HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-10-2013-13 (3) INFORMATION ITEM
ORANGE COUNTY
Department of Environment,
Agriculture,Parks Recreation
MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Michael Talbert, Interim County Manager
FROM: David Stancil, Director
Rich Shaw, Land Conservation Manager
Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resources Coordinator
DATE: December 3, 2013
RE: Town-County Collaboration on Protecting Hillsborough Archaeological Sites
The following is an update on County and Town of Hillsborough efforts to protect known
archaeological sites and other culturally-significant sites located on public lands in Hillsborough.
In June 2012 the Board of County Commissioners directed County staff to work with Town staff
to develop a protocol for ensuring the protection of archaeological sites and other culturally-
significant locations on Town- and County-owned properties. Previous efforts to keep sites
undisturbed were not always successful due to insufficient information and communication.
Staff from the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR)began
meeting with Town Planning staff in 2012 to identify all known archaeological and cultural
resources area on a single map. A draft map was shared with the NC Division of Archives and
History for review and concurrence. The State Archaeologist identified another 29 sites that were
not yet mapped. Those additional sites resulted from several construction projects that had
occurred in recent years projects that identified new locations due largely to State and County
requirements that sites be surveyed for cultural and archaeological resources before construction.
In the meantime, additional archaeological surveys have been conducted in 2012-13 for
construction projects at 129 East King Street, East Margaret Lane (geothermal well network),
and the Riverwalk. New locations are being added to the map maintained by DEAPR and Town
staff responsible for the protection of cultural resources.
Over the next few weeks DEAPR will work with Town staff and the County Attorney on a
draft agreement that we intend to have ready for BOCC and Town of Hillsborough Board
of Commissioners consideration by February or March 2014.
Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation
PO Box 8181/306-A Revere Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-2510