Source: Philadelphia Inquirer
Date: March 10, 2008
Byline: Douglas B. Mooney and Jed Levin

Letter: Archaeological review of site is necessary

The Feb. 29 article " 'Clock is ticking' on city casinos, Rendell says" noted that the SugarHouse Casino project has been held up "on two fronts." The article correctly pointed out that the Army Corps of Engineers has not completed a review of the effects the proposed construction may have on the environment and on historical and archeological resources. However, it is not at all clear that the project is otherwise prepared to move forward and that these critical studies are actually holding up construction.

Politicians and developers often blame project delays on archaeology, although such claims are rarely true. In the case of SugarHouse, it is clear that the corps has not proceeded with an archeological review in a manner consistent with federal guidelines.

The National Historic Preservation Act is designed to ensure that projects such as the SugarHouse Casino proceed only after their effect on significant historical and archeological resources has been fully considered. Compliance with the Historic Preservation Act requires that agencies such as the Army Corps involve Native American tribes and the public in identifying resources and assessing the impact of the project on these resources. Unfortunately, the Army Corps did not seek input from key members of the public here until very recently.

It would be a tragedy if, in the rush to build on the site, vital clues to our past are destroyed before they can be adequately understood and studied. The Army Corps lapse should not be used as an excuse to forestall the full consideration of the history of the site and, as a result, deny us a better understanding of a rich heritage that belongs to all Americans.

Douglas B. Mooney
President
Philadelphia Archaeological Forum
Philadelphia

Jed Levin
Member
Philadelphia Archaeological Forum
Royersford