APPENDIX D Cultural Resources Survey Report - US Environmental ...

SECTION 5.0 ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELDWORK AND RESULTS
An assessment of archaeological potential is based upon environmental factors (topography and
hydrology), presence of recorded cultural resources in the files at the NJSM and the HPO, a review
of historic maps and documents, and a site visit. The APE was examined on July 7, 2009. Each
section of the APE is discussed individually below.
SGL Surrounding Property
The SGL Surrounding Property portion of the APE is located on a triangular parcel, bounded to the
northeast by an asphalt manufacturing facility, southeast by Cove Road, and west by the NJ Transit
rail line, also known as the Camden and Amboy Railroad Historic District, which is eligible for
listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This historic district is situated outside of the
APE. A one-story concrete office building, a large metal warehouse, and an asphalt parking lot are
located in the eastern portion of this section of the APE (Figure 5.1; Plates 5.1-5.2). All buildings
within this portion of the APE date to the mid-twentieth century. The western section of this
portion of the APE is characterized by dense vegetative growth, 20 to 30-foot high soil piles, a dirt
road, and a cinder block building (see Figure 5.1; Plates 5.3-5.8). This portion of the SGL
Surrounding Property has experienced extensive disturbance from demolition, historic clay mining,
and soil grading activities. Excavation pits and unnatural undulating terrain were observed in the
wooded section of this portion of the APE, particularly at the location of the northern-most former
row house. The area of the southern row house and the railroad freight house, northeast of the
intersection of Cove Road and the NJ Transit rail line, exhibited extensive grading disturbance (see
Figure 5.1, Plate 5.4). A previous Phase IA cultural resources survey of the SGL Surrounding
Property section of the APE by the Cultural Resource Consulting Group (2006), determined that as
a result of extensive twentieth century disturbance, the sensitivity for intact, significant historic and
prehistoric archaeological resources in this portion of the APE was low. Based on a review of
historic maps and a site visit, RGA concurs with this prior assessment.
Advance Process Supply
This portion of the APE consists of a rectangular lot east of River Road. It is bounded to the north,
east, and south by commercial and industrial building lots (Personal Communication, Jeffrey
Rakowski July 7, 2009). A large commercial building and asphalt parking lot characterize this
portion of the APE (Figure 5.2; Plates 5.9-5.11). This property sits two to five feet below the
surrounding natural grade. Much of the parcel is flat topographically, and slopes along its south and
east side to meet the elevation of abutting parcels. Vegetation in this portion of the APE was present
on the outskirts of the property and consists of a manicured lawn and mature oak trees. Based on
background research, hydrology, and a site visit, this portion of the APE has a low sensitivity for
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