Recommend Phase I Archaeological Survey "E YORK
Parks, Recreation
ATE O F
OPPORTUNITY and Historic Preservation
ANDREW M. CUOMO ROSE HARVEY
Governor Commissioner
ARCHAEOLOGY COMMENTS
Phase I Archaeological Survey Recommendation
16PRO6560 - Fairfield Senior Housing, Bay Rd at Baybridge Dr, Queensbury, Warren County
Based on available information, your project is located in an archaeologically sensitive area. Therefore, the
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) recommends that a Phase I archaeological
survey is warranted for all portions of the project that will involve ground disturbance, unless substantial prior
ground disturbance can be documented. If you consider the entire project area to be disturbed, documentation
of the disturbance will need to be reviewed by OPRHP. Examples of disturbance include mining activities and
multiple episodes of building construction and demolition.
Documentation of ground disturbance should include a description of the disturbance with confirming evidence.
Confirmation can include current photographs and/or older photographs of the project area which illustrate the
disturbance (approximately keyed to a project area map), past maps or site plans that accurately record
previous disturbances, or current soil borings that verify past disruptions to the land. Agricultural activity is not
considered to be substantial ground disturbance.
Please note that in areas with alluvial soils or fill archaeological deposits may exist below the depth of
superficial disturbances such as pavement or even deeper disturbances, depending on the thickness of the
alluvium or fill. Evaluation of the possible impact of prior disturbance on archaeological sites must consider the
depth of potentially culture-bearing deposits and the depth of planned disturbance by the proposed project.
A Phase I survey is designed to determine the presence or absence of archaeological sites or other cultural
resources in the project's area of potential effect. The OPRHP can provide standards for conducting cultural
resource investigations upon request. Cultural resource surveys and survey reports that meet these standards
will be accepted and approved by the OPRHP.
Our office does not conduct cultural resources surveys. A 36 CFR 61 qualified archaeologist should be
retained to conduct the Phase I survey. Many archaeological consulting firms advertise their availability in the
yellow pages. The services of qualified archaeologists can also be obtained by contacting local, regional, or
statewide professional archaeological organizations. Phase I surveys can be expected to vary in cost per mile
of right-of-way or by the number of acres impacted. We encourage you to contact a number of consulting firms
and compare examples of each firm's work to obtain the best product.
Please also be aware that a Section 233 permit from the New York State Education Department (SED) may be
necessary before archaeological fieldwork is conducted on State-owned land. If any portion of the project
includes the lands of New York State you should contact the SED before initiating survey activities. The SED
contact is Christina B. Rieth and she can be reached at (518) 402-5975. Section 233 permits are not required
for projects on private land.
If you have any questions concerning archaeology, please contact Daniel Bagrow at 518-268-2160 or
dan.bagrow@parks.ny.gov
Division for Historic Preservation
P.O Box 189,Waterford, New York 12188-0189•(518)237-8643•www.nysparks.com