Kathryn E. Boucher Associate Direct Telephone: 860-541-7714 Direct Fax: 860-955-1145 [email protected] December 4, 2019 VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL AND FIRST CLASS MAIL Melanie A. Bachman Executive Director Connecticut Siting Council 10 Franklin Square New Britain, CT 06051 Re: Petition 1310 - Quinebaug Solar, LLC petition for a declaratory ruling that no Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need is required for the proposed construction, maintenance and operation of a 50 megawatt AC solar photovoltaic electric generating facility on approximately 561 acres comprised of 29 separate and abutting privately-owned parcels located generally north of Wauregan Road in Canterbury and south of Rukstela Road and Allen Hill Road in Brooklyn, Connecticut Dear Ms. Bachman: I am writing on above- d (“ ”) p d . d p d Resources Report (Exhi ). While Volume I was previously submitted to the Council as a bulk filing on November 12, 2019, the electronic version was inadvertently omitted. Please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned or David Bogan of this office (860-541-7711) should you have any questions regarding this submission. Very truly yours, Kathryn E. Boucher 81738234v.1 CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that on December 4, 2019, the foregoing was delivered by email and regular mail, postage prepaid, in accordance with § 16-50j-12 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, to all parties and intervenors of record, as follows: Troy and Megan Sposato 192 Wauregan Road Canterbury, CT 06331 [email protected] ______________________________ Kathryn E. Boucher Commissioner of the Superior Court 81738234v.1 NOVEMBER 2019 PHASE IB CULTURAL RESOURCES RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY OF THE PROPOSED QUINEBAUG SOLAR FACILITY AND PHASE II NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES TESTING AND EVALUATION OF SITES 19-35 AND 22-38 IN CANTERBURY AND BROOKLYN, CONNECTICUT VOLUME I PREPARED FOR: 53 SOUTHAMPTON ROAD WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 01085 PREPARED BY: P.O. BOX 310249 NEWINGTON, CONNECTICUT 06131 PREPARED BY: ABSTRACT This report presents the results of a Phase IB archaeological reconnaissance survey of the Quinebaug Solar Project in Brooklyn and Canterbury, Connecticut, as well as the results of Phase II National Register of Historic Places testing and evaluation of Site 22-38 (Locus 2-1) in Brooklyn, Connecticut and Site 19-35 (Locus 11-1) in Canterbury, Connecticut. Phase IB survey of the Development Area associated with the Quinebaug Solar Project resulted in the identification of 32 archaeological loci and sites. They consisted of Loci 4-2, 5-1, 7-1, 8-1 through 8-5, 9-1, 13-1, 15-1, 16-1 through 16-5, 17-1, 18-1, 18-2, 19-1, 19-2, 20- 1, 20-2, 21-1, 23-1, and 24-1. The majority of these (n=26) lacked substantial numbers of artifacts, cultural features, and/or research potential. They were assessed as not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places applying the criteria for evaluation (36 CFR 60.4 [a-d]). No additional examination of these 26 loci was recommended. The remaining six archaeological sites/loci yielded intact archaeological deposits from the prehistoric and/or historic era, including artifacts and features (above and below ground), that appeared to retain research potential. They consisted of Loci 2-1, 4-1, 6- 1, 11-1, 12-1, and 25-1. Archaeological deposits at five of these six loci were determined to constitute archaeological sites: Site 22-38 at Locus 2-1, Site 22-36 at Locus 4-1, Site 19-34 at Locus 6-1, Site 19-35 at Locus 11-1, and Site 19-8 Locus 25-1. The archaeological deposits at the sixth locus, Locus 12-1, were determined to not constitute an archaeological site, but this locus contained an upright cut granite stone that represented a relatively rare late eighteenth century boundary marker that established between the Towns of Brooklyn and Canterbury. Of these, Locus 4-1, 6-1, 12-1, and 25-1 will be avoided completely during construction. No additional examination of them was recommended. The northeastern portion of Site 22-38 (Locus 2-1) could not be avoided according to Project design plans. Thus, Phase II examination of this part of the site was undertaken. The remainder of the site area will be part of an exclusion zone and will not be impacted by construction. The Phase II testing and evaluation of the northeastern portion of Site 22-38 (Locus 2-1) was completed through the excavation of delineation shovel tests and unit excavations, which resulted in the recovery of over 4,000 artifacts and several features dating from the Late Archaic and Middle Archaic periods. These remains were segregated into two clusters of artifacts and features separated by a zone of comparatively little archaeological refuse. It was determined that the Middle and Late Archaic deposits within the two clusters in northeastern part of the site have the potential to yield additional significant information about the prehistoric use and occupation of the site area and the Quinebaug River drainage. The project sponsor, Quinebaug Solar, LLC has agreed to avoid the two clusters of artifacts and features during construction by fencing them off and including them within construction the exclusion area. The remainder of the northeastern portion of the site where archaeological deposits are minimal will be developed as part of the Quinebaug Solar Project. Quinebaug Solar, LLC also has agreed to complete tree clearing in the vicinity of Site 22-38 (Locus 2-1) in the winter when frozen conditions prevail so that ground disturbance within the site area will be minimalized. In addition, all stumps will be left in place and no grubbing will take place within the construction exclusion areas. Site 19-35 (Locus 11-1) also could not be avoided according to Project design plans. Thus, Phase II examination of this site also was undertaken. This was accomplished through a program of shovel testing, unit excavation, and limited mechanical stripping. The Phase II effort at Site 19-35 (Locus 11-1) resulted in the collection of very few lithic artifacts, most of which were not temporally diagnostic in nature. The single diagnostic artifact recovered during the Phase II testing and evaluation was a heavily rework Susquehanna Broad Spear projectile point. The site area also contained several features, most of i which were not cultural in origin, but were related to previous disturbances of the area, including agricultural practices and a nearby sand and gravel operation. Features that were determined to be cultural in origin were confined to the eastern part of the site and they consisted of a pit, a post mold, and burning episodes. The pit feature yielded charcoal that was radiocarbon dated to the Terminal Archaic period, which is when the Susquehanna Broad Spear projectile point would have been used. Thus, a small, temporary Terminal Archaic period occupation was evident within the site area; however, it yielded few artifacts and little, if any, research potential. This archaeological component, as well as the remainder of the archaeological deposits within Site 19-35 (Locus 11-1) were assessed as not eligible for listing to the National Register of Historic Places applying the criteria for evaluation (36 60.4 [a-d]). No additional examination of this site was recommended. Heritage Consultants, LLC also identified three historic farmsteads within the Study Area associated with the Quinebaug Solar Project. The Mowrey Farmstead, located in the southern portion of the Study Area, dates from the late eighteenth century and contains a house foundation, well, and barns foundations. These remains will be avoided completely during construction. The Rukstella Farmstead is located in the northern portion of the Study Area and includes two concrete silos, a stone retaining wall, a concrete barn foundation and a well. Examination of this area during the Phase IB survey revealed that it did not possess intact archaeological deposits or research potential. Thus, it was assessed as not eligible for listing to the National Register of Historic Places applying the criteria for evaluation (36 60.4 [a-d]). The third farmstead, which was related to the Butts, Harris, and Cady Families, also was located in the northern portion of the Study Area. It also was examined during the Phase IB survey and it was found to lack intact archaeological deposits or research potential. It also was assessed as not eligible for listing to the National Register of Historic Places applying the criteria for evaluation (36 60.4 [a-d]). No additional examination of either the Rukstella or the Butts/Harris/Cady Farmsteads was recommended. Heritage Consultants, LLC also identified a historic period cemetery within the central portion of the Study Area associated with the Quinebaug Solar Project. This cemetery was used by the Bennett, Taylor, and Gallagher Families, all of which had ties to the Mowrey Farmstead. This cemetery contained several graves dating from the nineteenth to early twentieth centuries, all of which were enclosed by a stone wall and it situated to the north of the Mowrey Farmstead. Quinebaug Solar, LLC understands the sensitivity of the cemetery and will completely avoid it during construction. Finally, Quinebaug Solar, LLC also proposes to remove 12 stone wall segments within the project area to facilitate construction and ongoing maintenance of the proposed solar facility. These wall segments were examined by Heritage Consultants, LL and all them were found to represent typical rounded and angular cobble walls that are typical of eastern Connecticut and the project region. They are not rare types, nor are they associated with any events or persons of transcending historical importance. Thus, their removal will not represent an adverse impact to cultural resources. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................