Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Van Damme Bridge Disposal Monitoring topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tribe asks for monitoring, disposal clarity after Van Dam State Park bridge replacement survey cleared
Summary
The commission accepted an archaeological survey for replacement of a failed bridge at Van Dam State Park but tribal representatives and others requested clarity on demolition debris disposal and said they may seek monitoring during work.
The Mendocino County Archaeological Commission on Oct. 8 accepted a July 2023 survey of the Little River bridge replacement at Van Dam State Park but commissioners and tribal representatives asked the State Parks project team for more information about where bridge demolition materials will be placed and whether tribal monitoring will be required.
Valerie Stanley, speaking for the Sherwood Valley tribal community, said the tribe has not yet received full information from State Parks and noted, “We haven't responded because there could be. And if there is, we're going to request monitoring.”
Planner Liam Crowley summarized the survey results: the field investigation found no archaeological resources in the area of potential effect and evaluated the 1951 concrete bridge as not eligible for listing. He also read from the application materials that “demolished materials would be placed in staging areas or loaded directly onto trucks and removed from the project site and disposed of properly.” Commission members asked staff to follow up with State Parks to confirm disposal locations and whether those disposal sites have been surveyed.
Commissioners and members of the public recommended including a discovery clause in permit conditions and asked staff to work with State Parks and Sherwood Valley on consultation and possible monitoring. Senior planner Mark Klieser added that if demolition debris is to be placed in the coastal zone it may itself require a coastal development permit, and that county air-quality rules and best management practices apply to demolition activities.
Public commenter Amy Winn (Wind Coastal Planning and Biology) suggested a conditional approach: if demolition material is taken to a permitted landfill, additional survey or consultation may not be necessary; if it is placed elsewhere, State Parks should coordinate with Sherwood Valley about disposition and potential survey needs.
The commission voted to accept the archaeological report as presented and to include conditions and follow-up requests for State Parks about the disposal plan and tribal monitoring as appropriate.
