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Court approves $9,250 archaeological survey amendment for Forks of Elkhorn sewer project
Summary
The fiscal court authorized an amendment to a work order with HMB for a $9,250 archaeological survey required by SHPO for the Forks of Elkhorn sanitary sewer extension; engineers warned that significant finds could delay or redesign the project and add costs beyond the lump-sum survey.
Frankfort — Franklin County approved amendment No. 1 to a work order with engineering firm HMB to perform an archaeological survey for the Forks of Elkhorn Creek sanitary sewer extension project after the State Historic Preservation Office requested an investigation.
Belinda (staff) said the project is funded in part by a Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA) line-item grant for $2,800,000. Brandon Baxter of HMB explained environmental clearance requirements for state and federal funds: agencies such as Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and SHPO review project footprints and may require additional work if potential impacts are identified.
The amendment covers a lump-sum $9,250 to perform shovel tests at four recommended locations and document findings. Baxter said the initial survey responds to SHPO’s request; the price covers the preliminary field work and reporting. He cautioned that if significant archaeological resources (including human remains or burial-related deposits) are discovered, the project may require additional investigation, remediation, design changes or timeline adjustments. Court members acknowledged that the upfront survey reduces the risk of surprise delays later in the construction schedule.
Vote: The court approved the amendment to proceed with the archaeological survey as part of the project’s environmental clearance process.
