The Consultation Process for Historic Resources in Vermont

Identifying Archaeological Resources

The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation (DHP) provides detailed guidelines in their 2017 Guidelines for Conducting Archaeology in Vermont.

The questions guiding each step in the process include:

1. Will the proposed undertaking involve any ground disturbance? If no disturbance will occur, then there is no potential for impacts to archaeological resources. If the answer is yes, then the DHP may request that you work with an archaeologist to complete an Archaeological Resource Assessment (ARA). 
2. If the project will involve ground disturbance, are there any locations within the APE that might be archaeological sensitive? Conduct an Archaeological Resource Assessment (ARA) and if the answer is yes, then proceed to Phase I. 
3. Are there any archaeological remains within the sensitive areas? Conduct Phase I testing to determine if archaeological remains are present or absent. If present, determine if it’s possible to bound the remains. 
4. If an archaeological site is found and cannot be avoided, is the site eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places? Conduct Phase II testing to locate additional archaeological materials. 
5. If the site is eligible and cannot be avoided, then work with the DHP to come up with a mitigation plan (a Phase III investigation).
    

Archaeological Resource Assessment (ARA)

• The work involved in completing an ARA will likely include a review of:
  • The project scope of work
  • Historic maps
  • Mapping of natural resources including water sources and surficial geology
  • LiDAR mapping
  • Previously completed archaeological projects completed within or near the current project area (see the DHP's Online Resource Center)
  • Archaeological sites identified within and near the present project area (see the DHP's Online Resource Center)
• The consultant will likely need to complete a field visit to review the project area. This review will not need to involve any subsurface work, except possibly taking soil cores to identify stratigraphic profiles within the APE.
• The archaeologist will then produce a report that includes a recommendation defining whether or not the consultant believes that any locations within the area of potential effect has the potential to impact (have an effect) on possible archaeological resources.  
• Submit the report to the DHP. The DHP has 30 days to concur with the recommendations.
• If the consultant recommends that there is no significant potential for archaeological resources within the APE and the DHP concurs, then the consultation process is complete.
• If the consultant recommends that there is significant potential for archaeological resources within the APE and the DHP concurs, then the consultant will bound those areas and you may decide to either avoid them or to follow-up with a Phase I investigation.

Phase I Investigation: Site Identification Survey

The goal of the Phase I investigation is to answer the question, are there any archaeological sites located within the APE? The consultant will likely excavate a series of shovel test pits (STPs) at regular intervals of 10 meters (33 feet) across the sensitive areas identified during the ARA. Following the DHP’s Guidelines, the archaeologists will excavate a square unit measuring 0.5 by 0.5 meters (1.6 by 1.6 feet). The depth of each unit will vary dependent on the soils but will need to extend to the C horizon, or ‘parent sediment’. The consultants will screen the soils as they excavate to locate artifacts and will record the stratigraphy for each STP.

If artifacts are found, then the archaeologists will need to excavate additional STPs at closer intervals to try and bound the new site. 


 

Phase II Investigation: Evaluation Study and
Phase III Investigation: Data Recovery Study (Mitigation)

If the Phase I investigation identifies a site, the consultant may recommend additional work to determine if the site is eligible for inclusion in the National/State Register of Historic Places. To answer this question, the archaeologists will likely conduct additional excavations including more STPs as well as test units maybe measuring 1.0 by 1.0 meter (3.3 by 3.3 feet) or other larger units. Additional background research may also be needed to assist in making an eligibility determination. At the conclusion of this work, the consultant may recommend that the site is not eligible and if the DHP concurs with that determination, then the review is complete. If, however, the consultant determines that the site is eligible according to one or more of the criteria for eligibility, then additional consultation involving the DHP, and other stakeholders will be needed. It may be possible to redesign the project and avoid the impacts to the site or you may decide on a plan to mitigate the impacts through additional excavations to secure a significant quantity of data from the site, resulting in a Phase III Investigation.

Identification of Historic Structural Resources

[1] Beers, F.W.
1873 County Atlas of Washington, Vermont. F.W. Beers & Co., New York, NY.

[2] Northeast Archaeology Resources Program 
2023 Northeast Archaeology Resources Program, November 25, 2023. https://m.workplace.com/NortheastRegionArcheology/photos/a.679831692400120/1340280256355257/?type=3.

[3] Mandel, Geoffrey A., Charlie Knight, Francis W. Robinson, and John G. Crock
2016 Archaeological Phase III Data Recovery at Site VT-WD-2 within the Limits of the Proposed Jamaica State Park Septic Tank/Pump Station Replacement Project, and Phase I Site Identification Survey and Phase II Site Evaluation within the Limits of the Proposed Utility Line Upgrade Project, Jamaica, Windham County, Vermont. Report completed by the University of Vermont's Consulting Archaeology Program. Report on file with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.