605 Twin Arch Road, 845-725-7694 Rock Tavern, NY 12575 Website: www.ahrservices.com Cultural Resource Consultants Memorandum To: William Lee, Gowanus Environmental Remediation Trust From: Michael Audin, RPA & Katherine French, PhD Date: May 16, 2018 RE: Preliminary Results of Level 1 Cultural Resource Review at Clean Earth – Claremont Turning Basin 4 Dredging and Capping Gowanus Canal Remediation Project Brooklyn, Kings County, NY This memorandum presents the preliminary findings of Archaeology & Historic Resource Services, LLC’s (AHRS) Level 1 review of screened debris at the Clean Earth Claremont Facility in Jersey City, New Jersey (Clean Earth). The screened debris is from the Turning Basin 4 (TB4) dredging and capping project currently underway at the Gowanus Canal Superfund Site in Brooklyn, New York. The purpose of this memorandum is to present the findings of our review of Level 1 debris that has been screened at Clean Earth between 4/5/18 and 5/11/18. Based on the documentation provided in this memo, we recommend that EPA approve disposal of all verified non-archaeologically sensitive debris that has been reviewed by AHRS archaeologists. INTRODUCTION Sevenson Environmental Services is in the process of dredging soft sediments from Turning Basin 4 under the oversight of the EPA. Compared to the native sediments that will be dredged in a later phase, these sediments are considered to have a low potential for containing significant archaeological resources. The dredge material is being processed according to the Level 1 Archaeological Monitoring protocol outlined in the Archaeological Monitoring Plan (revised October 2017). The protocol calls for dredged soft sediments to be placed directly into scows, floated to Clean Earth, and debris is sifted over 4” bars on a vibrating platform. Debris is then stockpiled in a staging area, photographed daily for AHRS archaeologists to review, and is then inspected weekly by an AHRS archaeologist. During this time period an AHRS archaeologist reviewed photographs of debris daily and conducted weekly visits. During the weekly visits, AHRS archaeologist sorted through debris piles with the assistance of a machine and operator. Any material of potential archaeological research potential was pulled aside for retention, further washing, and eventual recording and/or photo- documentation.
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605 Twin Arch Road, 845-725-7694 Rock Tavern, NY 12575 Website: www.ahrservices.com
Cultural Resource Consultants
Memorandum
To: William Lee, Gowanus Environmental Remediation Trust From: Michael Audin, RPA & Katherine French, PhD Date: May 16, 2018 RE: Preliminary Results of Level 1 Cultural Resource Review at Clean Earth – Claremont Turning Basin 4 Dredging and Capping Gowanus Canal Remediation Project Brooklyn, Kings County, NY This memorandum presents the preliminary findings of Archaeology & Historic Resource Services, LLC’s (AHRS) Level 1 review of screened debris at the Clean Earth Claremont Facility in Jersey City, New Jersey (Clean Earth). The screened debris is from the Turning Basin 4 (TB4) dredging and capping project currently underway at the Gowanus Canal Superfund Site in Brooklyn, New York. The purpose of this memorandum is to present the findings of our review of Level 1 debris that has been screened at Clean Earth between 4/5/18 and 5/11/18. Based on the documentation provided in this memo, we recommend that EPA approve disposal of all verified non-archaeologically sensitive debris that has been reviewed by AHRS archaeologists. INTRODUCTION Sevenson Environmental Services is in the process of dredging soft sediments from Turning Basin 4 under the oversight of the EPA. Compared to the native sediments that will be dredged in a later phase, these sediments are considered to have a low potential for containing significant archaeological resources. The dredge material is being processed according to the Level 1 Archaeological Monitoring protocol outlined in the Archaeological Monitoring Plan (revised October 2017). The protocol calls for dredged soft sediments to be placed directly into scows, floated to Clean Earth, and debris is sifted over 4” bars on a vibrating platform. Debris is then stockpiled in a staging area, photographed daily for AHRS archaeologists to review, and is then inspected weekly by an AHRS archaeologist. During this time period an AHRS archaeologist reviewed photographs of debris daily and conducted weekly visits. During the weekly visits, AHRS archaeologist sorted through debris piles with the assistance of a machine and operator. Any material of potential archaeological research potential was pulled aside for retention, further washing, and eventual recording and/or photo-documentation.
Preliminary Level 1 Archaeological Review Results 16 May 2018 Clean Earth – Claremont Facility Page 2 of 7 TB4 Dredging and Capping Project Gowanus Superfund Site, Brooklyn, NY
PRELIMINARY RESULTS AHRS reviewed photographs from Clean Earth screening 4/5, 5/3 to 5/4, and 5/7 to 5/11. AHRS archaeologist Jonathan Bream conducted site visits 5/10/18 and 5/15/18 in order to review the material in person with the assistance of a Clean Earth machine to sort through stockpiled debris. The total volume of material screened and reviewed in-person by AHRS is 6,318 CY, which includes all debris screened on or before 5/11/18. The following photographs were taken of stockpiled material at Clean Earth before, during, and after the archaeological review of the material on 5/10 and 5/15.
Photograph 1 – Foreground is material screened at Clean Earth 4/5. Background is material screened
first week of May. Photos taken by Photo taken by J. Bream on 5/10/18 prior to archaeological review of material.
Preliminary Level 1 Archaeological Review Results 16 May 2018 Clean Earth – Claremont Facility Page 3 of 7 TB4 Dredging and Capping Project Gowanus Superfund Site, Brooklyn, NY
Photograph 2 – April debris pile after archaeological review, ready for disposal.
Photograph 3 – Debris pile screened first week of May after archaeological review, ready for disposal.
Photo taken by J. Bream on 5/10/18.
Preliminary Level 1 Archaeological Review Results 16 May 2018 Clean Earth – Claremont Facility Page 4 of 7 TB4 Dredging and Capping Project Gowanus Superfund Site, Brooklyn, NY
Photograph 4 – Photograph of screened material spread out at Clean Earth to facilitate the
archaeologist’s review. Photo taken by J. Bream 5/15/2018.
Segregated Material for Further Review AHRS archaeologist identified items that have been segregated at Clean Earth for washing and additional investigation (Photos 5-8). These include bricks stamped with maker’s marks, iron industrial debris (roller bearings, pulley fragments), ship parts (brass porthole). The total amount of segregated material includes one 3’-square pallet of stamped brick (Photo 5) and approximately 12 cubic feet of metal debris stored on a 4’ x 6’ metal grate (Photo 6-8). This material is in a covered storage area at Clean Earth separate from the stockpiled material awaiting disposal. After additional investigation and recording, recommendations concerning these items will be submitted to EPA for review.
Preliminary Level 1 Archaeological Review Results 16 May 2018 Clean Earth – Claremont Facility Page 5 of 7 TB4 Dredging and Capping Project Gowanus Superfund Site, Brooklyn, NY
Photograph 5 – Overhead view of stamped brick segregated at Clean Earth. Photo taken by J. Bream on
5/10.
Photograph 6 – View of McMillian Brothers Roller Bearing, identified 5/10 and cleaned for further
investigation. Scale bar segments are 10 cm. Photo taken by J. Bream on 5/15.
Preliminary Level 1 Archaeological Review Results 16 May 2018 Clean Earth – Claremont Facility Page 6 of 7 TB4 Dredging and Capping Project Gowanus Superfund Site, Brooklyn, NY
Photograph 7 – Metal wheel and axle. Scale bar segments are 10 cm. Photo taken by J. Bream on 5/15.
Photograph 8 – Brass port hole. Scale bar segments are 10 cm. Photo taken by J. Bream on 5/10.
Preliminary Level 1 Archaeological Review Results 16 May 2018 Clean Earth – Claremont Facility Page 7 of 7 TB4 Dredging and Capping Project Gowanus Superfund Site, Brooklyn, NY
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS AHRS has concluded that the majority of the 6,318 cubic yards of debris retains no archaeological significance, with the exception of the segregated debris requiring additional investigation by the AHRS archaeologist (one pallet of stamped brick and approximately 12 cubic feet of metal debris). We have not reviewed in-person any debris screened on or after 5/14/18. We recommend EPA approve for immediate disposal all non-archaeologically significant debris staged at Clean Earth that has been reviewed by the AHRS archaeologist as of 5/15/2018. AHRS will continue Level 1 archaeological monitoring of screened sediments at Clean Earth. Additional AHRS archaeologist site visits are currently planned for 5/18, 5/21, and 5/25. C:\Users\ria41\Desktop\FINAL_EPA Memo for Clean Earth Clearance.docx
