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Constance Walter

For just over 125 years, Homestake Mine operated the deepest, richest gold mine in North America. From 1876 to 2001, more than 40 million ounces of gold and 9 million ounces of silver were removed from a vast expanse of underground tunnels that stretched from the surface to the 8,000-foot level. As operations expanded and the company introduced new technologies, it built new buildings, removed old buildings and retired outdated equipment.

Homestake was selected as the site for a deep underground research facility in 2006. The property, operated by the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority, sits within or near the Lead Historic District. Because it receives funding from the Department of Energy, Sanford Lab must follow the National Historic Preservation Act, which focuses on preserving historic and cultural resources. 

"Because Sanford Lab receives federal funding and because we want to be good stewards of the the land, we have to consider cultural and historical value before making significant changes to the property," said John Scheetz, environmental manager. 

The development of future experiments at Sanford Lab will require the rehabilitation or demolition of some buildings, further excavation underground and the removal of equipment and artifacts. To ensure historical preservation requirements are met, Scheetz and KC Russell, cultural diversity liaison, are working with the South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). They are guided by Section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act, which, essentially, requires all federal agencies to take into account any adverse effects a project will have on historic properties and allow historic preservation entities to comment on the undertaking.

Cultural preservation requires more than just saving old buildings and artifacts that might be found, Scheetz said. He and Russell recently attended a Section 106 training, which will be used to help train Sanford Lab employees, contractors and scientists. 

"We are trying to preserve the historic character of the Homestake Mine, one of the most important gold mines in the northern hemisphere," Scheetz said. "Our training will help to ensure that all of the people who work here understand the value in preserving the site, the land and the history." 

Paige Olson, review and compliance officer with SHPO who consults with Sanford Lab, said the goal is not to hinder projects. "It's everybody's history and we want to help you preserve it for future generations."

To be considered for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, a property must be 45-plus years old; have significance; and possess integrity of location, design, setting, material, workmanship, feeling and association, said Olson.  It must also represent a significant part of history, architecture, archeology, engineering or culture. Essentially, it must meet one of the following criteria: 

  1. Is it associated with events that made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history?
  2. Is it associated with the lives of persons of significance in our past? 
  3. Does it embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or represent the work of a master, have high artistic value or represent a significant and distinguishable entity who components may lack individual distinction?
  4. Has it yielded or is it likely to yield information important in prehistory or history?

"Sanford Lab's collective history makes it a really complex and unique site," Olson said. "We don't have anything like this anywhere else in South Dakota."