Abstract
Park City Wind, LLC (the Proponent) is proposing to develop offshore renewable wind energy facilities in Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Lease Area OCS-A 0534. This development is known as New England Wind and includes two phases: Phase 1 (which includes Park City Wind) and Phase 2 (which includes Commonwealth Wind). On behalf of the Proponent, the Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc. (PAL) has conducted onshore due diligence surveys, archaeological reconnaissance surveys, and intensive archaeological surveys. The results of each archaeological assessment completed for each Phase of New England Wind are presented in detailed technical reports and included as Appendix III-G Terrestrial Archaeology Resources Reports of the Construction and Operations Plan (COP) submitted to BOEM for New England Wind. Epsilon Associates Inc. (Epsilon) has prepared this summary of the archaeological survey methods and results described in Appendix III-G.
The archaeological surveys were conducted for the Phase 1 and Phase 2 onshore Preliminary Areas of Potential Effects (PAPE). In accordance with BOEM’s “Guidelines for Providing Historic Property Information Pursuant to 30 CFR Part 585” (dated May 27, 2020), the PAPE for terrestrial cultural resources is comprised of the depth and breadth of terrestrial areas potentially impacted by any ground-disturbing activities within the footprint of New England Wind’s onshore facilities and construction staging areas (BOEM 2020).
The purpose of the due diligence surveys, archaeological reconnaissance surveys, and the intensive archaeological surveys was to evaluate the likelihood for, and determine if, any significant archaeological resources were located in the PAPE. In addition to this, the surveys are intended to assist with federal and state agency consultation and to provide necessary information (including National Register of Historic Places [NRHP] eligibility determinations and assessments of effects) to facilitate review of the New England Wind project under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).