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Archeological Resources Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site » Archeological Resources Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement » Document List
The National Park Service at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site (the park) has prepared an archeological resources management plan and environmental impact statement for comprehensive archeological site protection from Knife River bank erosion, vegetation encroachment, burrowing mammal activity, and facility placement.
Public Law 93-486, passed on October 26, 1974, established the park in Mercer County, North Dakota. It is currently the only unit in the National Park Service with a mission designed to commemorate the culture and history of a Plains Indian cultural group. The park was established with three distinct purposes: preservation of historic and archeological resources; interpretation of the site's historic and archeological resources; and study of those resources for the benefit of the public. The 65 archeological sites at the park are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Big Hidatsa Village Site has been designated a National Historic Landmark while the other 64 archeological sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an archeological district.
Riverbank erosion has been an ongoing problem since park establishment and has the greatest adverse impact on archeological resources. Archeological resources at the park are currently threatened and undergoing negative impacts from erosion and flooding. The Knife River runs the length of the 1758 acre park and is a tributary to the Missouri River downstream of the Garrison Dam Project. It is estimated that significant amounts of river bank along the Knife River running through the park have been lost over the past few decades leading to the loss of archeological and historic resources.
Additional impacts to archeological resources at the park result from burrowing mammal activity, vegetation encroachment, and infrastructure location. Burrowing mammals affect the chronological layers of archeological sites by burrowing into and displacing soil and artifacts. Vegetation encroachment of archeological sites also causes displacement of chronological layers and makes some site areas inaccessible for archeological research, such as remote sensing studies. Impacts from vegetation are continuing to degrade conditions at the primary village sites in the park.
The National Park Service is pleased to announce the release of the final archeological resources management plan and environmental impact statement (Final Plan/EIS). The purpose of this plan is to manage and protect the archeological resources at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site while preserving natural resources and processes and enhancing visitor experience. The plan provides a comprehensive iterative approach to address the threats to the park's archeological resources
The Final Plan/EIS and record of decision are now available on this site. The National Park Service values your interest in the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site and looks forward to implementing this plan with your continued support.
For more information about Knife River Indian Villages NHS, see https://www.nps.gov/knri
Superintendent
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
PO Box 9
Stanton, ND 58571
701.745.3300
Public Law 93-486, passed on October 26, 1974, established the park in Mercer County, North Dakota. It is currently the only unit in the National Park Service with a mission designed to commemorate the culture and history of a Plains Indian cultural group. The park was established with three distinct purposes: preservation of historic and archeological resources; interpretation of the site's historic and archeological resources; and study of those resources for the benefit of the public. The 65 archeological sites at the park are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Big Hidatsa Village Site has been designated a National Historic Landmark while the other 64 archeological sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an archeological district.
Riverbank erosion has been an ongoing problem since park establishment and has the greatest adverse impact on archeological resources. Archeological resources at the park are currently threatened and undergoing negative impacts from erosion and flooding. The Knife River runs the length of the 1758 acre park and is a tributary to the Missouri River downstream of the Garrison Dam Project. It is estimated that significant amounts of river bank along the Knife River running through the park have been lost over the past few decades leading to the loss of archeological and historic resources.
Additional impacts to archeological resources at the park result from burrowing mammal activity, vegetation encroachment, and infrastructure location. Burrowing mammals affect the chronological layers of archeological sites by burrowing into and displacing soil and artifacts. Vegetation encroachment of archeological sites also causes displacement of chronological layers and makes some site areas inaccessible for archeological research, such as remote sensing studies. Impacts from vegetation are continuing to degrade conditions at the primary village sites in the park.
The National Park Service is pleased to announce the release of the final archeological resources management plan and environmental impact statement (Final Plan/EIS). The purpose of this plan is to manage and protect the archeological resources at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site while preserving natural resources and processes and enhancing visitor experience. The plan provides a comprehensive iterative approach to address the threats to the park's archeological resources
The Final Plan/EIS and record of decision are now available on this site. The National Park Service values your interest in the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site and looks forward to implementing this plan with your continued support.
For more information about Knife River Indian Villages NHS, see https://www.nps.gov/knri
Contact Information
Brenda ToddSuperintendent
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
PO Box 9
Stanton, ND 58571
701.745.3300