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2
Agency US Fish and Wildlife Service - Puerto Rico
Ecological Services Office US Environmental Protection Agency,
Region
US Army Corps of Engineers - Antilles Area
Office Departmento de Recursos Naturales y
Ambientales {Puerto Rico Department of Junta de Calidad
Ambiental (Puerto Rico
Environmental Quality Board) Departmento de Transportacion y
Obras
Publicas (Puerto Rico Highway and Puerto Rico State Historic
Preservation
Officer (SHPO)
Puerto Rico Board of Planning
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Morovis Mayor's Office
US Department of Agriculture, Arecibo Service Center US
Geological Survey, Caribbean Water
Science Center
Puerto Rico Telephone Company (Claro
Puerto Rico)
Federal Office, Municipality of Morovis
Puerto Rico Aqueducts and Sewers Authority
(PRASA)
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA)
Organizaci6n Ciudadanos del Karso
Puerto Rico Department of Education
Attention
Office of External Affairs
Office of Public Affairs
Public Affairs Office
Director Edificio de Agencias Ambientales Cruz A.
Matos
Director (or Access Control Office)
State Historic Preservation Officer
Director
Morovis Service Center
The Honorable Heriberto Rodriguez Adorno
District Conservationist
Director
Director of Commerical Customers, Morovis
Mr. Luis Rivera Carrion, Director
Ms. Lynette Ramirez, PE, Executive Director
for Infrastructure Mr. Rafael Carrera, P.E., Director of
Environmental Office
Mr. Abel Vale Nieves, President
Director of Morovis School District
Street
P.O. Box 491, Road 301 Km 5.1
290 Broadway
400 Fernandez Juncos - Parada 7.5
P.O. Box 366147 Urbanizaci6n San Jose Industrial Park, 1375
Avenida Ponce de Leon
P.O. Box 42007
P.O. Box 9066581
Governmental Center Robert Sanchez Vilella
State Road 6622, Km 0.2 - Sector La Linea
Oscar Rodriguez Plaza, Progreso Street
Caribbean Cinemas Building, Suite 203, 1562
Miramar Ave.
651 Federal Drive, Suite 400-15
1515 F.D. Roosevelt Ave.
P.O. Box 655
P.O. Box 7066
P.O. Box 364267
PMB 230 267 Sierra Morena Street
Calle Teniente Cesar Luis Gonzalez
City State Zip
Boquer6n, Puerto Rico
New York, New York 10007-1866
Puerta de Tierra, Puerto Rico 00901-3299
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00926-2604
San Juan, PR 00940-2007
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00906-6581
Santurce, Puerto Rico 00940,1119
Morovis, Puerto Rico 00687
Morovis, Puerto Rico 00687
Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00612-2863
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, 00965
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, 00968
Morovis, Puerto Rico 00687
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00916-7066
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00926-5583
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00926
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00927
Telephone
Phone: (787) 851-7297
Phone: (303) 312-6312
Phone: (787) 729-6874
Phone: (787) 999-2200
Phone: (787) 767-8181
Phone: (787)721-8787
Phone: (787) 721-3737
Phone: (787) 725,0355
Phone: (787) 862-2095
Phone: (787) 862-2155
Phone: (787) 817-2473
Phone: (787) 749-4346
Phone: (787) 781-1314
Phone: (787) 384-4406
Phone: (787) 759-2000
Email
jose [email protected]
[email protected] Anti [email protected] phone for
admin section [email protected]. [email protected]
obierno.pr
[email protected] Deputy Director Ana Del Moral
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected] [email protected] (Pedro Diaz):
[email protected] (Rafael W. Rodriguez)
ma risol .colon6@cla ropr.com
[email protected]
Director Efrain Acosta [email protected]
[email protected] [email protected] &
[email protected]
[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:obierno.prmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Office of Construction and
Facilities Management
Washington DC 20420
March 20, 2017
Morovis Mayor's Office The Honorable Heriberto Rodriguez Adorno
Oscar Rodriguez Plaza, Progreso Street Morovis, Puerto Rico
00687
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announces the
preparation and availability ofa Draft Site-Specific Environmental
Assessment (SEA) for the VA's Proposed Action to construct and
operate Phase l of the proposed Puerto Rico National Cemetery
Replacement on approximately 50-acres of the VA 's approximately
250-acre property located at 11.2 km PR l 3 7 in Morovis, Puerto
Rico. The Proposed Action Phase I cemetery would provide
approximately 14,000 interment sites, supporting physical
infrastructure, and require approximately 30 months to construct.
Full details of the Proposed Action are provided in the Draft SEA.
The purpose of the Proposed Action is to continue to enable the
National Cemetery Association (NCA) to provide eligible Veterans
and their families with a National Cemetery ofsufficient size and
capacity to serve the projected needs in Puerto Rico for the next l
Oyears. The existing Puerto Rico National Cemetery located in
Bayamon is anticipated to reach full in-ground interment capacity
by 2022 and full colurnbarium capacity by 2030. The Proposed Action
is needed to meet the NCA' s goal of providing eligible Veterans
with reasonable access to VA burial options.
The VA would like to invite your organization to participate in
the review of the Draft SEA, which evaluates the potential
environmental consequences of the Proposed Action and No Action
Alternative. The Draft SEA is available electronically at
http//www.cem.va.gov/cem/EA.asp, and in printed form at the Bayamon
National Cemetery and Morovis Town Hall. In addition to requesting
input from your agency, the VA has published a Notice
ofAvailability of the Draft SEA in El Nuevo Dia and Primera Hora
and to inform the public to obtain, review, and comment on the
Draft SEA during a 30-day period beginning on March 24, 2017.
Comments received from your organization and the public will be
considered and addressed in the Final SEA.
The VA wishes to take every opportunity to work together in a
relationship where a Federal, State or local agency has
decision-making authority or special expertise that can enhance
VA's decision making efforts. If you would like to provide
connnents or request additional information regarding the Draft
SEA, please contact Mr. Glenn Elliott, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, Office of Construction & Facilities Management, 425 I
(eye) Street, NW, Room 6W417a, Washington, D.C. 20001; via email at
[email protected]; via fax to (202) 632-5832; or calling (202)
632-5879. Please reference "Puerto Rico National Cemetery
Replacement Draft SEA" m any correspondence. The VA respectfully
requests your comments within 30 days of receipt of this
letter.
Sincerely,
Glenn Elliott Environmental Engineer U.S. Department ofVeterans
Affairs Office ofConstruction & Facilities Management
mailto:[email protected]
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United States Department ofthe Interior
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Canbbean-FkrilaWatJ:rScienceCaltcr SAN JUAN OFF1CE
GSACenter,651 FedralDrive,Suite~15
Guaynabo,PROOJ65
Phone: (7'67) 749-7400
Fax: (7'67) 749-740I
April 28, 2017
Mr. Glenn Elliot
Environmental Engineer
U.S. Department ofVeterans Affairs
Washington, DC 20420
Dear Mr. Elliot:
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Caribbean-Florida Water
Science Center (CFWSC) reviewed the Draft SiteSpecific
Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the proposed Puerto Rico National
Cemetery Replacement, Sections
3.4 (Geology, Topography, and Soils) and 3.5 (Hydrology and
Water Quality). The only comment to the SEA is
related to the nomenclature ofthe hydrogeological units
identified at the proposed site and presented in Section 3.5.1.2
(Groundwater). The intention ofthe comment is to suggest the use
ofthe nomenclature presented in previous reports
to maintain consistency in the description ofthe hydrogeological
units.
In the second paragraph ofSection 3.5.1.2 the following
information is provided: "The site is located on the southern zone
ofthe Karstic Platform ofthe North Coast ofPuerto Rico,
specifically on the Lares Formatinn (GMTS, 2016).
The hydrogeologic unit of the Lares Limestone forms a
superficial phreatic (unconfined) aquifer, while the San Sebastian
Formation is considered a confining base level. The Cibao
Formation, north ofthe site, overlies the Lares Limestone, and
represents a confining top level ofthe Lares Limestone
aquifer."
Comment: According to Renken and others (2002,
https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/pp 1419), platform carbonates
and minor elastic rocks that underlie Puerto Rico's northern
coastal plain make up the North Coast limestone aquifer system. The
North Coast limestone aquifer system comprises four principal
hydrogeologic units that include an upper aquifer, a middle
confining unit, a lower aquifer, and a basal confining unit (Renken
and others, 2002). A lower aquifer, that contains water under
confined conditions where buried, consists ofcarbonate and some
elastic rocks of the Montebello Limestone Member, the Lares
Limestone, Mucarabones Sand, and in updip areas, water-bearing sand
and conglomeratic beds ofthe San Sebastian Formation and the
Quebrada Arenas and Rio Indio Limestone Members
(Renken and others, 2002). Unconfined conditions occur where the
principal carbonate-rock units that make up the
lower aquifer crop out or lie in the shallow subsurface. The
Lares Limestone crops out at the proposed site area,
presenting unconfined conditions as mentioned in the SEA.
Ifyou have any questions, please call me at 787-749-7414 or
email me [email protected].
Cordially,
~,hl9'-SL~ Jose M. Rodriguez, PE Supervisory Hydrologist USGS
Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center Telephoue: 787-749-7414
E-mail: [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/pp
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Office of Construction & Facilities Management
Washington DC 20420
May 26, 2017
Mr. Edwin E. Muniz Mr. Angel Colon
Mr. Felix Lopez U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Caribbean
Ecological Services Field Office P.O. Box491 Boqueron, Puerto Rico
00622
RE: FWS/R4/CESF0/72-101-024 Section 7 Consultation
Proposed Construction and Operation of the Puerto Rico National
Cemetery, Morovis
Messrs. Muniz, Colon, and Lopez:
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is in receipt of
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) comment letter dated May
10, 2017, regarding the VA's National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) Draft Site-Specific Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the
Proposed Action to construct and operate the SO-acre Phase 1
portion of the Puerto Rico National Cemetery Replacement, which
will be located within the boundaries of the VA's 247.5acre parcel
located at PR-137, Km 11.2 in the municipality of Morovis, Puerto
Rico.
Based on the USFWS comment letter and our follow-up discussion
of the letter during our teleconference on May 16, 2017, the VA was
able to complete the Final SEA and a Finding of No Significant
Impact (FONS!) for the Proposed Action. The Final SEA and FONSI
reiterate the VA's commitment stated in the Draft SEA to
incorporate the USFWS Conservation Measures for the Puerto Rican
Boa. This conservation measure is needed to avoid or minimize
impacts to the Puerto Rican Boa, which was the only
federally-listed species observed at the parcel.
Therefore, based on the results of the VA's biological surveys
and commitment to implement the USFWS Conservation Measures for the
Puerto Rican Boa, as well as other Best Management Practices (BMPs)
to further avoid and minimize habitat impacts at the parcel, the VA
has determined that the Proposed Action would result in an
Endangered Species Act (ESA) determination of "may affect, but not
likely to adversely affect (MANLAA)" for the Puerto Rican Boa and
respectfully requests your concurrence under this Section 7
consultation.
We appreciate your assistance with the planning of t his
project.
Sincerely,
Glenn Elliott, Program/Project Manager Environmental
Engineer
cc: Andrew Glucksman, Mabbett & Associates, Inc. Kelley
Samuels, AECOM
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United States ·Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Caribbean Ecological Services
Field Office
P.O. Box491
Boqueron, PR 00622
MAY 1o·2017In Reply Refer To:
FWS/R 4/CESFO/72-101-024
Glenn Elliott Construction and Facilities Management U.S.
Department ofVeterans Affairs 425 I (eye) Street, NW, Room 6w417a
Washington, DC 20001
Re: Proposed Construction and Operation of the Puerto Rico
National Cemetery Replacement, Morovis
Dear Engineer Elliott:
We have reviewed your request for information regarding
endangered and threatened species and their habitats for the above
referenced action. Our comments are provided as technical
assistance under the Endangered Species Act (Act) (87 Stat. 884, as
amended; 16 United States Code 1531 et seq.), and in accordance
with the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (47 Stat. 401, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).
The proposed project consists of the construction and operation
ofthe Puerto Rico National Cemetery Replacement within an
approximately 50-acre area at the 247.5-acre site located at PR-13
7, Km 11.2 in the municipality ofMoro vis, Puerto Rico. The ·
proposed action would provide all facilities and infrastructure
necessary to maintain and operate the cemetery and sufficient
interment capacity for 10 years. The site is comprised ofa natural
landscape with forestlands (hardwood), pasturelands and urbanized
areas.
Based on the review ofthe infonnation provided and available in
our office, the proposed project site lies within the range of the
Puerto Rican Boa (Epicrates inornatus). The Service has developed
recommendations to avoid or minimize possible effects on the boa
during construction activities in areas where the boa may occur
(see enclosure). We recommend you to implement the enclosed
recommendations as conservation measures for the species in the
Environmental Assessment of the Project.
Since the project is funded by a Federal Agency, the Action
Agency should initiate Section 7 consultation with the Service when
the Environmental Assessment is concluded. A conservation plan to
address possible effects to the Puerto Rican boa
-
2 Engineer Elliott
should be included with the consultation package and a
determination regarding the possible effects of the action to
listed species.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this project. We
appreciate your interest in protecting endangered species and their
habitats. It is the Service's mission to work with others to
conserve, protect, and enhance marine life, wildlife, plants and
their habitats for the continuing benefit ofour people. Please do
not hesitate to contact Angel Colon at 787-851-7297, extension 214
or [email protected], should you have any questions
concerning our comments.
Sincerely yours,
;!~~ ages
mailto:[email protected]
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CONSERVATION MEASURES FOR THE PUERTO RICAN BOA - USFWS
General Information:
The Endangered Puerto Rican boa (Epicrates inornatus) is an
endemic species and it is the largest snake that inhabits the
Puerto Rico Island Shelf. The color and pattern of the Puerto Rican
boa is highly variable. The species color can range from tan to
dark brown with irregular diffuse marking on the dorsum but some
individuals lack marking and are uniformly dark. Juveniles have
reddish brown ground color with numerous pronounced markings. The
Puerto Ric,m bca c.:.n be found ln the habitat range from the sea
level to about 400 m of elevation. The boa tolerates a wide variety
of habitat types ranging from wet montane to subtropical dry forest
and can be found from virgin forest to areas that exhibit various
degrees of human disturbance like roadside or out buildings. Boas
are more active at night, remaining less active concealed or
basking in the sun during the day. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Federal Register October I 3, 1970) listed the Puerto
Rican boa (Epicrates inornatus) as endangered in 1970 and it is
protected by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Any
person that injures, captures, or kills a Puerto Rican boa is
subject to penalties under federal Jaw of up to $100,000, one year
in prison or a combination ofboth.
Recommendations:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereafter the Service) has
developed recommendations to avoid or minimize impacts on the boa
during a project development in an area where the boa may occur.
The recommendations are the following:
A. Prior to any earth movements or vegetation clearing, the
boundaries of the project area, the buffer areas and areas to be
protected should be clearly marked in the project plan and in the
field.
B. A pre-construction meeting should be conducted to inform
supervisors and employees about the conservation ofprotected
species, as well as penalties for harassing or harming such
species.
· C. Prior to any use of machinery on areas where the boa may
occur, the vegetation should be cleared by hand to provide time to
the boa, ifpresent, to be detected or move away from the area. All
personnel involved in site clearing must be informed of the
potential presence of the snake, and the importance of protecting
the snakes.
D. ~efore activities commence each workday during the vegetation
clearing phase, the experienced personal in identifying and
searching for boas should survey the areas to be cleared that day,
to ensure that no boas are present or affected within the work
area. If boas are found within the working area, activities should
stop at the area where the boas are found until the boas move out
of the area on their own. Activities at other work
-
sites, where no boas have been found after surveying the area,
may continue. If relocation of the species is necessary, any
relocated boas should be transferred by authorized personnel of the
Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (ONER) to
appropriate habitat close to the project site. Any findings should
be reported to the Service and to the ONER Ranger office so they
can further assist you in developing sound conservation measures
and specific recommendations to avoid, minimize and/or compensate
for any irnpacts to this species.
E. Stii.~: ~cas~r~s :;~vuld t;:. cstab!is!~,cd ~v n1i;-d1-1iiZ(;
boa ccciualties by 1noi:or vehicles or other equipment. Before
operating or moving equipment and vehicles in staging areas near
potential boa habitats (within 25 meters of potential boa habitat),
these should be thoroughly inspected to ensure that no boas are
lodged in the standing equipment or vehicles. If boas are found
within vehicles or equipment, authorized personnel of DNER must be
notified immediately for proper handling and relocation. Any
relocated boas should be transferred to appropriate habitat close
to the project site.
For more information:
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office
Road 301, Km. 5.1 / Bo. Corozo
Boqueron, PR 00622
Telephone: (787) 851-7297
Fax: (787) 851-7440 Email: caribbean [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]
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GOBIERNO DE PUERTO RICO Oficina Estatal de Conservaci6n
Hist6rica
Friday, March 24, 2017
Mr. Glenn Elliott Environmental Engineer P Pt M Office
ofConstruction & Facilities Management US Dcparlmcnl of
Vctcr~ns AfT;iirs 425 I (eye) Slrcct, NW, Room 6W417n Washington,
D.C. 20001
SHPO: 04-08-10-02 PROPOSED NATIONAL CEMETERY, DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS, PR-137, KM. 11, BARAHONA AND FRANQUEZ WARDS,
MOROVIS, PUERTO RICO
Dear Mr. Elliot,
We acknowledge the receipt of the report we requested, titled
"Phase II Cultural Resources Investigation, Field Work Report,
Puerto Rico National Cemetery, Municipality of Morovis, Puerto
Rico" (henceforth, "report"), dated June 2016 and written by A.
Font Negron for CSA Architects & Engineers. LLP.
After evaluating the second version of the Stage I
archaeological survey report prepared for this undertaking, our
Office requested an intensive archaeological survey (Stage II) work
plan for our review and concurrence. In letter dated March 2, 2016
we notified the US Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) of our
conditional concurrence with the survey strategy presented in the
work p lan dated January 2016 (henceforth, "plan").
Earlier this year, we received and commented in letter to you,
dated February 13, 2017, on a report titled "Archaeological
Investigations for the propose (sic) VA National Cemetery, Morovis,
Puerto Rico" by N. Medina Carrillo PhD.
Dr. Medina Carrillo, who did not participated in the fieldwork
carried out by A. Font Negron, did nevertheless cite his report. We
consider the Medina Carrillo and Font Negron reports as two
components of what should be a single document. These should be
incorporated into a single report that meets Federal standards.
SHPO OftrlNA ISTA1AI lJI CONS£RVAC16H HISTOIUCA m k 1,_,:\ IHL
c-OafRNM>C,._
STAT£ HISTORIC PRESERVATION omcE
•OEC'll o.rccon 'C·
-
C u a r1 cl d c
Mr. Elliott Murch 24, 2017 Page 2
SHPO: 04-08-10-02 PROPOSED NATIONAL CEMETERY, DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS, PR-137, KM. 11, BARAHONA AND FRANQUEZ WARDS,
MOROVIS, PUERTO RICO
An intensive (Stage II) archaeological survey and report should
be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior' Standards and
Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation (48 FR 44716)
and supporting technical information like the National Register
Bulletins: Guidelines for Evaluating and Registering Archeological
Properties, How to Apply for National Register Criteria and
Defining Boundaries for National Register Properties. The report
should include an "Abstract" and also an "Introduction" that, at
the least, contains information regarding the dates of the
performance of field work, staff, a description of the proposed
undertaking and its background complemented with drawings to scale,
etc. The aerial photograph found in page 1 of the Font Negron
report should be presented in a legible scale and identified, as
well as Cueva de la Mora site in Figure 1 and the "ward limit" in
Figure 2.
Regarding the methodology implemented "to identify the
approximate boundaries of each site" (section 2 .1). the systematic
shovel testing at five (5) meters from a posit ive shovel test
until reaching a negative result are not shown in Figure 3 for
Quebrada Franquez 7(QFl) and Figure 4 for Quebrada Franquez 2
(QF2). Also, there are inconsistencies between the number of
positive shovel tests for both sites mentioned in the narrative
versus the ones depicted in the aerial photographs; this should be
corrected. Please explain which sources were consulted and how the
original archaeological site boundaries for QFl and QF2, shown in
Figures 3 and 4 respectively, were defined. Moreover, the shovel
testing performed for every site, as well as the archaeological
test units, should be depicted in an as-built plan, to scale. A
shovel test log that includes strata. depths and results, in
addition to coordinates, for every area surveyed, should be part of
the document.
As for the archaeological excavation units at sites QFl and QF2,
a thorough description including the rationale for their location
and dimensions, description of strata, depth, features (if any),
excavation methods, photographs, plan and profile scale drawings,
analysis of artifacts recovered in each strata, should be included
for each one.
Information related to Cueva de la Mora should be incorporated
as well. Regardless VA's intention ofavoiding the site, the
boundaries should be defined and the establishment of a reasonable
buffer zone for protection in perpetuity should be clear in the
narrative and in graphics in order to adequately manage the
resource.
SHPO OHCINA ISTA IAl.111 C'ONSERVACION HIST6RJCA Ofk IN,,
OFU~ONAl>OI:
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
• orrcrotT>-(
-
Mr. Elliott March 24, 2017 Page 3
SHPO: 04-08-10-02 PROPOSED NATIONAL CEMETERY, DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS, PR-I37, KM. 11, BARAHONA AND FRANQUEZ WARDS,
MOROVIS, PUERTO RICO
On the other hand, as proposed in the plan, Las Cruces de
Catalina petroglyphs should be thoroughly documented. This location
should be evaluated considering its traditional cultural
significance. Please refer to the National Register Bulletin -
Guidelines for Evaluating and Documenting Traditional Cultural
Properties.
The cursory description of the previously unreported
buildings/structures identified within the proposed project area,
contained in section 4.4 of the report, should be supplemented with
a site plan, detailed photographic documentation of every
building/structure and documentary research referring to, if
possible, primary sources to identify precise year of construction,
designer, owners, uses, etc.
Throughout the June 2016 report. the author states that the
fieldwork followed the strategy contained in the January 2016 plan.
This does not appear to be the case. We have found several
inconsistencies between the January 2016 plan and the field work
described in the report with no explanation given for the
deviation. As stated in our letter of March 2, 2016, any changes to
the field testing strategy, in response to observed field
conditions, should be made only after consultation and concurrence
among the consulting parties (i. e. VA and SHPO). For example, the
archaeological units of 5.00 m x 5.00 m executed in QF2 exceeded
that proposed in the January 2016 plan. Archeological testing for
evaluation should not proceed beyond the point of providing the
information necessary for evaluation and should not unnecessarily
affect significant features or values of the property. Testing that
destroys large portions of a property may foreclose the Advisory
Council on Historic Preservation's opportunity to comment and may
circumvent the intent of Section 106.
Likewise, most of the proposed methods of investigation
contained in the plan were not implemented: archival research,
laboratory processing, additional Phase I survey (once the Area of
Potential Effects was defined by VA for the construction of the
proposed cemetery) and curation of cultural materials.
Because of the significant discrepancies between the narrative
and the figures provided, we request a copy of the field work
notes.
An intensive (Stage II) archaeological survey report should be
prepared taking into account the above recommendations. At this
point we can neither support the overall conclusion of a lack of
integrity of the archaeological sites, nor the recommendation for
archaeological monitoring.
SHPO OFICINAIST41'Al,O>: CONS£RVACl6H HIST6RICA Ol
k'1N:\t)f"LC;(')UIU,(Af)OA
STATE HISTO RIC PRESERVATION O FflCE
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-
Mr. Elliott Murch 24, 2017 Pugc 4
SHPO: 04-08-10.02 PROPOSED NATIONAL CEMETERY, DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS, PR-137, KM. 11 , BARAHONA AND FRANOUEZ WARDS,
MOROVIS, PUERTO RICO
As soon as we receive the revised report, we w ill continue with
the evaluation of this undertaking. If you have any questions you
may contact Archaeologist Marines Colon, Historic Property
Specialist. at (787) 721-3737 or [email protected].
Sincerely,
Carlos A. Rubi~ancclu State Historic Preservation Officer
CARC/ BRS/ MB/ MC
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stATE HISTORIC PRl:SERVATION OFFICE OfrCt~· (0. ~,,c
Cu rtc,I de: lhll .iJ i . ~ an laaA, l'R • l'O 11,,a 90 219J~.
)i ~11 Ju""· l'R OII IJ0:! 0 '.\ 1>15 • 1A w w . occ h. 11r,
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mailto:[email protected]:04-08-10.02
-
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Office of Construction & Facilities Management
Washington DC 20420
June 9, 2017
Mr. Carlos A. Rubio-Cancela State Historic Preservation Officer
Oficina Estatal De Conservacion Hist6rica Central de Ballaja P.O.
Box 9023935 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902-3935
RE: SHPO 04-08-02 Proposed National Cemetery, Department of
Veterans Affairs, PR-137, Barahona and Fraoquez Wards, Morovis,
Puerto Rico: Your correspondence dated March 24,2017
Dear Mr. Rubio-Cancela:
Thank you very much for your letter of March 24, 2017 pertaining
to the above-cited project. That letter pointed to deficiencies in
the Stage II reporting on archaeological testing at the sites
Quebrada Franquez 1 (QFI) and Quebrada Franquez 2 (QF2). It also
noted that information on Cueva de la Mora pertaining to its
boundaries and a protective buff er should have been incorporated
into the report. Furthermore, your letter asked that the
petroglyphs at Las Cruces de Catalina be " thoroughly documented
... (and) evaluated considering its traditional cultural
significance."
Since the time of our last correspondence, the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) has revised the project plans and re-defined
the Area of Potential Effect (APE) based on those revisions. The
revised plan is attached to this letter for your information. As
you will see, the APE now corresponds to the Limits of Development
(LOD). which is labelled "Contract Limits" on the revised plan. In
addition, and pursuant to Act No. 183 (December 27, 2001),
entitled, "Ley de Servidumbre de Conservacfon de Puerto Rico," the
Department of Veterans Affairs has created and constituted a
conservation easement in favor of the Puerto Rico Department of
Natural Resources over and for all of remainder of the subject
property outside of the APE.
Since all of the archaeological sites recorded during the prior
survey (QFI , QF2, Cueva de la Mora. Las Cruces de Catalina) are
outside of the APE and within the dedicated conservation easement
(no disturbance) area, the VA has applied the criteria of adverse
effect and determined pursuant to 36 CFR 800.5(b) that this planned
undertaking will have no adverse effect to historic properties.
Because the project has been modified and conditions have been
imposed to avoid adverse effects to historic properties, we request
your concurrence in this determination.
Please note that the VA also has detennined for NEPA purposes
that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is appropriate for
this undertaking. However, this finding anticipates continuing
consultation with the Puerto Rico SHPO pursuant to Section I
06.
In this regard, the VA is planning to provide your offices with
sufficient additional data to enable formal assessment of the
archaeological sites in question applying the National Register of
Historic Places
-
SHPO 04-08-01 Proposed National Cemerery, Depar1111enr
ofVerera11s Affairs
Criteria for Evaluation (36 CFR 60.4 [a-d]). The resulting
report that we will submit for your review will incorporate an
analysis of the artifacts collected previously ("Archaeological
Investigations for the propose (sic) VA National Cemetery, Morovis,
Puerto Rico" (N_ Medina Carrillo, Feb. 13, 2017). Since the sites
will be preserved i11 situ, and because the undertaking no longer
has the potential to prose adverse effects to historic properties,
the purpose of the additional work and report planned on behalf of
the VA is to provide the Puerto Rico SHPO with adequate infonnation
for evaluation and long tenn management of these resources.
Finally, the VA also will assure curation of all project field
notes, photographs, records and artifacts in a repository meeting
the standards outlined in 36 CFR Part 79.
Please let me know if you have any comments on this approach to
completion of the Section I 06 process for this undertaking. In
addition, please notify me if you concur with the determination of
no adverse effect based on: (1 ) the revised project plan, and (2)
the establishment of the conservation easement containing the sites
dedicated to the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources. We
look forward to working with you to complete the Section 106
process.
Sincerely,
Glenn Elliott, Program/Project Manager Environmental
Engineer
Attachment: Revised Area of Potential Effect
cc: Andrew Glucksman, Mabbett & Associates, Inc. R.
Christopher Goodwin, PhD, R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates,
Inc.
June 9. 2017 Page 2of2
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