Floodplain Statement of Findings for Visitor Infrastructure Improvements at the Hopeton Earthworks Unit, Hopewell Culture NHP

The NPS at Hopewell Culture NHP and Midwest Regional Office have prepared a Floodplain Statement of Findings (FSOF) in accordance with DO 77-2 and PM 77-2 for Visitor Infrastructure Improvements at the Hopeton Earthworks Unit of Hopewell Culture National Historical Park.

The project's proposed actions expand visitor infrastructure at the Hopeton Earthworks Unit of Hopewell Culture National Historical Park. In particular, the project proposes to expand the existing parking lot, including associated tree removal, earthwork, and ditching; install concrete walkways; relocate garbage receptacles; and install visitor information signs and motorist guidance signs. These developments support the needs of growing visitation at the site while avoiding adverse impacts to cultural landscapes, cultural resources, and viewsheds that are fundamental to the Unit.

The project proposes to expand current NPS visitor-use infrastructure in the floodplain adjacent to the existing parking lot. Original parking lot siting was based on an analysis of viewshed impacts, cultural landscape planning, and survey for historic properties. This work, as well as additional research since, have located no suitable alternative to the present location on federal property. Specifically, the adjacent Circleville terrace presents extensive and important archaeological resources that would be adversely affected by construction activities. That terrace is also the location of the eponymous Hopeton Earthwork, which, as a National Historic Landmark (NHL), has special requirements for protection. In sum, the project area represented the only practicable location for the proposed undertakings and is the least impactful site to the Park's fundamental resources.

At present, the parking lot accommodates only 12 vehicles and, consequently, is subject to reach its capacity with regularity, an issue expected to grow as visitor use increases in response to the inscription of the Hopeton Earthworks on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023 (as part of the serial nomination Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks). The infrastructure development proposed by this project will alleviate this issue. Doing so will enhance visitor access and experience and prevent resource damage caused by off-road egress and parking. The proposed projects location is constrained by the location of the existing parking lot and lack of suitable alternatives at the Hopeton Earthworks Unit.

The construction will occur on a 1.85-acre portion of the Scioto River floodplain, between the elevations of 615 and 621 FASL (NAVD88). The project will involve regrading of a small (<0.5 acres) area adjacent to the existing parking lot prior to the installation of light duty asphalt pavement and concrete sidewalks. An asphalt parking lot will be constructed on an six-inch aggregate base atop compacted subgrade. The sidewalks will be concrete with synthetic fiber reinforcement poured on a four-inch aggregate base atop compacted subgrade. The project will not include or facilitate future overnight occupation, storage of hazardous material, or storage of cultural resources.

The FSOF has determined that implementing the proposed action will enhance visitor access and experience and prevent resource damage to the Hopeton Earthworks Unit of HOCU while presenting de minimis adverse impact to human health and safety and local floodplain values. This infrastructure development will accommodate growing visitation at the Unit as a consequence of the inscription of the Hopeton Earthworks on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. The proposed infrastructure development will meet all Federal and NPS building standards, has cleared NPS Regional Investment Review Board and Bureau Investment Review Board which evaluated the proposed projects long-term financial and operations sustainability, and will comply with all applicable environmental and cultural preservation laws and regulations.

Document Content:

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