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Gwynedd Friends Meeting, S.R. 202, Section 65S, Lower Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Archaeological studies were completed on the property of the Gwynedd Friends Meetinghouse. Cultural Resource studies for the project commenced in the early 1990s, in coordination with PennDOT as part of ongoing improvements along S.R. 202. A Programmatic Agreement was executed that included investigations to determine if burials or other cultural resources were located within the Area of Potential Effects (APE).  The investigation included the use of Ground Penetrating Radar, Drone Survey, and subsurface testing using Shovel Test Pits, Test Units, and exploratory trenches.

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Phase III Archaeological Data Recovery, Hickory Run 1,000 mW Gas Fired Power Station, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania

Rue completed Phase III archaeological data recovery in association with a planned 1000 MW gas-fired power plant, with permitting under the Pittsburgh District US ACE. Previous studies had identified a historic farmstead that was deemed eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The farmstead was of particular interest, because it was occupied for a short period of time. It was established in 1904, operated until 1916 by a young family (the Fullertons) then razed to the ground after the property was purchased by a neighboring explosives company. Rue’s staff completed various excavations and recovered 28,000 artifacts. Of particular interest, was the subterranean part of a large former root cellar, which yielded 21,000 artifacts. Substantial analyses of artifacts and faunal remains were completed in a substantial report was prepared. An additional component of the work included Public Outreach.  Educational panels were developed, and the information is offered to the public in exhibits at several County agricultural fairs.

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Environmental and Cultural Resource Studies for the PennDOT Rapid Bridge Replacement Project (P3) Statewide in Pennsylvania 

The P3 project consisted of replacement of 560 rural bridges throughout Pennsylvania. Rue was contracted by the Prime for this huge Design Build Project, Walsh Granite Joint Venture. Rue completed environmental, wetland, and cultural resource clearance for waste-storage and equipment laydown areas for over 100 bridges. Additionally, Rue completed specialized outreach with Amish and Mennonite communities at 67 bridge locations where construction scheduling and detours were a concern. Finally, on an ongoing basis Rue is completing pre- and post-growing season monitoring of wetland and stream restoration mitigation measures at 16 bridge locations.

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Environmental Reporting for Proposed Improvements to SR 924, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania

Rue completed this project for PennDOT. Work included completion of a Categorical Exclusion document (equivalent of Environmental Assessment) for the 8-mile highway improvements project.  Studies included a wetlands/waterways evaluation, completion of a review in the Pennsylvania Natural Resource Diversity Index, coordination with US Fish and Wildlife to clear impacts to Indiana Bats, consideration of agricultural lands, and coordination related to archaeological and historical resources.

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Archaeological Studies, Environmental Impact Statement Re-Evaluation, SR 51 to Monroeville, Mon-Fayette Expressway, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Under subcontract to McCormick Taylor, Rue is providing archaeological services for this very large new expressway project. Studies included additional Phase I archaeological surveys on hundreds of acres of Area of Potential Effects, as well as Phase II and III investigations of resources identified in current and past investigations.

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Post Final EIS Cultural Resources Studies, SR 202 Section 650 Improvements, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Earlier phases of work on the Route 202 Sections 600 and 700 Improvement Project(s) have been ongoing from 1993-2010 during draft and final EIS related studies.  Rue Environmental was recently selected by PennDOT (under subcontract to Parsons Brinckerhoff) to complete Post FEIS studies on Section 650 in Montgomery County.   Archaeological construction monitoring, mitigation plan preparation, and mitigation implementation are being completed for construction impacts to an historic cemetery.  Historic Structures Inventories are being completed for a series of historic buildings in areas added to the project since clearance of the Final EIS.

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Cultural Resources Studies for a Large Gas Gathering Pipeline System, Washington County, Pennsylvania

Rue is completing archaeological studies and historic structures/landscape evaluations for a complex Marcellus/Utica gas gathering project. The work is for a Leading midstream corporation in collaboration with WHM Consulting. The project includes over 15 miles of proposed pipeline corridor, rerouting, alternative compressor station sites, and ancillary facilities.  Close coordination is ongoing to work with land access issues and avoid significant archaeological sites.  Under the Pennsylvania SHPO’s (PHMC) 2013 guidelines for above-ground resources on pipeline projects, an evaluation of potential historic properties is underway.  This involves overlaying the proposed facility location on historic and recent maps and aerial photographs, photographic documentation of farmsteads, and historic context research.

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Historic Structures Studies for Allentown Waterfront Development Project, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

Several phases of investigations have been completed for this urban redevelopment project in the old Allentown industrial riverfront along the Lehigh River. Creation of a large commercial and apartment complex is underway by the Waterfront Development Co. Rue is coordinating with SHPO on behalf of the client and engineering firm Barry Isett & Associates on impacts to extant historic resources, including the old Lehigh Structural Steel Co.

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Phase Ia/II Archaeological Studies for the Proposed Upgrade of the Northumberland Borough Sewage Treatment Plant, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

A Phase Ia archaeological survey was completed for the Borough Authority and Hazen & Sawyer in an area where new construction was planned at the existing facility. An archaeological site was identified in a deeply buried context on the terraces of the Susquehanna River and Phase II testing was completed in deep trenches in severe winter conditions.  Coordination with the Pennsylvania SHPO led to project clearance.

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Historic Resources Evaluation of the Wilmington Maintenance Shop for AMTRAK’s Proposed Tier II High Speed Transit Facility for Major Work; Wilmington, Delaware

This project was completed in association with TKDA, Inc. as part of a feasibility study for a major new high speed rail project in the Northeast.  Six construction alternatives were evaluated vis a vis their impacts on historic structures in a railroad yard built in the early twentieth century.

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Wetland/Waterway Evaluations for four Bridge Replacement Projects in Snyder and Lycoming Counties, Pennsylvania. 

The project was completed for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Gannett Fleming, Inc.  As part of the Preliminary Design for replacement of four bridges, Rue completed wetland delineation and identification of waterways.  Complete reports were prepared for submission to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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Phase I-III Archaeological Investigations for Marcellus Gas Water Withdrawal Site, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.

This project on the alluvium of the West Branch Susquehanna was completed for M.J. McTish, Kunkel, and Associates and a private developer in the vicinity of a well known major prehistoric archaeological site. Deep excavations were completed to mitigate project impacts to the site.

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Wetland/Waterways Evaluation for Troutville Wastewater Treatment Project, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania

Wetland delineations along a six-mile proposed sewer line route were completed for Hess & Fisher Engineers and the Troutville Authority.   As part of General Permit preparation for the proposed treatment system, Rue completed wetland delineation and identification of waterways.  Substantial wetlands were encountered.   A comprehensive report was prepared for submission to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and no deficiency comments were issued.

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Archaeological Investigations for the Proposed Expansion of the Roystone Compressor Station, Warren County, Pennsylvania

A Phase I archaeological survey was completed for National Fuel Gas Corporation on a seven-acre area where new construction was planned at the existing compressor station.

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Phase I/II Archaeological Studies for the Proposed Expansion of the Bath Borough Sewage Treatment Plant, Northampton County, Pennsylvania

A Phase I archaeological survey was completed for the Bath Borough Authority and Barry Isett Associates on an 11-acre area where new construction was planned at the existing facility.  Two archaeological sites were identified and Phase II testing was completed.  Coordination with the Pennsylvania SHPO led to project clearance.