Proposed Mitigation Efforts for Adverse Effect to Archaeological Site 36CE466 [33 Pa.B. 4370] The Department of Transportation (Department) is undertaking a roadway construction project involving the reconstruction of the existing interchange (Exit 161) to create a high-speed directional connection for route continuity between the four-lane Bellefonte Bypass and I-80 system. The existing two-quadrant interchange connects the two-lane Bellefonte Bypass and local roads to the four-lane limited access I-80. Improvements will consist of the relocation and reconstruction of Jacksonville Road and SR 0026. Archaeological survey and testing identified the presence of archaeological site 36CE466 (the Stover No. 1 Site) within the proposed Area of Potential Effect. Survey and testing have determined that site 36CE466 is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The proposed construction activities will have an adverse effect on archaeological site 36CE466. This precontact period archaeological site is located in Spring Township, Centre County, and consists entirely of lithic material. Based on the uniform temporal associations of three recovered diagnostic projectile points, the site dates, minimally, to the Transitional (or Early Woodland) period. To mitigate the adverse impacts to site 36CE466, the Department proposes Phase III archeological data recovery excavation. This excavation will gather data concerning four broad themes associated with the archaeological site. These themes include: chronology; site structure and function; subsistence; and lithic resource procurement and reduction strategies.
The proposed archaeological Phase III data recovery mitigation will consist of subsurface excavations located within three small, high density, circumscribed artifact concentrations (or clusters) defined within the larger site area. The total site area (within the current Area of Potential Effect) includes approximately 800.0 square meters (8,611.4 square feet). The three distinct cluster areas measure 16.0 square meters (172.2 square feet), 44.5 square meters (479.0 square feet) and 109.0 square meters (1,173.3 square feet). It is proposed that the data recovery include the excavation of approximately 29.5 percent of the high-density portions (the three clusters) of the site. This is a proposed total of 50.0 square meters of excavation area. In addition to the 50 square meters of excavation within the high-density portions of the site, 10 square meters will be excavated within the remainder of the site area (not within the high density areas). Total data recovery mitigation will consist of 7.5% of the site area.
To involve the public in the process of mitigation of adverse effect to archaeological site 36CE466, the Department will consider written comments on the proposed mitigation efforts outlined in this notice. Written comments will be received for a period of 30 days after publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Existing documentation for this project can be viewed at ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/bureaus/BEQ/comment.pdf. Comments should be addressed to Scott Shaffer, Cultural Resources Specialist, PENNDOT District 2-0, 1924 Daisy Street Ext., P. O. Box 342, Clearfield, PA 16830.
ALLEN D. BIEHLER,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 03-1709. Filed for public inspection August 29, 2003, 9:00 a.m.]
