Phase 1B Underwater Archaeological Report for the Onondaga ...

FINAL
Phase IB Underwater Archaeological Resources Report for Onondaga Lake Superfund Site
SHPO Project Review Number:
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY
Involved State and Federal Agencies:
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Phase of Survey:
1B
Location Information
Location: Onondaga Lake
Minor Civil Division: Towns of Salina and Geddes and City of Syracuse
County: Onondaga
USGS 7.5 Minute Quadrangle Map:
Syracuse West
Survey Area
Number of Acres Survey: 418.7 acres (169.4 hectares)
Archaeological Survey Overview:
This report presents the results of a Phase 1B underwater archaeological investigation of the
environmental remediation areas in Onondaga Lake as part of the Onondaga Lake Superfund
Site. The fieldwork included side scan sonar, sector scan sonar, videography from a remotely
operated vehicle and target verification by archaeological divers. The fieldwork was executed
between June 2 to 11, and October 25 to 28, 2010; and June 20 to 29, 2011 by the Lake
Champlain Maritime Museum (LCMM) on behalf of Honeywell and under subcontract to
Parsons, Inc. LCMM was assisted by CR Environmental (CRE) in the field and data analysis effort.
Results of Archaeological Survey:
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum concluded that the Phase 1B underwater archaeological
research undertaken in Onondaga Lake demonstrated that several archaeological remains still
lie on the lake bottom. Overall, these properties tend to be well-preserved, although many lie
partly or largely buried below the lake bottom. The Phase 1B survey examined 60 anomalies of
which 20 are recommended as eligible for the NRHP, while 18 were culturally derived features
which are recommended as ineligible for the NRHP. Three of the anomalies were non-cultural,
15 remain unidentified, and four are identified but their NRHP status remains unevaluated.
Report Author(s):
Adam I. Kane (LCMM), Joanne M. Dennis (LCMM), Sarah L. Tichonuk (LCMM), and Christopher F.
Wright (CRE)
Date of Report:
October 10, 2011
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