Press Release
December 14, 1998
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Brian R. Vattimo
518/486-1868
ARCHEOLOGISTS UNCOVER NATIVE AMERICAN REMAINS AT SITE OF NEW MINE IN LIVINGSTON COUNTY
(Albany, New York December 14, 1998 ...) New York State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro and Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner John Cahill today announced the discovery of Native American human remains during an archeological excavation at the construction site of the new American Rock Salt Co. mine project adjacent to I-390 in the Town of Groveland, Livingston County.
"Representatives from American Rock Salt have properly notified both DEC and State Parks and with these findings, work at the site where the remains were found has been halted and the area protected," said Commissioner Cahill. DEC, which has issued the permit for the mine construction project, and State Parks, which is providing oversight for the archeological investigation, are working together to ensure the proper treatment of the findings.
Castro said the discovery was made by professional archeologists from the Rochester Museum and Science Center during their study of prehistoric sites at the location. State Parks has notified the appropriate Native American representatives of the discovery. She said Parks, the DEC and representatives with American Rock Salt Co. will evaluate and determine the appropriate treatment of the remains in consultation with Native American leaders.
"We are committed to working with representatives of the Native American community and the other parties involved to sensitively addressed the issues raised by this discovery," said Commissioner Castro. "American Rock Salt has acted in accordance with appropriate protocols regarding the treatment of these remains, and the various state agencies involved are working together to ensure that the issue receives the highest priority."
The archeological investigations were nearing completion at the time of the discovery, and the feature containing human bone appears to be an isolated find. It is unclear whether the discovery represents a complete human burial or isolated fragments of human bone, because all excavations ceased at the time of the discovery. No further excavations will be conducted until discussion and consultation with Native American representatives has been concluded.
The isolated nature of the discovery has allowed project construction to proceed in other areas of the mine site. A monitoring protocol has been established to ensure that any future unanticipated discoveries are adequately addressed as construction proceeds.
DEC's permit for the American Rock Salt mine contains extensive conditions to protect archeological, historic and cultural resources. These conditions include avoidance of construction at the southern end of the project, establishment of set-aside areas along Route 63 and requirements for archeological resource investigations at the mine site under professional oversight of the Rochester Museum and Science Center. The permit requires the use of State Parks protocols to notify Native American representatives in the event human remains are identified on the mine property. American Rock Salt is in full compliance with these permit conditions.