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Historic Preservation Monitoring Report #6 – July 29, 2010

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Lake Champlain Bridge / Chimney Point Historic Site

Historic Preservation Monitoring Report #6

July 19 – July 29, 2010

Distributed: July 29, 2010

HPM Reports are distributed (almost) weekly, and the headings listed below are standard content.

Issues that are still current or require an update will remain in the report. Please direct all

communication regarding this report to Kaitlin O’Shea, Historic Preservation Monitor at:

Kaitlin.O’[email protected] / 802-828-3962 (office) / 802-279-0869 (cell).

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CONTENTS

I. Historic Preservation Monitoring Activities

(Summary of site visits/meetings concerning Chimney Point)

II. Site Plans & Progress

(Changes at the site; Summary of Flatiron plans/schedule for the previous & upcoming week)

III. Archaeology Monitoring & Field Crew Work Summary

(Summary will be provided through coordination with Kate Kenney, Archaeology Monitor)

IV. Issues & Remediation

(Actions that have been or will be taken. Issues will be marked as New, Update, or Current.

New indicates one that has not been featured in a previous report, whereas update or current

indicate issues addressed in previous reports.)

V. Issues & Recommendations to VDHP

(Recommendations from VTrans HPO)

VI. Contacts

VII. Photographs

VIII. Miscellaneous

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I. HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONITORING ACTIVITIES

Monday July 19

(1) On site monitoring. Activity included approach removal, continuation on fence installation

in front of white posts & chain, completion of vibration monitor installation by Protec.

Thursday July 22

(1) On site monitoring. Construction activity focused mostly in water staging area: piers 6 & 7,

material removal.

(2) Attended meeting about SD Ireland’s concrete batch plant off Route 17, on which

construction began before archaeological testing was requested or completed. Present at

meeting: Flatiron, VTrans AO, VTrans RE, UVM CAP, SD Ireland.


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(3) Some pedestrian traffic control: cyclists continue to ignore all signs and ride down the access

road.

Friday July 23

(1) On site monitoring. Activity focused in the water staging area again.

(2) Follow up on previous issues: mailbox, package delivery, signage.

Monday July 26

(1) On site monitoring.

(2) Attended Environmental & Cultural Resource Start up meeting at the New York Field

Office. The meeting included introductions and discussion on permits and key issues.

Thursday July 29

(1) On site monitoring. Following up on mailbox and signage issues.

II. SITE PLANS & PROGRESS

Construction Activities 7/19-7/30

(1) Approach removal. Setting hay on approach as erosion control measures.

(2) Install orange fence between white post & chain fence and access road.

(3) Continue work on piers 6, 7. Form footing work at pier 7. Install drill shafts for pier 6.

(4) Caisson work and pier form work.

Flatiron now has their “5 week look ahead” schedule, which is subject to change but provides

a good overview as to what will be occurring. At weekly meetings, Flatiron will be able to

provide these schedules to the Resident Engineer. The VTrans Resident Engineer will

provide them to the HP Monitor. Next week’s schedule continues pier and caisson work.

Currently, there is not any ground disturbance near the archaeologically or historically

significant areas.

III. ARCHAEOLOGY MONITORING & FIELD CREW WORK SUMMARY

The archaeology crew has been focusing their attention on the fort site, uncovering clear

evidence of the fort and many artifacts. They have also been working on the lower terrace.

On Friday 7/23, the crew moved up to Route 17 to dig test pits on the Kayhart Farm in

order to clear the land for utility pipes leading to the concrete batch plant, set up by SD

Ireland. Testing required one day. The VTrans AO was able to clear the surveyed area. The

week of 7/26 – 7/30, the crew finished up their field work, until further decisions on the

access road can be made.


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IV. ISSUES & REMEDIATION

(1) Issue: Vibration Monitoring (Update)

Vibration monitoring is required by the PA.

Remediation: On 7/19, Protec employees were on site to fix the monitor in the barn/garage.

There are five remote operated monitors: 1) the Chimney Point Tavern/Museum, 2) the CP

barn, 3) the Cottonwood (Dana Franklin’s house), and two on the New York side. The

Protect employee, Gary McGeever, informed the HP Monitor that if a vibration were to

read too high, text messages and other communication would be sent to Flatiron

immediately, who would be responsible for stopping to look at the problem. These monitors

can also be read on site. Flatiron will receive the reports from Protec as they are the client.

Flatiron requested a key for the barn in order to be able to access the monitor, and

that was arranged through Paul Rudloff and Elsa Gilbertson.

The NYSDOT EIC will receive copies of the monitoring reports as well and will

share them with the HP Monitors. As of 7/27, the HPM is receiving daily reports via email.

This will be saved in a digital file for reference.

(2) Issue: Site Protection – Fencing (Update)

The historic site needs to be protected by fencing for the safety workers and for the site

itself, as stated in the Programmatic Agreement. The fencing plan was agreed upon by the

site administrator and the VTrans AO. The fencing installation is almost complete as of July

16, 2010. The area remaining is that in front of the museum/tavern, along the white posts

and chain. Due to security issues, these decisions were made between VTrans and Jeff

Brown: Areas that are currently unfinished (i.e. in front of white posts and gaps between

posts and orange fence) will be secured with additional fencing. The area near the

barn/garage with access for the lawn mowers will be secured with a movable section of

fence, thus giving the appearance of a closed area, but still providing access.

Remediation: The fence was installed along the access road by the museum, but the other areas

discussed have not been completed as of 7/23.

(3) Issue: Road Widening, Road Protection & Associated Archaeological Concerns

(Current) See Reports 3, 4, & 5 for previous information.

No new information.

(4) Issue: Building Protection During Construction (Current)

The museum, barn, and education building will need to be protected during construction.

On 6/29/10, the VT SHPO authorized the protection of the museum property via doors

and windows sealed with plastic, as previously done. Work has not yet begun, as VT SHPO

and the Site Administrator are working to decide what is the best method.

Remediation: The VT Division for Historic Preservation is still looking for a

consultant/conservator on building and collections protection, as MJ Davis was not

available.


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(5) Issue: Dust Suppression (Update)

Elsa Gilbertson, Site Administrator, has expressed concern about the lack of dust prevention

employed by Flatiron during removal of the approach road surface. The most urgent dust

matter is the result of the increased vehicular traffic on the roadway, especially as there has

been little precipitation. VTrans has requested that dust prevention measures be employed to

mitigate dust coming from travel on the driveway and ramp removal. So far, this has not

been done by Flatiron. In addition, during transport from the construction site to the dump

site, the dump trucks are not covering their loads.

Remediation: HP Monitor Kaitlin O’Shea followed up with Phil LeFave, Flatiron, who said that

he has truck, but needs to figure out a water source. Flatiron intends to periodically wet the

access road in order to control the dust. The dust has not been an issue these two weeks due

to the rain. For the time being, rain or wetting the road to control dust is sufficient, as the

dust is much less of an issue after it has rained.

(6) Issue: Site Access for USPS Mail (Update)

Previously the VTrans HPO has recommended that the mailboxes be relocated. The

Chimney Point Site Administrator has informed the HP Monitor that only the Chimney

Point mailbox needs to be moved, as the residence is currently vacant.

Remediation: VTrans will ask that the Chimney Point State Historic Site mailboxes be

relocated across the road next to the Flatiron mailboxes. The HP Monitor has spoken with

Jeff Brown who will direct Flatiron to move the mailbox.

(7) Issue: Fish & Wildlife Access Sign

The Dept. of Fish & Wildlife sign at the entrance to access road (same post as mailboxes)

does not indicate that the site is closed. A small white “access closed indefinitely” sign is

located further down the road, but obscured by the orange fencing.

Remediation: The HP Monitor has spoken with Jeff Brown on 7/29, who will direct Flatiron to

add a closed sign and move the current sign so it is not obscured.

(8) Issue: Site Access for Mail and Parcel Delivery (Update)

Recommendations: VTrans recommends Fed-EX mail be delivered to an alternate address.

VT-SHPO has stated that parcels will be redirected to an alternate address (telcon w/

VTrans HPO (6/29/10). Currently, Elsa Gilbertson is handling deliveries on a case-by-case

basis.

(9) Issue: Safety & Access (Update)

Safety protocols are established. The current issue relates to access to the site, involving

Section III(E)(4) which states that a 5’ wide pedestrian path for the museum staff be

maintained throughout construction. The Site Administrator has expressed concern about

the lack of this path. A decision has not been made in terms of locations and any alterations

in relevance due to the closure of Chimney Point.


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Remediation: The safety measures as outlined in Report #1 remain the same. The field office is

now staffed. Flatiron has posted a sign on their gates that requires all visitors to check in at

the field office.

(10) Issue: Internal Communications Protocol (Current – No Change)

Remediation: There is ongoing communication between the Historic Preservation Monitor,

Archaeology Monitor, and Flatiron Construction, on site and whenever necessary. Kate

Kenney, AM, is on site daily and able to handle ground surface issues as they arise. The

VTrans HPO and AO will be in regular contact with the site monitors.

(11) Issue: Changes to the Programmatic Agreement (Current – No Change)

The VT SHPO is recommending that the entire Programmatic Agreement be amended to

reflect changes made necessary by closure of the historic site.

Remediation: As the changes concern only Section III (Chimney Point), Section III(H)(1),

excerpted below, applies. The VTrans HPO has indicated this would be the most appropriate

and expeditious mechanism to formalize changes to the PA. Discussions are continuing.

A. CHANGES TO CHIMNEY POINT CONDITIONS

1. Changes to the Section III (Chimney Point) Programmatic Agreement

Conditions that are reasonably required to carry out the construction of

the new replacement bridge may be made, however they must be reviewed

and approved in writing by the VTRANS HPO in consultation with the VT

SHPO in advance of implementing any changes.

V. ISSUES & RECOMMENDATIONS to VDHP None outstanding at this time.

VI. CONTACTS

Please note that there is a current list of contacts including New York, Vermont, and

Flatiron contacts, which has been distributed by Andrea Becker – NYSDOT. Please

see previous reports for the contact information list that has been included here.


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VII. PHOTOGRAPHS

July 19: The orange fence is installed

between the access road and white posts &

chain fence.

July 19: Work on piers 6 & 7 in the water staging area.


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July 22: Hay on the approach in

order to prevent erosion.

July 22: A noted issue here is the

closed access sign obscured by the

orange fence. The HP Monitor is

working to resolve it.

July 22: The concrete batch

plant on the Kayhart Farm off

Route 17.


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July 23: Construction scene, mid-morning.

July 26: Work on Pier 7 in the

foreground.


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July 29: The archaeologists are

finishing up their work on the knoll

and the French fort site.

Documents

communication regarding this report to Kaitlin O’Shea ... › regional-offices › region1 › projects › lake... · (1) On site monitoring. Activity included approach removal,