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The Lansing Central School District had received word that a new septic system planned for the middle school may conflict with a Native American burial site.  But this week District Business Administrator Mary June King reported to the Board of Education that the State and National Registers of Historic Places has backed off of its request for an expensive Phase I Archaeological Survey.  She said that Tetra Tech Project Manager Tom Farlow has received a letter from he New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) has confirmed the project will not interfere with cultural sites.

"At our last meeting I mentioned the possibility of the septic project being held up because of the possibility interference with an Indian burial ground," she said.  "Tetra Tech put all their resources to work on it.  We received notice on August 29th from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)."

"Based on a review of information previously submitted for this area (14PR00461), OPRHP recommends that the planned project will have No Impact on cultural resources listed or eligible for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places," she read.  "This recommendation is based on evidence of substantial previous ground disturbance."

School officials had surmised that OPRHP was concerned about the possible proximity of a Native American burial site, because the new middle school septic system is planned for the location of the existing one. 

But after interacting with state and federal authorities, Farlow wrote King that the matter has been resolved.

"There is no need for a Phase I Archaeological Survey for further investigation," he said.  "The issue is considered closed by SHPO."

School board member Tom Robinson reported that the $4.1 million project will start in December of 2015.

"Essentially the ground has been so disturbed for so many years and in so many ways there is nothing remaining that would qualify us to have to engage in a survey to see about preservation on the land," King said.  "So we're all set to go. The septic project is moving full speed ahead."

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