This is the response to my 26 October e-mail to Secretary Kempthorne.
While it is something of a form letter, it does mention that Interior is
investigating the matter in concert with the Department of Justice.
Encouraging, and we'll see.
D. Babson.
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
[log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2006 11:07 AM
To: David Babson
Cc: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Destruction of Part of the Harper's Ferry National Historical
Park
Dear Mr. Babson:
Thank you for your email dated October 26, 2006, to the Department of
the Interior. The Department has forwarded your email to me for a
personal response. The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is
within
the National Capital Region.
The National Park Service is extremely concerned about the
excavations
and related actions that occurred over the August 19 weekend at Perry
Orchard, a part of the School House Ridge battlefield area of Harpers
Ferry National Historical Park. While the National Park Service
respects the property rights of the easement holders, the courts have
recognized that the National Park Service must protect the cultural
and
natural resources owned by all Americans, as well as the safety of
park
visitors. The National Park Service is actively reviewing the matter
with the Department of Justice and considering options for an
appropriate response.
Sincerely,
(Embedded image moved to file: pic27830.jpg)
Regional Director, National Capital Region
Forwarded by EXSEC/OES/OS/DOI on 10/31/2006 01:44 PM -----
"David Babson"
<[log in to unmask] To:
EXSEC/OES/OS/DOI@DOI
syr.edu> cc: "HISTARCH List
Server" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Destruction of
Part of the Harper's Ferry National Historical Park
10/26/2006 10:30
PM
Mr. Dirk Kempthorne
Secretary of the Interior
United States Department of the Interior
Washington, D.C.
25 October 2006
Secretary Kempthorne:
I was shocked and dismayed to read of the destruction of a corridor
running
through part of the Harper's Ferry National Historical Park. This act
of
national vandalism was perpetrated on August 19th and 20th of this year
(2006) by Mr. Herb Jonkers, Mr. Gene Capriotti and Mr. Lee Snyder.
Based
upon press coverage of the incident, I understand that these individuals
conspired to violate federal historic preservation law, in particular
(but
not limited to) Section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as
amended). Mr. Jonkers, Mr. Capriotti and Mr. Snyder were, again based
upon
press reports, attempting to construct sewer and utility lines to
increase
the value of property they owned adjacent to the federal (National Park
Service) property destroyed by their activities. They proceeded with
their
acts in advance of a permit due to an easement they had purchased from a
previous owner. In that the property they destroyed was, at the time of
their actions, federal property, they violated federal law by failing to
complete review under Section 106 of NHPA 1966 before proceeding.
The excavations conducted by Mr. Jonkers, Mr. Capriotti and Mr. Snyder
have
destroyed previously-intact archaeological resources related to several
of
the battles fought for the town of Harper's Ferry during the U.S. Civil
War. These excavations have also altered the historic landscape in the
area where they were perpetrated, damaging the historic quality of the
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. As such, the excavations
perpetrated by Mr. Jonkers, Mr. Capriotti and Mr. Snyder have damaged
our
nation's history, degraded our national heritage, interfered with the
ability of our citizens to appreciate, enjoy and learn from our
heritage,
and shown gross disrespect for our ancestors. As a professional
archaeologist, I urge you to prosecute Mr. Jonkers, Mr. Capriotti and
Mr.
Snyder for this crime to the fullest extent of the law.
David W. Babson
PhD Candidate,
Archaeology
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York.
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