5.1. HPSR 09-21-2023
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity. Updated: January 2023
Request for Action
To
Heritage Preservation Commission
Item Number
5.1
Agenda Section
General Business
Meeting Date
September 21, 2023
Prepared by
Brandon Wisner, Engineering Project Manager
Item Description
W.H. Houlton Conservation Area (WHHCA) - Elk
River Shoreline/Bluff Erosion
Reviewed by
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Information, provide direction on next steps.
Background/Discussion
The city included a line item in the Stormwater Management fund to stabilize the bluff in the WHHCA adjacent to
the bridge and dam the last two years. Staff identified this eroded area shortly after the city received the
conservation area from the state in 2014.
A phase I archaeological study was completed two years ago, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently
notified the city that a phase II is required prior to any work being done to stabilize this area due to potential
significant archaeological deposits (timber and flour mill).
Staff is working with a consultant to identify grant opportunities through the Minnesota Historical Society to cove
an archaeological phase II study. At this time, the Heritage Partnership Program grant seems to be the best fit
https://www.mnhs.org/preservation/partnership. The state indicated to apply through our local HPC.
Financial Impact
N/A currently.
Mission/Policy/Goal
Meet changing needs - Agile
Attachments
USACE Letter – August 4, 2023
Construction Plan Sheets
Aerial Image of Existing Site
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ST. PAUL DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
332 MINNESOTA STREET
ST. PAUL, MN 55101
REPLY TO ATTENTION OF
REGULATORY DIVISION
Regulatory File No. 2023-00474-ARC
Brandon Wisner
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, Minnesota 55330
Dear Mr. Wisner:
The St. Paul District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is evaluating your
application for Section 404 Clean Water Act Department of the Army (DA) permit to discharge
fill material into waters of the United States (WoUS) in conjunction with your proposal to
stabilize the bank of the Elk River just below the Orono Lake Dam (Project) and adjacent to the
Elk River First Sawmill Site (21SH0051). The Project is in Section 33, Township 33 North,
Range 26 West, Sherburne County, Minnesota.
The Corps has a statutory responsibility to consider effects of this federal action on
historic properties (e.g., buildings, structures, archaeological sites, objects) pursuant Section
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), as amended. Site
21SH0051 occurs within the Corps’ permit area and was identified in 2005 (Rothaus 2005) and
revisited in 2022 (Blondo Consulting 2022). Blondo Consulting did not complete the inventory
and evaluation effort. We have determined you must conduct a Phase II archaeological
investigation (Phase II evaluation) within the Corps’ permit area consistent with procedures
outlined in the OSA’s “Manual for Archaeological Projects in Minnesota.” You must ensure the
Phase II evaluation is completed by a qualified archaeologist who meets the Secretary of the
Interior’s professional qualification standards (36 CFR Part 61, Appendix A). This Phase II
evaluation should include sufficient information to inform your eligibility recommendation on this
site.
The Corps’ permit area for this Project is comprised of those areas in the Elk River
where you propose to place fill material below the ordinary high water mark, as well as areas
including riverbank excavation and upland areas used for construction access and staging.
Figure 1 shows the permit area in blue outline as we currently understand it based on
information provided by you to our Project Manager Andy Chambers on May 23, 2023. If you
work to minimize impact areas to the extent practicable, this will reduce your Phase II evaluation
area, e.g., staging equipment in the nearby parking lot, using a narrow equipment travel lane for
access, or minimizing amount of riverbank you excavate in association with stabilization.
Conversely, should you propose additional upland workspaces, your Phase II evaluation must
include those areas.
August 4, 2023
Regulatory File No. 2023-00474-ARC
Page 2 of 2
Depending on the outcome of the survey, we will consult with the State Historic
Preservation Office and potentially other consulting parties. Please be advised if significant
archaeological deposits are identified that lead to a determination that site 21SH0051, or any
other previously unidentified site, is eligible for inclusion on the NRHP, you will need to assess
opportunities to avoid and minimize effects to the site. We understand the purpose of your
project is to protect the Elk River Sawmill Site from further erosion, and we are available to meet
on-site with you to further discuss Phase II requirements. Should your project result in
unavoidable adverse effects to any historic properties, we will work with you and other
consulting parties to resolve the adverse effects. We must conclude the Section 106 process
before making a final decision on your Section 404 CWA application.
Once you complete the archaeological survey, please submit a PDF copy of the report.
If you have any questions, please contact me at (651) 290-5725 or
Michael.J.Madson@usace.army.mil. For any project-related questions, contact Andrew
Chambers at (218) 788-6407 or andrew.r.chambers@usace.army.mil. In any correspondence or
inquiries, please refer to the Regulatory file number shown above.
Sincerely,
Michael Madson
Archaeologist
Enclosure: Figure 1, permit area
Electronic copy furnished:
Brandon Wisner, Engineering Project Manager, bwisner@elkrivermn.gov
USACE Permit Area (in blue ouline, based on Applicant email on 5/23/2023)
2023-00474-ARC: Figure 1
13'1'
H Scale: 1" = 10', V Scale 1" = 5' (VE 2:1) TYPICAL SECTION1