6.0 HPSR 03-03-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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^ In response to the tremendous public interest in last year's archaeology work ~ conducted in Elk River, the city is planning on allowing the public to participate in the 2005 excavation of the milling site. The city feels that allowing people to actually participate will do even more to increase the public's appreciation for this cultural resource. Little is known of the Paleo period of Minnesota's history. An intact Paleo site in Elk River would do a lot to increase awareness of this period throughout the entire state. 2) Encourage integration of historic preservation at all levels of planning. The first step the City of Elk River took to integrating historic preservation into the planning process was a historic context study. The second step was an archaeological survey and literature search. The findings and documentations from these efforts have been incorporated into the city's Comprehensive Plan by reference. For these past.efforts not to become studies that sit on a shelve collecting dust, the citizens of Elk River and elected official have to be made aware of their value. The planned archaeological excavations will take these sites from the pages of a report and bring them into real life. Allowing public participation in the planned excavations will do even more to increase awareness and appreciation for archaeological sites and an understanding of the importance of integrating protecrion of these cultural resources into the city's planning efforts. 3) Expand and strengthen the network of organizations and individuals engaged in historic preservation throughout the state. Little is currently being done at local levels of government to preserve Minnesota's archaeological sites. An excavation in Elk River may be used by other communities as a model on how to identify and preserve similar sites in their areas. ^ The findings of the archaeological survey and literature search conducted in Elk River in 2004 have been featured in Minnesota Archaeology, at the State Preservation Conference and other public events. The proposed archaeological excavation in Elk River will be similarly publicized. ^ The project and the dissemination of the results involved members of state, county, and city agencies; educational institutions; private archaeological firms; students; and members of the public.