A planned water intake and pump station slated to be built along the James River on the site of the ancient village of Rassawek, the historic capital of the Monacan Tribe, could be delayed after officials determined an archaeologist consulting on the project was unqualified.
The ramifications of that finding could affect projects beyond the Fluvanna County pump station, officials with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources said. For the local project, the finding means a delay but not necessarily an end. However, the Monacan Tribe is hoping a new archaeologist will recommend a new site.
An official with the James River Water Authority, the entity in charge of the project, said the authority will be contesting the decision.
“Everyone has wondered why JRWA would have chosen to locate their project on Rassawek[, and] now we know; they relied on advice from a consultant whom DHR has determined lacks the minimum professional requirements,” said Marion Werkheiser, managing attorney of Cultural Heritage Partners and counsel to the Monacan Indian Nation.
“Now that JRWA is obligated to hire a qualified professional, undoubtedly they will be advised that this project should never be built at Rassawek,” Werkheiser said.
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