"We
need to know exactly what is there before we decide if we can
build
a parking lot over it."
Ann Loeding, Friends of
Rondout
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There
are serious omissions in the Cultural Resources Survey (CRS)
presented
as part of the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement
(DGEIS) on
the massive development proposed by AVR for "The Landing"
property. The State Historic Preservation Office and consultants
hired by Hudson River Heritage (HRH), on behalf of the Friends
of
Kingston Waterfront (FoKW) coalition, have criticized the CRS
for
incomplete data and inadequate assessment of known
archaeological sites
in the vicinity and the potential for cultural resources on the
site. Just a few examples are provided:
The
proposed site is in an area of extremely high archaeological
sensitivity. Over twenty prehistoric Native
American sites are located within one mile of "The Landing"
proposed
development. Two of these prehistoric sites are located on the
adjoining "Sailor's Cove" parcel, and one of them is believed to
extend
onto "The Landing" parcel. The
developer's archaeologist identified only nine prehistoric sites
within
a mile, none of which are located on the adjoining "Sailor's
Cove"
parcel.
Human burials may exist on the site.
Native
American skeletal remains have been found at the Kingston site.
This
site may be located on "The Landing" property or sufficiently
near to
it that other graves are threatened. The
importance of the Kingston site was not addressed in the CRS
submitted
by AVR.
Areas of "The Landing" site could
contain
intact brickyard deposits and prehistoric cultural
resources.
"The Landing" parcel played an important role in the history of
Kingston. Brickmaking and quarrying are among the former
industrial uses of the property. The
subsurface archaeological investigation completed by the
developer's
archaeologist failed to test for cultural resources beneath
brick
deposits, in clay banks, and in topsoil spoil heaps located on
the
parcel.
Development could affect historic
resources
and viewsheds on both sides of the Hudson River.
Numerous historic houses are located in the immediate vicinity
of the
proposed development. More consideration should be given to the
viewshed between the project area, these historic houses, and
the
Hudson River. In addition, the proposed development is likely to
have an effect on the hamlet of Rhinecliff, River Road, and the
Hudson
River National Historic Landmark District, which extends out to
the
center of its east bank. River Road and the hamlet of Rhinecliff
are located in the Estates District Scenic Area of Statewide
Significance. The proposed development is located in the Hudson
River
Valley National Heritage Area. The CRS prepared by AVR did
not
identify
historic resources in the immediate vicinity of the subject
property,
and therefore, the potential impacts to these properties.
Proposed development near locations
important to post-European settlement history. The
proposed development site may be within view of the location
where
Henry Hudson's crew members went ashore during their 1609 voyage
up the
Hudson. The ship's log from the voyage suggests the mouth of the
Rondout Creek. The proposed development is also located within a
few hundred yards of where British soldiers reportedly landed in
1777
on their way to burn down Kingston, an event that is
periodically
reenacted at Kingston Point. The
developer's cultural resource
investigation failed to appropriately consider and recognize
these
historic events.
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