Archeologists with Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc.’s (WSSI) Thunderbird Archeology division have uncovered a colonial-era ship and a well-preserved section of a 1755 warehouse at the site of the future Hotel Indigo on Union Street in Alexandria, Virginia. Both discoveries were worthy of the front page of the Washington Post’s Metro section, and the ship story has earned international attention and garnered coverage from outlets including Smithsonian Magazine, CNN, The Huffington Post, Fox News, and USA Today.

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The Bald Eagle nesting season is almost upon us, and with it a reminder that, when present, active nests carry a list of restricted activities that may or may not be performed within a specific distance of the nest. If you are planning on developing land near a bald eagle nest, you need to be aware of these restrictions and obtain the proper permits, if necessary.

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The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has announced public hearings for the proposed changes to the Virginia Water Protection (VWP) Permit regulations. Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc. (WSSI) staff have been involved in the revision process and we outlined the modifications and the regulatory process in our April 2015 edition of Field Notes. The changes, which DEQ developed with a Citizen Advisory Group, have been reviewed by the state's Department of Planning and Budget, the Attorney General's office, and the Office of the Governor and were modified only to correct grammar and punctuation. DEQ will hold three public hearings across the Commonwealth, and the comment period ends January 29.

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The Pamunkey Indian Tribe cautiously celebrated in July when they became the first tribe in Virginia to receive federal recognition by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs after a lengthy and costly process. However, an appeal from a non-profit organization in California has put that recognition in jeopardy. If the Pamunkey Tribe does ultimately achieve federal recognition it will add an additional layer of cultural resource review for projects in areas significant to the Pamunkey Tribe – beyond the boundaries of their reservation. Chief Bob Gray anticipates that area might include "a good section of Virginia - from the mountain foothills to the ocean and from the Potomac to the North Carolina line" or roughly what was the Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom. This decision may impact the historic review for many development projects, and may also open the door for recognition of other small tribes across the U.S.; WSSI staff are prepared to work with our clients to assess the potential ramifications for their projects.

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