ACOE Comments 2018.10.25.PDF'
Regulatory Division
File Number: NAE-2012-2550
Massachusetts Historical Commission
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
NEW ENGLAND DISTRICT
696 VIRGINIA ROAD
CONCORD MA 01742-2751
October 25 , 2018
•
Attn: Brona Simon, Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Officer
220 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, Massachusetts 02125
Dear Ms. Simon:
The U.S. Anny Corps of Engineers Regulatory Division (Corps) is currently reviewing a
Section 404 permit application from the Smith College for a I 0-year Sediment Management
Program for Paradise Pond on the Mill River in Northampton, Massachusetts (MHC#RC.4576).
Under this Sediment Management Program, Smith College would be authorized to temporarily
dewater and regrade areas of Paradise Pond; to mechanically redistribute bottom sediments
within the pond and the existing plunge pool (downriver of the Paradise Pond Dam); and to
utilize the existing low-flow outfall during periods of high flow in order to promote the
downriver transportation of accumulated bottom sediments from the pond. The goal of this
program is to maintain a 2-foot minimum normal pool depth throughout Paradise Pond in order
to support existing recreational and academic uses.
In response to the Corps initiation of a Section 106 Consultation process for this project, on
September 7, 2018 , you made a recommendation that the Corps make a determination that the
Paradise Pond Sediment Management Program will have ''no adverse effect'' on the adjacent
Smith College area (MHC #NTH.C) and the Elm Street Area (South) (MHC# NTH.F) Historical
Districts (see Enclosure #1).
Smith College 's Paradise Pond Sediment Management Plan involves impacts ·to
accumulated sediment deposits within Paradise Pond. The Corps proposes to incorporate the
following special condition into our forthcoming permit in order to protect any unidentified
historic properties that may be discovered during the implementation phase of this project.
''If the permittee o·r their contractor discover any previously unknown historic, cultural or
archae ological r emains and/or artifacts while completing the work authorized by this permit,
Smith College must immediately notify the Corps of what you have found , and to the maximum .
extent practicable, shall avoid construction activities that may affect the r~mains and artifacts
until required coordination has been completed. The Corps will initiate coordination with the
pertinent Federal and State historic agencies as well as with the Tribes to determine if.the
remains and artifacts warrant a recovery effect or if the site is eligible for listing on the National
Register of Historic Places.''
•
2
The Corps has determined that if the Paradise Pond Sediment Management Program is
conducted in accordance with this recommended special condition that this project will result in
''no adverse effect'' to the Smith College area and the Elm Street Area (South) historical districts.
We believe that the Paradise Pond Sediment Management Program as proposed will not diminish
the integrity of these historic districts ' location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling ,
and association. We would appreciate your concurrence with our ''no adverse effect''
determination for this project within 30-days of your receipt of this letter.
If you have any questions about this letter, please contact Mr. Paul Sneeringer of my staff
at (978) 318-8491.
Enclosures
Copies Furnished:
Sincerely,
Barbara Newman
Chief, Permits & Enforcement Branch
Regulatory Division
•
David Drake, Northampton Historical Commission, Planning & Sustainability, 210 Main Street,
Room 11, N ortharnpton, Massachusetts, SLa Valley@ northamptonma.gov
Gary Hartwell, Smith College Facilities Management, 126 West Street, Northampton,
Massachusetts, gharte l@ smith.edu
Briscoe Lang, Pare Corporation, 8 Blackstone Valley Place, Lincoln, Rhode Island 02865,
blang@ parecorp.com
. .
'
•
I
' I
c~c\.oSute • l
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts .
William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth
\
· Massachusetts Hist·orical Commission
September 7, 2018 '
Barbara Newman
Chief, Pe1mits & Enforcement, Regulatory
US Army Corps of Engineers
696 Virginia Rd
Concord, MA 01742 .. 2751
Attn. Paul Sneeringer
. .
c
I
•
I
RE: Paradise Pond Sediment Management Program,.No~ampton, MA .,:rv.tHC #RC.4576.
CE-NAE-R-201·2-2550.
Dear Ms. Newman:
Staff of the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) have reviewed the information submitted for
the project referenced above.
The project consists of dewatering Paradise Pond up tq once a year and to redistribute bottom sediments.
Equipment will B;cce.ss the pond from the existing boat ramp adjacent to the athletic fields.
. .
Review of.the infoimation submitted and review of the lv.tHC's files indicate that the project is adjacent to
the Smith College area (WIC #NTH.C). The MIIC previously offered its staff op.inion that the Smith
College area meets the National Register Criteria of Eligibility (36 CFR Part 60). The project is also
adjacent to the Elm Stree~ Area (South) (NTH.F), which has not been evaluated by 11HC staff for
National Register el'igi.bility. The portion. of Elm Street Area (South) that adjoin·s Paradise Pond coincides
with the Smith College area. . .
.
The MIIC recommends that the Corps make a determination of ''no adverse effect'' for the undertaking.
These comments are offered to assist in compliance
1
vvith Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966 as amended (36 CFR 800) and 1\1.G.L. c. 9, ss. 26-27C (950 Civ.fR 71). Please
contact Edward L. Bell, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer,. if you have any questions or ·need
more inf onnation.
Sincerely,
Brana Simon
State Historic Preservation Officer
Executive Director
Massachusetts Historical Commission
xc: Northampton Historical Commission ·
•
. . ..
220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Ma·ssachusetts 02125
(617)727-8470 ·° Fax:(617)·727-5128
www.sec.state.ma. us /rrihc .
•
•