after development of a the Indian School superintendent’s house, Memorandum of Agreement with the State which is listed in the National Register of His- Historic Preservation Officer. toric Places. However, under this alternative the National Park Service would help the Cumulative Effects. Past actions in the na- owners of the Indian School superintendent’s tional monument were the development of house preserve and interpret the structure. trails, bridges, and parking lots and the con- This would contribute to the historic preser- struction of maintenance facilities and two vation efforts that are in place in the city of houses now used as a resource management Pipestone and other towns in the County to office and a residence for a law enforcement rehabilitate and adaptively reuse the late 19th ranger. Placing the visitor center in a central century business and municipal architecture location on the Circle Trail was consistent characterized by the use of local Sioux quartz- with the “centralize and circulate” thinking of ite as the predominant building material. the Mission 66 era. The development of that trail has affected the way visitors use the visi- Preserving and interpreting the Pipestone tor center, but since the center was centrally Indian School superintendent’s house under placed, development in the national monu- alternative 1, pending available funding, ment has not affected the historic fabric of this would complement the razing of the national late 1950s Mission 66 structure, unless the monument’s visitor center and relocating the 1970s addition of space for the Pipestone visitor center function. If the visitor center Indian Shrine Association is viewed in that function was relocated to downtown light. However, adding that space was con- Pipestone in a historic building or buildings of sistent with the Mission 66 philosophy be- Sioux quartzite, it would result in a long-term cause it allowed visitors to watch American moderate beneficial effect on the city’s and Indian pipestone carvers at work. The ability county’s historic preservation program by for visitors to interact with and learn from the promoting the rehabilitation and use of demonstrators has become part of the central- historic buildings. ized aspect of the visitor experience.

171 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

NPS help in preserving and interpreting the adverse effect on the national register-listed Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s house also would contribute a long-term house. moderate beneficial effect on local and regional historic preservation. The cumulative Conclusion. Razing the Mission 66 visitor impacts associated with alternative 1 would be center building would cause a major long- long term and both adverse and beneficial. term adverse effect. Rehabilitating the Pipe- stone Indian School superintendent’s house Razing the Mission 66 visitor center would would result in a moderate beneficial long- contribute a long-term major adverse impact term effect on that historic structure. to any overall cumulative impact. However, those adverse impacts would be partially off- Although razing the Mission 66 visitor center set by the long-term moderate beneficial ef- would be a permanent, adverse impact of fects of the other actions. In addition, the ad- major intensity and long-term duration, there verse effect caused by razing the visitor center would be no major adverse impacts on a would be reduced from major to moderate resource or value whose conservation is (1) through a memorandum of agreement with necessary to fulfill specific purposes identified the state historic preservation officer for miti- in the establishing legislation of Pipestone Na- gation. Although implementing alternative 1 tional Monument, (2) key to its natural or cul- would result in both adverse and beneficial tural integrity or opportunities for its enjoy- effects, its overall contribution to cumulative ment, or (3) identified as a goal in its general effects would be adverse. management plan or other relevant NPS planning documents; therefore, the national Section 106 Summary. After applying the monument’s resources or values would not be criteria of adverse effects of the Advisory impaired. Council on Historic Preservation (36 CFR 800.5), the National Park Service concludes Museum Collections and Archives that implementing alternative 1 would result in an adverse effect on the national monu- Relocating the visitor center away from the ment’s historic properties listed in or eligible national monument under alternative 1 and to be listed in the National Register of His- including in the new quarters a section toric Places, namely the Mission 66 visitor designed and rehabilitated to meet state-of- center. Before razing the Mission 66 visitor the-art museum standards would result in the center, Pipestone National Monument would following effects on museum collections and negotiate and execute a memorandum of archives: The effects from the risk involved in agreement with the Minnesota state historic moving artifacts, specimens, and archives preservation officer in accordance with 36 would be negligible to minor, adverse, and CFR 800.6 (c), “Resolution of Adverse Effects: short term. Every effort would be made to Memorandum of Agreement.” The memoran- ensure the protection of all objects during the dum of agreement would stipulate how the move and reinstallation. Having essential adverse effect would be mitigated, for ex- additional space for future curation, research, ample, by documenting and recording the and storage — better protected and structure before it was demolished. It is ex- environmentally controlled — and being free pected that the mitigative measures identified of the current location in the 100-year and in the memorandum of agreement would re- 500-year floodplains would result in moderate duce the intensity of the adverse impact from to major long-term beneficial effects major to moderate. Assuming technical assistance is available (see appendix F), the Cumulative Effects. In the past and at present National Park Service also concludes that the national monument’s museum collections implementing alternative 1 would have no

172 Impacts of Alternative 1 and archives have been at risk by being NATURAL RESOURCES housed in the visitor center, which is in the floodplain. If Pipestone Creek flooded, the Vegetation long-term adverse impacts on museum collections and archives would range from mod- Remnant Tallgrass Prairie. Remnant prairie erate to major. The intensity of the impact has survived despite other uses having taken would depend on the amount and rate of place. It is made up of Sioux quartzite prairie, flooding, whether there was sufficient warn- mesic crystalline bedrock prairie, and oak sa- ing to enable the staff to implement the evacu- vanna/woodland. In this document, the ef- ation plan that is in place for protecting the fects on the remnant prairie as a whole will be collections and archives, and how high from described under remnant tallgrass prairie. the floor particular artifacts and documents or Effects specific to mesic crystalline bedrock photographs were stored in relation to the prairie will be described under that heading. height of the water entering the storage area. The alternatives would not affect the other However, in alternative 1, relocating the mu- two components of remnant tallgrass prairie, seum collections and archives away from the Sioux quartzite prairie and oak savan- national monument (in a relocated and re- na/woodland. habilitated visitor center, possibly in downtown Pipestone) would result in long-term Placing most of the national monument in the moderate beneficial effects because the threat prairie preservation zone would decrease the of flooding would be eliminated. fragmentation of the remnant prairie (by removing facilities), improving its sustaina- Conclusion. Museum collections and ar- bility. The decrease in fragmentation would chives would be better secured under alter- reduce the number of corridors for the native 1. Negligible to minor adverse short- invasion of exotics and improve the success of term impacts would result from the risk of exotic control. packing, moving, storing, and reinstalling the artifacts, specimens, and documents to newly Establishing a carrying capacity for the 8-acre rehabilitated quarters. Moderate long-term Sun Dance area in the ceremonial use zone at beneficial effects would result from providing the north end of the prairie might reduce the new state-of-the-art space for museum collec- twice-annual degradation of the remnant prai- tions and archives away from the national rie. Heavy use in this zone would continue to monument, possibly in downtown Pipestone, denude native vegetation and increase the en- to conduct future curation, research, and croachment of exotics. Mowing and trampling storage. of the site during its use would continue to decrease fuel loading and fuel continuity, which Because there would be no major adverse would reduce the ability of the prairie to carry effects on a resource or value whose conser- fire, an important means of enhancing the vation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific pur- preservation of the prairie ecosystem. Con- poses identified in the establishing legislation tinued use of the northern part of the remnant of Pipestone National Monument, (2) key to prairie for large gatherings would increase the its natural or cultural integrity or opportuni- potential for the loss of native plants. How- ties for its enjoyment, or (3) identified as a ever, managing use within a carrying capacity goal in its general management plan or other would control the intensity of use, potentially relevant NPS planning documents, the causing measurable improvement in the national monument’s resources or values condition of native plants in the 8-acre area. would not be impaired. The effect would be minor, long term, and beneficial.

173 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

Removing the visitor center, parking, and the reseed areas with native seed of tallgrass road from the visitor center to the south quar- prairie plants. ry entrance, two houses, a residential area road, and a garage, would allow the restora- The restored tallgrass prairie would be in- tion of approximately 6 acres of remnant prai- creased in size through intensively managing rie. The increase in abundance and distribu- most of the national monument in the prairie tion of remnant prairie and the reduction in preservation zone. The National Park Service fragmentation would be a minor long-term would coordinate and cooperate with the U.S. beneficial effect on remnant tallgrass prairie. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on pre- Acquiring the school district’s land on the scribed burns, managing prairie and exotic northeast boundary of the monument and species, Sun Dances, and access to the intensively managing it would make it possible northern quarries, as well as on trash removal to restore 15.3 acres of farm fields, exotic and possibly law enforcement. This could trees, and buckthorn to remnant prairie and result in a substantial increase in the abun- further buffer the prairie in the national dance and distribution of the prairie commun- monument from the invasion of exotic spe- ity, a major long-term beneficial effect. cies. The increase in the abundance and distribution of remnant tallgrass prairie would There would be a loss of about 1 acre of re- result in a minor long-term beneficial effect on stored prairie from converting the mainten- this community type. ance storage area above the falls to parking, a prairie overlook, a kiosk, restrooms, and a na- Mesic Crystalline Bedrock Prairie. Remov- tional monument entrance. A loss of about 0.5 ing the entrance road from the south quarry acre of restored prairie would result from entrance to the visitor center, the visitor cen- building a trail from the new parking area to ter itself, and the parking area and restoring Winnewissa Falls. The new trail would in- natural contours west of the south quarry line crease the fragmentation of this community would improve water flow through the na- for the length of the trail. These effects, which tional monument, potentially restoring his- would occur over a relatively small area, toric soil moisture levels in the mesic prairie, a would be minor, long term, and adverse. potential moderate long-term beneficial effect. Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and development have greatly reduced native prairie There would be a slight loss of mesic crystal- plants. Plants have been affected by being line bedrock prairie, about 0.25 acre, from displaced, and habitat has been lost through constructing a 6-car parking area for south agricultural uses and introduction of nonna- quarry line access. Converting the mainten- tive plants. ance storage area to parking would result in no net change in the mesic crystalline bedrock In the past, flourishing exotic plants on the prairie. Overall, this loss of about 0.25 acre of adjacent USFWS/MDNR land north of the prairie would not affect the overall viability of national monument were a source of seed that the plant community and would be a minor was dispersed to the national monument. long-term adverse impact on the prairie. The development of some private lands for Restored Tallgrass Prairie. The restored residential or commercial uses (such as those tallgrass prairie plant community covers an east and south of the national monument area where tallgrass prairie was lost to agri- boundary) could increase runoff, wind ero- cultural activities but is being restored by sion, the number of exotics, and soil compac- national monument staff, who reduce the tion and could alter soil regimes. numbers and extent of exotic plants and

174 Impacts of Alternative 1

The past impacts of agriculture and develop- feasible. Should it be infeasible to avoid wet- ment on vegetation covered wide areas and lands during the removal and restoration, the were adverse. The effects of current and anti- planning team would prepare a statement of cipated future actions outside the national findings for wetlands in cooperation with the monument, in conjunction with the impacts of Water Resources Division of the National this alternative, would result in major long- Park Service to explain why the impact would term adverse impacts on tallgrass prairie. be unavoidable and describe mitigating mea- Most of the impacts would result from devel- sures that would be used. opment outside of the national monument, which might or might not be mitigated. The More intensive exotic control would improve actions of this alternative would contribute the condition of native riparian vegetation. only a minuscule increment to the overall There would be potential for an increase in cumulative impact. wetland habitat following the removal of the visitor center, the entrance road from the Conclusion. Acquiring the school district visitor center to south quarry entrance, and lands and restoring 15.3 acres to remnant prai- associated road drainage structures, two rie, managing the use of the 8-acre Sun Dance houses, a garage, and a road — and the area within a carrying capacity, and removing restoration of natural contours. This would be 6 acres of development, followed by the a minor long-term beneficial effect. restoration of remnant tallgrass prairie, would result in a minor long-term beneficial effect on Cumulative Effects. Some wetlands in and this community type. outside of the national monument have been filled to make more land available for growing Removing the entrance road from the south crops. These practices decrease wetland areas quarry entrance to the visitor center, and degrade natural and beneficial wetland removing the visitor center and parking area, values in exchange for benefit to agricultural and restoring natural contours west of the uses. NPS structures and visitor uses in wet- south quarry line would improve water flow land areas contribute to the loss of natural and through the national monument, potentially beneficial values. restoring historic soil moisture levels in the mesic crystalline bedrock prairie — a potential The presence of tiles over a wide area, perhaps moderate long-term beneficial effect. including the national monument, and continued heavy use of Pipestone Creek would Increasing the size of the restored tallgrass continue to result in major long-term reduc- prairie would cause a substantial increase in tions in wetland area and in beneficial values the abundance and distribution of the prairie of wetlands in the national monument and community, a major long-term beneficial upstream and downstream of the national effect. monument. Further development in wetlands outside the national monument for residen- Wetlands and Riparian Corridor tial, agricultural, or commercial uses would decrease the area in which natural and bene- Before the design was begun for the removal ficial wetland values would be preserved. of the visitor center, roads, parking, a garage, and residences, wetland areas would be de- The severe hydrological alterations of the lineated with the use of the Cowardin system creek’s watershed have increased sediment (as described in U.S. EPA 1989). Wetland deposition, causing a change in both floral and areas would be avoided in the removal of facil- faunal composition along the creek corridor. ities and the restoration of sites, and filled The past impacts of agriculture and urbaniza- wetlands on the sites would be restored if tion on wetlands covered wide areas and were

175 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES major and adverse. The continuing use of agri- long-term effect on natural and beneficial cultural and other chemicals that make their floodplain values. way into Pipestone Creek contributes to adverse impacts on wetlands along the creek. Flooding. Removing the visitor center (in- The impacts on wetlands from other current cluding the fuel storage building, the museum and anticipated future actions, in conjunction collections and parking area, the road from with the impacts of this alternative, would be the visitor center to the south quarry entrance, moderate, long term, and adverse. Most im- the employee residence, the house used for pacts would result from development actions administrative offices, and the garage) from outside the national monument, which might the floodplain would mean that these facilities or might not be mitigated. The actions of this no longer would restrict floodwaters or de- alternative would contribute only a minuscule crease permeability in the floodplain. Remov- increment to the overall cumulative impact. ing the fuel storage facility at the visitor center and removing the maintenance function from Conclusion. The actions of alternative 1 the area would prevent the potential spilling would have an appreciable effect on natural of fuels used in maintenance vehicles and processes and a minor long-term beneficial equipment into floodwaters in the event of a effect on wetlands, including those in the 100-year flood. riparian corridor. The wetlands resources in the national monument, including those in the More impermeable surfaces would be placed riparian corridor, would not be impaired by within the 100-year floodplain by replacing the actions of this alternative. the maintenance storage area with a paved visitor parking area, an overlook, a kiosk, and restrooms above the falls and by adding a Floodplains small parking area at the south quarry en- Natural and Beneficial Floodplain Values. trance. This would cover about 1 acre, de- Removing the visitor center (including the fuel creasing the permeability of areas within the storage building, the museum collections and floodplain. Together, these actions would parking area, the road from the visitor center cause a local impact on flooding. The net to the south quarry entrance, the employee removal of about 5 acres of buildings and residence, the house used for administrative impermeable surfaces would have a minor offices, the garage, and the residential area long term beneficial effect on flooding. road) from the floodplain would allow for the Under alternative 1, removing the visitor cen- restoration of natural and beneficial flood- ter, parking, the entrance road, an employee plain values in the area of these facilities. The residence, and a house used for administrative natural functioning of the floodplain would be offices would mean that few visitors and em- restored over about 6 acres. Replacing the ployees would be at risk from flooding. Some maintenance outdoor equipment storage area would be at risk if they were in the new park- with a visitor parking area, a kiosk, an over- ing area that would replace the maintenance look, and restrooms above the falls and adding storage area, in the small parking area at the a small parking area at the south quarry en- south quarry entrance, on the Circle Trail, or trance would place additional impermeable in or near the quarries. Although the possibil- surfaces within the 100-year floodplain, re- ity of loss of life would be extremely small, ducing natural and beneficial floodplain val- there would be some danger to visitors and ues. There would be a net gain of about 5 acres employees. Severe flooding has been infre- of reduced development in the floodplain, and quent, and the risks would be minor to mod- natural and beneficial floodplain values would erate, but flooding could cause major adverse be restored. This would be a minor beneficial impacts on the visitors, employees, and property involved.

176 Impacts of Alternative 1

If this alternative was selected for imple- junction with the impacts of this alternative, mentation, a statement of findings for flood- would be moderate, long term, and adverse. plains would be prepared because locating a Most impacts would result from agricultural large parking area (such as the one at the site use and development actions outside of the of the maintenance storage area) within the national monument, which might or might not 100- year floodplain is contrary to NPS policy. be mitigated. The actions of alternative 1 The statement of findings would explain why would contribute a minuscule increment to the best available alternative would be to re- the overall cumulative effect. move most facilities from the floodplain, leave part of the entrance road in the floodplain, Conclusion. The net removal of about 5 acres and construct a new parking area for visitor of buildings and impermeable surfaces would access within the 100-year floodplain. It also cause a minor long term beneficial effect on would describe mitigating measures that natural and beneficial floodplain values. The would be undertaken to reduce the impacts. continuing impact on the floodplains’ ability to function normally during flooding would Cumulative Effects. The heavy use and ditch- be minor, adverse, and long term. ing of Pipestone Creek upstream have greatly reduced the extent of the floodplain and the Although the possibility of loss of life from natural and beneficial values of floodplains in flooding would be extremely small, there the national monument. would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, Cattle and other farm animals probably have and the risks would be minor to moderate, but been allowed to use some riparian areas in and flooding could cause major adverse impacts near the national monument. This practice de- on the visitors, employees, and property grades natural and beneficial floodplain values involved. The national monument’s flood- in exchange for benefits to agricultural uses. plain resources would not be impaired by the NPS structures and visitor uses in floodplain actions of this alternative. areas contribute to the loss of natural and beneficial values. Hydrology Further development in floodplains and wet- Removing the visitor center, the parking area, lands outside the national monument for resi- the road from the visitor center to the south dential, agricultural, or commercial uses quarry entrance, two houses, a garage, and the would decrease the area in which natural and associated road and recontouring the area beneficial floodplain values would be would partially restore water flow patterns preserved. across the national monument. Acquiring the school district lands south of the Minnesota Under this alternative, the natural and bene- West Community and Technical College on ficial values of floodplain areas would contin- the national monument’s eastern boundary ue to be compromised by the development at would maintain water flow patterns because national monument headquarters, the em- development would not occur and remnant ployee residence, the house used for adminis- prairie would be restored. Overall, this would tration, and the storage of hazardous chemi- be a moderate long-term local beneficial effect cals at headquarters. on hydrology. The past impacts of agriculture and urbaniza- Cumulative Effects. The area’s hydrology has tion on floodplains covered wide areas and been greatly altered by the heavy use and were adverse. Impacts on floodplains from ditching of Pipestone Creek upstream, the current and anticipated future actions inside removal of water with wells, quarrying on and outside the national monument, in con-

177 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES adjacent land, the use of tiles to drain areas Soils would continue to be sterilized in areas near and possibly within the national monu- of fire rings used for cooking and sweat ment, the reduction of the height of Winne- lodges. Establishing a carrying capacity for the wissa Falls in the national monument, and ceremonial area based on acceptable levels of residential and commercial development. resource impact would result in a minor beneficial long-term effect on soil at the cere- Under this alternative, removing the develop- monial ground (8 acres). ment and acquiring the school district lands south of the Minnesota West Community and Removing development at the visitor center, Technical College would maintain or improve the parking area, the entrance road to the water flow patterns. The past effects on hy- south quarry entrance, a residence, a house drology from draining land and altering water used for offices, and a garage would remove flows for agriculture and urbanization cov- impermeable surfaces from about 6 acres of ered wide areas, were adverse to natural water soil, allowing it to function more naturally. If flow, and restricted the distribution of surface grading the site was required, some of the soil water through the surrounding landscape. profile would be permanently lost. However, it is possible that regrading would affect only The effects on hydrology from current and fill that was brought in for the construction of anticipated future actions inside and outside the visitor center. Removing these facilities the national monument, in conjunction with would result in a minor beneficial long-term the impacts of this alternative, would be effect on soils. moderate, long term, and adverse. Most impacts would result from agricultural use and Converting the maintenance outdoor equip- development actions outside the national ment storage area to a paved parking area and monument, which might or might not be adding a small parking area at the south mitigated. The actions of this alternative quarry entrance would compact and cover would contribute a minuscule increment to soils on about 1 acre with an impermeable the overall cumulative impact. surface. If grading of the parking area site was required, some of the soil profile would be Conclusion. Alternative 1 would result in a permanently lost. Overall, this would be a moderate long-term local beneficial effect on minor long-term adverse impact on soils. hydrology. The national monument’s hydrologic resources would not be impaired by the Constructing a trail from the new parking area actions of alternative 1. to the top of Winnewissa Falls would result in about 0.5 acre of soil disturbance and would Soils cover about 0.5 acre of soil with an impermeable surface. Soil productivity would be re- Establishing carrying capacities based on ac- duced because the impermeable surface ceptable levels of resource impact might re- would prevent natural soil processes from duce soil compaction if the carrying capacities occurring, a long-term minor adverse impact. were set below the current levels of use. Cere- monies attended by large groups of people Cumulative Effects. Agriculture has led to (450 or more people on 8 acres once each the erosion of soils by removing native vege- summer and 50 people once each summer) tation. This, along with tilling the soil, has left compact soils at the ceremonial grounds. The soils exposed to erosion by wind and water. compacting is greater in areas of heavy, con- The future development of some private lands centrated use such as the kitchen / cooking (such as those on or near national monument structure area and the sweat lodge fire ring. borders and in the city of Pipestone) for residential, tourist-related, or other uses could

178 Impacts of Alternative 1 increase runoff, wind erosion, and soil com- Minnesota Division of Wildlife to coop- paction and alter soil regimes. eratively manage adjacent boundary lands as one contiguous prairie preservation The past effects on soils from agriculture cov- zone while conforming to the designated ered wide areas and were adverse. This alter- purpose of each agency native would result in an overall minor benefi- • acquiring the school district lands south of cial long-term effect on about 14 acres and a Minnesota West Community and Techni- minor long-term adverse effect on 1.5 acres. cal College on the national monument’s The effects on soils from current and antici- eastern boundary (15.3 acres) and pated future actions inside and outside of the managing this land as prairie national monument, in conjunction with the effects of this alternative, would be moderate • removing the visitor center, the parking and adverse because they would change the area, part of the main road, two houses, a character of the soils over a relatively wide garage, and the maintenance storage area area, and mitigating measures probably would (6 acres) and managing this land as prairie be necessary to offset adverse effects. Most effects would result from development out- These actions would improve habitat for side the national monument, which might or many faunal groups such as birds, reptiles, might not be mitigated. The actions of alter- amphibians, and insects. Paving the main- native 1 would contribute a minuscule incre- tenance storage area for parking would result ment to the overall cumulative effect. in the loss of about 1 acre of disturbed, low quality habitat. Overall, there would be a net Conclusion. Establishing a carrying capacity gain of about 6 acres of habitat, a moderate for the ceremonial area (about 8 acres) and long-term beneficial effect on wildlife. removing facilities from about 6 acres would cause a minor long-term beneficial effect on Mowing about 8 acres and holding Sun soils. If grading of sites was necessary as part Dances on about 8 acres in the ceremonial use of restoration, some of the soil profile would zone at the northern end of the national be permanently lost, a minor long-term ad- monument would continue to degrade verse effect on soil. Converting the main- remnant prairie, thereby degrading wildlife tenance outdoor equipment storage area to habitat and reducing cover and forage. Be- parking (about 1 acre), adding a small parking cause wildlife could use the area during the area at the south quarry entrance, and con- rest of the year, this would be a continuing structing a trail would cause a minor long- minor long-term adverse impact on wildlife. term adverse impact on soils. Establishing a carrying capacity for the Sun Dance grounds might mitigate the adverse The national monument’s soil resources impact on wildlife to some degree, depending would not be impaired by the actions of this on the capacity determined. This small local alternative. effect would be minor, beneficial, and long term. Wildlife Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and develop- Under this alternative, the size and connec- ment have greatly reduced the numbers of tivity of the prairie would be increased by native animals. Animals have been affected by being displaced and killed as vermin, and hab- • placing most of the national monument in itat has been lost through agricultural uses and the prairie preservation zone the introduction of nonnative animals. Wild- • developing a cooperative agreement with life continues to be disrupted by development the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the and human activity.

179 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

The development of some private lands (such This alternative would not have any effect on as those on or near the national monument the Topeka shiner or on critical habitat boundary and in communities) for residential, downstream. commercial, or other uses could alter wildlife habitat and habits and cause the loss of wild- Western Prairie Fringed Orchid. This feder- life in some areas. ally listed threatened plant lives on mesic (moist) prairies and sedge meadows. Remov- The past impacts of agriculture and developing houses and part of the access road and ment on wildlife covered wide areas and were subsequently restoring the natural vegetation adverse. The impacts on wildlife from current would reduce human disturbance of mesic and anticipated future actions outside the crystalline bedrock prairie, thus improving national monument, in conjunction with the orchid habitat. This action would result in a impacts of this alternative, would be mod- minor beneficial long-term effect on the erate, long term, and adverse. Most of the im- orchid. pacts would result from development actions outside the national monument, which might A small portion of orchid habitat south of the or might not be mitigated. The actions of entrance road would be at risk for loss be- alternative 1 would contribute a minuscule cause of placing it in the quarry zone. If this increment to the overall cumulative impact. alternative was chosen to be the new management plan for Pipestone National Monument, Conclusion: A net gain of about 6 acres of before implementing the alternative, the Na- habitat would cause a moderate long-term tional Park Service, in consultation with the beneficial effect on wildlife. Establishing a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, would evaluate carrying capacity for the Sun Dance grounds the potential effects on the orchid and ways to might mitigate the continuing minor long- mitigate those effects. The consultation and term adverse impact on wildlife to some mitigation would ensure that there would be degree. no adverse effect on the orchid.

The national monument’s wildlife resources Removing the sewer and water lines beneath would not be impaired by the actions of the site that the orchids occupy might result in alternative 1. the destruction of some or all of the orchids, a moderate long-term adverse effect on the or- Threatened or Endangered Species chids. At the beginning of the planning or de- and Species of Special Concern sign process for removing the lines, the Na- tional Park Service, in consultation with the Topeka Shiner. This fish, listed as endan- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, would evaluate gered by the federal government, occupies the potential effects on the orchid and ways to prairie rivers and streams. The U.S. Fish and mitigate those effects. Examples of potential Wildlife Service has listed Pipestone Creek mitigation are allowing the sewer and water within the Monument as part of the critical lines to remain underground in the vicinity of habitat for the fish. the orchids or transplanting the orchids during the line removal and replanting them Removing most development from the nation- afterward. This alternative would not affect al monument would not change the habitat of the orchids. the Topeka shiner in the national monument. The Pipestone National Monument staff Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and devel- would continue efforts to ensure that the opment have greatly reduced native plants water quality of Pipestone Creek would not be and animals, including threatened and endan- degraded by staff or visitor actions. gered species. The Topeka shiner has been affected by habitat destruction, degradation,

180 Impacts of Alternative 1 modification, and fragmentation resulting Removing houses and part of the access road from siltation, reduced water quality, tributary and restoring natural vegetation would reduce impoundment, stream channelization, in- human disturbance of the orchid habitat, stream gravel mining, and changes in stream causing a long-term minor beneficial effect. If hydrology. The species also can be affected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined introduced predaceous fishes. that the orchid might be affected by removing the sewer and water lines from beneath one The western prairie fringed orchid has lost site occupied by orchids or by placing a small habitat (tallgrass prairie) to cropland, and its part of orchid habitat in the quarry zone, the remaining habitat has been fragmented. National Park Service would develop miti- “Mowing, haying, and grazing prevent the gating measures in consultation with that plants from flowering, stalling seed produc- agency to ensure that there would be no tion” (Talley 2004). Croplands present an ob- impacts on the orchid. stacle to the free movement of hawkmoths (the orchid’s only known pollinator) between The threatened and endangered species of orchid populations, and pesticide drift from Pipestone National Monument would not be nearby cropland can kill hawkmoths. impaired by the actions of alternative 1.

The development of some private lands, such VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE as those on or near the national monument boundary, as well as development in nearby There would be a change in the visitor experi- communities for residential, commercial, or ence at Pipestone National Monument under other uses, could affect the Topeka shiner or alternative 1. Three small visitor service areas the western prairie fringed orchid by altering around the national monument’s perimeter — suitable habitat. Water use for the develop- a restroom facility, a new entrance road, and a ments or for activities not requiring develop- prairie overlook — would affect visitor access ment could reduce the amount of water into the prime resource area. available for habitat for these species.

The past impacts on threatened and endan- Three Maidens Area gered species from agriculture and urbanization have been major and adverse. The effects The Three Maidens zone would be combined on threatened and endangered species from with the quarry zone in alternative 1, with this current and anticipated future actions outside area reverting to prairie. The long-term effect the national monument, in conjunction with on visitors from seeing the formation and the impacts of alternative 1, are not known other natural resources in their natural prairie because the locations of species outside the setting would be major and beneficial. national monument in areas that might be affected are not known. Given the lack of infor- New Entrance Area mation about impacts outside the national monument, it is not possible to assess the New exhibits would be available only in an relative magnitude of the impacts of alter- offsite facility a few miles from the national native 1 combined with current and antici- monument under alternative 1. This would pated future actions outside the national make visitors’ access to the exhibits a little monument. more difficult, and some visitors might not see the exhibits until after they had visited the Conclusion. This alternative would have no national monument. Therefore, the long-term effect on the Topeka shiner. effect on visitors to the new exhibit area would be moderate and adverse. However,

181 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES the interpretive themes of the national fully accessible would result in a long-term monument would be presented better by the moderate beneficial effect on visitors. new exhibits at the offsite facility. They would be presented in a historically accurate, easy to Prairie Area maintain, culturally unbiased manner that would be both interactive and compelling in The Circle Trail still would loop past the edge design. Therefore, there would be a long-term of the prairie remnant under alternative 1, al- major beneficial effect on the overall visitor lowing visitors to observe the species of vege- experience. tation closely. This would continue to be a major beneficial effect on the visitor experi- A new, adequately sized information desk ence. The new prairie overlook off County would enable the national monument staff to Road 67 would give visitors a sweeping view serve visitors more efficiently under alterna- of the remnant prairie, a major beneficial tive 1, alleviating occasional overcrowding. effect on most visitors. Therefore, the long-term effect on visitors would be moderate and beneficial. Conclusion. Alternative 1 would result in long-term major beneficial effects on the There would continue to be a demonstration visitor experience at the Three Maidens area, area in the new offsite visitor facility. Visitors the exhibits in the new offsite visitor facility, would have the opportunity to see American the restroom accommodations, the Circle Indians making pipes and demonstrating Trail area, and the prairie remnant. There other crafts. There would be a long-term would be long-term moderate beneficial major beneficial effect on visitors from this effects on the visitor experience at the infor- change. mation desk and the quarry area. A long-term moderate adverse effect on visitors would New, fully accessible modern restrooms result in this alternative from the effects on would be available at both the new entrance visitors’ ability to find the new offsite visitor and the kiosk area and along the entrance center. road. This would be a long-term major beneficial effect on the visitor experience. SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT Circle Trail Area Quarriers and Demonstrators A new trail leading from the new entrance to a location above Winnewissa Falls would con- Removing the visitor center from the current nect to the existing Circle Trail, which still location and truncating the entrance road would loop past the Nicollet marker, Winne- would cause some minor inconvenience to wissa Falls, Pipestone Creek, Hiawatha Lake, quarriers because the distance between some the quarry sites, and the prairie remnant. The quarries and the restrooms would be greater. trail would give access to all the resources in Likewise, quarriers who now park their the national monument, with minimal impact vehicles at the visitor center parking area on the landscape. The effect on the visitor would have to park near the south quarry line experience from this new trail would be trail entrance, then use wheelbarrows or major, long term, and beneficial. similar devices to move the stone and tools from quarry to vehicle. The south quarry line then would be more desirable for quarriers Quarry Area wanting quicker access to vehicles, and the north quarry line would be more desirable for Modifying the existing trails where feasible those wanting solitude. Alternative 1 would and making features along the quarry trails

182 Impacts of Alternative 1 not affect the availability of any quarries or the overlook and by removing parts of the existing current permitting process. There would be entrance road, existing housing, the visitor no economic effect on quarriers. center, and parking. These monies would come from the salaries of construction work- Demonstrators would move into a new visitor ers, who would purchase goods and services. center facility. Their numbers would be expected to remain the same. The ranger who now lives in employee housing in the national monument would move to Businesses existing housing in Pipestone. The land south of Minnesota West Community and Technical Alternative 1 would result in a negligible effect College that would become part of the na- on businesses that are directly dependent on tional monument is already school property the national monument, such as the exempt from the county tax rolls. campground and the gift shop across Hiawatha Avenue from the national monu- Cumulative Effects. Although past actions ment entrance. have affected socioeconomic resources, no actions in this alternative would result in a If the Pipestone Indian Shrine Association new perceptible socioeconomic effect. The remained in the visitor center, relocating the actions, together with those in the cumulative visitor center outside the national monument effect scenario, would not add appreciably to would result in a negligible effect on that cumulative effects. organization. If the organization did not relocate with the visitor center, there could be a Conclusion. Alternative 1 would cause a minor adverse effect on its business because minor long-term inconvenience to some visitors would have to make extra effort to quarriers, and it would cause no impact on seek out the new location. This could affect demonstrators. It would not result in any impulse buying by visitors. economic effects.

It is unlikely that any changes would be seen Alternative 1 would result in a negligible long in other businesses farther from the national term adverse effect on businesses that are monument, since presumably these businesses dependent on the national monument. Should depend on the national monument but not the Pipestone Indian Shrine Association move necessarily on the visitor center. to another location, the effect would likely be minor.

Community Development activities included in alternative 1 would result in a minor short-term There would be some economic effect on the beneficial effect on the local and regional community of Pipestone when the visitor economy from construction dollars filtering center and maintenance facilities were moved into the local community. out of the national monument and into the city. These effects would result from space being leased that otherwise might remain NATIONAL MONUMENT OPERATIONS empty. The impact would be greater if either or both of these facilities involved new con- Maintenance struction. The maintenance facility would be moved out Some additional monies could be generated in of the national monument under this alterna- the local community during the construction tive. This would allow the staff to make better of a new entrance, trails, and a new prairie use of the current space. Better organization

183 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES would be necessary to minimize the need for a kiosk and restroom facility, and be informed traveling between the national monument and about the national monument and its visitor the maintenance facility. There would be center offsite. In this way, national monument more communication by cell phone and radio managers would have an opportunity to greet to coordinate activities between administra- visitors at the entrance and orient them to the tive divisions. The new maintenance facility site. would be adequately sized and equipped to fulfill its function. Visitors would continue to A second, more restricted entrance would al- see the maintenance employees performing low quarriers to park closer to the quarries. the everyday tasks of mowing, site work, trail This would ease transport of supplies and maintenance, and building repairs. However, quarried materials. Visitors with disabilities some functions would take place offsite, such also would be able to reach the site on this as construction activities, painting, and the more accessible trail. This would preclude the storage of vehicles and building supplies. need for a separate accessible trail from the More employees would be available year- top of the falls to the Circle Trail. round, but especially during the visitor season. More than other alternatives, this alternative would require the presence of staff through- Facilities out the national monument to help visitors and offer interpretation because the visitor Most visitor services, demonstrations, sales, center would not be onsite. and administrative functions would be moved outside the national monument boundaries. This would make it possible to return to prai- Emergency Response Time rie conditions the former site of the visitor center and parking, along with two houses The response to accidents and emergencies and a garage near the entrance. The new facili- could take somewhat longer under this alter- ties would be designed to offer the most mod- native, with visitors seeking out national ern visitor experience and up-to-date admin- monument employees to summon assistance istrative working conditions. The sales and from offsite. There would not be a central demonstration areas also would be adequately location, as at present, where visitors could go sized and designed to fully accommodate for assistance. However, once called, emer- those functions. gency vehicles should take no more time than at present to provide assistance. With some functions moved outside the boundary, visitors might go directly to the Ability to Enforce Regulations national monument without realizing that the visitor center is not on the site. Having seen Having no ranger housed onsite in this alter- the site, visitors might then decide to forgo native would limit the ability of staff to moni- seeing the visitor center. Such visitors then tor the site 24 hours a day. Any deterrence would leave without gaining a full under- that might exist as a result of that presence standing of the significance of the site or its would be removed. However, entrances story. They also would miss seeing the cultural would be gated to control access to the na- demonstrators and exhibits and the Pipestone tional monument after visitor hours. Only Indian Shrine Association, with its many staff and quarriers would be expected to use educational and craft items. the site after hours. Otherwise there would be no change in the ability of the national There would be a new visitor entrance to the monument to enforce regulations. national monument under alternative 1. Visi- tors would park above the falls, pay their fee at

184 Impacts of Alternative 1

Conclusion. The construction of new infrequent, and the risks would be minor to facilities under alternative 1 would result in moderate, but flooding could cause major major long-term beneficial effects. The adverse effects on the visitors, employees, and development of new maintenance facilities property involved. Any loss of life would be and the improved quality of the work irretrievable. accomplished would cause long-term moderate beneficial effects. There would be IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE no change in the national monument’s ability COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES to enforce laws and regulations. Moving maintenance away from the site would result The loss of the Mission 66 visitor center cul- in a long-term negligible adverse impact on tural landscape (described above) and the the efficiency of maintenance activities. building itself would be irreversible and Having the visitor center offsite would cause a irretrievable. long-term moderate adverse impact on visitor services. Long-term minor adverse impacts Although the possibility of loss of life from could occur when visitors sought assistance in flooding would be extremely small, there emergency situations. would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS the risks would be minor to moderate, but flooding could cause major adverse effects on The following paragraphs describe the more the visitors, employees, and property in- important (moderate and major intensity) volved. Any loss of life would be irretrievable. adverse impacts that would result from this alternative. These are residual impacts that If grading at any of the sites (for construction would remain after mitigation was imple- or restoration) was necessary, some of the mented. The negligible and minor impacts are original soil profile could be permanently lost, described in the foregoing analysis. an irreversible impact.

Because the Mission 66 visitor center, a con- RELATIONSHIP OF SHORT-TERM tributing feature of the Mission 66 (1957– USES OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND 1969) cultural landscape, would be removed LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY and razed under alternative 1, the effects on that national register-eligible cultural land- Through the removal of the visitor center, scape would be major, adverse, and long term. parking, the north-south part of the entrance road, and the house used as offices, this alter- To those American Indians who believe that native would preserve the cultural resources the national monument is not a traditional Sun for which the monument was set aside (see Dance site, continuing to allow Sun Dances to “National Monument Purpose,” p. 24) for the take place under alternative 1 would be long term. The preservation of the setting, site culturally inappropriate and would thus history, and spiritual significance of the na- constitute a moderate, adverse, and long term tional monument would be greatly enhanced. impact in relation to their world-view about The landscape would be restored to very near revitalizing and reinforcing their traditional the landscape of the Prehistoric Quarrying cultural identity. into the Historic Period (see p. 110). Removing the national register-eligible Although the possibility of loss of life from Mission 66 visitor center building under this flooding would be extremely small, there alternative would result in a long-term major would be some danger to visitors and adverse impact on that structure. The tallgrass employees. Severe flooding has been prairie would be preserved and restored on

185 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES the sites where buildings, parking, and roads much less risk to employees and visitors than once stood, decreasing fragmentation. in alternatives in which the listed structures would remain in the floodplain because in Removing the facilities described would alternative 1 there would be no visitors or enable the national monument staff to restore employees in the visitor center, the fuel stor- natural and beneficial floodplain values over age building, the parking area or the convert- about 3 acres more than in the no-action ed house. Visitors on the trails and quarries alternative. Removing the structures men- would continue to be at risk in alternative 1. tioned above and the museum collection from the floodplain would greatly reduce potential Continuing visitor activities would reduce the damage from flooding compared to the no- long-term productivity of the environment. action alternative. The chance of fuels spilling into floodwaters would be removed. Noise, artificial lighting, and human activities associated with ongoing visitor use of the Although the possibility of loss of life from national monument would prevent natural flooding would be extremely small, there prairie ecosystems and wildlife populations would be some danger to visitors and employ- from reaching their full potential in size and ees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and population density. The quarrying of pipe- the risks would be minor to moderate, but stone by American Indians of all tribes as pro- flooding could cause major adverse effects on vided for in the enabling legislation would the visitors, employees, and property in- continue to reduce the quantity of pipestone volved. In this alternative there would be at the national monument.

186

IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 2

CULTURAL RESOURCES areas farther outside the national monument’s boundaries — have previously affected poten- Cultural Landscapes tial cultural landscapes both in the national monument and in the general vicinity. These Before constructing any facilities or trail effects resulted because the development and changes (for example, involving the Circle construction disturbed or changed the prairie Trail, which probably contains features of all setting and ultimately reduced the amount of eight potential cultural landscapes), the Na- surviving tallgrass prairie. The long-term ad- tional Park Service would undertake more verse effects on the tallgrass prairie as the set- site-specific study of the affected landscapes ting in cultural landscapes have ranged from to ensure that character-defining features minor to major. (topography, vegetation, circulation, spatial organization, land use, natural systems and Reasonably foreseeable future actions elements, historic structures and views, and occurring throughout the region (for example, small-scale elements) would not be affected or continued subdivision and proposed commer- that the effects would be minimal. The poten- cial development) also would disturb cultural tial adverse effects on cultural landscapes landscapes outside the national monument’s from such construction would be long term boundaries. These actions could damage or and of negligible to minor intensity. destroy patches of remnant tallgrass prairie that might remain and altered prairie lands Removing and relocating the footbridge be- that might be restored by the recovery of low Winnewissa Falls in the CCC-era cultural native plant species. The long-term regional landscape would benefit that landscape impacts on the prairie components of cultural because removing this nonhistoric bridge and landscapes from agricultural development and erecting a new bridge downstream of the falls, construction would be adverse and range in closer alignment to both the historic trail from minor to major. and the original bridge’s stone foundations, would return the area around the falls to more In the region, prairie restoration through the of a semblance of its historic appearance. recovery of native plant species is underway at These actions also would reestablish more the Nature Conservancy’s Hole in the Moun- traditional views of the falls, enabling the na- tain property near Lake Benton. Prairie tional monument staff to interpret and visitors restoration also is underway in the USFWS/ to visualize how the Winnewissa Falls area MDNR Pipestone Wildlife Management Area once was oriented and functioned. The long- north of the national monument. Similar pro- term effects on the CCC-era cultural land- grams are in place at Split Rock Creek State scape would be beneficial and of moderate Park and at Blue Mounds State Park (where a intensity. bison herd is maintained). These programs would result in moderate long-term beneficial Cumulative Effects. Agricultural develop- effects on associated cultural landscapes. ment and construction in and around Pipe- stone National Monument — the Pipestone Remnant prairie preservation and prairie Indian school and its successor, Minnesota restoration from the recovery of native plant West Community and Technical College species would result in long-term minor to north and northeast of the national monu- moderate beneficial effects on cultural land- ment and subdivision developments along the scapes in the national monument that are national monument’s eastern and southern potentially eligible for the national register. borders, as well as agriculture in surrounding Alternative 2 would contribute to the overall

187 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES moderate beneficial long-term cumulative proved in recent years through national effects on cultural landscapes in the region monument negotiations with the Hiawatha from prairie restoration. Club so that the rock formation is not used intrusively as a pageant component. However, The potential effects on landscapes eligible for the summer use of the Three Maidens in the national register listing that could not be Hiawatha Pageant would continue on the avoided could be adverse. Such effects would relevant weekends. The effects on the tradi- range in intensity from minor to major, de- tional use of the Three Maidens as an ethno- pending on the scope of the potential actions graphic resource from inadvertent visitor and the landscape features and patterns af- intrusion and from the Hiawatha Pageant fected. In alternative 2, relocating the 1998 would be minor, adverse, and long term. bridge and building a new bridge downstream would improve the historic and traditional Access acceptable to American Indians would view of Winnewissa Falls, a moderate bene- be needed for religious reasons similar to ficial effect on the CCC-era potential cultural those discussed above for the Circle Trail’s landscape. Although a small component, that ethnographic resources. Rerouting the Circle contribution would be moderate and bene- Trail would involve relocating the footbridge ficial to the cumulative effects of other past, in front of Winnewissa Falls over Pipestone present, and reasonably foreseeable actions. Creek to a spot downstream to preserve the viewshed and “frame” the falls better for a Section 106 Summary. After applying the picturesque view for visitors, somewhat at a criteria of adverse effects of the Advisory distance rather than close up. Council on Historic Preservation (36 CFR 800.5, “Assessment of Adverse Effects”), the Accommodating American Indian access to National Park Service concludes that imple- the Circle Trail’s ethnographic resources menting alternative 2 would have no adverse would change under this alternative in that effect on the eight potential national register- part of the trail would be rerouted. However, eligible cultural landscapes. off-trail access for American Indians would continue to be accommodated to Winnewissa Conclusion. Implementing alternative 2 Falls as well as to the other ethnographic re- would result in a long-term moderate bene- sources associated with the Circle Trail — the ficial effect on the CCC-era cultural land- Old Stone Face / Leaping Rock and the Oracle scape. There would be no impairment of the rock formation. national monument’s cultural landscapes or values. Relocating the bridge could inhibit access to Winnewissa Falls because getting close to the falls via the existing bridge would be altered to Ethnographic Resources accommodate less close, less convenient ac- Visitors could be intrusive to American Indian cess at a new bridge downstream. However, individuals placing offerings like sage and per- observations of American Indians by NPS sonal items at the Three Maidens rock forma- personnel indicate that bridge access to the tion. Although visitor parking would be rear- falls is not necessarily preferred; the preferred ranged to place it more along the entry road way seems to be to approach either side of the and away from the picnic area, there would be falls by way of the natural setting without little change in the visitor use pattern. The pic- benefit of the existing bridge. Without the nic area and the restroom near the Three bridge being so near the falls, the setting Maidens would continue to attract visitors. would be more natural and thus more tra- American Indian access to the Three Maidens ditional. Correspondingly, off-trail access to during the Hiawatha Pageant has been im- the falls through adjacent natural settings would be more traditional as well. Therefore,

188 Impacts of Alternative 2 there would be long-term moderate beneficial Dance quarries. The effects from such visitor effects on traditional use of Winnewissa Falls intrusion on American Indian use of the sweat as an ethnographic resource because the set- lodges would range from negligible to minor ting and associated access (without the mod- and be adverse and long term. ern bridge close at hand) would be more like the past situation before any changes were Cumulative Effects. The ethnographic land- made by European–American influences. scape of Pipestone National Monument is a prairie background setting for the ongoing but Under this alternative, visitors walking along traditional American Indian quarrying in what the Circle Trail might occasionally and inad- is now the national monument. Other ethno- vertently intrude on American Indians on graphic landscapes in the region could be as- their way to approach Winnewissa Falls with sociated with the bison herd maintained by offerings or to place offerings at the Old Stone the state of Minnesota in Blue Mounds State Face / Leaping Rock or the Oracle rock for- Park or with simply restoring prairie to patch- mations. The effects from such visitor intru- es of preagricultural landscape in Split Rock sion on American Indian use of these ethno- Creek State Park. Prairie preservation and graphic resources would be negligible to restoration contributes to such landscapes. minor, adverse, and long term. Agricultural development and construction in The two annual Sun Dances no longer would and around Pipestone National Monument take place, and the area in the national monu- have previously affected the prairie setting ment designated for this ceremonial purpose both in the national monument and in the no longer would serve as a place of cultural general vicinity. These activities have dis- expression. To American Indians who believe turbed or changed the prairie setting and that continuing the Sun Dances here would be ultimately reduced the amount of surviving culturally appropriate because it is an appro- tallgrass prairie. Areas where such activities priate modern site for a Sun Dance, the effects have occurred are the Pipestone Indian would be moderate, adverse, and long term in School and its successor, the Minnesota West relation to their opinions about revitalizing Community and Technical College north and and reinforcing their traditional cultural northeast of the national monument and sub- identity. divisions to the east and south, as well as agricultural areas farther outside the bounda- To American Indians who believe that con- ries. Regional long-term adverse effects on the tinuing the Sun Dance here would not be tallgrass prairie as a setting reminiscent of a culturally appropriate because the national time before European–American influences monument apparently is not a traditional Sun continue to range from minor to major. Dance site, the effects would be moderate, beneficial, and long term in relation to their Reasonably foreseeable future actions oc- opinions about revitalizing and reinforcing curring throughout the region — for example, their traditional cultural identity. continued subdivision and proposed commercial development — also could disturb the The north quarry line would remain a location prairie setting outside the national monument for sweat lodges, and it still would be closed to by threatening any remnant tallgrass prairie visitors. Although visitors still would be di- patches that might remain and any altered rected to stay on designated trails, they occa- prairie lands that might be restored by the re- sionally stray off the trails, inadvertently in- covery of native plant species. truding on American Indian practitioners using sweat lodges. This occasional and The development of a parklike environment inadvertent intrusion would apply to sweat for American Indians to quarry catlinite pipe- lodge users in the areas of the north and Sun stone through the Pipestone Indian School

189 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES and then as a national monument has meant Split Rock Creek State Park, and the USFWS change in American Indian access to ethno- land administered by the Minnesota Depart- graphic resources. That change generally has ment of Natural Resources, which is north of been caused by the development of trails, the national monument. Jeffers Petroglyphs bridges, and parking lots to make physical State Historic Site is the only one that main- access to various ethnographic resources tains an ongoing program of consultation with more convenient. To the extent that American American Indians to identify ethnographic re- Indians value convenience (for example, to sources (as does Pipestone National Monu- help the elderly participate in activities), the ment). The fact that some ongoing American long-term effects on ethnographic resources Indian consultations are underway and con- from the past and at present were minor to tinuing is beneficial. More ethnographic infor- moderate and beneficial. To the extent that mation should result, which would be a minor the natural setting contributes to the value of long-term beneficial effect. American Indian traditional use (there is some evidence from NPS observation of American Implementing alternative 2 would contribute Indian practitioners that it does) and that both long-term minor to moderate adverse there has been a change in the setting away impacts and long-term minor to moderate from nature associated with development, the beneficial effects to the overall cumulative long-term effects on ethnographic resources effects of other past, present, and reasonably from the past and at present were minor to foreseeable actions. moderate and adverse. Section 106 Summary. Since the “Affected Traditional American Indian practices associ- Environment” chapter suggests that tradi- ated with ethnographic resources (which hap- tional cultural properties (ethnographic re- pen to be all natural resources at Pipestone sources eligible to be listed in the National National Monument) are subject to inadver- Register of Historic Places) may be repre- tent distraction from encounters by visitors, a sented at the national monument by the entire long-term negligible to minor adverse impact national monument or by individual resour- on the practitioners. Past visitor use patterns ces, in accordance with the criteria of adverse have resulted in such encounters, which have effect of the Advisory Council on Historic caused long-term negligible to minor adverse Preservation (36 CFR 800.5), the determina- impacts on American Indian practitioners. tion of effect on traditional cultural properties would be no adverse effect. Development has affected ethnographic resources outside of the national monument by Conclusion. The inadvertent distracting making identifying potential ethnographic access of visitors to ethnographic resources in resources harder because of changes brought the presence of traditional practitioners about by agriculture and home and commer- would result in effects on traditional use asso- cial development. The state of Minnesota has ciated with ethnographic resources under designated various rock art sites throughout alternative 2 that would be minor, adverse, the state, including those in Pipestone Nation- and long term. Relocating the bridge at Win- al Monument, as a rock art district worthy of newissa Falls could benefit American Indians’ listing in the National Register of Historic traditional use of the falls, resulting in a Places (listed on November 14, 1996). moderate long-term beneficial effect.

In Minnesota, in the region around the na- Removing the picnic parking area near the tional monument, the following locations Three Maidens rock formation and expanding could contain ethnographic resources rele- the Three Maidens interpretive pullout would vant to American Indians: Blue Mounds State result in a long-term minor beneficial effect on Park, Jeffers Petroglyphs State Historic Site, the traditional use of the Three Maidens

190 Impacts of Alternative 2 because access would be accommodated Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserv- without inadvertent distractions from ing, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstruct- picnicking visitors. Discontinuing the two ing Historic Buildings. With much of the ex- annual Sun Dances would be either a long- ternal historic fabric — the façade —preserved term moderate adverse effect or a long-term and the interior redesigned (to make the moderate beneficial effect, depending on the building serve visitors and staffers better), the perspective of the person rendering the effects on this structure would be moderate, opinion. beneficial, and long term. These actions would be taken only after consultation with the state Because there would be no major adverse historic preservation officer. impacts on a resource or value whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific Cumulative Effects. Past actions in the na- purposes identified in the establishing legis- tional monument were the development of lation of Pipestone National Monument, (2) trails, bridges, and parking lots and the con- key to its natural or cultural integrity or to struction of maintenance facilities and two opportunities for its enjoyment, or (3) identi- houses now used as an administrative office fied as a goal in its general management plan and a residence for a law enforcement ranger. or other relevant NPS planning documents, Placing the visitor center in a central location the national monument’s resources or values on the Circle Trail was consistent with the would not be impaired. “centralize and circulate” thinking of the Mis- sion 66 era. The development of that trail has affected the way visitors use the visitor center, Historic Structures but since the center was centrally placed, de- For the visitor center and museum collections velopment in the national monument has not functions to be improved and remain in situ in affected the historic fabric of this late 1950s the national monument, the Mission 66 visitor Mission 66 structure, unless the 1970s addi- center building would be rehabilitated. The tion of space for the Upper Midwest Ameri- rehabilitation of this national register-eligible can Indian Cultural Center is viewed in that structure would be done in accordance with light. However, adding that space was con- the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the sistent with the Mission 66 philosophy be- Treatment of Historic Properties, with Guide- cause it allowed visitors to watch American lines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, Indian pipestone carvers at work. The ability and Reconstructing Historic Buildings. Because for visitors to interact with and learn from the much of the external historic fabric — the fa- demonstrators has become part of the central- çade — would be preserved while the interior ized aspect of the visitor experience. was redesigned, the effects on this structure would be moderate, beneficial, and long term. The 1970s addition enhanced the function of This action would be taken only after consul- the historic fabric and is part of the historic tation with the state historic preservation significance of the visitor center’s eligibility in officer. its own right for the National Register of His- toric Places. The historic fabric of the struc- With NPS acquisition and rehabilitation of the ture could be threatened by its apparent loca- Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s tion in the 500-year and 100-year floodplains. house under alternative 2, the national monu- However, past flooding of Pipestone Creek ment boundary would be adjusted to include suggests that any serious damage would be un- that house. The rehabilitation of that national likely, although damage still could result. Van- register-listed historic structure would be car- dalism has not been a problem at the visitor ried out in accordance with the Secretary of center. the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of

191 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

Actions expected in the region in the reason- would be moderate and beneficial to the ably foreseeable future, such as continued cumulative effects of other actions. subdivision and commercial development, have no potential to affect historic structures Section 106 Summary. After applying the in the national monument. Such actions criteria of adverse effects of the Advisory would result in a negligible effect, if any, on Council on Historic Preservation (36 CFR historic structures outside the national monu- 800.5), the National Park Service concludes ment. that implementing alternative 2 would result in no adverse effect on the Mission 66 visitor Under this alternative the National Park Ser- center, a structure eligible to be listed in the vice would acquire, preserve, and interpret the National Register of Historic Places. The Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s National Park Service also concludes that house. This would contribute to the historic implementing alternative 2 would cause no preservation efforts that are in place in the city adverse effect on the national register-listed of Pipestone and other towns in the county to Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s rehabilitate and adaptively reuse the late 19th house. century business and municipal architecture characterized by the use of local Sioux quartz- Conclusion. Rehabilitating the historic Mis- ite as the predominant building material. sion 66 visitor center building and the Pipe- stone Indian School superintendent’s house Under alternative 2, NPS preservation and would result in moderate beneficial long-term interpretation of the Pipestone Indian School effects on those structures. There would be no superintendent’s house would complement impairment of the national monument’s re- the rehabilitation of the national monument’s sources or values. visitor center. Rehabilitating both of those structures would contribute moderate bene- Museum Collections and Archives ficial long-term effects to the overall cumulative long-term moderate beneficial effects on Under alternative 2, expanding the space for historic structures from reasonably foresee- museum collections and archives into a facility able present and future actions in the region. designed to meet state-of-the-art museum standards (in a rehabilitated visitor center) The potential effects on landscapes eligible for would result in both beneficial and adverse ef- listing in the National Register of Historic fects. The rehabilitated facility would include Places that could not be avoided could be ad- a storage area raised to be out of possible verse. Such potential effects would range in flood levels from the 100-year and 500-year intensity from minor to moderate, depending floodplains of Pipestone Creek. The risk on the scope of the potential actions and the involved in moving and reinstalling artifacts, landscape features and patterns affected. Be- specimens, and archives would result in negli- cause the potential impacts on cultural land- gible to minor short-term adverse effects, but scapes under alternative 2 would be mostly every effort would be made to ensure the pro- negligible (that is, to seven of the eight poten- tection of all objects during the move and re- tial cultural landscapes) implementing alterna- installation. Having more space for better pro- tive 2 would contribute only minimally to the tected and environmentally controlled cura- impacts of other actions and would be a small tion, research, and storage, along with being component of any overall cumulative impact. out of the floodplains, would result in mod- The exception would be the new bridge to be erate to major long-term beneficial effects. built downstream of the falls, with a moder- ately beneficial effect on the CCC-era poten- Cumulative Effects. In the past and at present tial cultural landscape. That contribution the national monument’s museum collections

192 Impacts of Alternative 2 and archives have been at risk by being NATURAL RESOURCES housed in the visitor center , which is in the floodplain. If Pipestone Creek flooded, the Vegetation long-term adverse impacts on museum collections and archives would range from mod- Remnant Tallgrass Prairie. Remnant prairie erate to major. The intensity of the impact has survived despite other uses having taken would depend on the amount and rate of place. It is made up of Sioux quartzite prairie, flooding, whether there was sufficient warn- mesic crystalline bedrock prairie, and oak sa- ing to enable the staff to implement the evacu- vanna/woodland. The effects that apply to the ation plan that is in place for protecting the remnant prairie as a whole will be described collections and archives, and how high from under remnant tallgrass prairie. Effects spe- the floor particular artifacts and documents or cific to mesic crystalline bedrock prairie will photographs were stored in relation to the be described under that heading. The actions height of the water entering the storage area. of the alternatives would not affect the other However, in alternative 2, rehabilitating and two components of remnant tallgrass prairie, expanding the space for museum collections Sioux quartzite prairie and oak savanna/ in a rehabilitated visitor center and adding woodland. “off the floor” storage cabinets would result in long-term moderate beneficial effects because In the national monument, this habitat type is the threat of flooding would be eliminated. fragmented by the entrance road, the visitor center, parking, the Circle Trail, restrooms, a Conclusion. Museum collections and ar- picnic area, a residence, a house used for chives would be better secured under alter- administrative offices, and a garage. Frag- native 2. Negligible to minor short-term ad- mentation would continue to allow the inva- verse impacts would result from the risk of sion of exotics along corridors separating packing, storing, and moving the artifacts, segments of prairie and to decrease the specimens, and documents to newly rehabili- success of efforts to control exotics. tated quarters. Moderate long-term beneficial effects would result from providing new state- The presence of development and increased of-the-art space for museum collections and use in the quarry zone would be likely to in- archives in a rehabilitated visitor center in the crease exotic invasion into remnant prairie. national monument to conduct future This effect, which would occur in a relatively curation, research, and storage. small area, would be minor, long term, and adverse. A small loss of remnant prairie would Because there would be no major adverse be caused by the promotion of more quarry- impacts on a resource or value whose con- ing activity. servation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific purposes identified in the establishing legis- Acquiring the school district lands south of lation of Pipestone National Monument, (2) Minnesota West Community and Technical key to its natural or cultural integrity or to College on the national monument’s eastern opportunities for its enjoyment, or (3) identi- boundary would increase the prairie preserva- fied as a goal in its general management plan tion zone by 15.3 acres. This would provide a or other relevant NPS planning documents, better buffer for the remnant prairie com- the national monument’s resources or values pared to existing conditions. The quality of would not be impaired. the remnant prairie would improve in a local area, a minor long-term beneficial effect.

Removing the ceremonial use in the north end of the national monument would improve the condition of the remnant prairie by allowing it

193 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES to recover from twice yearly mowing in prep- south of Minnesota West Community and aration for the gatherings and trampling by Technical College would cover about 2 acres, large groups of up to 500 people. The en- reducing the amount of the parcel that could croachment of exotics would decrease. End- be restored to prairie (the prairie would not be ing the mowing and trampling in this area able to recover in the area covered by devel- would allow fuel loads and fuel continuity to opment). recover to a natural state in which the former ceremonial area could carry fire, enhancing The area of restored tallgrass prairie managed the preservation of the prairie ecosystem. The for prairie preservation would be increased by potential for the loss of native plants to be 100 acres on USFWS/MDNR land to be ac- caused by ceremonial use would be elimi- quired and 14 acres at the restored mainten- nated. This action would cause an increase in ance storage area and south of Minnesota the abundance of and quality of the remnant West Community and Technical College. It prairie in the area where the Sun Dances take would be decreased by 2 acres from extending place. The effect would be moderate, long the quarry zone. Thus, the increase in area term, and beneficial. would be much larger than the decrease. Overall, the changes would be expected to in- Mesic Crystalline Bedrock Prairie. Pumping crease the abundance and distribution of re- water out of the quarries to extend the quarry- stored tallgrass prairie, a major long-term ing season might remove water from the beneficial effect on restored tallgrass prairie. prairie. Studies are proposed to determine if this is the case. Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and development have greatly reduced native prairie Restored Tallgrass Prairie. This plant com- plants. Plants have been affected by being munity covers an area where tallgrass prairie displaced, and habitat has been lost through died out but is being restored by members of agricultural uses and the introduction of the national monument staff, who reduce the nonnative plants. numbers and extent of exotic plants and reseed areas with native seed of tallgrass prairie The development of some private lands for plants. residential or commercial uses (such as those near the national monument boundary) could The size of the restored tallgrass prairie would increase runoff, wind erosion, and soil be increased by removing the maintenance compaction and alter soil regimes. storage area (approximately 1 acre) and managing it for prairie preservation. Acquiring the The past effects of agriculture and develop- school district lands south of Minnesota West ment on tallgrass prairie covered wide areas Community and Technical College on the and were adverse. The effects of current and national monument’s eastern boundary (15.3 anticipated future actions outside the national acres) and managing all but 2 acres for prairie monument, in conjunction with the effects preservation would increase the size of the from the actions of this alternative, would re- restored tallgrass prairie by about 13 acres. sult in major long-term adverse impacts on These two actions would increase the restored tallgrass prairie. Most of the impacts would tallgrass prairie by 14 acres. Extending the result from development outside the national quarrying zone beyond current limits would monument, which might or might not be miti- result in a decrease of up to 2 acres of restored gated. The actions of alternative 2 would con- tallgrass prairie. tribute a minuscule increment to the overall cumulative effect. Building a new maintenance facility and a maintenance storage area inside the national Conclusion. Overall, the effects on remnant monument boundary on land acquired just and restored tallgrass prairie would be long

194 Impacts of Alternative 2 term, major, and beneficial. The national storing the museum collections in the 500- monument’s tallgrass prairie resources would year floodplain. The effects on the ability of not be impaired by the actions of this alterna- the floodplain to function normally would be tive. local and slightly detectable, a minor adverse long-term impact. Wetlands and Riparian Corridor Removing the maintenance facility, including Alternative 2 would not involve any change fuel and other storage, from their current from existing conditions in wetlands. locations in the 100-year floodplain would reduce the likelihood of fuels and other haz- Cumulative Effects. Because there would be ardous material spilling into floodwaters. no effects on wetlands and riparian corridors from this alternative, no actions would com- Before constructing a maintenance facility on bine with past, present, or future actions by acquired land just south of the Minnesota others to result in cumulative impacts on wet- West Community and Technical College, the lands and the riparian corridor. National Park Service would conduct a study to determine whether the site is out of the The severe hydrological alterations of the 100-year floodplain. Should the site prove to creek’s watershed have increased sediment be in the floodplain, before constructing the deposition, causing a change in both floral and facility the national monument would prepare faunal composition along the creek corridor. a statement of findings for floodplains to explain why there would be no practicable alter- Conclusion. There would be no impact on native to constructing a maintenance facility wetlands or the riparian corridor. The na- and a maintenance storage area in the 100- tional monument’s wetlands, including the year floodplain. Storing fuel and other toxic riparian corridor, would not be impaired by chemicals at the new maintenance area within the actions of this alternative. the 500-year floodplain would also require the preparation and approval of a statement of findings for floodplains. Floodplains Flooding. The visitor center with its head- Natural and Beneficial Floodplain Values. quarters, administrative, and curatorial func- Keeping the visitor center, parking, picnic tions would continue to occupy the 100-year areas, restrooms, an employee residence, and floodplain. One employee residence, a house a house used for administrative offices within used for administrative offices, and a garage the 100-year floodplain would prevent the would remain in the 100-year floodplain. A restoration of natural and beneficial flood- potential new maintenance area might also be plain values such as groundwater recharge and in the floodplain. Because the floodplain is maintaining an open floodplain to carry flood- extremely broad and floodwaters would be waters. Keeping structures in the floodplain, only slightly impeded by development in the continuing to store the museum collection floodplain, this continuing effect on the flood- within the 500-year floodplain, and retaining plain’s ability to function normally during employee residences within the 100-year flooding would be minor, adverse, and long floodplain are contrary to NPS policy. If this term. alternative was selected, a statement of findings for floodplains would be prepared as part Visitors and employees at the headquarters of this document to explain why there would and employees and others at the residence or be no practicable alternative to leaving facili- at the house used as an administrative facility ties in the 100-year floodplain, housing an could be injured by floodwaters. Although the employee in the 100-year floodplain, and possibility of loss of life would be extremely

195 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES small, there would be some danger to visitors national monument, which might or might not and employees. Severe flooding has been in- be mitigated. The actions of alternative 2 frequent, and the risks would be minor to would contribute a minuscule increment to moderate, but flooding could cause major the overall cumulative impact. adverse effects on the visitors, employees, and property involved. Conclusion. The effects of alternative 2 on the ability of the floodplain to function nor- Cumulative Effects. The heavy use and ditch- mally would be local and slightly detectable, a ing of Pipestone Creek upstream have greatly minor adverse long-term effect. reduced the extent of the floodplain and the natural and beneficial values of floodplains in Although the possibility of loss of life from the national monument. flooding would be extremely small, there would be some danger to visitors and em- Cattle and other farm animals probably have ployees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, been allowed to use some riparian areas in and and the risks would be minor to moderate, but near the national monument. This practice de- flooding could cause major adverse impacts grades natural and beneficial floodplain values on the visitors, employees, and property in exchange for benefits to agricultural uses. involved. NPS structures and visitor uses in floodplain areas contribute to the loss of natural and The national monument’s floodplain re- beneficial values. sources would not be impaired by the actions of alternative 2. Further development in floodplains and wetlands outside the national monument for resi- Hydrology dential, agricultural, or commercial uses would decrease the area in which natural and Increasing quarrying activities and associated beneficial floodplain values would be pre- pumping might change the level of the water served. Channel adjustments upstream could table and soil moisture availability. A study is send water down a path toward the visitor underway to identify the consequences of center. Channel changes upstream of the na- increased quarrying and pumping. If unac- tional monument also could direct flow over ceptable resource impacts were detected, the bluff in areas other than the existing chan- pumping would be discontinued. Should this nel, causing the flow to be directed toward the occur, the impact would be measurable (a fall visitor center (NPS 2003c). in the water table), and mitigation would be necessary to protect important plants and Under alternative 2 the natural and beneficial animals. This potential impact would be values of floodplain areas would continue to minor, short term, and adverse. be compromised by development at national monument headquarters, the residence, and Relocating the falls bridge farther downstream the house used for administration. would reduce the backup of water at the present location of the bridge, which floods the The past impacts of agriculture and urbani- bridge and parts of the trail. Removing the zation on floodplains covered wide areas and restrictions to the creek’s natural flow would were adverse. Impacts on floodplains from have a relatively local effect that would be current and anticipated future actions inside moderate, long term, and beneficial. and outside of the national monument, in conjunction with the impacts of alternative 2, Acquiring the school district lands south of would be moderate, long term, and adverse. Minnesota West Community and Technical Most of the effects would result from agri- College on the national monument’s eastern cultural use and development outside the

196 Impacts of Alternative 2 boundary would maintain or improve water continuing pumping. Relocating the falls flow patterns. This would be a moderate long- bridge farther downstream would remove a term beneficial effect on hydrology. restriction to the natural flow of the creek, a moderate long-term beneficial effect. Cumulative Effects. The area’s hydrology has been greatly altered by the heavy use and Acquiring the school district lands south of ditching of Pipestone Creek upstream, re- Minnesota West Community and Technical moving water by the use of wells, and College on the national monument’s eastern commercial quarrying of Sioux quartzite on boundary would maintain or improve water adjacent land. It also has been affected by flow patterns, a moderate long-term beneficial using tiles to drain areas near and possibly effect on hydrology. within the national monument, reducing the height of Winnewissa Falls, and residential The national monument’s hydrologic re- and commercial development. sources would not be impaired by the actions of this alternative. Under alternative 2, continued monitoring of the water table level when quarries were being Soils pumped would help determine if pumping would cause unacceptable resource impacts. If Expanding the visitor center and potentially so, pumping would be discontinued to protect constructing a maintenance facility and a the resources. Relocating the bridge across maintenance storage area on acquired land Pipestone Creek farther downstream would just south of Minnesota West Community and restore a more natural flow in the creek. Technical College would cause additional soil Acquiring the school district lands south of compaction on about 2 acres. If grading was Minnesota West Community and Technical necessary, some of the natural soil profile College on the national monument’s eastern would be lost, a long-term minor adverse im- boundary would maintain or improve water pact. The removal and restoration of the cur- flow patterns. rent maintenance storage area would eliminate soil compaction, allowing for natural soil The past impacts of draining land and altering processes and below-ground primary produc- water flows for agriculture and urbanization tivity to return on about 1 acre. Discontinuing on hydrology covered wide areas, were ad- the Sun Dance ceremony would eliminate the verse to natural water flow, and restricted the twice annual compaction of the soil in an 8- distribution of surface water through the sur- acre area by up to 600 people and some of rounding landscape. The effects on hydrology their vehicles, allowing natural soil processes from current and anticipated future actions and below-ground primary productivity of the inside and outside the national monument, in soils to return. Overall, there would be a conjunction with the effects of this alternative, minor long-term beneficial effect on soils. would be moderate, long term, and adverse. Most effects would result from agricultural Cumulative Effects. Agriculture has led to use and development actions outside the na- the erosion of soils by removing native vege- tional monument, which might or might not tation. This, along with tilling the soil, has left be mitigated. The actions of this alternative soils exposed to erosion by wind and water. would contribute a minuscule increment to the overall cumulative effect. The future development of some private lands for residential, tourist-related, or other uses Conclusion. Continued pumping of the quar- (such as those on or near the national monu- ries could lower the water table or decrease ment’s borders and in the city of Pipestone ) soil moisture, a potential minor short-term adverse effect that could be mitigated by dis-

197 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES could increase runoff, wind erosion, and soil This would improve habitat for many faunal compaction and alter soil regimes. groups such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Habitat for wildlife would be im- The past effects on soils from agriculture cov- proved in most of the national monument, but ered wide areas and were adverse. The effects the most intensive improvement would take on soils from current and anticipated future place on 116 acres. Overall, the improvement actions inside and outside the national monu- of 116 acres of wildlife habitat, which would ment, in conjunction with the impacts of alter- benefit wildlife, would be easy to detect, long native 2, would be moderate and adverse be- term, and local. Populations would be ex- cause they would change the character of the pected to increase, a moderate long-term soils over a relatively wide area, and mitigating beneficial effect on wildlife. measures probably would be necessary to offset adverse effects. Most impacts on soils Because the mowing of about 8 acres would would result from development outside of the not be permitted, nor would Sun Dances on national monument, which might or might not about 8 acres in the prairie restoration zone at be mitigated. The actions of this alternative the north end of the national monument, the would contribute only a minuscule increment remnant prairie would be able to recover from to the overall cumulative effect. past use. This would increase cover and forage and improve wildlife habitat. Wildlife would Conclusion. Implementing alternative 2 be able to use the area all year without being could result in a long-term moderate adverse displaced, a moderate long-term beneficial effect on about 3 acres of soil at the visitor effect on wildlife. center and potential new maintenance facility, and a long-term minor beneficial effect on Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and develop- about 8 acres at the Sun Dance site and 1 acre ment have greatly reduced the numbers of at the maintenance storage area. The soil native animals. Animals have been affected by resources of the national monument would being displaced and killed as vermin, and not be impaired by the actions of alternative 2. habitat has been lost through agricultural uses and the introduction of nonnative animals. Wildlife Wildlife continues to be disrupted by development and human activity. Under alternative 2 the size and connectivity of the prairie would be increased by the The development of some private lands (such following actions: as those on or near the national monument boundary and in communities) for residential, • placing most of the national monument in commercial, or other uses could alter wildlife the prairie preservation zone habitat and habits and cause the loss of wild- • acquiring the USFWS/MDNR land (100 life in some areas. Water use in these develop- acres) on the northwest boundary of the ments for residential or other uses could re- national monument and managing it as duce the amount of water available for prairie wildlife. • acquiring the school district land (15.3 The past impacts of agriculture and develop- acres) south of Minnesota West Com- ment on wildlife covered wide areas and were munity and Technical College on the adverse. The impacts on wildlife from current eastern boundary of the national monu- and anticipated future actions outside the ment and managing it as prairie national monument, in conjunction with the • removing the outdoor maintenance impacts of this alternative, would be mod- storage area (1 acre) erate, long term, and adverse. Most of the impacts would result from development actions

198 Impacts of Alternative 2 outside the national monument, which might It is expected that bridge demolition and con- or might not be mitigated. The actions of struction would not affect the Topeka shiner. alternative 1 would contribute a minuscule increment to the overall cumulative impact. Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and development have greatly reduced native plants Conclusion. A moderate long-term beneficial and animals, including threatened and en- effect on wildlife would result from a net gain dangered species. The Topeka shiner has been of about 116 acres of wildlife habitat (from affected by habitat destruction, degradation, acquiring the USFWS/MDNR land, acquiring modification, and fragmentation resulting the school district land, removing the outdoor from siltation, by reduced water quality, tribu- maintenance storage area, and managing the tary impoundment, stream channelization, in- acquired areas as prairie). Because the mowing stream gravel mining, and changes in stream of the Sun Dance ground (8 acres) no longer hydrology. The species also can be affected by would be permitted, nor would holding Sun introduced predaceous fishes. Dances, the remnant prairie would be able to recover, a moderate long-term beneficial The western prairie fringed orchid has lost effect on wildlife. habitat (tallgrass prairie) to cropland, and its remaining habitat has been fragmented. The national monument’s wildlife resources “Mowing, haying, and grazing prevent the would not be impaired by the actions of plants from flowering, stalling seed produc- alternative 2. tion” (Talley 2004). Croplands present an obstacle to the free movement of hawkmoths Threatened or Endangered Species (the orchid’s only known pollinator) between and Species of Special Concern orchid populations, and pesticide drift from nearby cropland can kill hawkmoths. Increased quarrying and associated pumping might change the area’s hydrology by lower- The development of some private lands (such ing the water table and decreasing soil mois- as those on or near the national monument ture availability. If pumping would result in boundary) in nearby communities for resi- unacceptable resource impacts on, for ex- dential, commercial, or other uses could affect ample, the Topeka shiner in Pipestone Creek the Topeka shiner or the western prairie or its designated critical habitat downstream fringed orchid by altering suitable habitat. or the western prairie fringed orchid, it would Water use for the developments or for activi- be discontinued. There would be a potential ties not requiring development could reduce short-term minor adverse impact on threat- the amount of water available for habitat for ened and endangered species. these species.

Removing the bridge over Pipestone Creek The past effects on threatened and endan- and replacing it farther downstream would gered species from agriculture and urbaniza- not be undertaken without consultation with tion have been major and adverse. The effects the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Mitigation on threatened and endangered species from developed during these consultations would current and anticipated future actions outside be incorporated into the design and of the national monument, in conjunction specifications for the removal and with the effects from this alternative, are not construction. Examples of potential known because the locations of species out- mitigation are performing demolition and side of the national monument in areas that construction at times of the year that would might be affected are not known. Given the minimize impacts on the shiner or minimizing lack of information about effects outside of the amount and duration of work in the creek. the national monument, it is not possible to assess the relative intensity of the impacts of

199 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES this alternative compared to current and anti- The new, adequately sized information desk cipated future actions outside of the national in the expanded visitor center would enable monument. the staff to serve visitors more efficiently. This would result in a long-term major beneficial Conclusion. Increased quarrying and asso- effect on the visitor experience. ciated pumping might change the area’s hydrology by lowering the water table and Keeping (and possibly enlarging) the existing decreasing soil moisture availability. If pump- demonstration area in the expanded visitor ing resulted in unacceptable impacts on, for center, along with improved interpretation example, the Topeka shiner in Pipestone and exhibits, would offer visitors continued Creek and the western prairie fringed orchid, opportunities to see American Indians making it would be discontinued. There would be a pipes and demonstrating other crafts. Visitor potential short-term minor adverse impact on understanding and appreciation of the pipe- threatened and endangered species. making process is the primary reason for these demonstrations. This would result in a major The national monument’s threatened and long-term beneficial effect on the visitor endangered species and species of special experience. concern would not be impaired by the actions of this alternative. New, enlarged, fully accessible modern restrooms at the enlarged visitor center would VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE result in a long-term major beneficial effect on the visitor experience. The focus of the visitor experience under alternative 2 would be on the quarries and the Circle Trail Area quarriers, the methods used in the quarrying process, the items created, and their im- Keeping the existing Circle Trail and modi- portance in American Indian culture. The fying it where possible, making features more effects on the visitor experience under this accessible, along with replacing the current alternative would depend on interpretation bridge with one built farther downstream, and an enlarged visitor center. would result in a long-term major beneficial effect on the visitor experience. Three Maidens Area Quarry Area The Three Maidens zone would revert to prairie with a trail to guide and control access. Constructing new trails for better access and This would result in a long-term moderate interpretation of the quarries and other fea- beneficial effect on visitors. tures under this alternative would result in a long-term major beneficial effect on visitors. New Visitor Center Area Prairie Area The new exhibits at the expanded onsite visitor center would interpret the themes in a The continued opportunities under alterna- historically accurate, easy to maintain, cultur- tive 2 for visitors to closely observe the vege- ally unbiased manner that would be both tative species of the prairie remnant from the interactive and compelling in design. The Circle Trail would result in a continued long- overall result of this would be a long-term term major beneficial effect on the visitor ex- major beneficial effect on the visitor experi- perience. The continued ability of visitors to ence. observe the prairie remnant from a distance from the entry road (which skirts the edge of

200 Impacts of Alternative 2 the prairie remnant) would cause a long-term Community minor beneficial effect on the visitor experience. Alternative 2 would cause some short-term economic effects on the community of Pipe- Conclusion. Alternative 2 would result in stone during the construction of a larger visi- major beneficial effects on the visitor experi- tor center and a new bridge below the falls. ence at the new visitor center exhibits, the These effects would result from the purchase information desk, the demonstration area, the of building materials in the local community, restrooms, the quarry area, the prairie area, workers staying in local hotels and eating at and the Circle Trail. There would be moderate local restaurants, and the purchase of clothing long-term beneficial effects on the visitor ex- and incidental items by workers. The land perience at the Three Maidens area. This al- south of the Minnesota West Community and ternative would cause no adverse effects on Technical College is school land, which is the visitor experience. exempt from the county tax rolls.

Cumulative Effects. Although past actions SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT have affected socioeconomic resources, no actions in this alternative would result in a Quarriers and Demonstrators new perceptible socioeconomic effect. The actions, together with those in the cumulative Expanding the visitor center at the current effect scenario, would not add appreciably to location would have no effect on the cumulative effects. quarrying of pipestone or the terms of the quarriers’ permits. Demonstrators would have Conclusion. Alternative 2 would cause a a more attractive area in which to work in the negligible long-term beneficial economic enlarged visitor center but a negligible effect on quarriers and demonstrators. increase in earnings. Alternative 2 would result in a minor long- Businesses term socioeconomic effect on businesses that are directly dependent on the national There probably would not be much change in monument. businesses that are dependent on the national monument (such as the campground and the Alternative 2 would result in a short-term gift shop on Hiawatha Avenue across from the minor beneficial socioeconomic impact on the entrance to the national monument) from the local and regional economy. development included in alternative 2. A larger visitor center might encourage visitors Because there would be no major adverse to stay in the community longer, but it prob- impacts on a resource or value whose con- ably would not add substantially to their servation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific business. purposes identified in the establishing legislation of Pipestone National Monument, (2) The Pipestone Indian Shrine Association key to its natural or cultural integrity or to would benefit from a larger, more attractive opportunities for its enjoyment, or (3) identi- sales area in the visitor center, along with fied as a goal in its general management plan more storage space. Businesses farther from or other relevant NPS planning documents, the national monument (such as restaurants the national monument’s resources or values and hotels) probably would not be affected by would not be impaired. the actions of alternative 2.

201 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

NATIONAL MONUMENT OPERATIONS Ability to Enforce Regulations

Continuing to house a ranger on the site Maintenance would make some after-hours monitoring The maintenance facility would be moved out available. The ranger would continue to patrol of the national monument, allowing the visitor the trails and help visitors in emergencies. center to be expanded into the current main- Visitors still would be able to bypass the visi- tenance area. The new maintenance facility tor center, where the entrance fee is collected. would be adequately sized and equipped to Laws and regulations would be enforced at fulfill its function. Visitors would continue to the same level as at present. see the maintenance employees performing Conclusion. Adding high-quality new their everyday tasks of mowing, site work, facilities would result in long-term major building repairs, and trail maintenance. How- beneficial effects. Moving the maintenance ever, some functions would take place offsite, facility offsite would improve the ability of the such as construction activities, painting, and visitor center to serve visitors’ needs, a long- the storage of vehicles and building supplies. term moderate beneficial effect. Having the More employees would be available year- law enforcement ranger continue to live on round, but especially during the visitor season. the site and increasing the national monument staff would make more people available to Facilities respond to emergencies, a long-term negligible beneficial effect. There would be no Enlarging the visitor center and administra- long-term change in the ability of the national tion building would consolidate all the na- monument to enforce regulations. tional monument functions but maintenance into one structure, making interaction between staff divisions easier. Adequate space UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS for offices, library, storage, and meetings The following paragraphs describe the more would allow the employees to carry out their important (moderate and major intensity) responsibilities more efficiently. Visitors adverse impacts that would result from this would have an opportunity to learn more in alternative. These are residual impacts that the rehabilitated visitor center with upgraded would remain after mitigation was imple- exhibits and more interpretation. The demon- mented. The negligible and minor impacts are stration area and the Pipestone Indian Shrine described in the foregoing analysis. Association sales area would be updated and enlarged to meet visitor needs. To those American Indians who believe that the national monument is a traditional Sun Emergency Response Time Dance site, discontinuing the Sun Dances under alternative 2 would be culturally Having a law enforcement ranger continue to inappropriate and would thus constitute a live in one of the houses near the national moderate, adverse, and long-term impact in monument entrance would make the ranger relation to their world-view about revitalizing available to respond to emergencies on the and reinforcing their traditional cultural site. The staff of the visitor center / admin- identity. Although the possibility of loss of life istration building would remain close to trails from flooding would be extremely small, there and quarries. The increase in staff presumably would be some danger to visitors and employ- would make assistance more readily available. ees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and There would be no change in distance for city the risks would be minor to moderate, but fire, police, or emergency vehicles. flooding could cause major adverse effects on

202 Impacts of Alternative 2 the visitors, employees, and property keeping it very near the quarries. Discontinu- involved. ing the twice annual Sun Dances would remove this relatively recent use from the na- IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE tional monument, enhancing the preservation COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES of the tallgrass prairie and improving wildlife habitat. It might have an adverse impact on Alternative 2 would result in no irreversible people who attend the Sun Dances until they and irretrievable commitments of cultural could find another location for this activity. resources. The quality of the restored prairie would be enhanced on about 114 acres and diminished Although the possibility of loss of life from on about 2 acres, a major long-term beneficial flooding would be extremely small, there effect on the tallgrass prairie community. would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and There would be a long-term reduction in the the risks would be minor to moderate, but natural beneficial values of the floodplain, and flooding could cause major adverse impacts it would be prevented from functioning natur- on the visitors, employees, and property inally because of the presence in the floodplain volved. Any loss of life would be irretrievable. of the enlarged headquarters/visitor center, the fuel storage building, an employee resi- If grading was necessary (for construction or dence, and a house used for administration. restoration) at any of the sites, including All these resources could be damaged by additions to the visitor center or for the new flooding. Fuel in the fuel storage building maintenance facility on land acquired from could be released into floodwaters, potentially the Pipestone Area School District south of damaging natural resources. Although the Minnesota West Community and Technical possibility of loss of life from flooding would College, some of the original soil profile could be extremely small, there would be some dan- be permanently lost, an irreversible impact. ger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and the risks would be minor to moderate, but flooding could cause RELATIONSHIPS OF SHORT-TERM major adverse effects on the visitors, employ- USES OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND ees, and property involved. LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY Continuing visitor activities would reduce the Enlarging the headquarters would increase long-term productivity of the environment. the adverse impact on natural and beneficial floodplain values compared to the no-action Noise, artificial lighting, and human activities alternative. The continued occupation of the associated with ongoing visitor and adminis- floodplain by the headquarters, the fuel stor- trative use of the national monument would age building, the parking area, the entrance prevent natural prairie ecosystems and wild- road, an employee residence, and a house life populations from reaching their full po- used for administration would continue a tential in size and population density. Quar- long-term loss of natural and beneficial values rying of pipestone by Indians of all tribes, as of the floodplain and would prevent the provided for in the enabling legislation, would floodplain from functioning naturally. continue to reduce the quantity of this natural resource at the national monument. Rehabilitating and enlarging the Mission 66 visitor center would result in a long-term beneficial effect on its preservation while

203

IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 3

CULTURAL RESOURCES areas farther outside the national monument’s boundaries — have previously affected Cultural Landscapes potential cultural landscapes both in the national monument and in the general vi- Before constructing any facilities or trail cinity. These effects resulted because the changes (for example, involving the Circle development and construction disturbed or Trail, which probably contains features of all changed the prairie setting and ultimately eight potential cultural landscapes), the Na- reduced the amount of surviving tallgrass tional Park Service would undertake more prairie. The long-term adverse effects on the site-specific study of the affected landscapes tallgrass prairie as the setting in cultural land- to ensure that character-defining features scapes have ranged from minor to major. (topography, vegetation, circulation, spatial organization, land use, natural systems and Reasonably foreseeable future actions occur- elements, historic structures and views, and ring throughout the region (for example, con- small-scale elements) would not be affected or tinued subdivision and proposed commercial that the effects would be minimal. The poten- development) also would disturb cultural tial adverse effects on cultural landscapes landscapes outside the national monument’s from such construction would be long term boundaries. These actions would damage or and of negligible to minor intensity. destroy patches of remnant tallgrass prairie that might remain and altered prairie lands Removing and relocating the footbridge be- that might be restored by the recovery of low Winnewissa Falls in the CCC-era cultural native plant species. The long-term regional landscape would benefit that landscape be- impacts on the prairie components of cultural cause removing this nonhistoric bridge and landscapes from agricultural development and erecting a new bridge downstream of the falls, construction would be adverse and range in closer alignment to both the historic trail from minor to major. and the original bridge’s stone foundations, would return the area around the falls to more In the region, prairie restoration through the of a semblance of its historic appearance. recovery of native plant species is underway at These actions also would reestablish a more the Nature Conservancy’s Hole in the Moun- traditional view of the falls, better enabling the tain property near Lake Benton. Prairie national monument staff to interpret and visi- restoration also is underway in the USFWS/ tors to visualize how the Winnewissa Falls MDNR Pipestone Wildlife Management Area area once was oriented and functioned. The north of the national monument. Similar pro- effects on the CCC-era cultural landscape grams are in place at Split Rock Creek State would be beneficial, long term, and of mod- Park and at Blue Mounds State Park (where a erate intensity. bison herd is maintained). These programs would result in long-term moderate beneficial Cumulative Effects. Agricultural develop- effects on associated cultural landscapes. ment and construction in and around Pipe- stone National Monument — the Pipestone Remnant prairie preservation and prairie Indian school and its successor, Minnesota restoration from the recovery of native plant West Community and Technical College species would result in long-term minor to north and northeast of the national monu- moderate beneficial effects on cultural land- ment and subdivision developments along the scapes in the national monument that are po- national monument’s eastern and southern tentially eligible for the national register. Al- borders, as well as agriculture in surrounding ternative 3 would contribute to the overall

204 Impacts of Alternative 3 moderate beneficial long-term cumulative Access for American Indians to the Old Stone effects on cultural landscapes in the region Face / Leaping Rock, the Oracle, and Winne- from prairie restoration. wissa Falls would remain relatively unchanged. Without the bridge being so near the The potential effects on landscapes eligible for falls, the setting would be more natural and national register listing that could not be thus more traditional. Therefore, there would avoided could be adverse. Such effects would be long-term moderate beneficial effects on range in intensity from minor to major, de- traditional use of Winnewissa Falls as an pending on the scope of the potential actions ethnographic resource because the setting and and the landscape features and patterns af- associated access (without the modern bridge fected. close at hand) would be more like the past situation before any changes were made by Section 106 Summary. After applying the European–American influences. criteria of adverse effects of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (36 CFR Under this alternative, visitors walking along 800.5, “Assessment of Adverse Effects”), the the Circle Trail might occasionally and inad- National Park Service concludes that imple- vertently intrude on American Indians on menting alternative 3 would have no adverse their way to approach Winnewissa Falls with effect on the eight potential national register- offerings or to place offerings at the Old Stone eligible cultural landscapes. Face / Leaping Rock or the Oracle rock formations. The effects from such visitor intru- Conclusion. Implementing alternative 3 sion on American Indian use of these ethno- would result in a long-term moderate bene- graphic resources would be minor, adverse, ficial effect on the CCC-era cultural land- and long term. scape. There would be no impairment of the national monument’s cultural landscapes or The two annual Sun Dances would take place, values. even if limited somewhat by the establishment of carrying capacity numbers for the land. The Ethnographic Resources area in the national monument designated for this ceremonial purpose would continue to Visitors could be intrusive to American Indian serve as a place of cultural expression. To individuals placing offerings like sage and per- American Indians who believe that continuing sonal items at the Three Maidens rock forma- the Sun Dances here would be culturally ap- tion. The picnic area and restroom structure propriate because it is an appropriate modern near the Three Maidens would continue to site for a Sun Dance, the effects would be mi- attract visitors. American Indian access to the nor, beneficial, and long term in relation to Three Maidens during the Hiawatha Pageant their concept of traditional cultural identity. has been improved in recent years through To American Indians who believe that con- national monument negotiations with the tinuing the Sun Dance here would not be cul- Hiawatha Club so that the rock formation is turally appropriate because the national not used intrusively as a pageant component. monument apparently is not a traditional Sun However, the summer use of the Three Dance site, the effects would be moderate, ad- Maidens in the Hiawatha Pageant would verse, and long term in relation to their opin- continue on the relevant weekends. The ions about traditional cultural identity. effects on the traditional use of the Three Maidens as an ethnographic resource from The sweat lodges would remain in their cur- inadvertent visitor intrusion and from the rent locations on the north quarry line and Hiawatha Pageant would be minor, adverse, farther north in the Sun Dance quarry area, so and long term. they would remain unchanged. Although visitors still would be directed to stay on

205 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES designated trails, they occasionally stray off both in the national monument and in the the trails, inadvertently intruding on American general vicinity. These activities have dis- Indian practitioners using sweat lodges. This turbed or changed the prairie setting and ulti- occasional and inadvertent intrusion would mately reduced the amount of surviving tall- apply to sweat lodge users in the areas of the grass prairie. Areas where such activities have north and Sun Dance quarries. The effects occurred are the Pipestone Indian School and from such visitor intrusion on American its successor, the Minnesota West Community Indian use of the sweat lodges would range and Technical College north and northeast of from negligible to minor and be adverse and the national monument and subdivisions to long term. the east and south, as well as agricultural areas farther outside the boundaries. Regional long- During the two times of the summer when the term adverse effects on the tallgrass prairie as two different Sun Dances are performed, visi- a setting reminiscent of a time before tors are welcome at the Sun Dance ceremo- European–American influences continue to nies as long as they observe the protocols. range from minor to major. Occasionally and inadvertently, wandering visitors intrude inappropriately during Sun Reasonably foreseeable future actions oc- Dances. The effects from such visitor intru- curring throughout the region — for example, sion on American Indian use of the sweat continued subdivision and proposed com- lodges in the sweat lodge areas, the quarries in mercial development — also could disturb the the main quarry area and in the Sun Dance prairie setting outside the national monument quarry area, and the Sun Dances in the Sun by threatening any remnant patches of tall- Dance area as ethnographic resources would grass prairie that might remain and any altered be minor, adverse, and long term. prairie lands that might be restored by the recovery of native plant species. Overall, visitors walking among the quarries would occasionally intrude inadvertently on The development of a parklike environment American Indian practitioners working the for American Indians to quarry catlinite pipe- main quarries or the Sun Dance quarry. The stone through the Pipestone Indian School effects of such inadvertent intrusion on tradi- and then as a national monument has meant tional use of the quarries as ethnographic change in American Indian access to ethno- resources would be minor, adverse, and long graphic resources. That change generally has term. been caused by the development of trails, bridges, and parking lots to make physical Cumulative Effects. The ethnographic land- access to various ethnographic resources scape of Pipestone National Monument is a more convenient. To the extent that American prairie background setting for the ongoing but Indians value convenience (for example, to traditional American Indian quarrying in what help the elderly participate in activities), the is now the national monument. Other ethno- long-term effects on ethnographic resources graphic landscapes in the region could be as- from the past and at present were minor to sociated with the bison herd maintained by moderate and beneficial. To the extent that the state of Minnesota in Blue Mounds State the natural setting contributes to the value of Park or with simply restoring prairie to patch- American Indian traditional use (there is some es of preagricultural landscape in Split Rock evidence from NPS observation of American Creek State Park. Prairie preservation and Indian practitioners that it does) and that restoration contributes to such landscapes. there has been a change in the setting away from nature associated with development, the Agricultural development and construction in long-term effects on ethnographic resources and around Pipestone National Monument from the past and at present were minor to have previously affected the prairie setting moderate and adverse.

206 Impacts of Alternative 3

Traditional American Indian practices associ- Section 106 Summary. Since the “Affected ated with ethnographic resources (which hap- Environment” chapter suggests that tradi- pen to be all natural resources at Pipestone tional cultural properties (ethnographic re- National Monument) are subject to inadver- sources eligible to be listed in the National tent distraction from encounters by visitors, a Register of Historic Places) may be repre- long-term negligible to minor adverse impact sented at the national monument by the entire on the practitioners. Past visitor use patterns national monument or by individual resour- have resulted in such encounters, which have ces, in accordance with the criteria of adverse caused long-term negligible to minor adverse effect of the Advisory Council on Historic impacts on American Indian practitioners. Preservation (36 CFR 800.5), the determination of effect on traditional cultural properties Development has affected ethnographic re- would be no adverse effect. sources outside of the national monument by making identifying potential ethnographic Conclusion. The inadvertent distracting ac- resources harder because of changes brought cess of visitors to ethnographic resources in about by agriculture and home and commer- the presence of traditional practitioners cial development. Various rock art sites, in- would mean that the effects on traditional use cluding Pipestone National Monument, show associated with ethnographic resources under the importance of the state of Minnesota as a alternative 3 would be minor, adverse, and rock art district worthy of listing in the Na- long term. This would include the effects from tional Register of Historic Places, which expanding the Three Maidens parking lot. Re- happened on November 14, 1996. locating the bridge at Winnewissa Falls would not inhibit access and traditional use of the In Minnesota, in the region around the na- falls because the trail and trail abutments tional monument, the following locations would remain, resulting in a moderate long- could contain ethnographic resources rele- term beneficial effect. Continuing the two vant to American Indians: Blue Mounds State annual Sun Dances would be either a long- Park, Jeffers Petroglyphs State Historic Site, term moderate adverse effect or a long-term Split Rock Creek State Park, and the USFWS moderate beneficial effect, depending on the land administered by the Minnesota Depart- perspective of the person rendering the ment of Natural Resources, which is north of opinion. the national monument. Jeffers Petroglyphs State Historic Site is the only one that main- Because there would be no major adverse tains an ongoing program of consultation with impacts on a resource or value whose conser- American Indians to identify ethnographic re- vation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific pur- sources (as does Pipestone National Monu- poses identified in the establishing legislation ment). The fact that some ongoing American of Pipestone National Monument, (2) key to Indian consultations are underway and con- its natural or cultural integrity or to oppor- tinuing is beneficial. More ethnographic infor- tunities for its enjoyment, or (3) identified as a mation should result, which would be a minor goal in its general management plan or other long-term beneficial effect. relevant NPS planning documents, the national monument’s resources or values Implementing alternative 3 would contribute would not be impaired. both long-term minor to moderate adverse effects and long-term minor to moderate Historic Structures beneficial effects to the overall cumulative effects of other past, present, and reasonably For the visitor center functions to be im- foreseeable actions. proved and remain in situ in the national monument, the Mission 66 visitor center

207 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES building would be rehabilitated. The rehabili- late 1950s Mission 66 structure, unless the tation of this national register-eligible struc- 1970s addition of space for the Upper Mid- ture would be done in accordance with the west American Indian Cultural Center is Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the viewed in that light. However, adding that Treatment of Historic Properties, with Guide- space was consistent with the Mission 66 lines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, philosophy because it allowed visitors to and Reconstructing Historic Buildings. Because watch American Indian pipestone carvers at much of the external historic fabric — the work. The ability for visitors to interact with façade — would be preserved while the interi- and learn from the demonstrators has become or was redesigned, the effects on this structure part of the centralized aspect of the visitor would be moderate, beneficial, and long term. experience. This action would be taken only after consultation with the state historic preservation The 1970s addition enhanced the function of officer. the historic fabric and is part of historic significance of the visitor center’s eligibility in its Although the National Park Service would not own right for the National Register of Historic acquire the Pipestone Indian School superin- Places. The historic fabric of the structure tendent’s house under alternative 3, the agen- could be threatened by its apparent location in cy would contribute to its preservation and the 500-year and 100-year floodplains. How- interpretation to the extent possible (see ever, past flooding of Pipestone Creek sug- appendix F). Any rehabilitation assistance for gests that any serious damage would be un- this national register-listed historic structure likely, although damage still could result. Van- would necessitate conformance with the dalism has not been a problem at the visitor Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the center. Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Actions expected in the region in the reason- Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic ably foreseeable future, such as continued Buildings. With much of the external historic subdivision and commercial development, fabric — the façade —preserved and the have no potential to affect historic structures interior redesigned (to make the building in the national monument. Such actions serve visitors and staffers better), the effects would result in a negligible effect, if any, on on this structure would be moderate, historic structures outside the national monu- beneficial, and long term. These actions would ment. Nevertheless, historic preservation ef- be taken only after consultation with the state forts are in place in the city of Pipestone and historic preservation officer. in other towns in the county to rehabilitate and adaptively reuse the late 19th century Cumulative Effects. Past actions in the business and municipal architecture charac- national monument were the development of terized by the use of local Sioux quartzite as trails, bridges, and parking lots and the con- the predominant building material. struction of maintenance facilities and two houses now used for administrative offices Under alternative 3, NPS assistance to the and a residence for a law enforcement ranger. owners of the Pipestone Indian School super- Placing the visitor center in a central location intendent’s house in preserving and interpre- on the Circle Trail was consistent with the ting that structure could occur. Along with the “centralize and circulate” thinking of the long-term moderate beneficial effect on the Mission 66 era. The development of that trail national monument’s historic structure, the has affected the way visitors use the visitor actions of alternative 3 would contribute center, but since the center was centrally overall to the long-term cumulative moderate placed, development in the national monu- beneficial effects on historic structures in the ment has not affected the historic fabric of this region.

208 Impacts of Alternative 3

Section 106 Summary. After applying the whether there was sufficient warning to en- criteria of adverse effects of the Advisory able the staff to implement the evacuation Council on Historic Preservation’s (36 CFR plan that is in place for protecting the collec- 800.5), the National Park Service concludes tions and archives, and how high from the that implementing alternative 3 would have no floor particular artifacts, documents, or pho- adverse effect on the Mission 66 visitor center, tographs were stored in relation to the height a structure eligible to be listed in the National of the water entering the storage area. How- Register of Historic Places. The National Park ever, in alternative 3, relocating the collections Service also concludes that implementing al- and archives in an area of the visitor center ternative 3 would not result in any adverse ef- that is out of the floodplain would result in fect on the national register-listed Pipestone long-term moderate beneficial effects because Indian School superintendent’s house. the threat of flooding would be eliminated.

Conclusion. Rehabilitating the historic Conclusion. Museum collections and ar- Mission 66 visitor center building and the chives would be better secured under alter- Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s native 3. Negligible to minor short-term ad- house would result in moderate beneficial verse impacts would result from the risk of long-term effects on those structures. There packing, moving, storing, and reinstalling the would be no impairment of the national artifacts, specimens, and documents to a monument’s structures or values. newly rehabilitated area of the visitor center. Moderate long-term beneficial effects would Museum Collections and Archives result from providing new state-of-the-art space for museum collections and archives. The museum collections and archives would Alternative 3 would not result in any be located within the visitor center in an area impairment of the national monument’s mu- above the 500-year floodplain. The visitor seum collections and archives or values. center would contain a section designed and rehabilitated to meet state-of-the-art museum NATURAL RESOURCES standards. The effects from the risk involved in moving artifacts, specimens, and archives Vegetation within the visitor center would be negligible to minor, adverse, and short term. Every effort Remnant Tallgrass Prairie. Remnant prairie would be made to ensure the protection of all is a habitat type that has survived despite objects during the move and reinstallation. other uses having taken place. Having more space for better protected and environmentally controlled curation, Opening a demonstration quarry would result research, and storage, along with being out of in the loss of a small area of remnant prairie, a the floodplains, would result in moderate to negligible long-term adverse impact. major long-term beneficial effects. Establishing a carrying capacity for the 8-acre Cumulative Effects. In the past and at pres- Sun Dance area in the ceremonial use zone at ent the national monument’s museum collec- the north end of the prairie might reduce the tions and archives have been at risk by being twice-annual degrading of the remnant prai- housed in the visitor center, which is in the rie. Heavy use in this zone denudes some areas floodplain. If Pipestone Creek flooded, the by removing native vegetation and increases long-term adverse impacts on museum collec- the encroachment of exotics. Mowing of the tions and archives would range from moder- site before use and trampling during its use ate to major. The intensity of the effect would decrease fuel loading and fuel continuity, depend on the amount and rate of flooding, thereby reducing the ability of the prairie to

209 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES carry fire, an important means of enhancing an important means of enhancing the the preservation of the prairie ecosystem. preservation of the prairie ecosystem. Continued use of the northern part of the remnant prairie for large gatherings would The continued use of the northern part of the increase the potential for the loss of native remnant prairie for large gatherings increases plants. Managing use within a carrying ca- the potential for losing native plants. How- pacity would potentially cause measurable ever, managing use within a carrying capacity effects within the 8-acre area, a minor long- based on acceptable levels of resource impact term beneficial effect. potentially would control the intensity of use, resulting in a measurable improvement in the Acquiring the school district land on the condition of native plants in the 8-acre area. northeast boundary of the national monument The long-term effect would be minor and and intensively managing it would make it beneficial. possible to restore 15.3 acres of farm fields, exotic trees, and buckthorn to remnant prairie Overall, despite the fragmentation of habitat, and further buffer the prairie in the national the occupancy of habitat by national monu- monument from the invasion of exotic spe- ment structures, and heavy visitor use in a cies. The increase in the abundance and distri- large area of the national monument, ongoing bution of remnant tallgrass prairie would efforts to restore tallgrass prairie would result result in a minor long-term beneficial effect on in a moderate beneficial effect on remnant this community type. tallgrass prairie because these systematic efforts would increase the abundance, distri- The amount of seed and other agents of bution, quantity, and quality of the habitat in introduction of exotic species on the USFWS/ the national monument. MDNR land on the national monument’s north boundary would be reduced by devel- Mesic Crystalline Bedrock Prairie. There oping a cooperative agreement with the U.S. would be a slight loss of mesic crystalline bed- Fish and Wildlife Service and the Minnesota rock prairie, about 0.25 acre, from consoli- Department of Natural Resources for the dating the picnic area parking with the Three management of 100 acres of their land. This, Maidens parking area and removing the picnic in turn, would reduce the introduction of area parking. This loss of about 0.25 acre from exotic species from that land into remnant increasing the size of the parking area would prairie in the national monument. This would not affect the overall viability of the plant be a moderate long-term beneficial effect on community and would be a minor short-term tallgrass prairie on the USFWS/MDNR land adverse impact on the prairie. Prairie would and in the national monument. be restored in the current parking area for the picnic area and adjacent to the Three Maidens Carrying capacities would be established on formation. the basis of acceptable levels of resource impact. Establishing a carrying capacity for cere- Restored Tallgrass Prairie. The restored monies attended by large groups of people tallgrass prairie plant community covers an (450 people on 8 acres once each summer and area where tallgrass prairie died out but is 50 people once each summer) might reduce being restored by members of the national the degradation of remnant prairie if carrying monument staff, who work to reduce exotic capacities were set below current levels of use. plants and reseed areas with native seed of Ceremonies denude native vegetation and in- tallgrass prairie plants. The restored tallgrass crease the encroachment of exotics. Mowing prairie would be increased in size by partner- before such concentrated use of the site de- ing with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and creases fuel loading and fuel continuity. This the Minnesota Department of Natural Re- reduces the ability of the prairie to carry fire, sources to restore about 100 acres of prairie

210 Impacts of Alternative 3 on USFWS/MDNR land northwest of the na- actions outside the national monument, in tional monument. This would be a large in- conjunction with the effects of this alternative, crease in the abundance and distribution of would produce major long-term adverse im- the prairie community, a moderate long-term pacts on tallgrass prairie. Most of these effects beneficial effect. would result from development outside the national monument, which might or might not Establishing a carrying capacity for the 8-acre be mitigated. The actions of this alternative ceremonial ground based on acceptable levels would contribute only a minuscule increment of resource impact might reduce the degrada- to the overall cumulative effect. tion of this area of prairie if the carrying capacities were set below the current levels of Conclusion. Overall, despite the fragmenta- use. The participants in large ceremonies that tion of habitat, the occupancy of habitat by take place twice each year — up to a total of national monument structures, the presence 500 people — denude the soil of native vegeta- of corridors for the entrance of exotic plants, tion and increase the encroachment of ex- and short-term heavy visitor use in an 8-acre otics. The continued use of the northern part area of the national monument managed with- of the remnant prairie for large gatherings in a carrying capacity, ongoing efforts to re- would hinder efforts to restore the prairie. store tallgrass prairie would result in a mod- However, managing use within a carrying ca- erate beneficial effect on tallgrass prairie pacity would potentially reduce measurable because these systematic efforts would in- impacts on the area, a minor long-term crease the abundance, distribution, quantity, beneficial effect. and quality of the habitat in the national monument. Overall, despite the existence of corridors for the entrance of exotic plants and heavy use in The vegetative resources of Pipestone Na- the restored tallgrass prairie, ongoing efforts tional Monument would not be impaired by to restore tallgrass prairie would result in a the actions of this alternative. moderate beneficial effect on the restored tallgrass prairie because these systematic Wetlands and Riparian Corridor efforts would increase the abundance, distribution, quantity, and quality of the habitat in Wetlands near the picnic area, parking, and the national monument. restrooms on the southern boundary of the national monument would continue to be Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and devel- subject to foot traffic from visitors and staff. opment have greatly reduced native prairie The entrance road would continue to prevent plants. Plants have been affected by being water flow from one wet area to another. The displaced, and habitat has been lost through natural functioning of these wetlands would agricultural uses and the introduction of continue to be compromised by development nonnative plants. and visitor use. Because changes in the areas involved would be local and only slightly de- The development of some private lands for tectable and would not appreciably affect residential or commercial uses (such as lands natural processes, this continuing adverse im- on, or near the national monument’s bounda- pact on wetlands would be long term and ries) could increase runoff, wind erosion, minor. exotics, and soil compaction and alter soil regimes. Before the design for the visitor center was begun, wetland areas would be delineated Past adverse effects on vegetation from agri- with the use of the Cowardin system (U.S. culture and development covered wide areas. EPA 1989). Wetland areas would be avoided The effects of current and anticipated future

211 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES during construction. Should it be infeasible to cultural and other chemicals that make their avoid wetlands while rehabilitating the visitor way into Pipestone Creek contributes to ad- center, the planning team would prepare a verse impacts on wetlands along the creek. statement of findings for wetlands in The effects on wetlands from other current cooperation with the Water Resources Di- and an future actions outside the national vision of the National Park Service to explain monument, along with the effects of this alter- why the impact would be unavoidable and native, would be moderate, long term, and describe mitigating measures that would be adverse. Most impacts would result from agri- used to reduce the impacts. cultural and development actions outside of the national monument, which might or might Cumulative Effects. Some wetlands in and not be mitigated. The effects from this alterna- outside of the national monument (scattered tive would contribute only a minuscule incre- over about 30,000 acres) have been filled or ment to the overall cumulative effect. drained (using tiles) to make more land available for growing crops. Wetlands have been Conclusion. Continued foot traffic in the filled and drained for residential uses on about wetlands near the picnic area, parking, and 1 square mile surrounding the national monu- restrooms on the southern boundary of the ment. NPS structures and visitor uses in wet- national monument would result in long-term land areas contribute to the loss of natural and minor adverse effects on wetlands. beneficial values. The national monument’s wetland resources Past practices of draining and filling wetlands would not be impaired by the actions of this in the area have caused a major long-term re- alternative. duction in wetland areas and degraded natural and beneficial wetland values in exchange for Floodplains benefit to agricultural, residential, and commercial uses. These continuing impacts affect Natural and Beneficial Floodplain Values. the national monument, surrounding agricul- Removing the fuel storage building and the tural land, and surrounding residential and maintenance storage area from the floodplain commercial areas. would allow for the restoration of natural and beneficial floodplain values in the area of Future filling or draining of wetlands in or these facilities. The natural functioning of the outside of the national monument for agri- floodplain would be restored over about 1 cultural, residential, or commercial uses acre. There would be a net gain of about 1 acre would decrease the area in which natural and of reduced development in the floodplain and beneficial wetland values would be preserved. restoration of natural and beneficial flood- There could be increased runoff into the na- plain values. This would be a minor beneficial tional monument from the tiled farm field on long-term effect on natural and beneficial the southern boundary. If this occurred, wet- floodplain values. lands in the national monument might be increased in number and or size. (NPS 1998b). Keeping the visitor center, the parking and picnic areas, restrooms, and employee resi- The severe hydrological alterations of the dences within the 100-year floodplain would creek’s watershed have increased sediment prevent the restoration of natural and benefi- deposition, causing a change in both floral and cial floodplain values such as groundwater faunal composition along the creek corridor. recharge and maintaining an open floodplain to carry floodwaters. Keeping structures in the The past effects of agriculture and urbaniza- floodplain and retaining employee residences tion on wetlands covered wide areas and were within the 100-year floodplain are contrary to major and adverse. The continuing use of agri-

212 Impacts of Alternative 3

NPS policy. If this alternative was selected, a could cause major adverse impacts on the statement of findings for floodplains would be visitors, employees, and property involved. prepared as part of this document to explain why there would be no practicable alternative Cumulative Effects. The alteration and to leaving facilities, including employee hous- ditching of Pipestone Creek upstream and its ing, in the 100-year floodplain. The effects on use to carry rural and city runoff and storm- the ability of the floodplain to function nor- water have greatly reduced the extent of the mally would be local and slightly detectable, a floodplain and the natural and beneficial minor long-term adverse impact. values of floodplains in the national monument. Flooding. Removing the fuel storage building near the visitor center and removing the main- Cattle and other animals probably have been tenance storage area near the east boundary of allowed to use some riparian areas in and near the national monument from the floodplain the national monument. This practice de- would mean that these facilities no longer grades natural and beneficial floodplain values would restrict floodwaters or decrease perme- in exchange for benefits to agricultural uses. ability in the floodplain. Removing the fuel NPS structures and visitor uses in floodplain storage facility at the visitor center would pre- areas contribute to the loss of natural and vent the spilling of fuels used in maintenance beneficial values. vehicles and equipment into floodwaters in the event of a 100-year flood. The net removal Further development in floodplains and wet- of about 1 acre of buildings and impermeable lands outside the national monument for resi- surfaces would have a minor long-term dential, agricultural, or commercial uses beneficial effect on flooding. would decrease the area in which natural and beneficial floodplain values would be The visitor center (with its visitor center and preserved. law enforcement functions) would continue to occupy the 100-year floodplain. Two em- Under this alternative, the natural and bene- ployee residences and a garage would remain ficial values of floodplain areas would con- in the 100-year floodplain. Because the flood- tinue to be compromised by development at plain is broad and the floodwaters are only national monument headquarters, the two slightly impeded by development in the houses, and the garage. floodplain, this continuing effect on the floodplain’s ability to function normally during The past impacts of agriculture and urbaniza- flooding would be minor, adverse, and long tion on floodplains covered wide areas and term. were adverse. The effects on floodplains from current and anticipated future actions inside Moving the maintenance function outside the and outside of the national monument, in con- boundary of the national monument would junction with the effects of this alternative, mean that fewer employees would be at risk would be moderate, long term, and adverse. from flooding. Some would continue to be at Most of the effects would result from agricul- risk in the visitor center, at the two employee tural use and development outside the nation- residences, and on trails and in quarries within al monument, which might or might not be the monument. There would be no reduction mitigated. The actions of this alternative in the number of visitors at risk from flooding. would contribute a minuscule increment to Although the possibility of loss of life would the overall cumulative effect. be extremely small, there would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe Conclusion. The net removal of about 1 acre flooding has been infrequent, and the risks of buildings and impermeable surfaces would would be minor to moderate, but flooding cause a minor long-term beneficial effect on

213 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES natural and beneficial floodplain values. Cumulative Effects. The area’s hydrology has Keeping the visitor center, the parking and been greatly altered by the ditching of Pipe- picnic areas, restrooms, and residences within stone Creek upstream, the removal of water the 100-year floodplain would prevent the by the use of wells, quarrying on adjacent restoration of natural and beneficial flood- land, the use of tiles to drain areas near and plain values and continue to affect the flood- possibly within the national monument, the plain’s ability to function normally during reduction of the height of Winnewissa Falls, flooding, a minor long-term adverse impact. and residential and commercial development.

Although the possibility of loss of life from Under this alternative, removing the fuel stor- flooding would be extremely small, there age building and the outdoor maintenance would be some danger to visitors and employ- storage area and acquiring the school district ees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and lands south of Minnesota West Community the risks would be minor to moderate, but and Technical College on the national monu- flooding could cause major adverse impacts ment’s eastern boundary would maintain or on the visitors, employees, and property improve water flow patterns. involved. The past effects on hydrology from draining The national monument’s floodplain re- land and altering water flows for agriculture sources would not be impaired by the actions and urbanization covered wide areas, were of this alternative. adverse to natural water flow, and restricted the distribution of surface water through the Hydrology surrounding landscape. The effects on hydrology from current and anticipated future ac- Water flow patterns across the national tions inside and outside the national monu- monument would be partially restored by ment, in conjunction with the effects of this removing the fuel storage building near the alternative, would be moderate, long term, visitor center, removing the maintenance and adverse. Most effects would result from storage area, and recontouring the area. This agricultural use and development actions out- would be a minor long-term beneficial effect side of the national monument, which might on hydrology. or might not be mitigated. The actions of this alternative would contribute a minuscule in- Relocating the falls bridge farther downstream crement to the overall cumulative effect. would reduce the backup of water at the existing location of the bridge, which floods the Conclusion. Alternative 3 would result in a bridge and parts of the trail. Removing the re- moderate long-term local beneficial effect on strictions to the creek’s natural flow would hydrology. result in a relatively local effect that would be moderate, long term, and beneficial. The national monument’s hydrologic resources would not be impaired by the actions Acquiring the school district lands south of of this alternative. Minnesota West Community and Technical College on the national monument’s eastern Soils boundary (15.3 acres) would maintain or improve water flow patterns. This would be a Establishing a carrying capacity for the 8-acre moderate long-term beneficial effect on ceremonial ground based on acceptable levels hydrology. of resource impact might reduce the degradation of this area of prairie if the carrying capacities were set below the current levels of use.

214 Impacts of Alternative 3

The participants in large ceremonies that take be necessary to offset adverse effects. Most place twice each year — up to 500 people — effects would result from agricultural use and compact soils at the ceremonial grounds. The development outside the national monument, compacting is greater in areas of heavy, con- which might or might not be mitigated. The centrated use such as the kitchen/cooking actions of this alternative would contribute structure and the sweat lodge fire ring. Soils only a minuscule increment to the overall would continue to be sterilized in areas of fire cumulative effect. rings that are used for cooking and sweat lodges. Establishing a carrying capacity for the Conclusion. Establishing a carrying capacity ceremonial area based on acceptable levels of for the ceremonial area (about 8 acres) and resource impact would result in a minor bene- removing facilities from about 1 acre would ficial long-term effect on soils at the cere- cause a minor long-term beneficial effect on monial ground (8 acres). soils. If grading at the fuel storage building or maintenance storage area was necessary, some Removing the fuel storage building and the of the soil profile could be permanently lost, a maintenance storage area near the national minor long-term adverse effect on soil. monument’s eastern boundary would remove impermeable surfaces from about 1 acre of The national monument’s soil resources soil, allowing the soil to function more na- would not be impaired by the actions of this turally. If grading of either site was necessary, alternative. some of the soil profile would be permanently lost. However, it is possible that regrading Wildlife would affect only the fill that was brought in for constructing the visitor center. Removing Under this alternative, the size and connec- these facilities would cause a minor beneficial tivity of the prairie would be increased by long-term effect on soils. • placing most of the national monument in Cumulative Effects. Agriculture has led to the prairie preservation zone the erosion of soils by removing native vege- • developing a cooperative agreement with tation. This, along with tilling the soil, has left the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the soils exposed to erosion by wind and water. Minnesota Division of Wildlife for prescribed burns, managing prairie and exotic The future development of some private lands species, Sun Dances, and access to the (such as those on or near national monument northern quarries, as well as for trash borders and in the city of Pipestone) for resi- removal and possibly law enforcement on dential, tourist-related, or other uses could their land adjacent to the national increase runoff, wind erosion, and soil com- monument’s northwest boundary paction and alter soil regimes. • acquiring the school district land south of The past effects on soils from agriculture cov- Minnesota West Community and Techni- ered wide areas and were adverse. This alter- cal College on the national monument’s native would result in an overall minor bene- northeastern boundary and managing it as ficial long-term effect on about 9 acres. The prairie effects on soils from current and anticipated • removing the fuel storage building near future actions inside and outside of the na- the visitor center and the maintenance tional monument, in conjunction with the ef- storage area near the eastern boundary fects from alternative 3, would be moderate and managing the land as prairie and adverse because they would change the character of the soils over a relatively wide area, and mitigating measures probably would

215 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

This would improve habitat for many faunal carrying capacity for the Sun Dance grounds groups such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, and might mitigate the adverse impact of holding insects. Overall this net gain of about 116 acres the Sun Dances to some degree, depending on of habitat would result in a moderate long- the capacity determined, a minor long-term term beneficial effect on wildlife. beneficial effect.

Depending on the carrying capacity deter- The wildlife resources of the national mined, establishing a carrying capacity for the monument would not be impaired by the Sun Dance grounds might mitigate the adverse actions of alternative 3. impacts on wildlife (degrading wildlife habitat and reducing cover and forage caused by Threatened or Endangered Species mowing 8 acres and holding large gatherings and Species of Special Concern there twice a year. This small local effect would be minor, beneficial, and long term. Opening a demonstration quarry and the associated increase in pumping might change the Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and develop- area’s hydrology by lowering the water table ment have greatly reduced the numbers of and decreasing soil moisture availability. If native animals. Animals have been affected by monitoring of water levels in drill holes in- being displaced and killed as vermin, and dicated a decrease in water levels or if moni- habitat has been lost through agricultural ac- toring of species numbers in the national tivities and the introduction of nonnative ani- monument indicated a decrease in species mals. Wildlife continues to be disrupted by numbers, pumping would be stopped. In that development and human activity. case, the National Park Service would consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about The development of some private lands for whether decreases in water levels would be residential, commercial, or other uses (such as expected to cause adverse impacts on the spe- lands on or near the national monument cies or whether decreased species numbers boundary and in communities) could alter might result from reduced water levels in the wildlife habitat and habits and cause the loss area or from some other factor. If necessary, of wildlife in some areas. Water use in these the national monument would develop a miti- developments for residential or other uses gation plan in consultation with the U.S. Fish could reduce the amount of water available and Wildlife Service. for wildlife. If pumping would result in unacceptable im- The past impacts of agriculture and develop- pacts on the Topeka shiner in Pipestone ment on wildlife covered wide areas and were Creek or its designated critical habitat or on adverse. The effects on wildlife from current the western prairie fringed orchid, it would be and anticipated future actions outside the discontinued. There would be a potential national monument, in conjunction with the short-term minor adverse effect on threatened impacts of this alternative, would be mod- and endangered species. erate, long term, and adverse. Most effects would result from development actions out- Removing the bridge over Pipestone Creek side the national monument, which might or and replacing it farther downstream would might not be mitigated. The actions of this al- not be undertaken without consultation with ternative would contribute a small increment the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Mitigation to the overall cumulative effect. developed during these consultations would be incorporated into the design and Conclusion. A net gain of about 15.3 acres of specifications for removing and constructing habitat would result in a moderate long-term the bridge. Examples of potential mitigation beneficial effect on wildlife. Establishing a

216 Impacts of Alternative 3 are performing demolition and construction side of the national monument in areas that at times of the year that would minimize might be affected are not known. Given the impacts on the shiner or minimizing the lack of information about effects outside of amount and duration of work in the creek. It the national monument, it is not possible to is expected that bridge demolition and assess the relative intensity of the impacts of construction would have no effect on the this alternative compared to current and anti- Topeka shiner. cipated future actions outside of the national monument. Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and development have greatly reduced the numbers of Conclusion. Adding a demonstration quarry native plants and animals, including threat- and the associated pumping might change the ened and endangered species. The Topeka area’s hydrology by lowering the water table shiner has been affected by habitat destruc- and decreasing soil moisture availability. tion, degradation, modification, fragmenta- There would be a potential short-term minor tion resulting from siltation, reduced water adverse impact on threatened and endangered quality, tributary impoundment, stream chan- species even though pumping would be nelization, in-stream gravel mining, and chan- stopped if impacts were identified. ges in stream hydrology. The species also can be affected by introduced predaceous fishes. Demolishing the bridge and reconstructing it farther downstream would not be expected to The western prairie fringed orchid has lost have any effect on the Topeka shiner. habitat (tallgrass prairie) to cropland, and its remaining habitat has been fragmented. The national monument’s threatened and “Mowing, haying, and grazing prevent the endangered species and species of special plants from flowering, stalling seed produc- concern would not be impaired by the actions tion” (Talley 2004). Croplands present an of alternative 3. obstacle to the free movement of hawkmoths (the orchid’s only known pollinator) between VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE orchid populations, and pesticide drift from nearby cropland can kill hawkmoths. The focus of the visitor experience under alternative 3 would be the melding of the most The development of some private lands in advantageous features of alternatives 1 and 2. nearby communities for residential, com- This alternative would result in the reestab- mercial, or other uses (such as lands on or lishment of the prairies in the national monu- near the national monument boundary) could ment. The quarries and quarriers would be affect the Topeka shiner or the western prairie interpreted, as would the methods used in the fringed orchid by altering suitable habitat. quarrying process, the items created, and their Water use for the developments or for activi- importance in American Indian culture. ties not requiring development could reduce the amount of water available for habitat for these species. Three Maidens Area

The past effects on threatened and endan- Allowing the Three Maidens zone to revert to gered species from agriculture and urbaniza- prairie and establishing a trail to guide and tion have been major and adverse. The effects control access would result in a moderate on threatened and endangered species from beneficial effect on the visitor experience. current and anticipated future actions outside of the national monument, in conjunction with the effects from this alternative, are not known because the locations of species out-

217 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

Visitor Center Area the restrooms. This alternative would not have any adverse effects on the visitor Updated exhibits at the rehabilitated visitor experience. center would improve the interpretation of the themes in a historically accurate, easy to Alternative 3 would result in major beneficial maintain, culturally unbiased manner. This effects on the visitor experience from (1) would result in a moderate beneficial effect on keeping and modifying the existing Circle the visitor experience. Trail and moving the bridge downstream and redesigning it to make it less obtrusive, and (2) Keeping the existing demonstration area in the continued opportunity for visitors to the rehabilitated visitor center and adding a closely observe the vegetative species of the demonstration area nearby to interpret the prairie remnant from the Circle Trail. quarrying process would result in a moderate beneficial effect on the visitor experience. There would be moderate beneficial effects from (1) allowing the Three Maidens zone to Adding accessible restrooms to the rehabili- revert to prairie and establishing a trail to tated visitor center would result in a minor guide and control access, (2) the updated beneficial effect on visitors. exhibits and improved interpretation at the rehabilitated visitor center, and (3) keeping Circle Trail Area the existing demonstration area in the rehabilitated visitor center and adding a Keeping the existing Circle Trail and modi- quarrying demonstration area behind the fying it where possible, making features more visitor center. accessible, along with moving the bridge downstream and redesigning it to make it less Adding accessible restrooms to the rehabili- obtrusive would result in a long-term major tated visitor center and continuing beneficial effect on the visitor experience. opportunity for visitors to observe the prairie remnant from the entry road would result in a minor beneficial effect on visitor experiences. Prairie Area

The continued opportunity under alternative SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 3 for visitors to closely observe the vegetative species of the prairie remnant from the Circle Trail would result in a continued major bene- Quarriers and Demonstrators ficial effect on the visitor experience. The con- Rehabilitating the visitor center would not tinued opportunity for visitors to observe the affect the quarrying of pipestone or the terms prairie remnant from a distance from the of the quarriers’ permits. Demonstrators entry road (which skirts the edge of the prairie would have a more attractive work area in the remnant) would cause a minor beneficial ef- visitor center but a negligible increase in fect on the visitor experience. earnings. Cumulative Effects. Alternative 3 would result in major beneficial effects on the visitor Businesses experience at the demonstration areas, the Circle Trail, and the quarry and prairie areas. Businesses that are dependent on the national There would be moderate beneficial effects on monument (such as the campground and the the visitor experience at the Three Maidens gift shop across Hiawatha Avenue from the area and the exhibits in the expanded visitor entrance to the national monument) would center, as well as minor beneficial effects from not be changed by the development included

218 Impacts of Alternative 3 in alternative 3 because they are dependent on NATIONAL MONUMENT OPERATIONS the national monument but not necessarily on the visitor center. A rehabilitated visitor Maintenance center might encourage visitors to stay in the community longer, but it probably would not Moving the maintenance function out of the add substantially to their business. The national monument would allow the expan- Pipestone Indian Shrine Association would sion of the visitor center into the current benefit from a larger, more attractive sales maintenance area. The new maintenance area in the visitor center that might increase facility would be adequately sized and sales somewhat. Businesses farther from the equipped to fulfill its function. Visitors would national monument (such as restaurants and continue to see the maintenance employees hotels) probably would not be affected by the performing their everyday tasks of mowing, actions of alternative 3. site work, building repairs, and trail maintenance. However, some functions Community would take place offsite, such as construction activities, painting, and the storage of vehicles Alternative 3 would result in some beneficial and building supplies. More employees would economic effects on the Pipestone community be available year-round, but especially during from construction activity associated with the visitor season. rehabilitating the visitor center. Land south of Minnesota West Community and Technical Facilities College is school land exempt from the county tax rolls. The work areas of the national monument staff would be divided into two facilities, the Cumulative Effects. Although past actions visitor center and the offsite maintenance have affected socioeconomic resources, no facility. Should it be necessary, one of the actions in this alternative would result in a converted houses could be used for overflow new perceptible socioeconomic effect. The office space. This would continue the current actions, together with those in the cumulative heavy reliance on radio, telephones, and cell effect scenario, would not add appreciably to phones. Having adequate space for offices, cumulative effects. library, storage, and meetings would allow the employees to carry out their responsibilities Conclusion. Alternative 3 would result in no more efficiently. Updating the demonstration effect on quarriers. Although the working area and the Pipestone Indian Shrine conditions for demonstrators probably would Association sales area would better meet be improved, there would be a negligible visitors’ needs. The rehabilitated visitor increase in earnings. center, with upgraded exhibits and more interpretation, would give visitors an Alternative 3 would result in a negligible long- opportunity to learn more about the national term beneficial socioeconomic effect on monument. businesses that are directly dependent on the national monument. Emergency Response Time Alternative 3 would result in a long-term minor beneficial socioeconomic effect on the Having a law enforcement ranger continue to local and regional economy. live in one of the houses near the national monument entrance would make the ranger available to respond to emergencies on the site. The staff of the visitor center /

219 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES administration building would remain close to impact in relation to their world-view about trails and quarries. The increase in staff revitalizing and reinforcing their traditional presumably would make assistance more cultural identity. readily available. There would be no change in distance for city fire, police, or emergency Although the possibility of loss of life from vehicles. flooding would be extremely small, there would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and Ability to Enforce Regulations the risks would be minor to moderate, but a Continuing to house a ranger on the site flood could cause major adverse effects on the would make some after-hours monitoring visitors, employees, and property involved. available. The ranger would continue to patrol the trails and help visitors in emergencies. IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE Visitors still would be able to bypass the visi- COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES tor center, where the entrance fee is collected. Laws and regulations would be enforced at For cultural resources there would be no irre- the same level as at present. versible and irretrievable commitments of resources. Conclusion. Adding high-quality new facilities would result in long-term major Although the possibility of loss of life from beneficial effects. Adding a new offsite flooding would be extremely small, there maintenance facility would remove conflicting would be some danger to visitors and employ- sights and sounds and improve the national ees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and monument’s ability to serve visitors’ needs, a the risks would be minor to moderate, but long-term moderate beneficial effect. Having flooding could cause major adverse impacts the law enforcement ranger continue to live on the visitors, employees, and property in- on the site and increasing the national volved. Any loss of life would be irretrievable. monument staff would make more people available to respond to emergencies, a long- RELATIONSHIPS OF SHORT-TERM term negligible beneficial effect. There would USES OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND be no change in the ability of the national LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY monument to enforce regulations. Rehabilitating the Mission 66 visitor center UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS would result in a long-term beneficial effect on its preservation, but it would continue to The following paragraphs describe the more be an intrusion on the landscape of the important (moderate and major intensity) ad- Prehistoric Quarrying into the Historic verse impacts that would result from this al- Period, a long-term moderate to major impact. ternative. These are residual impacts that Moving the museum collections to a more would remain after mitigation was imple- secure location within the visitor center would mented. The negligible and minor impacts are enhance their preservation. Managing the Sun described in the foregoing analysis. Dance ground within a carrying capacity would benefit tallgrass prairie. To those American Indians who believe that the national monument is not a traditional Sun There would be a continued long-term reduc- Dance site, continuing to allow Sun Dances to tion in the natural beneficial values of the take place under alternative 3 would be floodplain, and it would be prevented from culturally inappropriate and would thus functioning naturally because of the presence constitute a moderate, adverse, and long-term in the floodplain of the headquarters/visitor

220 Impacts of Alternative 3 center, an employee residence, and a house Noise, artificial lighting, and human activities used for administration. All these resources associated with ongoing visitor and adminis- could be damaged by flooding. trative use of the national monument would prevent natural prairie ecosystems and wild- Although the possibility of loss of life from life populations from reaching their full po- flooding would be extremely small, there tential in size and population density. would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and The quarrying of pipestone by Indians of all the risks would be minor to moderate, but a tribes, as provided for in the enabling flood could cause major adverse effects on the legislation, would continue to reduce the visitors, employees, and property involved. quantity of this natural resource at the national monument. Continuing visitor activities would reduce the long-term productivity of the environment.

221

CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION WITH OTHERS

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

This Draft General Management Plan / Envi- entities and to keep them involved in the plan- ronmental Impact Statement for Pipestone ning process for Pipestone National Monu- National Monument reflects thoughts pre- ment. A mailing list was compiled that con- sented by the National Park Service, American sisted of members of government agencies, Indian groups, and the public. Consultation nongovernmental groups, businesses, legisla- and coordination among the agencies and the tors, local governments, and interested public were vitally important throughout the citizens. planning process. The general public had two primary avenues to participate during the The notice of intent to prepare an environ- development of the plan: participation in mental impact statement was published in the public meetings and responses to newsletters. Federal Register on September 25, 2000. A news release on September 29, 2000, announced the beginning of the planning pro- AMERICAN INDIAN INVOLVEMENT cess and invited the public to open houses at The section on the scoping process (p. 4) con- the visitor center on October 11 and 12. These tains detailed information about the specific meetings helped the planning team determine dates of notices and meetings and when issues and concerns that should be addressed government-to-government American Indian in the plan. consultations were conducted. Consultations A short newsletter explaining the planning with American Indians began with letters sent process was issued in February 2002. A news initially to 27 tribes and follow-up telephone release was published in April 2002 to update contact with tribal governments. Thirteen the public about the progress of the planning more tribes were contacted as their interest in effort. A third newsletter published in June Pipestone National Monument was identified. 2002 outlined the alternative concepts and Because there were 40 identified Indian tribes sought public comment. with an interest in Pipestone National Monu- ment, each tribe was asked about its interest in The draft Pipestone National Monument being involved in the planning process and General Management Plan was made available how its members wanted to be consulted. All to the public on February 28, 2007. The tribes indicated they wanted to be kept on the Notice of Availability for the draft plan was mailing list for newsletters and the draft plan. published on March 16, 2007. Public review Several tribes identified specific individuals to officially closed on May15, 2007. The general represent them. management plan was mailed to everyone on the park mailing list, which includes a total of Meetings were conducted with individuals 273 individuals, agencies, and organizations. and with tribal entities on the basis of the level of interest that each showed in the plan alter- During the review period four open houses natives as described in the newsletters. Writ- were held in four locations in Minnesota and ten comments about the newsletters also were South Dakota. The public meetings were held solicited. in locations close to the reservations of culturally affiliated tribes and in population PUBLIC MEETINGS centers near Pipestone National Monument. AND NEWSLETTERS These meetings helped the planning team to answer questions of the public and Public meetings and newsletters were used to understand any concerns raised by the plan. inform the general public and governmental The first open house was held the afternoon

225 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION WITH OTHERS and evening of February 20 at the Performing October 2000, inviting their participation in Arts Center in Pipestone with 32 in the planning process. All the newsletters were attendance. The second was held the sent to both offices with a request for afternoon and evening of February 21 in comments. Pierre, South Dakota at the South Dakota State Historical Society. One person attended. Under the terms of stipulation VI.E of the The third open house was held at the 1995 programmatic agreement among the Chamber of Commerce in Yankton, South National Park Service, the Advisory Council Dakota on February 22. A total of 7 people on Historic Preservation, and the National attended during the two sessions that were Conference of State Historic Preservation held from 2:00 to 5:00 and from 6:00 to 8:30. Officers, the National Park Service will work The third open house was held the afternoon with the Minnesota state historic preservation of February 23 in Marshall, Minnesota at officer to determine which actions qualify as Southwest Minnesota State University. No programmatic exclusions under IV.A and B one attended. The open houses were and which other undertakings will require announced in local newspapers, via news further review and comment under 36 CFR releases to the park mailing list. Notice was 800.4-6. provided to local television and radio stations. The following table identifies the actions that In addition, the National Monument were considered and the determination that Superintendent met with a group of 15 Lakota was reached about whether further SHPO and Dakota elders on March 15, with the consultation would or would not be required Pipestone County Commissioners on April 3, for each. and with 22 Lower Brule elders on May 6.

Twenty-five (25) letters were received in response to the public review. Four (4) official responses were received from Indian tribes. Responses were received from city and county government officials and state and federal agencies.

CONSULTATION

Agencies that have direct or indirect jurisdiction over historic properties are required by section 106 of the National Historic Pres- ervation Act of 1966, as amended (16 USC 470, et. seq.) to take into account the effect of any undertaking on properties in or determined eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. To meet the requirements of the regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation on implementing section 106 (36 CFR 800, “Protection of Historic Properties”), the National Park Service sent letters to the Minnesota state historic preservation officer (SHPO) and the Ad- visory Council on Historic Preservation in

226 Public Involvement

TABLE 11: FUTURE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT COMPLIANCE REQUIRED FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIFIC ACTIONS (PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE) Action Compliance Requirement Maintenance moved out of national monument; cooperative mainten- No further SHPO consultation needed. ance agreement with other public or private entity to house operations; if not possible, then contract for or lease space. Visitor center and two Mission 66 houses removed. Needs further consultation with the SHPO and development of an MOA. Remnant prairie managed to preserve its significance; restored prairie No further SHPO consultation needed. managed to recover native plant species American Indian ceremonial use unchanged; Three Maidens grounds Needs further SHPO consultation. restored to prairie; Hiawatha Club use of Three Maidens ceased. Picnic area and restrooms removed. No further SHPO consultation needed. NPS assists with preservation of Indian School superintendent’s house. No further SHPO consultation required, but NPS will consult with SHPO as part of memorandum of agreement on demolition of the National Register eligible visitor center and associated cultural landscape. School district lands south of Minnesota West Community and Technical No further SHPO consultation needed. College on eastern boundary acquired; prairie restored. Cooperative agreement among NPS, USFWS, and MDNR to coordinate Needs further SHPO consultation if eth- mutually beneficial land management activities. nographic resources as traditional properties or cultural landscapes found eligible for national register. Existing trails upgraded with rerouting; new trails possible to connect the Needs further SHPO consultation. Circle Trail to the new entrance. Continued NPS efforts to control exotic species in national monument; No further SHPO consultation needed. NPS would work with owners of adjacent property to identify and eradicate exotics. Sun Dances still permitted; modifications of use might be made on the No further SHPO consultation needed. basis of impact and sustainability of resources. Superintendent’s Indian Advisory Committee established. No further SHPO consultation needed.

227 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION WITH OTHERS

TRIBES, AGENCIES, AND Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma ORGANIZATIONS TO WHICH Prairie Island Indian Tribe THIS DOCUMENT WAS SENT Rosebud Sioux Tribe Santee Sioux Nation Director’s Order 12 requires a listing of all Shakopee Mdewakanton Nation agencies, organizations, and people who Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe receive copies of the plan. A list of individual Spirit Lake Tribe recipients may be kept in the project file Standing Rock Sioux Tribe rather than being listed in the back of the plan Three Affiliated Tribes if that list is more than three pages. A com- Upper Sioux Community of Minnesota plete list is available from the National Park Yankton Sioux Tribe Service, Denver Service Center, 12795 West Alameda Parkway, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, Other American Indian Tribes and CO 80225-0287 Organizations Caddo Indian Tribe of Oklahoma, Federal Agencies and Officials Chairperson Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Devil’s Lake Sioux Tribe U.S. Department of Agriculture Eastern Band of Cherokee, Principal Chief Natural Resource Conservation Service Fond du Lac Band of Minnesota Chippewa U.S. Department of the Interior Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pipemakers National Park Service Little Feather Indian Center Badlands National Park Nez Perce Tribe, Chairperson Effigy Mounds National Monument Northern Cheyenne Tribe, President Grand Portage National Monument Osage Nation, President Keweenaw National Historical Park Pipestone Indian Shrine Association Mississippi National Scenic Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Riverway Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri, Chairperson Saint Croix National Scenic Sac & Fox Nation of Oklahoma, Principal Riverway Chief Voyageurs National Park Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Chairperson Honorable Norm Coleman, Senator Shoshoni Tribe, Chairperson Honorable Mark Dayton, Senator United Sioux Tribes John Kline, Representative to Congress State Agencies and Officials and Parks Affiliated American Indian Tribes Minnesota Department of Health Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Minnesota Department of Tourism Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Minnesota Department of Transportation, Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes Passage Coordinator Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Minnesota State Historic Preservation Officer, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Dr. Nina Archabal Lower Sioux Indian Tribe Minnesota West Community and Technical Oglala Sioux Tribe College Omaha Tribe of Nebraska State of Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Otoe-Missouria Tribe Governor Tim Pawlenty Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Senator Jim Vickerman

228 Public Involvement

Hon. Doug Magnus, Minnesota House of Indian Shrine Association Representatives Jaycees Bigstone Wildlife Refuge Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Blue Mounds State Park Pipemakers Camden State Park Kiwanis Club Jeffers Petroglyphs State Historic Park Little Feather Indian Center Lake Shetek State Park Master Gardeners/Home Study Split Rock Creek State Park MCCL Medical Auxiliary Local Agencies and Officials The Nature Conservancy Pipestone County Attorney Pheasants Forever Pipestone County Auditor Pipestone Chamber of Commerce Pipestone County Extension Pipestone Golden Kiwanis Pipestone County Fair Pipestone Lions Club Pipestone County Museum Pipestone RV Campground Pipestone County Treasurer Pipestone Publishing Company Pipestone County Recorder of Deeds Pork Producers Pipestone County School District Pottawatomie Cultural Center and Museum Pipestone County Soil and Water Red Cross Conservation District Reliant Energy–Minnegasco Pipestone County Sheriff Sagio Club Mayor of Pipestone Senior Citizen Center Pipestone Building and Zoning Administrator Sioux Valley Southwest Electric Pipestone City Administrator SWST Cultural Affairs Committee Pipestone Community Library Travelers Council Pipestone Convention and Visitors Board Truine Chapter #51 Pipestone Parks and Recreation Director Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Pipestone Heritage Preservation Commission Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3814 Williams Pipeline Company Organizations and Businesses XCEL Energy-Northern States Power Ambulance Association Media American Indian Movement, Minneapolis American Indian Studies Program Argus Leader Association on American Indian Affairs Brookings Register Boy Scouts of America Buffalo Ridge Gazette Calumet Chapter 51 Dell Rapids Tribune Cattlemen’s Association Edgerton Enterprise Center for Rural and Regional Studies Flandreau Santee Sioux Executive Indian Country Today Chapter C, PEO KARL-KKCK-KMHL Radio Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts of America KDLT-TV Farm Bureau KELO-TV Fire Department, Pipestone KLOH Flying Arrow Ranch KRSW-FM Fort Pipestone KSFY-TV Girl Scouts U.S.A. KTTW-FOX-TV Hiawatha Club Lakota Times Hiawatha Snowblazers Marshall Independent Historic Pipestone Minneapolis Star–Tribune Historical Society

229 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION WITH OTHERS

Moody County Herald Tyler Tribune Murray County Herald Worthington Daily Globe South Dakota Public Broadcasting Tollefson Publishing

Consultation and Coordination Record 7/15/00 Lower Brule Sioux Tribal Council, elders, and Cultural Resource Committee members visit Pipestone National Monument. 8/25/00 Pipestone National Monument superintendent met with Ms. Kathy Bolin, Passage Coordinator at Minnesota Department of Transportation, to discuss “International Prairie Passage Route.” 9/25/00 Federal Register notice published. 9/25/00 Press release announcing beginning of general management plan (GMP) process. 9/29/00 Press release announcing public meetings on the GMP. 10/2000 Letters and GMP data mailed to 40 tribes inviting participation. Pipestone NM staff made followup calls and 2001 to confirm interest in receiving documents or briefings as plans became available. (Original letters to 27 tribes in October 2000; letters to 13 more tribes in 2001). 10/02/00 Letter to Advisory Council on Historic Preservation inviting participation in planning process. 10/02/00 Letter to Minnesota state historic preservation officer (SHPO) inviting participation in planning process. 10/02/00 Letter to Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Field Office, notifying of GMP and requesting list of federally listed species. 10/02/00 Letter to all people on NM mailing list inviting them to open houses. 10/02/00 Letter to Joseph Schelhass, president of Hiawatha Club, notifying him of GMP and inviting participation in open houses. 10/03/00 Letter to State Representative Richard Mulder to attend open houses. 10/11/00 Open House at Pipestone National Monument, 4–6 p.m. 10/12/00 Open House at Pipestone National Monument, 7–9 p.m. 10/27/00 Superintendent called Myron Williams, Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribe, and asked him to put out word on GMP. All welcome to provide input. 10/30/00 Lower Brule Sioux Tribal Council elders and Cultural Resource Committee members return to Pipestone NM to meet with national monument staff and GMP team captain to discuss their impressions of the national monument and the GMP and to advise the NM about issues of sacredness. 11/08/00 Letter from U.S. Fish and Wildlife saying that two T&E species possible in the NM (Topeka shiner, endangered, and western prairie fringed orchid, threatened). 11/17/00 Letter from Minnesota SHPO requesting involvement in planning process. 12/01/00 Letter to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program, Section of Ecological Services, requesting information about state-listed species in Pipestone County. 12/12/00 List of species and native plant communities in the county provided by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program, Section of Ecological Services. List of species and native plant communities in the county provided by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program, Section of Ecological Services. 12/28/00 Letter from Pipestone Indian Shrine Association giving ideas, comments, and suggestions for GMP. 1/10/01 Letter from Larry Van Horn, DSC planning team, responding to a request from Scott Jones of the Lower Brule Tribe regarding American Indian Religious Freedom Act. 1/11/01 Letter from Advisory Council on Historic Preservation acknowledging the GMP and outlining the group’s participation. 1/12/01 Telephone call to Minnesota SHPO arranging meeting to discuss SHPO involvement. 1/22/01 Tribal Chair Dallas Ross, Upper Sioux Community of Minnesota, came to Pipestone to discuss issues and review GMP process with superintendent. 02/02/01 Pipestone NM published short newsletter explaining GMP, telling schedule, and explaining how people can get involved. Newsletter sent to national monument’s mailing list. 02/12/01 Jolene Arrow, Yankton Sioux Tribe, called about GMP because Jerry Flute, Association on American Indian Affairs, had alerted her. Fax and copies of original GMP mailing sent to her. 2/13– GMP meetings at Performing Arts Center. DSC and NM team, as well as Bill Supernaugh, 16/2001 superintendent of Badlands NP.

230 Public Involvement

2/20/01 Pipestone NM superintendent conferred with Paul Dobbs, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, about Pipestone Indian school Superintendent’s. house, discussed ownership issues and how it was transferred. 2/20/01 Superintendent conferred with Bud Johnston, Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers, discussed ownership of superintendent’s house and how it was transferred. 2/26/01 Telephone call between Larry Van Horn, DSC planning team, and Dennis Gimmstad, Minnesota state historic preservation office, to discuss SHPO involvement in planning process. 3/03/01 Superintendent met with Flandreau Santee Sioux, Santee Sioux, and Chuck Derby, Little Feather Interpretive Center, to discuss national monument management and GMP issues. 3/20/01 Letter from Pipestone NM superintendent to Dennis Gimmstad, Minnesota state historic preservation office, outlining GMP progress and following up on conversations of 1/12/01 and 2/26/01. 4/02/01 Jolene Arrow, Yankton Sioux Tribe, asked Pipestone NM superintendent to present GMP and national monument management issues to a group meeting at Fort Randall, SD. 4/23/01 Letter from Dennis Gimmstad, Minnesota state historic preservation office to Pipestone NM superintendent regarding SHPO involvement in the GMP. 4/25/01 Meeting about pipestone quarries at Pipestone NM hosted by the Yankton Sioux at the Fort Randall Casino/Hotel. Members of many other Sioux Tribes included. Topics discussed were GMP, Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), and national monument management. Pipestone NM superintendent and team captain spoke about the GMP, answered questions about NM management and operation. Regional anthropologist and NM chief ranger also attended. 4/2701 Telephone call between Minnesota state historic preservation office and Pipestone NM superintendent to discuss GMP. 5/2/01 Yankton Tribal Chair designated Jolene Arrow as contact. 5/23/01 Myron Williams, Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribe, discussed with superintendent forming a consultative group. 6/28/01 Minnesota SHPO visited Pipestone NM for a day. Team captain and planning team also visited. GMP discussed. 7/3/01 Jolene Arrow, Yankton Sioux Tribe, called to discuss previous meeting. 7/13/01 Superintendent briefed Mick Myers, executive director, Pipestone Chamber of Commerce, on GMP. 7/16/01 Superintendent briefed County Commissioner Jack Keers on GMP. 7/19/01 Superintendent briefed Pipestone Mayor Bill Ellis on GMP. 7/24/01 Superintendent briefed Vern Long on GMP. 8/02/01 Superintendent briefed Chuck Derby, Little Feather Interpretive Center, on GMP and other issues. 1/30/02 Telephone conversation with Jim Jones, MN Indian Affairs Council, to discuss GMP. Follow-up letter and background materials on GMP sent 2/05/02. 2/2002 Two articles and an editorial in the Argus Leader newspaper about GMP following input from Pipestone NM superintendent and staff. 2/14/02 Meeting with Lower Brule Sioux Tribal Council and Elder Council at Pipestone NM. 2/22/02 Radio interview of superintendent with KDCR, Sioux Center, Iowa, about GMP. 2/22/02 Letter from Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewas Tribal Council to NM superintendent, designating Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers to represent the band on the GMP. 3/04/02 Letter from Pipestone NM superintendent to Chairman, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewas confirming their 2/22/02 letter and assuring that they would remain on the mailing list. 4/01/02 Letter to Tribal Chairman, Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, acknowledging request that Chuck Derby function as the tribe’s liaison to the GMP. 4/03/02 Letter from Pipestone NM superintendent to Chairman, Fond du Lac Band of Minnesota Chippewa Indians, to discuss GMP. 4/03/02 News release telling status of GMP. 5/29/02 Conversation between Pipestone NM superintendent and a staff writer, Minneapolis Star Tribune about GMP. 5/29/02 Letter to Tribal Chairman, Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, acknowledging request that. Joe Williams, Cultural Committee of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribe, and. Chuck Derby, Little Feather Interpretive Center, function as tribe’s liaison to GMP team. 5/30/02 Meeting with Minnesota West Community and Technical College CEO Paul Dobbs about GMP. 6/02/02 Pipestone NM published newsletter describing progress to date and outlining alternative concepts to be expanded on in GMP. 7/16/02 Pipestone NM superintendent spoke at a meeting of Hiawatha Club about GMP, NPS policy and laws dealing with sacred sites, and possible impacts on the Hiawatha Pageant.

231 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION WITH OTHERS

8/05/02 Letter from Tribal Council of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribe, Lake Traverse Reservation, to Pipestone NM superintendent transmitting three tribal council resolutions individually designating the Three Maidens, Leaping Rock, and the Oracle as sacred sites. 10/19/02 Meeting with Lower Brule Sioux at Pipestone NM. 3/19/03 Superintendent briefed City Administrator on possible partnerships and space needs. 4/24/03 Superintendent briefed Paul Dobbs, CEO, Minnesota West Community and Technical College. 4/29/03 Superintendent briefed Chuck Derby, Sisseton-Wahpeton Liaison, on GMP. 5/01/03 Superintendent briefed Cally Eckles, staff person for Congressman Gutknecht, about national monument and GMP. 5/6–7/03 Superintendent attended meeting hosted by the Lower Brule Sioux at Lower Brule, SD and gave GMP briefing and status of GMP. Other tribes represented were Yankton, Rosebud, Three Affiliated Tribes, Standing Rock, and Pine Ridge. 5/21/03 Superintendent briefed Joe Williams, Sisseton-Wahpeton Liaison, on GMP. 11/26/04 Elders and some council members of the Lower Brule Sioux visited national monument. They were given an update on draft GMP status and provided handouts on establishing act, proposed mission, purpose, significance statements, and interpretive themes. 3/25/05 Superintendent briefed Sisseton-Wahpeton tribal GMP liaison Chuck Derby on status of plan. 3/31/05 Superintendent had telephone discussion with Sisseton-Wahpeton tribal liaison Joe Williams on draft GMP and sent pipestone geology study. 7/1/05 Letters were sent to each of the 23 affiliated tribes transmitting recently completed studies: Native American Cultural Affiliations and Traditional Association Study, and The Ever-Changing Pipestone Quarries. Status of draft GMP was stated, and an invitation was extended requesting liaison representative designations. 10/12/05 Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Mr. Frankie Johnson, and several other tribal members visited the national monument. Superintendent extended an invitation to discuss the draft GMP at a later time. Upon their request, a national monument Strategic Plan was sent. 10/12/05 Letters were sent to each of the 23 affiliated tribes requesting a preferred method for conducting government-to-government relations for the draft GMP and the designation of a preferred tribal contact person. One response dated December 6 was received from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. 12/6/05 – Telephone contacts were made with 22 of the affiliated tribes for designated contacts. Contact persons 12/9/05 were recorded for future reference in disseminating plans.

232 Government Agencies

SUBSTANTIVE COMMENTS AND NPS RESPONSES

Following are reprinted letters containing substantive comments and NPS responses to those comments.

233 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES cy n e Ag n o ti c e ot l Pr ndary donation, legislation, adjustment, a t n e RESPONSES nm o vir es En t a ed St t ni o U nses t Preservation Officer (SHPO) detailing mitigation measures the National Park National the measures mitigation (SHPO) detailing Officer Preservation National the Center, Visitor Pipestone the in removing Service undertake will for search to commit will and assistance technical Service provide will Park of restoration and stabilization the for funding the preservation mayThis house. Superintendent's should future, in the point some include-at Service owner- assuming Park National unsuccessful-the prove options other ofship bou a minor house through the anyor One of vehicle. Service practical other Park National the options the Centennial the through funding preservation and is stabilization pursue will from come would funds matching that premise the with Program, Challenge of State the come would assistance in-kind and sources, local Minnesota and uses of Future college. the be as an from house could Superintendent's the story the telling center interpretive of Pipestone the using Schools Indian the own- The uses. tribal for space house office to or as an example, School Indian ers of Community house, Minnesota West Technical Superintendent's and the be signatory to be invited will be will College, MOA the and MOA, the to Plan. Management General final in the as an appendix included In the Memorandum of Memorandum the In Historic Minnesota State the with (MOA) Agreement po 1. es R COMMENTS

234 Government Agencies RESPONSES COMMENTS 1. 235 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES COMMENTS

236 Government Agencies RESPONSES COMMENTS

237 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES COMMENTS

238 State Agencies e c i f n Of o ti a v RESPONSES r ese c Pr ri o t s e Hi t a e St h o t nses t on the adequacy the on of We Statement. Impact Environmental in the information been completely have sig- the resources and not all that recognize inventoried, of with- nificance elements as contributing roles their and resources cultural all purpose the not entirely that are note we Monument in the known. However, of of determination is not a formal Statement Impact Environmental Draft the of intent The for Statement Impact effect. Environmental Draft the circulating sufficiency the on information gain is to comment of the and gathered, data the ofreasonableness of evaluation the impacts. po We appreciate the comments of comments the appreciate (SHPO) Office Preservation 1. We Historic State the es R COMMENTS 1. 239 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES working to RESPONSES In response to the lack of lack the to response the In landscapes, cultural to specific information acquire the necessary the acquire survey any taking before information may that actions resources. these impact Monument initiated an ethnographic landscape assessment in 2005. This in 2005. assessment landscape an ethnographic initiated Monument in early be finalized to is scheduled form, report in draft still Although 2008. of version the current landscape; the cultural a single identifies report the history assess the will report of within elements built the and Monument the man- for alternatives address will report the complete, Once landscape. that ofagement be will Office Preservation Historic State the and landscape that an opportunity of terms In provided report. that on comment and review to be will Monument the resources, cultural other with gaps data Monument for the next 15 to 20 years. As such, the desired future conditions future desired the As such, 20 years. next 15 to the for Monument the be directions to Plan tend Management General the within described plan. in the identified goals the in achieving take will Monument ofImplementation plan- additional entail will plan management general the of some accomplish to actions specific for ning recommenda- and goals the oftions time, specific that At phase. implementation the through plan the will phase implementation Each be detailed. will impacts specific with actions consultation the to adherence including action, own compliance its have of level at this However, imple- SHPO. the the planning, with requirements ofmentation is not likely alternative adverse a direct have preferred to the planning further need for the in mind keeping resources, cultural on effect consultation. and The GMP process is designed to provide a vision for the management of management the for a vision provide to is designed GMP process the The 2. 3. COMMENTS 3. 2. cont. 240 State Agencies es c r eso l R a tur a N f RESPONSES t o n e tm epar a D esot o Minn nses t Final Environmental Impact Statement. The management actions proposed actions management The Statement. Impact Environmental Final Impact Environmental Plan / Draft Management General Draft in the of either on no effect have would (a Statement nigra Buellia species, the lichen The skipperling). (Poweshiek Oarisma poweshiek and lichen) crustose by not be affected will proj- that other in areas or occurs construction or fire Environmental Plan / Draft Management General Draft in the proposed ects of effects The have Statement. Impact poweshiek as the such insects on fire program fire prescribed the 1971 when since Monument at the been ongoing pro- to methods implements and Plan outlines Management Fire The began. of impacts the from pollinators tect of details the While fire. man- resource of not a topic are agement of Plan, copies Management General the the Prairie Assessment, Plan/ Environmental Management Fire Monument's upon available Plan are Management Resource Plan, and Management request po Updated species occurrence information has been incorporated into the into has been incorporated information occurrence species 1. Updated es R COMMENTS 1.

241 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES COMMENTS

242 State Agencies RESPONSES COMMENTS

243 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES The information regarding the Topeka shiner on page 125 has been corrected. 125 has been corrected. page on shiner Topeka the regarding information 2. The COMMENTS 2. 244 State Agencies RESPONSES COMMENTS

245 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES COMMENTS

246 State Agencies RESPONSES COMMENTS

247 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES COMMENTS

248 American Indian Tribes RESPONSES COMMENTS

249 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES be ri T RESPONSES ux o n Si o t ank to the Bureau of Bureau the to Affairs. Indian eY h o t nses t po See response 2 See response es R 1. COMMENTS

250 American Indian Tribes RESPONSES COMMENTS

251 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES COMMENTS

252 American Indian Tribes RESPONSES Freedom Act (the Act) as amended (Public Law 95-341, 42 U.S.C. 1996 and Law 95-341, 42 U.S.C. (Public as amended Act) (the Act Freedom inherent their Indians American for preserves and protects Act The 1996a). of religions of traditional right the exercise and express, believe, to freedom not but including Hawaiians, Native and Aleut, Eskimo, Indian, American the of possession use and sites, to access to limited free- the and objects, sacred Sun As such, rites. traditional and ceremonials through worship to dom of issuance though grounds Monument the within be permitted will Dances a Sun between open dialog encourages Monument The Permit. Use Special issue. this resolve to citizens tribes and concerned and organizers Dance of addition a desirable of management the considered for information cultural/ethno- additional need for Monument's The resources. Monument is already 57, 65, 72, (pages information graphic alternatives in the mentioned govern- usual and a project such complete to be sought will 79). Funding and to a contractor secure to be followed would procedures procurement ment study. the complete The Monument is required to comply to is required Religious Monument Indian American 2. The the with Property of funding Cultural for request 3. The Survey (TCP) Traditional a is COMMENTS 3. 2. 253 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES Club to reduce the reduce Club to unfunded positions is not possible at this is not possible positions unfunded RESPONSES work with the Hiawatha National Park Service. Efforts to to Service. Efforts Park National and been made ofimpact have site sacred Maidens Three the on pageant the The 65). 1 (page Alternative under as described be pursued to continue will a carrying capacity for request the to response previous study of Hiawatha the comment. this to applies also pageant in the Draft General Management Plan should fulfill the desire of desire the fulfill Plan should Management General Draft in the Yankton the closely be more tribe to of management in the involved The Monument. the of base budget ofcurrent filling the for allow does Monument the posi- these additional adding however, tions; as members of members as well tribal encour- time. Yankton tribes are other apply to aged as they Service positions Park National for We advertised. are the all to openings position permanent and seasonal forward to continue will offices. tribal otany study by completed University the of studyThe Arizona. inter- included members of elders. with views Yankton tribes including various Ethnobotanical information has already information Ethnobotanical been obtained by 2003 ethnob- the The Hiawatha Pageant occurs on property on occurs Pageant Hiawatha The by managed not owned or the The establishment of establishment The Advisory Indian a Superintendent's for called Committee 5. 3. 4. COMMENTS 3. 5. 4. 254 American Indian Tribes RESPONSES COMMENTS

255 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES COMMENTS

256 Groups and Individuals RESPONSES COMMENTS

257 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES COMMENTS

258 Groups and Individuals RESPONSES COMMENTS

259 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES COMMENTS

260 Groups and Individuals RESPONSES The prescribed carrying capacity prescribed The study of to seek will grounds Sun Dance the ensure the continued availability continued the ensure of property the uses ceremonial/religious for studyThe time. over of qualities assess the will property the val- most are that the to occurring are impacts assess what attendees, Sun Dance the ued to property of as a result of levels acceptable define use, and the We damage. study this consider of be an assessment to val- resource and values social both use of the sustain will ues that property this is time. It over events religious for use of the reduce to not meant property the practices. religious limit or oftion property federal on occurs that pageant majority the the is negligible; of property use is on owned solely by has Monument The Club. Hiawatha the already of impacts lessened the by pageant the certain uses of limiting the ofAdoption process. permit annual the 1 through Maidens Alternative Three of production the during Maidens Three the with the contact eliminate would 65). (page Pageant Hiawatha A carrying capacity por- studyThe is not warranted. grounds Hiawatha the at 1. COMMENTS

1. 261 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES COMMENTS 1. cont. 262 Groups and Individuals eady been obtained by 2003 ethnob- the RESPONSES Ethnobotanical information has alr information Ethnobotanical otany study by completed University the of studyThe Arizona. included members of elders. with interviews Yankton tribes including various considered a desirable addition of addition a desirable of management the considered for information cultural/ethno- additional need for Monument's The resources. Monument is already 57, 65, (pages information graphic alternatives in the mentioned usual and a project such complete to be sought will 79). Funding 72, and a con- secure to be followed would procedures procurement government study. the complete to tractor The request for funding of a Traditional Cultural Property of funding Cultural for request The Survey (TCP) Traditional a is 2. COMMENTS 2. 1. cont. 263 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES itions; however, adding additional adding however, itions; RESPONSES The establishment of establishment The Advisory Indian a Superintendent's Committee called for in the Draft General Management Plan should fulfill the fulfill Plan should Management General Draft in the for called closely of be more desire tribe to manage- in the involved Yankton the ofment of base budget current The Monument. the Monument the of filling the for allow does pos these unfunded positions is not possible at this time. Yankton tribal members tribal time. Yankton at this is not possible positions unfunded as members ofas well apply to encouraged tribes are other National for for- to as they Service continue positions will Park We advertised. are offices. tribal the all to openings position permanent and seasonal ward 3. COMMENTS 3. 2. 264 Groups and Individuals RESPONSES COMMENTS

265 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES g eetin l m RESPONSES ba ri T e n o t e Pipes h o t nses t po Freedom Act (the Act) as amended (Public Law 95-341, 42 U.S.C. 1996 Law 95-341, 42 U.S.C. (Public as amended Act) (the Act Freedom their Indians American for preserves and protects Act The 1996a). and of traditional right the inherent exercise and express, believe, to freedom of Hawaiians, religions Native and Aleut, Eskimo, Indian, American the of possession use and sites, to access to not limited but including sacred traditional and ceremonials through worship to freedom the and objects, Monument the within be permitted will Sun Dances As such, rites. of issuance though grounds Monument The Permit. Use a Special concerned and organizers Sun Dance between open dialog encourages issue. this resolve to citizens tribes and The Monument is required to comply to is required Religious Monument Indian American 1. The the with es R COMMENTS 1.

266 Groups and Individuals RESPONSES Freedom Act (the Act) as amended (Public Law 95-341, 42 U.S.C. 1996 and Law 95-341, 42 U.S.C. (Public as amended Act) (the Act Freedom inherent their Indians American for preserves and protects Act The 1996a). of religions of traditional right the exercise and express, the believe, to freedom not lim- but including Hawaiians, Native and Aleut, Eskimo, Indian, American of possession use and sites, to access to to ited freedom the and objects, sacred be will Sun Dances As such, rites. traditional and ceremonials through worship of issuance though grounds Monument the within permitted Use a Special organiz- Sun Dance between open dialog encourages Monument The Permit. issue. this resolve to citizens tribes and concerned ers and The Monument is required to comply to is required Religious Monument Indian American The the with 2. COMMENTS 2. 1. 267 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES COMMENTS

1. 268 Groups and Individuals RESPONSES COMMENTS

269 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES donation, or any or donation, practi- other e RESPONSES hrin an S di n e I n o t e Pipes h o t nses t Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) detailing mitigation measures the measures mitigation (SHPO) detailing Officer Preservation Historic Visitor Pipestone the in removing Service undertake will Park National and assistance technical Service provide will Park National the Center, and stabilization the for funding preservation for search to commit will ofrestoration mayThis house. Superintendent's the some include-at unsuccessful-the prove options other should future, in the point Service of ownership assuming Park National a house through the boundaryminor legislation, adjustment, One of vehicle. cal Service is pursue will Park National the options the Centennial the through funding preservation and stabilization come would funds matching that premise the with Program, Challenge of State the from assistance in-kind and sources, local Minnesota and uses of Future college. the from come would Superintendent's the story the telling center be as an interpretive house could of Indian the house to or as an example, School Indian Pipestone the using Schools owners ofThe uses. tribal for space office house, Superintendent's the be to be invited will College, CommunityMinnesota West Technical and signatory in as an appendix be included will MOA the and MOA, the to Plan. Management General final the In the Memorandum of Memorandum the In Minnesota State the with (MOA) Agreement po 1. es R COMMENTS 1.

270 Groups and Individuals RESPONSES COMMENTS

271 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES t n e um n o l M a n o ti a ndary donation, legislation, adjustment, RESPONSES e N n o t Pipes f s o d n e ri e F h o t nses t po or anyor One of vehicle. Service practical other will Park National the options the Centennial the through funding preservation and is stabilization pursue the from come would funds matching that premise the with Program, Challenge ofState from come would assistance in-kind and sources, local Minnesota and uses of Future college. the be as an interpre- house could Superintendent's the story the telling center tive of Indian Pipestone the using Schools Indian the owners ofThe uses. tribal for space house office to or as an example, School the College, Community house, Minnesota West Technical Superintendent's and be signatory to as an be invited will be included will MOA the and MOA, the to Plan. Management General final in the appendix Preservation Officer (SHPO) detailing mitigation measures the National Park National the measures mitigation (SHPO) detailing Officer Preservation National the Center, Visitor Pipestone the in removing Service undertake will for search to commit will and assistance technical Service provide will Park of restoration and stabilization the for funding the preservation mayThis house. Superintendent's should future, in the point some include-at Service owner- assuming Park National unsuccessful-the prove options other ofship bou a minor house through the In the Memorandum of Memorandum the In Historic Minnesota State the with (MOA) Agreement 15.1 es R 1. COMMENTS

1. 272 Groups and Individuals RESPONSES COMMENTS

273 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES s k y Ec e l hir o S nse t po Religious Freedom Act (the Act) as amended (Public Law 95-341, 42 (Public as amended Act) (the Act Freedom Religious American for preserves and protects Act The 1996a). 1996 and U.S.C. of right inherent their exercise and Indians express, believe, to freedom of religions and traditional Aleut, the Eskimo, Indian, American the use and sites, to access to not limited but including Hawaiians, Native ofpossession cere- through worship to freedom the and objects, sacred be permitted will Sun Dances As such, rites. traditional and monials of issuance though grounds Monument the within Permit. Use a Special organizers Sun Dance between open dialog encourages Monument The issue. this resolve to citizens tribes and concerned and The Monument is required to comply to is required Monument Indian American The the with es R 1. COMMENTS

274 1. Groups and Individuals RESPONSES COMMENTS

275 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES not been formally to impacts for evaluated will be analyzed and determined through determined and be analyzed will l w o hn S o o J nses t additional study and appropriate environmental compliance. The proposed site proposed studyThe additional compliance. environmental appropriate and have locations potential other and of selection the resources; of scope the is outside a site document. this terminus southern at the for is provided quarriers for parking as the alternative of quarry south a small the accommodate to be widened also will trail The trail. of movement in the assist to at the vehicle maintenance stone quarried and tools ofrequest of widening The quarriers. individual south the put also will trail the of legs Other trails. quarry for standards ADA trail with the in compliance trail an opportunity of steepness the to not afford due do compliant ADA be to the ethno- and communities plant near sensitive location their and escarpments to be afforded will vistas and sites to Access resources. graphic/archeological of qualities historic the retaining while ways in other the visitors handicapped Trail. Circle notable exceptions are retaining the current Reservation Avenue in its entirety, in its Avenue Reservation current the retaining are exceptions notable Act ofupgrading Disabilities with Americans to Monument the within trails all of locating and standards, corner (ADA) southeastern at the center a new visitor of the Monument. The suggested 4th alternative is veryThe 1. alternative 4th Alternative suggested Draft The the to similar Location ofLocation center new visitor the The retention of Reservation Avenue is not warranted under the proposed 4th of proposed the under retention The is not warranted Avenue Reservation po 1. es R COMMENTS 1. 1.

276 Groups and Individuals RESPONSES COMMENTS

277 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES COMMENTS

278 Groups and Individuals RESPONSES Freedom Act (the Act) as amended (Public Law 95-341, 42 U.S.C. 1996 and Law 95-341, 42 U.S.C. (Public as amended Act) (the Act Freedom inherent their Indians American for preserves and protects Act The 1996a). of religions of traditional right the exercise and express, believe, to freedom but including Hawaiians, Native and Aleut, Eskimo, Indian, American the of possession use and sites, to access to not limited the and objects, sacred Sun As such, rites. traditional and ceremonials through worship to freedom of issuance though grounds Monument the within be permitted will Dances Sun between open dialog encourages Monument The Permit. Use a Special issue. this resolve to citizens tribes and concerned and organizers Dance The Monument is required to comply to is required Religious Monument Indian American The the with 2. COMMENTS 2. 279 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES COMMENTS

280 Groups and Individuals RESPONSES COMMENTS

281 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES COMMENTS

282 Groups and Individuals tical vehicle. One of vehicle. tical the options the RESPONSES In the Memorandum of Memorandum the In Minnesota State the with (MOA) Agreement National Park Service will pursue is stabilization and preservation funding preservation and Service is stabilization pursue will Park National matching that premise the with Program, Challenge Centennial the through of State the from come would funds in- and sources, local Minnesota and uses of Future college. the from come would assistance the kind story the telling center be as an interpretive of house could Superintendent's to or as an example, School Indian Pipestone the using Schools Indian the owners ofThe uses. tribal for space house office Superintendent's the to be invited will College, Communityhouse, Minnesota West Technical and be signatory in as an appendix be included will MOA the and MOA, the to Plan. Management General final the Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) detailing mitigation measures the measures mitigation (SHPO) detailing Officer Preservation Historic Visitor Pipestone the in removing Service undertake will Park National will and assistance technical Service provide will Park National the Center, restora- and stabilization the for funding preservation for search to commit oftion mayThis house. Superintendent's the in the point some include-at Service Park National unsuccessful-the prove options other should future, of ownership assuming boundary a minor house through the adjustment, any or donation, legislation, prac other 3. COMMENTS 3. 283 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES RESPONSES COMMENTS

284 APPENDIXES, SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY, PREPARERS, INDEX

APPENDIX A: RELATIONSHIPS WITH AMERICAN INDIANS

TRIBES TRADITIONALLY having cultural affiliation with the national ASSOCIATED WITH monument. A more recent study completed in PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT mid 2004 recognized that an additional 15 tribes were affiliated with the national monument. In the glossary of its publication Management Therefore, 23 tribal names officially appear in Policies 2006 the National Park Service defines the list of federally recognized tribes in the traditionally associated peoples as follows: Federal Register, vol. 70, no. 226, November 25, 2005. A federally recognized tribe means that Traditionally associated peoples – may include American Indian tribes in this category are eligi- park neighbors, traditional residents, and former ble to receive services from the Bureau of Indian residents who remain attached to a park area despite having relocated. For purposes of these Affairs of the U. S. Department of Interior. Management Policies, social/ cultural entities such Affiliation is limited to federally recognized as tribes, communities, and kinship units are tribes. “traditionally associated” with a particular park when (1) the entity regards park resources as The study completed by the University of essential to its development and continued Arizona at Tucson includes two volumes: Native identity as a culturally distinct people; (2) the American Cultural Affiliation and Traditional association has endured for at least two Association Study (Zerdano andBasaldú 2004) generations (40 years); and (3) the association and The Everchanging Pipestone Quarries, Sioux began prior to establishment of the park (NPS Cultural Landscapes and Ethnobotany of 2006b). Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota, The identification of an American Indian tribe as (Toupal et al. 2004). The former study provided traditionally associated with Pipestone National indications about tribal affiliation but failed to Monument means that a contemporary link of definitively detail affiliated tribes until it was interest from the present to the past — known as provided by letter of April 28, 2005. cultural affiliation — exists between the tribe and the national monument. The status of tradi- Federally Recognized Tribes Culturally Affiliated tionally associated does not affect the national with Pipestone National Monument monument’s enabling legislation about who 1. Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe enjoys quarrying rights, which, as mentioned on 2. Crow Creek Sioux Tribe the following page and elsewhere in the docu- 3. Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe ment in the reprinted legislation, expressly re- 4. Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes serves the right to quarry the pipestone “to 5. Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska 6. Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Indians of all tribes.” In the section on public 7. Lower Brule Sioux Tribe involvement and Native American consultation, 8. Lower Sioux Indian Tribe the American Indian tribes included in the list of 9. Oglala Sioux Tribe tribes, agencies, and organizations to which this 10. Omaha Tribe of Nebraska document was sent overlap in many instances 11. Otoe-Missouria Tribe but are not exactly congruent with the tribes 12. Ponca Tribe of Nebraska listed below as traditionally associated tribes and 13. Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma possibly traditionally associated tribes. 14. Prairie Island Indian Tribe 15. Rosebud Sioux Tribe 16. Santee Sioux Nation Through previous ethnographic and ethno- 17. Shakopee Mdewakanton Nation historical evidence, eight federally recognized 18. Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe American Indian tribes have been previously 19. Spirit Lake Tribe identified through studies and NPS staff as 20. Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

287

APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX

21. Three Affiliated Tribes Monument be regarded as an Indian trust 22. Upper Sioux Community of Minnesota resource, or the national monument itself? The 23. Yankton Sioux Tribe lands comprising Pipestone National Monu- The staff of Pipestone National Monument ment in southwestern Minnesota are not held in conducts government-to-government relations trust by the secretary of the interior for the with those of the affiliated tribes who so desire. benefit of American Indians because of their Consultation was recently completed with inter- status as American Indians. The National Park ested tribes for design and construction of a Service has considered whether, when in 1937 display for the national monument’s petroglyphs Congress created the national monument and collection. The staff aims for effective commu- “reserved to Indians of all tribes . . . the quar- nication and the sharing of information and rying of the red pipestone” within the national knowledge about mutual interests in the national monument, the pipestone became a trust re- monument. These include concerns about source for the benefit and use of Indians or planning and operations for the national tribes. The National Park Service has concluded monument and managing cultural and natural that it did not. In other words, the enabling resources. Consultations are also conducted legislation’s reservation of the quarrying of with individuals from the Dakotah Community pipestone “to Indians of all tribes” did not of Pipestone, Minnesota, which is not a federally establish an Indian trust resource just because it recognized but is consulted as a matter of was being done on behalf of American Indians. courtesy and policy (NPS 2006b). The text of the act — “An Act to Establish the The National Park Service recognizes that Pipestone National Monument in the State of indigenous peoples may well have traditional Minnesota of August 25, 1937” — is reprinted interests and rights in lands now under NPS elsewhere in this document. Section 1 estab- management, as well as concerns and contri- lishes that Congress created the national monu- butions to make for the future through the ment “for the benefit and enjoyment of the scoping process for general management plans people of the United States.” Section 2 says that of the national park system. Related to tribal the national monument “shall be managed by sovereignty, the need for government-to- the National Park Service under the direction of government Native American consultations the Secretary of the Interior consistent with the stems from the historic power of Congress to provisions of the Organic Act” (“An Act to Es- make treaties with American Indian tribes as tablish a National Park Service”) of August 25, sovereign nations. Consultations with American 1916. The Organic Act requires the Secretary of Indians and other Native Americans, such as the Interior through the National Park Service Native Hawaiians and Alaska Natives, are re- “to conserve the scenery and the natural and quired by various federal laws, executive orders, historic objects and the wild life therein and to regulations, and policies. They are needed, for provide for the enjoyment of the same in such example, to comply with section 106 of the manner and by such means as will leave them National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as unimpaired for the enjoyment of future genera- amended (most recently in 1992). The imple- tions” of all Americans. menting regulations of the Council on Environ- It is section 3 of the 1937 enabling legislation mental Quality for the National Environmental that speaks of “the quarrying of the red pipe- Policy Act of 1969 also call for Native American stone” as “reserved to Indians of all tribes.” consultations. Section 3 adds that the quarrying is to occur “under regulations to be prescribed by the INDIAN TRUST RESOURCES Secretary of the Interior.” The National Park Service believes that “the quarrying of the red The planning process of the National Park Ser- pipestone . . . reserved to Indians of all tribes . . . vice requires the evaluation of potential Indian under regulations to be prescribed by the Secre- trust resources in planning documents. That is, tary of the Interior” recognized a historic and are Indian trust resources present or not? Should cultural use of the resource. But such recogni- the red catlinite pipestone in Pipestone National

288 Appendix A: Relationships with American Indians tion does not translate into the creation of a trust status as a member of a federally recognized resource because the quarrying is to take place American Indian tribe. in the context of first managing and preserving the pipestone for the benefit of all Americans as No permits are issued to tribes. The 1937 en- required by both the Organic Act and the ena- abling legislation clearly states that pipestone bling legislation. quarrying is reserved to individual “Indians of all tribes,” not to particular tribes. The current regulations are reprinted below, as follows. They are published in the Code of CONSULTATION FOR THE NATIVE Federal Regulations (36 CFR 7.42) as stated in the AMERICAN GRAVES PROTECTION AND volumes revised as of July 1, 2000, and first pub- REPATRIATION ACT OF 1990 (NAGPRA) lished for Pipestone National Monument in the Federal Register (34 FR 5377) on March 19, 1969. Museum collections have been inventoried for items covered by NAGPRA, such as human re- Code of Federal Regulations. Volume 36, Part 7, Section 42, Pipestone National Monument mains, funerary objects, and sacred or other (36 CFR 7.42). objects of cultural patrimony. Neither human remains nor associated funerary objects have (a) An American Indian desiring to quarry and ever been part of the collections at Pipestone work ‘catlinite’ pipestone shall first secure a per- National Monument. The NPS “Servicewide mit from the Superintendent. The Superintendent NAGPRA Summary” of 1993 indicates 20 pipe- shall issue a permit to any American Indian appli- stone pipes that could be objects of cultural cant, Provided, that: (1) In the judgment of the patrimony. They might be pipes of such Superintendent, the number of permittees then individuals as Red Dog, Kills Spotted Horse, quarrying or working the pipestone is not so large Short Bull, Rushing Bear, Dull Knife, Wolf Robe, as to be inconsistent with preservation of the deposit and (2) a suitable area is available for Spotted Tail, Hollow Horn Bear, Crow Dog, conduct of the operation. The permit shall be Kicking Bear, White Eagle, Jack Red Cloud, issued without charge and shall be valid only American Horse, Red Cloud, Rain in the Face, during the calendar year in which it is issued. Chief Joseph, Sitting Bull, Big Snake, Black Dog, and Roan Horse. One might be a council pipe. (b) An American Indian desiring to sell handicraft products produced by him, members of his family, The affiliated and other federally recognized or by other Indians under his supervision or under tribes that might be linked to these pipes were contract to him, including pipestone articles shall notified according to NAGPRA procedures as to apply to the Superintendent. The Superintendent their possible provenance with an invitation to shall grant the permit provided that (1) in his judgment the number of permittees selling handi- discuss the idea of cultural patrimony. These craft products is not so large as to be inconsistent pipes are part of the Edward Butts Collection of with the enjoyment of visitors to the Pipestone Kansas City, which the national monument ac- National Monument and (2) a suitable area is quired in 1964 through the Pipestone Indian available for conduct of the operation. The permit Shrine Association. The documentation linking shall be issued without charge and shall be valid them to these people is unclear. Nevertheless, only during the calendar year in which it is issued. one response was received and duly considered, with repatriation resulting in 1999 of the Roan THE PERMITTING PROCESS Horse pipe, catalog number 904 in the Pipestone TO QUARRY PIPESTONE National Monument collections. It was returned to Raymond Lasley, Sr., of the Osage Tribe of The superintendent of Pipestone National Oklahoma, a grandson of Chief Roan Horse. Monument requires that an individual applying The national monument remains open to for an annual permit to quarry pipestone show NAGPRA discussions with tribes that would proof of affiliation with a federally recognized wish to assert claims of cultural patrimony with American Indian tribe. More than one person regard to these pipes. If there are no further may quarry at the same site. Any person assisting claims, all of the mandates of NAGPRA should the quarrier at a site must also validate his or her be met.

289

APPENDIX B: ESTABLISHING LEGISLATION

ACT OF AUGUST 25, 1937, ESTABLISHING PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT:

An Act To establish the Pipestone National Monument in the State of Minnesota, approved August 25, 1937 (50 Stat. 804)

(a) Establishment; boundaries

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the lands lying in Pipestone County, Minnesota, within the area hereinafter described are dedicated and set apart as a national monument for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States, under the name of the ''Pipestone National Monument'': Beginning at a point twenty-two and four-tenths feet north and forty-five and eight one- hundredths feet west of the southwest corner of section 1, township 106 north, range 46 west, fifth principal meridian; thence north one thousand six hundred and fifty-five feet; thence north eighty-nine degrees fifteen minutes east, seven hundred and eight feet; thence north no degrees forty-five minutes west, six hundred and seven and three-tenths feet; thence north sixty-two degrees five minutes east, nine hundred and eighty-seven and one-tenth feet; thence south twenty-seven degrees fifty-five minutes east, two hundred and sixty-four and five-tenths feet; thence south eighty-eight degrees nineteen minutes east, nine hundred and sixty-seven and five- tenths feet; thence south no degrees twenty-four minutes east, one hundred and forty-four and three-tenths feet; thence south eighty-three degrees forty-three minutes west, four hundred and seventy-two and four-tenths feet; thence south two degrees seventeen minutes east, two thousand two hundred and forty-nine feet; thence south eighty-nine degrees twenty minutes west, four hundred and fifty-eight and two-tenths feet; thence south no degrees no minutes east, one hundred and one and one-tenth feet; thence south ninety degrees no minutes west, one hundred and thirty-seven and two-tenths feet; thence north no degrees no minutes west, one hundred feet; thence south eighty-nine degrees twenty minutes west, one thousand six hundred and eighty- three and eight-tenths feet to the point of beginning; containing approximately one hundred and fifteen and eighty-six one-hundredths acres, including concourse, excluding from the area described herein forty-seven one-hundredths acres, constituting a right-of-way of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway. (16 U.S.C. sec.445c)

(b) Administration, protection, and development

The administration, protection, and development of such monument shall be exercised under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior by the National Park Service, subject to the provisions of an Act entitled “An Act to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes,” approved August 25, 1916, as amended. (16 U.S.C. sec. 445c)

The quarrying of the red pipestone in the lands described in subsection (a) of this section is expressly reserved to Indians of all tribes, under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior. (16 U.S.C. sec. 445c.)

290

Appendix B: Establishing Legislation

ACT OF JUNE 18, 1956 ADDING LANDS TO PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT:

An Act To authorize the addition of certain lands to the Pipestone National Monument in the State of Minnesota, approved June 18, 1956 (70 Stat. 290)

Acquisition of additional lands, Pipestone School Reserve and non-Federal land; redefining of boundaries; quarry rights of Indians

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to add to the Pipestone National Monument such part of the Pipestone school reserve, not exceeding two hundred and fifty acres, as he deems necessary to protect archeological remains, to acquire by purchase or condemnation not exceeding ten acres of non-Federal land, as he deems necessary to improve the boundary and administration of the Pipestone National Monument Federal land, and to redefine the exterior boundaries of the Pipestone National Monument to include the lands so transferred and acquired pursuant to this section. All lands added to the Pipestone National Monument pursuant to this section shall be subject to the provisions of subsections 2 and 3 of the Act of August 25, 1937 (50 Stat. 804). (16 U.S.C. section 445d).

291

APPENDIX C: THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES AND SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN

The state of Minnesota maintains a list of en- survive in low numbers or may have suc- dangered, threatened, and special concern cumbed to heavy grazing by cattle. It occurs species. Under “Threatened or Endangered in prairie pools and water-filled depressions Species and Species of Special Concern” (p. 19), in Sioux quartzite. It was collected at Pipe- the species for this area are shown, with a dis- stone National Monument in 1938 and cussion of which have been considered in this 1946. It could not be found in 1979, but it document and which have been dismissed from may persist in low numbers. further consideration. Short-pointed umbrella-sedge (called Tapeleaf flatsedge in the memorandum) did All the state-listed species at Pipestone are asso- occur at three locations in Minnesota, but at ciated with the Sioux quartzite prairie. They are the time of the memorandum, none could as follows: be located at the known locations. The spe- Of Special cies, which appears to be restricted to a Endangered Threatened Concern limited habitat, is threatened by cattle blackfoot short-pointed water-hyssop grazing and quarrying. In 1983 it was quillwort umbrella-sedge thought possible that populations might hairy water mud plantain buffalo grass persist at Pipestone and Blue Mounds State clover Park. All three of the collections are from slender plantain mudwort the margins of shallow pools on quartzite plains prickly outcrops. It was collected at Pipestone in pear tumble grass 1938 and 1961 but could not be located in 1979 and 1980. A few individuals may The Prairie Cluster Long Term Ecological persist. Monitoring Program is designing a protocol to monitor sensitive species located in the Sioux Mud plantain is a small aquatic species first quartzite habitat. The following descriptions of collected in 1945. It was collected in or near state-listed plants come from the 1983 memo- Pipestone in 1956. Repeated searches of randum of understanding between the state of both these sites have failed to find the spe- Minnesota and the National Park Service. The cies. A few may persist at these sites or in descriptions for the memorandum were pre- similar habitats nearby. The greatest threat pared by Welby Smith, Botanist, Natural to this species is heavy grazing of its habitat Heritage Program. by dairy cattle. Both known populations of this species are associated with shallow rock pools formed in depressions in Sioux Blackfoot quillwort is a fern at the northern quartzite outcrops. extent of its range in Minnesota. According to the state of Minnesota, it appears to be Water hyssop is an aquatic species, wide- rare or local over most of its range and may ranging in North America but restricted be extinct in neighboring states. It is known ecologically and geographically in Minne- to occur at two sites in Minnesota. It is sota. There have been six documented found only in ephemeral pools that form in populations in Minnesota from six counties depressions in Sioux Quartzite outcrops. in the southwestern and west-central part of This species was first collected in Pipestone the state. Most populations occur in shallow National Monument in 1979. pools on quartzite and granite outcrops. The other populations are found in mud flats at Hairy water clover is a fern that reaches the margins of receding ponds in the prairie the eastern edge of its range in Minnesota. It region of the state. A specimen was collected has been found in three locations in the in 1963 from Pipestone National state, most recently in 1963. The plant may Monument, but it has not been found there

292 Appendix C: Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern in recent years. It may persist in a dormant tia cactus (Opuntia fragilis), prickly pear is condition during dry periods. not usually favored by grazing or other dis- turbances, although it does persist under Buffalo grass is a characteristic Great Plains light-to-moderate grazing. All the popu- species that reaches the eastern limit of its lations in Minnesota occur on granite or natural range in Minnesota. Although it can quartzite outcrops. The species was first withstand cattle grazing on western range- collected at the monument in 1895, with lands, Minnesota populations appear to be many subsequent collections. It is well susceptible to grazing and are quite small. established at the site although not notably Native Minnesota populations may also be abundant. threatened by nonnative strains introduced from farther west. This is basically a species Tumble grass is a common western species of dry prairies and plains, but all of the that reaches the eastern limit of its natural known Minnesota populations are re- range in southwestern Minnesota. It has stricted to thin soil on quartzite outcrops. been collected at only four locations since The species was first collected at the monu- its discovery in the state in 1895. It appears ment in 1954 and has been verified several to be tolerant of grazing but requires areas times in recent years. The population is not of sparse vegetation where competition large but is well established. from other species is minimal. Of the four documented populations in Minnesota, Mudwort is a small aquatic species that three occur on quartzite outcrops. The ranges throughout much of the continent to habitat of the fourth population was the north and west of Minnesota. Within described by the collector as an “alkalai Minnesota it appears to be quite rare. There prairie.” The first documented occurrence have been only five documented occur- in Pipestone National Monument is rences in four counties on the western edge believed to have been in 1895. It was of the state. Many of the populations are collected again at the monument in 1954 relatively small and may have trouble and 1959, but not since. Although its persisting. It is uncertain why the genus is so occurrence at the site has not been recently rare, but it may be related to the ephemeral verified, it is believed likely to persist there. nature of its habitat. Three of the five occurrences are from granite or quartzite out- Slender Plantain is a western species that reaches crops, where they are found at the edge of the eastern edge of its range in Minnesota and depression pools. The remaining two popu- appears to have very specific habitat lations are from the margin of a prairie pool requirements. This species was first collected at and the edge of a small river. This species the national monument in 1931 and again in was first collected at Pipestone National 1962. It could not be relocated in 1979 or 1980 Monument in 1963 and verified in 1979. The and its present status is uncertain. It may persist population is small but appears to be well in low numbers. established. Although some of these species have not been Plains prickly pear is typical of dry prairies found recently, protecting the Sioux quartzite and plains in the south-central and south- outcrops from development would protect any western United States. However, it is local in Minnesota, where it reaches the northern that may still occur but are in such small limit of its range in the Upper Minnesota numbers they cannot be found easily. Valley. There are currently 16 known populations in Minnesota and 2 believed recently extinct. Unlike the common Opun-

293 APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX

294 Appendix C: Threatened and Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern

295 APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX

296 Appendix C: Threatened and Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern

297 APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX

298 Appendix C: Threatened and Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern

299 APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX

300 Appendix C: Threatened and Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern

301 APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX

302 Appendix C: Threatened and Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern

303 APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX

304

APPENDIX D: CORRESPONDENCE WITH MINNESOTA STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

305 APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX

306 Appendix D: Correspondence with Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office

307 APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX

308

APPENDIX E: STATEMENT OF FINDINGS — FLOODPLAINS

STATEMENT OF FINDINGS FOR GENERAL can Indians quarried a thin layer of pipestone MANAGEMENT PLAN / ENVIRONMENTAL (catlinite). IMPACT STATEMENT, PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT The Federal Emergency Management Agency mapped floodplains at Pipestone National Introduction Monument in 1991. The resulting flood insurance rate map indicates that about one-third to In accordance with Executive Order (EO) 11988, one-half of the national monument is in the 100- “Floodplain Management” and NPS guidelines year floodplain. A small portion of the floodway for implementing the order, the National Park of the main channel lies between the Soo Line Service has evaluated the flood hazards for de- Railway and Hiawatha Avenue, east of the na- velopment in Pipestone National Monument tional monument. Base flood plain elevations and has prepared this statement of findings. As were determined for this area. an integral part of the effort to develop a general management plan for the national monument, A wide corridor along the main channel is in the this statement contains descriptions of the flood 100-year floodplain. That corridor extends from hazard, alternatives, and mitigating measures for the northwest boundary of the national monu- the continued use of this area. More details ment to within about 250 feet of the eastern about future actions and environmental impacts boundary, but no base flood elevations were de- are available in the General Management Plan / termined. An area approximately 250 feet wide Environmental Impact Statement. along the eastern boundary is within the 100- year floodplain. That area extends from 9th Street to about 250 feet north of the main chan- Description of Site nel. Its base flood elevations were calculated at 1718–1719 feet. The rest of the monument lies Pipestone Creek enters the national monument within the 500-year floodplain or areas of 100- from the east, cascades over the Sioux quartzite year flood with average depths of less than 1 foot escarpment as a waterfall, and flows into a small or with drainage areas less than 1 square mile. impoundment. From there it meanders northwesterly across the glacial valley until it exits at the north boundary. Above the falls, the creek Description of Preferred Alternative was channeled in the early 1900s to help drain agricultural lands and decrease the chance of This statement of findings addresses the NPS flooding upstream. Now it flows well below its proposal to remove the visitor center and associ- original bed. The channel to the falls, which is ated development including the two houses near roughly 21 feet wide and 5 feet deep, drains the entrance. The picnic grounds, and restroom about 30,000 acres of land. Pipestone Creek facilities near the Three Maidens rock starts upstream about 13 miles and eventually formation, would be removed. flows into the Lower Big Sioux River. According to measurements taken in 1984, the discharge of New facilities will be developed including a new the creek ranges from about 1 to 88 cubic feet restroom facility near the western end of the per second (cfs). Circle Trail and a new Visitor Center in an area that will be determined following detailed study Within a few hundred feet of Pipestone Creek, a of available locations and potential impacts. Mission 66 visitor center / maintenance facility / administrative headquarters was developed The use of the Sun Dance grounds by American roughly in the center of the national monument Indians would continue. The National Park Ser- along the quarry line. The quarry line is a north- vice would continue to rehabilitate and preserve south layer of Sioux quartzite rock where Ameri-

309 APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX the native prairie, which is the setting for the Alternatives Considered in the quarries and their interpretation. General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement Area Flooding Characteristics Retaining the visitor center at its current location the national monument was considered, The visitor center / maintenance / headquarters as was expanding it at the present location. facility is in the 100-year floodplain, for which no base flood elevations have been determined. The two houses are in the area for which base SITE-SPECIFIC FLOOD RISK; MINI- flood elevations have been calculated at 1718– MIZING HARM TO FLOODPLAIN VALUES 1719 feet. The maintenance storage yard is in the AND RISK TO LIFE OR PROPERTY floodway of the main channel. It appears that most of the western part of the USFWS property To protect lives, the staff of Pipestone National north of the national monument also is within Monument periodically closes trails that could the 100-year floodplain. be flooded. The national monument could be closed completely to visitors during a 100-year Flash flooding in the national monument along or greater event. The staff monitors weather re- Pipestone Creek is relatively frequent. Such ports and follows standard operating procedures flooding is most likely to occur after a quick for handling trail closures. Such procedures spring thaw over frozen soils or after a severe include posting signs explaining the hazards, as- summer thunderstorm. Flooding of bridges and signing rangers to alert visitors to the danger, trails is frequent, with rare flows causing flood- and clearing the trails to ensure that no visitors waters to overtop the escarpment south of are present. Winnewissa Falls. The new restroom facility along the western leg Several adverse impacts can result from frequent of the Circle Trail will be constructed in the 100- flash flooding. Sediments have nearly filled Lake year floodplain. The facility will be located in an Hiawatha, and less than 2 feet of water storage is area that has historically not flooded. A berm left in the lake. Periphyton on rocks in the will be constructed around it to prevent stream are dislodged, resulting in reduced floodwaters from damaging the structure. stream productivity. In the floodplain, biota are exposed to chemical pollutants from upstream, The natural and beneficial values of floodplains and debris detracts from the site’s aesthetics. (moderation of floodwaters, maintenance of water quality, and groundwater recharge) would not be affected by retaining the existing facilities. JUSTIFICATION FOR USE Minimal improvements to groundwater OF THE FLOODPLAIN recharge would result from removing the structures and associated impervious paved Why Facilities in Floodplain surfaces. Would Be Retained

The visitor center / maintenance / headquarters SUMMARY facility would be removed from the floodplain. The two houses are exactly at the calculated The National Park Service has determined that flood elevation of 1,718–1,719 feet and will also removing the visitor facilities and two houses be removed. from the floodplain of Pipestone Creek is the most desirable alternative. Under NPS procedures for implementing EO 11988, all other facilities such as parking areas, trails, maintenance storage areas, and picnic areas may be within the 100-year floodplain.

310

APPENDIX F: THE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT AND NPS ASSISTANCE

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, National monument staff could help with grant as amended, provides a mechanism for federal applications for funding. However, no funding agencies to help private entities with the from the government to a private entity would preservation of structures in or eligible for be involved. inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Funds are provided yearly by the National Park Service to each state historic preservation officer Federal agencies can provide technical to oversee the granting of funds to organizations assistance in the form of advice. This is the type for historic preservation purposes. Grants would of assistance envisioned within this plan for the be requested by the property owner and, if Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s accepted, overseen by the state historic house. National monument staff and NPS preservation officer. In the case of the Pipestone regional staff would provide recommendations Indian School superintendent’s house, any on types of materials or products that should be funding for design or bricks and mortar used for preservation work. They could also preservation would have to come from this or provide some on-site evaluative services based some other funding source. No funding directly on expertise and available time providing from Pipestone National Monument would judgments on building condition and uses. occur.

311

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Abbott, Kathryn A. 1996 “Hiawatha” In Encyclopedia of American Indians, edited by Frederick E. Hoxie, 245– 246. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Ager, Jerald 1996 “Geology of the Pipestone Quarry.” Coteau Heritage, Journal of the Pipestone County [MN] Historical Society 2 (1, April 1989): 2–5.

Anfinson, Scott F. 1997 Southwestern Minnesota Archaeology: 12,000 Years in the Prairie Lake Region. Saint Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press. Minnesota Prehistoric Archaeology Series, no. 14.

Becker, Donald A., Thomas B. Bragg, and David M. Sutherland 1986 “Prairie Management Plan: Pipestone National Monument.” Prepared by Ecosystems Management, Elkhorn, NE.

Bray, Edmund C., and Martha Coleman Bray, editors and translators 1993 Joseph N. Nicollet on the Plains and Prairies: The Expeditions of 1838–1839, with Journals, Letters, and Notes on the Dakota Indians. Saint Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press. First published in 1976.

Davis, John Wayne 1934 “A History of the Pipestone Reservation and Quarry in Minnesota.” M.S. thesis, University of Colorado at Boulder.

Draper, Chuck, editor 1984 A History of Pipestone County [MN]: Information Gathered by the Book Committee and Edited by the Editorial Committee. Dallas, TX: Taylor Publishing Company. Prepared for the Pipestone County Historical Society, Pipestone, MN (copyright holder).

Dudzik, Mark J. 1995a “American Indian Rock Art, State of Minnesota.” National Register of Historic Places nomination form prepared by Mark J. Dudzik, March 18, 1995. Omaha, NE: sponsored by the Midwest Regional Office, National Park Service. This rock art district, state of Minnesota, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on November 14, 1996.

1995b “Visions in Stone: The Rock Art of Minnesota.” Minnesota Archaeologist 54: 99–108.

Fish, Larry 2001 “Indian Schools’ Mark Indelible: Exhibit Explores Rules, Paternalism.” Denver Post, July 15, 2001, 26A.

Halvorson V. 1983 Personal correspondence with superintendent of Pipestone National Monument in June 1983.

312 Selected Bibliography

Hiebert, Ron 2001 “Prioritizing Weeds: The Alien Plant Ranking System.” Conservation Biology in Practice. 2 (1, Winter 2001): 36–38.

Hoxie, Frederick E. 1996 “Calumet.” In Encyclopedia of North American Indians., edited by Frederick E. Hoxie, 98. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Hughes, David T. 1995 “Perceptions of the Sacred: A Review of Selected Native American Groups and Their Relationships with the Catlinite Quarries” [at Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota]. Prepared by Anthropological Research Laboratories, Wichita State University. Wichita, KS, under contract for the Midwest Archeological Center, National Park Service, Lincoln, NE.

Hughes, David T., and Alice J. Stewart 1997 “Traditional Use of Pipestone National Monument: Ethnographic Resources of Pipestone National Monument.” Prepared by Anthropological Research Laboratories, Wichita State University. Wichita, KS, under contract for the Midwest Archeological Center, National Park Service, Lincoln, NE.

Linch, Lyle K. 1954 The History of the Pipestone Indian Shrine and National Monument. Compiled for the Pipestone Shrine Association. Pipestone, MN: Pipestone National Monument.

Mahon,. John K. 1967 History of the Second Seminole War, 1835–1842. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida Press.

Matusky, Julia Gedeon 2001 “The Great Peace of Montreal, 1701.” The Beaver, Canada’s History Magazine 81(3, June–July 2001): 8–11.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program 1973 Minnesota Proposed List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Plants and Animals.

1983a Letter of November 16, 1983, transmitting the memorandum of understanding that would place Pipestone National Monument on the Minnesota Natural Heritage Register. Signed by Barbara Coffin, Coordinator, Natural Heritage Program. Prepared by Section of Ecological Services.

1983b Memorandum of understanding for inclusion of Pipestone National Monument on the Minnesota Natural Heritage Register. Includes species status sheets prepared by Welby Smith, Botanist, Natural Heritage Program.

1985 “Sioux Quartzite Prairie Element Abstract,” prepared by Keith Wendt.

2000 Natural Heritage Database, Element Occurrence Records “List of Known Rare features in Pipestone National Monument, Sorted by Class and Element Name.”

313 APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 1984 Chapter 7050: Classification and Standards for Waters of the State. Saint Paul. Cited in Becker, Bragg, and Sutherland “Prairie Management Plan.”

Mitchell, J. H. 1934 “The Pipestone Quarry, or Restoring an Ancient Indian Shrine.” In Indians at Work: A News Sheet for Indians and the Indian Service 2 (8, December 1934): 25–29. Pipestone, MN: The Pipestone Indian School, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Moore, Robert J., Jr. 1997 Native Americans: A Portrait: The Art and Travels of Charles Bird King, George Catlin, and Karl Bodmer. New York: Stewart, Tabori, and Chang.

Murray, Robert A. 1965 A History of Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota. Pipestone, MN: Pipestone Indian Shrine Association.

Nabokov, Peter 1995 “Lineal Descendants of Former Owners of Pipes in Collections of Pipestone National Monument.” Prepared by Loendorf and Associates, Las Cruces, NM, for the Midwest Archeological Center, National Park Service, Lincoln, NE.

1996 “Tobacco.” In Encyclopedia of North American Indians, edited by Frederick E. Hoxie, 633–635. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior 1955 “Notes on the Archeology of Pipestone National Monument,” by Paul L. Beaubien. Manuscript on file at Midwest Archeological Center, Lincoln, NE.

1964 “Master Plan for the Preservation and Use of Pipestone National Monument,” by Carl R. Stoddard. Pipestone, MN.

1966 “A Vascular Plant Collection, Pipestone National Monument,” by Dennis Disrud. Pipestone, MN.

1971 “Report on Archeological Salvage, Upper Midwest Cultural Center and Six-Unit Apartment Complex, Pipestone National Monument,” by Roy W. Reaves III. Prepared by Northeast Region, Philadelphia, PA.

1973 “Interpretive Prospectus, Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota,” by. Russell J. Hendrickson, *William T. Ingersoll, Cecil D. Lewis Jr., and Jon B. Montgomery. Harpers Ferry, WV: Harpers Ferry Center.

1976 Pipestone National Monument nomination form, National Register of Historic Places, by David Arbogast. Omaha, NE: Midwest Regional Office. Form recorded July 2, 1976, by Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, Washington, DC. [The national monument was originally listed in the national register on October 15, 1966. (Form updated April 13, 1976.)]

314 Selected Bibliography

National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior (continued) 1983 Evaluation of Catlinite Resources: Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota, by G. B. Morey. Prepared by Midwest Region, Omaha, NE. Report MWR-4.

1984 “Water Quality Study, Pipestone: National Park Service Staff Research Investigation,” by Denise Stocks.

1986 “Prairie Management Plan: Pipestone National Monument.”

1988 Trails Management Handbook, by Lennon Hooper. Denver Service Center. Available on the Internet at .

1993a Floodplain Management Guideline. Washington, DC.

1993b Guiding Principles of Sustainable Design.

1993c “Servicewide Summary of Unassociated Funerary Objects, Sacred Objects, and Objects of Cultural Patrimony, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990”. Prepared by Cultural Resources Division.

1996 “Archeological Survey of a Controlled Burn at Pipestone National Monument, Pipestone County, Minnesota,” by Caven P. Clark. Lincoln, NE: Midwest Archeo- logical Center. Technical report 40.

1998a Director’s Order 28: Cultural Resource Management. Washington.

1998b National Park Service Procedural Manual 77-1: Wetland Protection. Technical report NPS/NRWRD/TRTR098/203. Denver.

1998c “Resources Management Plan: Pipestone National Monument.”

1999a Annual Report, Fiscal Year 1998. From Inventory and Monitoring Program. Available on the Internet at .

1999b “Great Plains Prairie Cluster, Prairie and Grassland Biome,” by L. Thomas, (Cluster I&M Coordinator), M. DeBacker, S. Jenkins, L. Thomas, G. Wilson, B. Rizzo, E. Schneider, D. Debinski, S. Mahady, and A. Powell. 2000a Annual Status Report, 1999: Plant Community Monitoring for Pipestone National Monument, by Mike DeBacker and Karola Milekush. Prairie Cluster Long-Term Ecological Program.

2000b Annual Status Report, 1999: Western Prairie Fringed Orchid Monitoring for Pipestone National Monument, by Gary D. Wilson, U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Northern Prairie Research Center. Missouri Project Office. Program Report 99-003, Great Plains Prairie Cluster Long-Term Ecological Program.

2000c “Grassland Bird Inventory of Seven Prairie Parks,” by A. N. Powell. Final Report to the Great Plains Prairie Cluster Long-term Ecological Monitoring Program, Wilson Creek National Battlefield, Republic, Missouri.

315 APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX

National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior (continued) 2000d “Mission 66 Visitor Centers: The History of A Building Type,” by Sarah Allaback Washington, DC: Park Historic Structures and Cultural Landscapes Program, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships Division.

2000e Strategic Plan for Pipestone National Monument, October 1, 2001–September 30, 2005.

2001a Conceptual Framework, Monitoring Components, and Implementation of an NPS Long- term Ecological Monitoring Program, by L. P. Thomas, M. D. Debacker, J. R. Boetsch, and D. G. Peitz. Prairie Cluster Prototype Program Status Report, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Springfield, MO.

2006b Management Policies 2006.

2001c “Ethnographic Landscapes,” by Michael J. Evans, Alexa Roberts, and Peggy Nelson. In People and Places: The Ethnographic Connection. A Special Issue of CRM [Cultural Resource Management]: A Journal of the National Park Service 24 (5): 53–56.

2001d “Plant Help.” E-mail message regarding slender plantain, a species listed as threatened by the state, from Mike Debacker, NPS Great Plains Prairie Cluster, to Kristin Legg, Resource Manager, Pipestone National Monument.

2002 Trip report for travel to Pipestone National Monument on June 10–12, 2002, by Richard Inglis, Hydrologist, Water Operations Branch, Water Resources Division. September 16.

2003a M. James LaRock, superintendent, Pipestone National Monument, to Dr. Nina Archabal, Minnesota state historic preservation officer, May 29, 2003, regarding request for concurrence, determination of eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places of the Mission 66 structures and features in the national monument. On file at Pipestone National Monument.

2003b “Pipestone National Monument Visitor Study: Summer 2002, ” by Margaret Littlejohn and Steven J. Hollenhorst. Visitor Services Project Report 135.

2003c Gary M. Smillie, hydrologist, Water Resources Division, National Park Service, e-mail message to Mary Magee, Denver Service Center, January 3, 2003, regarding Pipestone flood hazard.

National Park Service and U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior 1996 “Prairie Cluster Long-term Ecological Monitoring (LTEM) Program, submission to NPS Annual Report, Inventory and Monitoring Program, Fiscal Year 1996.” Prepared by NPS and USGS, Biological Resources Division.

Ojakangas, R. W., and C. L. Matsch 1982 Minnesota’s Geology. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

Pond, Samuel W. 1986 The Dakota or Sioux in Minnesota: As They Were in 1834. Saint Paul: Historical Society Press. First published in 1908 by Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul. Minnesota Historical Collections 12.

316 Selected Bibliography

Powers, William K. 1977 Oglala [Lakota] Religion. Lincoln: NE. University of Nebraska Press. A Bison book. Rothman, Hal K., and Daniel K. Holder 1992 “Managing the Sacred and the Secular: An Administrative History of Pipestone National Monument.” Report prepared for the National Park Service Midwest Regional Office by Hal K. Rothman and Associates,. Henderson, NV, under contract. Seig, Louis 1999 Tobacco, Peace Pipes, and Indians: The Ceremonial Use of Tobacco. Palmer Lake, CO: Filter Press. Sigstad, John S. 1970 “A Report of the Archaeological Investigations, Pipestone National Monument 1965 and 1966.” Journal of the Iowa Archaeological Society 17 (December 1970): 1–51. Snyder, Ellen J. 1986 “Small Mammal Habitat Use and Some Population Parameters of Microtus pennsylvanicus and Sorex cinereus at Pipestone National Monument. Prepared for the National Park Service by Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture 1976 Soil Survey of Pipestone County, Minnesota. Maps included. Stevens, O. A. 1969 “Pipestone National Monument in Minnesota.” Rhodora, 195–7. Talley, Jenell 2004 “Little Orchid on the Prairie.” National Parks: The Magazine of the National Parks Conservation Association 78 no. 2 (Spring): 60–61. Thiessen, Thomas D. 2002 “The Pipestone Petroglyphs.” Talk presented at the February 26, 2002, meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Pipestone, Pipestone, Minnesota. Ethnohistorian and archeologist from Midwest Archeological Center, National Park Service, Lincoln, NE. Thiessen, Thomas D., and Charles R. Bailey 1999 “The Pipestone Petroglyphs.” Paper presented at the 1999 meeting of the International Rock Art Congress, Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin on May 27, 1999. In possession of the authors at NPS Midwest Archeological Center, Lincoln, NE, and Upper Midwest Rock Art Research Association, Brooklyn Center, MN. 2000 “The Pipestone Petroglyphs.” In Proceedings of the 1999 Meeting of the International Rock Art Congress, Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin May 27, 1999, edited by Peggy J. Whitehead and Lawrence L. Loendorf, 115–126. Tucson, AZ: American Rock Art Research Association. Tiller, Veronica E. Velarde 1996 Tiller’s Guide to Indian Country: Economic Profiles of American Indian Reservations. Albuquerque NM: Bow-Arrow Publishing Company. Toupal, Rebecca S., Richard W. Stoffle, Nathan O’Meara, and Jill Dumbauld 2004 “The Everchanging Pipestone Quarries: Sioux Cultural Landscapes and Ethnobotany of Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota.” Vol. 2 of “Ethnohistorical and Ethno- botanical Study.” Prepared by Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology, Uni- versity of Arizona, for the National Park Service under cooperative agreement. Tucson, AZ.

317 APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX

U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Office of Occupational Safety and Health 2001 Memo to Superintendent, Pipestone National Monument, from Industrial Hygienist, subject “Silica Exposure Monitoring” September 28, 2001. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1998 Environmental Justice Guidance. From the Internet at . U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (continued) 1979 Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. Prepared for the USFWS by Lewis M. Cowardin (USFWS), Virginia Carter (USGS), Francis C. Golet (Univ. of RI), and Edward T. LaRoe (NOAA). Reprint 1992. Washington, DC. 1989 Classification of Wetlands and Deep Water Habitats of the United States. Prepared for the USFWS by Lewis M. Cowardin (USFWS), Virginia Carter (USGS), Francis C. Golet (Univ. of RI), and Edward T. LaRoe (NOAA). Reprint 1992. Washington, DC. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior 1996 “Western Prairie Fringed Orchid Recovery Plan,” Fort Snelling, MN. 2002a “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Topeka Shiner.” Federal Register (August 21, 2002) vol. 67, no. 162. USDI, Fish and Wildlife Service, 30 CFR 17. 2002b For Lack of a Moth, the Orchid is Lost.” Feature Series, vol. II, no. 4. From USFWS Internet site, November 1, 2002. 2002c U.S. Fish and Fish and Wildlife Service Publishes Updated List of Candidates for Endangered Species Act Listing June 13, 2002, from the Internet at . U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior 1998 Regional Landscape Ecosystems of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Sub-Section II.2.3., Ivanhoe-Worthington Coteau: Ground Moraine and stagnation moraine; tallgrass prairie. Accessed on the Internet in June 2003 at . Wilson, Gary D., and Timothy W. Vinyard 1984 “Changes in the Lichen Flora of Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota.” The Prairie Naturalist 8(1): 9–14. Woolworth, Alan R., editor 1983 “The Red Pipestone Quarry of Minnesota: Archaeological and Historical Reports.” Minnesota Archaeologist 42 (1 and 2): 1–137 Zedeño, Maria Nieves and Robert Christopher Basaldú 2004 “Native American Cultural Affiliation and Traditional Association Study, Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota.” Vol. 1 of “Ethnohistorical and Ethnobotanical Study.” Prepared by Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology, University of Arizona, for the National Park Service under cooperative agreement. Tucson, AZ.

318

PREPARERS OF THE DOCUMENT

PLANNERS AND PREPARERS, Sheryl Baerenwald, Administrative Technician. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Extended Planning Team. Fifteen years with the National Park Service. Denver Service Center Alice Erickson, Park Ranger (retired). Extended Craig Cellar, Anthropologist/Planner. Job Planning. Team, responsible for Captain, overall project coordination. B.A. interpretation. Thirty years with the National (History), B.A. (Anthropology), two years Park Service. toward M.A. in Anthropology. Thirty-two years with the National Park Service. Kristin Legg, Chief of Resources, Core Planning Team. B.S. (Biology), M.S. (Fish and Wildlife Mary Magee, Natural Resource Specialist. Management). Fifteen years with the Responsible for description and analysis of National Park Service. impacts on natural resources. B.S. (Biology). Thirty years with the National Park Service. Glen Livermont, Chief of Visitor Services and Protection. Core Planning Team. Twenty-six Karen Vaage, Landscape Architect. Responsible years with the National Park Service. for analysis of design, visual resources, circulation, and construction costs. B.L.A. (Land- Sue Reiss, Maintenance Worker. Extended scape Architecture and Environmental Planning Team. Twenty years with the Planning), M.L.A. (Landscape Architecture). National Park Service. Twenty-three years with the National Park Service. David Trieff, Maintenance Worker Supervisor (deceased). Core Planning Team. Fifteen Larry Van Horn, Cultural Resource Manage- years with the National Park Service. ment Specialist. Responsible for description and analysis of impacts on cultural resources. Sylvia Vogt, Administrative Officer. Core B.A. (History), M.A. (Anthropology), Ph.D. Planning Team. Twenty-five years with the (Anthropology). Twenty-eight years with the National Park Service. National Park Service. Gia Wagner, Biologist-Resource Program Manager, Core Planning Team. B.S. Harpers Ferry Center (Biology), M.S. (Environmental Biology). Thirteen years with the National Park Don Kodak, Interpretive Planner. Responsible Service. for description and analysis of interpretive, information, and orientation media. Eighteen years with the National Park Service. Keweenaw National Historical Park

Abby Sue Fisher, Curator. Extended Planning Pipestone National Monument Team. PhD 1992. Thirteen years with the National Park Service. Jim LaRock, Superintendent. Core Planning Team. Responsible for overall park management, including planning. B.S. Midwest Region (Landscape Architecture). Thirty-two years Michael Evans, Regional Anthropologist. with the National Park Service. Consultant. B.S. (Sociology), M.A. (Sociology), Ph.D. (Anthropology). Eleven years with the National Park Service.

319 APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX

Sändra Washington, Regional Chief of Planning. PEER REVIEWERS, Extended Planning Team. B.S. (Natural NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Resources), M.A. (Natural Resources). Fifteen years with the National Park Service. Noel Poe, Superintendent, Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Sherda Williams, Cultural Landscape Architect. Bill Supernaugh, Superintendent, Badlands Extended Planning Team. B.S. (Forestry), National Park. M.L.A. (Landscape Architecture). Thirteen years with the National Park Service. PUBLICATION SERVICES, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DENVER SERVICE CENTER Lisa Thomas, Ecologist, Prairie Cluster, Long- term Ecological Monitoring Program. Ruth Eitel, Visual Information Specialist Extended Planning Team. M.A. (Ecology). Lou Layman, Writer-Editor Fifteen years with the National Park Service. Linda Ray, Visual Information Specialist Sandy Schuster, Writer-Editor

320

INDEX

Access, 10, 51, 116, 186, 203 boundary adjustment, 65, 72, 80

Accessibility, 128 buffalo, 20, 290

Advisory Council, 4, 15, 25, 26, 27, 64, 138, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 285, 314 139, 141, 147, 150, 151, 164, 165, 168, 170, 186, 188, 190, 203, 205, 207, 224, 226, 228 camping, 106

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, campsites, 62, 76, 85, 105, 131 4, 25, 26, 27, 64, 138, 139, 141, 147, 150, 151, 164, 165, 168, 170, 186, 188, 190, 203, carrying capacity, vi, ix, 36, 41, 62, 76, 94, 96, 205, 207, 224, 226, 228 166, 171, 173, 176, 177, 178, 203, 207, 208, 209, 212, 213, 214, 218 agreements, 26, 33 catlinite, i, iii, 3, 16, 23, 24, 44, 49, 51, 56, 71, air quality, 20, 29 104, 105, 106, 108, 109, 110, 111, 115, 116, 118, 120, 149, 167, 187, 204, 286, 287, 307 American Indian Movement, 107, 227 CCC, vii, viii, 92, 109, 110, 114, 165, 185, 186, American Indian Religious Freedom Act, 25, 190, 202, 203 26, 228 CEQ, 19, 135, 138 American Indians, i, iii, v, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 23, 24, 26, 27, 41, 43, 46, 47, 49, 50, Circle Trail, 3, 9, 11, 44, 52, 55, 56, 58, 63, 68, 55, 56, 58, 63, 64, 68, 71, 79, 85, 92, 105, 79, 98, 110, 113, 119, 127, 128, 136, 148, 106, 107, 108, 110, 111, 112, 115, 116, 130, 151, 153, 158, 159, 160, 164, 166, 169, 174, 136, 148, 149, 150, 159, 162, 166, 167, 168, 180, 182, 185, 186, 187, 189, 191, 198, 199, 180, 183, 184, 186, 187, 188, 198, 200, 203, 202, 203, 206, 216 204, 205, 218, 223, 285, 286, 307, 312, 313, 314 Civilian Conservation Corps, vii, 109, 110, 114 archeological resources, 15, 25, 35, 44, 45, 46, 51, 104, 105, 106 construction, 12, 15, 18, 20, 29, 30, 37, 52, 85, 86, 87, 99, 114, 124, 135, 139, 141, 147, 149, Archeological Resources Protection Act, 25 151, 164, 165, 167, 169, 176, 181, 182, 183, 185, 187, 189, 197, 199, 200, 201, 202, 204, Archives, 93, 114, 115, 142, 152, 170, 190, 207 206, 210, 215, 217, 286, 319 birds, 46, 120, 124, 177, 196, 214 cooperating association, i, iv, v, vi, viii, 10, 11, 37, 58, 66, 75, 82, 127, 161 bison, 82, 124, 147, 149, 165, 167, 185, 187, 202, 204 Council on Environmental Quality, 19, 135, 286 boundaries, i, v, 9, 42, 65, 72, 80, 85, 104, 110, 111, 114, 136, 147, 149, 153, 154, 164, 167, counties, 290, 291 182, 185, 187, 202, 204, 209, 288, 289

321 APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX cultural landscapes, 11, 13, 14, 25, 27, 28, 35, floodplains, i, iv, vii, ix, 14, 29, 30, 56, 64, 71, 55, 63, 85, 92, 104, 108, 113, 114, 136, 138, 80, 86, 95, 105, 123, 142, 143, 151, 155, 156, 139, 147, 148, 164, 165, 185, 186, 190, 202, 163, 169, 170, 175, 189, 190, 193, 194, 206, 203, 225 207, 211, 307, 308 cultural resources, iii, 7, 13, 15, 26, 37, 41, 42, floods, 123, 194, 212 104, 106, 108, 115, 135, 138, 139, 140, 163, 183, 201, 218, 319 Forest Service, 35 ecosystem, 24, 29, 31, 32, 33, 45, 115, 122, geologic features, 118, 120 153, 171, 192, 208 geology, 115, 116, 230 education, viii, ix, 55, 64, 68, 74, 75, 79, 88, 90, 91, 127, 128, 157, 225 goals, 23, 27, 28 employment, 27, 99, 145, 161 gravel, 18, 158, 179, 197, 215 endangered species, 23, 24, 29, 31, 32, 44, 45, grazing, 19, 121, 159, 179, 197, 215, 290, 291 52, 97, 142, 158, 159, 178, 179, 197, 198, 214, 215 hunting, iv, 10, 46, 106

Endangered Species Act, 14, 21, 24, 32, 86, impairment, 31, 92, 137, 138, 148, 150, 186, 142, 318 190, 203, 207 environmentally preferable alternative, 83, Indian School superintendent’s house, i, iv, 84 v, viii, 8, 63, 64, 74, 80, 90, 151, 169, 225 erosion, 31, 38, 76, 85, 86, 124, 136, 154, 157, interpretation, i, iv, v, vi, vii, viii, ix, 4, 7, 8, 9, 172, 176, 177, 192, 195, 196, 209, 213 14, 37, 41, 49, 51, 52, 55, 56, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 74, 75, 76, 79, 80, 88, 90, 91, 98, 142, ethnographic resources, viii, 13, 25, 26, 27, 145, 151, 182, 190, 198, 200, 206, 216, 217, 55, 63, 64, 68, 71, 79, 92, 104, 106, 108, 111, 225, 308, 319 112, 138, 139, 140, 148, 149, 150, 166, 167, 168, 186, 187, 188, 203, 204, 205, 225 interpretive themes, 79, 115, 180, 230 exotic species, 10, 24, 29, 31, 32, 33, 42, 43, landowners, 13, 18, 33, 64, 72, 80 52, 58, 90, 121, 136, 153, 172, 208, 213, 225 management prescriptions, 48 fee collection, 9, 58 management zones, 48 fires, ix, 35, 58, 74, 122, 125 Minnesota Department of Natural fishes, 120, 159, 179, 197, 215 Resources, i, iv, vi, ix, 4, 10, 33, 46, 58, 61, 74, 150, 168, 172, 188, 205, 208, 226, 228, flooding, i, iv, vi, vii, ix, 10, 30, 45, 66, 72, 80, 313 88, 93, 95, 105, 109, 123, 124, 137, 151, 152, 155, 156, 162, 163, 169, 171, 174, 175, 183, mitigation, 13, 30, 85, 139, 143, 144, 156, 157, 184, 189, 191, 193, 194, 200, 201, 206, 207, 162, 168, 170, 178, 183, 194, 197, 200, 214, 211, 212, 218, 219, 307, 308 218

mitigative measures, 139, 141, 168, 170

322 Index museum collections, i, iv, v, vii, viii, 25, 28, pipemaking, 12, 68, 79, 115, 118, 127, 159, 56, 64, 71, 74, 75, 80, 88, 93, 104, 108, 111, 198 115, 116, 117, 118, 136, 138, 139, 142, 152, 162, 163, 170, 171, 174, 189, 190, 191, 193, pipes, i, iii, 3, 23, 28, 56, 68, 71, 104, 115, 116, 207, 218 118, 127, 180, 198, 287

National Environmental Policy Act, 13, 83, pipestone, i, iii, v, vi, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 135, 138, 286 17, 23, 24, 27, 42, 43, 44, 46, 51, 56, 58, 63, 66, 67, 71, 75, 104, 105, 106, 108, 109, 110, National Historic Preservation Act, 13, 24, 111, 115, 116, 118, 120, 121, 127, 130, 136, 25, 26, 27, 64, 86, 138, 224, 286, 309 148, 149, 151, 160, 161, 163, 167, 169, 184, 187, 189, 199, 201, 204, 206, 216, 219, 229, national monument headquarters, 30, 155, 230, 285, 286, 287, 288, 307 156, 175, 194, 211 Pipestone County, i, 3, 19, 42, 118, 129, 135, National Register of Historic Places, 8, 15, 137, 151, 161, 227, 228, 288, 312, 315, 317 24, 25, 26, 27, 43, 55, 56, 58, 63, 64, 71, 79, 80, 83, 105, 108, 112, 113, 138, 139, 140, Pipestone Indian School, i, vi, vii, 8, 23, 43, 141, 150, 151, 164, 165, 167, 168, 169, 170, 44, 46, 55, 56, 58, 63, 66, 71, 72, 93, 105, 188, 189, 190, 205, 206, 207, 224, 309, 312, 109, 112, 114, 115, 147, 149, 151, 152, 162, 314, 316 164, 165, 167, 169, 170, 187, 189, 190, 204, 206, 207, 309, 314 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 26, 28, 115, 315 Pipestone Indian Shrine Association, 99, 127, 130, 161, 169, 181, 182, 199, 200, 217, 226, Native Americans, 286, 314 228, 287, 314 natural resources, i, iii, vi, 3, 4, 13, 16, 23, 25, Pipestone Wildlife Management Area, i, iv, 29, 30, 35, 37, 41, 51, 52, 74, 90, 115, 120, 10, 46, 147, 149, 165, 167, 185, 202 142, 143, 150, 163, 167, 179, 188, 201, 205, 286, 319, 326 pollution, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 42, 45, 118 natural sounds, 29, 34, 49, 50, 51 prairies, vi, vii, 21, 52, 89, 109, 125, 178, 215, 291 nonnative, 10, 45, 46, 49, 61, 67, 76, 86, 124, 136, 154, 158, 172, 177, 192, 196, 209, 214, public involvement, 41, 285 291 purpose, iii, 3, 4, 13, 23, 34, 42, 63, 67, 74, 76, nonnative species, 45, 49 82, 106, 115, 116, 118, 137, 148, 166, 177, 187, 203, 230 NPS Organic Act, 35 quarries, i, iii, v, vi, 3, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 20, parking, i, iv, v, vii, viii, 8, 15, 31, 48, 50, 51, 23, 27, 31, 41, 49, 55, 58, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 52, 58, 61, 62, 63, 66, 67, 68, 71, 75, 76, 79, 67, 68, 72, 74, 75, 76, 79, 80, 86, 95, 98, 104, 88, 89, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96, 113, 127, 128, 149, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 114, 151, 153, 154, 155, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 115, 116, 121, 127, 136, 149, 156, 158, 159, 175, 176, 177, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 186, 160, 162, 163, 166, 172, 174, 180, 182, 184, 188, 189, 191, 193, 201, 204, 205, 206, 208, 187, 192, 195, 198, 200, 201, 204, 211, 213, 209, 210, 212, 308 215, 218, 229, 308

323 APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX quarrying, i, vi, vii, viii, 3, 8, 12, 13, 16, 23, 24, sweat lodges, 50, 51, 55, 62, 67, 76, 149, 166, 42, 43, 46, 49, 51, 62, 63, 66, 67, 68, 75, 76, 176, 187, 203, 204, 213 82, 91, 97, 98, 104, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 114, 115, 136, 148, 149, 156, 160, threatened or endangered species, 9, 13, 14, 161, 163, 167, 175, 184, 187, 191, 192, 194, 87, 142, 144, 159 195, 197, 198, 199, 204, 212, 215, 216, 219, 285, 286, 287, 288, 290 Three Maidens formation, iv, 8, 10, 51, 56, 67, 76, 159, 208 recreation, 35, 45, 110, 326 Topeka shiner, 9, 14, 19, 21, 45, 86, 97, 125, research, v, vi, vii, viii, ix, 7, 24, 25, 26, 32, 33, 158, 159, 178, 179, 197, 198, 214, 215, 228 52, 55, 58, 63, 66, 68, 75, 82, 88, 93, 107, 115, 120, 142, 152, 170, 171, 190, 191, 207 traditional use, vii, 41, 55, 64, 68, 79, 92, 148, 150, 166, 167, 168, 186, 187, 188, 203, 204, sacred sites, i, 25, 27, 111, 229, 230 205 sacredness, 12, 41, 82, 107, 112, 228 trails, i, iv, v, viii, ix, 9, 12, 15, 18, 27, 28, 38, 48, 49, 51, 55, 61, 62, 64, 67, 68, 75, 76, 79, scoping, 11, 13, 41, 82, 223, 286 85, 86, 90, 109, 110, 114, 123, 128, 130, 149, 151, 157, 158, 162, 166, 167, 169, 180, 181, section 106, 64, 86, 138, 139, 140, 141, 224, 184, 187, 188, 189, 198, 200, 204, 206, 211, 286 218, 225, 308

SHPO, 7, 224, 225, 228, 229 tribes, iii, 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 25, 27, 41, 42, 82, 85, 104, 106, 107, 111, 116, 119, 163, 184, 201, socioeconomic environment, 17, 136, 138, 219, 223, 228, 230, 285, 286, 287, 288 145 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, i, iv, vi, ix, 4, soils, vii, 13, 14, 18, 19, 24, 29, 31, 32, 33, 44, 10, 14, 19, 21, 33, 35, 42, 46, 58, 61, 74, 86, 46, 86, 87, 96, 121, 124, 142, 144, 155, 157, 87, 97, 125, 135, 172, 177, 178, 179, 197, 176, 177, 195, 196, 213, 308 208, 213, 214, 226, 228, 318 soundscape, 111 U.S. Geological Survey, 120, 315, 316, 318 species of special concern, 32, 142, 144, 198, Upper Midwest Indian Cultural Center, 11, 215 66, 118, 127 state historic preservation office, 4, 7, 15, 25, USFWS, i, iv, vi, vii, ix, 10, 46, 66, 67, 72, 75, 26, 27, 56, 64, 71, 79, 85, 105, 113, 164, 165, 90, 96, 123, 125, 142, 147, 149, 150, 153, 168, 170, 189, 206, 224, 228, 229, 309, 316 165, 167, 168, 172, 185, 188, 192, 196, 197, 202, 205, 208, 209, 225, 292, 308, 318 state historic preservation officer, 4, 25, 26, 27, 56, 64, 71, 79, 85, 105, 113, 164, 165, USGS, 316, 318 168, 170, 189, 206, 224, 228, 309, 316 vegetation, iv, ix, 3, 10, 13, 18, 29, 31, 32, 35, Sun Dances, i, iv, v, vi, vii, viii, 50, 51, 55, 61, 49, 51, 85, 87, 97, 106, 114, 120, 136, 137, 62, 76, 90, 92, 96, 107, 148, 150, 153, 162, 139, 153, 154, 155, 157, 160, 164, 171, 173, 163, 166, 168, 172, 177, 183, 187, 189, 192, 176, 178, 179, 180, 185, 195, 202, 207, 208, 196, 197, 200, 201, 203, 204, 205, 213, 214, 209, 213, 291 218, 225

324 Index views, 11, 33, 43, 164, 185, 202 wetlands, vi, 10, 14, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 86, 94, 122, 123, 136, 142, 143, 154, 155, 173, 174, viewshed, 42, 137, 186 175, 193, 194, 209, 210, 211 visitor experience, i, iii, 3, 4, 14, 24, 34, 35, 36, wildlife, i, vi, 10, 14, 32, 33, 46, 52, 96, 125, 38, 41, 48, 51, 74, 84, 98, 137, 145, 151, 159, 142, 144, 158, 163, 177, 178, 184, 196, 197, 160, 169, 179, 180, 182, 189, 198, 199, 206, 201, 214, 219, 326 215, 216 Winnewissa Falls, i, iv, v, vii, ix, 3, 18, 44, 55, visitors with disabilities, v, 24, 61, 62, 67, 88, 58, 62, 63, 68, 71, 72, 75, 79, 80, 85, 86, 88, 89 89, 90, 92, 95, 109, 110, 111, 112, 114, 120, 123, 127, 136, 148, 156, 160, 162, 166, 172, water quality, 12, 13, 18, 24, 31, 42, 45, 61, 64, 176, 180, 185, 186, 187, 188, 195, 202, 203, 66, 72, 75, 80, 86, 124, 125, 158, 178, 179, 205, 212, 225, 308 197, 215, 308 Yankton Sioux, 7, 106, 107, 108, 111, 226, western prairie fringed orchid, 9, 14, 19, 42, 228, 229, 285 86, 87, 97, 121, 125, 158, 159, 179, 197, 198, 214, 215, 228 Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, 107

zones, 48, 51

325

As the nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering sound use of our land and water resources; protecting our fish, wildlife, and biological diversity; preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places; and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to ensure that their development is in the best interests of all our people by encouraging stewardship and citizen participation in their care. The department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories under U.S. administration.

NPS D-27A February 2008 / Printed on recycled paper.