Final General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement

Pipestone National Monument

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Pipestone National Monument · Minnesota

Draft General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement

PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT 

Pipestone County, Minnesota 

This General Management Plan / Environmental Impact 

Statement describes four alternatives for the future 

management of Pipestone National Monument. The 

approved plan will guide the management of the national 

monument for the next 15 to 20 years. It will establish a 

direction for managing cultural and natural resources, 

the visitor experience, and American Indian cultural use 

so that future opportunities and problems can be 

addressed effectively. 

The Draft General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement identified alternative 3 as the preferred 

alternative. As a result of public comment on that 

document, the National Park Service reconsidered its 

preferred alternative in light of substantial comment and 

consultation with American Indian tribes. Accordingly, 

alternative 1 is now the preferred alternative. 

Pipestone National Monument protects quarries of 

pipestone (catlinite) that have been used by American 

Indians since prehistoric times. Pipestone is carved into 

objects, most notably pipes, for use in sacred rituals. The 

quarries remain sites of sacred importance to American 

Indians. The national monument also contains examples 

of remnant prairie types, some globally threatened, and 

two federally listed species, one threatened and one 

endangered. 

Issues of concern in the plan include sensitivity to and 

interpretation of American Indian practices and traditions associated with the quarries and sacred sites, 

inadequate facilities, external threats to the national 

monument’s integrity from development along or visible 

from its boundaries, and preserving the superintendent’s 

house of the former Pipestone Indian School (outside the 

national monument). 

The no-action alternative would continue the current 

management of Pipestone National Monument. 

Maintenance, the visitor center, trails, the entry road, and 

parking would be unchanged, as would onsite housing 

for a law enforcement ranger. American Indian 

ceremonial use of The Three Maidens rock formation 

would be unchanged, as would use by the Hiawatha Club 

as a backdrop for its annual pageant. No land would be 

acquired. Adverse effects on floodplains would continue, 

and if flooding occurred there could be some danger to 

visitors and employees. 

Alternative 1 is the new preferred alternative. The 

alternative would reduce the development in the heart of 

the national monument, preserving its setting, site 

history, and spiritual significance as the source of 

pipestone. The visitor center and parking area would be 

removed, enabling visitors to see the site much as it 

appeared prehistorically and to sense its significance to 

American Indians. The national monument would 

acquire a parcel of school district land to the northeast 

and would seek a cooperative agreement with the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Minnesota 

Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) to 

coordinate management of the 100-acre Pipestone 

Wildlife Management Area. American Indian ceremonial 

use of the Three Maidens area would be unchanged. The 

Hiawatha Club would continue to use the Three Maidens 

as a backdrop for its pageant under permit restrictions, 

and the area would be restored to prairie. Sun Dances 

would continue, but modifications of use might be made 

on the basis of impact and the sustainability of resources. 

Quarries would continue to be allocated by permit. 

Razing the visitor center would cause a major adverse 

effect on a historic structure and one historic cultural 

landscape. Removal of the structures will be addressed in 

consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office. 

Alternative 2 would focus on the significance of the 

pipestone quarries, the quarrying process, and its 

importance in American Indian culture. The entry road 

and housing for a law enforcement ranger would be 

unchanged. Sun Dances would be discontinued, and the 

area would be restored to tallgrass prairie. This would 

decrease compaction and allow remnant prairie to 

recover. The bridge below Winnewissa Falls would be 

replaced downstream, removing a restriction to the 

creek’s natural flow. The National Park Service would 

acquire the Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s 

house, the school district parcel, and the Pipestone 

Wildlife Management Area, adding 116 acres of wildlife 

habitat and resulting in an overall increase of about 112 

acres of restored prairie, a long-term major beneficial 

effect. Acquiring the USFWS/ MDNR land would 

expand visitors’ opportunities to learn about cultural and 

natural resources and prairie restoration. American 

Indian ceremonial use of the Three Maidens would be 

unchanged. The Hiawatha Club would continue to use 

the Three Maidens as a backdrop for its pageant under 

permit restrictions. The visitor center would be 

rehabilitated, and measures would be taken to protect it 

against flooding. The Pipestone Indian School 

superintendent’s house would be rehabilitated and 

interpreted to explain its relationship to the national 

monument and the Indian school phenomenon in 

general. 

Alternative 3 would focus on the improvement of 

existing facilities and conditions without a major change 

in operations. The visitor center would be rehabilitated 

to better accommodate visitor services, exhibits, 

American Indian demonstrators, the cooperating 

association, and national memorial staff. The museum 

collections would be moved within the visitor center to a 

location out of the floodplain. The use of the Three 

Maidens by American Indians and the Hiawatha Club 

would continue as in alternative 2. Sun Dances would be 

permitted, but modifications of use might be made. The 

bridge below Winnewissa Falls would be replaced 

downstream, removing a restriction to the creek’s natural 

flow. The National Park Service would acquire the 

school district parcel and would seek a cooperative 

agreement to coordinate management of the 

USFWS/MDNR wildlife management area. The National 

Park Service would not acquire the Pipestone Indian 

School superintendent’s house but would seek to assist 

with preservation and interpretation.

______________________________________________________________________________ 

United States Department of the Interior • National Park Service 

iii 

SUMMARY 

INTRODUCTION 

This General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement is intended to define 

a direction for the management of Pipestone 

National Monument for the next 15 to 20 

years. The approved plan will provide a 

framework for making decisions about managing cultural and natural resources, the visitor experience, and American Indian cultural 

use so that future opportunities and problems 

can be addressed effectively. The plan will 

prescribe the resource conditions and visitor 

experiences to be achieved according to law, 

policy, regulations, public expectations, and 

the national monument’s purpose, significance, and special mandates. 

General management plans are intended to be 

long-term documents that establish and articulate a management philosophy and framework for decision making and problem solving in units of the national park system. 

Pipestone National Monument protects active 

quarries of pipestone (catlinite) that have been 

used by American Indians from prehistoric 

times to the present. The pipestone is carved 

into objects, most notably pipes, for personal 

or ceremonial use. The quarries remain a site 

of spiritual importance to American Indians. 

Besides the quarries, the national monument 

contains examples of remnant prairie types 

that have been lost elsewhere in the plains 

states. The area also is significant in the history of American botany. 

The planning team evaluated the potential 

consequences that the actions of each alternative would have on cultural and natural 

resources, the visitor experience, and socioeconomic resources. The beneficial or adverse 

effects were categorized as either short term 

or long term, and their intensity was rated as 

negligible, minor, moderate, or major. 

ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED 

Key management issues are summarized in 

five questions, called decision points. The 

decision points helped define the management alternatives that are described and 

evaluated in this draft general management 

plan. The decision points ask 

• How can the national monument 

accommodate American Indian uses and 

interests while managing for cultural and 

natural resource values? 

• To what degree will affiliated tribes and 

the National Park Service collaborate to 

interpret the history, culture, and artistic 

heritage of the Plains Indians? 

• How can the national monument preserve 

cultural resources and natural resources 

while providing effective visitor services? 

• To what degree can the national 

monument respond more effectively to 

external activities, concerns, and threats? 

• To what extent should facilities be 

expanded to accommodate current or 

future uses, and what type of management 

actions might be desirable to better 

manage the flow of visitors in various 

facilities and areas of the national 

monument at one time? 

ALTERNATIVES AND EFFECTS 

This document analyzes the current conditions and three alternatives for the appropriate levels of service and use at Pipestone 

National Monument. 

The Draft General Management Plan / 

Environmental Impact Statement identified 

alternative 3 as the preferred alternative. As a 

result of public comment on that document, 

the National Park Service reconsidered its 

preferred alternative in light of substantial 
SUMMARY

iv 

comment and consultation with American 

Indian tribes. Accordingly, alternative 1 is now 

the preferred alternative. 

The No-Action Alternative

Under the no-action alternative, which represents the existing conditions, the management 

of Pipestone National Monument would continue as before. This alternative is presented as 

a way of comparing current conditions to possible future conditions, as described in the 

other alternatives. It provides a baseline for 

understanding why certain future changes 

may be necessary or advisable. 

In this alternative, maintenance would remain 

attached to the visitor center, which would 

remain in its present location, and the parking 

would be unchanged. The cooperating association would remain in the visitor center. Administration would remain in the visitor center and a converted house. The entry road 

would be unchanged. Housing for a law enforcement ranger still would be onsite in a 

second existing house. 

The museum collections and archives, remaining in the visitor center as at present, 

would be secure under this alternative, but 

there could be long-term adverse impacts 

unless the threat of flooding was eliminated. 

The trails in the national monument would be 

unchanged, as would the bridge on Pipestone 

Creek below Winnewissa Falls. 

The Three Maidens area management would 

be unchanged, as would American Indian 

ceremonial use. The Hiawatha Club would 

continue to use the Three Maidens formation 

in its pageant under permit as at present. The 

wayside exhibit parking area, the picnic area, 

and the restrooms would be unchanged. 

An informal superintendent’s Indian consultation group would be established under 

the no-action alternative. Sun Dances would 

continue to be permitted. Quarries would 

continue to be allocated by permit. 

The Indian School superintendent’s house 

would remain outside the national monument, 

and there would be no National Park Service 

(NPS) interpretation of that structure. 

The National Park Service would not acquire 

the school district land south of Minnesota 

West Community and Technical College on 

the eastern boundary. 

The Pipestone Wildlife Management Area, 

which the Minnesota Department of Natural 

Resources (MDNR) manages for hunting and 

fishing under an agreement with the U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service (USFWS), would be managed as at present, while the National Park 

Service would work toward a cooperative 

agreement with these two agencies to better 

coordinate activities. 

As at present, the remnant prairie would be 

managed to preserve its significance; restored 

prairie would be managed to recover native 

species; and the National Park Service would 

continue its efforts to control exotic plant 

species in the national monument. 

NPS efforts to restore the tallgrass prairie 

would result in a moderate beneficial effect on 

vegetation overall despite the fragmentation 

of habitat, the existence of structures, the 

presence of corridors for the entrance of 

exotic plants, and heavy visitation in a large 

area of the national monument. 

Adverse effects on natural and beneficial 

floodplain values would continue, as would 

adverse effects on the floodplains’ ability to 

function normally during flooding. Although 

the possibility of loss of life would be extremely small, if flooding occurred there could be 

some danger to visitors and employees, a 

major adverse impact. 

Alternative 1 (New Preferred Alternative) 

Alternative 1 would focus on reducing development in the heart of the national monument. Emphasis would be placed on preserv-
Summary 

v 

ing the setting, the site history, and the spiritual significance of the national monument as 

the source of pipestone. The existing visitor 

center and parking would be removed from 

among the quarries. This, along with ongoing 

prairie restoration, would enable visitors to 

see the site much as it appeared prehistorically 

and to sense the significance of the site to 

American Indians. Razing the Mission 66 

visitor center would cause a major adverse 

effect on a historic structure and one historic 

cultural landscape. An agreement with the 

State Historic Preservation Officer would be 

sought to provide a means to document the 

Mission 66 structures. 

A new entrance would be created on the east 

side of the national monument just north of 

Pipestone Creek. 

The maintenance operation would be moved 

out of the national monument. A cooperative 

maintenance agreement would be sought with 

another public or private entity to house the 

operation. If that should prove impossible, the 

National Park Service would contract for or 

lease space. 

A visitor center for the national monument 

would be created outside the boundaries. A 

cooperative agreement, lease, or contract 

would be made with a private or public entity. 

Administration still would be in the visitor 

center (at its new location). The cooperating 

association’s office and sales area and the 

American Indian demonstrators also would 

move into the new facility. 

Moving the museum collections and archives 

outside the national monument would result 

in short-term minor adverse effects from the 

move, but in the long term, moderate beneficial effects would result from gaining state-ofthe-art space for curation, research, and 

storage. 

The converted house and the law enforcement ranger housing would be removed from 

the national monument and the site restored 

to prairie. 

A staffed interpretive kiosk, parking, and 

restroom facilities would be placed at a new 

entrance above Winnewissa Falls. 

The picnic area and associated parking would 

be removed from the national monument, and 

the area would be restored to prairie. The existing wayside exhibit parking area at the 

Three Maidens would be retained. The current visitor center parking area would be 

removed. 

The entry road would be shortened to end in a 

small parking area at the south quarry 

entrance. This would be used only by 

quarriers and visitors with disabilities. 

American Indian ceremonial use of the Three 

Maidens area would be unchanged. The Hiawatha Club would continue to use the Three 

Maidens as a backdrop for its pageant under 

permit restrictions, but there would be no 

direct contact with the formation, and the area 

would be restored to prairie. 

Sun Dances still would be permitted, but 

modifications of use might be made on the 

basis of impact and the sustainability of resources. Quarries would continue to be 

allocated by permit. 

An informal superintendent’s Indian consultation group would be established. 

The National Park Service would acquire the 

15.3 acres of school district land south of 

Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College on the eastern boundary, and the 

prairie would be restored. 

The National Park Service would not acquire 

the Indian School superintendent’s house but 

would work with the owners to provide NPS 

assistance with interpretation and 

preservation of the structure (see appendix F). 
SUMMARY

vi 

New visitor trails would be developed to 

reach the existing trail system. The bridge on 

Pipestone Creek below Winnewissa Falls 

would be unchanged. 

The National Park Service would seek a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to preserve and 

protect the resources in the wildlife management area and to promote coordination of 

mutually beneficial management activities. 

Working with these two agencies to restore 

100 acres of their land, along with managing 

the Sun Dance area within a carrying capacity 

and removing 3 acres of development and 

restoring the prairie, would result in a longterm moderate beneficial effect on remnant 

and restored tallgrass prairie. 

Removing the entry road and restoring the 

natural contours of the land would improve 

the water flow through the national monument, possibly restoring soil moisture levels in 

mesic crystalline bedrock prairie, a long-term 

moderate beneficial effect. 

Mowing the Sun Dance area and allowing the 

Sun Dances to continue would cause a longterm moderate adverse effect on wildlife, 

which might be mitigated somewhat by establishing a carrying capacity. 

A new prairie overlook would be developed 

on the west edge of the national monument. 

The entire prairie would be managed to 

decrease visitor impacts on remnant and 

restored prairies. 

The actions of alternative 1 would result in 

long-term moderate beneficial effects on wetlands (including those in the riparian corridor) and noticeable long-term moderate local 

beneficial effects on hydrology. 

Removing about 2 acres of buildings and 

impermeable surfaces would cause a beneficial effect on floodplain values. Although the 

possibility of loss of life would be extremely 

small, if flooding occurred there could be 

some danger to visitors and employees, a 

major adverse impact. 

The National Park Service would continue its 

efforts to control exotic plant species in the 

national monument and would work with the 

owners of adjacent property to identify and 

eradicate exotics. 

Alternative 2 

The focus of alternative 2 would be on the significance of the pipestone quarries, the quarrying process, the methods used, the items 

created, and their importance in American 

Indian culture. This alternative would depend 

heavily on interpretation in the visitor center. 

The visitor center would be rehabilitated, and 

measures would be taken to protect it against 

flooding. Most administrative functions 

would remain in the visitor center. The building would be enlarged to include an expanded 

research library; better collections storage, 

classrooms for educational and community 

use, more office space, updated exhibits, and 

improved space for the cooperating association’s offices, displays, and storage. Parking at 

the visitor center would remain, but the configuration might change because of the expansion. The entry road would be unchanged. 

Housing for a law enforcement ranger still 

would be in the existing house. 

The National Park Service would acquire the 

Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s 

house, the 15.3-acre tract of school district 

land south of that house, and about 100 acres 

of USFWS/MDNR land. The boundary of 

Pipestone National Monument would be 

adjusted to include these acquisitions. 

By acquiring the USFWS/MDNR wildlife 

management area, the National Park Service 

could expand opportunities for visitors to 

learn about cultural and natural resources, 

ceremonial uses, and prairie restoration. 
Summary 

vii 

Acquiring the USFWS/MDNR land and the 

school district lands, removing the outdoor 

maintenance storage area, and managing the 

acquired areas as prairie would result in a net 

gain of about 116 acres of wildlife habitat: a 

long-term moderate beneficial effect on 

wildlife. 

Managing the USFWS/MDNR land to maintain or improve water flow would cause a 

moderate long-term beneficial effect on 

hydrology. 

The acreage of tallgrass prairie would be increased by restoring 1 acre of maintenance 

storage area, acquiring 100 acres of USFWS/ 

MDNR land, and acquiring and managing as 

prairie 13 acres of the 15.3 acres of acquired 

school district land. With prairie preservation 

decreased by about 2 acres if the quarry zone 

was extended beyond the present limits, the 

overall increase in restored prairie would be 

about 112 acres; a long-term major beneficial 

effect on the prairies. 

Maintenance would be moved onto part of 

the acquired land just south of Minnesota 

West Community and Technical College. 

Building a separate maintenance facility would 

adversely affect about 2 acres of soils. 

Removing the maintenance storage area and 

restoring it to its natural state would eliminate 

soil compaction, allowing natural processes to 

return. 

Rehabilitating the visitor center would cause 

long-term moderate beneficial effects on the 

cultural landscape from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) era, on historic structures, and on museum collections and 

archives. 

Moving artifacts, specimens, and documents 

to new quarters in the rehabilitated building 

would result in long-term moderate beneficial 

effects from gaining state-of-the-art space for 

curation, research, and storage. 

The Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s 

house would be rehabilitated and interpreted 

to explain its relationship to the national 

monument and the Indian school 

phenomenon in general. This would be a 

major interpretive focus in the national 

monument. 

American Indian ceremonial use of the Three 

Maidens area would be unchanged. The Hiawatha Club would continue to use the formation as a backdrop for its pageant under 

permit restrictions. The picnic area and 

restrooms would be unchanged. 

A new parking area would be created along 

the entry road by expanding the existing wayside. The road / paved area between this site 

and the Three Maidens would be removed so 

that prairie plant species could be reestablished. 

The use of the Sun Dance grounds would be 

discontinued under this alternative, and the 

area would be restored to tallgrass prairie. 

Discontinuing the Sun Dances and not mowing the Sun Dance grounds would allow remnant prairie to recover and would decrease 

compaction, both long-term moderate beneficial effects. 

Quarries would continue to be allocated by 

permit. An active demonstration quarry would 

be developed to offer better understanding of 

the quarrying process and training for new 

quarriers in techniques, safety, and interpretation. 

Adverse effects on natural and beneficial 

floodplain values would continue, as would 

adverse effects on the floodplains’ ability to 

function normally during flooding. Although 

the possibility of loss of life would be extremely small, if flooding occurred there could be 

some danger to visitors and employees, a major adverse impact. 

The bridge below Winnewissa Falls would be 

removed and a new bridge constructed down-
SUMMARY

viii 

stream. Relocating the bridge could inhibit 

access and traditional use of the falls as an 

ethnographic resource, a long-term moderate 

adverse effect. Relocating the bridge farther 

downstream would remove a restriction to the 

creek’s natural flow, a moderate long-term 

beneficial effect. 

An informal superintendent’s Indian 

consultation group would be established. 

All existing trails would be upgraded to NPS 

standards. New trails might be added for onsite interpretation and education. 

The remnant prairie would be managed to 

preserve its significance, and restored prairie 

would be managed to recover native plant 

species. The National Park Service would continue its efforts to control exotic plant species 

in the national monument and would work 

with the owners of adjacent property to 

identify and eradicate exotics. 

Alternative 3 

Alternative 3 was developed to upgrade and 

maintain the current operations and 

structures of the Monument. 

The maintenance function would be moved 

offsite. A cooperative agreement with another 

governmental agency could be worked out 

under which the maintenance facility could be 

housed jointly with a similar facility, whether 

city, county, or state. 

The visitor center would be rehabilitated to 

better accommodate visitor services, exhibits, 

American Indian demonstrators, the cooperating association, and national monument 

staff. With maintenance moved offsite, more 

space would be available for classrooms, 

interpretation, and exhibits. Expanded 

facilities would include a research library and 

access to collections. The parking for this 

facility would be unchanged. Rehabilitating 

the building would result in long-term 

moderate beneficial effects on the CCC-era 

cultural landscape and on historic structures. 

The museum collections and archives would 

be moved to a new or newly rehabilitated area 

within the visitor center above the 500-year 

floodplain or into the converted house. 

Moving the collections and archives would 

cause short-term minor adverse effects from 

the move, but in the long term, moderate 

beneficial effects would result from gaining 

state-of-the-art space for curation, research, 

and storage. 

One house would be designated as housing for 

a law enforcement ranger; the other would be 

rehabilitated as office space, museum 

collections storage, or staff housing. 

American Indian ceremonial use of the Three 

Maidens area would be unchanged. The Hiawatha Club would continue to use the formation as a backdrop for its pageant under 

permit restrictions. The picnic area and 

restrooms would be unchanged. The wayside 

parking area along the entry road would 

remain, as would the parking between the 

Three Maidens and the picnic area. 

Sun Dances would be permitted, but modifications of use might be made on the basis of 

impact and the sustainability of resources. 

Continuing the two annual Sun Dances would 

result in either a long-term minor beneficial 

effect or a moderate adverse effect on ethnographic resources, depending on the perspective of the person rendering the opinion. 

Quarries would continue to be allocated by 

permit. An active demonstration quarry would 

be developed to help visitors better understand the quarrying process and to offer training for new quarriers in techniques, safety, 

and interpretation. 

An informal superintendent’s Indian consultation group would be established. 

The National Park Service would not acquire 

the Indian School superintendent’s house but 
Summary 

ix 

would work with the owners to provide NPS 

assistance with interpretation and preservation of the structure (see appendix F). 

Rehabilitation/preservation of the house 

would cause a long-term moderate beneficial 

effect on that historic structure. 

The National Park Service would acquire the 

15.3 acres of school district land south of 

Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College on the eastern boundary, and the 

prairie would be restored. 

The National Park Service would initiate a 

cooperative agreement with the Minnesota 

Department of Natural Resources and the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to coordinate 

the management of law enforcement, Indian 

ceremonial use, research, prescribed fires, 

exotic plants, seed collection, and prairie 

restoration and rehabilitation. 

The efforts to restore the tallgrass prairie (including 100 acres of USFWS/MDNR land and 

15.3 acres of school district lands) would result in a moderate overall beneficial effect on 

vegetation from alternative 3. These benefits 

would occur despite the fragmentation of 

habitat, the existence of structures, the presence of corridors for the entrance of exotic 

plants, and heavy visitation in a large area of 

the national monument (managed within a 

carrying capacity). This is because systematic 

efforts would increase the abundance, distribution, quantity, and quality of habitat. 

Alternative 3 would result in a moderate longterm local beneficial effect on hydrology. 

Adverse effects on natural and beneficial 

floodplain values would continue, as would 

adverse effects on the floodplains’ ability to 

function normally during flooding. Although 

the possibility of loss of life would be extremely small, if flooding occurred there could be 

some danger to visitors and employees, a 

major adverse impact. 

All existing trails would be upgraded to NPS 

standards. New trails might be added for onsite interpretation and education. The bridge 

below Winnewissa Falls would be removed 

and a new bridge built downstream. 

The remnant prairie would be managed to 

preserve its significance, and restored prairie 

would be managed to recover native plant 

species. 

The National Park Service would continue its 

efforts to control exotic plant species in the 

national monument and would work with the 

owners of adjacent property to identify and 

eradicate exotics.

xi 

CONTENTS 

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

Purpose, Need, and Scoping 3

Brief Description of the National Monument 3

Purpose of the Plan 3

Need for the Plan 4

The Scoping Process 4

Notices and Meetings 4

Newsletters 7

Issues 7

Cultural Resource Management 7

Natural Resource Management 9

Interpretation and Visitor Orientation 9

Boundary and Cross-Boundary Concerns 10

Facilities 11

Issues Not Addressed in This Plan 12

Deauthorization 12

Permit Changes 12

Cultural Resource Issues 12

Natural Resource Issues 13

Impact Topics (Resources and Values at Stake in the Planning Process) 13

Cultural Resources 13

Natural Resources 14

Visitor Experience 14

Socioeconomic Environment 14

National Monument Operations 14

Impact Topics Considered but Dismissed from Further Consideration 15

Archeology 15

Indian Trust Resources 15

Environmental Justice 17

Sioux Quartzite Rock Formation and Sioux Quartzite Prairie 17

Water Quality 18

Water Quantity 19

Prime and Unique Farmland 19

Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 19

Air Quality 20

Public Health and Safety 20

Energy Requirements and Conservation Potential 20

Traffic 23

Conflicts with Local Land Use Plans and Policies 23 

Laws, Policies, and Mandates 24

National Monument Purpose 24

National Monument Significance 24

Mission and Themes 24

Mission Goals 24

Interpretive Themes 24
CONTENTS

xii 

Special Mandates and Administrative Commitments 25

Servicewide Laws and Policies 25

Management Requirements for Cultural Resources 26

Management Requirements for Natural Resources 30

Management Requirements for Visitor Use and Experience 37

Rights-of-Way and Telecommunications Infrastructure 38

Sustainable Design and Development 39

Trails 40 

ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE 

Introduction 43

Decision Points 43

Relationship to Other Agencies’ Plans 44

The Permitting Process to Quarry Pipestone 44

Land Acquisition 44

Pipestone Indian School Superintendent’s House 45

Pipestone Area School District Land 46

Pipestone Wildlife Management Area 48

Development of Cost Estimates 49

Initial One-Time Costs 49

Recurring Annual Costs 49

Land Acquisition Costs 49

NPS Facilities Model 49

Comparison of Alternatives and Environmental Consequences 49 

Management Zones / Management Prescriptions 50

Administrative Zone 50

Resource Condition or Character 50

Visitor Experience 50

Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 50

Visitor Services Zone 50

Resource Condition or Character 50

Visitor Experience 50

Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 50

Prairie Preservation Zone 51

Resource Condition or Character 51

Visitor Experience 51

Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 51

Quarry Zone 51

Resource Condition or Character 51

Visitor Experience 51

Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 51

Ceremonial Use Zone 51

Resource Condition or Character 51

Visitor Experience 52

Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 52

Three Maidens Zone 52

Resource Condition or Character 52
Contents 

xiii 

Visitor Experience 52

Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 52

No-Action Alternative 54

Description 54

Protection of Cultural Resources 57

Boundary Adjustments 58

Costs 58

Implementation of the Plan 59

Alternative 1 (Preferred Alternative) 60

Description 60

Management Zones 60

Administrative Zone 60

Visitor Services Zone 60

Prairie Preservation Zone 63

Quarry Zone 63

Ceremonial Use Zone 64

Three Maidens Zone 64

Visitor Use and Experience 64

Resource Protection 65

Cultural Resources 65

Natural Resources 66

Boundary Adjustments 67

Costs 67

Alternative 2 68

Description 68

Management Zones 68

Administrative Zone 68

Visitor Services Zone 68

Prairie Preservation Zone 68

Quarry Zone 69

Ceremonial Use Zone 69

Three Maidens Zone 69

Visitor Use and Experience 70

Resource Protection 70

Cultural Resources 70

Natural Resources 73

Boundary Adjustments 74

Costs 74

Alternative 3 76

Description 76

Management Zones 76

Administrative Zone 76

Visitor Services Zone 77

Prairie Preservation Zone 77

Quarry Zone 77

Ceremonial Use Zone 78

Three Maidens Zone 78
CONTENTS

xiv 

Visitor Use and Experience 78

Resource Protection 81

Cultural Resources 81

Natural Resources 82

Boundary Adjustments 82

Costs 83

Alternatives Eliminated from Further Consideration 84

Introduce Bison To The National Monument 84

Make Pipestone National Monument a Regional Center for Indigenous Studies 84

Provide Campground Facilities for Ceremonial Use 84

The Environmentally Preferable Alternative 85

Mitigation and Additional Studies 87

Cultural Resources 87

Historic Structures 87

Cultural Landscapes 87

Ethnographic Resources 87

Natural Resources 87

Ground Disturbance/Soils 87

Vegetation 87

Water Resources 88

Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 88

Air Quality 89

Comparison of Alternatives 90

Costs Estimates 102 

AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 

Introduction 105

Cultural Resources 106

Introduction 106

Catlinite 106

Archeological Resources 107

Ethnographic Resources 108

Pipestone National Monument: An Ethnographic Landscape 108

Landscape Periods 110

Ethnographic Resources 113

Historic Structures and Cultural Landscapes 114

National Register of Historic Places Listings 114

Eligibility for National Register of Historic Places 115

No Historic Cultural Landscapes Documented 115

Landscape Setting 115

Historic Contexts 116

Museum Collections and Archives 116

The Number and Nature of Collections 117
Contents 

xv 

Collections Management 118

Upper Midwest Indian Cultural Center 120

Petroglyphs 120

Natural Resources 122

Setting 122

Sioux Quartzite Rock Formation 122

Vegetation 122

Sioux Quartzite Prairie 122

Remnant Tallgrass Prairie 123

Restored Tallgrass Prairie 123

Oak Savanna/Woodland Areas 124

Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 124

Floodplains 125

Hydrology 126

Soils 126

Wildlife 126

Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 127

Visitor Use and Experience 129

Experiencing the Resources 129

Freedom to Go at One’s Own Pace 129

Orientation and Interpretation 129

Safety 130

Socioeconomic Environment 131

Pipestone County 131

Income 131

Population and Housing 131

Fees and Visitation 132

Economic Influences of the National Monument 132 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

Methodology for Analyzing Environmental Consequences 137

Introduction 137

Projects That Make up the Cumulative Impact Scenario 137

Past Actions 138

Current and Future Actions 139

Impairment of Resources 139

Methodology for Assessing Effects on Cultural Resources 140

Effects on Cultural Resources and Section 106 140

Intensity — Cultural Landscapes 141

Intensity — Ethnographic Resources 142

Intensity — Historic Structures 143

Intensity — Museum Collections and Archives 144

Methodology for Assessing Effects on Natural Resources 144

Vegetation 145

Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 145
CONTENTS

xvi 

Floodplains 145

Hydrology 145

Soils 146

Wildlife 146

Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 146

Methodology for Assessing Effects on Visitor Use and Experience 147

Methodology for Assessing Effects on the Socioeconomic Environment 147

Methodology for Assessing Effects on National Monument Operations 147

Impacts of the No-Action Alternative 149

Cultural Resources 149

Cultural Landscapes 149

Ethnographic Resources 150

Historic Structures 153

Museum Collections and Archives 154

Natural Resources 154

Vegetation 154

Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 156

Floodplains 157

Hydrology 158

Soils 159

Wildlife 160

Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 160

Visitor Use and Experience 161

Three Maidens Area 161

Visitor Center Area 161

Circle Trail Area 162

Quarry Area 162

Prairie Area 162

Socioeconomic Environment 162

Quarriers and Demonstrators 162

Businesses 163

Community 163

National Monument Operations 163

Maintenance 163

Facilities 164

Emergency Response Time 164

Ability to Enforce Regulations 164

Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 164

Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources 165

Relationships of Short-term Uses of the Environment and Long-term Productivity 165

Impacts of Alternative 1 166

Cultural Resources 166

Cultural Landscapes 166

Ethnographic Resources 168

Historic Structures 170

Museum Collections and Archives 172

Natural Resources 173

Vegetation 173

Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 175

Floodplains 176
Contents 

xvii 

Hydrology 177

Soils 178

Wildlife 179

Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 180

Visitor Use and Experience 181

Three Maidens Area 181

New Entrance Area 181

Circle Trail Area 182

Quarry Area 182

Prairie Area 182

Socioeconomic Environment 182

Quarriers and Demonstrators 182

Businesses 183

Community 183

National Monument Operations 183

Maintenance 183

Facilities 184

Emergency Response Time 184

Ability to Enforce Regulations 184

Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 185

Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources 185

Relationship of Short-term Uses of the Environment and Long-term Productivity 185

Impacts of Alternative 2 187

Cultural Resources 187

Cultural Landscapes 187

Ethnographic Resources 188

Historic Structures 191

Museum Collections and Archives 192

Natural Resources 193

Vegetation 193

Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 195

Floodplains 195

Hydrology 196

Soils 197

Wildlife 198

Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 199

Visitor Use and Experience 200

Three Maidens Area 200

New Visitor Center Area 200

Circle Trail Area 200

Quarry Area 200

Prairie Area 200

Socioeconomic Environment 201

Quarriers and Demonstrators 201

Businesses 201

Community 201

National Monument Operations 202

Maintenance 202

Facilities 202

Emergency Response Time 202
CONTENTS

xviii 

Ability to Enforce Regulations 202

Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 202

Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources 203

Relationships of Short-term Uses of the Environment and Long-term Productivity 203

Impacts of Alternative 3 204

Cultural Resources 204

Cultural Landscapes 204

Ethnographic Resources 205

Historic Structures 207

Museum Collections and Archives 209

Natural Resources 209

Vegetation 209

Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 211

Floodplains 212

Hydrology 214

Soils 214

Wildlife 215

Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 216

Visitor Use and Experience 217

Three Maidens Area 217

Visitor Center Area 218

Circle Trail Area 218

Prairie Area 218

Socioeconomic Environment 218

Quarriers and Demonstrators 218

Businesses 218

Community 219

National Monument Operations 219

Maintenance 219

Facilities 219

Emergency Response Time 219

Ability to Enforce Regulations 220

Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 220

Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources 220

Relationships of Short-term Uses of the Environment and Long-term Productivity 220 

CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION WITH OTHERS

Public Involvement 225

American Indian Involvement 225

Public Meetings and Newsletters 225

Consultation 226

Tribes, Agencies, and Organizations to Which This Document Was Sent 228

Substantive Comments and NPS Responses 233 
Contents 

xix 

APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS / INDEX

Appendix A: Relationships with American Indians 287

Appendix B: Establishing Legislation 290

Appendix C: Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 292

Appendix D: Correspondence with Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office 305

Appendix E: Statement of Findings — Floodplains 309

Appendix F: The National Historic Preservation Act and NPS Assistance 311

Selected Bibliography 312

Preparers of the Document 319

Index 321

Maps 

Vicinity 5

No-Action Alternative 55

Alternative 1 61

Alternative 2 71

Alternative 3 79

Tables 

Table 1: Special Status Species and Critical Habitat at Pipestone National Monument 22

Table 2: Management Prescriptions 53

Table 3: Comparison of Alternatives 90

Table 4: Comparison of Environmental Consequences 94

Table 5: Estimated Costs 102

Table 6: Pipestone County Per Capita Income Change, 1959–1999 131

Table 7: Population Trends in the Study Area 1960–2000 131

Table 8: Visitation, 1990–2003 132

Table 9: Local Economic Influences from Visitation to Pipestone National Monument 133

Table 10: Economic Impacts of Visitor Spending by Sectors 133

Table 11: Future National Historic Preservation Act Compliance Required for 

Implementation of Specific Actions (Preferred Alternative) 227

PURPOSE OF 

AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

3 

PURPOSE, NEED, AND SCOPING 

This Draft General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement presents and analyzes three alternative future directions for the 

management and use of Pipestone National 

Monument. Alternative 1 has been identified 

as the alternative preferred by the National 

Park Service (NPS) for the future direction of 

management. The potential environmental 

effects of all alternatives have been identified 

and assessed. 

General management plans are intended to be 

long-term documents that establish and articulate a management philosophy and framework for decision making and problem 

solving in units of the national park system. 

General management plans usually provide 

guidance during a 15-to 20-year period. 

Actions directed by general management 

plans or in subsequent implementation plans 

are accomplished over time. Budget restrictions, requirements for additional data or 

regulatory compliance, and competing national park system priorities prevent the immediate implementation of many actions. 

Major or especially costly actions could be 

implemented 10 or more years into the future. 

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE 

NATIONAL MONUMENT 

Pipestone National Monument was established on August 25, 1937, by an act of Congress. It is in southwestern Minnesota in 

Pipestone County, population 9,895 (2000 

census). Three incorporated communities 

exist in Pipestone County: Edgerton, population 1,037; Jasper, population 558; and the 

city of Pipestone, which borders the national 

monument, population 4,359 (see the Location map). 

Pipestone National Monument encompasses 

281.78 acres. The national monument protects 

quarries of pipestone (catlinite) used by 

American Indians from prehistoric times to 

the present. The pipestone was carved into 

objects, most notably pipes, for use in sacred 

rituals. That practice continues today. The 

quarries remain a site of sacred importance to 

American Indians. Other locations in the 

national monument play a role in stories and 

ceremonies associated with the quarrying of 

pipestone and American Indian history. 

Besides the quarries, the national monument 

contains examples of remnant prairie vegetation types that have been lost elsewhere in the 

plains states. The site is also significant in the 

history of American botany, as the Nicollet 

expedition stopped here to record the native 

plant life. The expedition notes are still available to verify how little the site has changed 

since that time. 

The paved Circle Trail allows visitors to observe the quarries and other locations associated with American Indian use of the site, 

Winnewissa Falls, a plaque commemorating 

the Nicollet expedition, approximately 150 

years of names carved into rock, several 

unique rock formations, and the native tallgrass prairie. A visitor center provides information and orientation to site resources 

before visitors start to walk along the trail. 

PURPOSE OF THE PLAN 

The purpose of this General Management 

Plan / Environmental Impact Statement is to 

clearly define a direction for resource preservation, visitor experience, and American 

Indian cultural use at Pipestone National 

Monument. 

The approved plan will provide a framework 

for proactive decision-making, including 

decisions about managing cultural and natural 

resources and about visitor use and development. This will allow managers to address 

future opportunities and problems effectively. 
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

4 

This plan will prescribe the resource conditions, visitor experiences, and American Indian cultural uses that are to be achieved and 

maintained in the national monument over 

time. What must be achieved according to law 

and policy will be clarified on the basis of review of the national monument’s purpose, 

significance, special mandates, and the body 

of laws and policies directing management. 

Management decisions that must be made 

where law, policy, or regulations do not provide clear guidance or limits will be based on 

the national monument’s purpose, the range 

of public expectations and concerns, resource 

analysis, the evaluation of the cultural, natural, 

and social impacts of alternative courses of 

action, and consideration of long-term economic costs. 

This document will not describe how particular programs or projects will be implemented or prioritized. Those decisions will be 

deferred to more detailed implementation 

planning, which will follow the broad, comprehensive decision-making presented in this 

document. 

NEED FOR THE PLAN 

The previous Master Plan for Pipestone 

National Monument, which was approved in 

1966, contained no accompanying environmental analysis document. Because that plan 

dealt mainly with site development rather 

than management, it was essentially obsolete 

following the completion of the visitor center 

addition in 1972. Since then, several of the 

facilities have changed functions, have been 

significantly altered, or have been removed. 

Pipestone National Monument never has had 

a general management plan to guide its management, interpretation, and development. It 

has functioned only with the guidance of periodic Statement for Management documents 

and, more recently, annual performance plans 

prepared under the guidance of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993. 

This plan will provide broad direction for the 

future of Pipestone National Monument and 

will help managers make purposeful decisions 

based on a deliberate vision. 

THE SCOPING PROCESS 

Notices and Meetings 

The planning for a general management plan 

for Pipestone National Monument began in 

August 2000 with a news release announcing 

the beginning of the general management 

plan / environmental impact statement 

process and a notice that was published in the 

Federal Register (September 25, 2000, vol. 65, 

no. 186, p.5, 7620). 

In accordance with federal compliance requirements, members of the national monument staff wrote letters to 27 tribes inviting 

participation in two October 2000 public open 

houses at the national monument and offering 

to meet individually with tribes at a later date, 

should they so request. Other letters were sent 

to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the Minnesota state historic preservation officer, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 

the Minnesota state representative who represents the Pipestone area, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, other interested federal and state agencies, local governments, quarriers, and interested individuals 

and organizations. Followup telephone calls 

were also made to the 27 tribes. 

The open houses of October 11 and 12, 2000, 

were designed to hear the concerns and desires of the public regarding the national 

monument before planning began and to help 

the planning team take those issues and desires into consideration during the planning 

process. Comments were received in the general areas of protecting cultural and natural 

resources, interpretation and orientation, the 

national monument boundary, American 

Indian use, facilities, cooperative programs, 

and community outreach. A total of 19 people 

attended the meetings. 
SPLIT ROCK 

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Vicinity

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United States Department of the Interior 

National Park Service

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PIPESTONE

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Purpose, Need, and Scoping 

7 

Twelve more tribal governments were later 

identified as having a connection to Pipestone 

National Monument and were invited by letter and telephone contact to participate and 

provide input into the plan. 

The planning team met at the national monument with tribal council members and the 

Elder Cultural Resource Committee of the 

Lower Brule Sioux Tribe on October 30, 2000, 

to discuss their concerns and participation in 

the planning process. 

On January 22, 2001, the Chairman of the 

Upper Sioux Community met with the superintendent at the national monument to discuss 

the plan. 

A second news release was sent out in February 2001. That release outlined the planning 

process and reiterated how the public could 

become involved in the process. Approximately 20 letters, e-mail messages, and mail-in 

responses were received in response to this 

and the initial news release that was sent out 

in August 2000, requesting public comment. 

This was in addition to the comments provided by the people who attended the public 

meetings. 

On Wednesday, April 25, 2001, the superintendent, the team captain, and two members 

of the planning team met at the invitation of 

the Yankton Sioux Tribe at the Fort Randall 

(South Dakota) Casino/Hotel to explain the 

planning process and to answer questions 

about the plan and American Indian involvement in it. 

A representative of the Minnesota state 

historic preservation office (SHPO) met with 

the national monument staff and planning 

team on June 28, 2001, to discuss the preliminary alternatives and the role of that office in 

the planning. 

The national monument issued a third news 

release on August 1, 2001, which explained the 

plan’s progress to that date and noted that the 

schedule had been slowed in order to gain 

more public input. It again explained how the 

public might express its thoughts and 

concerns to the planning team. 

Newsletters 

A newsletter produced in June 2002 described 

two preliminary alternatives and requested 

that members of the public respond using a 

postage-paid mail-back form. A total of 12 

comments about that newsletter were 

received. 

ISSUES 

The major issues to be addressed in the plan 

are outlined below. They were identified during public meetings, from responses to the 

first newsletter, through data gathering, and 

from internal NPS discussions. 

Cultural Resource Management 

Visitor Center. The visitor center is within 

the 100-year floodplain, and floodwaters have 

threatened the visitor center in the past. The 

alternatives need to identify how to protect 

the cultural resources on display and in 

storage. 

The current visitor center museum was completed in 1958 as part of the “Mission 66” program of the National Park Service. There have 

been minor changes and additions to the 

exhibits. Some museum exhibits do not meet 

current curatorial standards, placing the 

collection at risk. The museum does not meet 

NPS baseline research guidelines contained in 

NPS-28, “Cultural Resource Management 

Guidelines” (1995). The cultural workroom 

space was converted to curatorial storage and 

office space; therefore, there is no workroom. 

Dust particles from the cultural demonstrations of pipestone carving cause curatorial 

problems for the collections and exhibits 

throughout the visitor center. There is no 
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

8 

separate library space for research. The library 

shares space with the interpretation office. 

Cultural resource management is a collateral 

duty of the resource program manager. 

Because of other workload responsibilities, 

only basic management and protection are 

provided for the collections. 

Sacred Site and Use by Visitors. There is an 

inherent tension between the Pipestone National Monument that is a sacred site to many 

American Indians and the Pipestone National 

Monument that is a part of the national park 

system. Some American Indians believe that 

the pipestone quarried at the national monument is sacred and hold the site to be a place 

of reverence. Many American Indians still 

adhere to the traditions and practices surrounding the quarrying of pipestone. 

The national monument relates to the oral 

history and culture of many tribes because it 

contains several locations associated with 

stories that are passed from generation to 

generation. The National Park Service is 

charged with preserving and interpreting those 

practices and traditions for all visitors. The 

western viewpoint of the exhibits and the 

interpretation offered may not always tell the 

entire story from the American Indian perspective. 

One example of this difference in the world 

view is the current location of the visitor 

center. One group of tribal elders has asked 

the National Park Service to consider removing the visitor center from its location in the 

middle of the national monument. The visitor 

center was placed where it is in the 1950s to 

immerse visitors in the national monument 

and to ease access to the quarries. That decision may not have reflected consideration of 

the Indian viewpoint. 

Another example is related to the Three 

Maidens rock formation near the entrance to 

the national monument. Some American Indians pray and leave offerings at this location. 

It also is a major feature of the interpretive 

story, the first stop on a tour of Pipestone National Monument. A nearby picnic area and 

parking area are used considerably by visitors, 

and American Indians may be somewhat 

reluctant to visit the Three Maidens when 

visitors are at the site. 

For more than 50 years the Hiawatha Club has 

used the Three Maidens formation as a backdrop and staging area for its annual Song of 

Hiawatha Pageant (the 59th pageant is in 

2007). The national monument has worked 

with the Hiawatha Club to minimize any 

physical contact with the formation and to 

ensure that American Indian use is not impeded. However, the Sisseton-Wahpeton 

Sioux Tribe has declared the formation a 

sacred site (along with Leaping Rock and a 

rock formation called The Oracle). That 

action may call for an additional level of care 

as the pageant’s secular use of an American 

Indian sacred site continues. 

The issue of balancing Pipestone National 

Monument’s significance to American Indians 

in a sensitive way with providing an educational experience to visitors as a National Park 

Service area is difficult. NPS managers must 

be constantly aware of potential conflicts and 

react thoughtfully and sensitively. 

Pipestone Indian School Superintendent’s 

House. The former Pipestone Indian School 

is an integral part of the site’s history. The Indian School superintendent’s house (outside 

the national monument boundary) represents 

the history of that institution and the national 

monument. The structure is deteriorated. The 

organization that owns it, the Keepers of the 

Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers, lacks the 

funds to stabilize and rehabilitate this structure, which is listed in the National Register of 

Historic Places. Its role in interpretation needs 

to be defined, and a determination needs to be 

made about whether the National Park Service should acquire it. 
Purpose, Need, and Scoping 

9 

Natural Resource Management 

Floodplains and Wetlands. Floodplain and 

wetland values are compromised by the presence of the visitor center and residences in the 

100-year floodplain or wetland areas. The 

bridges on Pipestone Creek are an impediment to floodwaters. 

Threatened or Endangered Species. Two 

federally listed threatened or endangered 

species inhabit the national monument, the 

endangered Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka) 

and the threatened western prairie fringed 

orchid (Platanthera praeclara). In addition, a 

number of Minnesota state-listed rare plants 

can be found within the national monument 

boundaries. Most of these are located along a 

globally threatened habitat, the Sioux quartzite prairie. The plan must ensure the protection of these species. 

Tallgrass Prairie. The national monument 

has areas of remnant tallgrass prairie and 

restored tallgrass prairie that are affected by 

an employee residence and administrative 

offices, by special uses in the national monument, and by exotic weeds growing inside and 

outside of its boundaries. It also contains 

Sioux quartzite prairie that has been relatively 

unaffected by development in the national 

monument. 

Interpretation and Visitor Orientation 

Congestion. Visitation is concentrated into 

the prime resource areas of the national 

monument, the visitor center area, the circle 

and quarry trails, and the Three Maidens 

picnic area. 

At times of special events involving school 

groups, or during times of heavier visitation 

periods between Memorial Day and Labor 

Day, there is visitor congestion at the visitor 

center. The most congested areas are the 

restrooms, the exhibit areas, and the information desk. 

Inadequate Facilities. The national monument staff’s ability to offer orientation and 

interpretation is limited by existing facilities, 

exhibits, and staffing. Improved orientation 

and interpretation would enhance visitor 

understanding of the significance of Pipestone 

National Monument and allow visitors to 

make the best use of their time. Year-round 

interpretive efforts consist of an orientation 

film, a self-guiding trail and brochure, museum exhibits, wayside exhibits, and interpretive talks. In addition, from April to October American Indians demonstrate and interpret pipe-making and other craft items. 

In recent years Congress has required Pipestone National Monument to collect an entrance fee from all visitors except American 

Indians. The logical location for fee collection 

would be the entrance off Hiawatha Avenue; 

however, this is made infeasible by the visitation numbers, the seasonality of visitation, the 

expense of hiring fee collection staff, and the 

small return after salaries are paid. Instead, 

fees are collected at the information desk in 

the visitor center to take advantage of the person already behind the counter. This does not 

allow the collection of fees from visitors who, 

for one reason or another, do not enter the 

visitor center. This would include repeat visitors, people who have little time to see the site 

and therefore skip the visitor center, and 

people who use the trails for exercise or the 

picnic area for gatherings. 

The visitor center was constructed in two separate phases. The first phase, which consisted 

of administrative and maintenance areas and a 

public area with sales and museum exhibit 

space, was completed in 1958. The second 

phase, the Upper Midwest Cultural Center, 

completed in 1972, added a large exhibit, 

demonstration, and sales area with storage. 

The original sales area was then redesigned; it 

is now used for projection equipment for the 

theater. The two-phase design created essentially two visitor areas separated by a breezeway. The breezeway functions as exhibit space 

and as the exit to the Circle Trail through the 
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

10 

north side door and the end of the Circle Trail 

through the south side door. The ranger at the 

information desk is not able to see what is 

occurring in the rear demonstration area or to 

monitor the activities of visitors using the 

breezeway doors. 

The phase one interpretive exhibits are dated, 

historically inaccurate, inadequate in number, 

poorly designed by today’s standards, difficult 

to maintain, and culturally offensive to some. 

The museum is cramped during high visitation, and display lighting is dated. The theater 

seats only 45 visitors. The orientation slide 

program, which was designed in the 1960s and 

updated in the 1980s, although still 

serviceable, does not meet modern standards, 

and it does not include discussion of the 

prairie landscape. 

The phase two area consists of a large room 

with tile floors, demonstration booths, exhibits, and a cooperating association sales 

area. American Indian demonstrators carve 

pipestone and answer visitors’ questions in 

the three small demonstration booths. The 

cooperating association area gives visitors an 

opportunity to buy items carved from pipestone, books, and educational items related to 

the history of the national monument. The 

association’s office is behind the sales desk. 

Opposite the sales area is a small exhibit area 

(The Gallery) for permanent or short-term 

displays. Behind the demonstrator booths is 

the national monument’s collection storage, a 

small break room, a law enforcement ranger 

office, cooperating association storage and 

work area, and general storage. The configuration and size of this area do not allow it to 

meet the national monument’s functional 

needs. 

Boundary and Cross-Boundary Concerns 

Exotic Plants. The national monument is 

working to restore native tallgrass prairie 

vegetation within the boundary. This is made 

more difficult in areas where nonnative vegetation is growing on adjacent land just outside 

the national monument boundary. 

Access. Restricted vehicle access to the north 

quarries and the Sun Dance area is available 

via a dirt road through the Pipestone Wildlife 

Management Area, which the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) 

manages for hunting and fishing under an 

agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service (USFWS). 

Private land abuts the south boundary. It is divided between the Hiawatha Club on the east 

and private residential and agricultural land 

on the west. The Hiawatha Club property is 

bounded on the east by Hiawatha Avenue, on 

the north by the entrance road to the national 

monument, and on the south by the Three 

Maidens formation and the picnic area. This 

land has a historic field of tiled lines and shallow ditches that drain slowly into a natural 

area before crossing into the national monument. 

The second parcel abuts the Hiawatha Club 

property on the east and the south boundary 

of the national monument. Single and multifamily dwellings are slowly being added in the 

parcel while vacant land is farmed. When fully 

developed, it will have the potential to direct 

stormwater into the national monument if not 

abated. This would affect tallgrass prairie and 

wetlands. Development also would increase 

sound, affecting wildlife movement. It would 

have the potential to introduce exotic species 

and, if left unscreened, it could add to the 

existing visual intrusions along the southern 

boundary. 

If the school land northeast of the national 

monument was filled and developed, flooding 

problems in the national monument would 

increase. 

School District Land. On the northeast 

boundary of Pipestone National Monument, 

just south of the Minnesota West Community 

and Technical College, are 15.3 acres belonging to the local school district. This parcel of 
Purpose, Need, and Scoping 

11 

land, which has direct access to Hiawatha 

Avenue, has been zoned for development by 

the city of Pipestone. Development is 

occurring across Hiawatha Avenue to the east, 

and it is logical to conclude that the school 

district land also will be developed in the 

future. 

Scenic Resources. The view of the prairie 

landscape is interrupted on the southwestern 

vista by large powerline towers and a 200-foot 

wind turbine. Wind power is a recently discovered natural resource in southwestern 

Minnesota, and initial planning for the development of wind farms and individually owned 

wind turbines has begun. Pipestone National 

Monument has eight potential cultural landscapes and one ethnographic landscape. The 

development of wind farms and wind turbines 

within the viewsheds of the national monument would be inconsistent with the scenic 

values of these landscapes. 

When Pipestone National Monument was 

created, the surrounding lands were agricultural, and there were few obstructions to 

views from the national monument all the way 

to the horizon. Now, as the city of Pipestone 

has grown closer to the national monument, 

and as developments have appeared within 

view, the sense of open, endless prairie that 

was the setting for the quarries is being compromised. The cultural and ethnographic 

landscape of the national monument and the 

aesthetic values of the prairie are becoming 

more difficult for visitors to picture and for 

interpreters to explain. 

Facilities 

Building Inadequacies. The national monument’s visitor center / administrative and 

maintenance building was constructed in two 

phases. The first phase containing these components was completed in 1958. The second 

phase added the Upper Midwest Indian Cultural Center in 1972. A garage bay and enclosure of the passageway to the maintenance 

area were added in 1985. The enclosed passageway serves as an office for the chief of 

maintenance and also accommodates supply 

storage. 

The visitor center shows the typical problems 

of an older building — occasional roof leaks, 

small and inadequate restrooms and 

workspace, limited library space and 

collection storage, inadequate storage for 

supplies, and no conference rooms. The office 

portion is not large enough to handle the 

current staff size, so the staff offices are split 

between this and a converted residence. The 

space available for the cooperating 

association’s office, sales area, and storage is 

also inadequate, necessitating the rental of 

offsite storage space. 

The maintenance facility, which also is in the 

building described above, is inadequate for 

the kinds of activities that are required of it 

today. It is inefficient and lacks storage space. 

It is necessary to leave the garage doors open 

during some functions such as painting and 

sanding for health reasons (even in winter). It 

lacks office space, is far from the storage yard 

for large items, has limited covered storage for 

vehicles, and is adjacent to the Circle Trail. 

This is one of the few maintenance facilities 

anywhere in the national park system that is 

physically part of a visitor center. 

The plumbing and electrical systems are dated 

and not up to current codes. The heating, 

ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) units 

are subject to recurring problems and are inadequate to heat and cool the building. The 

building lacks insulation and therefore is uncomfortable in both summer and winter. The 

air handling system does not completely remove pipestone dust from the air, but the dust 

does not appear to pose a health hazard under 

current standards. (According to the September 28, 2001, memorandum from Industrial 

Hygienist, U.S. Department of the Interior, 

“personal exposures to respirable silica were 

well below any of the occupational exposure 

standards.”) However, a film of pipestone 
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

12 

dust appears throughout the building, necessitating constant cleaning. 

ISSUES NOT ADDRESSED IN THIS PLAN 

Deauthorization 

During scoping for this plan, various American Indian individuals and groups asked about 

continued NPS management of Pipestone National Monument. Many American Indians 

consider this area sacred. Some have said they 

feel that its status as a national monument diminishes the sacredness of the site. Because 

authorizing new units of the national park 

system and deauthorizing existing units is the 

responsibility of Congress, this plan does not 

evaluate the option of deauthorizing Pipestone National Monument. Such an action 

would follow a request by Congress for the 

National Park Service to evaluate the positive 

and negative effects of that option. Until Congress makes such a request, deauthorization is 

not within the scope or authority of this plan. 

Permit Changes 

Some American Indians have said they think 

the amount of stone quarried should be controlled by the National Park Service or tribal 

authority. Others suggest that pipestone 

should be quarried by the National Park Service, with American Indian employees, or it 

should be provided to American Indians at no 

cost. Still others question the appropriateness 

of the items carved and want the National 

Park Service to limit the production of sacred 

objects for sale only to American Indians. 

The National Park Service oversees the permits under which American Indians are allowed to quarry pipestone. Once quarried, the 

pipestone is the property of the quarrier, and 

the National Park Service cannot control what 

is carved. 

There is much disagreement and misunderstanding about what is appropriate in the 

quarrying process, pipemaking, and ceremonial activity at the national monument. A 

thorough understanding of all positions is 

needed to make informed decisions. Because 

Congress has specifically addressed these 

activities (see Code of Federal Regulations, 36 

CFR 7.42), giving purview to the superintendent of Pipestone National Monument, 

issues surrounding permits will not be 

discussed further in this plan. 

Cultural Resource Issues 

Quarry Safety. As the quarries are worked, 

the rubble from the process becomes a safety 

concern for the quarrier. Quarriers are expected to construct walls of quarried quartzite 

rock to hold back the rubble. However, as 

quarries become deeper and rubble piles get 

larger, there is a greater possibility of accident 

for both the public and the quarriers. Visitors 

are warned not to climb on rubble piles and to 

stay on the trails. The violation of these requirements is a matter of enforcement rather 

than an issue normally dealt with in a general 

management plan. 

The national monument instructs quarriers 

about the importance of wall construction and 

methods for safe quarrying. Further, the national monument staff monitors the quarries 

to identify unsafe conditions and has the ability to enforce the safety conditions described 

in the permit. At some point, the depth of the 

quarry and the difficulty of moving the overburden out of the quarry will dictate that the 

quarry be abandoned. In such a situation, 

safety is a matter of permit enforcement rather 

than a general management plan issue. 

Limits on Quarrying. Some American Indian 

groups have said they believe that it is appropriate to allow only a defined amount of excavation, and they want the national monument 

to set limits or allow them to set limits. Again, 

the superintendent has the discretion to set 

appropriate limits on quarrying, so this is not a 

general management plan issue (see discussion of the regulations, p. 16). 
Purpose, Need, and Scoping 

13 

Natural Resource Issues 

Water Quality. Runoff from the city of Pipestone and byproducts from agriculture into 

Pipestone Creek degrade water quality in the 

national monument and may affect species of 

concern and rare habitats. Because concentrations of fecal coliform have exceeded water 

quality standards, Minnesota has listed Pipestone Creek as an impaired water body (Minn. 

Pollution Control Agency 1984). This issue, 

brought up in scoping, cannot be solved by 

the General Management Plan because most 

factors affecting the water quality of Pipestone 

Creek originate outside the national monument. However, the National Park Service 

would coordinate with local governments, 

landowners, or the state to improve water 

quality. 

To ensure that activities in the national 

monument would not introduce pollutants 

into Pipestone Creek, the National Park 

Service would follow the “servicewide laws 

and policies” described later in this chapter (p. 

25) and the “Mitigation and Additional 

Studies” section in the “Alternatives” chapter. 

(p. 87). 

New Quarries. Studies have indicated that 

there are adequate quantities of pipestone in 

the national monument, although the pipestone layer declines at a 6% slope to the east. 

There is a concern that quarrying will become 

so difficult (because of the depth and overburden) that current methods of excavation will 

become infeasible. Opening more quarries 

might affect the natural resources. The opening or closing of quarries is at the discretion of 

the superintendent, who must balance the significance of any natural resources with the 

legislated purpose of the national monument 

and other applicable laws before making a 

decision (see discussion of the regulations, p. 

16). This is not a general management plan 

issue. 

Pumping. The effects on natural resources 

from pumping spring runoff and groundwater 

from quarries onto the prairie to provide early 

season access are unknown. Hydrology, 

vegetation, soils, and threatened or 

endangered species might be affected by water 

pumped out of the quarries and onto the 

prairie. The water quality is unknown. 

Sometimes pumping the quarries is an 

ineffective tool, since they often refill as they 

are being pumped. This issue will not be dealt 

with in this plan. However, a hydrology and 

ecology study is proposed to determine any 

mitigation measures that might be needed and 

to understand all other issues surrounding 

pumping. 

IMPACT TOPICS (RESOURCES 

AND VALUES AT STAKE IN 

THE PLANNING PROCESS) 

Impact topics are aspects of the environment 

that National Park Service staff, the public, or 

others believe could be affected by actions in 

one or more of the alternatives. Specific impact topics were developed for discussion and 

to allow comparison of the environmental 

consequences of each alternative. These impact topics were identified on the basis of federal laws, regulations, and executive orders; 

NPS Management Policies 2006; and NPS 

knowledge of limited or easily affected resources. A brief rationale for the selection of 

each impact topic is given below. 

Cultural Resources 

Cultural resource impact topics were selected 

on the basis of major values identified in the 

national monument’s enabling legislation, values identified in the scoping process, and applicable laws and executive orders pertaining 

to cultural resources (the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act, the National Environmental Policy Act). The topics are ethnographic resources, collections, historic structures, and cultural landscapes. 

Opening any new pipestone quarries is at the 

discretion of the superintendent of the nation-
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

14 

al monument. In any future year, to open new 

quarries before issuing the annual quarrying 

permits would require taking into account 

natural resource and cultural resource factors. 

The latter would include the desire to make 

the quarries as accessible as possible to American Indians wanting to quarry, while at the 

same time balancing the need to preserve 

natural resources. Whether the number of 

quarriers is restricted or enlarged in any given 

year would depend on how the superintendent determined the number of permits to 

issue that year. 

Ethnographic resources, which make up much 

of the national monument’s collections, landscapes, and exhibits, are the focus for much of 

the story of Pipestone National Monument. 

Several sites that are sacred to American Indians are, at the same time, important interpretive locales in the national monument. This 

plan proposes actions that would affect some 

or all of these resources. 

Collections, historic structures, and cultural 

landscapes will be directly affected by the decisions made in a general management plan. 

Both the collections and the historic structures are in a floodplain, so this plan suggests 

various ways to protect them. Actions that 

would involve various levels of treatment for 

specific areas of the national monument’s 

landscape are proposed in this plan. 

Natural Resources 

The planning team selected nine natural resource impact topics. The selection was based 

on the major values or issues the team identified early in the planning process, as well as on 

applicable laws and executive orders (for example, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 

amended; Executive Order [EO] 11988, 

“floodplain management”; and EO 11990, 

“protection of wetlands”). The following aspects of the natural environment will be impact topics because the actions of the alternatives might affect them: 

remnant tallgrass prairie 

mesic crystalline bedrock prairie 

restored tallgrass prairie 

wetlands and riparian corridor 

floodplains 

hydrology 

soils 

wildlife 

 threatened or endangered species (Topeka 

shiner and western prairie fringed orchid) 

Table 1 (p. 22) contains a complete list of 

federally listed threatened, endangered, and 

candidate species and state-listed threatened, 

endangered, and special concern species. 

These listings were provided by the U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service and the state of Minnesota. The table shows whether each species 

will be an impact topic or has been dismissed 

as an impact topic. 

Visitor Experience 

The planning team identified the visitor experience as an important topic that would be 

affected appreciably under all the alternatives. 

Visitor experience involves such things as visitor enjoyment, freedom to go at one’s own 

pace, orientation, interpretation, and access. 

Socioeconomic Environment 

Analyzing the local economic impacts provides the context for evaluating the possible 

effects on the local economy that could result 

from adopting any of the alternatives. In addition, the national monument has neighbors 

that could be affected by the plan alternatives. 

The impact topics discussed are the local and 

regional economy. 

National Monument Operations 

The alternatives proposed in this plan could 

affect NPS operations in the national monument; therefore, this topic will be considered 

for each alternative. Items in the operations 

category are staffing, maintenance, facilities, 
Purpose, Need, and Scoping 

15 

emergency response time, and ability to 

enforce regulations. 

IMPACT TOPICS CONSIDERED 

BUT DISMISSED FROM 

FURTHER CONSIDERATION 

Archeology 

About 95% of Pipestone National Monument 

has been systematically surveyed archeologically. Because of the thorough archeological 

surveying and inventorying that has been conducted, archeological resources as an impact 

topic is dismissed from further consideration 

in this General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement. The amount of 

ground disturbance for proposed development in the three “action” alternatives would 

be minimal, and known archeological resources would be avoided by any development 

proposed, such as a new parking lot or new 

segments of existing trails as rerouted. Potential new facility sites would be resurveyed for 

archeological resources, and the National 

Park Service would follow other steps described in “Management Requirements for 

Cultural Resources” (beginning on p. 26). 

Any sites discovered would be evaluated for 

their eligibility for listing in the National 

Register of Historic Places in their own right 

or as an amendment to the existing national 

register listing for the entire national monument. Archeological monitoring procedures 

would be put in place to deal with any inadvertent discoveries of artifacts or human remains. If discoveries were made, construction 

underway would be stopped immediately, the 

national monument’s superintendent would 

be notified, and proper consultation would be 

initiated with the state historic preservation 

office and the American Indian tribes traditionally associated with Pipestone National 

Monument. 

Any sites found to be potentially affected 

would be the subjects of appropriate consultations with the state historic preservation 

office and the associated tribes. It also should 

be noted here that all actions with the potential to affect cultural resources would be the 

subjects of consultation with the Minnesota 

state historic preservation office and, if 

necessary, the Advisory Council of Historic 

Preservation, as appropriate. 

(The term traditionally associated peoples is 

defined in appendix A, p. 287. Traditional, 

used as an adjective in this document, as in 

traditional practices or traditional cultural 

practices, connotes a contemporary interest in 

Pipestone National Monument linked to a 

tribe’s, a family’s, a group’s, or a people’s cultural heritage and social identity involved in 

the past with what is now the national 

monument.) 

Indian Trust Resources 

President Clinton’s April 29, 1994, “Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies” directs that 

Each executive department and agency 

shall assess the impact of federal government plans, projects, programs, and 

activities on tribal trust resources and 

assure that tribal government rights and 

concerns are considered during the 

development of such plans, projects, 

programs, and activities. 

Order 3175 of the secretary of the interior, 

November 8, 1993, says the following: 

The heads of bureaus and offices are 

responsible for being aware of the impact 

of their plans, projects, programs or activities on Indian trust resources. Bureaus 

and offices when engaged in the planning 

of any proposed project or action will 

ensure that any anticipated effects on 

Indian trust resources are explicitly addressed in the planning, decision and operational documents. These documents 

should clearly state the rationale for the 

recommended decision and explain how 
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

16 

the decision will be consistent with the 

department’s trust responsibilities. 

In addition to the executive and secretarial 

orders, the NPS planning process requires the 

evaluation of potential Indian trust resources 

in planning documents. That is, are Indian 

trust resources present or not? The planning 

team has concluded that there are no Indian 

trust resources at Pipestone, and the subject 

will not be an impact topic for the following 

reasons: 

a. One definition of tribal trust resources is 

“those natural resources, either on or off 

Indian lands, retained by, or reserved by 

or for Indian tribes through treaties, 

statutes, judicial decisions, and executive 

orders, which are protected by a fiduciary 

[trust] obligation on the part of the United 

States” (subsection B, section 3, Secretarial 

Order 3206, Bruce Babbitt, June 5, 1997). 

None of the lands in Pipestone are trust 

resources according to this definition. 

b. The planning team considered whether 

the red catlinite pipestone in Pipestone 

National Monument or the national 

monument itself should be regarded as an 

Indian trust resource. The lands comprising Pipestone National Monument in 

southwestern Minnesota are not held in 

trust by the secretary of the interior for 

the benefit of American Indians because 

of their status as American Indians. The 

National Park Service has considered 

whether when, in 1937, Congress created 

the national monument and “reserved to 

Indians of all tribes . . . the quarrying of 

the red pipestone” within the national 

monument, the pipestone became a trust 

resource for the benefit and use of Indians 

or tribes. The National Park Service has 

concluded it did not. In other words, the 

enabling legislation’s reservation of the 

quarrying of pipestone “to Indians of all 

tribes” did not establish an Indian trust 

resource just because it was being done on 

behalf of American Indians. 

The text of the act — “An Act to Establish the 

Pipestone National Monument in the State of 

Minnesota” — of August 25, 1937, is reprinted 

in appendix B. Section 1 establishes that Congress created the national monument “for the 

benefit and enjoyment of the people of the 

United States.” Section 2 states that the national monument shall be managed by the 

National Park Service under the direction of 

the secretary of the interior consistent with 

the provisions of the Organic Act of the National Park Service — “An Act to Establish a 

National Park Service” — of August 25, 1916. 

The Organic Act requires the secretary of the 

interior through the National Park Service “to 

conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to 

provide for the enjoyment of the same in such 

manner and by such means as will leave them 

unimpaired for the enjoyment of future 

generations” of all Americans. 

It is section 3 of the 1937 enabling legislation 

that speaks of “the quarrying of the red pipestone” as “reserved to Indians of all tribes.” 

Section 3 adds that the quarrying is to occur 

“under regulations to be prescribed by the 

Secretary of the Interior.” The National Park 

Service believes that “the quarrying of the 

red pipestone . . . reserved to Indians of all 

tribes . . . under regulations to be prescribed 

by the Secretary of the Interior” recognized a 

historic and cultural use of the resource. But 

such recognition does not translate into the 

creation of a trust resource because the quarrying is to take place in the context of first 

managing and preserving the pipestone for the 

benefit of all Americans as required by both 

the Organic Act and the enabling legislation. 

The current regulations are reprinted below. 

They are published in the Code of Federal 

Regulations (36 CFR 7.42) July 1, 2000, 

revision, and first published for Pipestone 

National Monument in the Federal Register 

(34 FR 5377) on March 19, 1969. 

“[Volume] 36 [Part] 7 [Section] 42, Pipestone 

National Monument [36 CFR 7.42]: 
Purpose, Need, and Scoping 

17 

(a) An American Indian desiring to quarry 

and work ‘Catlinite’ pipestone shall first 

secure a permit from the Superintendent. 

The Superintendent shall issue a permit to 

any American Indian applicant, Provided 

that: (1) In the judgment of the Superintendent, the number of permittees then 

quarrying or working the pipestone is not 

so large as to be inconsistent with preservation of the deposit and (2) a suitable 

area is available for conduct of the operation. The permit shall be issued without 

charge and shall be valid only during the 

calendar year in which it is issued. 

“(b) An American Indian desiring to sell 

handicraft products produced by him, 

members of his family, or by other Indians 

under his supervision or under contract to 

him, including pipestone articles, shall 

apply to the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall grant the permit provided 

that (1) in his judgment the number of 

permittees selling handicraft products is 

not so large as to be inconsistent with the 

enjoyment of visitors to the Pipestone 

National Monument and (2) a suitable 

area is available for conduct of the operation. The permit shall be issued without 

charge and shall be valid only during the 

calendar year in which it is issued.” 

Environmental Justice 

Executive Order (EO) 12898 requires that 

federal agencies identify and address disproportionately high and adverse human 

health or environmental effects on minority 

and low-income populations. None of the 

proposed alternatives would have a disproportionately high and adverse effect on any 

minority or low-income population or community. This conclusion is based on the following information: 

• The proposed developments and actions 

in the alternatives would not result in any 

identifiable adverse human health effects. 

• The impacts on the natural and physical 

environment that would occur in any of 

the alternatives would not significantly 

and adversely affect any minority or lowincome population or community. 

• The alternatives would not result in any 

identified effects that would be specific to 

any minority or low-income community. 

• The planning team actively solicited public comments during the development of 

this plan and gave equal consideration to 

all input, regardless of the commenter’s 

age, race, income status, or other socioeconomic or demographic factors. 

• The staff of Pipestone National Monument has consulted and worked with the 

various American Indian communities and 

will continue to do so in cooperative 

efforts to improve communications and 

resolve any problems that occur. No effects were identified that would disproportionately and adversely affect American Indians. 

• Effects on the socioeconomic environment due to the alternatives would be 

minor or positive and would occur mostly 

within the local and regional geographic 

area near the national monument. These 

effects would not occur at one time but 

would be spread over a number of years. 

The effects on the socioeconomic environment would not substantially alter the 

physical and social structure of the nearby 

communities. 

Sioux Quartzite Rock Formation 

and Sioux Quartzite Prairie 

Sioux quartzite, old metamorphosed sandstone, is the dominant geologic feature of the 

national monument. It forms a prominent escarpment (cliff face) trending south to north 

through the eastern part of the national 

monument. The outcrops provide unique 

habitat for many plant species not found elsewhere in the prairie; therefore, this is known 

as the Sioux quartzite prairie. According to the 

memorandum of understanding with the Min-
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

18 

nesota Natural Heritage Register, “The rock 

outcrop flora, however, appears to be fairly 

well protected from threat due to its unsuitability for other uses” (Minn. DNR 1983b). 

The Sioux quartzite prairie at Pipestone National Monument represents one of the least 

disturbed examples of this rare community 

type globally (NPS 2001a). 

The Nature Conservancy has designated the 

20 acres of Sioux Quartzite prairie type as “endangered throughout its range” and cites the 

national monument’s Sioux quartzite outcrops as one of the few intact examples of this 

rare community type. Considering the importance of the globally significant outcrops and 

associated vegetation, there are no actions 

proposed in the alternatives that would affect 

these aspects of the natural environment. New 

development, including trails, would avoid 

these resources. Manual weed control would 

continue. Monitoring of water levels in existing wells would detect changes in water levels, 

if any, caused by the pumping of quarries so 

that pumping could be mitigated or stopped if 

necessary. Because actions that would affect 

the outcrops would be avoided in every alternative, there would be no impacts on the 

Sioux quartzite rock formation and the Sioux 

quartzite prairie. Therefore, they will not be 

impact topics in this document. 

Water Quality 

Most factors affecting the water quality of 

Pipestone Creek originate outside the national 

monument. The Water Resources Division of 

the National Park Service retrieved surface 

water quality data for Pipestone National 

Monument from six of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s national databases. On the basis of the data inventories and 

analyses contained in its report, the Water 

Resources Division concluded that surface 

waters in the study area appear to have been 

affected by human activities. Potential humancaused sources of contaminants are municipal 

wastewater discharges, agricultural operations, residential development, gravel pit operations, stormwater runoff, recreational use, 

and atmospheric deposition. 

Pipestone Creek is listed on the state of Minnesota’s 303D list of streams that do not meet 

water quality standards. It was placed on the 

list because it contains high bacterial counts. 

Bacterial counts could affect visitors getting 

into the water. For this reason, signs and 

national monument employees advise visitors 

not to enter Pipestone Creek. 

The water quality of Pipestone Creek might be 

affected by the actions of the alternatives such 

as construction, removing facilities, or relocating the bridge on Pipestone Creek below 

Winnewissa Falls. Actions such as construction, removing facilities, or relocating the 

bridge would use best management practices 

such as the placement of silt fences to ensure 

that construction-related effects would be 

minimal and to prevent long-term impacts on 

water quality from the displacement of soils. 

Construction materials would be kept in work 

areas, especially if the construction took place 

near streams or natural drainages. 

The National Park Service would coordinate 

with local governments, landowners, or the 

state and would take the actions described in 

this section. 

To ensure that activities in the national monument do not introduce pollutants to Pipestone 

Creek, the national monument staff would 

continue to implement the actions described 

under “Servicewide Laws and Policies,” (beginning on page 25) under the headings “Water Resources,” “Floodplains,” and “Wetlands 

and Riparian Corridor.” The staff also would 

implement the mitigating measures described 

under “Mitigation and Additional Studies,” 

beginning on page 87. 

A group of stakeholders is working to set up a 

watershed council that would address water 

quality issues. However, because the watershed covers more than 30 square miles and the 

national monument covers only 282 acres, 
Purpose, Need, and Scoping 

19 

national monument actions are unlikely to 

affect water quality appreciably. 

Adhering to servicewide laws and policies and 

implementing the mitigating measures described in this document would reduce the 

potential impacts to a negligible level and a 

short-term duration. Therefore, water quality 

is not an impact topic in this document. 

Water Quantity 

In all alternatives of this plan, water for use by 

visitors and national monument employees 

would come from the city of Pipestone. The 

water for personal consumption is abundant. 

Therefore, water quantity will not be a topic 

for impact analysis. 

Prime and Unique Farmland 

In August 1980, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) directed that federal 

agencies must assess the effects of their actions on farmland soils classified as prime or 

unique by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Department of 

Agriculture. Prime or unique farmland is defined as soil that produces general crops such 

as common foods, forage, fiber, and oil seed. 

Unique farmland produces specialty crops 

such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts. According 

to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the following seven soil types in Pipestone National Monument occupy approximately 50% of the national monument and are 

classified as prime farmlands: 

Athelwold silty clay loam 

Brookings silty clay loam, 0–3% slopes 

Ihlen silty clay loam, 0–2% slopes 

Kranzburg silty clay loam, 0–2% slopes 

Kranzburg silty clay loam, 2–4% slopes 

Kranzburg silty clay loam, 3–6% slopes, 

eroded 

Vienna silty clay loam, 3–6% slopes, 

eroded (VbB2) 

The section of land along the west boundary, 

which was added to the national monument in 

the 1950s, was farmed, and grazing probably 

occurred in other areas of the national monument. Although historically sections of the 

national monument were farmed, the Natural 

Resources Conservation Service advises that 

the land at Pipestone National Monument 

probably never was used for commercial 

cropland. In the 1930s, when the national 

monument was established, farming in the 

area was family farming, in which food and 

fiber were grown for the use of family and 

livestock. There were no cash crops. 

NRCS records do not go back to the 1930s; 

therefore, it is most reasonable to conclude 

that family subsistence farming was the type of 

farming, if any, that was taking place in the 

area that is now the national monument 

(NRCS, Jerry Purdin, District Conservationist, 

Pipestone, MN, pers. comm., 11/6/01). 

Because prime farmland in the national monument was not used to produce cash crops, it is 

not necessary to prepare an NRCS form AD 

1006, “Farmland Conversion Impact Reading,” and prime farmland need not be considered as an impact topic in this document 

(NRCS, Ken Matzdorf, Technical Soils Services Coordinator, Saint Paul, MN, 11/07/01). 

Therefore, this topic has been dismissed from 

further consideration. 

Threatened or Endangered Species 

and Species of Special Concern 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the 

state of Minnesota have provided lists of species that may possibly occur in the national 

monument (see appendix C). Some species 

that might be affected by the actions of the 

alternatives will be impact topics. Others 

would not be affected and have been dismissed as impact topics for this document. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists the 

following federally listed threatened (T), 
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

20 

endangered (E), and candidate (C) species for 

Pipestone County: 

Topeka shiner (E) 

Western prairie fringed orchid (T) 

Dakota skipper (C) 

Two federally listed species will be topics for 

impact assessment, Topeka shiner (endangered) and western prairie fringed orchid 

(threatened). Also see table 1. 

The Minnesota Natural Heritage Database, 

Element Occurrence Records, “List of Known 

Rare Features in Pipestone National Monument Sorted by Class and Element Name” lists 

the following special status species at the national monument. These species are associated with the Sioux quartzite prairie: 

water-hyssop 

buffalo grass 

short-pointed umbrella-sedge 

mud plantain 

blackfoot quillwort 

mudwort 

hairy water clover 

plains prickly pear 

tumble grass 

slender plantain 

None of the alternatives would affect Sioux 

quartzite prairie; therefore, these species have 

been dismissed as impact topics. 

Several state-listed species have been dismissed. It is unlikely that Henslow’s sparrow 

can be found in the national monument because, even though it was sighted in the national monument in 1985, it was not found in 

the grassland bird inventory in 2000. Therefore, Henslow’s sparrow has been dismissed 

as an impact topic. Two species have been dismissed because the national monument has no 

documented observations of them: the Dakota 

skipper and a lichen (Buella nigra). 

Air Quality 

Pipestone National Monument is classified as 

a class II area under the National Clean Air 

Act of 1977. In a class II area, moderate degradation of air quality is allowed. The national 

monument is in the airshed of a city of about 

4,500 people. No air quality monitoring stations are nearby. There have been no air quality problems in the national monument except 

odors and dust from agricultural activities. 

Actions of the alternatives that have the potential to affect air quality are demolition, construction, and the use of heavy equipment. 

Adhering to servicewide laws and policies and 

implementing the mitigating measures described in this document would reduce the 

potential impacts to a negligible level and a 

short-term duration. Therefore, air quality 

will not be a topic for impact assessment. 

Public Health and Safety 

The proposed developments and actions in 

the alternatives would not result in any identifiable human health or safety impacts, either 

direct or indirect. The alternatives were designed to take these factors into consideration 

and to remove them wherever possible. 

Energy Requirements and 

Conservation Potential 

Some alternatives describe the need for new 

facilities, some for the expansion of facilities. 

The actions of the alternatives could affect 

energy consumption through the use of large 

machinery to construct or demolish facilities, 

through the design of new facilities or additions to facilities, and through the use of 

equipment to maintain the national monument and for such activities as pumping 

quarries and restoring prairie. 

Energy consumption in buildings and utilities 

would be considered in alternative design 

concepts. The maximum energy saving concepts would be implemented in consistency 

with fiscal constraints. As has been mentioned 

(p. 11), the facilities in the national monument 

are outdated, with serious problems in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. 
Purpose, Need, and Scoping 

21 

Without detailed designs for all structures, it is 

possible to say only that energy consumption 

would be minimized as much as possible with 

the use of the latest energy-saving measures 

and “green design.” However, in any action 

alternative, rehabilitation or expansion would 

involve improvements to current energy 
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

22 

TABLE 1: SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES AND CRITICAL HABITAT AT PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT

Species Status 

Designated 

Critical 

Habitat

Found in 

National 

Monument Potential Presence in Project Area

I = Impact Topic

D = Dismissed as 

an Impact Topic

[FE= federal endangered; FT= federal threatened; FC=federal candidate; SE= state endangered; ST= state threatened; SS= state special concern.]Western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara) FT SE no yes Potential habitat: Western mesic prairies and sedge meadows—present. Species present in national monument. I Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka) 

FE 

SS 

yes yes Potential habitat: Prairie rivers and streams; first order prairie streams—present. 

Species present in national monument in Pipestone Creek. I 

Dakota skipper (Hesperia dacotae) 

FC 

ST 

no no Potential habitat: native mixed-grass prairie to tallgrass prairie—present. Species not 

present in monument; no documented observations of this species; therefore, it will not be an impact topic.

D 

Henslow’s sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii)

SE no Potential habitat: tall grasses, wetter areas—present. Species not present in national 

monument; was present in 1985 (Snyder 1986). Not recorded in 1998 bird survey (NPS 2000b). Unlikely that species is present now, so it would not be affected by any alternative of this plan.

D 

Water hyssop (Bacopa rotundifolia)

SS yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite prairie—present. Species present in the national 

monument. D 

Buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides)

SS yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite prairie—present. Species present in the national 

monument. D 

Lichen (Buella nigra) 

SE no Potential habitat present. Species not known to be present in national monument. 

Not listed in 1984 “Changes in the Lichen Flora of Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota,” by Gary D. Wilson and Timothy W. Vinyard in The Prairie Naturalist 8(1): 

9–14.

D 

Short-pointed umbrellasedge (Cyperus acuminatus) ST yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite cliffs near wet pools—present. Whether species still can be found in the national monument is uncertain. D Mud plantain (Heteranthera limosa)

ST yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite prairie—present. Species can be found in the 

national monument. D 

Blackfoot quillwort (Isoetes melanopoda)

SE yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite prairie—present. Whether species still can be found 

in the national monument is uncertain. D 

Mudwort (Limosella aquatica)

SS yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite prairie—present. Species can be found in the 

national monument. D 

Hairy water clover (hairy pepperwort) (Marsilea vestita)

SE yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite prairie—present. Species can be found in the 

national monument. D 

Plains prickly pear (Opuntia macrohiza)

SS yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite prairie—present. Species can be found in the 

national monument. D 

Slender plantain (long-leaf plantain) (Plantago elongata)

ST yes Potential habitat: ephemeral pools in Sioux quartzite—present. Whether species still 

can be found in the national monument is uncertain. D 

Tumble grass (Schedonnardus paniculatus)

SS yes Potential habitat: Sioux quartzite prairie—present. Species can be found in the 

national monument. D 

* On June 13, 2002, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published an updated list of candidates for Endangered Species Act listing. The Dakota skipper was listed in several states, including 

Minnesota. NPS management policies require that candidates for listing be treated the same as listed species would be. Pipestone is well within the current range of this primitive type of butterfly. On March 30, 2004, the species was still listed as “candidate.”
Purpose, Need, and Scoping 

23 

inefficiencies. The difference in energy 

consumption among the action alternatives 

would be minimal. The facilities in each action 

alternative would be expected to be 

comparable to or more energy-efficient than 

the existing facilities. 

In addition, to minimize energy consumption, 

the national monument staff would follow the 

principles described in the “Sustainable 

Design and Development” table under 

“Servicewide Laws and Policies” (p. 87). 

Therefore, energy consumption will not be a 

topic for impact assessment. 

Traffic 

One U.S. Highway and two state highways 

(MN 23 and 30) bisect the city of Pipestone. 

Most visitors either exit the north-south U.S. 

75, turning west on Reservation Avenue and 

following it into the national monument, or 

drive north on Hiawatha Avenue to Reservation Avenue, then turn west into the national 

monument. Only during special events such as 

the Hiawatha Pageant or the Watertower Festival do city streets and highways become congested. None of the alternatives described 

would appreciably alter traffic on any highway 

or city street, so there would be no impact on 

traffic. The topic has been considered and 

dismissed. 

 Conflicts with Local Land Use 

Plans and Policies 

Pipestone National Monument is in conformance with all local land use plans, 

policies, or controls. The staff of the national 

monument works closely with city and county 

governments to ensure that its actions do not 

conflict in any way with those of local government. No alternative would be implemented if 

such conflicts could not be resolved. 
24 

LAWS, POLICIES, AND MANDATES 

Each unit in the national park system is guided 

by agencywide and park-specific laws, regulations, and policies. Understanding this guidance and how it affects each unit’s mission is 

fundamental to planning for the future. This 

section highlights the missions (expressed as 

purpose, significance, and mission goals) and 

legal and policy mandates that guide the management of Pipestone National Monument. 

These mission and mandate statements define 

the parameters within which all management 

actions must fall. All alternatives to be considered in the general management planning 

effort must be consistent with and contribute 

to fulfilling these missions and mandates.

NATIONAL MONUMENT PURPOSE 

The legislative purpose of Pipestone National 

Monument is threefold: 

• to administer and protect the pipestone 

quarries, reserving the quarrying of 

pipestone for Indians of all tribes 

• to preserve, protect, and interpret the 

cultural and natural resources associated 

with Pipestone National Monument 

• to provide for the enjoyment and benefit 

of all people 

NATIONAL MONUMENT 

SIGNIFICANCE 

The following statements identify significant 

cultural and natural components of Pipestone 

National Monument’s ethnographic 

landscape. 

• Pipestone National Monument is significant as the only location where American 

Indians have quarried the red pipestone 

(catlinite) from very early times to the 

present. 

• The national monument is significant as a 

sacred site associated with American Indian spiritual beliefs and cultural activities. 

• Pipestone National Monument is significant for its history of American Indian and 

European–American contact and exploration in the early 1800s, specific quarrying 

rights, and the Pipestone Indian School 

(1893–1953). 

• Pipestone National Monument protects a 

significant cultural/ethnographic 

landscape. 

• Pipestone National Monument is significant for the landscape it protects, which 

consists of the tallgrass prairie that developed in association with the site’s distinct 

geologic and hydrologic features. These 

features combine to provide an unusual 

array of habitats supporting a diverse assortment of prairie plants and animals and 

rare habitats, federally listed threatened 

and endangered species, and globally rare 

remnant plant communities. 

MISSION AND THEMES 

Mission Goals 

• Continue to provide for American Indian 

use and access for the quarrying of the 

pipestone and cultural uses. 

• Preserve and protect cultural and natural 

resources. 

• Provide for the public use, enjoyment, and 

understanding of Pipestone National 

Monument. 

Interpretive Themes 

• In traditional and contemporary American 

Indian cultures, pipes represent both a 

symbolic and tangible connection to their 

spiritual and everyday life. 
Laws, Policies, and Mandates 

25 

• The perpetuation of the ancient practice 

of quarrying pipestone by hand at Pipestone National Monument illustrates the 

vitality and continuity of American Indian 

cultures in the 21st century. 

• Many American Indians regard the landscape protected at Pipestone National 

Monument with reverence and respect as 

a sacred and spiritual place of great importance and significance — a place to 

honor traditional ways and celebrate 

living cultures. 

• For many generations, American Indians 

gathered in the area of the national monument to seek the sacred red stone, catlinite. When European–Americans entered the surrounding area to farm its fertile prairie soils, misunderstanding and 

tensions inevitably developed over the 

profoundly different beliefs about the 

meaning and significance of the land. 

• The unique components of the remnant 

prairie ecosystem thus far have demonstrated resilience to past patterns of land 

use in and around Pipestone National 

Monument. The survival of this fragile 

prairie through conservation offers proof 

that persistence can overcome adversity. 

SPECIAL MANDATES AND 

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITMENTS 

Pipestone National Monument is listed in the 

National Register of Historic Places. 

The memorandum of understanding of 1983 

between the National Park Service and the 

state placed Pipestone National Monument 

on the Minnesota Natural Heritage Register 

because it has features of Minnesota’s natural 

diversity. According to the memorandum of 

understanding, 

These lands are vital to the development 

and maintenance of a system of areas with 

scientific and/or natural values for the 

research and teaching of conservation and 

for the preservation of valuable plant and 

animal species and communities. Specific 

features of interest are the Sioux Quartzite 

Prairie, Sioux Quartzite Outcrops and 

eleven species designated endangered, 

threatened, or of special concern to the 

state. 

Nine federally listed and/or state listed species 

are now present in the national monument. 

SERVICEWIDE LAWS AND POLICIES 

As with all units of the national park system, 

the management of Pipestone National 

Monument is guided by the 1916 Organic Act 

(which created the National Park Service), the 

General Authorities Act of 1970, the act of 

March 27, 1978, relating to the management 

of the national park system, and other applicable federal laws and regulations such as 

the Endangered Species Act and the National 

Historic Preservation Act. Actions are also 

guided by NPS Management Policies 2006 and 

the enabling legislation (see appendix B). 

Many resource conditions and some aspects 

of the visitor experience are prescribed by 

these legal mandates and NPS policies. Although attaining some of these conditions has 

been deferred in the national monument because of funding or staffing limitations, the 

National Park Service will continue to strive to 

implement these requirements with or without a new general management plan. This plan 

is not needed to decide, for instance, whether 

or not it is appropriate to protect endangered 

species, control exotic species, improve water 

quality, protect archeological sites, provide 

access for visitors with disabilities, permit 

quarrying of pipestone, or conserve artifacts. 

The conditions prescribed by laws, regulations, and policies most pertinent to the 

planning and management of the national 

monument are summarized in the following 

sections. 
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

26 

Management Requirements for Cultural Resources 

The management requirements for archeological resources, ethnographic resources, (see 

definition in the “Affected Environment chapter, p. 103), historic structures, cultural landscapes, 

resources, and museum collections and archives are delineated below.

Archeological Resources

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved in national park system units:

Desired Conditions Source 

Archeological sites will be identified and inventoried and 

their significance determined and documented. Archeological sites will be protected in an undisturbed condition 

unless it is determined through formal processes that disturbance or natural deterioration is unavoidable. When 

disturbance or deterioration is unavoidable, the site will be 

professionally documented and salvaged in consultation 

with the state historic preservation officer and American 

Indian tribes.

National Historic Preservation Act; Archeological 

Resources Protection Act; The Secretary of the 

Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology 

and Historic Preservation; programmatic memorandum of agreement among the National Park 

Service, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the National Council of State Historic 

Preservation Officers (1995); NPS Management 

Policies 2006

Compliance Actions

The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related 

to archeological sites: 

• Treat all archeological resources as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places pending a 

formal determination by the National Park Service and the Minnesota state historic preservation office as to 

their significance. 

• Protect all archeological resources eligible for listing in or listed in the national register. If disturbing such 

resources is unavoidable, conduct formal consultation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 

as appropriate, the state historic preservation officer, and when appropriate, affiliated American Indian 

tribes in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act and implementing regulations. 

Ethnographic Resources. Certain contemporary American Indian and other communities are 

permitted by law, regulation, or policy to pursue customary religious, subsistence, and other 

cultural uses of NPS resources with which they are traditionally associated. Recognizing that its 

resource protection mandate affects this human use and cultural context of national monument 

resources, the National Park Service plans and executes programs in ways to safeguard cultural 

and natural resources while reflecting informed concern for contemporary peoples and cultures 

traditionally associated with them (also see appendix A). 

Ethnographic Resources

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved in national park system units:

Desired Conditions Source 

Appropriate cultural anthropological research sites will be 

conducted with groups associated with the national 

monument. 

National Historic Preservation Act; Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation implementing 

regulations; NPS Management Policies 2006

All agencies, including the National Park Service, are required 

to accommodate access to and ceremonial use of Indian 

sacred sites by Indian religious practitioners and avoid 

adversely affecting the physical integrity of sacred sites. 

EO 13007 on American Indian Sacred Sites; 

American Indian Religious Freedom Act 
Laws, Policies, and Mandates 

27 

Ethnographic Resources (continued)

Desired Conditions Source 

Management decisions will reflect knowledge about and understanding of potentially affect Native American cultures and people, 

gained through research and consultations with the potentially 

affected groups. Resources based on ethnographic inventory results 

will be evaluated for eligibility and listing in the National Register of 

Historic Places as traditional cultural properties as appropriate 

according to the relevant peoples involved. 

NPS Management Policies 2006

NPS general regulations on access to and use of natural and cultural 

resources in parks will be applied in an informed and balanced 

manner consistent with national monument purposes, and the 

National Park Service will not unreasonably interfere with any 

American Indian use of traditional areas or sacred resources that 

does not result in the degradation of resources. 

EO 13007 on American Indian Sacred Sites; 

American Indian Religious Freedom Act; 

NPS Management Policies 2006

Other federal agencies, state and local governments, potentially 

affected American Indian and other communities, interested 

groups, the state historic preservation officer, and the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation will be given opportunities to 

become informed about and comment on anticipated NPS actions 

at the earliest practicable time.

National Historic Preservation Act; programmatic memorandum of agreement 

among NPS, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the National Council of State Historic Preservation Officers 

(1995); American Indian Religious Freedom 

Act; Native American Graves Protection 

and Repatriation Act; EO 13007 on American Indian Sacred Sites, presidential memorandum of April 29, 1994, on governmentto-government relations with tribal governments; NPS Management Policies 2006

All agencies are required to consult with tribal governments before 

taking actions that affect federally recognized tribal governments. 

These consultations are to be open and candid so that all interested 

parties may evaluate for themselves the potential impact of relevant 

proposals. Parks (including Pipestone National Monument) must 

regularly consult with traditionally associated American Indians 

about planning, management, and operational decisions that affect 

subsistence activities, sacred materials or places, or other ethnographic resources with which they are historically associated. 

American Indian Religious Freedom Act; 

Presidential memorandum of April 29, 

1994, on government-to-government relations with tribal governments; National 

Historic Preservation Act; Advisory Council for Historic Preservation implementing 

regulations 

The identities of community consultants and information about sacred and other culturally sensitive places and practices will be kept 

confidential when research agreements or other circumstances 

warrant. 

National Historic Preservation Act; NPS 

Management Policies 2006

American Indians and other individuals and groups linked by ties of 

kinship or culture to ethnically identifiable human remains, sacred 

objects, objects of cultural patrimony, and associated funerary objects will be consulted when such items may be disturbed or are 

encountered on national monument lands. 

NPS Management Policies 2006; Native 

American Graves Protection and 

Repatriation Act 
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

28 

Ethnographic Resources—Compliance Actions

• To accomplish the above goals, the National Park Service will take the following actions: 

• Continue to provide access to sacred sites and pipestone quarries for Indians of all tribes. 

• Survey and inventory ethnographic resources and document their significance. 

• The entire national monument is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, which includes a list of 

ethnographic resources found at the national monument. 

• Protect all ethnographic resources listed in the national register. If disturbance of such resources is 

unavoidable, conduct formal consultation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, as 

appropriate, with the state historic preservation officer, and with American Indian tribes. This consultation 

will be in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, the implementing regulations of the 

Advisory Council for Historic Preservation, and the programmatic agreement. 

• Conduct regular consultations with affiliated tribes to continue to improve communications and resolve any 

problems or misunderstandings that occur. 

• Continue to encourage the employment of American Indians from all tribes to apply for employment as 

vacancies occur. This will improve and encourage cultural diversity in the workplace. 

Historic Structures and Cultural Landscapes

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved for historic properties (buildings, 

structures, roads, trails, or cultural landscapes:

Desired Conditions Source

Historic structures and cultural landscapes will 

be inventoried and their significance and integrity evaluated under national register criteria. 

The qualities that contribute to the listing or 

eligibility for listing of historic properties in the 

National Register of Historic Places will be protected in accordance with The Secretary of the 

Interior’s Treatment Standards (unless it is 

determined through a formal process that 

disturbance or natural deterioration is 

unavoidable). 

National Historic Preservation Act; Archeological and Historic 

Resources Preservation Act; The Secretary of the Interior’s 

Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation; the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for the Treatment of 

Cultural Landscapes; programmatic memorandum of agreement among NPS, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the National Council of State Historic Preservation 

Officers (1995); NPS Management Policies 2006; NPS-28: “Cultural Resource Management Guidelines” (1994); Directive to 

evaluate Mission 66 Properties

Compliance Actions

The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related 

to historic structures and cultural landscapes: 

• Determine the appropriate level of preservation for each resource formally determined to be eligible for 

listing or listed in the national register (subject to The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. 

• Implement and maintain the appropriate level of preservation for such resources. 

• Analyze the design elements (materials, colors, shape, massing, scale, architectural details, and site details) of 

historic structures (intersections, curbing, signs, picnic tables, roads and trails, and cultural landscapes) in 

the national monument to guide the rehabilitation and maintenance of sites and structures. 

• Before modifying any historic properties that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the 

National Park Service will consult with the Minnesota state historic preservation officer and the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation and American Indian tribes, as appropriate. 
Laws, Policies, and Mandates 

29 

Museum Collections

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved in the national monument for 

museum collections.

Desired Conditions Source 

All museum objects and manuscripts will be identified and inventoried and their significance determined and documented. 

The qualities that contribute to the significance of collections 

will be protected in accordance with established standards. 

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act; NPS Management Policies 2006; 

Director’s Order 24;: NPS Museum Collections 

Management; NPS Museum Handbook

Compliance Actions

To accomplish the above goals, the National Park Service will take the following actions: 

• Inventory and catalog all national monument museum collections in accordance with standards in the NPS 

Museum Handbook. 

• Develop and implement a collection management program according to NPS standards to guide the 

protection, conservation, and use of museum objects. 

• Analyze the design elements (materials, colors, shape, massing, scale, architectural details, and site details) of 

historic structures (intersections, curbing, signs, picnic tables, roads and trails, and cultural landscapes) in 

the national monument to guide the rehabilitation and maintenance of sites and structures. 

• This program will also address the proper display of artifacts (such as pipes bowls and stems) in a culturally 

sensitive manner. 
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

30 

Management Requirements for Natural Resources 

The management requirements for natural resources— air quality, wetlands, floodplains, water 

resources, soils, threatened and endangered species, native vegetation and animals, exotic species, 

ecosystem management, natural sounds, night sky, and wildland fire — are delineated below.

Air Quality

The national monument is a class II air quality area. Current laws and policies require that the following 

conditions be achieved in the national monument:

Desired Conditions Source 

Air quality in the national monument meets national ambient air 

quality standards (NAAQS) for specified pollutants. Healthful indoor 

air quality at NPS facilities will be ensured. 

Clean Air Act; NPS Management Policies 

2006

Pipestone National Monument activities will not contribute to 

deterioration in air quality. 

Clean Air Act; NPS Management Policies 

2006

Compliance Actions

The National Park Service has little direct control over air quality in the airshed encompassing the national 

monument, and no monitoring is being conducted. The National Park Service will take the following kinds of 

actions to meet legal and policy requirements related to air quality: 

• Participate in regional air pollution control plans and regulations and review permit applications for major 

new air pollution sources. 

• Conduct operations in compliance with federal, state, and local air quality regulations. 

Wetlands

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for wetlands be achieved in the national monument:

Desired Conditions Source 

The natural and beneficial values of wetlands will be preserved 

and enhanced. 

Clean Water Act; EO 11990 “Protection of Wetlands”; NPS Management Policies 2006; DO 77-1, 

“Wetland Protection”; Rivers and Harbors Act 

The National Park Service will implement a “no net loss of 

wetlands” policy and strive to achieve a longer-term goal of 

net gain of wetlands across the national park system through 

the restoration of previously degraded or destroyed wetlands. 

DO 77-1, “Wetland Protection”; NPS Management Policies 2006; EO 11514, “Protection and 

Enhancement of Environmental Quality 

Where natural wetland characteristics or functions have been 

degraded or lost through previous or ongoing human activities, the National Park Service will, to the extent appropriate 

and practicable, restore them to predisturbance conditions. 

DO 77-1, “Wetland Protection”; NPS Management Policies 2006

The National Park Service will avoid direct or indirect support 

of new construction in wetlands unless there are no reasonable alternatives, and the preferred alternative includes all 

practicable measures to minimize harm to wetlands. 

EO 11990 “Protection of Wetlands”; NPS Management Policies 2006

The National Park Service will compensate for remaining unavoidable adverse impacts on wetlands by restoring wetlands 

that have been previously destroyed or degraded. 

DO 77-1, “Wetland Protection”; NPS Management Policies 2006; Rivers and Harbors Act; EO 

11514, “Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality 
Laws, Policies, and Mandates 

31 

Compliance Actions

The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related 

to wetlands: 

• Prepare maps of jurisdictional and other wetlands using the NPS-required Cowardin system as described in 

U.S. EPA 1989. 

• Continue efforts to restore native vegetation in wetland areas in the national monument. 

Floodplains

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for wetlands be achieved in the national monument:

Desired Conditions Source 

Natural floodplain values will be preserved or restored. EO 11988, “Floodplain Management”; Rivers and 

Harbors Act; NPS Management Policies 2006; Special 

Directive (SD) 93-4, “Floodplain Management: Revised Guidelines for National Park Service Floodplain Compliance” (1993) 

Long-term and short-term environmental effects associated with the occupancy and modification of floodplains 

will be avoided. 

DO 77-2, “Floodplain Management”; National Flood 

Insurance Program (44 CFR 60); SD 93-4, “Floodplain Management: Revised Guidelines for National 

Park Service Floodplain Compliance” (1993); NPS 

Management Policies 2006

When it is not practicable to locate or relocate development or inappropriate human activities to a site outside 

the floodplain or where the floodplain will not be affected, 

the NPS will do the following: 

• prepare and approve a statement of findings in 

accordance with DO 77-2 

• use nonstructural measures as much as practicable to 

reduce hazards to human life and property while minimizing impacts on the natural resources of floodplains 

•ensure that structures and facilities are designed to be 

consistent with the intent of the standards and criteria of 

the National Flood Insurance Program (44 CFR 60) 

DO 77-1, “Wetland Protection”; NPS Management 

Policies 2006

Compliance Actions

The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related 

to floodplains: 

• Remove from the 500-year floodplain or protect from the 500-year flood the following items that are within 

the 100-year floodplain at the visitor center/administration/maintenance building: 

curatorial storage of artifacts and museum items 

• Should the national monument headquarters building remain in its current location within the 100-year 

floodplain, prepare a statement of findings describing why there is no practicable alternative to leaving the 

building in the floodplain and what mitigation will be undertaken to protect the building from the effects of 

flooding. 

• Work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the city of Pipestone to ensure that actions taken to reduce 

damage from future flooding outside the national monument do not cause detrimental effects on the 

national monument’s cultural and natural resources. 

• If any additional structures are proposed for construction in the floodplain, prepare a statement of findings 

as described above. 

• Any future construction in the national monument or outside using federal monies will be accompanied by a 

statement of findings describing the need to place development within the 100-year floodplain, the flood 

hazard associated with the proposed development site, and the plans to mitigate this flood hazard. 

Water Resources

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for wetlands be achieved in the national monument:
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

32 

Desired Conditions Source 

Surface water and groundwater will be restored or enhanced. Clean Water Act; NPS Management Policies 2006

NPS and NPS-permitted programs and facilities will be 

maintained and operated to avoid the pollution of surface 

water and groundwater. 

Clean Water Act; EO 12088, “Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality”; NPS Management Policies 2006; Rivers and Harbors Act 

Water Resources (continued)

Compliance Actions

The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related 

to water resources: 

• Where possible within the national monument and where funds are available, restore Pipestone Creek to a 

more sustainable ecosystem with a native riparian vegetation community and natural creek geomorphology.

• Continue water quality monitoring to complete water quality database. 

• Apply best management practices to all pollution-generating activities and facilities in the national 

monument (such as NPS maintenance and storage facilities and parking areas); minimize the use of 

pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals and manage them in keeping with NPS policy and federal 

regulations. 

• Work through or with other entities to resolve known water quality problems. 

• Press for continued and expanded monitoring to complete the requirement for a water quality database and 

reveal any unknown water quality problems. 

• Work with interested groups near the national monument to achieve cooperative ecosystem management of 

the area surrounding Pipestone Creek through a long-term, comprehensive plan for conservation and use. 

• Conduct a study to evaluate the impacts, if any, on national monument resources caused by pumping water 

from quarries onto prairie. Hydrology, vegetation, soils, and threatened and endangered species might be 

affected by water pumped out of quarries onto the prairie. 

• Monitor water level in the national monument well and in any other drill holes to be sure that pumping of 

quarries does not affect water table. Drilling more wells might be necessary for test purposes. If the water 

level in any well or drill hole falls, consult Water Resources Division of the National Park Service about what 

actions, if any, should be taken. Monitor vegetation, soils, and threatened and endangered species, looking 

for any changes in their conditions that might be attributable to pumping. 

Soils

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for wetlands be achieved in the national monument:

Desired Conditions Source

The National Park Service will actively seek to understand and preserve the soil resources 

and to prevent, to the extent possible, the unnatural erosion, physical removal, or contamination of the soil or its contamination of other resources.

NPS Management 

Policies 2006

The superintendent will take management action to prevent — or, if that is not possible, to 

minimize — adverse, potentially irreversible impacts on soils. Soil conservation and soil 

amendment practices may be implemented to reduce impacts. The importation of offsite soil 

or soil amendments may be used to restore damaged sites. Offsite soil normally will be salvaged soil, not soil removed from pristine sites, unless the use of pristine site soil can be 

achieved without causing any overall ecosystem impairment. Before using any offsite materials, the national monument will develop a prescription and select materials that will be 

needed to restore the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of original native soils 

without introducing any exotic species. 

NPS Management 

Policies 2006

When soil excavation is an unavoidable part of an approved facility development project, the 

National Park Service will minimize soil excavation, erosion, and offsite soil migration during 

and after the development activity. 

NPS Management 

Policies 2006
Laws, Policies, and Mandates 

33 

When the use of a soil fertilizer or other soil amendment is an unavoidable part of restoring a 

natural landscape or maintaining an altered plant community, the use will be guided by a 

written prescription. The prescription will be designed to ensure that such use of soil fertilizer or soil amendment will not unacceptably alter the physical, chemical, or biological 

characteristics of the soil, the biological community, or surface water or groundwater.

NPS Management 

Policies 2006

Compliance Actions

The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related 

to soils: 

• Update the soils map of the national monument in digital format so that it can be used in the national 

monument’s geographic information system (GIS). 

• Whenever possible, the staff of the national monument will educate visitors about soils. 
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

34 

Threatened and Endangered Species

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for wetlands be achieved in the national monument:

Desired Conditions Source 

Federally listed and state-listed threatened and endangered species and their 

habitats will be sustained. 

Endangered Species Act; NPS 

Management Policies 2006

Managing populations of exotic plant and animal species, up to and including 

eradication, will be undertaken wherever such species threaten national monument resources or public health and when control is prudent and feasible.

NPS Management Policies 2006; 

EO 13112, “Invasive Species 

Native species populations that have been severely reduced in or extirpated 

from the national monument will be restored where feasible and sustainable.

NPS Management Policies 2006

Compliance Actions

The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions (listed in priority order) to meet legal and 

policy requirements related to species of special concern: 

• Complete an inventory of plants and animals in the national monument and regularly monitor the distribution and condition (health, disease) of selected species that are (a) indicators of ecosystem condition and 

diversity, (b) rare or protected species, (c) invasive exotics, (d) native species capable of creating resource 

problems (such as habitat decline due to overpopulation). 

• Develop a long-term program for reversing the destructive effects of exotic species. 

• Study the environmental and ecological effects of exotic species invasion to assess threats and prioritize 

management actions. 

• Undertake research to assess the methods by which exotic species become established and spread into 

native plant communities so that strategies for preventing their introduction and establishment can be 

developed and implemented. 

• Continue to develop methods to restore native tallgrass prairie and stabilize eroding areas. 

• Research soil properties, including nutrients and microorganisms, to learn how to restore native plant 

communities. 

• Determine the source of soil nutrients and the effects of atmospheric pollution on soils. 

Native Vegetation and Animals

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for wetlands be achieved in the national monument:

Desired Conditions Source 

The National Park Service will maintain as parts of the natural ecosystem all native plants and animals in the national monument. Federally listed and statelisted threatened and endangered species and their habitats will be sustained.

NPS Management Policies 2006; 

NPS-77, “Natural Resources 

Management Guidelines

Compliance Actions

The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related 

to native wildlife and vegetation: 

• Complete an inventory of plants and animals in the national monument and regularly monitor the distribution and condition of selected species that are indicators of the ecosystem condition and diversity. 

• Develop methods to restore native biological communities. 

• Minimize human impacts on native plants, animals, populations, communities, and ecosystems and the 

processes that sustain them. 

• Where feasible, restore native plant and animal populations that have been extirpated in the national 

monument by past human-caused action. 

• Whenever possible, rely on natural processes to maintain native plant and animal species and to influence 

natural fluctuations in populations of these species. 

• Protect a full range of genetic types (genotypes) of native plant and animal populations in the national 

monument by perpetuating natural evolutionary processes and minimizing human interference with 

evolving genetic diversity. 
Laws, Policies, and Mandates 

35 

Exotic Species

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for wetlands be achieved in the national monument:

Desired Conditions Source 

The management of populations of exotic plant and animal species, up to 

and including eradication, will be undertaken wherever such species threaten national monument resources or public health and when control is 

prudent and feasible. 

NPS Management Policies 2006; EO 

13112, “Invasive Species”; NPS-77, 

“Natural Resources Management 

Guidelines” 

Compliance Actions

Many species of invasive exotic plants have become established throughout much of the national monument and 

threaten native species. Given time, these aggressive exotic plants can greatly expand their populations, alter 

prairie and wildlife habitats, and change scenery by replacing native species. These effects, which clearly are already occurring in some areas of the national monument, will worsen substantially if left untreated. A sustained 

effort is needed to control these internal threats to the native species and their natural habitats. Similar impacts 

can occur with some native species, and care must be taken to manage these species. 

The national monument monitors the tallgrass prairie and sensitive native species through the Prairie Cluster 

Long Term Ecological Monitoring Program. 

The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related 

to exotic species: 

• Complete an inventory of plants and animals in the national monument and regularly monitor the distribution and condition (health, disease) of selected species that are (a) invasive exotics (b) native species capable 

of creating resource problems (such as habitat decline due to overpopulation). 

• Develop a long-term program for reversing the destructive effects of exotic species. 

• Study the environmental and ecological effects of exotic species invasion to assess threats and prioritize 

management actions. 

• Undertake research to assess the methods by which exotic species become established and spread into 

native plant communities so that strategies for preventing their introduction and establishment can be 

developed and implemented. 

• Continue to develop methods to restore native tallgrass prairie and stabilize eroding areas. 

• Research soil properties, including nutrients and microorganisms, to learn how to restore native plant 

communities. 

• Determine the source of soil nutrients and the effects of atmospheric pollution on soils. 

Ecosystem Management

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for wetlands be achieved in the national monument:

Desired Conditions Source 

The national monument is managed holistically as part of a greater ecological, 

social, economic, and cultural system. 

NPS Management Policies 2006

(ch.1,4) 

Compliance Actions

The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related 

to ecosystem management: 

• To protect ecosystem habitat and wildlife corridors, continue to seek cooperative agreements with the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and other agencies that manage 

adjacent land. 

• Continue to develop cooperative agreements, partnerships, and other feasible arrangements to set an 

example in resource conservation and innovation and to facilitate research related to national monument 

resources and their management. 

• Work collaboratively with the landowners inside and outside the monument to protect viewsheds leading 

into and in the national monument and seen from within the national monument. Use cooperative agreements, conservation easements, donation, land exchanges, cooperatively produced management plans, or 

other tools to accomplish the protection of the views. 
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

36 

Natural Sounds

An important part of the NPS mission is to preserve or restore the natural soundscapes associated with national 

parks. The sounds of nature are among the intrinsic elements that combine to form the environment of our 

national parks.

Desired Conditions Source 

The National Park Service will preserve the natural ambient soundscapes, 

restore degraded soundscapes to the natural ambient condition wherever 

possible, and protect natural soundscapes from degradation due to humancaused noise. Disruptions from recreational uses will be managed to provide 

a high quality visitor experience in an effort to preserve or restore the 

natural quiet and natural sounds. 

NPS Management Policies 2006

Noise sources are managed to preserve or restore the natural soundscape. Executive memorandum signed by 

President Clinton on April 22, 1996

Compliance Actions

The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to comply with the policies listed above: 

• Actions will be taken to prevent or minimize unnatural sounds adversely affecting national monument 

resources or values or visitors’ enjoyment of them. 

• The National Park Service will work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), tour operators, commercial businesses, and general aviation interests to encourage aircraft to fly outside the national monument, 

especially for flights where the presence of the national monument is incidental to the purpose of the flight 

(transit between two points). Actions that might be considered to encourage pilots to fly outside the national 

monument include identifying the national monument on route maps as a noise-sensitive area, educating 

pilots about the reasons for keeping a distance from the national monument, and encouraging pilots to 

comply with FAA regulations and advisory guidance, in a manner that will minimize noise and other impacts.

• The national monument staff will continue to require tour bus companies to comply with regulations 

designed to reduce noise levels (for example, turning off engines when buses are parked). 

• Noise generated by NPS management activities will be minimized by strictly regulating administrative 

functions such as the use of motorized equipment. Noise will be a consideration in the procurement and use 

of equipment by the national monument staff. 

Night Sky

The national monument’s night sky is a feature that contributes to visitors’ experiences. Current laws and 

policies require that the following conditions be achieved in the national monument:

Desired Conditions Source 

The National Park Service will cooperate with national monument 

neighbors and local government agencies to seek ways to minimize the 

intrusion of artificial light into the night scene in the national monument. In 

natural areas, artificial outdoor lighting will be limited to basic safety 

requirements and will be shielded when possible.

NPS Management Policies 2006

Compliance Actions

The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to comply with the policy mentioned above: 

• The national monument staff will work with local communities and other agencies to encourage the 

protection of the night sky. 

• The national monument staff will evaluate the impacts on the night sky caused by national monument 

facilities. If light sources in the national monument are determined to be affecting night skies, the staff will 

study alternatives such as shielding lights, changing lamp types, or eliminating unnecessary sources. 
Laws, Policies, and Mandates 

37 

Wildland Fire

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved in the national monument:

Desired Conditions Source

Pipestone National Monument fire management programs will be designed to meet resource management objectives prescribed for the various areas of the national monument 

and to ensure that the safety of firefighters and the public is not compromised. All wildland fires will be aggressively suppressed, taking into account the cultural and natural 

resources to be protected and the safety of firefighters and the public.

DO 18, “Wildland 

Fire Management”; 

NPS Management 

Policies 2006 

Compliance Actions

The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to comply with the policies listed above: 

• All fires burning in natural or landscaped vegetation will be classified as either wildland fires or prescribed 

fires. 

• All wildland fires will be effectively managed, considering resource values to be protected and firefighter and 

public safety, using the full range of strategic and tactical operations as described in an approved fire 

management plan. 

• Prescribed fires are those fires ignited by managers to achieve resource objectives. To provide information 

on whether specified objectives are met, monitoring programs will be instituted for such fires to record fire 

behavior, smoke behavior, fire decisions, and fire effects. 

• The national monument has an approved fire management plan and is in the process of updating the plan 

taking in account new requirements and formats. 

• Since archeological resources, historic structures, and cultural landscapes could be affected by either wildland fires or prescribed fires, certain of these resources will be flagged for avoidance before any prescribed 

burn is conducted. After a wildland fire or prescribed fire, a post-fire cultural resource survey will be conducted to identify and evaluate any newly discovered resources or to document any damage to known 

resources. 

Management Requirements for Visitor Use and Experience 

The visitor experience is influenced by visitor activities, programs, and facilities. The management 

requirements for the visitor use and experience are delineated below.

Visitor Use and Experience

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved in the national monument

Desired Conditions Source 

Visitors will understand and appreciate resources and 

have the information necessary to adapt to the national 

monument’s environments. Visitors will have opportunities to enjoy the national monument in ways that leave 

the resources unimpaired for future generations. 

NPS Organic Act; NPS Management Policies 2006; DO 

22, “Fee Collection” 

Recreational uses will be promoted and regulated, and 

basic visitor needs will be met in keeping with the 

national monument’s purposes. 

NPS Organic Act; 36 CFR; NPS Management Policies 

2006

To the extent feasible, facilities, programs, and services 

in the national monument will be accessible to and 

usable by all people, including those with disabilities. 

Americans with Disabilities Act; Architectural Barriers 

Act; Rehabilitation Act; NPS Management Policies 2006

Visitors who use federal facilities and services for outdoor recreation may be required to pay a greater share of 

the cost of providing those opportunities than the 

population as a whole. 

NPS Management Policies 2006; 1998 Executive Summary to Congress; Recreational Fee Demonstration 

Program, Progress Report to Congress, vol. 1: Overview and Summary (U.S. Department of the Interior, 

National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service) 
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PLAN

38 

Visitor Use and Experience (continued)

Desired Conditions Source 

Pipestone National Monument will identify implementation commitments for visitor carrying capacities for all areas of the unit.1978 National Parks and Recreation Act (PL 

95-625), NPS Management Policies 2006

Compliance Actions

The laws, regulations, and policies leave considerable room for judgment about the best mix of types and levels 

of visitor use activities, programs, and facilities. However, the authority to charge fees is dictated by law and is 

therefore the same for all alternatives. 

The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to meet legal and policy requirements related 

to visitor experience and use of the national monument: 

• Give visitors the opportunity to understand, appreciate, and enjoy the national monument (management 

directions within this broad policy are discussed in the alternatives). 

• Continue to enforce the regulations governing visitor use and behavior in Title 36 of the Code of Federal 

Regulations (36 CFR). 

• Ensure that all programs and facilities in the national monument are accessible to the extent feasible. 

• Following approval of the Final General Management Plan, the National Park Service will undertake detailed 

planning to establish visitor carrying capacity strategies and monitoring programs. 

Rights-of-Way and Telecommunications Infrastructure 

The management requirements for rights-of- way and telecommunications infrastructure are 

delineated in the table below. 

Rights-of-Way and Telecommunications Infrastructure

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved in the national monument:

Desired Conditions Source 

Pipestone National Monument resources or public enjoyment of the national monument will not be denigrated by nonconforming uses. Telecommunication structures will be permitted in the national monument to the 

extent that they do not jeopardize its mission and resources. No new nonconforming uses or rights-of-way will be permitted through the national 

monument without specific statutory authority and approval by the director of the National Park Service or his/her representative, and such uses 

will be permitted only if there is no practicable alternative to such use of 

NPS lands. 

Telecommunications Act; 16 USC 

79; 23 USC 317; 36 CFR 14; NPS 

Management Policies 2006; DO 53A, 

“Wireless Telecommunications”; 

Reference Manual 53, “Special Park 

Uses.” 1978 National Parks and 

Recreation Act (PL 95-625), NPS 

Management Policies 2006

Compliance Actions

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 directs all federal agencies to help in the national goal of achieving a seamless telecommunications system throughout the United States by accommodating requests by telecommunication companies for the use of property, rights-of-way and easements to the extent allowable under each 

agency’s mission. The National Park Service is legally obligated to permit telecommunication infrastructure in 

the parks if such facilities can be structured to avoid interference with national monument purposes. The 

management of Pipestone National Monument has determined that because of the national monument’s small 

size and the scenic and ethnographic significance of its resources, there are no appropriate locations for 

aboveground telecommunication infrastructure in Pipestone National Monument.
Laws, Policies, and Mandates 

39 

Sustainable Design and Development 

Sustainability can be described as the result achieved by managing units of the national park 

system in ways that do not compromise the environment or its capacity to provide for present and 

future generations. Sustainable practices minimize the short-term and long- term environmental 

impacts of developments 

and other activities through conserving resources, recycling, minimizing waste, and using energyefficient and ecologically responsible materials and techniques. The management requirements 

for sustainable design and development are delineated in the table on the next page. 

Sustainable Design and Development

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions for sustainability be achieved in the national monument:

Desired Conditions Source 

National Park Service and cooperating association facilities 

for visitor management will be harmonious with national 

monument resources, compatible with natural processes, 

aesthetically pleasing, functional, as accessible as possible to 

all segments of the population, energy-efficient, and costeffective. Pipestone National Monument will identify implementation commitments for visitor carrying capacities for all 

areas of the unit. 

NPS Management Policies 2006; EO 13123, 

“Greening the Government through Efficient 

Energy Management”; EO 13101, “Greening the 

Government through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition”; NPS Guiding 

Principles of Sustainable Design; DO 13, “Environmental Leadership”; DO 90, “Value Analysis; 

D0 32 “Cooperating Associations” 

Compliance Actions

The NPS Guiding Principles of Sustainable Design (1993b) directs NPS management philosophy. It provides a 

basis for achieving sustainability in facility planning and design, emphasizes the importance of biodiversity, and 

encourages responsible decisions. The guidebook articulates principles to be used in the design and management 

of tourist facilities that emphasize environmental sensitivity in construction, the use of nontoxic materials, resource conservation, recycling, and integrating visitors with natural and cultural settings. 

Sustainability principles have been developed and will be followed for interpretation, natural resources, cultural 

resources, site design, building design, energy management, water supply, waste prevention, and facility maintenance and operations. The National Park Service also reduces energy costs, eliminates waste, and conserves 

energy resources by using energy-efficient and cost-effective technology. Energy efficiency is incorporated into 

the decision-making process during the design and acquisition of buildings, facilities, and transportation systems 

emphasizing the use of renewable energy sources. 

In addition to following the above principles, the National Park Service will take the following steps: 

• The national monument staff will work with appropriate experts to make facilities and programs sustainable. 

Value analysis and value engineering, including life cycle cost analysis, will be performed to examine the 

energy, environmental, and economic implications of proposed developments. 

• The national monument staff will support and encourage suppliers, permittees, and contractors to follow 

sustainable practices. 

• National monument interpretive programs will address sustainable practices in and outside the national 

monument. 
40 

Trails 

Trails

Current laws and policies require that the following conditions be achieved in the national monument:

Desired Conditions Source 

All trails will provide high-quality recreational opportunities while 

the resources of the national monument are protected. Trails will be 

designed and constructed to produce minimum disturbance to the 

natural environment, ensure the safety and enjoyment of users, and 

protect adjacent resources. The aesthetic quality of the area must be 

considered, and trails will function adequately for the intended use. 

All trails will be accessible to the extent possible.

NPS Management Policies 2006; NPS Trails 

Management Handbook; Architectural Barriers Rehabilitation Act; 43 CFR 17, “Regulations Regarding Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in 

Department of the Interior Programs.” 

Compliance Actions (for Trails)

The National Park Service will take the following kinds of actions to comply with the policies mentioned above: 

• All new or upgraded trails will need to be carefully situated, designed, and managed to do the following: 

reduce conflicts with automobiles and incompatible uses 

allow for a satisfying visitor experience of the national monument 

allow accessibility by the greatest number of people 

protect the resources of the national monument 

• Heavily used trails and walks may be surfaced as necessary for visitor safety, accessibility for persons with 

impaired mobility, resource protection, or erosion control. 

• Bridges will be kept to the minimum size needed to serve trail users and will be designed to harmonize with 

the surrounding natural scene and to be as unobtrusive as possible. 

• All reasonable efforts will be made to make NPS facilities, programs, and services accessible to and usable by 

all people, including those with disabilities.
ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING 

THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

43 

INTRODUCTION 

Because Pipestone National Monument is 

sacred to many American Indians, every effort 

will be made to enhance that sacredness 

within the bounds of the National Park 

Service mission. Quiet and peacefulness in 

keeping with the spiritual nature of the site 

will be maintained. 

DECISION POINTS 

A variety of issues and concerns were identified by the general public, the national monument staff, tribes, and other agencies during 

scoping for this Draft General Management 

Plan. Comments, which were solicited at public meetings and through news releases, were 

received by e-mail, telephone, and letters. 

Additional information about public involvement is available in the “Consultation and 

Coordination” chapter. 

Some comments were outside of the scope of 

this plan. Some concerns identified during 

scoping are already covered by laws, regulations, or policies or would be in violation of 

such requirements. These kinds of requirements are discussed under “Servicewide Laws 

and Policies,” beginning on page 25. Because 

they are mandatory requirements, these matters are not subject to decision in this plan. 

Other issues identified during scoping were at 

an operational or developmental level of detail. Such issues are most appropriately associated with the national monument’s five-year 

strategic plan or implementation plans that are 

more detailed. Those plans will be based on 

the resource conditions and visitor 

experiences to be achieved at Pipestone 

National Monument, which will be 

established in the final general management 

plan. However, some of the concepts behind 

operational or developmental issues were 

incorporated into the alternatives considered 

in this draft plan to provide more clarity. 

Scoping demonstrated that there is much that 

the public likes about the national monument. 

In particular, people want the existing feeling 

and character of the national monument to 

continue and be expanded. On the basis of 

these comments and agency concerns, four 

major resource condition and visitor experience issues, called decision points, were identified. This Draft General Management Plan

focuses on addressing these decision points, 

which are shown below. 

This document analyzes the current condition 

and three alternatives for the appropriate 

levels of service and use at the national monument. Concerns (“decision points”) that led to 

the development of these alternatives include 

the following: 

1. How can the national monument accommodate American Indian uses and interests while managing for cultural and 

natural resource values? 

Related issue categories: (a) use of quarries, 

(b) American Indian ceremonies, (c) special use permits, (d) carrying capacity for 

Sun Dance grounds. 

2. To what degree will affiliated tribes and 

the National Park Service collaborate to 

interpret the history, culture, and artistic 

heritage of the Plains Indians? 

Related issue categories: (a) facilities, (b) 

cultural resources, (c) American Indian 

ceremonies, (d) interpretation and visitor 

use, (e) collections. 

3. How can the national monument preserve 

cultural resources and natural resources 

while providing effective visitor services? 

Related issue categories: (a) prairie restoration, (b) visitor facilities (c) interpretation 

and visitor use,(d) cultural resources 

(landscape, artifacts, traditional uses, 

collections). 
ALTERNATIVES,INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

44 

4. To what degree can the national monument respond more effectively to external 

activities, concerns, and threats? 

Related issue categories: (a) prairie restoration, (b) boundary concerns, (c) cultural 

resources, (d) water quality, (e) 

encroachment of exotic species, (f) 

viewshed. 

5. To what extent should facilities be 

expanded to accommodate current or 

future uses, and what type of management 

actions might be desirable to better 

manage the flow of visitors in various 

facilities and areas of the national 

monument at one time? 

Related issue categories: (b) boundary 

concerns, (c) cultural resources, (d) water 

quality, (f) viewshed. 

RELATIONSHIP TO 

OTHER AGENCIES’ PLANS 

Water quality sampling and field tests were 

conducted in Pipestone Creek both upstream 

and downstream of the national monument. 

Testing was done for fecal coliform, turbidity, 

total phosphorus, total nitrogen, nitritenitrate nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, and total 

suspended sediments (through a partnership 

with the Pipestone County Soil and Water 

Conservation District and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency). Analysis and data 

management are being done by the Minnesota 

Department of Health. The purpose of the 

sampling is to verify the section 303(d) listing 

of Pipestone Creek as an impaired water body 

and eventually to determine the sources of 

pollution. 

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has 

listed designated uses for the creek, including 

swimming and aquatic life. The section of 

Pipestone Creek in the national monument 

and upstream and downstream of the national 

monument does not comply with state water 

quality standards. The national monument’s 

water quality monitoring program is consistent with the program established by the 

Clean Water Act and the NPS Servicewide 

Strategic Plan.

The Pipestone National Monument staff will 

manage western prairie fringed orchid and the 

Topeka shiner as required by the recovery 

plans of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Critical habitat designated by the U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service in the national 

monument will be managed as stipulated by 

that agency. 

THE PERMITTING PROCESS 

TO QUARRY PIPESTONE 

The superintendent of Pipestone National 

Monument requires that an individual applying for an annual permit to quarry pipestone 

show proof of affiliation with an American 

Indian tribe. More than one person may quarry at the same site. Any person assisting the 

quarrier at a site must also validate his or her 

affiliation with an American Indian tribe. 

No permits are issued to tribes. The 1937 

enabling legislation clearly states that pipestone quarrying is reserved to individual “Indians of all tribes,” not to particular tribes. 

LAND ACQUISITION 

Three properties contiguous to the present 

Pipestone National Monument are considered for acquisition in one or more of the 

alternatives of this plan. Each property is described below. The criteria under which each 

could be acquired (from NPS Management 

Policies 2006, 3.5, “Boundary Adjustments”) 

are listed below, and the relevant criteria are 

indicated in the following property 

descriptions. 

1. Protect significant resources and values, or 

to enhance opportunities for public 

enjoyment related to park purposes;. 
Introduction 

45 

2. Address operational and management 

issues, such as the need for access or the 

need for boundaries to correspond to logical 

boundary delineations such as topographic 

or other natural features or roads; or 

3. Otherwise protect park resources that 

are critical to fulfilling park purposes. 

The following criteria must also be met if the 

acquisition is made with appropriated funds 

and is not merely a technical boundary 

revision. 

4. The added lands will be feasible to 

administer considering their size, configuration, ownership, and hazardous 

substances, costs, the views of and impacts on local communities and 

surrounding jurisdictions, and other 

factors such as the presence of exotic 

species, and 

5. Other alternatives for management and 

resource protection are not adequate. 

Pipestone Indian School 

Superintendent’s House 

The Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s 

house, which is listed in the National Register 

of Historic Places, is a two-story brick structure with a screened wooden porch. It sits on 

less than 1 acre of land within the south 

boundary of the Minnesota West Community 

and Technical College west of Hiawatha Avenue. The structure, which has been unoccupied for many years, is deteriorating rapidly. It 

is one of the few remaining structures from 

the Pipestone Indian School period; the others 

have been modified for use by the students of 

the college. 

Because of its relatively small size and interior 

configuration, the superintendent’s house was 

of little value to Minnesota West Community 

and Technical College. However, its historical 

importance influenced the state to give the 

house to the Keepers of the Sacred Tradition 

of Pipemakers. 

The Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s 

house is closely related to the history of Pipestone National Monument. After the reservation period, the Pipestone Indian School 

encompassed all the land that later would become the national monument. Many of the 

landscape features of the national monument 

can be dated to the Indian School period. A 

part of the national monument’s significance 

is derived from the former Indian School 

lands. When the Hiawatha Pageant was first 

performed by Hiawatha Lake in the national 

monument, students from the Indian School 

played parts in the pageant, a reenactment of 

the famous Longfellow poem, “The Song of 

Hiawatha.” 

Indian School students may have engaged in 

quarrying activities or shaping pieces of pipestone. The original quarrying regulations for 

the new national monument were proposed 

by the Indian School superintendent. Some of 

those original regulations are still in effect. 

(Meets criterion 1.) 

The history of the Pipestone Indian School 

superintendent’s house (which is listed in the 

National Register of Historic Places) is closely 

related to the history of Pipestone National 

Monument and is covered by one of the 

significance statements [“Pipestone National 

Monument is significant for its history of 

American Indian and European–American 

contact and exploration in the early 1800s, 

specific quarrying rights, and the Pipestone 

Indian School (1893–1953)”]. Its acquisition 

would preserve this structure and provide a 

place for visitors to learn about the school’s 

role in the national monument’s history. 

(Meets criterion 4.) 

There is no known controversy about this 

acquisition. Preserving the Pipestone Indian 

School superintendent’s house is of concern 

to American Indians and community members 

alike. Its location on the edge of the national 

monument would facilitate administration 

and ease of access. Its story is closely related 

to the national monument’s significance. 

There would be an initial preservation cost 
ALTERNATIVES,INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

46 

and ongoing maintenance and staffing costs. 

(Meets criterion 5.) 

The owners of the Pipestone Indian School 

superintendent’s house have been unable to 

raise sufficient funds to stabilize it. The likelihood of state or federal grants is unknown. 

Preservation organizations in Pipestone, Minnesota, have an active interest in seeing the 

house preserved and interpreted, but they lack 

the funds to move forward. The structure was 

transferred to its present owners from the 

Minnesota Community and Technical College 

through the State of Minnesota. Therefore, it 

is unlikely that another preservation organization (such as the Minnesota Historical Society) would acquire the property. Without 

outside funding, and with its current owners 

lacking the funds to properly preserve and 

manage the property, the structure would 

continue to deteriorate. 

Pipestone Area School District Land 

A 15.3-acre parcel of land belonging to the 

Pipestone Area School District is along the 

northeast border of Pipestone National 

Monument, along the west side of Hiawatha 

Avenue. The border of the property is 

common with the south boundary of the 

Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College. The land has been cleared for 

cultivation. On the west and south sides, the 

sides abutting the national monument, the 

property is bounded by trees and the national 

monument’s boundary fence. On the east, the 

property is unfenced, forming an open 

landscape to Hiawatha Avenue. On the north, 

the property abuts the campus of the college. 

The property was originally a part of the 

Pipestone Indian School. (Meets criterion 3.) 

The above criterion relates directly to the 

following passage in the national monument’s 

significance statement: 

Pipestone National Monument is significant for the landscape it protects, which 

consists of the tallgrass prairie that developed in association with the site’s distinct 

geologic and hydrologic features. These 

features combine to provide an unusual 

array of habitats supporting a diverse assortment of prairie plants and animals and 

rare habitats, federally listed threatened 

and endangered species, and globally rare 

remnant plant communities. 

Approximately 100 yards to the south of the 

school district lands is the Sioux quartzite 

ridge, home to a globally significant endangered plant community (Nature Conservancy, 

Association for Biodiversity Information, and 

the State of Minnesota). 

The school district parcel functions as a 

“sponge” holding runoff water, slowly releasing it across the national monument as the 

soils dry out. It filters runoff from farming and 

development that otherwise would go directly 

into Pipestone Creek. The land also forms a 

barrier against exotic plant species that are 

more likely to get a foothold on disturbed land 

and then spread into the national monument. 

The school district land also would help to 

preserve the soundscapes associated with the 

Winnewissa Falls and the Circle Trail by 

placing distance between these features and 

the road noise and present and planned development along Hiawatha Avenue. NPS ownership of the property would allow the boundary of the national monument to expand to 

Hiawatha Avenue, precluding any incompatible development between the avenue and 

the national monument. 

Significant archeological resources that probably are related to those in the national monument have been traced to the school district 

land. The Richner Site, discovered in 1994, 

extends along the existing eastern boundary 

inside the monument bordering the school 

lands. It is believed this site was a catlinite 

workshop site. The debris found to date indicates that the site predates metal tools and 

may hold important clues to prehistoric processes for manufacturing catlinite artifacts. 
Introduction 

47 

There is no reason to believe it does not extend into school district lands, particularly 

since pipestone debris has been seen on the 

surface of this land. 

If the National Park Service acquired this 

property, it could serve as a living laboratory 

for the restoration of a tallgrass prairie. Volunteers, local schools, and colleges could be 

partnered in an educational project to reclaim 

this former prairie land. If the National Park 

Service did not acquire the property, the opportunity to preserve related archeological resources would be lost, as would the educational opportunity to use the restoration of 

the tallgrass prairie as an interpretive tool. 

If this property was developed, the opportunity to protect resources in the national monument would be seriously jeopardized because 

any hard surfaces would result in faster runoff 

directly into the national monument or into 

Pipestone Creek, increasing the possibility of 

flooding and diminishing the land’s ability to 

filter out pollution. 

Pipestone National Monument is working 

with state and local authorities to improve the 

water quality in Pipestone Creek. The national 

monument does not measurably contribute to 

the high bacterial levels in the creek. The National Park Service is concerned about the effects of odors, prohibiting body contact for 

visitor safety, and improving this critical habitat for a federally listed endangered species, 

the Topeka shiner. Acquiring the school district parcel would demonstrate that the National Park Service is serious about improving 

the water quality by returning the property to 

prairie and thus to a more natural condition. 

(Meets criterion 4.) 

Adding the school district parcel to the national monument would result in a continuous 

NPS boundary along Hiawatha Avenue from 

the national monument’s south boundary to 

the south boundary of Minnesota West Community and Technical College. Existing contiguous NPS land along Pipestone Creek to 

the south and west would allow this land to be 

easily reached and managed as part of the national monument. There are no buildings on 

the property to maintain. NPS management 

would be the same as actions underway elsewhere in the national monument — installing 

or repairing fences, removing nonnative species, and replanting with native species. These 

actions would be carried out gradually over 

the life of the plan by the existing resource 

management and maintenance staff. (Meets 

criterion 2.) 

The entire property is owned by one owner, 

the Pipestone Area School District, which 

intends to sell it as excess to the school 

district’s needs. There is no known 

controversy about this sale. Acquiring the 

school district parcel would help the national 

monument to control the entry of exotic plant 

species that have begun to get a foothold on 

the property, because the area could be 

replanted, extending the tallgrass prairie 

ecosystem. It also would end the annual 

applications of pesticides and fertilizer that 

have been used to sustain and improve 

agricultural crop yields. (Meets criterion 5.) 

Up to this point, the management of this property by the school district has protected it 

from development. The school board plans to 

sell the parcel to be free from its day-to-day 

management. The most likely buyers would be 

private developers wanting to construct commercial buildings or houses. The property’s 

size and nearness to the town of Pipestone 

make it highly desirable for commercial or 

homesite development. 

The school district land is zoned R-3, which 

would allow, for example, multifamily development, parks, playgrounds, convalescent or 

nursing care homes, day care facilities, agriculture, and other essential services. Other conditional uses could be private schools, hotels, 

or nonprofit recreation. For any of these uses, 

a developer probably would drain the land to 

prepare it for commercial development. If the 

area should be used for any of these purposes, 

the effect on the national monument’s water 

quality and hydrology could be adverse. 
ALTERNATIVES,INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

48 

Pipestone Wildlife Management Area 

Along the north boundary of Pipestone National Monument is the Pipestone Wildlife 

Management Area, which the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) 

manages for hunting and fishing under an 

agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service (USFWS). The wildlife management 

area occupies approximately 100 acres, originally part of the Pipestone Indian School. The 

property is bounded on the north and west by 

County Road 67, on the south by the national 

monument, and on the east by the Minnesota 

West Community and Technical College. 

The USFWS/MDNR property, which is managed for its wildlife values and the hunting of 

game birds and deer, contains Indian Lake 

and a smaller lake along Pipestone Creek that 

provide shelter for game birds and fish. The 

landscape and resources are similar to those of 

the national monument, but this land is not 

actively managed as prairie. Exotic, nonnative 

plant species have caused some degradation of 

the landscape. The property may contain evidence of prehistoric quarrying and other use 

by American Indians. (Meets criterion 1.) 

NPS acquisition of the USFWS/MDNR property to the north would allow the national 

monument to actively restore prairie north to 

County Road 67. As with the school district 

property, acquiring this property would preserve any existing archeological resources associated with the national monument and offer an educational opportunity for visitors to 

see the restoration of prairie in progress. 

Surface evidence indicates that the pipestone 

seam runs across this land. When the land was 

trenched and tile drainage lines were laid, 

pieces of pipestone were exposed. Thus, the 

seam in the monument extends from the 

north quarry line onto the USFWS/MDNR 

land. If the National Park Service acquired 

this land, the additional pipestone resource 

would be available for quarrying by future 

generations of American Indians. Surface evidence also indicates that a rather large area 

once served as a dumping ground for the Indian School; this began in 1892 and ended in 

1953. A study of this area would be necessary 

to determine whether any hazardous materials 

exist prior to acquisition. 

At present, access from the north through the 

game refuge during hunting seasons endangers visitor safety and hinders the use of the 

national monument. NPS acquisition of the 

USFWS/MDNR property would result in the 

national monument boundary on the west and 

north being the county road, and it would allow the national monument to control and 

maintain the north access used by national 

monument maintenance staff, quarriers, and 

Indians during the Sun Dance and other times 

of ceremonial use. (Meets criteria 2 and 4.) 

There are no buildings on the USFWS/MDNR 

property to maintain. NPS management 

would involve the actions underway elsewhere in the national monument — removing 

fences, removing any human-made drainage 

structures to allow the soils to return to a 

more natural condition, removing nonnative 

plant species, and replanting with native species. These actions would be carried out gradually over the life of the plan by the existing 

resource management and maintenance staff. 

NPS acquisition of the USFWS/MDNR lands 

would result in the boundary of the national 

monument being continuous from the west 

boundary of the Minnesota West Community 

and Technical College along the county road 

west and south to the southwest corner of the 

national monument. Existing contiguous NPS 

land would allow this land to be easily reached 

and managed as a part of the national monument. If the land is acquired, hunting would 

not continue on the USFWS/ MDNR parcel. 

(Meets criterion 2.) 

Differing missions of the USFWS/MDNR and 

the National Park Service, a lack of funds, and 

the small size of the property have resulted in 

the USFWS/MDNR property being managed 
Introduction 

49 

in a manner very different from the national 

monument. Continuing the current management practices would not resolve the 

concerns for the spread of exotic plant species 

or the maintenance of the northern road 

access used by national monument 

maintenance, quarriers, and American Indians 

to reach the Sun Dance grounds. The 

possibility that another agency or organization 

would acquire the property and manage it 

similarly to the National Park Service is 

unknown, but it is considered unlikely. 

DEVELOPMENT OF COST ESTIMATES 

NPS decision makers and the public must 

consider an overall picture of the complete 

costs and advantages of various alternatives, 

including the no-action alternative, to make 

wise planning and management decisions for 

the national monument. Such consideration 

can shed light on the cost of the no-action 

alternative and make possible a more legitimate comparison to the action alternatives. 

Initial One-Time Costs 

• deferred maintenance or the cost of 

bringing existing assets up to NPS 

standards 

• new development (including NPS 

transportation infrastructure costs) 

• major rehabilitation or replacement of 

existing facilities and infrastructure 

• interpretive media (audiovisual materials, 

exhibits, waysides, and publications) 

• resource management and visitor service 

costs (resource and visitor inventories, 

implementation planning, compliance) 

• other significant one-time costs such as 

removing development, purchasing transportation equipment, restoring resources, 

action on specific implementation plans or 

major compliance needs 

Recurring Annual Costs 

• annual national monument operating costs 

(staff salary and benefits, equipment, 

maintenance, utilities, monitoring, 

contract services, and the like) 

• ongoing repair and rehabilitation of 

facilities (the projection of past trends and 

known future needs into an annual 

estimate) 

Land Acquisition Costs 

The acquisition of lands may be through 

donation or purchase. In either case, merely 

adding lands to the national monument does 

not immediately make funds available for 

maintenance, restoration, and operation. 

Although these have been figured into the 

initial and recurring costs explained above, it 

may be several years before funds are actually 

available to implement the plan. 

Although the recurring costs associated with 

new lands have been figured into the cost 

estimates, the actual cost of purchasing the 

lands has not. 

NPS Facilities Model 

The National Park Service has developed 

facility models for several types of facilities, 

such as visitor centers and maintenance 

facilities, based on a number of factors unique 

to each national park system unit. This model 

was used in the development of cost estimates 

for Pipestone National Monument. 

COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES AND 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 

The actions of the alternatives are compared 

in table 3. The environmental consequences 

that would result from each alternative are 

compared in table 4. 
50 

MANAGEMENT ZONES / MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTIONS 

An important tool in planning and management is the establishment of management prescriptions for various areas or management 

zones in the national monument. Management prescriptions identify how each zone is 

to be managed to achieve a variety of desired 

future resource conditions and visitor 

experiences. The prescriptions for each zone 

are different, based on the significance of the 

resources, how visitors might access or use the 

zone, and the appropriateness of the facilities 

in that zone. The following management 

zones have been identified and their 

management prescriptions outlined. The 

management zones also are summarized in 

table 2. 

ADMINISTRATIVE ZONE 

Resource Condition or Character 

Because it would contain support facilities, the 

administrative zone would consist mainly of 

areas of previously disturbed or developed 

areas. There would be no organized effort to 

restore prairie around structures in this zone, 

but it would be important to landscape with 

native plants to be as unobtrusive as possible. 

Maintaining the scenic quality of the 

surrounding area would be important. Noise 

levels could be higher than elsewhere if 

maintenance activities were to be carried out 

here. 

Visitor Experience 

Visitors would not be likely to spend time in 

the administrative zone. 

Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 

Facilities in the administrative zone would be 

those necessary to the operation of the national monument but not generally used by 

visitors, such as housing, maintenance, outdoor maintenance equipment storage area, 

offices, and staff parking. Historic structures 

not related to the national monument’s story 

could be adaptively used for any of these 

functions. 

VISITOR SERVICES ZONE 

Resource Condition or Character 

The visitor services zone would be in previously disturbed areas, or areas of relatively 

durable resources that could be modified for 

essential visitor needs. Any such modification 

would harmonize with the natural 

environment, natural processes, and scenic 

quality of the adjacent zones. Tolerance for 

any resource degradation would be higher 

than in most other zones. Adaptive reuse of 

historic structures would be appropriate. 

Visitor Experience 

The visitor services zone would be the primary focus of the visitor experience. Visitor 

services would be highly accessible and convenient, with a low level of physical exertion 

expected. Visitors would be heavily concentrated in this area, and interaction with NPS 

staff could be high. Natural sounds might be 

compromised because of the presence of 

vehicles and high levels of visitor use. 

Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 

The visitor services zone would include 

destination-oriented visitor facilities such as 

visitor centers, learning centers, staging areas, 

restrooms, and picnic facilities. Some trails, 

walkways, and parking areas also would be 

appropriate. Fences, barriers, and paving 

might be necessary to protect sensitive 

resources. 
Management Zones / Management Prescriptions 

51 

PRAIRIE PRESERVATION ZONE 

Resource Condition or Character 

The emphasis in the prairie preservation zone 

would be on restoring and perpetuating 

natural systems and processes. It would be 

intensively managed for the restoration of 

native species on disturbed lands. Where high 

quality prairie exists, monitoring and preemptive measures would be practiced to forestall 

any degradation. The integrity of the prairie in 

this zone is paramount. The goal would be to 

one day have a prairie whose restored areas 

would be virtually identical to the natural 

prairie. Tolerance for resource degradation 

would be low. 

Visitor Experience 

The prairie preservation zone would be a low 

density visitation area. Use would be restricted to existing trails. Natural quiet and scenic 

quality would be important in this zone. The 

restoration of native prairie would create a 

sense of the historic environment in which 

quarrying took place. There would be a sense 

of discovery and immersion in the natural 

landscape. The probability of encountering 

other visitors and NPS staff would be low to 

moderate. 

Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 

Paved and unpaved trails would be appropriate in the prairie preservation zone, depending on the level of use and the likelihood of 

environmental damage. Orientation signs and 

subtle wayside exhibits also would be appropriate. Other structures (such as fences, 

bridges, or boardwalks) would be appropriate 

only if they were required for resource 

protection. 

 QUARRY ZONE 

Resource Condition or Character 

Consumptive use of the red catlinite by 

American Indians would continue to be 

permitted. The focus of the quarry zone 

would be the quarries and associated activities. The tolerance for the disruption of 

natural processes associated with quarrying 

would be high. 

Visitor Experience 

Parts of the quarry zone would be a high 

visitor use area that would be a focus of NPS 

interpretation. These quarries are the ones 

closely associated with developed trails. The 

other quarries (mostly the northern quarries) 

would be closed to visitor access. Scenic quality and natural sounds would be somewhat 

compromised because of the visitor use and 

quarry drainage pumps. At times associated 

ceremonial activities might be carried out in 

this zone. 

Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 

Wayside exhibits and trash receptacles would 

be appropriate, as would retention walls along 

the trail, short trails, and benches. 

CEREMONIAL USE ZONE 

Resource Condition or Character 

When not being used for American Indian 

ceremonies, the ceremonial use zone would 

be treated in a way similar to the prairie preservation zone. Native vegetation would be 

encouraged and nonnative species removed. 

Moderate (easily reversible) resource degradation would be allowed during the infrequent periods of ceremonial use. 
ALTERNATIVES,INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

52 

Visitor Experience 

Visitors normally would not be found in the 

ceremonial use zone. American Indians occasionally would use the zone for ceremonies 

such as the Sun Dance and sweat lodges. 

When it was being used only for sweat lodges, 

American Indians might experience solitude 

and natural sounds in a prairie environment. 

Sounds associated with ceremonial activities 

such as a Sun Dance would be moderate. 

Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 

Semipermanent or temporary facilities might 

consist of sweat lodges and facilities associated with the Sun Dances, such as the arbor 

and kitchen facilities. Trails and roads would 

remain unpaved. 

THREE MAIDENS ZONE 

Resource Condition or Character 

The emphasis in the Three Maidens zone 

would be on maintaining and enhancing the 

natural and spiritual qualities of the immediate 

area around the Three Maidens rock formation. It would be intensively managed to restore a semblance of its prairie setting. The 

tolerance for resource degradation would be 

low. 

Visitor Experience 

Visitors would learn about the Three Maidens 

at discreet waysides at the roadside parking 

area and by brochure. The significance of the 

Three Maidens to American Indian spiritual 

and ceremonial life would be explained. Visitors would be expected to remain on the trail. 

Visitation would be moderate to high. 

Appropriate Kinds of Facilities 

Simple wayside signs and exhibits and a trail 

would be appropriate within the restored 

prairie. Fences could be appropriate only for 

resource protection. 
Management Zones / Management Prescriptions 

53 

TABLE 2: MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTIONS

Resource Condition Visitor Experience

Appropriate Kinds of 

Facilities

Administrative Zone

Support facilities mainly in previously 

disturbed areas or developed areas; no 

organized effort to restore prairie, but 

landscaping with native plants to be 

unobtrusive; scenic quality of 

surrounding area maintained; more 

noise than elsewhere caused by 

maintenance. 

Visitor presence in this zone unlikely. Facilities necessary to operate national monument 

(such as housing, offices, 

maintenance storage, and 

staff parking); historic 

structures could be adaptively used for some 

functions. 

Visitor Services Zone

Previously disturbed areas or areas with 

relatively durable resources that could 

be modified to harmonize with natural 

environment, natural processes, and 

scenic qualities of adjacent zones; 

natural resources actively managed; 

historic structures and natural resources 

could be adapted or modified to 

support visitor activities. 

This zone would be primary focus of the visitor 

experience; visitor services accessible and 

convenient; much onsite interpretation; high 

interaction with NPS staff; opportunities to 

interact with quarriers and demonstrators, 

self-guiding and ranger-led tours; vehicles and 

large numbers of visitors might compromise 

natural sounds 

Destination-oriented facilities (visitor center, 

learning center, staging 

area, picnic tables, restrooms); some trails and 

parking areas; fences, 

barriers, and paving might 

be needed to protect 

sensitive resources.

Prairie Preservation Zone

Integrity of prairie foremost in this zone; 

emphasis on restoring and perpetuating 

natural systems and processes; low 

tolerance for resource degradation; 

intensive management to restore native 

species on disturbed lands; in areas with 

high quality prairie, monitoring and 

preemptive measures taken to forestall 

degradation; goal to have prairie nearly 

identical to natural state. 

Low density visitation; use restricted to existing trails; natural quiet and scenic quality 

protected; restored prairie would give a sense 

of historic environment, sense of discovery, 

immersion in natural landscape; low to 

moderate chance of contact with NPS staff or 

other visitors; interpretation by self-guiding 

brochures or signs, some changed seasonally. 

Paved and unpaved trails;

signs and wayside exhibits; 

fences, bridges, or 

boardwalks appropriate 

only if needed to protect 

resources. 

Quarry Zone

Consumptive use of catlinite (pipestone) 

continued; high resource impact area 

consistent with legislation; high 

tolerance for disruption of natural 

processes by quarrying. 

High visitation to some parts of zone, with 

interpretation of quarrying by self-guiding or 

ranger-led tours; other quarry areas not open 

to visitors; scenic quality and natural sounds 

somewhat compromised by visitation and 

drainage pumps; many opportunities to interact with quarriers and NPS staff; ceremonial 

activities in this zone at times.

Access roads, parking

areas; at times, retention 

walls or paving to protect 

sensitive areas. 

Ceremonial Use Zone

Native prairie vegetation would be 

encouraged; moderate effects on prairie 

from ceremonial use acceptable; 

archeological resources left undisturbed. 

Not normally open to visitors; occasional 

American Indian use for sweat lodges or Sun 

Dances; when used for sweat lodges, solitude 

and natural sounds in a prairie environment 

available to American Indian users; sounds 

associated with ceremonial activities could be 

moderate.

Sweat lodges and temporary Sun Dance facilities 

such as arbor and kitchens; trails and roads left 

unpaved. 

Three Maidens Zone

Emphasis on maintaining and enhancing 

natural and spiritual qualities at Three 

Maidens formation; formation not 

disturbed; prairie restored. 

High to moderate visitation, with visitors expected to remain on trails; waysides and brochure would explain significance of formation 

to American Indian spiritual and ceremonial 

life.

Trails, wayside exhibits, 

and signs in restored 

prairie; fences appropriate 

if needed to protect 

resources. 
54 

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE 

DESCRIPTION 

Under the no-action alternative the current 

management direction at the national monument would continue, and there would be no 

significant change in interpretation. This 

alternative is presented as a basis for 

comparing the three “action” alternatives. 

Examining the no-action alternative is also 

useful in understanding why the National 

Park Service or the public may believe that 

certain changes are necessary or advisable. 

The three “action” alternatives present ways 

of exploring those changes. The primary concerns with the no-action alternative are 

related to visitor, administrative, and maintenance facilities and the treatment and interpretation of cultural and natural resources. 

Actions that are already funded have been included in the no-action alternative. One future 

action planned for implementation by the national monument, which has not been funded, 

is discussed under “Current and Future Actions,” page 139. The impacts of this action 

are analyzed as part of the cumulative impact 

analysis (see the No-Action Alternative map). 

The national monument staff would continue 

to protect and maintain known cultural and 

natural resources as made possible by available time and funding. Inventories and monitoring of cultural and natural resources would 

continue and be expanded if possible. The 

staff also would continue to encourage and 

seek funding for research needed to fill the 

gaps in knowledge about resources (following 

the national monument’s strategic plan). 

Efforts that are underway to remove exotic 

species and rehabilitate the existing prairies 

would continue. However, such efforts would 

be hampered by the existence of such species 

on adjacent lands, which provides a ready 

source for reintroduction onto national 

monument lands. 

There would be no change in visitor facilities 

or in operations in the national monument. 

Visitor center operations, maintenance, and 

most headquarters operations would be carried out from the existing visitor center structure. A house near the entrance would continue to be used as office space for a ranger, 

for resource management staff, and for seasonal operations; another house would continue as a residence. Space for storage and 

staff offices would continue to be inadequate 

at the visitor center and the converted house. 

In areas near the popular Circle Trail, there 

would continue to be maintenance practices 

that are inappropriate for visitor use areas, 

such as fuel and vehicle storage, as well as 

activities that cause noise and fumes, such as 

vehicle repair, painting, or construction. 

The visitor center and administrative functions would continue as at present. Structures 

and grounds would be maintained, NPS staff 

would continue to operate in a facility tat is 

cramped and dated. 

The national monument would continue to 

coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies and other groups regarding the quality 

and quantity of water in Pipestone Creek. 

Coordination also would continue regarding 

endangered species, wildlife management, and 

law enforcement. 

Visitors’ use of the Three Maidens area would 

continue to be high. The area, which would be 

mowed for convenience, would continue to 

figure prominently in the Hiawatha Club’s 

yearly pageant under the terms of a special use 

permit. Major interpretation of this feature 

would remain at a nearby wayside. 

A driveway and the picnic area parking lot 

separate a picnic area from the Three Maidens. The picnic area and restrooms are popular with local users, as well as with visitors and 
NORTH

United States Department of the Interior 

National Park Service

DSC • Aug. 2007 • 372 • 20,003A

PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT

NO ACTION

Visitor 

Center

Sioux

Quartzite

Escarpment

Sioux

Quartzite

Escarpment

North

Quarry

Line

Three 

Maidens

Minnesota West Community 

and Technical College 

City of Pipestone

County Road 67

Hiawatha Avenue

Winnewissa

Falls

Former

Indian School

Superintendent's

House

Picnic Area

& Restrooms

NPS BOUNDARY

PIPESTONE WILDLIFE

MANAGEMENT AREA

Pipestone Creek

Visitor Center

and parking

School

Lands

Sweat

Lodge 

Area

India n

Lake

Parking

P ipestone

Creek

Lake

Hiawatha

PIPESTONE WILDLIFE

MANAGEMENT AREA

Minnesota Department 

of Natural Resources and 

US Fish and Wildlife Service Good 

Samaritan

Village

Falls Landing

Assisted Living

Approximate

Boundary of 

School Lands

Residence

Office

Wayside

Parking

Hiawatha

Club

Trail Maintenance

Storage Area

South

Quarry

Line

Sun Dance

Quarry

Line

Picnic

Parking

Sun Dance Area

No-Action Alternative 

57 

school groups that visit the national monument. All these would remain unchanged. 

The Circle Trail leads from the visitor center 

to several quarries along the north quarry line, 

Pipestone Creek, Hiawatha Lake, the Nicollet 

expedition marker, Winnewissa Falls, Leaping 

Rock, and two natural stone faces visible in 

rock formations — before the trail circles back 

to the visitor center by way of the south quarry line. A bridge at Winnewissa Falls would 

continue to flood yearly and require repairs, 

and periodic repairs also would be necessary 

for the stone walls along the trail. The trail 

would continue to be a major focal point in 

the national monument. 

The no-action alternative would not entail any 

changes to the north or south quarries; they 

would continue to be managed under the 

terms of a permit. The associated sweat lodges 

along the north quarry line would continue to 

be used. 

The ceremonial grounds where the yearly Sun 

Dances take place would remain. The national 

monument staff would continue to mow the 

area yearly and monitor any changes in the 

prairie resulting from the use of the site. The 

kitchen facilities and the arbor used in the Sun 

Dances would be allowed to remain yearround as long as they were maintained by the 

permittee. All activities would continue to be 

governed by permit. 

The Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s 

house on the grounds of the Minnesota West 

Community and Technical College is owned 

by the Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of 

Pipemakers. It has a historical connection to 

Pipestone National Monument. The deteriorating house would remain outside of the 

national monument, unpreserved and 

uninterpreted. 

PROTECTION OF 

CULTURAL RESOURCES 

The National Park Service would continue to 

protect potential cultural landscapes by directing visitors to stay on designated trails and 

roads. The national monument staff would 

continue to research the historic context of 

different landscape periods over time, as described in the “Affected Environment” chapter. Later, cultural landscape specialists would 

use that information to identify, inventory, 

and report about the eligibility of potential 

cultural landscapes for listing in the National 

Register of Historic Places as contributing 

elements to the existing listing of the national 

monument as a whole (as of October 15, 

1966). Additional study could suggest some 

interactions with particular land areas of certain plants, trees, and geographic formations 

integral to a landscape, the continued presence of which would protect the landscape. 

More study also could lead to the greater level 

of resource protection afforded by national 

register eligibility or listing. 

The national monument staff would continue 

to protect ethnographic resources like the 

rock formations called The Oracle and the 

Three Maidens by directing visitors to stay on 

designated trails and roads. Visitor education 

about the cultural importance of ethnographic 

resources would continue through different 

types of informal interpretation available at 

the visitor center, which would increase visitors’ cultural awareness of and sensitivity to 

American Indians’ traditional uses of the ethnographic resources. Such interpretation 

would help visitors to understand various traditional uses in the vicinity of the resources 

such as spiritual communication near the 

resources or leaving sage or other offerings 

nearby. Visitor education would help to protect ethnographic resources by enhancing 

visitor understanding. The staff would 

continue to study ethnographic resources by 

conducting ongoing consultations with 

American Indians and by researching the 

ethnohistoric significance of the resources 

within the historic context of different 
ALTERNATIVES,INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

58 

landscape periods over time. Cultural 

resource specialists would later use that information to identify, inventory, and report 

about the eligibility of potential traditional 

cultural properties for listing in the National 

Register of Historic Places as contributing elements to the existing listing of the national 

monument as a whole (as of October 15, 

1966). 

To be considered a traditional cultural property, an ethnographic resource must be listed 

in or eligible for listing in the national register. 

More study could lead to the additional level 

of resource protection afforded by national 

register eligibility or listing. 

Requiring a special use permit for the Hiawatha Club to use the Three Maidens formation for its Hiawatha Pageant would protect 

the formation by specifying the conditions of 

use and recovery. The continuing and successful negotiations with the Hiawatha Club 

to reduce its intrusive use of the Three Maidens as part of the pageant is a source of comfort to American Indians who believe that the 

past practice of using the Three Maidens as a 

component of the pageant is inappropriate. 

The Mission 66 visitor center would continue 

to be protected under the no-action alternative through its continued use as the national 

monument’s administrative center, for interpretation of the national monument to visitors, and for the curation and storage of the 

national monument’s important collections. 

The National Park Service considers the visitor center eligible for listing in the National 

Register of Historic Places because of its Mission 66 history, its architecture, and its associated landscaping and Circle Trail connections. 

The National Park Service has received 

concurrence from the state historic preservation officer. The building’s current eligibility and its anticipated eventual listing mean 

that the additional level of resource protection 

afforded by national register eligibility or listing may be considered to be in place now. 

The national monument’s collection of 

American Indian pipestone (catlinite) pipes 

and other museum collections and archives 

would continue to be housed in the visitor 

center. This would keep those important resources in the 100-year and 500-year floodplains, subject to damage in the unlikely but 

real possibility of a flood. However, the collections and archives still would be protected 

by implementing the national monument’s 

collections emergency operations plan. 

Despite the fact that the historic Pipestone 

Indian School superintendent’s house was 

listed in the National Register of Historic 

Places on April 5, 1993, the no-action alternative would not in any way help to protect 

that historic structure as a cultural resource 

because the building would neither be acquired by the National Park Service nor would 

any NPS assistance be provided to preserve 

the building. It would continue to molder and 

deteriorate because of a lack of preservation 

funding under its present status. 

BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS 

The no-action alternative would not involve 

any change in the boundary of the national 

monument. 

COSTS 

The costs for the no-action alternative are 

given for comparison to other alternatives 

only; they are not to be used for budgeting 

purposes. The following assumptions have 

been made: 

• All actions start in year one of the 20-

year plan for comparison purposes (in 

actuality they may be funded at any 

time within the 20 years). 

• Some proposals may never be funded 

within the 20 year life of the general 

management plan. 
No-Action Alternative 

59 

• Approval of the general management 

plan does not guarantee any funding 

for the proposed actions. 

• Funding for some aspects of the plan 

may be provided by partners, 

donation, or other nonfederal funding 

sources. 

• All costs are shown in today’s dollars 

(actual costs may range from 30% 

below to 50% above the estimate). 

Costs have been broken down into two 

categories—annual operating costs and onetime costs. 

Annual costs include the costs associated with 

ongoing maintenance, utilities, staffing, 

supplies and materials, and any leasing costs. 

One-time costs include deferred maintenance 

(such as bringing structures up to standard), 

new construction, the cost of removal or 

divestiture of resources, the cost of 

restoration of resources, the cost of 

rehabilitation, the cost of additions to 

structures, and any costs associated with 

documentation and research on the resources. 

Annual operating costs: $8,759,000 

One-time costs: $547,000 

Total costs: $9,306,000 

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN 

Implementation of the alternatives is subject 

to future funding availability. Inclusion in an 

alternative does not mean that an action is 

guaranteed funding.
60 

ALTERNATIVE 1 (PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE) 

DESCRIPTION 

Alternative 1 would focus on the reduction of 

development within the heart of the national 

monument. Emphasis would be placed on 

preserving the setting, the site history, and the 

spiritual significance of the national monument as the source of pipestone (see the 

Alternative 1 map). The visitor center and 

associated parking (both eligible for inclusion 

on the National Register of Historic Places) 

would be removed from among the quarries, 

and with ongoing prairie restoration, visitors 

would be able to see the site much as it was 

prehistorically and sense the power and 

significance of the site to American Indians. 

Primary visitor services would be moved to a 

location close to or just within the monument 

boundary that would provide views of the site 

and/or good access, and promote a high 

probability of visitor contact. At that time the 

cooperating association’s office, packing 

room, and sales area would be moved to the 

new location, along with the American Indian 

demonstrators. The facility would be in a 

location that would promote a high 

probability of visitor contact. 

A new national monument entrance would be 

developed on already disturbed land north of 

Pipestone Creek on the national monument’s 

east boundary. Parking, restrooms, and 

information kiosk, and trials would be 

developed. 

The Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s 

house would not be acquired under alternative 1, but the National Park Service would 

provide preservation technical assistance to 

the owners and commit to searching for 

funding for the stabilization and restoration of 

the House which is listed in the National 

Register of Historic Places (see appendix F for 

details). 

The National Park Service would initiate a 

cooperative agreement with the Minnesota 

Department of Natural Resources and the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to coordinate 

certain activities such as law enforcement, 

research, seed collection, and the management of exotic species. Other activities that 

might be coordinated between the three 

agencies are the management of prescribed 

fires, prairie restoration and rehabilitation, 

and the establishment of a northern access 

route to the national monument. 

MANAGEMENT ZONES 

Administrative Zone 

There would be no administrative zone in this 

alternative because the visitor center and its 

administrative function would be removed 

from the national monument, along with 

parking, maintenance, and the housing area. 

Visitor Services Zone 

In alternative 1 the visitor services zone would 

consist of three small areas — a new entrance 

area above Winnewissa Falls just west of Hiawatha Avenue and north of Pipestone Creek, a 

restroom facility on the western end of the 

Circle Trail, and a new prairie overlook on the 

west perimeter. 

The new entrance area, which would be 

placed in a previously disturbed area, would 

have visitor parking, restroom facilities, and 

an interpretive/fee collection kiosk. The 

staffed kiosk would offer general information 

and orientation to the site and direct visitors 

to the trail system. It also would direct visitors 

to the new visitor center for a more in-depth 

understanding of the site. Visitors would follow a trail above Winnewissa Falls to connect 

with the existing Circle Trail.
NORTH

United States Department of the Interior 

National Park Service

DSC • August 2007 • 372 • 20,004

PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Trail

Sioux

Quartzite

Escarpment

Sioux

Quartzite

Escarpment

Minnesota West Community 

and Technical College 

Sun Dance Area

City of Pipestone

County Road 67

Hiawatha Avenue

Winnewissa

Falls

Former Indian School

Superintendent's

House not acquired

but NPS would 

provide preservation

and interpretive

assistance to owners

New 

restroom

facility

Parking

Trailhead

Restrooms

Pipestone Creek

Prairie

Overlook

Visitor Center

and parking

removed

Cooperative

Agreement with

MDNR/USFWS

to coordinate 

activities 

Acquired 

and

managed 

for 

prairie

restoration

Two houses

and 

garage 

removed

Picnic Area 

and parking removed

 (restrooms remain)

Entrance road ends

at South Quarry line

New National Monument

Entrance

Parking for visitors 

with disabilities

and quarriers

Sweat

Lodge 

Area

Indian Lake

Pipestone

Creek

Lake Hiawatha

PIPESTONE WILDLIFE

MANAGEMENT AREA

Minnesota Department 

of Natural Resources and 

US Fish and Wildlife Service

Prairie 

restored

LEGEND

QUARRY ZONE

ADMINISTRATION ZONE

VISITOR SERVICES ZONE

PRAIRIE RESTORATION ZONE

CEREMONIAL USE ZONE

FUTURE LAND ACQUISITION

NPS BOUNDARY

EXISTING TRAIL

PROPOSED TRAIL

Three 

Maidens

Hiawatha

Club

Parking

Good 

Samaritan

Village

Falls Landing

Assisted Living

South

Quarry

Line

North

Quarry

Line

Sun Dance

Quarry Line

Existing Outdoor Maintenance

Storage Area Removed

Primary 

Visitor Services

Administation

Maintenance

Resource Management

offsite

NOTE:

Parking

Alternative 1 (Preferred Alternative) 

63 

A new restroom facility would be constructed 

on the west end of the Circle Trail. The facility 

would be located so as to prevent conflicts 

with the sacred nature of the quarries and to 

prevent obstruction of scenic views. 

A new prairie overlook off County Road 67 

would provide visitors a vista into the national 

monument, unobstructed by powerlines or 

structures. It would allow a view 

approximating the site before Euro-American 

settlement. 

Prairie Preservation Zone 

The prairie preservation zone would encompass most of the national monument. It 

would include both restored and preserved 

prairie. Exotic species would be aggressively 

removed to create a semblance of the historic 

prairie appearance. The national monument 

staff would work with the owners of adjacent 

property to remove such species on adjoining 

lands. The water quality of Pipestone Creek 

and Indian and Hiawatha Lakes would be improved through renewed cooperation with the 

local and state authorities and the owners of 

upstream land. Features along the trails would 

be made accessible, or other interpretive 

means would be developed to give visitors 

with disabilities an opportunity to visualize 

the landscape. 

Two houses and a garage structure just off the 

entrance road would be removed and the site 

replanted with native species. The ranger now 

living in one of the structures would find 

housing in nearby Pipestone. The office function of the other structure would be incorporated into the administrative facility offsite. 

The National Park Service would acquire the 

local school district land along the national 

monument’s east boundary south of Minnesota West Community and Technical College 

and would manage it to return it to a 

semblance of native prairie. 

The National Park Service would initiate a 

cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to coordinate the 

resource management activities on the land 

north of the national monument. This would 

allow the removal of exotic plant species from 

that land so that it could be brought into a 

condition similar to that of the national monument, helping to curtail the invasion of such 

species into the national monument. Such coordination also would be necessary for prescribed burns, Sun Dances, quarrier access, 

and tallgrass prairie restoration. 

Quarry Zone 

In alternative 1, the quarry zone would consist 

of the north and south quarry lines and the 

area along, and south of, the entrance road 

from the south quarry line east to Hiawatha 

Avenue. It also would contain the Three 

Maidens area. The existing small parking area 

adjacent to the Three Maidens would be 

removed. The quarry zone would be the 

primary focus of visitor activity. 

The appearance of the north and south quarry 

lines would remain much the same as at 

present. The management of the individual 

quarries would not change. The quarry lines 

would continue to be areas of high resource 

impact consistent with the national monument’s legislation and individual quarry 

permits. 

The current national monument entry road 

would end at the south quarry line, where 

several parking spaces would be installed for 

quarriers and visitors with disabilities. The 

picnic area and restrooms would be removed, 

and native plant species would be replanted to 

encourage reversion to prairie. Visitors 

requesting picnic facilities would be directed 

to the city park approximately two blocks 

south of the intersection of Reservation and 

Hiawatha avenues. In areas not actively being 

quarried, nonnative plant species would be 

removed and native species encouraged in a 
ALTERNATIVES,INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

64 

manner similar to that practiced in the prairie 

preservation zone. 

The quarry sweat lodge area in this zone 

would be removed, with new sweat lodges 

allowed in the ceremonial use zone, where 

such activity already exists. The area where 

the sweat lodges are now would revert to 

prairie. 

New visitor trails could be constructed in this 

zone if necessary as a part of general access 

and interpretation of the quarries and other 

site features. Motorized vehicle access generally would be discouraged, but trails used by 

quarriers would be hardened in some fashion 

to ease the use of carts, wheelbarrows, and 

maintenance vehicles. 

The Three Maidens area would continue to be 

both an interpretive focus of NPS interpretation and an important locale associated with 

the quarrying process. The site would be 

planted with native species and allowed to 

revert to prairie, with a trail nearby helping to 

guide and control visitor access. Because the 

Three Maidens should be a place of quiet contemplation and respect, interpretive signs 

would explain the importance of the site in 

American Indian culture and request visitors’ 

help in preserving that atmosphere. The use of 

the Three Maidens during the Hiawatha 

Pageant would be restricted under permit. 

Ceremonial Use Zone 

In alternative 1, the ceremonial use zone 

would encompass only the area along the 

north boundary line where the annual Sun 

Dances take place, along with associated 

campsites and kitchen facilities. 

Before ceremonial use of the site, the zone 

would be seeded with locally harvested 

tallgrass prairie plant species and mowed to a 

height consistent with species regeneration. 

Nonnative plant species would be actively 

removed. 

A carrying capacity study would be undertaken to determine how much human use 

could occur within the zone before it would 

cause environmental damage. After this 

determination, ceremonial events would not 

be allowed to exceed the maximum capacity. 

Identifying and enforcing the carrying capacity would allow the natural healing of the site 

between uses. 

Semipermanent structures for ceremonial 

purposes and ancillary structures such as 

kitchen facilities would remain year-round as 

long as they were maintained by the permittee 

and did not present a safety hazard. 

Three Maidens Zone 

There would be no Three Maidens zone in 

alternative 1. It has been combined with the 

quarry zone. 

VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE 

In alternative 1, most visitors would continue 

to approach Pipestone National Monument 

from the south by driving north on U.S. Highway 75 from the city of Pipestone. Quarriers 

and visitors with disabilities might make their 

first stop at the Three Maidens area near the 

south boundary of the national monument, 

but most would follow the directional signs 

along the east boundary to a new entrance 

area just west of Hiawatha Avenue and north 

of Pipestone Creek above Winnewissa Falls. 

After leaving their vehicles in the parking lot, 

visitors would walk to a staffed kiosk to be 

greeted by a ranger, pay their entrance fees, 

get general information, and be oriented to 

the national monument’s resources and trails. 

Fully accessible restrooms would be available 

nearby. Visitors with disabilities would be 

given a key to the Reservation Avenue gate, 

where there would be an accessible trail to the 

quarries. 
Alternative 1 (Preferred Alternative) 

65 

Orientation provided by a ranger and a brochure would explain that a short trail from 

that kiosk leads to a location above Winnewissa Falls. From this vantage point, visitors 

would experience the site much as American 

Indians have done for centuries. This short 

trail would connect to the existing Circle 

Trail, where visitors still could walk past the 

Nicollet inscription and marker and see and 

hear Winnewissa Falls cascade over the 

quartzite bluffs. They could follow Pipestone 

Creek to Hiawatha Lake, see some pipestone 

quarry sites, and stroll past a remnant of a 

tallgrass prairie. Wayside exhibits along the 

trail would offer site-specific interpretation. 

Visitors with disabilities would enter the 

national monument through the Reservation 

Avenue gate and park in a new parking area 

south of the quarry line also used by quarriers. 

The Three Maidens rock formation would be 

visible among prairie grasses instead of its 

current setting amid a mowed lawn and picnic 

area. Wayside exhibits here would explain 

that American Indians continue to revere 

these rocks as sacred. The exhibits also would 

describe the historic and cultural significance 

of this site; a trailhead exhibit would orient 

visitors to a trail leading to the quarries. Like 

the spur trail from the new entrance area, this 

trail would connect to the existing Circle 

Trail. 

Visitors driving to the prairie overlook off 

County Road 67 would be treated to a view 

approximating how the site looked before 

European–American settlement — a swath of 

tallgrass prairie extending to the quartzite 

bluffs. With few interruptions by modern development, visitors would get a historically 

accurate experience. In keeping with this concept, no facilities would be developed at this 

overlook. Only wayside exhibits would interpret the national monument’s natural and 

cultural history. 

Visitors driving north on Hiawatha Avenue on 

the east side of the national monument could 

stop at the Pipestone Indian School and the 

Indian School superintendent’s house. The 

house is located north of the national 

monument on the west side of Hiawatha 

Avenue. The National Park Service would not 

acquire the Indian School superintendent’s 

house but would work with the owners to 

provide NPS assistance with interpretation 

and preservation of the structure (see 

appendix F). 

RESOURCE PROTECTION 

Cultural Resources 

The national monument staff would continue 

to research the historic context of different 

landscape periods over time, as described in 

the “Affected Environment” chapter. Later, 

cultural landscape specialists would use that 

information to identify, inventory, and report 

about the eligibility of potential cultural 

landscapes for listing in the National Register 

of Historic Places as contributing elements to 

the existing listing of the national monument 

as a whole (as of October 15, 1966). Additional 

study could suggest some interactions with 

particular land areas of certain plants, trees, 

and geographic formations integral to a 

landscape, the continued presence of which 

would protect the landscape. More study also 

could lead to the greater level of resource 

protection afforded by national register 

eligibility or listing. 

The national monument contains overlapping 

cultural landscapes. In this alternative, in 

which the visitor center would be razed, the 

anticipated result would be rehabilitation of a 

portion of the landscape associated with the 

historic, yet contemporary, line of pipestone 

quarries near the visitor center, which is the 

cultural landscape associated with quarrying 

and the one that relates most to the national 

monument’s purpose. The later Mission 66 

landscape features would be documented and 

removed. 

The national monument staff would continue 

to protect ethnographic resources such as 

unique rock formations — for example, The 
ALTERNATIVES,INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

66 

Oracle, Leaping Rock, and the Three Maidens 

— by directing visitors to stay on designated 

trails and roads. Visitor education about the 

cultural importance of ethnographic resources would continue through varied types 

of interpretation available at the visitor center. 

This would increase visitors’ cultural awareness of and sensitivity to American Indians’ 

traditional uses of specific sites and resources 

in the national monument. Such interpretation would help visitors to understand various 

traditional uses in the vicinity of the resources 

such as leaving sage or other offerings nearby. 

Visitor education would help to protect ethnographic resources by building up an enlightened constituency whose appreciative 

presence would value the resources and discourage the possibility of isolated vandalism. 

The staff would continue to study ethnographic resources through ongoing consultations with American Indians and by researching the ethnohistoric significance of the resources within the historic context of different 

landscape periods over time. Later, cultural 

resource specialists would use that information to identify, inventory, and report about 

the eligibility of potential traditional cultural 

properties for listing in the National Register 

of Historic Places as contributing elements to 

the existing listing of the national monument 

as a whole (as of October 15, 1966). More 

study could lead to the greater level of resource protection afforded by national 

register eligibility or listing. 

The Hiawatha Club’s yearly use of the Three 

Maidens as a backdrop for its Hiawatha 

Pageant would continue; however, physical 

contact with the Three Maidens would not be 

permitted. 

This alternative would involve razing the 

Mission 66 visitor center. Visitor orientation 

and administration functions would be moved 

to another location. The adverse effect on the 

historic fabric of the existing visitor center 

and on the other historic Mission 66 

landscape features would be mitigated 

through a memorandum of agreement 

between the National Park Service and the 

state historic preservation officer. 

Concurrence with the state historic 

preservation officer and, if necessary, the 

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 

would be carried out in accordance with 

section 106 of the National Historic 

Preservation Act. 

The National Park Service would not acquire 

the Indian School superintendent’s house but 

would provide preservation technical 

assistance to the owners and commit to 

searching for funding for the stabilization and 

restoration of the House and interpretation 

(see appendices F and G). Thus, this 

alternative would help protect the house as a 

cultural resource. 

In alternative 1 the national monument’s museum collections and archives would be protected in a facility away from the national 

monument. This would remove those 

important resources from their current 

location in the 100-year and 500-year floodplains, where they could be subject to damage 

in the unlikely but real possibility of a flood. 

Natural Resources 

The restoration of tallgrass prairie, including 

the management of exotic plants and the use 

of prescribed fire, would continue in most of 

the national monument. The National Park 

Service would seek the cooperation of the 

national monument’s neighbors in removing 

exotic plants on their lands, thereby reducing 

the chance of exotics moving onto national 

monument land. 

NPS staff would continue to ensure that activities in the national monument would not introduce pollutants into Pipestone Creek. The 

National Park Service would work with local 

governments, landowners, and the state to 

improve the water quality in Pipestone Creek. 
Alternative 1 (Preferred Alternative) 

67 

The staff would monitor the water level in the 

national monument’s well to be sure that the 

pumping of quarries was not affecting the 

water table. It might be necessary to drill more 

wells for test purposes. Should the water level 

in any well fall, the staff would consult the 

Water Resources Division of the National 

Park Service about what actions, if any, should 

be taken. 

BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS 

In alternative 1, a boundary adjustment would 

be made to acquire a parcel of land owned by 

the Pipestone Area School District, placing the 

school district lands within the boundaries of 

the national monument. The land is south of 

Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College. This would add 15.3 acres to Pipestone National Monument. The property 

would be managed as part of the prairie 

preservation zone. 

COSTS 

Costs for alternative 1 are given for 

comparison to other alternatives only; they 

are not to be used for budgeting purposes. 

The following assumptions have been made: 

• All actions start in year one of the 20 

year plan for comparison purposes (in 

actuality they may be funded at any 

time within the 20 years). 

• Some proposals may never be funded 

within the 20 year life of the general 

management plan. 

• Approval of the general management 

plan does not guarantee any funding 

for the proposed actions. 

• Funding for some aspects of the plan 

may be provided by partners, 

donation, or other nonfederal funding 

sources. 

• All costs are shown in today’s dollars 

(actual costs may range from 30% 

below to 50% above the estimate). 

Costs have been broken down into two 

categories—annual operating costs and onetime costs. 

Annual costs include the costs associated with 

ongoing maintenance, utilities, staffing, 

supplies and materials, and any leasing costs. 

One-time costs include deferred maintenance 

(such as bringing structures up to standard), 

new construction, the cost of removal or 

divestiture of resources, the cost of 

restoration of resources, the cost of 

rehabilitation, the cost of additions to 

structures, and any costs associated with 

documentation and research on the resources. 

Initial land acquisition costs are not included 

in the cost estimates below. The acquisition of 

lands might be through donation or purchase. 

In either case, merely adding lands to the 

national monument would not immediately 

make funds available for maintenance, 

restoration, and operation. Although these 

have been figured into the initial cost 

explained above, it might be several years 

before funds are actually available to 

implement the plan. 

Annual operating costs: $11,865,000 

One-time costs: $1,771,000 

Total costs: $13,636,000 
68 

ALTERNATIVE 2 

DESCRIPTION 

The focus of alternative 2 would be on the 

pipestone quarries, their significance, and the 

quarrying process. Emphasis would be placed 

on the methods used, the items created, their 

importance in American Indian culture, and 

the quarriers. Visitor access to the quarries 

would be enhanced. This alternative would 

depend heavily on interpretation and an enlarged visitor center (see alternative 2 map). 

The National Park Service would acquire the 

Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s 

house and 15.3 acres of land south of that 

house. The boundary of Pipestone National 

Monument would be adjusted to include 

these acquisitions. The superintendent’s 

house would be rehabilitated and interpreted 

to explain its relationship to the national 

monument and the Indian school phenomenon (characteristic of the 19th and 20th centuries) that occurred in different parts of the 

United States (Fish 2001). This would be a 

major interpretive area in the national monument. The National Park Service also would 

seek to acquire the USFWS/MDNR land 

north of the boundary (about 100 acres) to 

manage as part of the national monument. 

MANAGEMENT ZONES 

Administrative Zone 

The administrative zone would consist of two 

areas. In the first, the two houses just north of 

the entry road that are now used for office 

space and ranger housing would remain and 

function as at present. The second area would 

contain a new maintenance facility developed 

on newly acquired land along Hiawatha Avenue south of Minnesota West Community and 

Technical College. Most administrative functions would remain in the visitor center with 

visitor services. 

Visitor Services Zone 

The maintenance function would be separated 

from the visitor center / administration building and moved to a new location, as described 

above. This would allow the main structure, 

which contains the visitor center and the 

Upper Midwest Indian Cultural Center, to be 

rehabilitated and enlarged to include an 

expanded research library; better collections 

storage; classrooms for educational and 

community use; additional office space; 

updated exhibits and programs; and upgraded 

cooperating association storage, office, and 

display space. The visitor center redevelopment would include measures to protect 

against flooding. An active demonstration 

quarry would be developed to offer better 

understanding of the quarrying process and 

training for new quarriers in techniques, 

safety, and interpretation. 

The large parking area in front of the visitor 

center would remain unchanged or would be 

slightly reconfigured to serve the enlarged 

facility. Also in the visitor services zone would 

be the picnic area and restrooms. A new parking area would be created along the entry 

road, and the road / paved area between this 

site and the Three Maidens would be removed 

so that prairie plant species could be reestablished. 

Prairie Preservation Zone 

The prairie preservation zone would comprise 

most of the site. It would contain the USFWS/ 

MDNR lands north of the present national 

monument boundary. Also in this zone would 

be 15.3 acres of land proposed for acquisition 

along Hiawatha Avenue south of Minnesota 

West Community and Technical College, 

which would be proposed for a maintenance 

area. The water quality of Pipestone Creek 

and Indian and Hiawatha Lakes would be 

improved through cooperation with the local 
Alternative 2

69 

and state authorities and the owners of 

upstream lands. 

Exotic species would be aggressively removed 

to create a semblance of the historic prairie 

appearance. The national monument staff 

would work with the owners of adjacent 

property to remove such species on adjoining 

lands. This would be a way of forestalling the 

inadvertent reseeding of these unwanted species on national monument land. 

All existing trails would be modified where 

feasible to bring them up to NPS standards. 

Features along the trails would be made accessible, or other interpretive means would be 

developed to give visitors with disabilities an 

opportunity to visualize the landscape. The 

nonhistoric bridge below the falls would be 

removed and a new bridge constructed 

downstream. 

The use of the Sun Dance grounds would be 

discontinued under this alternative, and the 

area would be restored to tallgrass prairie. 

Quarry Zone 

In the quarry zone, emphasis would be placed 

on interpreting the quarrying and pipemaking processes. 

If it was determined that acceptable quality 

pipestone can be found on the USFWS/ 

MDNR lands, the quarry zone would roughly 

encompass the quarry line from the south 

boundary to the proposed north boundary 

line at the county road. Otherwise, the zone 

would end at the existing national monument 

boundary. The visitor center and a new demonstration quarry in the visitor services zone 

would separate the north and south quarry 

lines.

The management of the individual quarries 

would not change greatly. The quarry lines 

would continue to be areas of high resource 

impact consistent with national monument 

legislation and individual quarry permits. 

In areas not actively being quarried, nonnative 

plant species would be removed and native 

species encouraged, similar to the practices in 

the prairie preservation zone. However, the 

primary purpose of this zone is quarrying; the 

removal of those reintroduced species might 

later be necessary because of the expansion of 

quarries. 

New visitor trails could be constructed in this 

zone, if necessary, as a part of general access 

and interpretation of the quarries and other 

site features. Motorized vehicle access generally would be discouraged, but trails used by 

quarriers and national monument maintenance efforts would be hardened in some way 

to ease the use of carts and wheelbarrows. 

Ceremonial Use Zone 

In alternative 2, Sun Dance ceremonies would 

be discontinued. The existing kitchen facilities 

would be removed, and the land would be allowed to revert to tallgrass prairie. The ceremonial use zone would consist only of the site 

of existing sweat lodges along the north quarry line. These are closely associated with the 

rituals surrounding the quarries and pipestone 

extraction. To allow privacy of use, the area 

would continue to be out of the normal visitor 

interpretive areas. 

Three Maidens Zone 

The Three Maidens Zone in this alternative 

would consist of the immediate area surrounding the Three Maidens formation, in the 

national monument south of the entry road 

and east of the picnic area and restroom. This 

zone would continue to be both a focus of 

NPS interpretation and an important locale 

associated with American Indian use of the 

quarries. The site would be planted with 

native species and allowed to revert to prairie, 

with a trail nearby helping to guide and control visitor access. The parking area along the 

entry road would remain, but the parking between the Three Maidens and the picnic area 

would be removed. 
ALTERNATIVES,INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

70 

Because the Three Maidens should be a place 

of respect and quiet contemplation, interpretive signs would explain the importance of the 

site in American Indian culture and request 

visitors’ help in preserving that atmosphere. 

The use of the Three Maidens by the 

Hiawatha Club as a backdrop during the 

group’s annual pageant could continue, but 

there would be no direct contact with the 

formation, as outlined in the special use 

permit.

VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE 

In alternative 2, visitors would enter the national monument by the existing entry road, 

and many would make their first stop at the 

Three Maidens area. With parking for the 

picnic area eliminated and prairie grasses allowed to grow in this alternative, visitors 

would be better able to understand and appreciate the cultural and spiritual significance 

associated with this rock formation. Wayside 

exhibits here would explain the historic and 

cultural significance of this site. 

A short drive (or walk or bicycle ride) down 

the entrance road would bring visitors to an 

enlarged visitor facility. After leaving their vehicles in the parking lot, visitors would walk to 

the visitor center to be greeted by a ranger, 

pay their entrance/user fees, get general information, and be oriented to the national monument’s resources and trails. Fully accessible 

restrooms would be available in the visitor 

center. 

Inside the enlarged visitor center, visitors 

would see well-designed exhibits interpreting 

the significance of the quarries, the pipes, and 

their importance in American Indian culture. 

Visitors also could observe and interact with 

American Indians demonstrating pipemaking 

and other crafts in the demonstration area. 

Educational groups would gather in a classroom setting to explore concepts that would 

connect their school curriculum to the national monument’s resources. Researchers 

would find needed resources in the expanded 

research library and collection area. 

Outside the visitor center would be an active 

demonstration and teaching quarry that visitors could observe. A demonstrator would 

physically work the quarry, teaching enrolled 

tribal members the art and science of quarrying. Visitors also would be able to watch the 

demonstrator to see how quarrying is done. 

Orientation by a ranger or a wayside exhibit 

would direct visitors to the existing Circle 

Trail. Wayside exhibits along the trail would 

give site-specific interpretation and allow visitors to look into several quarries, follow along 

Pipestone Creek to Hiawatha Lake and Winnewissa Falls, walk up to the Nicollet inscription and marker, and stroll past the edge of 

the tallgrass prairie. 

Even visitors who chose not to walk the trails 

would experience a prairie environment because most of the national monument would 

be in the prairie preservation zone. If some 

visitors chose not to take one of the existing 

trails, interpretive opportunities would be 

available to enable visitors, especially those 

with disabilities, to understand and appreciate 

the prairie landscape that once covered vast 

regions of the Midwest. 

RESOURCE PROTECTION 

Cultural Resources 

The national monument staff would continue 

to protect ethnographic resources such as 

unique rock formations — for example, The 

Oracle, Leaping Rock, and the Three Maidens 

— by directing visitors to stay on designated 

trails and roads. Visitor education about the 

cultural importance of ethnographic resources would continue through different 

types of interpretation available at the visitor 

center. This would increase visitors’ cultural 

awareness of and sensitivity to American Indians’ traditional uses of specific sites in the 

national monument. Such interpretation 
NORTH

Parking

Visitor 

Center

Trail Sioux

Quartzite

Escarpment

Residence

Offices

Sioux

Quartzite

Escarpment

Three 

Maidens

Minnesota West Community 

and Technical College 

City of Pipestone

County Road 67

Hiawatha Avenue

Winnewissa

Falls

Former Indian School

Superintendent's

House

Picnic Area

& Restrooms

Maintenance Facility

(Administration Zone)

Administration 

Zone

Pipestone Creek

Wayside Parking

Expanded To Serve 

Both Three Maidens 

and Picnic Area

School

District Land

acquired 

and 

managed

for prairie

 restoration

Visitor Center Expanded

Demonstration Quarry

Developed

Acquired and Managed

for Restoration of Prairie

Sun Dance Facilities

Removed and Site

Managed for Prairie

Restoration

United States Department of the Interior 

National Park Service

DSC • Aug. 2007 • 372 • 20,005A

PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT

ALTERNATIVE 2

P ipestone

Creek

India n

Lake

Lake

Hiawatha

PIPESTONE WILDLIFE

MANAGEMENT AREA

Minnesota Department 

of Natural Resources and 

US Fish and Wildlife Service

Prairie 

restored

New Winnewissa 

Falls Bridge

(Existing bridge removed.

 Trail location shown 

 is conceptual)

LEGEND

QUARRY ZONE

ADMINISTRATION ZONE

VISITOR SERVICES ZONE

PRAIRIE RESTORATION ZONE

THREE MAIDENS

CEREMONIAL USE ZONE

FUTURE LAND ACQUISITION

NPS BOUNDARY

EXISTING TRAIL

PROPOSED TRAIL

Good 

Samaritan

Village

Falls Landing

Assisted Living

Hiawatha

Club

South

Quarry

Line

North

Quarry

Line

Sweat 

Lodge 

Area

Existing Outdoor

Maintenance

Storage Area

Removed

Alternative 2 

73 

would help visitors to understand various traditional uses in the vicinity of the resources 

such as leaving sage or other offerings nearby. 

Visitor education would help to protect ethnographic resources by building up an enlightened constituency that would appreciate 

the resources and discourage the possibility of 

isolated vandalism. 

The staff would continue to study ethnographic resources through ongoing consultations with American Indians and by researching the ethnohistoric significance of the 

resources within the historic context of different landscape periods over time. Later, 

cultural resource specialists would use that 

information to identify, inventory, and report 

about the eligibility of potential traditional 

cultural properties for listing in the National 

Register of Historic Places as contributing elements to the existing listing of the national 

monument as a whole (as of October 15, 

1966). More study could lead to the greater 

resource protection afforded by national 

register eligibility or listing. 

A special use permit would continue to be 

issued to the Hiawatha Club for its use of the 

Three Maidens for its Hiawatha Pageant. The 

permit would specify the conditions under 

which the site could be used.

Relocating the 1998 bridge near Winnewissa 

Falls to a spot farther downstream would 

permit an unimpeded view of the falls. This 

would make the view more consistent with 

traditional American Indian use of the falls, 

because traditionally there would have been 

no bridge as a means of access to the falls. 

Enlarging and rehabilitating the Mission 66 

visitor center and using it as the national 

monument’s administrative center, for 

interpreting the national monument to visitors 

and for the curation and storage of important 

collections would protect that historic 

structure. 

As part of this general management planning 

process, cultural resource professionals from 

the Midwest Region of the National Park Service evaluated the Mission 66 development at 

Pipestone National Monument to determine 

its eligibility for the national register. The 

visitor center, the parking lot, the entry road, 

the interpretive trail, and the housing met the 

national register criteria for historic significance for properties less than 50 years old. 

The Minnesota state historic preservation 

officer concurred with the determination of 

eligibility on June 30, 2003. Appendix D 

contains a copy of the concurrence letter. 

Housing the national monument’s collection 

of American Indian pipestone (catlinite) pipes 

and other museum collections and archives in 

the rehabilitated visitor center would give 

those important resources more space at a 

higher level of protection. Although the visitor 

center still would be in the 100-year and 500-

year floodplains, the likelihood of flood damage would be minimized by raising the curation and storage areas in the unlikely but real 

possibility of a flood. In addition, the collections and archives still would be protected by 

the actions recommended in the national 

monument’s emergency operations plan. 

Rehabilitating the visitor center would mean 

that museum standards would be met, and 

there would be little possibility of flood 

damage or the need to implement the 

emergency plan. 

By acquiring the Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s house under alternative 2, the 

National Park Service would take responsibility for its preservation, which would help 

greatly to protect the house as a cultural resource. The building would be rehabilitated to 

serve as an interpretive center for the Pipestone Indian School aspect of the national 

monument’s history. 

Natural Resources 

The restoration of tallgrass prairie, including 

the management of exotic plants and the use 

of prescribed fire, would continue in most of 

the national monument. The National Park 
ALTERNATIVES,INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

74 

Service would seek the cooperation of the 

national monument’s neighbors in removing 

exotic plants on their lands, thereby reducing 

the chance of exotics moving onto national 

monument land. 

The NPS staff would continue to ensure that 

activities in the national monument would not 

introduce pollutants into Pipestone Creek. 

The National Park Service would work with 

local governments, landowners, and the state 

to improve the water quality in Pipestone 

Creek. 

The staff would monitor the water level in the 

national monument’s well to be sure that the 

pumping of quarries was not affecting the water table. It might be necessary to drill more 

wells for test purposes. Should the water level 

in any well fall, the staff would consult the 

NPS Water Resources Division about what 

actions, if any, should be taken. 

The bridge on Pipestone Creek below Winnewissa Falls would be relocated to remove the 

barrier to the free flow of floodwaters that it 

creates. The redevelopment of the visitor center would include measures to protect that 

structure and the people who use it against 

flooding. 

The use of the Sun Dance grounds would be 

discontinued, and the area would be restored 

to tallgrass prairie. 

BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS 

Under alternative 2, a boundary adjustment 

would be made to place three properties within the boundaries of Pipestone National 

Monument. Adding the parcel of school district land south of the Minnesota West Community and Technical College would add 15.3 

acres, the Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s house would add less than 1 acre, 

and the USFWS/MDNR property on the 

north boundary would add about 100 acres, 

for a total of approximately 116 acres. The 

superintendent’s house would be managed as 

part of the visitor services zone. The USFWS/ 

MDNR land and the school district parcel 

would be managed as part of the prairie 

preservation zone. 

COSTS 

Costs for alternative 2 are given for 

comparison to other alternatives only; they 

are not to be used for budgeting purposes. 

The following assumptions have been made: 

• All actions start in year one of the 20 

year plan for comparison purposes (in 

actuality they may be funded at any 

time within the 20 years). 

• Some proposals may never be funded 

within the 20 year life of the general 

management plan. 

• Approval of the general management 

plan does not guarantee any funding 

for the proposed actions. 

• Funding for some aspects of the plan 

may be provided by partners, 

donation, or other nonfederal funding 

sources. 

• All costs are shown in today’s dollars 

(actual costs may range from 30% 

below to 50% above the estimate). 

Costs have been broken down into two 

categories—annual operating costs and onetime costs. 

Annual costs include the costs associated with 

ongoing maintenance, utilities, staffing, 

supplies and materials, and any leasing costs. 

One-time costs include deferred maintenance 

(such as bringing structures up to standard), 

new construction, the cost of removal or 

divestiture of resources, the cost of 

restoration of resources, the cost of 

rehabilitation, the cost of additions to 

structures, and any costs associated with 

documentation and research on the resources. 
Alternative 2 

75 

Initial land acquisition costs are not included 

in the cost estimates below. The acquisition of 

lands might be through donation or purchase. 

In either case, merely adding lands to the 

national monument would not immediately 

make funds available for maintenance, 

restoration, and operation. Although these 

have been figured into the initial cost 

explained above, it might be several years 

before funds are actually available to 

implement the plan. 

Annual operating costs: $8,759,000 

One-time costs: $5,080,000 

Total costs: $13,839,000 
76 

ALTERNATIVE 3 

DESCRIPTION 

Alternative 3 was developed as a way to meld 

the most advantageous features of the other 

alternatives along with a rethinking of the 

visitor center’s purpose and to better use its 

existing space (see Alternative 3 map). In 

determining the preferred alternative, 

planners considered which alternative would 

best meet the national monument’s purpose, 

needs, and objectives as well as the following 

considerations: 

• Provide for American Indian 

traditional and ceremonial uses. 

• Preserve cultural and natural 

resources. 

• Enhance spiritual qualities. 

• Provide for visitor use, education, and 

enjoyment. 

• Improve operational effectiveness 

and sustainability. 

The national monument’s visitor center/ 

administration building would be totally 

redesigned within the current structure. The 

building exterior would be preserved while 

the interior would be fully rehabilitated to 

better serve national monument visitor and 

staffing needs. Depending upon space 

constraints, the superintendent and 

administrative staff or, possibly, the museum 

collections could be housed in one of the 

houses near the national monument entrance. 

The maintenance function would be removed 

from the visitor center to reduce the conflict 

between visitor use and national monument 

operations in the transition from the visitor 

center area to the trailheads. The reduction in 

maintenance activities directly adjacent to the 

visitor center would improve visitor 

experience. In addition, the freed-up space 

would allow for the consolidation of the 

remaining staff into the existing structure and 

still provide a small “cache” of custodial 

equipment and supplies. The maintenance 

function would be co-located with another 

public entity, possibly through a lease/build 

agreement, with the city, county, or 

Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College, on a property outside the national 

monument boundary. 

Although the Indian School superintendent’s 

house would not be acquired in this 

alternative, the National Park Service would 

work with the owners to provide technical 

assistance for the preservation and 

interpretation of the structure (see appendix 

F). The National Park Service would also 

work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

and the Minnesota Department of Natural 

Resources to develop a cooperative agreement 

for prairie restoration, American Indian 

ceremonial use, law enforcement, and 

possible visitor opportunities on the land 

immediately north of the national monument 

(such as access to the Sun Dance area and the 

quarries). Other activities that might be 

coordinated between the three agencies 

would be the management of prescribed fires 

and the establishment of a northern access 

route to the national monument. 

MANAGEMENT ZONES

Administrative Zone 

In alternative 3, the administrative zone would 

consist of the immediate area surrounding the 

two houses. One house would be designated 

as housing for a law enforcement ranger; the 

other would become office space, space for 

collections, or seasonal housing. 

In alternative 3, the administrative zone would 

consist of the immediate area surrounding the 

two houses that are currently functioning as 

law enforcement ranger housing and office 

space. One house would continue to be 

designated housing for a law enforcement 

ranger. The other would be rehabilitated for 
Alternative 3 

77 

staff housing unless, based on floodplain or 

space constraints within the rehabilitated 

visitor center, it becomes necessary to provide 

collections storage or additional office space. 

Visitor Services Zone 

The visitor services zone would comprise the 

visitor center, parking, and the immediate 

surrounding area including a new, active 

demonstration/teaching quarry. It also would 

encompass the picnic area and parking, and 

the Three Maidens parking area. 

The visitor center would be rehabilitated to 

better accommodate visitor information, 

exhibits, museum collections storage, 

curatorial functions, an expanded research 

library, American Indian demonstrators, the 

cooperating association, and all national 

monument staff except maintenance. 

However, a bay or area for maintenance 

storage would also be provided. 

If necessary, one of the houses in the 

Administrative Zone would be rehabilitated 

for office space for the superintendent and 

administrative staff or collections storage. A 

demonstration quarry nearby would be 

developed both to interpret the quarrying 

process for visitors and to teach new quarriers 

the basic quarrying techniques. 

Prairie Preservation Zone 

The prairie preservation zone, which would 

encompass most of the national monument, 

would consist of both restored and preserved 

prairie. Also in this zone would be the school 

district lands proposed for acquisition along 

Hiawatha Avenue south of Minnesota West 

Community and Technical College. 

Exotic species would be aggressively removed 

to create a semblance of the appearance of the 

historic prairie. The national monument staff 

would work with the owners of adjacent 

property to remove such species on adjoining 

lands. This would be a way of forestalling 

inadvertent reseeding of these unwanted 

species on national monument lands. 

The water quality of Pipestone Creek and 

Hiawatha Lake in the national monument and 

Indian Lake outside the national monument 

would be improved through renewed cooperation and information sharing with the local 

and state authorities and the owners of 

upstream land. 

Existing trails would be upgraded where feasible. A new bridge would be built to cross 

Pipestone Creek downstream from Winnewissa Falls. It would be designed to be less 

obtrusive on the landscape, to allow visitors a 

better view of the falls, and perhaps to preclude the yearly repairs that are necessary 

after the spring thaw. Additional trails could 

be developed to further site interpretation / 

education and visitor outreach. 

In alternative 3, the prairie preservation zone 

would serve as a learning laboratory for staff, 

researchers, and visitors regarding the preservation and restoration of native prairie. It 

also would serve as an educational tool for 

Pipestone schools and classes that visit the 

national monument. 

Quarry Zone 

In the quarry zone, emphasis would be placed 

on interpreting the quarrying and pipemaking processes. 

The quarry zone would encompass the entire 

quarry line from the south boundary to the 

north boundary line bordering the USFWS/ 

MDNR property. On the north end, it would 

bisect the Sun Dance grounds. Thus, the zone 

would contain all the quarry line thought to 

possess pipestone except at the visitor center, 

where a demonstration quarry would be developed as part of the visitor services zone. 

There would not be a substantial change in the 

management of individual quarries under alternative 3. The quarry lines would continue 
ALTERNATIVES,INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

78 

to be areas of high resource impact consistent 

with national monument legislation and individual quarry permits. 

In areas not actively being quarried, nonnative 

plant species would be removed and native 

species encouraged, similar to the practices in 

the prairie preservation zone. However, the 

primary purpose of this zone is quarrying; the 

reintroduced species might later have to be 

removed as new quarries were opened. 

New trails could be constructed in this zone, if 

necessary, as a part of general access and interpretation of the quarries and other site features. The use of motorized vehicles would be 

prohibited except when needed for essential 

maintenance by national monument staff or 

contractors. 

Ceremonial Use Zone 

In alternative 3, the ceremonial use zone 

would contain the area along the north quarry 

line where sweat lodges now exist and the area 

along the north boundary line where the annual Sun Dances take place under permit, 

along with associated campsites and kitchen 

facilities. These semipermanent structures 

would be maintained by the users in accordance with applicable safety standards. 

The Sun Dance site would be bisected by the 

quarry zone. The zone would be mowed before the first ceremonial use of each year. 

Nonnative plant species would be actively 

removed, but other than the use of native 

species, no attempt would be made to “restore” the prairie in this zone. A carrying capacity study would be undertaken to determine how much human use could occur in the 

Sun Dance site before it would cause environmental damage. After this determination, 

ceremonial events would not be allowed to 

exceed the maximum capacity. Identifying 

and enforcing the carrying capacity would 

allow the natural healing of the site between 

uses and reduce the amount of erosion control and replanting of native grasses and general site maintenance necessary after an event. 

During a Sun Dance, the quarries bisecting the 

zone would continue to be fenced to ensure 

the safety of site users. 

Three Maidens Zone 

In this alternative as in alternative 2, the Three 

Maidens Zone would consist of the immediate 

area surrounding the Three Maidens formation south of the entry road and east of the 

picnic area / restroom. This zone would continue to be both a focus of NPS interpretation 

and an important locale associated with rituals 

surrounding the quarrying process. The site 

would be planted with native species and 

allowed to revert to prairie, with a trail nearby 

to help guide and control visitor access. The 

parking area along the entry road would remain, as would the parking between the Three 

Maidens and the picnic area. 

Because the Three Maidens should be a place 

of quiet contemplation and respect, interpretive signs would explain the importance of the 

site in American Indian culture, and visitors 

would be asked to help preserve that 

atmosphere. 

The use of the Three Maidens by the Hiawatha Club as a backdrop during the annual 

pageant could continue, but direct contact 

with the formation would be reduced through 

additional safeguards required in the permit. 

VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE 

In alternative 3, visitors would enter the national monument by the existing entry road, 

and many would make their first stop at the 

Three Maidens wayside area. 

Prairie grasses would be allowed to grow up 

around the Three Maidens. Wayside exhibits 

would explain the historic and cultural 
Pipestone Creek

P ipestone

Creek

Residence

Residence

Sweat 

Lodge 

Area

Parking

Parking

Lake

Hiawatha

Picnic

Parking

Visitor 

Center

South

Quarry

Line

Trail Sioux

Quartzite

Escarpment

Sioux

Quartzite

Escarpment North

Quarry

Line

Sun Dance Area

County Road 67

Hiawatha Avenue

Winnewissa

Falls

Maintenance 

Moved Offsite

United States Department of the Interior 

National Park Service

DSC • Aug. 2007 • 372 • 20,006A

Prairie 

restored

Visitor Center Rehabilitated

Demonstration Quarry

Developed

NORTH

PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT

ALTERNATIVE 3

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Minnesota West Community 

and Technical College 

India n

Lake

City of Pipestone

PIPESTONE WILDLIFE

MANAGEMENT AREA

Minnesota Department 

of Natural Resources and 

US Fish and Wildlife Service

New Winnewissa 

Falls Bridge

(Existing bridge removed.

 Trail location shown 

 is conceptual)

LEGEND

School

District Land

acquired 

and 

managed

for prairie

 restoration

QUARRY ZONE

ADMINISTRATION ZONE

VISITOR SERVICES ZONE

PRAIRIE RESTORATION ZONE

THREE MAIDENS

CEREMONIAL USE ZONE

PIPESTONE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

FUTURE LAND ACQUISITION

NPS BOUNDARY

EXISTING TRAIL

PROPOSED TRAIL

Cooperative

Agreement with

MDNR/USFWS

to coordinate activities 

Former Indian School

Superintendent's

House not acquired

but Preservation and

Interpretive Assistance

to Owners

Sun Dance

Quarry

Line

Picnic Area

& Restrooms Three 

Maidens

Good 

Samaritan

Village

Hiawatha

Club

Falls Landing

Assisted Living

Existing Outdoor

Maintenance

Storage Area

Removed

Residence becomes 

office space for 

Superintendent

and admin. staff,

collections management,

or returned to staff

housing

Alternative 3 

81 

significance of this site and offer orientation 

to a trail leading to the quarries. 

A short drive (or walk or bicycle ride) down 

the entrance road would bring visitors to a rehabilitated version of the existing visitor facility. After leaving their vehicles in the parking 

lot, visitors could walk to the visitor center to 

be greeted by a ranger, pay their entrance/user 

fees, get general information, and be oriented 

to the resources and trails of the national 

monument. Accessible restrooms also would 

be available in the rehabilitated visitor center. 

Inside the rehabilitated visitor center, improved exhibits would interpret each of the 

interpretive themes for the national 

monument. Visitors could also observe and 

interact with American Indians in the 

demonstration area as pipemaking and other 

crafts were demonstrated. 

Outside the visitor center would be an active 

demonstration quarry that visitors could observe. Part of the orientation made available 

by a ranger or a wayside exhibit would direct 

visitors to the existing Circle Trail. Wayside 

exhibits along the trail would give site-specific 

interpretation as visitors could look into a 

quarry or two, follow along Pipestone Creek 

to Hiawatha Lake and Winnewissa Falls, walk 

up to the Nicollet inscription and marker, and 

stroll past the edge of tallgrass prairie. 

Visitors who chose not to walk the trails still 

could experience a prairie environment because most of the national monument would 

be in the prairie preservation zone. If some 

visitors chose not to take one of the existing 

trails (modified to NPS standards), interpretive opportunities would be available to enable visitors, especially those with disabilities, 

to understand and appreciate the prairie landscape that once covered vast regions of the 

Midwest. 

RESOURCE PROTECTION 

Cultural Resources 

As part of this general management planning 

process, cultural resource professionals from 

the Midwest Region of the National Park Service evaluated the Mission 66 development at 

Pipestone National Monument to determine 

its eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. The visitor center, the parking 

lot, the entrance road, the interpretive trail, 

and the housing met the national register criteria for historic significance for properties 

less than 50 years old. The Minnesota state 

historic preservation officer concurred with 

the determination of eligibility on June 30, 

2003. Appendix D contains a copy of the concurrence letter. Although eligible, these structures have not yet been listed in the national 

register. 

The national monument staff would continue 

to protect ethnographic resources (such as 

unique rock formations) by directing visitors 

to stay on designated trails and roads. Visitor 

education about the cultural importance of 

ethnographic resources would continue 

through different types of interpretation available at the visitor center. This would increase 

visitors’ cultural awareness of and sensitivity 

to American Indians’ traditional uses of the 

ethnographic resources. Such interpretation 

would help visitors to understand various 

traditional uses in the vicinity of the resources 

such as leaving sage or other offerings nearby. 

Visitor education would help to protect ethnographic resources by building up an enlightened constituency whose appreciative 

presence would value the resources and discourage the possibility of isolated vandalism. 

The staff would continue to study ethnographic resources through ongoing consultations with American Indians and by researching the ethnohistoric significance of the resources within the historic context of different 

landscape periods over time. Later, cultural 

resource specialists would use that information to identify, inventory, and report about 
ALTERNATIVES,INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

82 

the eligibility of potential traditional cultural 

properties for listing in the National Register 

of Historic Places as contributing elements to 

the existing listing of the national monument 

as a whole (as of October 15, 1966). More 

study could lead to the greater level of resource protection afforded by national register eligibility or listing. 

The Hiawatha Club would continue to use the 

Three Maidens as a backdrop for its annual 

pageant. A special use permit would specify 

the conditions for the use of the site. 

Relocating the bridge near Winnewissa Falls 

to a spot downstream of the falls would permit an unimpeded view of the falls. This 

would make the view more consistent with 

traditional American Indian use of the falls, 

because traditionally there would have been 

no bridge as a means of access to the falls. 

Rehabilitating and reorganizing the Mission 

66 visitor center and using it to better interpret the national monument to visitors would 

protect that historic structure. 

Museum collections and archives would 

remain in the visitor center, a structure within 

both the 100- and 500-year floodplains. 

However, such resources would either be 

raised above the floodplain or designed to be 

easily evacuated prior to any flooding. Should 

this prove infeasible, museum collections and 

archives could be moved into the former 

residence now used for office space but 

proposed for rehabilitation as NPS housing. 

The National Park Service would not acquire 

the Indian School superintendent’s house but 

would work with the owners to provide 

technical assistance for the interpretation and 

preservation of the structure (see appendix F). 

Thus, this alternative would help protect the 

house as a cultural resource. 

Natural Resources 

The restoration of tallgrass prairie, including 

the management of exotic plants and the use 

of prescribed fire, would continue in most of 

the national monument. The National Park 

Service would seek the cooperation of the 

national monument’s neighbors in removing 

exotic plants on their lands, thereby reducing 

the chance of exotics moving onto national 

monument land. 

The NPS staff would continue to ensure that 

activities in the national monument would not 

introduce pollutants into Pipestone Creek. 

The National Park Service would work with 

local governments, landowners, and the state 

to improve the water quality in Pipestone 

Creek. 

The staff would monitor the water level in the 

national monument’s well to be sure that the 

pumping of quarries was not affecting the 

water table. It might be necessary to drill more 

wells for test purposes. Should the water level 

in the well fall, the staff would consult the 

Water Resources Division of the National 

Park Service about what actions, if any, should 

be taken. 

The bridge on Pipestone Creek below Winnewissa Falls would be relocated to remove the 

barrier to the free flow of floodwaters that it 

creates. The redevelopment of the visitor 

center would include measures to protect that 

structure and the people who use it against 

flooding. 

BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS 

In alternative 3, the preferred alternative, a 

boundary adjustment would be made to 

acquire a parcel of land owned by the Pipestone Area School District, placing the school 

district parcel within the boundaries of the 

national monument. The land is south of 

Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College. This would add 15.3 acres to Pipestone National Monument. This parcel would 
Alternative 3 

83 

be managed as part of the prairie preservation 

zone. 

COSTS 

The costs for alternative 3 are given for comparison to other alternatives only; they are not 

to be used for budgeting purposes. 

The following assumptions have been made: 

• All actions start in year one of the 20 

year plan for comparison purposes (in 

actuality they may be funded at any 

time within the 20 years). 

• Some proposals may never be funded 

within the 20 year life of the general 

management plan. 

• Approval of the general management 

plan does not guarantee any funding 

for the proposed actions. 

• Funding for some aspects of the plan 

may be provided by partners, 

donation, or other nonfederal funding 

sources. 

• All costs are shown in today’s dollars 

(actual costs may range from 30% 

below to 50% above the estimate). 

Costs have been broken down into two 

categories—annual operating costs and onetime costs. 

Annual costs include the costs associated with 

ongoing maintenance, utilities, staffing, 

supplies and materials, and any leasing costs. 

One-time costs include deferred maintenance 

(such as bringing structures up to standard), 

new construction, the cost of removal or 

divestiture of resources, the cost of 

restoration of resources, the cost of 

rehabilitation, the cost of additions to 

structures, and any costs associated with 

documentation and research on the resources. 

Initial land acquisition costs are not included 

in the cost estimates below. The acquisition of 

lands might be through donation or purchase. 

In either case, merely adding lands to the 

national monument would not immediately 

make funds available for maintenance, 

restoration, and operation. Although these 

have been figured into the initial cost 

explained above, it might be several years 

before funds are actually available to 

implement the plan. 

Annual operating costs: $9,141,000 

One-time costs: $3,372,000 

Total costs: $12,513,000 
84 

ALTERNATIVES ELIMINATED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION 

During the planning process, the public suggested several ideas that were dropped from 

further consideration because they would 

have resulted in unacceptable impacts on resources or visitors, or they were deemed to be 

outside the purpose of the national monument. These ideas are discussed below. 

INTRODUCE BISON TO 

THE NATIONAL MONUMENT 

Pipestone National Monument covers 281.78 

acres. Approximately one-third to one-half of 

that is an active visitor use area or wetland 

along Pipestone Creek. The number of bison 

that could make use of the remaining acreage 

without significant environmental damage 

would be small. They would need to be 

penned in with heavy-duty bison fence to 

keep them safely separated from visitors. This 

would detract from the open prairie that the 

national monument is trying to restore. A 

large herd of bison is maintained at nearby 

Blue Mounds State Park, less than 20 miles 

away. Although they are a part of the site’s history, bison are not necessary to an understanding of Pipestone National Monument or 

the quarrying process. Their maintenance 

would take considerable staff time that could 

be used more effectively elsewhere. Therefore, the introduction of bison was eliminated 

from further consideration. 

MAKE PIPESTONE NATIONAL 

MONUMENT A REGIONAL CENTER 

FOR INDIGENOUS STUDIES 

A suggestion to make Pipestone a research 

center through cooperation with American 

Indian tribes, the cooperating association, and 

local schools and universities was carefully 

considered. It was eventually eliminated because it was not specifically related to Pipestone National Monument, an extensive enlargement of facilities would have been required to accomplish that aim, and it would 

have refocused the national monument’s 

resources away from the Pipestone story to 

one that could be better accommodated 

outside the national monument. 

PROVIDE CAMPGROUND FACILITIES 

FOR CEREMONIAL USE 

The idea of providing campground facilities 

for ceremonial use was suggested by many 

people during public scoping. It was carefully 

considered, but in the end it was rejected 

because the expense of developing and maintaining such a facility for only two or three 

weeks out of the year would have been prohibitive. It would have required bringing city 

water, sewer, and electrical service to the site. 

To justify the cost, it would have been necessary to encourage more events or open the site 

to all visitors. This would have resulted in a 

considerable adverse impact on the national 

monument’s maintenance staff, the sacredness 

of the site, and local private campgrounds. 
85 

THE ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE ALTERNATIVE 

The environmentally preferable alternative is 

the alternative that will promote the national 

environmental policy as expressed in section 

101(b) of the National Environmental Policy 

Act. In the National Park Service, the environmentally preferable alternative is identified 

through the use of the following six criteria. 

1. Fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment for 

succeeding generations. 

2. Ensure for all Americans safe, healthful, 

productive, and esthetically and culturally 

pleasing surroundings. 

3. Attain the widest range of beneficial uses 

of the environment without degradation, 

risk of health or safety, or other undesirable and unintended consequences. 

4. Preserve important historic, cultural, and 

natural aspects of our national heritage 

and maintain, wherever possible, an 

environment that supports diversity and 

variety of individual choice. 

5. Achieve a balance between population 

and resource use that will permit high 

standards of living and a wide sharing of 

life’s amenities. 

6. Enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the maximum 

attainable recycling of depletable 

resources. 

As a result of public comment on the Draft 

GMP/EIS, the National Park Service has 

reconsidered its preferred alternative in light 

of substantial comment and consultation with 

American Indian tribes. Accordingly, the 

analysis of the environmentally preferred 

alternative has been reconsidered. 

Each of the alternatives meets criteria 1 and 5 

equally well. 

Though each of the alternatives meets 

Criterion 2 in terms of ensuring a safe, 

healthful and productive surrounding, 

alternative 1 best ensures an esthetically and 

culturally pleasing surrounding by restoring 

the ethnographic landscape of the quarries 

within the tallgrass prairie. 

Criterion 3 could be best met by alternative 1 

or alternative 3. Either of these alternatives 

provide a wide range of beneficial use without 

degradation or risk to health and safety. 

Alternative 1 may increase the amount of 

traffic on adjacent roadways because of the 

relocation of primary visitor services. By 

leaving development in the center of the 

monument, alternative 3 would continue to 

interrupt the “sacredness” of the site to the 

culturally affiliated tribes and lessen the 

opportunity for other visitors to understand 

the site as sacred. Both alternatives 1 and 3 

would allow the yearly Sun Dance ceremonies 

and the Hiawatha Club pageant to take place 

in areas of the national monument, with 

caveats to protect the natural resources. 

The primary purpose of the monument 

focuses on protecting the quarries and 

preserving quarrying activities. For that 

reason, Criterion 4 would be best met by 

alternative 1 even though by doing so the 

National Register eligible visitor center and its 

associated cultural landscape would be 

demolished. Alternative 1 would restore the 

ethnographic landscape and strengthen the 

context of the quarries within a tallgrass 

prairie. Both alternatives 1 and 3 afford a 

means for preserving the Indian School 

Superintendent’s house. 

Each of the action alternatives would provide 

a means of restoring the prairie on 

neighboring lands. 

Alternative 3 would meet criterion 6 because 

that alternative includes rehabilitating the 

existing visitor complex rather than demolishing or expanding the existing building, 
ALTERNATIVES,INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

86 

and would find compatible new uses for the 

existing houses in the national monument. 

Alternative 1 would meet criterion 6 because 

that alternative would restore a natural 

landscape by removing impermeable and 

reflective surfaces. Alternative 1, in the 

provision of visitor services in another 

location, provides an opportunity to reuse an 

existing facility or build a more sustainable 

structure, adhering to NPS guidelines for 

obtaining, at a minimum, silver LEED 

certification on new construction. Both 

alternatives 1 and 3 would make use of 

underused existing facilities outside the national monument for operations and resource 

management rather than expanding the existing facilities in the national monument. 

The National Park Service has determined the 

environmentally preferable alternative is 

alternative 1. Although some specific actions 

of other alternatives might achieve levels of 

protection for certain cultural resources or the 

visitor experience similar to alternative 1, in 

aggregate this alternative would best achieve 

the six prescribed conditions listed above. 
87 

MITIGATION AND ADDITIONAL STUDIES 

CULTURAL RESOURCES 

Historic Structures 

Before razing the visitor center and several 

associated Mission 66 structures under 

alternative 1, the National Park Service would 

prepare a mitigation plan for this adverse 

effect on a historic structure. The National 

Park Service would consult with the 

Minnesota state historic preservation officer, 

seeking concurrence about the necessary 

levels of collecting architectural drawings and 

taking photographs to document this Mission 

66 building for history. Under alternatives 2 

and 3, different rehabilitation plans would be 

proposed, including the expansion of the 

building (possibly vertically) in alternative 2. 

To accompany each of these rehabilitation 

plans, a mitigation plan would be developed in 

consultation with the state historic 

preservation officer. 

Cultural Landscapes 

Before pursuing any development under alternatives 1, 2, or 3 (such as for new trails or for 

upgrading trails or for relocating the bridge at 

Winnewissa Falls), the National Park Service 

would complete appropriate cultural 

landscape inventories and reports to determine how any potential cultural landscapes 

might be affected by such actions and ways to 

avoid or minimize any adverse effects on 

potential cultural landscapes. 

Ethnographic Resources 

An ethnographic study is underway that involves identifying plants that can be found 

within the national monument’s boundaries 

and that some American Indians use now or 

have used in the past for spiritual, medicinal, 

or food purposes. The study also seeks further 

details about the identity of the American Indian tribes traditionally associated with the 

national monument. This study, when completed, will provide more information that 

may be helpful in reaching management decisions. The American Indian tribes identified 

to have ancestral ties to Pipestone National 

Monument would be given opportunities for 

input in the development of plans or programs 

involving beliefs, traditions, and other cultural 

values. 

NATURAL RESOURCES 

Ground Disturbance/Soils 

Where possible, new development would be 

built on previously disturbed sites. During 

design and construction, the national monument’s natural resource staff would identify 

areas to be avoided. 

Best management practices for controlling soil 

erosion (such as installing silt fencing, retaining and replacing topsoil, revegetating 

sites with native species, and selective scheduling of construction activities) would be carried out to reduce runoff and soil loss from 

construction sites. To the extent possible, salvaged vegetation would be used rather than 

new planting or seeding. Workers would be 

required to control dust, and all construction 

machinery would have to meet air emission 

standards. Restoration efforts would be 

scheduled to minimize the effects on downstream water users. 

Vegetation 

The national monument staff would survey 

proposed development sites for sensitive 

species and would relocate new development 

if sensitive species populations were present. 

Similarly, trails, roads, campsites, and picnic 

sites would be located to avoid impacts on 

sensitive species. 
ALTERNATIVES,INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

88 

To the extent possible, to help minimize the 

spread of nonnative plants, the managers of 

the national monument would allow only the 

use of weed-free materials and equipment for 

operations and visitor activities. 

Water Resources 

A statement of findings for floodplains has 

been prepared reflecting the selected 

alternative’s removal of structures from the 

100-year floodplain. More detail is available in 

the “Affected Environment” chapter, under 

“Natural Resources,” beginning on page 122.

Any new facilities proposed for location in the 

floodplain (except trails and picnic facilities) 

would be designed to manage flood conditions, and a statement of findings for floodplains would be prepared. A statement of 

findings also would be required for any structures that would remain in the floodplain (see 

appendix E). 

For critical actions in the 500-year floodplain 

(storing museum objects or existing fuel storage at the visitor center and maintenance 

area), mitigating measures would be undertaken. Such measures could involve moving 

the museum storage and fuel storage to a 

location out of the 500-year floodplain or 

constructing a protective embankment. Constructing an embankment would require the 

approval of a statement of findings for floodplains. Also required would be compliance 

under section 106 of the National Historic 

Preservation Act. 

All facilities would be located to avoid wetlands if feasible. If avoiding wetlands was not 

feasible, other actions would be taken to comply with EO 11990 (“Protection of Wetlands”), the Clean Water Act, and Director’s 

Order (DO) 77-1 (“Wetland Protection”). 

A search of the NRCS wetlands database did 

not result in the identification of sizeable 

wetlands at the monument, though a few small 

wetlands exist in the monument, totaling 

approximately seven acres. Hence, a 

statement of findings for wetlands has not 

been prepared. Caution would be exercised to 

protect these “micro” wetlands from damage 

caused by construction equipment, erosion, 

siltation, and other activities with the potential 

to affect wetlands. 

Construction materials would be kept in work 

areas, especially if the construction took place 

near streams or natural drainages. 

Wetlands would be delineated by qualified 

NPS staff or certified wetland specialists, and 

the wetlands would be marked before construction began. 

Best management practices such as the use of 

silt fences would be implemented to ensure 

that construction-related effects were minimal 

and to prevent long-term impacts on water 

quality, wetlands, and aquatic species from 

displacement of soils. 

Threatened or Endangered Species 

and Species of Special Concern 

Pumping of the quarries would be discontinued if it was determined that it was affecting the Topeka shiner or the western 

prairie fringed orchid. 

If the National Park Service decided to relocate the bridge near Winnewissa Falls, when 

planning for that project began, the national 

monument staff would consult with the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service to determine if relocating the bridge would affect the Topeka 

shiner (a fish found in Pipestone Creek). If 

there appeared to be potential to affect the 

shiner, the National Park Service would develop mitigating measures to minimize any impact. Such measures would be implemented 

during the relocation of the bridge. Any 

further compliance with the Endangered Species Act would be carried out during the planning and design phase of the project. (More 

information is available in the passage 

“Impacts of Alternative 2,” describing the 
Mitigation and Additional Studies 

89 

impacts on threatened or endangered species, 

p. 199) 

If the sewer and water lines beneath the entry 

road were to be removed, at the beginning of 

the planning or design process for removing 

the lines, the National Park Service, in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, would evaluate the potential effects 

on the western prairie fringed orchid and 

develop ways to mitigate those effects. (More 

information is available in the section, “Impacts of Alternative 1,” describing the impacts 

on threatened or endangered species, p. 180). 

Air Quality 

The best available clean fuel technology 

would be applied (as it becomes available) to 

the extent feasible. 

A dust abatement program would be 

implemented. Standard dust abatement 

measures could include the following: 

• water or otherwise stabilize soils 

• cover haul trucks 

• enforce speed limits on unpaved roads 

• minimize vegetation clearing 

• revegetate after construction 
90 

COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES 

TABLE 3: COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1, Preferred Alternative 2 Alternative 3 

Staffing and Operations 

Maintenance would remain attached to visitor center. 

Maintenance function would be colocated with another public entity offsite, possibly through a lease/ build agreement. 

Maintenance would be moved onto part of acquired land just south of Minnesota West Community and Technical College. 

Maintenance function would be colocated with another public entity offsite, possibly through a lease/build agreement. 

Administrative offices would remain in visitor center and converted house. 

Administration and visitor center would be moved out of national monument; cooperative agreement, lease, or contract would be made with a private or public entity; converted house would be removed. 

Administrative offices would be consolidated in rehabilitated visitor center; converted house would be used for operations, seasonal staff, or quarters. 

Visitor center would be rehabilitated to house all national monument staff except maintenance. Superintendent and administrative staff could move to converted house if space constraints require it. Collections could also occupy converted house in the event they could not be protected from flooding in the visitor center. Otherwise, converted house would be used for staff housing. 

Facilities

Entry road would be maintained unchanged. 

Entry road would be shortened to end in a small parking area at south quarry entrance for use only by quarriers and visitors with disabilities. 

Entry road would be maintained unchanged. Entry road would be maintained unchanged. 

Visitor center would remain at current location. No additional space would be available in the visitor center for classroom, interpretation, or exhibits. 

Visitor center would be moved out of national monument; staffed interpretive kiosk and restroom facilities would be placed at new entrance above Winnewissa Falls. More space would be available in the visitor center for classroom, interpretation, and exhibits. 

Visitor center would be rehabilitated and enlarged for visitor services and staff needs; expanded facilities would be added, including research library, exhibits, collections access, and education/ teaching facilities for onsite and outreach activities; active demonstration quarry would be developed. 

Visitor center would be rehabilitated for visitor services and exhibits, staff office space, museum collections storage, curatorial functions, and/or expanded research library. A new active demonstration quarry would be developed near the visitor center. 
91 

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1, Preferred Alternative 2 Alternative 3 

Visitor center parking would remain unchanged. 

Current visitor center parking area would be removed; new parking area would be added above Winnewissa Falls; parking for quarriers and visitors with disabilities would be developed at end of south quarry line. A new restroom facility would be constructed on the western end of the Circle Trail. 

Parking at visitor center would be reconfigured depending on visitor center expansion. 

Visitor center parking would be unchanged. 

Housing for law enforcement ranger would continue to be onsite in existing house. 

Law enforcement ranger housing would be removed from national monument. 

Housing for law enforcement ranger would be onsite in existing house. 

Housing for law enforcement ranger would be onsite in existing house. 

Existing picnic area, with restrooms, access to water, and parking would remain unchanged. 

Picnic area and associated parking would be removed from national monument; restrooms would be removed; area would be restored to prairie. 

Picnic area would be unchanged, but parking would be combined with Three Maidens wayside exhibit parking. 

Existing picnic area, with restrooms, access to water, and parking would remain unchanged. 

The Landscape

Remnant prairie would be managed to preserve its significance; restored prairie would be managed to recover native species. 

Remnant prairie would be managed to preserve its significance; restored prairie would be managed to recover native species; new prairie overlook would be developed on west edge of national monument; all prairie would be managed to decrease visitor impacts on remnant and restored prairies. 

Remnant prairie would be managed to preserve its significance; restored prairie would be managed to recover native plant species; a portion of prairie would serve as a learning laboratory. 

Remnant prairie would be managed to preserve its significance; restored prairie would be managed to recover native plant species; a portion of prairie would serve as a learning laboratory. 

Pipestone Area School District land south of Minnesota West Community and Technical College on eastern boundary would not be acquired. 

Pipestone Area School District land south of Minnesota West Community and Technical College on eastern boundary would be acquired and prairie would be restored; would be managed in prairie preservation zone. 

Pipestone Area School District land south of Minnesota West Community and Technical College on eastern boundary would be acquired; part of this land would be used for new maintenance facility; would be managed in prairie preservation zone. 

15.3 acres of Pipestone Area School District land south of Minnesota West Community and Technical College on eastern boundary would be acquired, and prairie would be restored; would be managed in prairie preservation zone. 
92 

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1, Preferred Alternative 2 Alternative 3 

USFWS/MDNR property north of the monument would continue to be owned and maintained by USFWS and MDNR. NPS would continue to work toward coordination/ cooperation of management activities to restore prairie, remove exotic species, etc. with USFWS/MDNR. 

USFWS/MDNR property north of the monument would continue to be owned and maintained by USFWS and MDNR. NPS would work toward cooperative agreement for management activities that restore prairie, remove exotic species, etc. with USFWS/MDNR. 

NPS would acquire USFWS/ MDNR land north of the monument to expand opportunities for visitors to learn about cultural and natural resources, ceremonial uses, and prairie restoration; would be managed in prairie preservation zone. 

USFWS/MDNR property north of the monument would continue to be owned and maintained by USFWS and MDNR. NPS would work toward cooperative agreement for management activities that restore prairie, remove exotic species, etc. with USFWS/MDNR. 

Control of exotic species in national monument would continue. 

Control of exotic species in national monument would continue; NPS would work with owners of adjacent properties to identify and eradicate exotics. 

Control of exotic species in national monument would continue; NPS would work with owners of adjacent properties to identify and eradicate exotics. 

Control of exotic species in national monument would continue; NPS would work with owners of adjacent properties to identify and eradicate exotics. 

Existing trails would be maintained; bridge would remain in current location. 

New visitor trails to reach the existing trail system would be developed; bridge would remain in current location. 

Existing trails would be upgraded; bridge would be relocated downstream of Winnewissa Falls; new trails would be possible for onsite interpretation, education, and outreach activities. 

Existing trails would be upgraded; bridge would be relocated downstream of Winnewissa Falls; new trails would be possible for onsite interpretation, education, and outreach activities. 

American Indian Interests

Indian School superintendent’s house would remain outside the national monument; no NPS assistance with interpretation or preservation would be provided. 

Indian School superintendent’s house would not be acquired but the NPS would assist in the preservation and interpretation of this historic structure.

Indian School superintendent’s house would be acquired and rehabilitated inside and outside; interpretation would be offered onsite; would be managed as part of visitor services zone. 

Indian School superintendent’s house would not be acquired. 

Cooperating association would remain in visitor center. 

Cooperating association would be moved out of national monument into new visitor center. 

Cooperating association would remain in existing visitor center. 

Cooperating association would remain in existing visitor center. 

Sun Dances would continue under permit. 

Sun Dances would continue under permit; modifications of use might be made following a study of impact and sustainability of resources. 

Sun Dance would no longer be permitted. 

Sun Dances would continue under permit; modifications of use might be made following a study of impact and sustainability of resources. 
93 

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1, Preferred Alternative 2 Alternative 3 

Management of Three Maidens area would be unchanged; American Indian ceremonial use would continue; Hiawatha Club use would continue under permit. 

American Indian ceremonial use of Three Maidens area would be unchanged; area would be restored to prairie; picnic area with parking would be removed and returned to prairie; Hiawatha Club use of Three Maidens would be restricted under permit. 

American Indian ceremonial use of Three Maidens area would be unchanged; area would be restored to prairie; picnic area parking and road would be removed; picnic area with restroom would be kept, but parking would be combined with Three Maidens parking along entry road; Hiawatha Club use of Three Maidens would be restricted under permit. 

American Indian ceremonial use of Three Maidens area would be unchanged; immediate surrounding area would be restored to prairie; Three Maidens parking along entry road would remain unchanged; picnic area with restroom and parking would remain unchanged; Hiawatha Club use of Three Maidens would be restricted under permit. 

Quarries would continue to be allocated via permit. 

Quarries would continue to be allocated via permit. 

Quarries would be allocated via permit; opportunities for education and interpretation of site’s cultural heritage and quarrying process would be increased; a quarry would be developed for demonstrating quarrying process. 

Quarries would be allocated via permit; opportunities for education and interpretation of site’s cultural heritage and quarrying process would be increased; a quarry would be developed for demonstrating quarrying process. 

No informal superintendent’s Indian consultation group would be established. 

Informal superintendent’s Indian consultation group would be established. 

Informal superintendent’s Indian consultation group would be established. 

Informal superintendent’s Indian consultation group would be established. 
94 

TABLE 4:

COMPARISON OF ENVIRONMENTAL 

CONSEQUENCES

Note: There would be no impairment of national monument resources or values under any of the alternatives. 

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1 (Preferred) Alternative 2 Alternative 3 

CULTURAL 

RESOURCES

Cultural Landscapes

Restoration would continue in conjunction with maintaining and preserving the remnant tallgrass prairie. This would result in a long-term minor to moderate beneficial effect on cultural landscapes. Remnant prairie preservation and prairie restoration from the recovery of native plant species would result in long-term minor to moderate beneficial effects on potentially eligible national register landscapes in the national monument. 

Seven of the eight potential cultural landscapes would not be adversely affected. Removing the visitor center from the potential ethnographic landscape would result in a moderate to major long-term beneficial effect on the “Prehistoric Quarrying into the Historic Period” aspect of the ethnographic landscape. There would be major longterm adverse effects on one historic cultural landscape. 

Implementing alternative 2 would result in a long-term moderate beneficial effect on the CCC-era cultural landscape. 

Implementing alternative 3 would result in a long-term moderate beneficial effect on the CCC-era cultural landscape. 

Ethnographic Resources

Prairie preservation and restoration would result in minor to moderate beneficial effects on the ethnographic landscape. The distraction of traditional American Indian practitioners at ethnographic resources by inadvertent interruptions from non-Indian visitors would result in long-term minor adverse effects on traditional use associated with ethnographic resources. Continuing the two annual Sun Dances would result in either a long-term minor beneficial effect or a long-term moderate adverse effect, depending on the perspective of the person rendering the opinion. 

The inadvertent distracting access of visitors to ethnographic resources in the presence of traditional practitioners would mean that the effects on traditional use associated with ethnographic resources would be minor, adverse, and long term. Removing the picnic area, parking area and restrooms near the Three Maidens rock formation would result in a long-term minor beneficial effect. Continuing the two annual Sun Dances would result in either a long-term minor beneficial effect or a moderate adverse effect, depending on the perspective of the person rendering the opinion. 

The inadvertent distracting access of visitors to ethnographic resources in the presence of traditional practitioners would result in effects on traditional use associated with ethnographic resources under alternative 2 that would be minor, adverse, and long term. Relocating the bridge at Winnewissa Falls could benefit American Indians’ traditional use of the falls, resulting in a moderate long-term beneficial effect. Removing the picnic parking area near the Three Maidens rock formation and expanding the Three Maidens interpretive pullout would result in a longterm minor beneficial effect on the traditional use of the Three Maidens because access would be accommodated without inadvertent distractions from picnicking visitors. Discontinuing the two annual Sun Dances would be either a long-term moderate adverse effect or a long-term moderate beneficial effect, depending on the perspective of the person rendering the opinion.

The inadvertent distracting access of visitors to ethnographic resources in the presence of traditional practitioners would mean that the effects on traditional use associated with ethnographic resources under alternative 3 would be minor, adverse, and long term. This would include the effects from expanding the Three Maidens parking lot. Relocating the bridge at Winnewissa Falls would not inhibit access and traditional use of the falls because the trail and trail abutments would remain, resulting in a moderate long-term beneficial effect. Continuing the two annual Sun Dances would be either a long-term moderate adverse effect or a long-term moderate beneficial effect, depending on the perspective of the person rendering the opinion. 
95 

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1 (Preferred) Alternative 2 Alternative 3 

Historic Structures

The historic Mission 66 visitor center building would continue to be preserved, a minor long-term beneficial effect. Without preservation intervention, the effects on the Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s house would range from moderate today to major over time, and they would be adverse and long term. 

Razing the Mission 66 visitor center building would cause a major long-term adverse effect. Rehabilitating the Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s house would result in a moderate beneficial long-term effect on that historic structure. 

Rehabilitating the historic Mission 66 visitor center building and the Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s house would result in moderate beneficial longterm effects on those structures. 

Rehabilitating the historic Mission 66 visitor center building and the Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s house would result in moderate beneficial long-term effects on those structures. 

Museum Collections and Archives

Museum collections and archives generally would continue to be secure, but long-term moderate to major adverse impacts on these resources could result unless the threat of flooding was eliminated. Museum collections and archives eventually would have to be moved to quarters with more space, presumably to another institution in the region. Negligible to minor short-term adverse impacts would be brought about by the risk of moving artifacts, specimens, and documents, and there would be moderate long-term beneficial effects from acquiring new space for curation, research, and storage and from eliminating the threat of flooding. 

Museum collections and archives would be better secured under alternative 1. Negligible to minor adverse short-term impacts would result from the risk of packing, moving, storing, and reinstalling the artifacts, specimens, and documents to new quarters. Moderate long-term beneficial effects would result from providing new state-of-the-art space for museum collections and archives away from the national monument, possibly in downtown Pipestone, to conduct future curation, research, and storage. 

Museum collections and archives would be better secured under alternative 2. Negligible to minor short-term adverse impacts would result from the risk of packing, storing, and moving the artifacts, specimens, and documents to newly rehabilitated quarters. Moderate long-term beneficial effects would result from providing new state-of-the-art space for museum collections and archives in a rehabilitated visitor center in the national monument to conduct future curation, research, and storage. 

Museum collections and archives would be better secured under alternative 3. Negligible to minor short-term adverse impacts would result from the risk of packing, moving, storing, and reinstalling the artifacts, specimens, and documents to a newly rehabilitated area of the visitor center. Moderate longterm beneficial effects would result from providing new state-of-the-art space for museum collections and archives. 
96 

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1 (Preferred) Alternative 2 Alternative 3 

NATURAL RESOURCES

Vegetation — Remnant and Restored Tallgrass Prairies

Overall, despite the fragmentation of habitat, the occupancy of habitat by structures, the presence of corridors for the entrance of exotic plants, heavy visitor use in a large area of the national monument, and ongoing efforts to restore tallgrass prairie would result in a moderate beneficial effect on tallgrass prairie because these systematic efforts would increase the abundance, distribution, quantity, and quality of the habitat in the national monument. 

Acquiring the school district lands and restoring 15.3 acres to remnant prairie, managing the use of the 8-acre Sun Dance area within a carrying capacity, and removing 6 acres of development, followed by the restoration of remnant tallgrass prairie, would result in a minor long-term beneficial effect on this community type. Removing the entrance road from the south quarry entrance to the visitor center, removing the visitor center and parking area, and restoring natural contours west of the south quarry line would improve water flow through the national monument, potentially restoring historic soil moisture levels in the mesic crystalline bedrock prairie — a potential moderate long-term beneficial effect. Increasing the size of the restored tallgrass prairie would cause a substantial increase in the abundance and distribution of the prairie community, a major long-term beneficial effect.

Overall, the effects on remnant and restored tallgrass prairie would be long term, major, and beneficial. 

Overall, despite the fragmentation of habitat, the occupancy of habitat by structures, the presence of corridors for the entrance of exotic plants, and shortterm heavy visitor use in an 8-acre area of the national monument managed within a carrying capacity, ongoing efforts to restore tallgrass prairie would result in a moderate beneficial effect on tallgrass prairie because these systematic efforts would increase the abundance, distribution, quantity, and quality of the habitat in the national monument. 

Wetlands and Riparian Corridor

Continued foot traffic in the wetlands near the picnic area, parking, and restrooms on the southern boundary of the national monument would result in long term minor adverse effects on wetlands. 

The actions of alternative 1 would have an appreciable effect on natural processes and a minor long-term beneficial effect on wetlands, including those in the riparian corridor. 

There would be no impact on wetlandsor the riparian corridor. 

Continued foot traffic in the wetlandsnear the picnic area, parking, and restrooms on the southern boundary of the national monument would result in long-term minor adverse effects on wetlands.
97 

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1 (Preferred) Alternative 2 Alternative 3 

Floodplains

The continuing effects on natural and beneficial floodplain values and the continuing effects on the floodplains’ ability to function normally during flooding would be minor, adverse, and long term. Although the possibility of loss of life would be extremely small, there would be some danger to visitors and employees. Risks would be minor to moderate, but flooding could cause major adverse effects on the visitors, employees, and property involved. 

The net removal of about 5 acres of buildings and impermeable surfaces would cause a minor long term beneficial effect on natural and beneficial floodplain values. The continuing impact on the floodplains’ ability to function normally during flooding would be minor, adverse, and long term. Although the possibility of loss of life from flooding would be extremely small, there would be some danger to visitors and employees. Risks would be minor to moderate, but flooding could cause major adverse impacts on the visitors, employees, and property involved. 

The effects of alternative 2 on the ability of the floodplain to function normally would be local and slightly detectable, a minor adverse long-term effect. Although the possibility of loss of life from flooding would be extremely small, there would be some danger to visitors and employees. Risks would be minor to moderate, but flooding could cause major adverse impacts on the visitors, employees, and property involved. 

The net removal of about 1 acre of buildings and impermeable surfaces would cause a minor long-term beneficial effect on natural and beneficial floodplain values. Keeping the visitor center, the parking and picnic areas, restrooms, and residences within the 100-year floodplain would prevent the restoration of natural and beneficial floodplain values and continue to affect the floodplain’s ability to function normally during flooding, a minor longterm adverse impact. Although the possibility of loss of life from flooding would be extremely small, there would be some danger to visitors and employees. Risks would be minor to moderate, but flooding could cause major adverse impacts on the visitors, employees, and property involved.

Hydrology

Floodwater would continue to be impeded by the bridge over Pipestone Creek near Winnewissa Falls, a moderate intermittent impact. 

Alternative 1 would result in a moderate long-term local beneficial effect on hydrology. 

Continued pumping of the quarries could lower the water table or decrease soil moisture, a potential minor short-term adverse effect that could be mitigated by discontinuing pumping. Relocating the falls bridge farther downstream would remove a restriction to the natural flow of the creek, a moderate long-term beneficial effect. Acquiring the school district lands south of Minnesota West Community and Technical College on the national monument’s eastern boundary would maintain or improve water flow patterns, a moderate long-term beneficial effect on hydrology. 

Alternative 3 would result in a moderate long-term local beneficial effect on hydrology. 
98 

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1 (Preferred) Alternative 2 Alternative 3 

Soils 

Soil disturbance from such things as ongoing maintenance would result in minor adverse long-term impacts on soils. The effects from development such as eliminating inflow of water, diverting precipitation from natural drainages, and soil compaction would be minor, long term, and adverse. 

Establishing a carrying capacity for the ceremonial area (about 8 acres) and removing facilities from about 6 acres would cause a minor long-term beneficial effect on soils. If grading of sites was necessary as part of restoration, some of the soil profile would be permanently lost, a minor long-term adverse effect on soil. Converting the maintenance outdoor equipment storage area to parking (about 1 acre), adding a small parking area at the south quarry entrance, and constructing a trail would cause a minor long-term adverse impact on soils. 

Implementing alternative 2 could result in a long-term moderate adverse effect on about 3 acres of soil at the visitor center and potential new maintenance facility, and a long-term minor beneficial effect on about 8 acres at the Sun Dance site and 1 acre at the maintenance storage area. 

Establishing a carrying capacity for the ceremonial area (about 8 acres) and removing facilities from about 1 acre would cause a minor long-term beneficial effect on soils. If grading at the fuel storage building or maintenance storage area was necessary, some of the soil profile could be permanently lost, a minor long-term adverse effect on soil. 

Wildlife

Overall, the fragmentation of wildlife habitat and the alteration of wildlife movement would continue to result in a long-term minor adverse effect. 

A net gain of about 6 acres of habitat would cause a moderate long-term beneficial effect on wildlife. Establishing a carrying capacity for the Sun Dance grounds might mitigate the continuing minor long-term adverse impact on wildlife to some degree. 

A moderate long-term beneficial effect on wildlife would result from a net gain of about 116 acres of wildlife habitat (from acquiring the USFWS/MDNR land, acquiring the school district land, removing the outdoor maintenance storage area, and managing the acquired areas as prairie). Because the mowing of the Sun Dance ground (8 acres) no longer would be permitted, nor would holding Sun Dances, the remnant prairie would be able to recover, a moderate long-term beneficial effect on wildlife. 

A net gain of about 15.3 acres of habitat would result in a moderate longterm beneficial effect on wildlife. Establishing a carrying capacity for the Sun Dance grounds might mitigate the adverse impact of holding the Sun Dances to some degree, depending on the capacity determined, a minor longterm beneficial effect. 
99 

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1 (Preferred) Alternative 2 Alternative 3 

Threatened or Endangered Species or Species of Special Concern

Overall, the continued presence of development in the national monument, continued clearing of the road edges, and human disturbance would have no effect on the Topeka shiner or the western prairie fringed orchid. 

This alternative would have no effect on the Topeka shiner. Removing houses and part of the access road and restoring natural vegetation would reduce human disturbance of the orchid habitat, causing a long-term minor beneficial effect. If the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that the orchid might be affected by removing the sewer and water lines from beneath one site occupied by orchids or by placing a small part of orchid habitat in the quarry zone, the National Park Service would develop mitigating measures in consultation with that agency to ensure that there would be no impacts on the orchid.

Increased quarrying and associated pumping might change the area’s hydrology by lowering the water table and decreasing soil moisture availability. If pumping resulted in unacceptable impacts on, for example, the Topeka shiner in Pipestone Creek and the western prairie fringed orchid, it would be discontinued. There would be a potential short-term minor adverse impact on threatened and endangered species. 

Adding a demonstration quarry and the associated pumping might change the area’s hydrology by lowering the water table and decreasing soil moisture availability. There would be a potential short-term minor adverse impact on threatened and endangered species even though pumping would be stopped if impacts were identified. Demolishing the bridge and reconstructing it farther downstream would not be expected to have any effect on the Topeka shiner. 
100 

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1 (Preferred) Alternative 2 Alternative 3 

VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE

Long-term beneficial effects on visitors at Three Maidens area, cultural demonstrations in visitor center, along Circle Trail, at quarries, and at prairie remnant from continuing existing management; long-term adverse impacts from continuing existing conditions at information desk and restrooms and from inappropriate practices along Circle Trail. Continuing the existing management of visitor services would cause longterm major beneficial effects on visitors viewing the prairie area when walking the Circle Trail, at the Three Maidens area, at the cultural demonstrations in the visitor center, and at the quarries and the prairie remnant. It would result in long-term minor beneficial effects on visitors viewing the prairie area from vehicles going to and from the visitor center via the entry road. However, there would be long-term adverse impacts on the visitor experience from continuing the existing conditions in the visitor center and some inappropriate practices along the Circle Trail. 

Alternative 1 would result in longterm major beneficial effects on the visitor experience at the Three Maidens area, the exhibits in the new offsite visitor facility, the restroom accommodations, the Circle Trail area, and the prairie remnant. There would be long-term moderate beneficial effects on the visitor experience at the information desk and the quarry area. A long-term moderate adverse effect on visitors would result from the effects on visitors’ ability to find the new offsite visitor center. 

Alternative 2 would result in major beneficial effects on the visitor experienceat the new visitor center exhibits, the information desk, the demonstration area, the restrooms, the quarry area, the prairie area, and the Circle Trail. There would be moderate long-term beneficial effects on the visitor experience at the Three Maidens area. This alternative would cause no adverse effects on the visitor experience. 

Alternative 3 would result in major beneficial effects on the visitor experience from (1) keeping and modifying the existing Circle Trail and moving the bridge downstream and redesigning it to make it less obtrusive, and (2) the continued opportunity for visitors to closely observe the vegetative species of the prairie remnant from the Circle Trail. There would be moderate beneficial effects from (1) allowing the Three Maidens zone to revert to prairie and establishing a trail to guide and control access, (2) the updated exhibits and improved interpretation at the rehabilitated visitor center, and (3) keeping the existing demonstration area in the rehabilitated visitor center and adding a quarrying demonstration area behind the visitor center. Adding accessible restrooms to the rehabilitated visitor center and continuing opportunity for visitors to observe the prairie remnant from the entry road would result in a minor beneficial effect on visitor experiences. 

SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

Quarriers and Demonstrators

The no-action alternative would have no effect on quarriers and demonstrators. 

Alternative 1 would cause a minor longterm inconvenience to some quarriers, and it would cause no impact on demonstrators. It would not result in any economic effects. 

Alternative 2 would cause a negligible long-term beneficial economic effect on quarriers and demonstrators. 

Alternative 3 would result in no effect on quarriers. Although the working conditions for demonstrators probably would be improved, there would be a negligible increase in earnings. 
101 

No-Action Alternative Alternative 1 (Preferred) Alternative 2 Alternative 3 

Businesses

The no-action alternative would result in a negligible long-term effect on businesses that are directly dependent on the national monument. 

Alternative 1 would result in a negligible long term adverse effect on businesses that are dependent on the national monument. Should the Pipestone Indian Shrine Association move to another location, the effect would likely be minor.

Alternative 2 would result in a minor long-term socioeconomic effect on businesses that are directly dependent on the national monument. 

Alternative 3 would result in a negligible long-term beneficial socioeconomic effect on businesses that are directly dependent on the national monument. 

Community

Because the employment and expenditures of the national monument are small compared to the county economy as a whole, the impacts of national monument employment and expenditures would continue to be negligible, long term, and beneficial. 

Development activities included in alternative 1 would result in a minor short-term beneficial effect on the local and regional economy from construction dollars filtering into the local community. 

Alternative 2 would result in a minor long-term socioeconomic effect on businesses that are directly dependent on the national monument. 

Alternative 3 would result in a longterm minor beneficial socioeconomic effect on the local and regional economy. 

NATIONAL MONUMENT OPERATIONS

The no-action alternative would result in long-term moderate adverse impacts on maintenance and facilities. There would be no change in emergency response time or in the ability of the national monument staff to enforce regulations. 

The construction of new facilities would result in major long-term beneficial effects. The development of new maintenance facilities and the improved quality of the work accomplished would cause long-term moderate beneficial effects. There would be no change in the national monument’s ability to enforce laws and regulations. Moving maintenance away from the site would result in a long-term negligible adverse impact on the efficiency of maintenance activities. Having the visitor center offsite would cause a long-term moderate adverse impact on visitor services. Longterm minor adverse impacts could occur when visitors sought assistance in emergency situations.

Adding high-quality new facilities would result in long-term major beneficial effects. Moving the maintenance facility offsite would improve the ability of the visitor center to serve visitors’ needs, a long-term moderate beneficial effect. Having the law enforcement ranger continue to live on the site and increasing the national monument staff would make more people available to respond to emergencies, a long-term negligible beneficial effect. There would be no long-term change in the ability of the national monument to enforce regulations. 

Adding high-quality new facilities would result in long-term major beneficial effects. Adding a new offsite maintenance facility would remove conflicting sights and sounds and improve the national monument’s ability to serve visitors’ needs, a long-term moderate beneficial effect. Having the law enforcement ranger continue to live on the site and increasing the national monument staff would make more people available to respond to emergencies, a long-term negligible beneficial effect. There would be no change in the ability of the national monument to enforce regulations. 
102 

COSTS ESTIMATES 

TABLE 5: ESTIMATED COSTS

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE 1 (PREFERRED) ALTERNATIVE 2 ALTERNATIVE 3

ESTIMATED COSTS OVER THE 20-YEAR LIFE OF THE PLAN (2006 dollars) 

Initial (Capital) Costs $547,000 $1,771,000* $5,080,000 $3,372,000 Recurring Annual Costs $8,759,000 $11,865,000 $8,759,000 $9,141,000 Total Costs $9,306,000 $13636,000 $13,839,000 $12,513,000 * This assumes construction of a new visitor center. If NPS chooses to relocate primary visitor services into an existing off-site location, capital costs would be minimal. 
AFFECTED 

ENVIRONMENT

105 

INTRODUCTION 

In this chapter, the existing environment of 

Pipestone National Monument is described, 

along with the surrounding region. Its focus is 

on the resources, uses, facilities, and socioeconomic characteristics that have the potential 

to be affected if any of the alternatives were 

implemented. 
106 

CULTURAL RESOURCES 

INTRODUCTION 

Cultural resources are of five types: 

1. archeological resources consisting of artifacts, objects, or other material remains in 

the ground as evidence of past human 

habitation or occupation over time 

2. cultural landscapes that are historic or 

ethnographic and consist of distinctive 

features of the human-built environment 

or natural environment, or both, that represent aspects of a way of life of a people, 

group, or family 

3. ethnographic resources consisting of particular places with natural or human-built 

features in what are now units of the national park system that contemporary 

peoples, groups, or families link to their 

traditional way of life, cultural heritage, 

and social identity 

4. historic structures that are important to 

local, regional, or national history 

5. museum collections and archives that relate to the history and setting of what 

happened in what is now the national 

monument or other type of unit of the 

national park system 

Pipestone National Monument contains important cultural resources representative of 

human use over time, as well as ongoing use in 

what is now the national monument. The area 

was used primarily by prehistoric, historic, 

and contemporary American Indian peoples, 

tribes, groups, and individuals. The range in 

general spans the past 5,000 years; that is, from 

the Late Archaic Period of about 3000 B.C. in

prehistoric times to the present. Pottery recovered on land in what is now the national 

monument attests to American Indian occupation during the Middle Woodland Period, 

circa. A.D. 500–700, through the Late Prehistoric Period, which ended about A.D. 1700. 

Pipestone quarrying, more precisely called the 

quarrying of catlinite pipestone, was important prehistorically. It continued through the 

historic American Indian period into the 

Euro–American periods of 19th century 

exploration and settlement, and it continues 

today. 

Tobacco, or rather the shared use of tobacco, 

seems to have been a driving force. The ceremonial smoking of Nicotiana rustica and a few 

other species of tobacco was and is culturally 

important. The red catlinite pipestone deposits at Pipestone National Monument became and remain the most important source 

of carved pipe bowls for sacred ceremonial 

pipes. 

CATLINITE 

The distribution of catlinite has been far and 

wide over time and space. Blanks of catlinite, 

for instance, apparently were traded to villagers along the Missouri River from this spot, 

which is now Pipestone National Monument, 

by A.D. 900, perhaps earlier. People would 

quarry the red catlinite pipestone for their 

own use and for trading. Over the years, by 

way of example, 18th and 19th century ceremonial pipes have been noted and documented for their use in different provinces of Canada like New Brunswick and Quebec and in 

states of the United States like Alabama, 

Florida, Maine, and Oklahoma. Some pipes 

like these have been historically identified and 

physically traced to the catlinite quarries of 

present-day Pipestone National Monument. 

Catlinite deposits occur mostly within the 

boundaries of the national monument, but 

some may extend north and south of the 

ridgeline of deposits and quarries within the 

present-day national monument. 

Catlinite is chemically unique as a mineral. 

The tracing back to the national monument of 
Cultural Resources 

107 

pipe bowls and other museum artifacts carved 

from catlinite can be done scientifically. 

Catlinite is named for the artist George Catlin 

(1796–1872). well-known for his portraits of 

American Indians. Catlin was the first to 

document the quarries in art and narrative 

and the first to take samples of the red stone 

material back with him when he returned to 

the East. He visited the quarries in 1836, and 

shortly after that the distinctive red stone was 

named after him by Charles Thomas Jackson 

(1805–1880), a leading scientist of the time 

based in New England as a pioneer geologist 

and mineralogist. Catlin’s painting relevant to 

the national monument is entitled Pipestone 

Quarry on the Coteau des Prairies, Minnesota.

Pipestone is a more general term than catlinite. It refers to claystones exhibiting color and 

characteristics similar to, but not identical 

with, catlinite. Pipestone is known to occur at 

a number of widespread locations in the 

United States, most of which have been used 

for stone aboriginal artifacts in prehistoric and 

historic times. The term catlinite, however, is 

reserved exclusively for claystone from the 

quarries at Pipestone National Monument. 

Like other pipestone deposits, catlinite originated as mud put down on riverine floodplains during major flooding episodes. Subsequent sedimentary accretions were pressed 

into hardened clay or claystone as discontinuous thin beds encompassed within quartzite 

deposits that generally overlaid these catlinite 

or other pipestone layers as a vast regional 

geological stone formation known as Sioux 

quartzite. Sioux quartzite is composed of 

more than 90% medium-to-fine quartz sand 

grains encoated with hematite, which gives the 

stone a reddish to grayish appearance. It is 

hard and makes good building material, as the 

city of Pipestone, Minnesota, attests with its 

many historic buildings constructed of Sioux 

quartzite. In contrast, catlinite is softer, lacking quartz in its mineral composition, which 

gives it a carvable quality. 

It could be said that the quartzite in which 

catlinite is embedded is purple because it generally has a darker hue than catlinite, which 

appears red, also due to hematite. Catlinite’s 

color, however, may vary from dark maroon 

to almost white. The paler colors of catlinite, 

which are due to partial leaching of the hematite, often occur as spots. They characterize 

much of the catlinite taken from the national 

monument’s Spotted Quarry. 

ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES 

Pipestone National Monument encompasses 

an archeological district, the boundary of 

which coincides with that of the national 

monument. The entire national monument is 

officially recorded in the files of the Office of 

the Minnesota State Archaeologist, part of the 

office of the state historic preservation officer, 

as archeological site 21PP2. Just as Pipestone 

National Monument may be perceived as an 

ethnographic resource and landscape, as discussed below, so, too, can it be regarded as an 

archeological district. Both perceptions are 

consistent with the listing of Pipestone National Monument in the National Register of 

Historic Places on October 15, 1966. 

The archeological district is composed of 42 

localities where archeological features have 

been reported at various times over the past 

120 years. Types of features reported are 

quarries, mounds, circular stone alignments 

that are also known as tipi rings, petroglyphs, 

a historic cemetery associated with the Pipestone Indian School, and campsites involving 

catlinite workshop areas. 

There is a long history of investigation of the 

prehistoric and historic archeological 

resources of Pipestone National Monument. 

The earliest professional archeological 

investigation took place in 1882, when 

Philetus W. Norris of the Smithsonian 

Institution in Washington, D.C., excavated 

several mounds in the vicinity of the quarries. 

Another Smithsonian researcher, W. H. 

Holmes, visited the quarries in 1892 and 
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

108 

produced a detailed map showing 8 mounds 

and more than 350 circular stone alignments. 

In 1949, Paul Beaubien, an NPS archeologist, 

excavated at three locations along the quarry 

ridge of the north and south quarry lines, at 

two locations near the Leaping Rock / The 

Oracle formation, and elsewhere in the national monument. John S. Sigstad of the University of Colorado conducted a monumentwide archeological survey in 1965 under a 

contract with the National Park Service. At 

various times in the 1970s through 1990s, NPS 

archeologists from the Midwest Archeological 

Center surveyed the national monument’s 

archeological resources. 

The most intensive of these efforts occurred 

in 1993, 1994, and 1997–1998, when extensive 

surface surveys of the national monument 

were conducted after its grassy vegetation was 

reduced by prescribed burning. This work was 

done under the auspices of the National Park 

Service’s Systemwide Archeological Inventory 

Program (SAIP). The effort recorded additional archeological resources and produced a 

detailed archeological base map. The work 

resulted in the working conclusion that the 

relatively thin soil mantle overlying the bedrock in Pipestone National Monument (less 

than 10 feet in most places) has been subject 

to long-term bioturbation by the action of 

burrowing rodents. This ongoing process of 

soil churning, so to speak, has the effects of 

both burying archeological features such as 

circular stone alignments and exposing them. 

Because individual cultural features and artifacts can be either buried or exposed by this 

natural process at any given time, archeological inventories should be conducted while the 

ground is largely denuded of grass cover after 

controlled burns. These efforts will result in 

additional features and artifacts being added 

to the national monument’s archeological 

base map and will increase knowledge of the 

national monument’s archeological resources 

as a camping place to quarry and to seek religious experiences such as vision quests. 

Chipped stone projectile points and the pottery found in the national monument are evidence of the presence of Archaic and Woodland Indian peoples; that is, of peoples who 

occupied the national monument from Late 

Archaic through Middle Woodland into Late 

Prehistoric times, as mentioned above in the 

overview for cultural resources. It is not 

known what the earliest date was by which 

catlinite was being purposefully extracted. It is 

fair to say that quarrying was not the only 

early purpose for being there. American Indians were present for a variety of purposes 

that could have included hunting, plant gathering, seeking shelter, religious and ceremonial observance, or quarrying. 

ETHNOGRAPHIC RESOURCES 

Pipestone National Monument: An 

Ethnographic Landscape 

Ethnographic resources relate to particular 

places or areas that contemporary peoples 

link to their traditional way of life and cultural 

heritage. (An ethnographic resource is a site, 

structure, object, landscape, or natural resource feature assigned traditional legendary, 

religious, subsistence, or other significance in 

the cultural system of a group traditionally 

associated with it — [NPS 1998a, 181].) Ordinarily, ethnographic resources are identified 

with tribes, peoples, or groups traditionally 

associated with what is now a unit of the national park system, starting from the present 

and going back in time for the continuity of at 

least two generations. The implication is that a 

tribe, people, or group occupied and lived in a 

particular spot or territory. However, the 

general understanding or conventional wisdom is that the catlinite pipestone quarries 

were open to all tribes at all times to come and 

quarry and to take pieces home, from which 

they would carve the pipe bowls that were 

used for sacred and ceremonial purposes. 

No single tribe actually lived at the quarries. 

Not even the Yankton Sioux, who have been 

closely associated with the quarries in modern 
Cultural Resources 

109 

times, lived there. The exception to there 

being no political hegemony over the quarrying location attributed to any one tribe 

would be the Yankton Sioux Treaty of April 

19, 1858, which was signed into law in 1859 by 

President James Buchanan. That treaty established an Indian reservation there for the 

Yankton Sioux Tribe. 

European–American encroachment by way of 

the coming of railroads and agricultural settlement made protecting and preserving the area 

as a reservation difficult, particularly since no 

American Indians lived on the reservation. A 

proposal to place an Indian school on the site 

raised additional protest from the Yankton. 

The U.S. Justice Department sought a ruling in 

the United States Supreme Court and began 

negotiations. Jurisdiction later was transferred 

to the Indian Court of Claims, and in 1927 the 

Yankton Tribe was awarded a total of 

$330,558.90. With this decision, the Yankton 

ceded their right to quarry at Pipestone. Then 

the way was clear for Congress to pass the 

national monument’s enabling legislation in 

1937. 

Since 1991 the national monument has served 

as the location of two annual Sun Dances, 

both held separately at different times during 

summer by special use permit. One is conducted by the American Indian Movement 

(AIM). which is headquartered in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area. The other Sun Dance is 

conducted by the Yankton Sioux, whose 

official name as a tribal government is the 

Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. Midsummer to late summer is a traditional time to 

conduct a Sun Dance. Both groups conduct 

their ceremonies in the same location in 

Pipestone National Monument. 

Although the Sun Dance is an ancient cultural 

element of many tribes of the Great Plains, it is 

not generally regarded as traditional to the 

quarries. Two anthropologists, David Hughes 

and Alice Stewart, who have conducted ethnographic interviews and have done ethnohistorical research pertinent to the Pipestone 

area, say that the Sun Dance “was never traditionally held at Pipestone” (Hughes and Stewart 1997, 39). However, a federal government 

ban on Sun Dances from the late 1800s until 

the mid-1900s created a tremendous historical 

gap among subsequent generations in the local 

community and in the oral history of many 

tribes. Interviews of elders and archival research may indicate an absence of the Sun 

Dance, but no doubt Sun Dances were conducted in secret during the time when they 

were banned by the government, out of sight 

of federal Indian agents on the reservations 

and out of sight of some tribal members who 

might have informed. The fact that tribal oral 

history does not note the occurrences of Sun 

Dances may not reflect what really happened. 

The Sun Dance could have taken place on the 

grounds of what is now Pipestone National 

Monument. The National Park Service does 

not wish to preclude that possibility in history. 

Sun Dances could have been practiced by 

groups that quarried and camped in the immediate area of what is now the national 

monument. They also could have occurred 

locally, if not right at the quarries, because the 

traditional time for quarrying coincides with 

the traditional time for the Sun Dances. 

American Indian groups here to quarry were 

traditional practitioners of the Sun Dance, so 

it should be said that Sun Dances could well 

have taken place in what is now the national 

monument. 

Sun Dances could have been prompted by the 

sacredness of the quarries themselves. Tribes 

as tribes did not necessarily come to quarry, 

but groups did, in addition to individuals. An 

extended family or another group within a 

tribe occasionally might have been large 

enough and of a disposition to conduct a Sun 

Dance in consultation with tribal leaders and 

elders as to appropriateness and timeliness 

during an encampment at the quarries. To 

read an ethnographic description of the Sun 

Dance, see Oglala [Lakota] Religion, by the 

anthropologist William K. Powers (1977). 

Ethnographic landscapes generally are larger 

in area and broader in scope than the 
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

110 

vernacular or designed historic landscapes 

that often are considered under the category 

of cultural landscapes. Nonetheless, 

ethnographic landscapes certainly are a type 

of cultural landscape, and they are discussed 

as cultural resources in this section on 

ethnographic resources. 

The entire national monument is an ethnographic resource, as well as an ethnographic 

landscape combined into one entity. This suggestion, put forth in this document, is gleaned 

from ethnographic information from ethnohistorical works (Hughes 1995; Hughes and 

Stewart 1997), the nomination form of Pipestone National Monument to the National 

Register of Historic Places (NPS 1976), and 

consultations with American Indians. 

Landscape Periods 

Three periods are suggested below as a guide 

to narrate changes in the landscape setting 

over time. The activity of quarrying catlinite 

pipestone is focused upon, and incorporated 

into, the names of the landscape periods, as 

the prime cultural behavior that occurs and 

has occurred since time immemorial in what is 

now the national monument. 

• Prehistoric Quarrying into the Historic 

Period 

• Historic Quarrying during European–

American Settlement until the Beginning of the Mission 66 Program in the 

National Monument (1874–1957) 

• Quarrying since Mission 66 (1957–

present) 

Prehistoric Quarrying into the Historic 

Period. Prehistoric quarrying before European contact took place in a tallgrass prairie 

setting with few or no trees along Pipestone 

Creek. Fine remnants of the tallgrass prairie 

constitute the main prehistoric context of the 

prehistoric element of the ethnographic landscape, in association with the quartzite ledge 

along which ancient, more recent, and contemporary quarrying sites are located. 

Some of the national monument’s terrain 

could be incorporated into a prehistoric context that also would include certain archeological sites such as two petroglyph locations 

that remain in situ in the national monument, 

along with an area of ancient quarries. The 

glacially deposited granite boulders known as 

the Three Maidens could contribute to the 

prehistoric context. This rock formation was 

the site of numerous petroglyphs that were 

removed in the late 19th century before Pipestone National Monument was established. 

The petroglyphs now constitute part of the 

national monument’s museum collections. In 

general, however, the prehistoric context 

would call attention to relatively unspoiled 

natural features, including, most notably, 

patches of remnant tallgrass prairie. 

The relatively treeless features would be reminiscent of George Catlin’s somewhat impressionistic 1836 painting entitled Pipestone 

Quarry on the Coteau des Prairies, Minnesota.

This painting represents the area shortly after 

European contact but has attributes of the 

prehistoric scene that continued through the 

Early Indian Reservation Period (1858–1874); 

that is, until the influx of European–American 

settlers. Quarrying during this period reflects 

a continuation of the prehistoric quarrying 

landscape features in that it was relatively 

treeless in a prairie setting, as already mentioned, with debris from the quarrying presumably scattered on the ground. It is believed 

that there would have been no appreciable 

buildup of rubble piles as landscape features, 

as in Catlin’s painting. This pattern apparently 

continued from the 1830s through the 1850s, 

when an 1858–1859 treaty reserved the 

catlinite pipestone quarries for the Yankton 

Sioux as an Indian reservation, into the 1870s, 

when Euro–American settlement began to 

change things. 

Historic Quarrying during Euro–American 

Settlement until the Beginning of the 

Mission 66 Program in the National 

Monument (1874–1957). The scene surrounding quarrying changed in association 

with Euro–American settlement and 
Cultural Resources 

111 

development. This includes the latter part of 

the Indian reservation period (1874–1929), 

when a railroad traversed it in 1884 and when 

part of it was taken to found the Pipestone 

Indian School in 1890. The Pipestone Indian 

School directed that the Winnewissa Falls be 

dynamited to reduce its height (circa 1908–

1912), and the school administered an Indian 

unit of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) 

in 1933–1942. The Civilian Conservation 

Corps created trails and built stone bridges in 

the area that was established as Pipestone 

National Monument in 1937. 

Homesteading began in the 1870s, and the 

prairies surrounding the quarrying area were 

cultivated as farmland. Some of this happened 

on the Indian reservation because the reservation had not at first been adequately mapped 

and surveyed to prevent homesteaders from 

intruding. What became the city of Pipestone 

was surveyed as a townsite in 1874. 

Beginning in 1879, railroads came, and ultimately four railroads passed through Pipestone, Minnesota. The first train to enter the 

town arrived in November 1879. It was a work 

train of the Southern Minnesota Railroad, 

which was a division of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and Saint Paul Railroad. Other railroads 

were the Chicago, Saint Paul, Minneapolis, 

and Omaha Railroad; the Chicago and Northern Railroad; and the Burlington, Cedar Rapids, and North Railway. The latter came to 

traverse what is now the national monument. 

It was built through the Indian reservation in 

1884 without permission. It became the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad in 

1903; operations ceased in 1967. A historic 

context would relate to the visible but abandoned grass-covered bed of this railroad, 

without rails and ties, running north and 

south in the eastern part of the national 

monument. Quarrying from 1884 through 

1967 would have been carried out within 

sights and sounds of the railroad. 

The railroads encouraged settlement by moving farm produce to markets, making it more 

difficult to preserve the land around the catlinite pipestone quarries as an Indian reservation. Congress established a residential Indian school, the Pipestone Indian School, on 

the reservation in 1890. By 1893 it was operational. It was closed in 1953. Part of the property now houses the Minnesota West Community and Technical College, a campus of 

which came to Pipestone in 1967. In the late 

19th century, Pipestone townspeople lobbied 

for the Indian school as an economic stimulus. 

Similar motives were behind the local and 

state support for the establishment of the national monument in 1937, and 30 years later 

for the college. 

One historic context has to do with the reduction in the height of Winnewissa Falls by several feet at some point between 1908 and 

1912. The Pipestone Indian School caused this 

to happen to reduce flooding and thereby increase the amount of arable land upstream. 

This was important to the Indian school since, 

as a residential vocational institution, it aimed 

to be self-supporting through farming. The 

change to the falls changed the ethnographic 

landscape. The falls is one among many places 

where offerings of tobacco and other items 

are left. Winnewissa Falls remains a marker of 

the quartzite ledge as Pipestone Creek flows 

over it, but it has lost some of its prehistoric 

height, if not its ethnographic stature. Its 

ethnographic importance remains as a central 

focus of American Indian origin stories in the 

national monument, which are associated 

with the spiritual significance of the catlinite 

pipestone quarries as sacred ground. 

Another historic context relates to the Indian 

unit of the Civilian Conservation Corps, 

which was associated with the Indian school. 

The work performed by the CCC Indian Division, also known as a program of Indian 

Emergency Conservation Works (IECW), was 

supervised by the superintendent of the Pipestone Indian School. That is, the Indian Emergency Conservation Works was under the 

general supervision of Superintendent James 

W. Balmer and under the immediate supervision of R. W. Hellwig and then J. H. Mitchell. The IECW program began in January 1934. 
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

112 

By December 1934, detailed supervision was 

in the hands of Mitchell (Murray 1965, 48–49; 

Mitchell 1934, 25–29). IECW projects included road, a trail, fencing work, and constructing a dam, presumably on Pipestone Creek, 

which created a lake on the prairie near the 

quarries. Stone work was part of the trail 

work, including stone steps cut and incorporated into elevated parts of the trails and 

mini-bridges of stone in the lower parts of the 

trails (Mitchell 1934, 27–29). 

This Indian IECW–CCC unit also planted 

trees (shown on some maps as “tree plantations”), remnants of which may be evident in 

the northwest of the present-day national 

monument. The “greening” or “treeing” of the 

quarrying landscape, to which the Civilian 

Conservation Corps contributed, is associated 

with Euro–American settlement. Various 

shrubs and some hardwood trees started to 

appear, and they were valued as shade trees 

growing along Pipestone Creek. Seemingly 

brought in by the settlers, purposefully or 

inadvertently, this growth of trees along Pipestone Creek became evident in the 1880s and 

reflected the preferences of some settlers for 

eastern woodland landscapes. The shade generally was welcomed and is correlated with 

the beginning of the general quarrying area 

being perceived as suitable for a national 

monument, to include activities for recreation. 

In 1919, with the permission of the Indian 

school, a bathhouse for recreational bathing 

and boating was built adjacent to Indian Lake, 

northwest of the present boundaries of the 

national monument. 

Landscape changes relate not only to the 

presence of the railroad and the growing 

presence of trees, but also to the appearance 

of rubble piles from the catlinite quarrying. 

Substantial rubble piles may have been part of 

the cultural landscape earlier than this. Rubble 

piles are noticeable in Catlin’s 1863 painting of 

the quarries, and they appear in an 1873 photograph of the quarry line taken from the vicinity of Winnewissa Falls. This attests to considerable quarrying activity before the 

founding of the community of Pipestone. 

The establishment of the national monument 

in 1937 to protect and preserve the quarrying 

and to commemorate the quarries emphasizes 

the continued importance of the catlinite 

quarries to American Indians and to the 

nation. The historic context is quarrying in 

modern times. For 30 years after the national 

monument was established, quarrying continued within the sight and sound of the railroad. A 1947 map shows the Chicago, Rock 

Island, and Pacific Railroad running north and 

south through the eastern part of the national 

monument. A 1965 booklet shows a similar 

notation (Murray 1965, 31). Railroad operation did not cease until 1967. 

The Mission 66 program, whose configuration 

marks the present-day national monument, is 

discussed below. Possible remnant trails and 

roads need to be investigated to determine 

how visitors gained access to the national 

monument and toured it before the Mission 

66 program began in 1957. 

Quarrying Since Mission 66 (1957–present). 

The Mission 66 program was responsible for 

building the present-day visitor center in 

1957–1958, according to a “centralize and 

circulate” philosophy. The idea was to direct 

visitors to a central place in a unit of the national park system, orient them, and then redirect their experiences of the unit from that 

location. The current trail system has overtones from earlier CCC activities, which included “carving” the rock steps in the trail to 

reach the 1838 inscription in rock near Winnewissa Falls. The inscription was related to 

the expedition of that year by Joseph Nicolas 

Nicollet and John Charles Frémont. The 

current trail system is centered in the Circle 

Trail (which loops out of the visitor center) 

and stems from 1957–1958 and Mission 66 

and constitutes the historic context. 

Today, quartzite and pipestone rubble piles 

from catlinite quarrying continue to grow as 

landscape elements. In addition, since the 

1970s, pumping hoses have become part of the 

landscape. These are relatively large hoses 

attached to portable gasoline-powered water 
Cultural Resources 

113 

pumps to pump water out of the quarries. 

Pumping is done not only in spring and early 

summer but also into summer and autumn if 

the amount of precipitation from that winter 

and spring requires it. The amount and duration of pumping of groundwater filling the 

quarries depends on how much snow and rain 

are received by the national monument and 

environs in any one year. Pumping is done so 

that quarrying can continue during times 

when the quarriers traditionally would have 

waited to quarry until the water went down. 

That could have been middle to late summer 

or even sometime in autumn. One pump usually is used per quarry. The pumps make a lot 

of noise, loudly and constantly droning on 

and on for days at a time. Like the reality of 

the pumping hoses as visual intrusions, pump 

noise has become a noticeable part of the 

“soundscape” aspect of the landscape. 

The contemporary landscape is a mixture of 

older and newer elements, as was described 

above through the suggested landscape periods over time. Modern quarriers for various 

personal and cultural purposes have access to 

the surviving landscape features mentioned as 

characteristic of each of the three landscape 

periods. Such access is part of how the quarriers and other American Indians use the 

national monument in the context of an 

ethnographic landscape. 

Ethnographic Resources 

The following may be identified as ethnographic resources in the national monument: 

The Quarries 

The Three Maidens 

Winnewissa Falls 

The Oracle 

Old Stone Face / Leaping Rock 

Pipestone Creek 

Petroglyphs 

These ethnographic resources are regarded as 

sacred sites by some American Indians 

(Hughes 1995; Hughes and Stewart 1997). It is 

important to note that American Indian individuals, not tribes, do the quarrying in accordance with the establishing legislation. Permits 

to quarry, discussed elsewhere in this document, are issued to individuals, not to tribes. It 

is generally understood that the area of the 

quarries always has been a place, since time 

immemorial, where individuals of all tribes 

could go in peace to quarry. Presumably this 

was so even at times when one tribe or another might have regarded the quarries as within 

territory over which they had political hegemony, including the period of the Yankton 

Sioux Indian reservation, 1858 –1929, as 

mentioned earlier. 

The idea of the quarries as a place of peace 

seemingly was incorporated in the 1937 enabling legislation of the national monument by 

reserving “to Indians of all tribes. . . the quarrying of the red [catlinite] pipestone.” There 

are ancient, historic, and contemporary contexts involving the quarries. That is, certain 

locations of ancient quarries have been identified by archeologists. Historic quarries not 

currently being worked are generally identifiable by rubble piles adjacent to them. Quarries under excavation will often be recognizable by hand tools and other equipment like 

wheelbarrows nearby, if the quarrier himself is 

not at work down in the quarry. 

The Three Maidens constitute five to seven 

(depending on how one counts from the original three that split off into more boulders) 

glacially deposited large boulders within the 

boundaries of the national monument. They 

are held to be sacred by many American 

Indians. Prehistorically, several petroglyphs 

on Sioux quartzite slabs were associated with 

the Three Maidens. Charles H. Bennett removed the petroglyphs from their original location around the Three Maidens in 1888 and 

1889. Nineteen quartzite slabs featuring many 

petroglyphs are now part of the national 

monument’s museum collections, as is 

described in more detail below (p. 120). 

In general terms, a tradition of placing offerings is associated with the Three Maidens and 
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

114 

may go back to prehistoric times. Ethnographically today, some American Indian 

individuals sometimes place at the Three 

Maidens pieces of sage, bundles of tobacco, 

and other offerings of personal items or food. 

Origin stories about how certain American 

Indian peoples came to be on earth are associated with the Three Maidens rock formation, as well as similar stories about the symbolism of the rock formation itself. Origin 

stories also are associated with Winnewissa 

Falls and nearby Old Stone Face / Leaping 

Rock and The Oracle, which are aspects of the 

same rock formation. Offerings of sage and 

tobacco and other items are seemingly just as 

likely to be found around Winnewissa Falls, 

Old Stone Face / Leaping Rock, and The 

Oracle as at the Three Maidens because of 

similar sacredness. Offerings may be left all 

over the national monument. 

Sweat lodges, vision quests, and quarrying, 

with accompanying rituals and ceremonies, 

constitute the major cultural uses of the 

national monument within the category of 

ethnographic resources. The national monument is one ethnographic resource and landscape, with ethnographic elements such as the 

quarries, the Three Maidens, Winnewissa 

Falls and the related formations of Old Stone 

Face / Leaping Rock, and The Oracle. 

In national register terms, no ethnographic 

resources have been identified per se as traditional cultural properties eligible for listing 

or listed in the National Register of Historic 

Places. Additional consultations with American Indians should be conducted by NPS personnel who are alert to this possibility. That is, 

attention should be paid to the specific possibility of amending the existing national 

register nomination form by adding traditional cultural property language. As noted 

elsewhere in this document, Pipestone National Monument, with the Three Maidens as 

a contributing element, is already listed in the 

National Register of Historic Places. 

HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND 

CULTURAL LANDSCAPES 

National Register of 

Historic Places Listings 

The house of the superintendent of the Pipestone Indian School (1890–1953) was listed in 

the National Register of Historic Places on 

April 5, 1993. It is an early 20th century twostory structure built in 1907 of local Sioux 

quartzite. The architect was R. K. Hafsus. The 

house sits on the grounds of what today is the 

Pipestone Campus of the Minnesota West 

Community and Technical College. A few 

years ago the state of Minnesota transferred 

title to this historic property to the Keepers of 

the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers. This 

American Indian organization, founded in the 

town of Pipestone in 1996, would welcome 

preservation help for the structure, which is 

moldering in poor condition and will continue 

to deteriorate unless it is stabilized or more 

beneficially rehabilitated. 

The October 15, 1966, listing of Pipestone 

National Monument in the National Register 

of Historic Places is for the entire national 

monument. It emphasizes the cultural importance of catlinite quarrying, with many 

contributing elements such as the quarries 

themselves, Winnewissa Falls, and the rock 

formations known as the Old Stone Face / 

Leaping Rock, the Oracle, and the Three 

Maidens. The need is noted to update the 

National Register of Historic Places nomination form to integrate salient ethnographic, 

landscape, archeological, and historic features 

not included in the existing nomination. Also 

please note that some of the resources of Pipestone National Monument have “double coverage,” so to speak, in that the Pipestone 

petroglyph slabs and their petroglyph contents are contributing elements of a multiple 

property district based on the theme of American Indian rock art in the state of Minnesota. 

This was listed in the National Register of 

Historic Places on November 14, 1996 

(Dudzik 1995a, 1995b). 
Cultural Resources 

115 

Eligibility for National Register 

of Historic Places 

As part of the general management plan process, cultural resource specialists in the Midwest Regional Office of the National Park Service have evaluated the Mission 66 development at Pipestone National Monument for 

eligibility for listing in the National Register of 

Historic Places. They determined that the visitor center, the parking lot, the entrance road, 

aspects of the interpretive Circle Trail, and the 

two houses north of the Three Maidens rock 

formation meet the national register criteria 

for historic significance plus those for exceptional significance for properties less than 50 

years old. The Minnesota state historic preservation office concurred with this determination of eligibility on June 30, 2003, in a letter to 

the superintendent of the national monument. 

These historic features are being treated as eligible, and it is anticipated that a nomination to 

the National Register of Historic Places will be 

forthcoming, perhaps as an amendment to the 

existing 1966 listing of the national monument 

as a whole. 

No Historic Cultural 

Landscapes Documented 

No historic cultural landscapes have been 

documented at Pipestone National Monument through cultural landscape reports or 

inventories. A cultural landscape is identified 

and determined eligible for the National 

Register of Historic Places concurrently by 

the National Park Service and the state historic preservation officer. An NPS database 

known as the Cultural Landscape Automated 

Inventory Management System (CLAIMS) is 

an evaluation and documentation process for 

reaching a determination of national register 

eligibility. Some units of the national park system have used the CLAIMS process to identify 

preliminarily potential cultural landscapes for 

further study. The National Park Service has 

not so identified any potential cultural landscapes for Pipestone National Monument. 

However, suggested here is a preliminary list 

of historic contexts that might guide future 

thinking about potential cultural landscapes. 

This list is intended only to stimulate further 

work. Any cultural landscapes implied here 

through historic contexts would be in the “potential” category because they are like topics 

to be considered on the subject when more 

information is available and further discernment is possible. The list is not intended to 

substitute for CLAIMS consideration, not 

even at an initial level, which in CLAIMS 

terminology would be the 0 (zero) level of 

inventory entry, nor is it intended to substitute for a much-needed cultural landscape 

study. Further study of cultural landscapes 

will be called for through an implementation 

plan after this General Management Plan is 

completed. 

A separate study will be undertaken to determine whether all or parts of Pipestone National Monument meet the definition of a 

cultural landscape. It is also possible that an 

ethnographic component exists at the national 

monument. Such a designation could affect 

the activities now undertaken at the national 

monument and could change the way it is 

managed. Preliminary data have been incorporated into this draft plan. Should the study 

be completed before the plan is finalized, it 

will be incorporated into the plan. 

The national monument is considered one 

resource and landscape in the passages below. 

A narrative suggests cultural landscape periods indicative of continuity and change over 

time. 

Landscape Setting 

On the north central plains, Pipestone National Monument is situated on the western 

slope of the divide between the drainages of 

the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. It straddles the valley of Pipestone Creek, which is a 

tributary of the Big Sioux River. The landscape of Pipestone National Monument and 

the surrounding area are gently rolling, with a 
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

116 

scattering of rock outcrops. Along the boundaries of the national monument are farmlands 

and development. Before the settlement period, tallgrass prairie and associated plants were 

prevalent. This vegetation still exists in several 

areas within the boundaries. As European–

Americans moved to the region, farmlands 

along the edges of the quarries began to intrude on the tallgrass prairie. The CCC period 

in history brought the planting of several tree 

plantations and landscape planting work 

along a portion of the creek, as well as in 

several other areas. 

Historic Contexts 

The following list of suggested historic contexts can in turn be used to suggest potential 

historic cultural landscapes. Please note that 

the landscape before European–American settlement, emphasizing the importance of the 

native tallgrass prairie, is described under 

“Ethnographic Resources,” beginning on page 

108. 

• European–American Settlement (1870s–

1890s). The completion of a public lands 

survey of the Pipestone area in 1870 inaugurated a new era in settlement. By September of that year, the public domain in 

the area was being claimed by homesteaders. The disturbance of remnant farmlands 

could be contrasted with unspoiled 

remaining remnants of tallgrass prairie. 

• Railroad Era (1884–1967). As is described in more detail in the “Ethnographic Resources” section below, a railroad ran through the area that is now 

Pipestone National Monument from 1884 

to 1967, influencing the quarrying environment. An abandoned railroad bed with 

neither railroad ties nor tracks is evidence 

of this period. 

• Pipestone Indian School (1890–1953).

Circa 1908–1912, the Indian school caused 

Winnewissa Falls to be reduced by several 

feet in a successful effort to increase the 

amount of farmland upstream, as was described on page 111. The school administered the CCC unit that created trails and 

bridges in the national monument and 

also influenced CCC work in creating tree 

plantations. 

• Civilian Conservation Corps Era (1933–

1942). The extant landscape features include trail bridge and trail work in what is 

now the national monument. There are 

possible remnants of tree plantations, and 

there is evidence of no longer extant dams 

built to influence the flow of Pipestone 

Creek. 

• Mission 66 (1957–1969). Mission 66 was 

the largest capital development program 

ever executed in the history of the national park system. The Mission 66 program 

built the physical plant at Pipestone National Monument, including the 1957–

1958 visitor center. Highlights of the program were the centralization of functions, 

the circulation of visitors, and the presence of modern facilities to serve visitors 

and NPS staff. At Pipestone, orienting 

first-time visitors was the emphasis of the 

program, which also included staff housing and maintenance facilities. Another 

development began in the late 1960s that 

was directed toward creating a climate of 

inclusion, and the visitor center was expanded to include a cultural center, which 

was completed and dedicated in 1972. 

Trail concepts and construction were 

modified to fit the Mission 66 philosophy 

of centralizing and circulating. This development still is functioning and intact. 

MUSEUM COLLECTIONS 

AND ARCHIVES 

In the past, three themes predominated at 

Pipestone National Monument for interpreting the national monument and guiding 

collections management. To paraphrase, these 

three dealt with the following topics: 

1. the cultural, social, religious, and 

economic importance of the Pipestone 

quarries 
Cultural Resources 

117 

2. the geology of the quarries 

3. the natural history of the national 

monument 

Two themes were added later, and the wording was changed. The current five interpretive 

themes are delineated in a list beginning on 

page 24. To paraphrase, those themes deal 

with the following topics: 

1. the pipes themselves in the context of 

their important ceremonial, religious, and 

secular roles in American Indian life 

2. the ancient and continuing process of 

hand quarrying the catlinite pipestone 

3. the cultural and natural landscapes that 

reflect what is now the national monument as a sacred and spiritual place for 

American Indians 

4. the national monument as a special gathering place for American Indians over 

time 

5. natural resources that provide a setting for 

certain cultural resources, as well as a tallgrass prairie ecosystem, the remnant of 

which may be relatively small but is an 

excellent example of undisturbed tallgrass 

prairie 

The Number and Nature of Collections 

The purpose of the museum collections and 

archives is to support the national monument’s interpretive themes and to assist in research and resource management programs. 

The national monument’s museum collections 

total some 54,324 catalogued items. 

The cultural history collection draws upon 

three disciplines, as follows: 

• Archeology with Archives. This category 

consists of artifacts and other specimens 

collected primarily during archeological 

surveys by Paul Beaubien in 1949 and John 

Sigstad in 1965–1966. The archival records 

are associated with papers that document 

the archeological excavations and collections. There are some gaps in this 

category. 

• Ethnography. The category of ethnography encompasses artifacts, materials, and 

objects that represent the pipe culture and 

other interpretive themes involving the 

following tribal groups: Omaha, Ponca, 

Ojibwa, Sac and Fox, Winnebago, and 

Sioux. Future collections will be focused 

on items made from catlinlite pipestone, 

but also artwork, quillwork, beadwork, 

leatherwork and other items of material 

culture. Some American Indians have expressed concern about the display and sale 

of pipestone articles; this is discussed 

further in appendix A. The disposition of 

ethnographic objects to American Indians 

follows NPS guidelines on the return or 

repatriation of items from the national 

monument’s collection, similar to such 

considerations under the Native American 

Graves Protection and Repatriation Act 

(NAGPRA). 

• History with Archives. The “history with 

archives” collection comprises documents, photographs, and objects that relate to the establishment of the national 

monument. It also includes paintings on 

linen from the 1880s, D. F. Barry photos of 

famous people like Sitting Bull, and paintings with American Indian themes. The 

national monument’s collection recognizes gaps in the photographs available, 

the need to secure materials about the 

history of the Pipestone Indian School, 

and the role played by its administrators. 

The latter influenced how the area was developed before Congress designated Pipestone National Monument in 1937. The 

collection also needs materials related to 

the pipemaking community in Flandreau, 

South Dakota, after the turn of the 19th to 

the 20th century. 

The natural history collection is guided by 

the national monument’s scope of research 

and interpretive themes, as well as by National 

Park Service guidelines. Economy of choice is 
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

118 

a factor, too, given the lack of adequate curatorial and storage space, that is, of preservation facilities for museum collections. 

The natural history collection draws mainly 

upon two disciplines, botany and geology, but 

it also includes entomology. The national 

monument has a fairly large insect collection 

that is housed in the resource operations 

building in a museum cabinet but with no 

environmental controls or monitoring. 

• Botany. The botany category consists of 

lichens collected by T. W. Vinyard (Wilson and Vinyard 1984) and two vascular 

plant collections, one collected by Dennis 

Disrud (NPS 1966) and the other by Donald A. Becker (Becker, Bragg, and Sutherland 1986). Moss, liverworts, and fungi 

still are needed for the plant collection. 

The commitment is to establish a permanent database about native versus exotic 

plants to compare and assist with the 

restoration of the prairie. The category 

could conceivably be larger, to include 

zoology along with botany under biology, 

but no animal species are stored or have 

been stored in the national monument. 

However, with the new NPS Vital Signs 

Inventory and Monitoring (VSIM) initiative, more natural biological species may 

be added to the national monument’s collection. The housing of the specimens is 

yet to be determined; that is, whether it 

will be at the national monument or in 

another facility. 

• Geology. The geology category comprises 

approximately a dozen catlinite, quartzite, 

and granite samples that are on exhibit. 

The commitment here is to collect catlinite pipestone, Sioux quartzite, and noncatlinite pipestone samples from other 

sources for comparison purposes to reflect the national monument’s thematic 

focus. 

The national monument controls special 

collections, which are outstanding in their 

historical importance. They focus on catlinite 

pipes or other pipestone objects, and they 

include other objects of American Indian 

material culture. The dates that can be ascertained range from 1850 to 1930. The collections are as follows: 

• The James H. Austin Collection contains 

objects of material culture made by local 

American Indians at the turn of the 19th–

20th century. Objects have been traced to 

more than 25 different tribal groups in the 

Upper Plains. 

• The Edward Butts Collection, which was 

acquired in 1964, consists of a number of 

valued pipes that reputedly belonged to 

various Upper Plains Indian chiefs of the 

19th and 20th centuries. (Many of these 

have been identified as NAGPRA items — 

see p. 117). 

• The Albert Heath Collection, like the 

Austin collection, contains a number of 

pipes representative of various Plains 

Indian tribes of the 19th and 20th 

centuries. 

• The James N. Gundersen Collection, acquired recently in 2004, contains samples 

of catlinite and other types of pipestone. 

This collection shows how pipestone 

pipes or other pipestone objects can be 

traced through mineral analysis to the catlinite of Pipestone National Monument or 

to other quarries of other source pipestone. The collection is now housed in 

Lincoln, Nebraska, to be catalogued at the 

NPS Midwest Archeological Center on 

behalf of the national monument. 

Collections Management 

Museum records and collections that are not 

on display are kept in the “clean room” in the 

back of the visitor/cultural center. This room 

is an insulated modular structure. Access to 

the clean room is strictly limited and controlled, and anyone who enters the clean 

room must write his/her purpose and use of 

the room in a logbook. 
Cultural Resources 

119 

The state of preservation of the museum collections ranges from fair to excellent. No 

objects have been found to need urgent attention by a conservator. Museum records are 

kept in a four-drawer fire-rated filing cabinet 

with a key lock. 

There is no cultural resource specialist or museum curator on the staff of Pipestone National Monument, which makes it difficult for 

the national monument to meet NPS requirements for the management of collections and 

the museum. Curatorial tasks such as reconciling museum records and upgrading storage 

are the responsibility of the resource program 

manager. There is no scheduled program for 

documenting changes in the conditions of the 

objects. 

Storage and exhibit space limitations restrict 

additions to the ethnographic and history 

collections. 

The Clean Room and Museum Storage. The 

clean room has been the sole collection storage area for approximately 14 years. Its exterior dimensions are 14′ 6′′ X 8′ 9′′, and its interior 

dimensions are 13′ 9′′ X 8′ 7′′. A sealed locked 

door is situated at one end, and there are no 

windows. There is an electrical outlet inside, 

near the door. The lighting is fluorescent, and 

the lights are turned on only while someone is 

in the room. 

Approximately two-thirds of the national 

monument’s objects are stored in the clean 

room. It is not used for noncuratorial activities. There is no environmental control equipment to control the climatic conditions inside. 

The available space in the clean room is adequate to meet current storage needs; working 

in this space without leaving the door open is 

difficult. All items are stored in standard metal 

cabinets or placed on a storage rack. 

The condition of the objects in the clean room 

varies from fair to excellent. The national 

monument’s 1996 “Collections Management 

Plan” gives details about the specifics of the 

varying conditions for items in the clean 

room. 

Security. The exterior and interior of the 

visitor center are protected by a security system, but the clean room is not protected by a 

separate security alarm. Many of the enclosed 

displays on exhibit are under a security system. No theft of museum objects has been 

reported, but over the years there has been 

some vandalism of exhibits on display in the 

museum part of the visitor center. 

Fire Protection. A general agreement was 

completed in 2001 between the Pipestone 

Volunteer Fire Department and Pipestone 

National Monument. A fire detection system 

at the national monument consists of ionization type smoke detectors (one is inside the 

clean room), which are linked via telephone 

line to an offsite central monitoring station. 

There is no automatic buildingwide firedetection and fire-suppression system. Handheld fire extinguishers are located throughout 

the visitor center. There is a fire-resistant 

filing cabinet for collections records in the 

clean room. No hazardous materials are 

stored in or near the clean room. 

Temperature and Relative Humidity. A 

digital datalogger in the clean room is checked 

monthly for changes in temperature and 

humidity. Additional dataloggers have been 

placed in the museum; they are monitored 

monthly. 

Light. Many light-sensitive objects on exhibit 

are exposed to excessive light levels. There is 

no way to monitor the light levels, because the 

national monument has no light meter. 

Ultraviolet Radiation. Some steps have been 

taken to protect against ultraviolet radiation, 

such as placing UV-filtering sleeves on fluorescent lamps, but not all fluorescent lamps in 

the museum have these protective sleeves. The 

national monument has no instrument to test 

periodically for UV radiation. 
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

120 

Dust and Pollution. Live demonstrations of 

pipemaking in the cultural center have created 

an indoor air pollution problem. Two sets of 

particulate filters in the heating, ventilating, 

and air conditioning system collect catlinitepipestone dust, although they are not designed for this purpose. This system does not 

effectively collect all the dust particles, and the 

staff spends much time trying to clean up the 

pipestone dust throughout the visitor center, 

including the museum collections. However, 

this does not pose a health risk, according to 

the results of tests completed in 2001 by a U.S. 

Department of the Interior health inspector 

(USDI, Off. of Sec., Off. of Occup. Safety and 

Health 2001). 

Pest Management. The area around the clean 

room and collections is well maintained, 

which decreases the likelihood of pests entering the clean room. However, pests can get 

into museum displays through the lighting 

panels in the display units. Steps have been 

put in place to follow the provisions of the 

national monument’s 2003 “Integrated Pest 

Management Plan.” 

Curatorial Workspace. There is no workspace dedicated to curatorial activities. Individuals working on collections need to find a 

vacant desk to complete tasks. Many actions 

that normally would be done in a curatorial 

workspace are often completed in the clean 

room. 

Museum Exhibits. Collections are exhibited 

in the visitor center and the Upper Midwest 

Indian Cultural Center and associated gallery. 

The cultural center was constructed in 1972 as 

an addition to the visitor center. 

Exhibits in Visitor Center. There are a number of wall-mounted exhibit cases, a free 

standing case, interpretive panels, and a diorama. These exhibits, which are more than 45 

years old, do not meet current curatorial and 

conservation standards. They are poorly designed, and there is poor accessibility for lamp 

maintenance and housekeeping. There is a 

concern about whether the mounting technique of pipes is culturally appropriate. Another concern is about the adequacy of the 

temperature and humidity controls for the 

artifacts on display. 

The historic pipes on display are in good condition. The metallic components of the pipes 

have oxidized, although there are no signs of 

copper-based corrosion. Some porcupine 

quills have faded over time. The diorama is in 

good condition, and the geologic features are 

stained and superficially polished from handling by visitors over time. 

Upper Midwest Indian Cultural Center 

Two areas in the Upper Midwest Indian Cultural Center provide exhibit space. The area in 

front of the demonstration booths consists of 

a free-standing exhibit case for a mounted

golden eagle, two eagle feather headdresses, 

and a feathered staff and the contemporary 

artwork mounted on the walls. The headdresses, feathered staff, and mounted golden 

eagle are in good condition. The second area 

is the gallery, which contains many wallmounted cases that surround a free-standing 

cylindrical exhibit case in the center of the 

room. The cases contain a variety of pipestone 

carvings and beaded leather objects that are in 

good condition. Some of these objects are on 

loan to the national monument. 

Petroglyphs 

A Pipestone resident and businessman, 

Charles H. Bennett (1846–1926), removed 

more than 30 petroglyph slabs from around 

the Three Maidens in 1888 and 1889. By 1946, 

17 of these Three Maidens petroglyph slabs 

had been donated to the national monument 

by the Pipestone Old Settlers Society, the 

group to which Bennett had willed them. Bennett founded the Old Settlers Society in 1888 

for historic preservation. It became the Pipestone County Historical Society in 1963, when 

it was incorporated as a nonprofit educational 

organization. The national monument owns 

two more similar (but not Three Maidens) 
Cultural Resources 

121 

petroglyph slabs (Dudzik 1995a; Thiessen 

2002; Thiessen and Bailey 2000). 

At one time the petroglyphs were just outside 

the visitor center along the south leg of the 

Circle Trail; later they were moved into the 

visitor center for better protection. The petroglyphs do not appear to have suffered from 

the annual freeze/thaw cycles while they were 

outside, although some have suffered from 

vandalism when visitors have marked on 

them. In their present location in the cultural 

center, the petroglyph slabs are minimally 

protected, but visitors are constantly warned 

not to handle, stand, walk, or sit on them. A 

condition assessment of the petroglyphs has 

been completed, and the national monument 

staff is working on a contract to interpret, 

protect, and display them. Affiliated tribes 

have been invited to provide input on this 

project. 
122 

NATURAL RESOURCES 

SETTING 

The most significant natural resources of the 

national monument are the Sioux quartzite 

rock formation with associated pipestone 

(catlinite), 20 acres of associated Sioux 

quartzite prairie, 160 acres of remnant tallgrass prairie, Pipestone Creek, including 

Winnewissa Falls, and the glacial boulders 

that make up the Three Maidens. 

A number of studies and research about the 

national monument’s natural resources have 

been conducted — surveys of plants, lichens, 

birds, small mammals, insects, reptiles, 

amphibians, and fishes. In addition, the national 

monument has a mammal species list derived 

from observations and aquatic 

macroinvertebrate monitoring data. The 

German scientist Karl Geyer, who was part of 

the Nicollet expedition to the Pipestone region 

in the 1800s, derived the first botanical description of the Pipestone region. His journal is 

stored at the Smithsonian Institution in 

Washington, D.C. 

In the late 1980s the U.S. Geological Survey 

conducted an evaluation of the pipestone resources at the national monument. Additional 

research has been completed on the mineralogical characterization of the pipestone. 

SIOUX QUARTZITE ROCK FORMATION 

There are several unique geologic features at 

Pipestone National Monument — the Sioux 

quartzite outcrops, the pipestone or catlinite, 

and the large glacial boulders known as the 

Three Maidens. The Sioux quartzite outcrops 

affect the national monument’s vegetation. 

Sioux quartzite, old metamorphosed sandstone, is the national monument’s dominant 

geologic feature. The rock is exposed in many 

places in the upper Midwest region (Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa) as well as in the 

national monument. It forms a prominent 

escarpment (cliff face) trending south-north 

through the eastern part of the national 

monument. The escarpment ranges from a 

few feet to 20 feet. The quartzite is very hard, 

rosy pink in color, and highly jointed. Pipestone (catlinite), a soft red clay stone, is found 

in layers sandwiched between the quartzite 

seams more than 10 feet below the surface. 

Glacial markings are found on many of the 

exposed quartzite rocks, and large blocks of 

talus lie near the base of the escarpment. 

The Sioux quartzite is also exposed to a lesser 

degree in other areas of the national monument. A low escarpment bisects the southern 

part of the national monument from near 

Lake Hiawatha to the entrance road. Other 

smaller outcrops occur along Pipestone Creek 

and along intermittent drainages or small 

scour basins scattered about the national 

monument. 

VEGETATION 

Sioux Quartzite Prairie 

The outcrops make a unique habitat for many 

plant species not found elsewhere in the prairie; therefore, this group of species is known 

as the Sioux quartzite prairie. They are described as follows in the memorandum of 

understanding between the National Park 

Service and the Minnesota Natural Heritage 

register: 

A distinctive assemblage of plant species, 

ranging from xeric to hydric, is associated 

with the various microhabitats found on 

Quartzite rock surfaces. The endangerment status of this natural community 

type has not been determined. The rock 

outcrop flora, however, appears to be 

fairly well protected from threat due to its 

unsuitability for other uses. 

The Sioux quartzite prairie at Pipestone National Monument represents one of the least 
Natural Resources 

123 

disturbed examples of this rare community 

type globally (NPS 2001a). The Nature Conservancy has designated the 20 acres of Sioux 

quartzite prairie type as “endangered throughout its range” and cites the pipestone outcrops 

as one of the few intact examples of this rare 

community type. The combination of waterretaining swales and the arid environment of 

the thin soils results in the outcrops supporting many species at the eastern edge of 

their range. Prescribed fire and manual exotic 

weed control are employed as management 

tools in this community. The memorandum of 

understanding between the National Park Service and the Minnesota Natural Heritage 

register says the following: 

Sioux Quartzite . . . . Prairies display 

diverse species assemblages within small 

geographic areas due to the varied depth 

of the bedrock which determines soil 

depth and moisture availability. A range of 

dry to wet-mesic prairie is commonly 

found on Quartzite prairie areas. The 

Natural Heritage Program considers the 

Sioux Quartzite Prairie landform to be 

threatened in the state. Examples which 

maintain their presettlement features are 

now limited to a few small areas. Much of 

the original tall grass prairie found on 

Sioux Quartzite bedrock has been 

converted to pasture. Intensive grazing 

has resulted in replacement of the native 

prairie flora with weedy invaders. 

Quartzite prairie has also been destroyed 

by cultivation in areas where Quartzite 

exposures are less numerous and 

cropping is feasible. The remaining intact 

Sioux Quartzite Prairies typically have had 

a history of light grazing or annual 

mowing for hay. 

Remnant Tallgrass Prairie 

The remnant tallgrass prairie (160 acres) 

surrounding the pipestone quarries is a part of 

the once extensive Coteau des Prairie, or high 

prairie. The tallgrass prairie at Pipestone supports more than 500 native vascular plant species, including the western prairie fringed 

orchid, federally listed as threatened. Most of 

the prairie in North America has been converted to agricultural uses, leaving only small, 

isolated undisturbed remnants such as the one 

at Pipestone. Presettlement estimates for 

tallgrass prairie nationwide are 100 million 

hectares, of which only 1/10 of 1% remains. 

Of the 1/3 of Minnesota that once was 

covered by tallgrass prairie, less than 1% 

remains. Historically, much of the prairie was 

treeless because large wildfires occurred at 

frequent intervals. Prairie restoration activities 

at Pipestone, such as exotic weed control, 

prescribed burns, collection of seed, and 

reseeding, are making progress. The tallgrass 

prairie community is culturally significant as 

the historic background of the pipestone 

quarries. More recently the prairie has become recognized as significant to regional 

biodiversity (NPS 2001a). 

Restored Tallgrass Prairie 

The restored tallgrass prairie plant community 

covers an area where tallgrass prairie has died 

out and been replaced with exotic species 

such as smooth brome and bluegrass. Plant 

species that have been introduced to an area 

by humans rather than through natural migration are termed exotics. Plant species, both 

exotics and natives, are considered weeds 

when they interfere with human activities or 

welfare. Tallgrass prairie is being restored at 

the national monument by reducing the 

number and extent of exotic plants and reseeding areas with native seed of tallgrass 

prairie plants. To protect the genetic strains of 

species in the national monument, all seeding 

is done with seed collected in the national 

monument. 

A goal of the national monument is to maintain and restore the vista that historically surrounded the Pipestone quarries while retaining the biodiversity of the tallgrass prairie. A 

component of this goal is the restoration of 

tallgrass prairie communities. Prescribed 

burning was first used in prairie management 

at the national monument in 1971, and since 
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

124 

then sections of Pipestone have been burned 

each year. The national monument has been 

divided into quadrants, and one quadrant is 

burned each spring on a rotating basis. These 

burns have been highly successful in restoring 

the dominance of native prairie species such 

as big bluestem in some areas of the national 

monument. Burning has not eliminated weeds 

such as Canada thistle or sweet clover and 

some difficult areas of introduced pasture 

grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass. In 

addition to prescribed fires and the manual 

removal of exotics, some spot spraying with 

approved chemicals has been used, as well as 

mowing. 

Restoration efforts in the 1990s focused on 

introducing native grass and forb species into 

smooth brome (exotic) dominated fields. 

Exotics and persistent weeds predominate in 

formerly cultivated land, along the old railroad right-of-way, and in other disturbed 

areas. Vegetation in these areas consists of 

several exotic pasture and lawn grasses and 

legumes, including smooth brome (Bromus 

inermis), red clover (Trifolium pratensis), and 

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), plus 

weedy species such as white and yellow sweet 

clover (Melilotus alba and M. officinalis), 

quackgrass (Agropyron repens), leafy spurge 

(Euphorbia esula), Canada thistle (Cirsium 

arvense) and musk thistle (Carduus nutans). 

An alien plant ranking system (APRS) “helps 

identify those species that have the most serious impact — those on a site of limited distribution or off site with a high potential to invade . . .” (Hiebert 2001). Such a study done 

for Pipestone found 70 alien species at the 

national monument, with 11 of them requiring 

management. The current plant database for 

the national monument lists more than 90 exotics. The plants of greatest concern are common buckthorn (Rhamnus carthartica), leafy 

spurge, and smooth brome. Of somewhat less 

concern are yellow sweet clover and musk 

thistle and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea). The national monument’s active exotic weed control program tracks the number 

of exotic weeds that are removed annually. 

Since 1993 Pipestone National Monument has 

been part of the Prairie Cluster Long-Term 

Ecological Monitoring Program, now the 

Heartland Network Inventory and 

Monitoring Network. This program has 

established monitoring at the national 

monument for the tallgrass prairie ecosystem 

and sensitive plant species. Results from the 

monitoring provide valuable information for 

making management decisions relating to 

prairie restoration. 

Oak Savanna/Woodland Areas 

In addition to the Sioux Quartzite prairie, 

remnant tallgrass prairie, and restored tallgrass prairie described above, woodland areas 

are of interest in planning. The wooded areas 

at the national monument are primarily along 

the stream corridor and along the escarpment. 

These areas have become more dominant 

since European settlement and the exclusion 

of fire on the landscape. The national monument controls the expansion of the wooded 

areas into the prairie through the use of prescribed burns, but the prescribed fires are not 

intense enough to remove the well-established 

trees in these areas. 

WETLANDS AND RIPARIAN CORRIDOR 

The National Wetlands Inventory and map 

shows no wetland in Pipestone National 

Monument; however, the national monument 

does contain wetlands. The state of Minnesota 

has prepared wetlands maps for the state. 

However, they provide less detail about wetland areas at the national monument than the 

“Prairie Management Plan” prepared for the 

national monument (Becker, Bragg, and Sutherland 1986). No survey of jurisdictional and 

other wetlands has been prepared for Pipestone National Monument. 

The “Prairie Management Plan” for Pipestone 

National Monument found that wetlands — 

including Pipestone Creek, ponds, intermittent drainageways, and marsh — occupy about 

8% of the national monument (Becker, Bragg, 
Natural Resources 

125 

and Sutherland 1986). The exotic reed canary 

grass dominates the shorelines of Pipestone 

Creek, Lake Hiawatha, and other ponds along 

the stream. It also dominates two deep wetland basins along the eastern boundary. More 

than 30 years ago it was observed that the 

shoreline of Lake Hiawatha was dominated by 

Carex, Scirpus, Calamagrostis, Cicuta, and 

Asclepias (Stevens 1969). A comparison of 

floristic studies from 1967 and 1982–83 indicates that it is likely that 40 native plant species of the national monument were extirpated. Approximately 75% of those species 

were wetland species. 

The area near the southern part of the eastern 

boundary still contains wetlands in apparent 

natural condition, which are dominated by 

cordgrass, sedges, rushes, and hydric forbs. In 

many areas in the national monument, small 

scour ponds or ephemeral pools are located in 

drainageways where the outlets are controlled 

by rock outcrops. Many of these ponds and 

drainageways have been heavily grazed in the 

past and have been invaded by quackgrass and 

smooth brome, but those in the tallgrass 

prairie north and east of the main road contain many native wetland species. 

FLOODPLAINS 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency 

mapped the floodplains at Pipestone National 

Monument in 1991. The resulting flood insurance rate map shows about one-third to onehalf of the national monument in the 100-year 

floodplain, but no base flood elevations are 

determined. Base floodplain elevations have 

been determined for a small portion on either 

side of Pipestone Creek (Main Ditch) above 

the falls on the eastern side of the national 

monument. The 100-year floodplain is on 

either side of Pipestone Creek. An area about 

250 feet wide along the eastern boundary of 

the national monument, which extends from 

9th street to about 250 feet north of the Main 

Ditch, is within the 100-year floodplain, with 

base flood elevations calculated at 1,718–1,719 

feet. The rest of the national monument lies 

within the 500-year floodplain or areas of 100-

year flood, with average depths of less than 1 

foot, or with drainage areas less than 1 square 

mile. 

The visitor center / headquarters is in the 100-

year floodplain area, for which no base flood 

elevations were determined. The employee 

housing is outside the 500-year floodplain, 

although floodwaters have been known to 

come inside the houses. The maintenance outdoor equipment storage area is in the floodway of the Main Ditch. It appears that most of 

the western part of the USFWS property 

north of the national monument would be in 

the 100-year floodplain, although the map 

does not show this. The private property on 

the south side of the national monument appears to be outside the 500-year floodplain, or 

areas of 100-year flood with average depths of 

less than 1 foot or with drainage areas less 

than 1 square mile. 

Flash flooding in the national monument 

along Pipestone Creek occurs relatively 

frequently following heavy rainfalls, the quick 

melting of accumulated winter snows, or a 

combination of rainfall on already saturated 

ground. The situation is exacerbated by the 

fact that much of the national monument is 

underlain by rock layers that make it difficult 

for water to drain into the earth. Instead, 

water forms a sheet that drains across the 

national monument to the west. In particularly 

bad floods, water can come over the escarpment in places other than Winnewissa Falls, 

causing major damage to resources such as 

trails. The bridge at Winnewissa Falls has been 

regularly damaged during floods. 

Frequent flash-flooding causes several adverse 

impacts. Sediments have nearly filled Lake 

Hiawatha, and less than 2 feet of water storage 

is left in the lake. Aquatic macroinvertebrates 

on rocks in the stream are also dislodged, resulting in reduced stream productivity. In the 

floodplain; biota are exposed to chemical pollutants, and debris detracts from aesthetics of 

the site. 
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

126 

HYDROLOGY 

Pipestone Creek enters the national monument from the east, cascades over the Sioux 

quartzite escarpment as a waterfall, and flows 

into a small impoundment. From there it 

meanders northwesterly across the glacial 

valley until it exits the north boundary. Above 

the falls, the creek was channelized in the 

early 1900s to help drain agricultural lands 

and decrease the chance of flooding upstream. 

It now flows well below its original creek bed. 

The channel to the falls, which is roughly 21 

feet wide and 5 feet deep, drains approximately 30,000 acres of land. Pipestone Creek starts 

upstream about 13 miles and eventually flows 

into the Lower Big Sioux River. According to 

measurements taken in 1984, the discharge of 

the creek ranges approximately from 1 to 88 

cubic feet per second (cfs). 

More information about Pipestone Creek’s 

water quality is available under “Water 

Quality” in the section on “Impact Topics 

Considered but Dismissed from Further 

Consideration” (see page 18).

SOILS 

Soils in the national monument are derived 

from glacial-derived tills, loess, and alluvium. 

The Sioux quartzite is too hard to weather 

significantly. During glaciation, till was initially deposited over the bedrock to depths of 

a few inches to 10 feet thick. Later, as the glacial ice advanced and waned along the Coteau 

edge to the east, wind-blown sediment was 

transported to the Coteau and covered most 

of the thin till by about 1–6 feet of loess. Large 

boulders, or glacial erratics, were transported 

to the national monument by the glacial ice 

from granite bedrock areas along the Minnesota Valley to the north. The Three Maidens are the largest of these deposits. Small 

amounts of glacial outwash buried by loess are 

found in the national monument just east of 

the escarpment. Alluvium transported from 

upstream parts of the watershed is found 

along the Pipestone Creek floodplain. (Ojakangas and Matsch 1982; NPS 1983). 

The soils in Pipestone National Monument 

are variable in depth, fertility, and productivity. Thirteen soil types have been mapped in 

the national monument (USDA, SCS 1976). 

They generally have medium to high erosion 

hazard. The land on which the visitor center 

and houses were built is somewhat limited for 

the construction of buildings without basements because of the shrinking and swelling of 

the soil and because the bedrock is near the 

soil surface. 

WILDLIFE 

Many mammals have been extirpated from 

the area, including bison, wolf, elk, and Richardson’s ground squirrel. Among birds 

formerly known in the national monument, 

the whooping crane and McCown’s longspur 

are now considered extinct in Minnesota 

(Minn. DNR 1973). 

Native species observed at the site are whitetailed deer, white-tail jackrabbit, eastern 

cottontail, woodchuck, striped skunk, raccoon, badger, red fox, thirteen-lined ground 

squirrel, pocket gopher, eastern mole, woodland and prairie deer mice, voles, shrews, and 

weasels. Mink, muskrat, and beaver also have 

been observed near streams and lakes. Harvest mice and prairie voles were captured by 

Snyder (1986). 

Birds are abundant in the national monument; 

well over 100 species were recorded in a 1984–

85 study (Snyder 1986). Winter or resident 

birds include juncos, tree sparrows, bluejays, 

downy woodpeckers, and chickadees. Common summer birds are robins, brown 

thrashers, bobolinks, meadowlarks, 

nighthawks, kingfishers, goldfinches, yellow 

warblers, red-winged blackbirds, mourning 

doves, mallard ducks, and blue winged teal. 

The nonnative ring-necked pheasant and wild 

turkeys also are present. Great blue and greenbacked herons and American woodcock also 
Natural Resources 

127 

can be observed at times. Migrant birds are 

numerous in spring and fall. 

Reptiles known to occupy the national monument are snapping and painted turtles, prairie 

skinks, and garter snakes. Leopard and chorus 

frogs are found in or near water bodies, as is 

the tiger salamander. The American toad can 

be found throughout the national monument. 

Fish observed in the creek and lakes include 

northern pike, white sucker, sunfish, bullheads, and bass. Various minnows and 

shiners, including the Topeka shiner (federally listed as endangered), also can be found 

here. 

The Prairie Cluster Long-Term Ecological 

Monitoring Program has been actively monitoring macroinvertebrates in Pipestone Creek 

since 1997 as indicators of stream health and 

water quality. 

Development in the national monument and 

the presence of visitors and employees interrupt wildlife habitat and alter wildlife movement. 

THREATENED OR ENDANGERED 

SPECIES AND SPECIES OF 

SPECIAL CONCERN 

The western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara) was federally listed as a 

threatened species in 1989. A recovery plan 

for the species was written and approved by 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1996. It 

occurs in scattered, usually small populations 

(fewer than 250 individuals) in moist prairies 

in Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Manitoba (USFWS 

1996). The western prairie fringed orchid is 

threatened by the loss of tallgrass prairie to 

cropland, fragmentation of remaining prairie, 

the obstacle that croplands present to the free 

movement of hawkmoths (orchid pollinators) 

between orchid populations, and pesticide 

drift from nearby cropland, which can kill 

hawkmoths. The long-term survival of this 

tallgrass prairie species requires both protecting its habitat and ensuring the survival of the 

orchid’s only pollinator, the long-tongued 

hawkmoth. 

The western prairie fringed orchid, which was 

not identified at Pipestone National Monument until the early 1990s, is found in a wet 

prairie/sedge meadow community. To determine the possible effects of management actions such as prescribed fire and climate variations on the orchid population, a monitoring 

program was initiated at Pipestone in 1993 as 

part of the Prairie Cluster Long-Term Ecological Monitoring Program. The objective of 

the orchid monitoring is to report annual 

trends in the status and distribution of the 

population based on a count, maps of flowering plants, and demographic study of 

marked plants. 

The annual numbers of flowering plants have 

ranged from 0 to 221 (in 2003). At Pipestone, 

the results of demographic monitoring of 

marked plants suggest that late spring fires can 

detrimentally affect that year’s flowering 

population, although three years later the 

highest flowering count was made. The national monument staff has determined that the 

orchid population will not be burned in the 

late spring to avoid damage to orchids that 

have emerged. There is no designated critical 

habitat for this species. 

The endangered Topeka shiner (Notropis 

topeka), found in prairie rivers and streams, is 

known to occur in the national monument. In 

2001, the Long-Term Ecological Monitoring 

Program initiated monitoring for the Topeka 

shiner following guidelines established by the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Critical habitat, 

including Pipestone Creek within the national 

monument, has been identified. The critical 

habitat would be affected by some actions 

described in this plan. 

The state of Minnesota maintains a list of 

endangered, threatened, and special concern 

species. The list for Pipestone is in table 1, 

page 22. 
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

128 

Most of the state-listed species at Pipestone 

are associated with the Sioux quartzite prairie. 

See Appendix C for more information about 

these species.
129 

VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE 

EXPERIENCING THE RESOURCES 

At present most visitors approach the entry 

road to Pipestone National Monument by 

traveling north from the town of Pipestone 

along U.S. Highway 75, then turning west 

onto 9th Street NE, which becomes Reservation Avenue in the national monument. Many 

visitors stop at the Three Maidens area to 

learn about the significance of this rock 

formation from the wayside exhibit near the 

parking pullout. Some visitors who stop here 

also use the picnic tables. 

Farther down the entrance road, signs direct 

visitors to the visitor center and its parking 

area. These directional and identification 

signs note that the national monument is a 

U.S. fee area and that an entrance/user fee is 

collected inside the visitor center. 

After paying their entrance/user fees at the 

visitor center information desk, many visitors 

look through the national monument’s exhibit 

area and see the audiovisual program. Between April and October, craftworkers demonstrate pipemaking in the Upper Midwest 

Indian Cultural Center in the back of the visitor center, using stone from the Pipestone 

quarries. Almost all visitors go to the visitor 

center to see these demonstrations. Many 

visitors buy pipes, other craft items, and 

educational materials from the gift shop in the 

cultural center. The gift shop is operated yearround by the Pipestone Indian Shrine 

Association, the national monument’s 

cooperating association. 

After seeing the visitor center and demonstration area (which shows pipestone, the 

national monument’s premier resource, being 

made into pipes and other craft items), visitors 

are ready to experience first-hand the national 

monument’s other resources. 

FREEDOM TO GO AT ONE’S OWN PACE 

Nearly all the opportunities for visitors to 

experience can be enjoyed at each visitor’s 

own pace. Visits by school classes and other 

educational groups are more structured because of school and bus schedules and because of the timing of some of the curriculumbased education programs. 

The exhibits, the cultural demonstrations, and 

the sales area in the visitor center all can be 

experienced at one’s own pace. The audiovisual program is available on request in 

winter and is offered on the half-hour during 

the rest of the year. 

Outside the visitor center, visitors can walk 

the 0.75-mile Circle Trail at their own pace by 

following the Circle Trail guide booklet 

(which is for sale or loan at the information 

desk in the visitor center), reading the six wayside exhibits along the Circle Trail, listening to 

rangers or volunteers who occasionally rove 

the trail, walking the trail without any interpretive messages, or any combination of these. 

The Circle Trail, which is wheelchair accessible except along the ridgeline, allows visitors 

to see and gain understanding from the quarry 

north of the visitor center, the demonstration 

quarry south of the visitor center, Pipestone 

Creek, Hiawatha Lake, Winnewissa Falls, the 

quartzite bluffs, the Nicollet inscription and 

marker, and a restored prairie. 

ORIENTATION AND INTERPRETATION 

Orientation to the national monument is 

available only in the visitor center from the 

ranger or volunteer at the information desk. 

There are three wayside exhibits along the 

Circle Trail and one each at the Nicollet 

marker and the demonstration quarry. The 

NPS brochure for the national monument 

provides some orientation, but its only map is 
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

130 

of the region; it does not provide specific 

orientation to the national monument. 

The interpretive media inside the visitor 

center date from the Mission 66 era of the 

mid-1960s, and although a few minor changes 

have been made since then, the exhibits and 

the audiovisual program look dated and contain some outdated information. The wayside 

exhibits, messages, graphics, and photographs 

need to be updated. The brochure is accurate, 

but it also needs to be updated. 

Curriculum-based education programs are offered to schools and other groups in spring 

and autumn. 

SAFETY 

Safety concerns at Pipestone National Monument are centered on the trails and the possibility of someone falling on the trails. The 

primary Circle Trail is paved with asphalt and 

described as “wheelchair accessible” in the 

brochure, but the trail’s surfaces are cracked 

and uneven, and it is doubtful that it would be 

rated accessible by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act 

Accessibility Guidelines. The stone steps on a 

spur trail off the Circle trail, which leads up 

and down the quartzite cliffs, are uneven at 

best. The stone steps leading down into the 

demonstration quarry just south of the visitor 

center are uneven and slippery when wet. The 

brochure and one wayside exhibit warn 

visitors not to climb into any of the national 

monument’s quarry pits. 

The native prairie, which visitors walk past 

along the Circle Trail and see from the entrance road, is maintained by prescribed burns 

set each spring. Visitor warnings are posted 

during all prescribed burns. 

All parking areas, the visitor center, and the 

restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Two 

wheelchairs are available at the visitor center 

for visitors. 
131 

SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 

PIPESTONE COUNTY 

The study area for the General Management 

Plan / Environmental Impact Statement for 

Pipestone National Monument has been 

defined as Pipestone County, Minnesota. This 

plan describes economic conditions 

throughout the study area. 

Income 

The labor force in Pipestone County in 2000 

consisted of 5,077 people over the age of 16, 

with an unemployment rate of 1.6%. The most 

important sectors of the economy in 

Pipestone County were services, 14.3% of the 

total earnings of all persons in the county 

(14.6 in 1990); state and local government, 

14.2% of earnings (16.1% in 1990); and farm, 

13.3% of earnings (20.5% in 1990). 

The yearly payroll for Pipestone National 

Monument (both permanent and temporary 

employees) in 2002 was approximately 

$570,000. Aside from national monument 

staff, numerous individuals depend on 

Pipestone National Monument for all or part 

of their yearly income. 

For this assessment, economic conditions in 

the study area generally are represented by the 

change in per capita income, as shown in table 

6. 

Population and Housing 

Three incorporated communities exist within 

Pipestone County: Edgerton, population 

1,037; Jasper, population 558; and Pipestone, 

population 4,359. The county population was 

9,895. School enrollment was 2509 students. 

Population trends for the county, the state, 

and the nation are compared in table 7. 

In 2000, 96.7% of the population in Pipestone 

County was white; 1.5%, American Indian. 

The median household income was $31,909, 

and per capita income was $16,450 (U.S. 

Bureau of the Census 1999). Per capita income 

was 65% of the statewide average and 76% of 

the national average. Living below the poverty 

level were 9.5% of the county population, 

compared with 7.9% for Minnesota and 

12.4% for the nation. 

Pipestone County had a total of 4,434 housing 

units in 2000, 4,069 of which were occupied 

(92%). About 53% were owner occupied. The 

median rent in the county was $365 per 

month, and the median home value was 

$49,000. 

There were 100 hotel/motel rooms in 

Pipestone, with an occupancy rate of 

approximately 80%–85% during the summer 

months. There were approximately 50 

recreational vehicle (RV) sites. 

TABLE 6: PIPESTONE COUNTY PER CAPITA INCOME CHANGE, 1959–1999 

Location 1959 1969 1979 1989 1999 % Change 

Pipestone County $ 4,783 $ 7,110 $ 9,265 $10,050 $16,450 244 % 

Minnesota 6,804 9,561 12,485 14,389 23,198 240 % 

United States 7,259 9,816 12,224 14,420 21,587 197 % 

TABLE 7: POPULATION TRENDS IN THE STUDY AREA 1960–2000 

Location 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 % Change

Pipestone County 13,605 12,791 11,690 10,491 9,895 – 37 % 

Minnesota 3,413,864 3,804,971 4,075,970 4,375,099 4,919,479 + 44 % 

United States 179,323,175 203,211,926 226,545,805 248,709,873 281,421,906 + 57% 
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

132 

FEES AND VISITATION 

Pipestone National Monument is officially a 

fee area, but fees are collected only at the 

visitor center. No fees are required of American Indians. Visitors are counted at the visitor 

center at the time of entry, and those who do 

not enter the visitor center do not pay the fee 

and are not counted. An additional multiplier 

of 2.5 is added to the yearly attendance figure 

to account for visitors who did not enter at the 

visitor center and so were not counted. Visitors in this category would be those who use 

the picnic area, those attending the Sun Dance 

ceremonies, those who use the national 

monument trails after hours, and anyone else 

who enters the national monument but does 

not enter the visitor center. Visitation from 

1990 through 2003 is compared in table 8. 

TABLE 8: VISITATION, 1990–2003 

Year Total Visits %Change

1990 108,000 — 

1991 120,000 + 10.00 

1992 122,412 + 1.97 

1993 108,263 + 13.07 

1994 116,889 + 7.38 

1995 104,834 + 11.50 

1996 95,917 – 9.30 

1997 88,812 – 8.00 

1998 90,832 + 2.22 

1999 90,395 – 0.48 

2000 94,343 + 4.18 

2001 88,131 – 7.05 

2002 84,295 – 4.40 

2003 82,600 – 2.77 

2004 83,123 + .63 

ECONOMIC INFLUENCES OF 

THE NATIONAL MONUMENT 

Several businesses at or near the entrance to 

Pipestone National Monument are dependent 

on the national monument. They are the Pipestone Indian Shrine Association, a commercial 

campground, and a large gift shop operation. 

Other private businesses, such as restaurants 

and fast food outlets, are farther from the 

national monument but depend on it to supplement local business. 

Quarriers either sell the raw pipestone or 

carve it into items for sale. They are not 

allowed to sell raw pipestone or the items they 

make directly to national monument visitors 

onsite, but they may do so offsite. Demonstrators are paid to carve items onsite, and 

they then sell them through the Shrine Association sales outlet. Pipestone articles and 

other craft items worth more than $160,000 

were purchased from quarriers or demonstrators in 2002 and sold by the Shrine Association. No accounting is available of the value 

of other items sold by quarriers outside of the 

Pipestone Indian Shrine Association. 

In addition, the Pipestone Indian Shrine 

Association sells other items such as books, 

postcards, and clothing. The proceeds from 

sales support projects that benefit visitors or 

national monument resources. The Pipestone 

National Monument superintendent proposes 

such projects to the board of directors of the 

association. These funds may not be used for 

personal services or for operating costs of the 

national monument. 

According to a visitor services project study 

(VSP) sample commissioned by the National 

Park Service in 2002 (week of July 7–13), most 

visitors spent one to two hours at Pipestone 

National Monument. Of the visitors questioned, 63% spent one night within 25 miles of 

the national monument, 20% spent two 

nights, 11% spent three nights, and 7% spent 

four or more nights. Fifty-three percent of the 

overnight stays were in hotels, motels, or 

lodges and 33% were in campgrounds or 

trailer parks (NPS 2003b). 

The study also found that the average per capita expenditure within the surrounding 25 

miles was approximately $44. Assuming the 

sample week to be typical, and assuming a like 

number of visitors for the whole year 2002 as 

in 2001, national monument visitors spent 

approximately $3.877 million within 25 miles 

of Pipestone National Monument (according 

to the visitor services project study). Because 

71% of the visitors interviewed said that Pipestone was either their primary destination or 
Socioeconomic Environment 

133 

one of several destinations, $2.753 million 

could be directly attributable to the national 

monument. 

The same data from the July 7–13, 2002, study 

were entered into the money generation model (MGM) developed by the National Park 

Service and Michigan State University 

(http://planning.nps.gov/mgm/) to produce 

additional information. 

Local day visitors contributed 20% of the 

overall visitation to the national monument; 

day visitors from other regions, 40%; visitors 

staying at lodges, 20%; and visitors staying at 

campsites, 19%. On average, visitors spent $70 

per party per day in the local area (“party” 

refers to a single person or a group enjoying 

the site together as opposed to the $44 per 

individual estimated in the visitor services 

project study cited above). The total visitor 

spending was estimated to be $2.27 million in 

2001. That was about half a million dollars less 

than was estimated by the visitor services 

project study (above, $2.753 million). 

Using the more conservative $2.27 million figure and the assumptions of the money generation model, the money spent by visitors had a 

direct economic effect in the Pipestone community of $3,030,000 in direct sales, 

$1,080,000 in personal income (wages and 

salaries), $1,650,000 in value added, and 91 

jobs. As visitor spending circulated through 

the local economy, secondary effects created 

14 jobs and $300,000 more in personal 

income. 

In sum, visitors to Pipestone National Monument spent $2,270,000 in 2002, which supported a total of $3,920,000 in sales, 

$1,380,000 in personal income, 105 jobs, and 

$2,210,000 in value added. (Also see tables 9 

and 10.) 

TABLE 9: LOCAL ECONOMIC INFLUENCES FROM VISITATION TO PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT

Local Day 

Visitors

Non-Local 

Day Visitors

Hotel 

Visitors

Camp or Other 

Visitors Total

Recreation Visits 17,829 34,921 18,202 17,163 88,115 

Segment Shares 20% 40% 20% 19% 99% 

Party Days 7,532 14,368 7,081 6,865 35,846 

Average Spending $27 $41 $106 $106 $70 

Total Spending (millions) $0.20 $0.59 $0.75 $0.73 $2.27 

TABLE 10: ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF VISITOR SPENDING BY SECTORS

Sector 

Sales 

(millions) 

Personal Income 

(millions) Jobs 

Value Added 

(millions) 

Direct Effect

Motel, Hotel, Cabins, 

Bed & Breakfast $0.52 $0.15 13 $0.23 

Campsites $0.49 $0.14 13 $0.21 

Restaurants and Bars $0.66 $0.21 21 $0.29 

Admissions and Fees $0.54 $0.19 17 $0.31 

Retail $0.62 $0.32 23 $0.50 

Other $0.20 $0.07 4 $0.11 

Total $3.03 $1.08 91 $1.65 

Secondary Effect

 $0.89 $0.30 14 $0.56 

Total Effect $3.92 $1.38 105 $2.21 

ENVIRONMENTAL

 CONSEQUENCES

137 

METHODOLOGY FOR ANALYZING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 

INTRODUCTION 

The planning team based the impact analysis 

and the conclusions in this chapter largely on 

a review of existing literature and studies, information provided by experts in the National 

Park Service and other agencies, and national 

monument staff insights and professional 

judgment. The team’s method of analyzing 

impacts is further explained below. It is important to remember that all the analyses include mitigating measures to minimize or 

avoid impacts. If mitigating measures were not 

applied as described in the “Alternatives” 

chapter (beginning on page 41), the potential 

for resource impacts and the magnitude of 

those impacts would increase. 

Effects can be direct, indirect, or cumulative. 

Direct effects are caused by an action and 

occur at the same time and place as the action. 

Indirect effects are caused by the action and 

occur later or farther away, but are still reasonably foreseeable. Cumulative effects are 

discussed below. 

Intensity is the degree to which a resource 

would be beneficially or adversely affected. 

The criteria that were used to rate the intensity of the impacts for each resource topic 

are presented later in this section under each 

topic heading. 

Duration refers to how long an effect would 

last. For the purposes of this document, the 

planning team used the following terms to 

describe the duration of the effects: 

Short term: The effect would last less than 

two years (one year for cultural resources), 

normally during construction and 

recovery. 

Long term: The effect would last more than 

two years (one year for cultural resources), 

normally from operations. 

PROJECTS THAT MAKE UP THE 

CUMULATIVE IMPACT SCENARIO 

The regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), which implement the 

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 

(42 USC 4321 et seq.), require assessment of 

cumulative effects in the decision-making 

process for federal projects. Cumulative effects are defined as follows in 40 CFR 1508.7: 

the impact on the environment which 

results from the incremental impact of the 

action when added to other past, present, 

and reasonably foreseeable future actions 

regardless of what agency (Federal or 

non-Federal) or person undertakes such 

other actions. 

Cumulative effects are determined by combining the effects of each alternative with 

other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and describe the actions of 

other ongoing or reasonably foreseeable 

future projects at the national monument and, 

if applicable, the surrounding region. 

To determine potential cumulative impacts, 

projects in the area surrounding Pipestone 

National Monument were identified. The area 

included land within 1 mile of the boundary of 

the national monument, including nearby 

lands administered by the city of Pipestone, 

the state community college system, other 

state agencies, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service (the area along the north boundary of 

the national monument, including Indian 

Lake). For socioeconomic impacts, Pipestone 

County was the area of impact, because socioeconomic information is available by county. 

Projects were determined by meetings and 

telephone calls with county and city governments and state land managers as well as 

national monument staff. Potential projects 

identified as cumulative actions included any 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

138 

planning or development activity that was 

currently being implemented or that would be 

implemented in the reasonably foreseeable 

future. 

These cumulative actions are evaluated in the 

cumulative impact analysis in conjunction 

with the impacts of each alternative to determine if they would have any additive effects 

on a particular cultural resource, natural resource, visitor use, or the socioeconomic environment. Because most of these cumulative 

actions are in the early planning stages, the 

evaluation of cumulative effects was based on 

a general description of the project. 

Past Actions 

The following past actions could contribute to 

cumulative effects. 

Agriculture. Agriculture in the region and the 

associated development of Pipestone townbuilding that began in the 1880s started 

changing the landscape from the indigenous 

prairie scene that George Catlin saw in 1836 

when he visited the pipestone quarries. These 

changes are described for potential cultural 

landscapes under “landscape periods” in the 

“Affected Environment” chapter, beginning 

on page 110.

Through the building of small dams and dynamiting and reducing by 8 feet the height of 

Winnewissa Falls, agriculture has influenced 

the ethnographic and historic cultural landscape associated with the falls and Pipestone 

Creek. Development continues today, with 

more residential development proposed adjacent to the national monument’s southern 

boundary, as well as some commercial development proposed adjacent to its eastern 

boundary. On the eastern boundary, the 

addition of an assisted living facility for the 

elderly is in progress. Other commercial development in that area could possibly include 

an industrial park. 

Agriculture in and outside of the national 

monument has greatly reduced native plants 

in favor of food crops and vegetation that 

cattle prefer for food. This in turn has led to 

the alteration of soil and the loss of soil 

through erosion. Fences have been built in the 

national monument and elsewhere to limit the 

movement of animals, mainly cattle. Along 

with farming has come the use of herbicides to 

kill unwanted plant species and the introduction of exotic species of plants. 

The national monument’s limited use of 

herbicides to control exotics contributes to 

herbicide use in the area. In addition, natural 

hydrology and landforms have been modified 

to create dams and stock tanks to provide 

water for nonnative animals. Tiles have been 

installed to drain wetlands to increase dry 

land for growing crops. Whether this was 

done in the national monument is not known. 

In the summer of 1995, the farm field on the 

southern boundary of Pipestone National 

Monument was tiled to aid water drainage; it 

was retiled in 2003. The national monument 

lies in the path of these drained waters. Wetlands in the national monument may have 

been filled to create the Circle Trail. 

Development. Development has included the 

Indian school, of which the national monument used to be a part, and the remnant track 

bed of a railroad that was built later. There are 

also residential subdivisions on the national 

monument’s boundaries. The city of Pipestone’s presence influenced the removal of all 

the petroglyphs from the base of the Three 

Maidens, changing that ethnographic cultural 

landscape, and it is important to museum 

collections today. 

The visitor center is close to the quarry line, 

and its presence may have changed the way 

some American Indians use the site. In addition, all structures are incongruous with the 

quarrying cultural landscape. 

Upstream Use of Pipestone Creek. The 

watershed of Pipestone Creek has been modified to suit the purposes of local communities 
Methodology for Analyzing Environmental Consequences 

139 

and agriculture. A combination of flat terrain 

and moist climate has created a situation 

prone to flooding. Before Pipestone National 

Monument was established, the creek had 

been ditched and diked in an ongoing effort to 

reduce flooding in the adjacent community. 

The base level of the creek at the waterfall in 

the national monument was lowered by 8 feet 

between 1910 and 1912 to increase the tillable 

land upstream. 

Current and Future Actions 

Current actions and those projected for the 

future also could contribute to cumulative 

effects. 

Increased development is occurring along the 

south and east sides of the national monument. On the south, housing is being developed, with the potential for runoff flowing 

into the national monument. An assisted living 

center has been completed on the east side of 

Hiawatha Avenue. Light industrial development is expected on other lands owned by the 

city on the east side. The county recently received approval to construct a family services 

agency building on a 7-acre plot adjacent to 

the Pipestone Creek ditch. Runoff from these 

lands flows generally westerly, eventually 

reaching the national monument. 

On the west side of Hiawatha Avenue, south 

of the Minnesota West Community and Technical College and between Hiawatha Avenue 

and the national monument is a 15.3-acre tract 

of land owned by the local school district but 

zoned R-3 (multifamily and agricultural). Although these lands are subject to flooding, 

they could be developed following drainage 

and fill work. 

In southwestern Minnesota, and particularly 

in Pipestone County, there is a trend toward 

the development of wind farms and individual 

wind turbines averaging 200 feet or more in 

height. A wind tower is visible in the southwestern viewshed from all over the national 

monument. Further development of wind 

farms and individual turbines is likely. This 

could result in serious cumulative visual impacts on the cultural and ethnographic landscapes, as well as on the visitor experience and 

visitors’ understanding of the national 

monument. 

An ongoing project at the national monument 

is restoring natural native prairie vegetation as 

much as possible. It will continue as funding 

permits. 

IMPAIRMENT OF RESOURCES 

In addition to determining the environmental 

consequences of the alternatives, NPS policy 

requires that the potential effects be analyzed 

to determine whether or not proposed actions 

would impair the resources or values of the 

park system unit (in this case, Pipestone National Monument) (NPS Management Policies 

2006, section 1.4). The fundamental purpose 

of the national park system, established by the 

Organic Act and reaffirmed by the General 

Authorities Act, as amended, begins with a 

mandate to conserve resources and values. 

NPS managers must always seek ways to avoid 

or minimize, to the greatest degree practicable, adverse impacts on the resources and 

values. 

However, the laws do give the National Park 

Service the management discretion to allow 

impacts on the resources and values when 

necessary and appropriate to fulfill the 

purposes of a park, as long as the impact does 

not constitute impairment of the affected resources and values. Although Congress has 

given the National Park Service this management discretion, that discretion is limited by 

the statutory requirement that the National 

Park Service must leave the resources and values unimpaired unless a particular law directly 

and specifically provides otherwise. 

The prohibited impairment is an impact that, 

in the professional judgment of the responsible NPS manager, would harm the integrity of 

the resources and values, including the 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

140 

opportunities that otherwise would be present 

for the enjoyment of those resources or 

values. An impact on any resource or value 

may constitute impairment. An impact would 

be most likely to constitute an impairment if it 

affected a resource or value whose 

conservation would be (a) necessary to fulfill 

specific purposes identified in the establishing 

legislation or proclamation of the national 

park system unit, (b) key to its natural or 

cultural integrity or to opportunities to enjoy 

it, or (c) identified as a goal in its general 

management plan or other relevant NPS 

planning documents. 

Impairment might result from NPS management activities, visitor activities, or activities 

undertaken by concessioners, contractors, 

and others operating in the national monument. In this document, a determination 

about impairment is made in the conclusion 

section for each impact topic in the “Environmental Consequences” chapter, except that 

impairment findings are unnecessary for visitor use and experience and for the socioeconomic environment. 

METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING 

EFFECTS ON CULTURAL RESOURCES 

Effects on Cultural Resources 

and Section 106 

In this document, the effects on cultural 

resources —historic structures, cultural landscapes, and ethnographic resources as traditional cultural properties eligible for the 

National Register of Historic Places, and museum collections and archives — are described 

in terms of type (beneficial or adverse), context (site-specific, local, or regional effects), 

duration (short term — less than one year, 

long term — more than one year, or permanent), and intensity (negligible, minor, moderate, or major). This is consistent with the 

CEQ regulations, which implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 

These impact analyses also are intended to 

comply with NEPA requirements and the 

requirements of section 106 of the National 

Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as 

amended. In accordance with the regulations 

of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation on implementing section 106 (36 CFR 

800, “Protection of Historic Properties”), the 

impacts on cultural resources were identified 

and evaluated by (a) determining the area of 

potential effects; (b) identifying cultural resources present in the area of potential effects 

that either are listed in or are eligible to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places; 

(c) applying the criteria of adverse effect to 

affected cultural resources either listed in or 

eligible to be listed in the national register; and 

(d) considering ways to avoid, minimize, or 

mitigate adverse effects. 

Under the regulations of the Advisory Council 

on Historic Preservation, a determination of 

either adverse effect or no adverse effect must 

also be made for affected cultural resources 

either listed in the National Register of Historic Places or eligible to be listed in the national register. An adverse effect occurs whenever an impact would alter, directly or indirectly, any characteristic of a cultural resource 

qualifying it for inclusion in the National 

Register of Historic Places in a manner that 

would diminish the integrity of the resource’s 

location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, or association. Adverse effects 

also include reasonably foreseeable effects 

caused by the possible actions of an alternative that would occur later in time, be farther 

removed in distance, or be cumulative (36 

CFR 800.5, “Assessment of Adverse Effects”). 

A determination of no adverse effect could 

mean there would be an effect, but that the 

effect would not diminish in any way the 

characteristics of the cultural resource that 

qualify it for inclusion in the National Register 

of Historic Places. 

CEQ regulations and NPS Director’s Order 

12, Conservation Planning, Environmental 

Impact Analysis, and Decision-making, also call 

for a discussion of the appropriateness of 
Methodology for Analyzing Environmental Consequences 

141 

mitigation, as well as an analysis of how 

effective the mitigation would be in reducing 

the intensity of a potential impact. For 

example, would the intensity of an impact be 

reduced from major to moderate or minor? 

Any resultant reduction in the intensity of an 

impact by mitigation, however, is an estimate 

of the effectiveness of mitigation under NEPA 

only. It does not suggest that the level of effect 

as defined by section 106 would be similarly 

reduced. Although adverse effects under 

section 106 may be mitigated, the effect would 

remain adverse. 

A “Section 106 Summary” is included in the 

impact analysis sections for historic structures, cultural landscapes as ethnographic 

resources, and ethnographic resources as traditional cultural properties eligible for the 

national register cultural resources. (Section 

106 summaries are not included for museum 

collections and archives because such resources generally are ineligible to be listed in 

the national register.) These summaries are intended to meet the requirements of section 

106 and to assess the effects of the undertaking on cultural resources, based on the criterion of effect and criteria of adverse effect 

found in the regulations of the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation. 

Intensity — Cultural Landscapes 

For a cultural landscape to be listed in the 

National Register of Historic Places, it must 

meet one or more of the following criteria of 

significance: (a) it is associated with events 

that have made a significant contribution to 

the broad patterns of our history; (b) it is associated with the lives of persons significant in 

our past; (c) it embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, 

or it possesses high artistic value or represents 

a significant and distinguishable entity whose 

components may lack individual distinction; 

(d) it has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history 

(National Register Bulletin, “How to Apply the 

National Register Criteria for Evaluation”). 

The landscape also must have integrity of 

those patterns and features — spatial organization and landforms, topography, vegetation, 

circulation networks, water features, and 

structures or buildings, site furnishings or 

objects — necessary to convey its significance 

(Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the 

Treatment of Historic Properties, with Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes). 

For purposes of analyzing potential impacts 

on cultural landscapes, the thresholds of 

change for the intensity of an impact are defined as follows: 

Negligible — The effect would be at the 

lowest levels of detection: barely perceptible and not measurable. For section 

106 purposes, the determination of effect 

would be no adverse effect.

Minor — Adverse Effect: The actions 

would alter a pattern(s) or feature(s) of the 

cultural landscape but would not diminish 

the overall integrity of the a landscape. For 

section 106 purposes, the determination of 

effect would be adverse effect. Beneficial 

Effect: Preservation of landscape patterns 

and features in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the 

Treatment of Historic Properties, with 

Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural 

Landscapes. For section 106 purposes, the 

determination of effect would be no adverse effect.

Moderate — Adverse Effect: The actions 

would alter pattern(s) or feature(s) of a cultural landscape diminishing the overall integrity of the landscape. For section 106 

purposes, the determination of effect 

would be adverse effect. A memorandum of 

agreement would be executed among the 

National Park Service and applicable state 

or tribal historic preservation officer and, if 

necessary, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in accordance with 36 

CFR 800.6(b). The mitigative measures 

identified in the memorandum of 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

142 

agreement would reduce the intensity of 

impact from major to moderate. Beneficial 

Effect: The action would result in the 

rehabilitation of a landscape or its patterns 

and features in accordance with the 

Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the 

Treatment of Historic Properties, with 

Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural 

Landscapes. For section 106 purposes, the 

determination of effect would be no 

adverse effect.

Major — Adverse Effect: The actions 

would alter a defining pattern(s) or feature(s) of a cultural landscape, diminishing 

its overall integrity. For section 106 purposes, the determination of effect would be 

adverse effect. The National Park Service 

and applicable state or tribal historic preservation officer would be unable to negotiate and execute a memorandum of agreement in accordance with 36 CFR 800.6(b). 

Beneficial Effect: The action would result 

in the restoration of a landscape or its patterns and features in accordance with the 

Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the 

Treatment of Historic Properties, with 

Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural 

Landscapes. For section 106 purposes, the 

determination of effect would be no 

adverse effect.

Intensity — Ethnographic Resources 

Certain important questions about human 

culture and history can be answered only by 

gathering information about the cultural content and context of cultural resources. Questions about contemporary peoples or groups, 

their identity, and heritage have the potential 

to be addressed through ethnographic resources. As defined by the National Park Service, an ethnographic resource is a site, structure, object, landscape, or natural resource 

feature assigned traditional, legendary, religious, subsistence, or other significance in 

the cultural system of a group traditionally 

associated with it. 

Some places of traditional cultural importance 

may be eligible for inclusion in the National 

Register of Historic Places as traditional cultural properties because of their association 

with cultural practices or beliefs of a living 

community that are (a) rooted in that community’s history and (b) important in maintaining the continuing cultural identity of the 

community (National Register Bulletin, Guidelines for Evaluating and Documenting Traditional Cultural Properties). For purposes of 

analyzing potential impacts on ethnographic 

resources, the thresholds of change for the 

intensity of an impact are defined below. 

Negligible — The effect(s) would be barely 

perceptible and would neither alter resource conditions (such as traditional 

access or site preservation) nor alter the 

relationship between the resource and the 

affiliated group’s body of practices and 

beliefs. For section 106 purposes, the determination of effect on traditional cultural 

practices would be no adverse effect.

Minor — Adverse Effect: The effect(s) 

would be slight but noticeable, but the 

action would neither appreciably alter 

resource conditions (such as traditional 

access or site preservation) nor alter the 

relationship between the resource and the 

affiliated group’s body of practices and 

beliefs. For section 106 purposes, the determination of effect on traditional cultural 

practices would be no adverse effect. Beneficial Effect: The action would allow access to and/or accommodate a group’s traditional practices or beliefs. For section 

106 purposes, the determination of effect 

on traditional cultural practices would be 

no adverse effect.

Moderate — Adverse Effect: The effect(s) 

would be apparent and would alter resource conditions. Something would interfere with traditional access, site preservation, or the relationship between the resource and the affiliated group’s practices 

and beliefs, even though the group’s practices and beliefs would survive. For section 
Methodology for Analyzing Environmental Consequences 

143 

106 purposes, the determination of effect 

on traditional cultural practices would be 

adverse effect. Beneficial Effect: The action would facilitate traditional access 

and/or accommodate a group’s practices or 

beliefs. For section 106 purposes, the determination of effect on traditional cultural 

practices would be no adverse effect.

Major — Adverse Effect: The effect(s) 

would be apparent and would alter resource conditions. Something would block 

or greatly affect traditional access, site 

preservation, or the relationship between 

the resource and the affiliated group’s 

body of practices and beliefs to the extent 

that the survival of a group’s practices 

and/or beliefs would be jeopardized. For 

section 106 purposes, the determination of 

effect on traditional cultural practices 

would be adverse effect. Beneficial Effect:

The action would encourage traditional 

access and/or accommodate a group’s 

practices or beliefs. For section 106 purposes, the determination of effect on traditional cultural practices would be no 

adverse effect.

Intensity — Historic Structures 

For a structure to be listed in the National 

Register of Historic Places, it must meet one 

or more of the following criteria of significance: (a) associated with events that have 

made a significant contribution to the broad 

patterns of our history; (b) associated with the 

lives of persons significant in our past; (c) embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, 

period, or method of construction, or represent the work of a master, or possess high artistic value, or represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may 

lack individual distinction; (d) have yielded, or 

may be likely to yield, information important 

in prehistory or history. In addition, the structure must possess integrity of location, design, 

setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, association (National Register Bulletin, How to 

Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation). For purposes of analyzing potential 

impacts on historic structures, the thresholds 

of change for the intensity of an impact are 

defined as follows: 

Negligible — The effect would be at the 

lowest levels of detection: barely measurable with no perceptible consequences. For 

section 106 purposes, the determination of 

effect would be no adverse effect.

Minor — Adverse Effect: The actions 

would alter a feature(s) of a structure but 

would not diminish the overall integrity of 

the resource. For section 106 purposes, the 

determination of effect would be no adverse effect. Beneficial Effect: The action 

would stabilize or preserve features in 

accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of 

Historic Properties. For section 106 purposes, the determination of effect would be 

no adverse effect. 

Moderate — Adverse Effect: The actions 

would alter a feature(s) of a structure, diminishing the overall integrity of the resource. For section 106 purposes, the determination of effect would be adverse 

effect. A memorandum of agreement would 

be executed among the National Park Service and applicable state or tribal historic 

preservation officer and, if necessary, the 

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 

in accordance with 36 CFR 800.6(b). The 

mitigative measures identified in the memorandum of agreement would reduce the 

intensity of impact from major to moderate. Beneficial Effect: rehabilitation of a 

structure in accordance with the Secretary 

of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment 

of Historic Properties. For section 106 purposes, the determination of effect would be 

no adverse effect.

Major — Adverse Effect: The actions 

would alter a pattern(s) or feature(s) of a 

structure, diminishing the overall integrity 

of the resource. For section 106 purposes, 

the determination of effect would be 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

144 

adverse effect. The National Park Service 

and applicable state or tribal historic 

preservation officer would be unable to 

negotiate and execute a memorandum of 

agreement in accordance with 36 CFR 

800.6(b). Beneficial Effect: Restoration of 

a structure in accordance with the 

Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the 

Treatment of Historic Properties. For 

section 106 purposes, the determination of 

effect would be no adverse effect.

Intensity — Museum 

Collections and Archives 

Museum collections (historic artifacts, natural 

specimens, and archival and manuscript material) may be threatened by fire, theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and careless acts. The 

preservation of museum collections is an ongoing process of preventive conservation, supplemented by conservation treatment when 

necessary. The primary goal is the preservation of artifacts in as stable condition as possible to prevent damage and to minimize deterioration. For purposes of analyzing potential impacts, the thresholds of change for the 

intensity of an impact are defined as follows: 

Negligible — The effect would be at the 

lowest level of detection: barely measurable with no perceptible consequences, 

either adverse or beneficial, to museum 

collections. 

Minor — Adverse Effect: The actions 

would affect the integrity of few items in 

the museum collection but would not degrade the usefulness of the collection for 

future research and interpretation. Beneficial Effect: The action would stabilize the 

current condition of the collection or its 

constituent components to minimize 

degradation. 

Moderate — Adverse Effect: The actions 

would affect the integrity of many items in 

the museum collection and diminish the 

usefulness of the collection for future research and interpretation. Beneficial Effect: The actions would improve the condition of the collection or its constituent 

parts from the threat of degradation. 

Major — Adverse Effect: The actions 

would affect the integrity of most items in 

the museum collection and destroy the 

usefulness of the collection for future 

research and interpretation. Beneficial 

Effect: The actions would secure the condition of the collection as a whole or its 

constituent components from the threat of 

further degradation. 

METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING 

EFFECTS ON NATURAL RESOURCES 

For natural resources, effects on the integrity 

of natural systems are discussed, including 

remnant tallgrass prairie, restored tallgrass 

prairie, mesic crystalline bedrock prairie 

wetlands and riparian corridor, floodplains, 

hydrology, soils, wildlife, and threatened or 

endangered species. Wetlands are “lands 

where saturation with water is the dominant 

factor determining the nature of soil development and the types of plant and animal 

communities living in the soil and on its surface” (USFWS 1979). Floodplains are defined 

by the NPS Floodplain Management Guideline

(1993a) as “the lowland and relatively flat 

areas adjoining inland and coastal waters, including flood-prone areas of offshore islands, 

and including, at a minimum, that area subject 

to temporary inundation by a regulatory 

flood.” Threatened or endangered species are 

those listed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service as threatened or endangered under 

the Endangered Species Act. The state of 

Minnesota also lists threatened and endangered species and species of special concern.

Information on known resources was compiled. Where possible, map locations of sensitive resources were compared with the locations of proposed developments and modifications. Predictions about short-term and 

long-term site impacts were based on previous 
Methodology for Analyzing Environmental Consequences 

145 

studies of the effects on natural resources 

resulting from visitors and facility 

development. Sociological studies comparing 

the deterrent effects of signs versus ranger 

presence on sites were also considered in this 

analysis.

The definitions below assume that mitigation 

would be implemented. For this document, 

the planning team qualitatively evaluated the 

impact intensity for natural resources. 

Vegetation 

The following categories were used to evaluate the potential impacts on remnant tallgrass 

prairie, mesic crystalline bedrock prairie, and 

restored tallgrass prairie: 

Negligible — The effect would result in no 

measurable or perceptible changes in plant 

community size, integrity or continuity. 

Minor — The effects would be measurable 

or perceptible and local within a relatively 

small area The overall viability of the plant 

community would not be affected and, if 

left alone, would recover. 

Moderate — The actions would cause a 

change in the plant community (abundance, distribution, quantity, or quality); 

however, the impact would remain local 

Major — The effects on plant communities 

would be substantial, highly noticeable, 

and long term. 

Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 

The following categories were used to evaluate the potential impacts on wetlands and the 

riparian corridor: 

Negligible — The effects on wetlands would 

not be measurable or perceptible. 

Minor — The effects on wetlands would be 

local and slightly detectable. 

Moderate — The effects on wetlands would 

be clearly detectable, and the action could 

have an appreciable effect on natural 

processes. 

Major — The effects on wetlands would be 

highly noticeable, and the action would 

have a substantial influence on natural 

processes. 

Floodplains 

The following categories were used to evaluate the potential impacts on floodplains: 

Negligible — The effects on the ability of 

the floodplain to function normally would 

not be measurable or perceptible. 

Minor — The effects on the ability of the 

floodplain to function normally would be 

local and slightly detectable. 

Moderate — The effects on the ability of 

the floodplain to function normally would 

be clearly detectable, and the action could 

have an appreciable effect on natural 

processes. 

Major — The effects on the ability of the 

floodplain to function normally would be 

highly noticeable, and the action would 

have a substantial influence on natural 

processes. 

Hydrology 

The following categories were used to evaluate the potential impacts on hydrology: 

Negligible — Hydrology would not be affected, or the changes either would be 

nondetectable or, if detected, would result 

in effects that would be considered slight 

and local. 

Minor — The changes in hydrology would 

be measurable, although they would be 

small and local. No mitigating measures 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

146 

associated with hydrology would be 

necessary. 

Moderate — The changes in hydrology 

would be measurable and long-term but 

relatively local. Mitigating measures associated with hydrology would be necessary, 

and they probably would be successful. 

Major — The changes in hydrology would 

be readily measurable, would have substantial consequences, and would be noticed on a regional scale. Mitigating measures would be necessary, and their success 

would not be guaranteed. 

Soils 

The following categories were used to 

evaluate the potential impacts on soils: 

Negligible — Soils would not be affected, or 

the effects would be below or at the lower 

levels of detection. Any effects on soil productivity or fertility would be slight. 

Minor — The effects on soils would be detectable. The effects on soil productivity or 

fertility would be small, as would the area 

affected. If mitigation was needed to offset 

adverse effects, it would be relatively 

simple to implement and probably would 

be successful. 

Moderate — The effects on soil productivity or fertility would be readily apparent, 

and it probably would result in a change in 

the soil character over a relatively wide 

area. Mitigating measures probably would 

be necessary to offset adverse effects, and 

they probably would be successful. 

Major — The effects on soil productivity or 

fertility would be readily apparent; there 

would be a substantial change in the character of the soil over a large area in and 

outside of the national monument. Extensive mitigating measures to offset adverse effects would be needed, and their 

success could not be guaranteed. 

Wildlife 

The following categories were used to 

evaluate the potential impacts on wildlife: 

Negligible — The effects on wildlife or their 

habitats would not be measurable or 

perceptible. 

Minor — The effects on wildlife or their 

habitats would be detectable, although they 

probably would be local and of little consequence to the population of the species. 

Moderate — The effects on wildlife or their 

habitats would be readily detectable and 

local, with consequences at the population 

level. 

Major — The effects on wildlife or their 

habitats would be obvious, and there 

would be substantial consequences on 

wildlife populations in the region. 

Threatened or Endangered Species 

and Species of Special Concern 

The following categories were used to evaluate the potential impacts on threatened or 

endangered species or species of special 

concern: 

Negligible — The action would result in a 

change to a population or individuals of a 

species that would be so small that it would 

not be of any measurable or perceptible 

consequence to the population, or other 

changes would be so small that they would 

not be measurable or perceptible. 

Minor — The action would result in a 

change to a population or individuals of a 

species that, if measurable, would be small 

and local, or other changes would be slight 

but detectable. 
Methodology for Analyzing Environmental Consequences 

147 

Moderate — The action would result in a 

change to a population or individuals of a 

species that would be measurable but local. 

Major — The action would result in a 

change to a population or individuals of a 

species that would be measurable and 

would result in a consequence to the 

population. 

METHODOLOGY FOR 

ASSESSING EFFECTS ON 

VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE 

The discussions of visitor use and experience 

in this document cover the effects on visitor 

enjoyment, freedom to go at one’s own pace, 

orientation and interpretation, and visitor 

access. For analysis purposes, impact 

intensities for visitor experience impact topics 

have been defined as follows: 

Negligible — The effect on visitors would 

be barely detectable, or the action would 

not occur in primary resource areas or 

would affect few visitors. 

Minor — An adverse or beneficial effect on 

visitors would be slight but detectable, or 

the action would not occur in primary resource areas or would affect few visitors. 

Moderate — An adverse or beneficial effect 

on visitors would be readily apparent, or 

the action would occur in primary resource 

areas or would affect many visitors. 

Major — An effect on visitors would be 

severely adverse or exceptionally beneficial, or the action would occur in primary 

resource areas or would affect the majority 

of the visitors. 

METHODOLOGY FOR 

ASSESSING EFFECTS ON THE 

SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 

The discussion of socioeconomic effects 

consists of the effects of each alternative on 

quarriers and demonstrators, businesses, and 

the community. The following information 

and assumptions were used to analyze 

impacts. 

• Quarriers and Demonstrators. An 

impact would occur when an action 

described in this plan changed some 

aspect of the workers’ job to make it easier 

or more difficult to earn a living. 

• Businesses. An impact would occur when 

an action would be likely to increase or 

decrease the amount of revenue likely for 

businesses directly dependent upon the 

national monument. 

• Community. An impact would occur 

when an action would be likely to increase 

or decrease employment or revenue within the local or regional economy. 

For analysis purposes, the intensities for 

impacts on quarriers and demonstrators, 

businesses, and the community will be defined 

as follows: 

Negligible — The effect would not be 

detectable, and there would be no discernible effect on the socioeconomic 

environment. 

Minor — The effect would be slightly 

detectable, but the overall socioeconomic 

environment would not be affected. 

Moderate — The effect would be clearly 

detectable, and there could be an appreciable effect on the socioeconomic 

environment. 

Major — Actions would have a substantial, 

highly noticeable influence on the socioeconomic environment. 

METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING 

EFFECTS ON NATIONAL 

MONUMENT OPERATIONS 

In the impact analysis, the effects of the 

alternatives were evaluated on the following 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

148 

aspects of operations: staffing, maintenance, 

facilities, emergency response time, and the 

ability to enforce national monument regulations. The analysis was conducted in consideration of how national monument operations might vary under the different alternatives. The analysis is qualitative rather than 

quantitative because of the conceptual nature 

of the alternatives; consequently, professional 

judgment was used to reach reasonable conclusions as to the intensity, duration, and type 

of each potential impact. 

For analysis purposes, impact intensities for 

national monument operations have been 

defined as follows: 

Negligible —National monument operations would not be affected, or the effect 

would be at or below the lower levels of 

detection, and the action would not cause 

an appreciable effect on national monument operations. 

Minor — The effects would be detectable, 

but would be of a magnitude that there 

would not be an appreciable effect on 

national monument operations. 

Moderate — The effect would be readily 

apparent, and the action would result in a 

substantial change in national monument 

operations that would be noticeable to the 

staff and the public. 

Major — The effects would be readily apparent, and the action would result in a 

substantial change in national monument 

operations that would be noticeable to the 

staff and the public, and operations would 

be markedly different from existing 

operations. 

Beneficial effects would improve NPS 

operations and/or facilities. Adverse effects

would negatively affect NPS operations or facilities and could hinder the staff’s ability to 

provide adequate services and facilities to 

visitors and staff. Some effects could be beneficial for some operations and adverse or 

neutral for others. 
149 

IMPACTS OF THE NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE 

CULTURAL RESOURCES 

Cultural Landscapes 

As the setting for continuity or change, the 

prairie is an important character-defining feature of the potential cultural landscapes (see 

suggested historic landscape contexts, p. 116). 

After this plan is completed, the National Park 

Service would conduct cultural landscape inventories. If the reports from those inventories indicated that prairie components are contributing elements of the character-defining 

features of the potential historic cultural landscapes, which might be correlated with the 

suggested historic landscape contexts, the 

prairie restoration underway would be continued. This restoration involves the recovery 

of native plant species. Under the no-action 

alternative, the restoration would be continued in conjunction with maintaining and preserving the remnant tallgrass prairie. This 

would result in a long-term minor to moderate beneficial effect on cultural landscapes. 

Cumulative Effects. Agricultural development and construction in and around Pipestone National Monument have previously 

affected potential cultural landscapes both in 

the national monument and in the general 

vicinity. These activities have disturbed or 

changed the prairie setting and ultimately reduced the amount of surviving tallgrass prairie. Areas where such activities have occurred 

are the Pipestone Indian School and its successor, the Minnesota West Community and 

Technical College north and northeast of the 

national monument and subdivisions to the 

east, south, and west, as well as agricultural 

areas farther outside the boundaries. The 

long-term adverse effects on the tallgrass prairie as the setting in cultural landscapes have 

ranged from minor to moderate. 

Reasonably foreseeable future actions that 

could occur throughout the region — for example, continued subdivision and proposed 

commercial development — also would disturb cultural landscapes outside the national 

monument by damaging or destroying remnant tallgrass prairie patches that might otherwise remain and altered prairie lands that 

might be restored by the recovery of native 

plant species. The long-term regional impacts 

on the prairie components of cultural landscapes from agricultural development and 

construction would range from minor to 

major. 

In the region, the Nature Conservancy has a 

property called Hole in the Mountain near the 

town of Lake Benton north of the national 

monument where prairie restoration is underway through the recovery of native plant species. Prairie restoration is underway in the 

USFWS/MDNR Pipestone Wildlife Management Area immediately north of the national 

monument. Similar programs are in place to 

the southwest at Split Rock Creek State Park 

and to the southeast at Blue Mounds State 

Park. The latter is where a bison herd is maintained in a prairie setting. These programs 

would result in a moderate long-term beneficial effect on associated cultural landscapes. 

Because there would be no adverse impacts on 

cultural landscapes associated with the noaction alternative, this alternative would not 

contribute to the minor to major range of 

adverse and long-term cumulative effects in 

the region. However, remnant prairie preservation and prairie restoration from the recovery of native plant species would result in 

long-term minor to moderate beneficial effects on potentially eligible national register 

landscapes in the national monument. Therefore, the no-action alternative would contribute to the moderate long-term beneficial 

cumulative effects on cultural landscapes in 

the region. 

Section 106 Summary. After applying the 

criteria of adverse effects of the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation (36 CFR 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

150 

800.5), “Assessment of Adverse Effects,” the 

National Park Service concludes that there 

would be no adverse effect on the eight 

cultural landscapes that are potentially eligible 

for the national register. 

Conclusion. Restoration would continue in 

conjunction with maintaining and preserving 

the remnant tallgrass prairie. This would 

result in a long-term minor to moderate 

beneficial effect on cultural landscapes. 

Remnant prairie preservation and prairie 

restoration from the recovery of native plant 

species would result in long-term minor to 

moderate beneficial effects on potentially 

eligible national register landscapes in the 

national monument. 

There would be no impairment of the national 

monument’s cultural landscapes or values. 

Ethnographic Resources 

As the setting for continuity or change, the 

prairie is an important character-defining feature of the three potential landscape periods 

of the overall potential ethnographic landscape (see p. 110). After this plan is completed, 

the National Park Service would conduct cultural landscape inventories. If the reports 

from those inventories indicated that prairie 

components are contributing elements of the 

character-defining features of the potential 

ethnographic landscape, which might be correlated with the three landscape periods, the 

prairie restoration underway would be continued. This restoration involves the recovery 

of native plant species. Under the no-action 

alternative, the restoration would be continued in conjunction with maintaining and preserving the remnant tallgrass prairie. This 

would result in a long-term minor to moderate beneficial effect on the ethnographic 

landscape because American Indians value the 

prairie as the setting for traditional pipestone 

quarrying. 

Because the current visitor use pattern would 

continue, inadvertent visitor chance encounters with American Indians would continue. 

This could be distracting and intrusive to 

American Indians placing offerings like sage, 

tobacco, food, and personal items at the Three 

Maidens rock formation. The clustering together of the picnic area and restroom structure close to the Three Maidens causes people 

to congregate at times and occasionally to 

interfere inadvertently with American Indian 

spiritual practices. The effects on traditional 

American Indian use of the Three Maidens as 

an ethnographic resource caused by inadvertent visitor intrusion would be minor, 

adverse, and long term. 

American Indian access to the Three Maidens 

during the Hiawatha Pageant has been improved in recent years through national 

monument negotiations with the Hiawatha 

Club so that the rock formation is not used 

intrusively as a pageant component. However, 

the summer use of the Three Maidens in the 

Hiawatha Pageant would continue on the 

relevant weekends. The effects on traditional 

use of the Three Maidens as an ethnographic 

resource from the use by special permit of the 

Hiawatha Club for the Hiawatha Pageant 

would be minor, adverse, and long term. 

American Indian access to the ethnographic 

resources associated with the Circle Trail — 

the Leaping Rock, Winnewissa Falls, and the 

Oracle — would remain unchanged because 

the Circle Trail would remain unchanged. Intrusion on American Indian practitioners 

from visitors walking along the trail could be 

occasional and inadvertent. The effects from 

such visitor intrusion on traditional use of 

these ethnographic resources would be minor, 

adverse, and long term. 

The two annual Sun Dances would continue 

to take place, and the area in the national 

monument designated for this ceremonial 

purpose would continue to serve as a place of 

cultural expression. To American Indians who 

feel that continuing the Sun Dances here 

would be culturally appropriate because it is 
Impacts of the No-Action Alternative 

151 

spiritually connected to the site, the effects 

would be minor, beneficial, and long term in 

relation to their concept of traditional cultural 

identity. To American Indians who believe 

that continuing the Sun Dance here would not 

be culturally appropriate because it apparently 

is not a traditional Sun Dance site, the effects 

would be moderate, adverse, and long term in 

relation to their opinions about traditional 

cultural identity. 

The north quarry line would remain a location 

for sweat lodges, and it still would be closed to 

visitors. Although visitors still would be directed to stay on designated trails, they occasionally stray off the trails, inadvertently intruding on American Indian practitioners 

using sweat lodges. This occasional and inadvertent intrusion would apply to sweat lodge 

users in the areas of the north and Sun Dance 

quarries. The effects from such visitor intrusion on American Indian use of the sweat 

lodges would range from negligible to minor 

and be adverse and long term. 

Cumulative Effects. The ethnographic landscape of Pipestone National Monument 

means a prairie background setting for the 

ongoing but traditional American Indian 

quarrying in what is now the national monument. Other ethnographic landscapes in the 

region could be associated with the bison herd 

maintained by the state of Minnesota in Blue 

Mounds State Park or with simply restoring 

prairie to patches of preagricultural landscape 

in Split Rock Creek State Park. Prairie preservation and restoration contributes to such 

landscapes. 

Agricultural development and construction 

around Pipestone National Monument have 

previously affected the prairie setting both in 

the national monument and in the general vicinity. These activities have disturbed or 

changed the prairie setting and ultimately reduced the amount of surviving tallgrass prairie. Areas where such activities have occurred 

are the Pipestone Indian School and its successor, the Minnesota West Community and 

Technical College north and northeast of the 

national monument and subdivisions to the 

east, south, and west, as well as agricultural 

areas farther outside the boundaries. 

Reasonably foreseeable future actions occurring throughout the region — for example, 

continued subdivision and proposed commercial development — also could disturb the 

prairie setting outside the national monument 

by threatening any remnant tallgrass prairie 

patches that might remain and any altered 

prairie lands that might be restored by the 

recovery of native plant species. Regional 

long-term adverse effects on the tallgrass prairie as a setting reminiscent of a time before 

European-American settlement, agriculture, 

and development have ranged and continue to 

range from minor to major. 

In the region, the Nature Conservancy has a 

property called Hole in the Mountain near the 

town of Lake Benton north of the national 

monument. Prairie restoration is underway in 

that area through the recovery of native plant 

species. Prairie restoration also is underway in 

the USFWS/MDNR Pipestone Wildlife Management Area immediately north of the national monument. Similar programs are in 

place to the southwest at Split Rock Creek 

State Park and to the southeast at Blue 

Mounds State Park (where a bison herd is 

maintained). These programs would result in 

moderate long-term beneficial effects on potential ethnographic landscapes associated 

with traditional scenes. 

The development of a parklike environment 

for American Indians to quarry catlinite pipestone through the Pipestone Indian School 

and then as a national monument has meant 

change in American Indian access to ethnographic resources. That change generally has 

been caused by the development of trails, 

bridges, and parking lots to make physical 

access more convenient to various ethnographic resources. To the extent that American Indians value convenience (for example, 

to help the elderly participate in activities), the 

long-term effects on ethnographic resources 

from the past and at present were minor to 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

152 

moderate and beneficial. To the extent that 

the natural setting contributes to the value of 

American Indian traditional use (there is some 

evidence from NPS observation of American 

Indian practitioners that it does) and that 

there has been a change in the setting away 

from nature associated with development, the 

long-term effects on ethnographic resources 

from the past and at present were minor to 

moderate and adverse. 

Traditional American Indian practices associated with ethnographic resources, which happen to be all natural resources at Pipestone 

National Monument, are subject to inadvertent distraction from encounters by visitors. 

Past visitor use patterns have resulted in such 

encounters, which have caused long-term minor adverse impacts on American Indian 

practitioners. 

Development has affected ethnographic 

resources outside of the national monument 

by making potential ethnographic resources 

harder to identify because of changes brought 

about by agriculture and home and commercial development. Various rock art sites, including Pipestone National Monument, show 

the importance of the state of Minnesota as a 

rock art district worthy of listing in the National Register of Historic Places, which happened on November 14, 1996. 

In Minnesota, in the region around the national monument, the following locations 

could contain ethnographic resources relevant to American Indians: Blue Mounds State 

Park, Jeffers Petroglyphs State Historic Site, 

Split Rock Creek State Park, and the USFWS 

land administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which is just north 

of the national monument. Jeffers Petroglyphs 

State Historic Site is the only one that maintains an ongoing program of consultation with 

American Indians to identify ethnographic 

resources (as does Pipestone National Monument). The fact that some ongoing American 

Indian consultations are underway and continuing is beneficial. More ethnographic information should result, which would be a minor 

long-term beneficial effect. 

The existing conditions at the national monument would remain unchanged under the noaction alternative; therefore, this alternative 

would not contribute to the adverse impacts 

on regional ethnographic resources from 

other actions. Prairie preservation and restoration would be part of the continuing management under this alternative, which would 

result in minor to moderate long-term beneficial effects on the ethnographic landscape. 

These effects would contribute to similar minor to moderate long-term beneficial effects 

on regional ethnographic landscapes that 

would result from various efforts toward 

prairie restoration outside the national 

monument. 

Section 106 Summary. Since the “Affected 

Environment” chapter suggests that traditional cultural properties (ethnographic 

resources eligible to be listed in the National 

Register of Historic Places) may be represented at the national monument by the entire 

national monument or by individual resources, in accordance with the criteria of adverse 

effect of the Advisory Council on Historic 

Preservation (36 CFR 800.5), the determination of effect on traditional cultural properties 

would be no adverse effect. 

Conclusion. Prairie preservation and restoration would result in minor to moderate beneficial effects on the ethnographic landscape. 

The distraction of traditional American Indian 

practitioners at ethnographic resources by 

inadvertent interruptions from non-Indian 

visitors would result in long-term minor 

adverse effects on traditional use associated 

with ethnographic resources. Continuing the 

two annual Sun Dances would result in either 

a long-term minor beneficial effect or a longterm moderate adverse effect, depending on 

the perspective of the person rendering the 

opinion. There would be no impairment of the 

national monument’s resources and values. 
Impacts of the No-Action Alternative 

153 

Historic Structures 

Under the no-action alternative, the house 

that once was the residence of the superintendent of the Pipestone Indian School neither would be acquired by the National Park 

Service nor would receive preservation and 

interpretation from the National Park Service. 

The building would remain in poor condition 

and become worse by continuing to molder 

and deteriorate. The organization that owns it, 

the Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers, lacks the funds to stabilize and rehabilitate this structure, which is listed in the 

National Register of Historic Places. There are 

no prospects for such treatment without 

monetary and technical help from an entity 

like the National Park Service with expertise 

in historic preservation. Not even routine 

preservation maintenance is being performed 

at present. Without intervention, the longterm adverse effects would range from moderate today to major over time. 

The Mission 66 visitor center, a national 

register eligible structure, would continue to 

be used as a visitor center. Routine preservation maintenance would continue to be 

undertaken, resulting in a minor long-term 

beneficial effect. 

Cumulative Effects. Past actions in the 

national monument have included the development of trails, bridges, and parking lots 

and the construction of maintenance facilities 

and two houses now used as a resource management office and a residence for a law enforcement ranger. Placing the visitor center in 

a central location on the Circle Trail was consistent with the “centralize and circulate” 

thinking of the Mission 66 era. The development of that trail has affected the way visitors 

use the visitor center, but since the center was 

centrally placed, development in the national 

monument has not affected the historic fabric 

of this late 1950s Mission 66 structure, unless 

the 1970s addition of space for the Indian 

Shrine Association is viewed in that light. 

However, adding that space was consistent 

with the Mission 66 philosophy because it 

allowed visitors to watch American Indian 

pipestone carvers at work. 

The ability for visitors to interact with and 

learn from the demonstrators becomes part of 

the centralized aspect of the visitor experience. The 1970s addition enhanced the 

function of the historic fabric and is part of 

historic significance of the visitor center’s 

eligibility in its own right for the National 

Register of Historic Places. The historic fabric 

of the structure could be threatened by its apparent location in the 500-year and 100-year 

floodplains. However, past flooding of Pipestone Creek suggests that any serious damage 

would be unlikely, although damage could still 

result. Vandalism has not been a problem at 

the visitor center. 

Actions expected in the region in the reasonably foreseeable future, such as continued 

subdivision and commercial development, 

have no potential to affect historic structures 

in the national monument. Such actions 

would result in a negligible effect, if any, on 

historic structures outside the national monument, except that this economic activity appears to be generating no funding to preserve 

the Indian School superintendent’s house, 

which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. However, historic preservation 

efforts are in place in the city of Pipestone and 

other towns in Pipestone County to 

rehabilitate and adaptively reuse the late 19th 

century business and municipal architecture 

characterized by local Sioux quartzite as the 

predominant building material. 

The routine preservation maintenance of the 

national monument’s visitor center and that 

long-term minor beneficial effect on that 

structure from this no-action alternative 

would contribute overall to the long-term 

moderate beneficial cumulative effects on 

historic structures in the region. 

Section 106 Summary. After applying the criteria of adverse effect of the Advisory Council 

on Historic Preservation (36 CFR 800.5), the 

National Park Service concludes that 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

154 

implementing the no-action alternative would 

cause no adverse effect on the national 

register-eligible Mission 66 visitor center. 

Conclusion. The historic Mission 66 visitor 

center structure would continue to be preserved, a minor long-term beneficial effect. 

Without preservation intervention, the effects 

on the Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s house would range from moderate 

today to major over time, and they would be 

adverse and long term. 

Because there would be no major adverse 

effects on a resource or value whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific purposes identified in the establishing legislation 

of Pipestone National Monument, (2) key to 

its natural or cultural integrity or opportunities for its enjoyment, or (3) identified as a 

goal in its general management plan or other 

relevant NPS planning documents, the 

national monument’s resources or values 

would not be impaired. 

Museum Collections and Archives 

The portions of the national monument’s museum collections and archives that are in the 

visitor center would continue to be housed in 

the visitor center under adequate museum 

standards for fire detection and suppression 

but without adequate temperature and humidity control. Improper lighting in some 

displays would continue to affect the collections on display. Under the no-action alternative, the long-term effects would be minor and 

adverse, based on the lack of temperature and 

humidity control and the improper lighting of 

the displays in the visitor center. 

Although historically the visitor center never 

has been subject to flooding and although 

prompt efforts would be made to remove the 

museum collections and archives if periodic 

Pipestone Creek flooding was perceived to 

threaten the curatorial and collections storage 

area in the visitor center, it must be assumed 

that the integrity of many items in the collections and archives could be diminished by 

water damage. If such flooding took place, the 

long-term adverse impacts on museum collections and archives would range from moderate to major. The intensity of the adverse impact would depend on the amount and rate of 

flooding and on whether sufficient warning 

had been received to enable the national 

monument staff to implement the evacuation 

plan that is in place to protect the collections 

and archives. It also would depend on how 

high from the floor particular artifacts and 

documents or photographs were stored in 

relation to the height of the water entering the 

storage area. 

Conclusion. Museum collections and archives generally would continue to be secure 

under this alternative, but long-term moderate 

to major adverse impacts on these resources 

could result unless the threat of flooding was 

eliminated. The museum collections and archives eventually would have to be moved to 

quarters with more space, presumably to 

another institution in the region. Negligible to 

minor short-term adverse impacts would be 

brought about by the risk of moving artifacts, 

specimens, and documents, and there would 

be moderate long-term beneficial effects from 

acquiring new space for curation, research, 

and storage and from eliminating the threat of 

flooding. 

NATURAL RESOURCES 

Vegetation 

Remnant Tallgrass Prairie. Remnant prairie 

is a habitat type that has survived despite 

other uses having taken place. It is made up of 

Sioux quartzite prairie, mesic crystalline bedrock prairie, and oak savanna/woodland. In 

this document, the effects on the remnant 

prairie as a whole will be described under 

“remnant tallgrass prairie.” Effects specific to 

mesic crystalline bedrock prairie will be described under that heading. The alternatives 

would not affect the other two components of 

remnant tallgrass prairie, Sioux quartzite 
Impacts of the No-Action Alternative 

155 

prairie and oak savanna/woodland because no 

actions would be proposed in these areas, 

including no development. 

In the national monument, the remnant 

prairie habitat type is fragmented by the entrance road, the visitor center, parking, the 

Circle Trail, restrooms, the picnic area, a 

residence, a house used for administrative 

offices, and a garage. Fragmentation would 

continue to allow the invasion of exotics along 

corridors separating segments of prairie and 

to decrease the success of efforts to control 

exotics. Several areas that otherwise probably 

would be vegetated with remnant prairie 

would continue to be occupied by the structures listed above. 

The adjacent lands on the national monument’s boundaries would continue to provide 

seed and other means of introducing exotic 

species into remnant prairie in the national 

monument. 

Holding Sun Dances in the northern end of 

the national monument would continue to 

degrade remnant prairie. Heavy use in this 

zone would continue to denude native vegetation and increase the encroachment of exotics. Mowing and trampling of the site during 

its use would continue to decrease fuel loading and fuel continuity, reducing the prairie’s 

ability to carry fire, an important means of enhancing the preservation of the prairie ecosystem. Continued use of the northern part of the 

remnant prairie for large gatherings would increase the potential for losing native plants. 

Overall, despite the fragmentation of habitat, 

the occupancy of habitat by national monument structures and heavy visitor use in a large 

area of the national monument, ongoing efforts to restore tallgrass prairie would result in 

a moderate beneficial effect on remnant tallgrass prairie because these systematic efforts 

would increase the abundance, distribution, 

quantity, and quality of the habitat in the 

national monument. 

Mesic Crystalline Bedrock Prairie. The noaction alternative would not result in any 

effects on mesic crystalline bedrock prairie 

except those described for remnant tallgrass 

prairie and restored tallgrass prairie. 

Restored Tallgrass Prairie. The restored tallgrass prairie plant community covers an area 

where tallgrass prairie died out but is being restored by members of the national monument 

staff, who work to reduce exotic plants and 

reseed areas with native seed of tallgrass prairie plants. In the national monument, there are 

corridors at the edge of this habitat type for 

the entrance of exotics, including part of the 

entrance road, the visitor center, a parking 

area, the Circle Trail, restrooms, the picnic 

area, and adjacent lands on all sides of the 

national monument. These corridors would 

continue to allow the invasion of exotics and 

to decrease the success of efforts to control 

exotics. 

Holding Sun Dances in the northern end of 

the national monument would continue to 

degrade remnant prairie, which is crossed by 

vehicles and foot traffic between the USFWS/ 

MDNR land on the national monument’s 

north boundary and the Sun Dance grounds. 

Heavy use in the remnant prairie habitat 

would continue to denude native vegetation 

and increase the encroachment of exotics. 

Continued use of the northern part of the 

remnant prairie for large gatherings would 

hinder efforts to restore the prairie. 

Overall, despite the existence of corridors for 

the entrance of exotic plants and heavy use in 

the remnant tallgrass prairie, ongoing efforts 

to restore tallgrass prairie would result in a 

moderate beneficial effect on the restored 

tallgrass prairie because these systematic 

efforts would increase the abundance, distribution, quantity, and quality of the habitat 

in the national monument. 

Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and development have greatly reduced native prairie 

plants. Plants have been affected by being 

displaced, and habitat has been lost through 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

156 

agricultural uses and the introduction of 

nonnative plants. 

The development of some private lands for 

residential or commercial uses (such as lands 

west of, on, or near the national monument’s 

boundaries in nearby communities) could increase runoff, wind erosion, exotics, and soil 

compaction and alter soil regimes. 

Past adverse effects on vegetation from agriculture and development covered wide areas. 

The effects of current and anticipated future 

actions outside the national monument, in 

conjunction with the effects of the no-action 

alternative, would produce major long-term 

adverse impacts on tallgrass prairie. Most impacts would result from development outside 

the national monument, which might or might 

not be mitigated. The actions of the no-action 

alternative would contribute a minuscule 

increment to the overall cumulative effect. 

Conclusion. Overall, despite the fragmentation of habitat, the occupancy of habitat by 

national monument structures, the presence 

of corridors for the entrance of exotic plants, 

heavy visitor use in a large area of the national 

monument, and ongoing efforts to restore 

tallgrass prairie would result in a moderate 

beneficial effect on tallgrass prairie because 

these systematic efforts would increase the 

abundance, distribution, quantity, and quality 

of the habitat in the national monument. 

The vegetative resources of Pipestone 

National Monument would not be impaired 

by the actions of the no-action alternative. 

Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 

Wetlands near the picnic area, parking, and 

restrooms on the southern boundary of the 

national monument would continue to be 

subject to foot traffic from visitors and staff. 

The entrance road would continue to prevent 

water flow from one wet area to another. The 

natural functioning of these wetlands would 

continue to be compromised by visitor use. 

Because changes in the areas involved would 

be local and only slightly detectable and 

would not appreciably affect natural processes, this continuing adverse impact on 

wetlands would be long term and minor. 

Cumulative Effects. Some wetlands in and 

outside the national monument have been 

filled or drained to make more land available 

for growing crops. There could be increased 

runoff into the monument from the tiled farm 

field on the southern boundary. If this 

occurred, wetlands in the national monument 

might be increased in number or size (NPS 

1998b). The presence of tiles over a wide area 

(perhaps including the national monument) 

and continued heavy use of Pipestone Creek 

would continue to result in major long-term 

reductions in wetland areas and in the 

beneficial values of wetlands in the national 

monument, as well as upstream and 

downstream. 

The severe hydrological alterations of the 

creek’s watershed have increased sediment 

deposition, causing a change in both floral and 

faunal composition along the creek corridor. 

Cattle and other farm animals probably have 

been allowed to use some wetland and riparian areas in and near the national monument. 

These practices decrease wetland areas and 

degrade natural and beneficial wetland values 

in exchange for benefit to agricultural uses. 

NPS structures and visitor uses in wetland 

areas contribute to the loss of natural and 

beneficial values. 

Further development in wetlands outside the 

national monument for residential, agricultural, or commercial uses would decrease the 

area in which natural and beneficial wetland 

values would be preserved. 

The past effects of agriculture and urbanization on wetlands covered wide areas and 

were major and adverse. The continuing use 

of agricultural and other chemicals that make 

their way into Pipestone Creek contributes to 

adverse impacts on wetlands along the creek. 
Impacts of the No-Action Alternative 

157 

The effects on wetlands from current and 

anticipated future actions outside the national 

monument, along with the effects of the noaction alternative, would be moderate, long 

term, and adverse. Most impacts would result 

from development actions outside the national monument, which might or might not be 

mitigated. The effects from the no-action 

alternative would contribute a minuscule 

increment to the overall cumulative effect. 

Conclusion. Continued foot traffic in the 

wetlands near the picnic area, parking, and 

restrooms on the southern boundary of the 

national monument would result in long term 

minor adverse effects on wetlands. The national monument’s wetland resources would 

not be impaired by the actions of the noaction alternative. 

Floodplains 

Natural and Beneficial Floodplain Values.

Because some maintenance activities are 

housed at national monument headquarters in 

or near the 100-year floodplain, fuel used in 

maintenance vehicles and equipment could 

enter floodwaters if there should be a 100-

year flood. In a 100-year flood, the volume of 

floodwater would be expected to be large 

compared to approximately 200 gallons of fuel 

that could enter the floodwaters from the 

maintenance area. This would mean that the 

potential damage to vegetation and soils along 

the path of floodwaters would be small. The 

effect on natural and beneficial floodplain 

values from such an occurrence would be 

minor, adverse, and short term. 

Flooding. With national monument headquarters (with administrative, visitor center, 

maintenance, and curatorial functions), an 

employee residence, a house used for administrative offices, and a garage continuing to 

occupy the 100-year floodplain, if there was a 

flood, the floodwaters would be only slightly 

impeded because the floodplain is extensive. 

This continuing adverse effect on the floodplain’s ability to function normally during 

flooding would be minor and long term. 

If there was a flood, visitors and employees at 

headquarters could be injured by floodwaters, 

as could employees and others at the employee residence or at the house used as an administrative facility. Although the possibility of 

loss of life would be extremely small, there 

could be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and 

the risks would be minor to moderate, but 

flooding could cause major adverse effects on 

the visitors, employees, and property 

involved. 

If this alternative was selected for implementation, a statement of findings for floodplains would be prepared because locating 

employee residences within the 100-year 

floodplain is contrary to NPS policy, as is 

placing curatorial facilities or fuel storage in 

the 500-year floodplain. The statement of 

findings would explain why the best available 

option would be to leave the structures and 

functions in the floodplain, and it would describe mitigating measures that would be 

undertaken to reduce the impacts. 

Cumulative Effects. The heavy use and ditching of Pipestone Creek upstream have greatly 

reduced the extent of the floodplain and the 

natural and beneficial values of floodplains in 

the national monument. 

Cattle and other farm animals probably have 

been allowed to use some riparian areas in and 

near the national monument. This practice 

degrades natural and beneficial floodplain 

values in exchange for benefits to agricultural 

uses. NPS structures and visitor uses in floodplain areas contribute to the loss of natural 

and beneficial values.

Further development in floodplains and wetlands outside the national monument for residential, agricultural, or commercial uses 

would decrease the area in which natural and 

beneficial floodplain values would be preserved. The natural and beneficial values of 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

158 

floodplain areas would continue to be compromised by development at national monument headquarters, the residence, the house 

used for administrative offices, and the storage of hazardous chemicals at headquarters. 

Channel adjustment upstream could send 

water down a path toward the visitor center. 

Channel changes upstream of the national 

monument also could direct flow over the 

bluff in areas other than the existing channel, 

causing the flow to be directed toward the 

building (NPS 2003c). 

The past effects of agriculture and urbanization on floodplains covered wide areas and 

were adverse. The effects on floodplains from 

current and anticipated future actions outside 

the national monument, along with the effects 

of the no-action alternative, would be moderate, long term, and adverse. Most impacts 

would result from agricultural and development actions outside the national monument, 

which might or might not be mitigated. The 

effects from the no-action alternative would 

contribute only a minuscule increment to the 

overall cumulative effect. 

Conclusion. The continuing effects on natural and beneficial floodplain values from the 

no-action alternative would be minor, adverse, and long term, and the continuing effects on the floodplains’ ability to function 

normally during flooding also would be minor, adverse and long term. Although the possibility of loss of life would be extremely small,

there would be some danger to visitors and 

employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and the risks would be minor to moderate, but flooding could cause major adverse 

effects on the visitors, employees, and property involved.

The national monument’s floodplain resources would not be impaired by the actions 

of the no-action alternative. 

Hydrology 

If pumping water out of the quarries in the 

spring has affected hydrology, those impacts 

would continue to be undetected. 

The bridge over Pipestone Creek near Winnewissa Falls would continue to impede 

floodwaters. This local impact would occur 

intermittently and last until floodwaters subsided. Because the staff of the national monument has determined that mitigation is required, the effect from the bridge is classified 

as moderate. Mitigation would be expected to 

be successful. 

Cumulative Effects. The area’s hydrology has 

been greatly altered by the heavy use and 

ditching of Pipestone Creek upstream, the 

removal of water with wells, quarrying on 

adjacent land, the use of tiles to drain areas 

near and possibly within the national monument, the reduction of the height of Winnewissa Falls in the national monument, and 

residential and commercial development. 

The past effects on hydrology from draining 

land and altering water flows for agriculture 

and urbanization covered wide areas, were 

adverse to natural water flow, and restricted 

the distribution of surface water through the 

surrounding landscape. The effects on hydrology of current and anticipated future actions 

inside and outside the national monument, in 

conjunction with the impacts of the no-action 

alternative, would be moderate, long term, 

and adverse. Most impacts would result from 

agricultural use and development actions outside of the national monument, which might 

or might not be mitigated. The actions of this 

alternative would contribute a minuscule 

increment to the overall cumulative impact. 

Conclusion. Floodwater would continue to 

be impeded by the bridge over Pipestone 

Creek near Winnewissa Falls, a moderate 

intermittent impact. 
Impacts of the No-Action Alternative 

159 

Soils 

Under the no-action alternative, soil would be 

disturbed by ongoing maintenance such as 

road maintenance, revegetation, restoration, 

repair of buildings and utility systems, and 

large group activities in the northern part of 

the national monument. These actions would 

be restricted to the minimum area required. 

All the areas that would be affected have been 

previously disturbed. Sites with soil disturbance would undergo accelerated wind and 

water erosion, at least temporarily, until drainage structures were fully operational and 

vegetation had recovered in cleared areas. To 

conserve the available organic matter, topsoil, 

where present, would be retained and replaced. The work occurring in disturbed areas 

would result in minor long-term adverse impacts on soils. 

Foot traffic on trails, in the picnic area, and in 

the Sun Dance ground would continue to 

compact soils, decrease permeability, alter soil 

moisture, and diminish water storage capacity, 

all of which would increase erosion and 

change the natural composition of vegetation. 

Altered vegetative composition would change 

the soil chemistry. Where foot traffic is heavy, 

the trails have been paved, and visitors are encouraged to stay on the maintained trails. Trail 

rehabilitation would include special design 

methods in areas where soils are easily eroded 

by wind and water. These impacts already 

have occurred to some degree because all the 

areas involved have been disturbed; consequently, soil erosion by wind and water, as 

well as soil nutrient transport, would be minor 

long-term adverse impacts. 

Development has wholly or partially eliminated the direct inflow of water and diverted 

precipitation from some natural drainages. 

Soils have been compacted by foot traffic. 

These adverse effects would continue but 

would be minimized by management actions 

such as visitor education about the impacts of 

off-trail use, site hardening and trail paving, 

and restoring affected sites as funding became 

available. Most of these impacts already have 

occurred in the developed areas; consequently, impacts such as the inflow of water 

being eliminated, precipitation being diverted 

from natural drainages, and the compaction of 

soils would be minor, long term, and adverse. 

Cumulative Effects. Agriculture has led to 

the erosion of soils by removing native vegetation. This, along with tilling the soil, has left 

soils exposed to erosion by wind and water. 

The future development of some private lands 

(such as those along or near the national 

monument borders and in the city of Pipestone) for residential use, tourism, or other 

uses could increase runoff, wind erosion, and 

soil compaction and alter soil regimes. 

The past effects on soils from agriculture 

covered wide areas and were adverse. The 

effects on soils from current and anticipated 

future actions inside and outside the national 

monument, in conjunction with the effects of 

the no-action alternative, would be moderate 

and adverse because they would change the 

character of the soils over a relatively wide 

area. Mitigating measures that the national 

monument staff would undertake to offset the 

adverse effects are described in the “Soils” 

table under “Management Requirements for 

Natural Resources” (p. 30) and under 

“Ground Disturbance/Soils” in the section 

about mitigation (p. 87). Most impacts would 

result from development outside of the national monument, which might or might not 

be mitigated. The effects from the no-action 

alternative would contribute only a minuscule 

increment to the overall cumulative effect. 

Conclusion. Soil disturbance from such 

things as ongoing maintenance would result in 

minor adverse long-term impacts on soils. The 

effects from development such as eliminating 

inflow of water, diverting precipitation from 

natural drainages, and soil compaction would 

be minor, long term, and adverse. The soil 

resources of Pipestone National Monument 

would not be impaired by the actions of the 

no-action alternative.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

160 

Wildlife 

The no-action alternative would result in the 

disturbance of wildlife by ongoing maintenance such as road repair, revegetation, and 

restoration. However, there would be no 

change in the amount of wildlife habitat in the 

national monument under the no-action alternative. Development in the national monument would continue to occupy a small area. 

Wildlife habitat would continue to be fragmented by roads, trails, and facilities. Wildlife 

habits and movement would continue to be 

altered by employees and visitors. People still 

would concentrate at the quarries, monument 

headquarters, the Circle Trail, and the picnic 

area. Twice a year, large gatherings involving 

many activities would take place in the northern part of the national monument. People 

would continue to disturb wildlife and degrade habitat. These intermittent adverse 

effects would be minor and long term. 

Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and development have greatly reduced the number of 

native animals. Wildlife have been affected by 

being displaced and killed as vermin, and 

habitat has been lost through agricultural uses 

and the introduction of nonnative animals. 

Wildlife continues to be disrupted by development and human activity. 

The future development of some private lands 

(such as those along or near the national 

monument borders and in communities) for 

residential, commercial, or other uses could 

alter wildlife habitat and habits and cause the 

loss of wildlife in some areas. Water use in 

these developments for residential or other 

uses could reduce the amount of water 

available for wildlife. 

The past effects on wildlife from agriculture 

and development covered wide areas and 

were adverse. The effects on wildlife from 

current and anticipated future actions outside 

the national monument, in conjunction with 

the effects of the no-action alternative, would 

be moderate, long term, and adverse. Most 

impacts would result from development actions outside of the national monument, 

which might or might not be mitigated. The 

effects from the no-action alternative would 

contribute only a minuscule increment to the 

overall cumulative effect. 

Conclusion. Overall, the fragmentation of 

wildlife habitat and the alteration of wildlife 

movement from the no-action alternative 

would continue to result in a long-term minor 

adverse effect. The wildlife resources of Pipestone National Monument would not be impaired by the actions of the no-action 

alternative. 

Threatened or Endangered Species 

and Species of Special Concern 

Topeka Shiner. The no-action alternative 

would not result in any changes in the habitat 

of the Topeka shiner in the national monument. The national monument staff would 

continue efforts to ensure that water quality in 

the creek would not be degraded by the actions of employees or visitors. The continuation of current trends would not affect the 

Topeka shiner or its critical habitat. 

Western Prairie Fringed Orchid. The noaction alternative would not result in any 

changes in the habitat of the western prairie 

fringed orchid. Some of the orchids are in 

areas that visitors use, and these uses would 

continue. Because the orchids persist in the 

area, they must be reasonably tolerant of the 

activity level that has been occurring. The 

continuation of current trends would have no 

effect on the orchid. 

Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and development have greatly reduced native plants 

and animals, including threatened and endangered species. The Topeka shiner has been 

affected by habitat destruction, degradation, 

modification, and fragmentation caused by 

siltation, reduced water quality, tributary impoundment, stream channelization, in-stream 

gravel mining, and changes in stream hydrol-
Impacts of the No-Action Alternative 

161 

ogy. The species also has been affected by 

introduced predaceous fishes. 

The western prairie fringed orchid has lost 

habitat (tallgrass prairie) to cropland, and the 

orchid’s remaining habitat has been fragmented. “Mowing, haying, and grazing prevent the plants from flowering, stalling seed 

production” (Talley 2004). Croplands present 

an obstacle to the free movement of hawkmoths (the orchid’s only pollinator) between 

orchid populations, and pesticide drift from 

nearby cropland can kill hawkmoths. 

The future development of some private lands 

(such as those along or near the national 

monument’s borders and in communities) for 

residential, commercial, or other uses could 

affect Topeka shiner or western prairie 

fringed orchid by altering suitable habitat. 

The past effects of agriculture and urbanization on threatened or endangered species 

have been major and adverse. The effects on 

threatened or endangered species from current and anticipated future actions outside of 

the national monument, along with the effects 

of the no-action alternative, are not known 

because the locations of species outside the 

national monument in areas that might be 

affected are not known. Given the lack of 

information about impacts outside of the 

national monument, it is not possible to assess 

the relative magnitude of the effects of the noaction alternative, combined with current and 

anticipated future actions outside of the 

national monument. 

Conclusion. Overall, the continued presence 

of development in the national monument, 

continued clearing of the road edges, and 

human disturbance would have no effect on 

the Topeka shiner or the western prairie 

fringed orchid. The threatened and endangered species of Pipestone National Monument would not be impaired by the actions of 

the no-action alternative. 

VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE 

Under the no-action alternative, the visitor 

experience at Pipestone National Monument 

would continue to be concentrated into the 

prime resource areas — the Three Maidens 

area, the visitor center area, the Circle Trail, 

the quarries, and the prairie. 

Three Maidens Area 

In the Three Maidens area is a picnic area next 

to the Three Maidens formation. The picnic 

area provides a recreational opportunity that 

would continue to have a long-term minor 

beneficial effect on visitors. 

Conclusion. The no-action alternative would 

result in long-term minor beneficial effects on 

visitors in the Three Maidens area. 

Visitor Center Area 

The exhibits in the existing visitor center are 

historically inaccurate, difficult to maintain, 

culturally offensive to some, and inadequate 

in space and design. The inadequacies of these 

exhibits would hinder visitors’ understanding 

of the national monument and therefore 

would continue to cause long-term major 

adverse effects on visitors. 

The information desk in the visitor center is 

inadequate in space and design, and occasionally it becomes overcrowded. The inadequate 

design sometimes discourages visitors from 

asking for information they need. Therefore, 

under the no-action alternative the information desk would continue to cause long-term 

moderate adverse impact on visitors. 

Demonstrations of pipemaking and other 

crafts by American Indians would continue to 

be offered in the demonstration area in the 

visitor center. The opportunity to experience 

these traditional activities would continue to 

result in a long-term major beneficial effect on 

visitors. 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

162 

The restrooms in the visitor center are fully 

accessible to all visitors after renovations and 

updating of the sinks and fixtures was done in 

spring and summer 2003. Occasionally they 

become overcrowded. Therefore, the longterm impact on visitors under the no-action 

alternative would be moderate and adverse. 

Conclusion. The no-action alternative would 

result in (a) long-term major adverse impacts 

on visitors viewing exhibits in the visitor center; (b) long-term major beneficial effects on 

visitors enjoying and learning from the pipestone carving demonstrations in the visitor 

center; and (c) long-term moderate adverse 

impacts on visitors using the restrooms in the 

visitor center. 

Circle Trail Area 

The Circle Trail loops past a few quarry sites, 

along Pipestone Creek, past Hiawatha Lake to 

Winnewissa Falls and the Nicollet marker, 

then it circles back to the visitor center area 

past the edge of the prairie remnant and south 

quarry line. The trail offers an important recreational and interpretive opportunity, and its 

long-term effect on most visitors would continue to be major and beneficial. 

However, there are inappropriate maintenance storage areas near the start of the trail, 

and inappropriate practices occur near the 

start of the trail. Some of the trail is inaccessible to visitors in wheelchairs. These 

situations degrade the visual and scenic quality of the trail experience and prevent some 

visitors with mobility impairments from experiencing the entire trail; therefore, the longterm effects on some visitors from these inappropriate practices and storage areas would 

continue to be moderate and adverse. 

Conclusion. The no-action alternative would 

cause (a) long-term major beneficial effects on 

visitors walking most of the Circle Trail and 

(b) long-term moderate adverse impacts on 

visitors walking the part of the Circle Trail 

near the maintenance areas. 

Quarry Area 

The quarry trail passes through an area of 

active quarry sites. The opportunity to 

observe these traditional quarrying activities 

would continue to result in a long-term 

moderate beneficial effect on visitors. 

Prairie Area 

The Circle Trail loops past the edge of the 

prairie remnant, allowing visitors to closely 

observe its species of vegetation. A wayside 

exhibit along this section of trail increases 

visitors’ knowledge and understanding of the 

prairie remnant. Therefore, the long-term 

effect on most visitors would continue to be 

major and beneficial. 

The entry road skirts the edge of the prairie 

remnant, allowing visitors to observe it from a 

distance; therefore, the long-term effect on 

most visitors would continue to be minor and 

beneficial. 

Conclusion. Continuing the existing management of visitor services under the no-action 

alternative would cause (a) long-term major 

beneficial effects on visitors viewing the prairie area when walking the Circle Trail, at the 

Three Maidens area, at the cultural 

demonstrations in the visitor center, and at 

the quarries and the prairie remnant. It would 

result in (b) long-term minor beneficial effects 

on visitors viewing the prairie area from vehicles going to and from the visitor center via 

the entry road. However, continuing the 

existing conditions in the visitor center and 

some inappropriate practices along the Circle 

Trail would result in long-term adverse 

impacts on the visitor experience. 

SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 

Quarriers and Demonstrators 

Continuing the current management should 

have no discernible effect on quarriers and 

demonstrators during the 15–20 year life of 
Impacts of the No-Action Alternative 

163 

this plan. It would not affect quarriers’ ability 

to quarry, the ease of quarrying, or the supply 

of pipestone available to demonstrators. 

Businesses 

The no-action alternative would not involve 

any actions that would either stimulate 

revenue growth or cause it to decrease in 

businesses that are directly dependent on the 

national monument. Such businesses might 

have some advantage over similar businesses 

at a greater distance from the national 

monument, but quantifying that advantage 

would be difficult. 

Community 

Under the no-action alternative, the national 

monument could hire more seasonal or permanent employees as NPS funding initiatives 

or budget increases allowed. It is also possible 

that unfunded mandates could cause the national monument to reduce the number of 

employees to meet budget constraints. Purchases made in the community by the national 

monument would continue at approximately 

the current level. 

Eleven permanent employees and as many as 

10 seasonal employees work at Pipestone National Monument, depending on funding 

levels. As many as 6 part-time demonstrators 

also are employed. The Pipestone Indian 

Shrine Association (the cooperating association) employs 2 full-time workers. The total 

employment for Pipestone County in 2003 

was 3,913. According to an NPS study (see p, 

132), 118 jobs in the county were either directly or indirectly attributable to the national 

monument. Therefore, the effect of employment at the national monument on the county 

economy would continue to be moderate, 

long term, and beneficial. 

The national monument’s operating budget 

for 2005 was $793,000. The value of goods 

manufactured in Pipestone County in 1997 

was approximately $97 million. The value of 

retail sales in the county in 1997 was approximately $94 million. The NPS Money Generation Model (see p. 133) estimates that Pipestone National Monument contributed $7.51 

million into the community directly or indirectly. Therefore, the effect of the national 

monument on the Pipestone County economy 

would continue to be moderate, long term, 

and beneficial. 

Cumulative Effects. Although past actions 

have affected socioeconomic resources, no 

actions in the no-action alternative would 

result in a new perceptible socioeconomic 

effect. The actions, together with those in the 

cumulative effect scenario, would not add 

appreciably to cumulative effects. 

Conclusion. The no-action alternative would 

have no effect on quarriers or demonstrators. 

The no-action alternative would result in a 

negligible long-term effect on businesses that 

are directly dependent on the national 

monument. 

Because the employment and expenditures of 

the national monument are small compared to 

the county economy as a whole, the impacts of 

national monument employment and 

expenditures under this alternative would 

continue to be negligible, long term, and 

beneficial. 

NATIONAL MONUMENT OPERATIONS 

Maintenance 

Maintenance facilities would continue to be 

cramped, with inadequate work space and inadequate storage for tools, small equipment, 

and supplies. Office space would continue to 

be in makeshift space not intended for offices. 

Vehicles and large items would continue to be 

stored outdoors year-round. 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

164 

Facilities 

The visitor center / administration / maintenance building would continue to operate with 

inadequate space for offices, curation, library, 

restrooms, and storage. The sales area would 

continue to lack space for displays, storage, 

and staff offices. Trails would be maintained, 

and the posts and railings would be removed 

from the bridge near Winnewissa Falls before 

winter and any predicted flooding. As structures continued to age, the maintenance staff 

might have more difficulty keeping up with 

structural deterioration. 

Emergency Response Time 

A law enforcement ranger would continue to 

live in one of the houses near the entrance to 

the national monument and would be available to respond to emergencies on the site. 

The staff of the visitor center / administration 

building would remain close to the trails and 

quarries. There would be no change in distance for city fire, police, or emergency 

vehicles. 

Ability to Enforce Regulations 

A law enforcement ranger would continue to 

be on the national monument staff to patrol 

trails and help visitors in emergencies. Visitors 

still would be able to bypass the visitor center, 

where the entry fee is collected. Laws and 

regulations would be enforced at the same 

level as at present. 

Conclusion. The no-action alternative would 

result in long-term moderate adverse impacts 

on maintenance and facilities. There would be 

no change in emergency response time or in 

the ability of the national monument staff to 

enforce regulations. 

UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS 

The following paragraphs describe the more 

important (moderate and major intensity) 

adverse impacts would result from this alternative. These are residual impacts that would 

remain after mitigation was implemented. The 

negligible and minor impacts are described in 

the foregoing analysis. 

To those American Indians who believe that 

the national monument is not a traditional Sun 

Dance site, continuing to allow Sun Dances to 

take place under the no-action alternative 

would be culturally inappropriate and would 

thus constitute a moderate, adverse, and longterm impact in relation to their world-view —

about revitalizing and reinforcing their 

traditional cultural identity. 

With no preservation intervention, the Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s house 

would continue to deteriorate. The effects on 

that structure would range from moderate 

today to major over time, and they would be 

adverse and long term. 

Museum collections and archives could be 

subject to water damage if Pipestone Creek 

flooded. It appears that the visitor center is 

within the 100-year floodplain and the 500-

year floodplain, and the visitor center would 

remain in its present location under this noaction alternative; therefore, flooding could 

occur. Historically the visitor center never has 

flooded, and although prompt efforts would 

be made to remove the museum collections 

and archives, if periodic Pipestone Creek 

flooding was perceived to threaten the curatorial and collections storage area in the visitor center, it is assumed that the integrity of 

many items in the collections and archives 

could be diminished because of water damage 

from flooding. If such flooding took place, the 

long-term adverse effects on museum collections and archives would be moderate. 

Although the possibility of loss of life from 

flooding would be extremely small, there 

could be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and 

the risks would be minor to moderate, but 

flooding could cause major adverse effects on 

the visitors, employees, and property 

involved. 
Impacts of the No-Action Alternative 

165 

IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE 

COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES 

The loss of integrity of many items in the national monument’s museum collections and 

archives that could result if flooding took 

place would be irreversible and irretrievable. 

Although the possibility of loss of life from 

flooding would be extremely small, there 

would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and 

the risks would be minor to moderate, but 

flooding could cause major adverse effects on 

the visitors, employees, and property involved. Any loss of life would be irretrievable. 

RELATIONSHIPS OF SHORT-TERM 

USES OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND 

LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY 

As was described on page 54, this no-action 

alternative would continue to preserve 

cultural resources (quarries, the visitor center, 

Sun Dances, the Three Maidens, and museum 

collections). It also would preserve and restore tallgrass prairie. 

The occupation of the floodplains at headquarters, the employee residence, and the 

house used for offices would cause a longterm reduction in the natural beneficial values 

of the floodplain and would prevent it from 

functioning naturally. 

The visitor center, the fuel storage building, 

the museum collections, and two houses used 

as an employee residence and for administration all would remain in the floodplain. All 

these resources could be damaged by flooding. Fuel in the fuel storage building could be 

released into floodwaters, potentially damaging natural resources. Although the possibility of loss of life would be extremely small, 

there would be some danger to visitors and 

employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and the risks would be minor to moderate, but flooding could cause major adverse 

impacts on the visitors, employees, and 

property involved. 

Noise, artificial lighting, and human activities 

associated with ongoing visitor and administrative use of the national monument would 

prevent natural prairie ecosystems and wildlife populations from reaching their full potential in size and population density. The 

quarrying of pipestone by Indians of all tribes 

as provided for in the enabling legislation 

would continue to reduce the quantity of this 

natural resource at the national monument. 
166 

IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 1 

CULTURAL RESOURCES 

Cultural Landscapes 

Before constructing any facilities or trail 

changes (for example, involving the Circle 

Trail, which probably contains features of all 

eight potential cultural landscapes), the National Park Service would undertake more 

site-specific study of the affected landscapes. 

This would be done to ensure that characterdefining features (topography, vegetation, 

circulation, spatial organization, land use, 

natural systems and elements, historic structures and views, and small-scale elements) 

would not be affected or that the effects 

would be minimal. The potential adverse effects on cultural landscapes from such construction would be long term but of negligible 

to minor intensity. 

As was mentioned earlier, as part of the general management plan process, NPS cultural 

resource specialists from the Midwest Regional Office evaluated the Mission 66 development at the national monument for eligibility 

for listing in the National Register of Historic 

Places and determined that several properties 

meet the national register criteria for historic 

significance. (see p. 115). The Minnesota state 

historic preservation office concurred with 

this determination in June 2003. These 

historic features are being treated as eligible, 

and it is anticipated that they will be 

nominated to the national register (see p. 115). 

The Mission 66 visitor center, a contributing 

feature of the Mission 66 (1957–1969) cultural 

landscape, would be removed and razed under this alternative. The long-term effects on 

that national register-eligible cultural landscape would be major and adverse. It is likely 

that a memorandum of agreement would be 

executed among the National Park Service, 

the Minnesota state historic preservation 

officer, and the Advisory Council on Historic 

Preservation (if necessary) in accordance with 

36 CFR 800.6(b). Mitigation identified in the 

memorandum of agreement would reduce the 

intensity of impact from major to moderate. 

Removing the visitor center from the potential 

ethnographic landscape, whose status is yet 

undetermined as a traditional cultural property eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, would be a moderate to major 

long-term beneficial effect on the “Prehistoric 

Quarrying into the Historic Period” aspect of 

the ethnographic landscape. 

The status of the potential ethnographic landscape as a traditional cultural property is still 

undetermined. To be considered a traditional 

cultural property, an ethnographic resource 

must be listed in or eligible for listing in the 

National Register of Historic Places. A minor 

long-term beneficial effect would result from 

removing the visitor center from the potential 

ethnographic landscape. 

Cumulative Effects. Agricultural development and construction in and around Pipestone National Monument have previously 

affected potential cultural landscapes both in 

the national monument and in the general 

vicinity. These activities have disturbed or 

changed the prairie setting and ultimately reduced the amount of surviving tallgrass prairie. Areas where such activities have occurred 

are the Pipestone Indian School and its successor, the Minnesota West Community and 

Technical College north and northeast of the 

national monument and subdivisions to the 

east, south, and west, as well as agricultural 

areas farther outside the boundaries. The 

long-term adverse effects on the tallgrass prairie as the setting in cultural landscapes have 

ranged from minor to major. 

Reasonably foreseeable future actions that 

could occur throughout the region — for example, continued subdivision and proposed 

commercial development — also would disturb cultural landscapes outside the national 

monument by damaging or destroying 
Impacts of Alternative 1 

167 

remnant tallgrass prairie patches that might 

otherwise remain and altered prairie lands 

that might be restored by the recovery of 

native plant species. The long-term regional 

adverse impacts on the prairie components of 

cultural landscapes from agricultural 

development and construction would range 

from minor to major. 

Prairie restoration is underway through the 

recovery of native plant species at the Nature 

Conservancy’s Hole in the Mountain property 

near the town of Lake Benton. Prairie restoration also is underway in the USFWS/MDNR 

Pipestone Wildlife Management Area north of 

the national monument. Similar programs are 

in place to the southwest at Split Rock Creek 

State Park and to the southeast at Blue 

Mounds State Park (where a bison herd is 

maintained). These programs would lead to a 

moderate long-term beneficial effect on associated cultural landscapes. 

Remnant prairie preservation and prairie 

restoration from the recovery of native plant 

species would result in long-term minor to 

moderate beneficial effects on landscapes in 

the national monument that are potentially 

eligible for the national register. Alternative 1 

would contribute to the overall moderate 

beneficial long-term cumulative effects on 

cultural landscapes in the region from prairie 

restoration. 

The potential effects on landscapes eligible for 

national register listing that could not be 

avoided could be adverse. Such effects would 

range in intensity from minor to major, depending on the scope of the potential actions 

and the landscape features and patterns affected. Because implementing alternative 1 

would result in razing the Mission 66 visitor 

center, this alternative would contribute a 

long-term major adverse impact to the overall 

cumulative minor to major adverse impacts of 

other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable actions. 

Section 106 Summary. After applying the 

criteria of adverse effect of the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation (36 CFR 

800.5, “Assessment of Adverse Effects”), the 

National Park Service concludes that implementing alternative 1 would cause a long-term 

adverse effect on the Mission 66 cultural 

landscape, which is eligible for the national 

register. Razing the Mission 66 visitor center 

would alter a character-defining feature of the 

cultural landscape and diminish the integrity 

of the landscape to the extent that its national 

register eligibility would be jeopardized. Before razing the visitor center, the National 

Park Service would negotiate a memorandum 

of agreement with the Minnesota state historic preservation officer about mitigating the 

adverse effect on the Mission 66 cultural 

landscape. The contributing CCC features 

constructed by students of the Pipestone 

Indian School would not be affected because 

the current trail system to which these 

features are integral would remain in place, 

and the proposed new trail segment would 

not disturb them. 

Conclusion. Seven of the eight potential cultural landscapes would not be adversely affected by the actions of alternative 1. Removing the visitor center from the potential ethnographic landscape, whose status is yet undetermined as a traditional cultural property 

eligible for the National Register of Historic 

Places, would result in a moderate to major 

long-term beneficial effect on the “Prehistoric 

Quarrying into the Historic Period” aspect of 

the ethnographic landscape. There would be 

major long-term adverse effects on one 

historic cultural landscape.

Because there would be no major adverse 

effects on a resource or value whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific purposes 

identified in the establishing legislation of 

Pipestone National Monument; (2) key to its 

natural or cultural integrity or opportunities 

for its enjoyment, or (3) identified as a goal in 

its general management plan or other relevant 

NPS planning documents, the national monument’s resources or values would not be 

impaired. 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

168 

Ethnographic Resources 

Visitors could be intrusive to American Indian 

individuals placing offerings like sage, food, 

and personal items at the nearby Three 

Maidens rock formation. The effects from 

occasional, inadvertent intrusion on traditional use of the Three Maidens as an ethnographic resource would be minor, adverse, 

and long term. 

The picnic area and restrooms near the Three 

Maidens rock formation would be removed as 

a source of inadvertent visitor intrusion, and 

the summer use of the Three Maidens as a 

component of the Hiawatha Pageant would 

cease, ending a specially permitted intrusion. 

This would be a minor long-term beneficial 

effect. 

Although there would be new trails creating a 

new circulation pattern, including new access 

to the Circle Trail, that trail itself would remain unchanged. Therefore, American Indian 

access for similar religious reasons as above to 

the ethnographic resources associated with 

the Circle Trail — the Old Stone Face / Leaping Rock, Winnewissa Falls, and the Oracle 

rock formation — would be unchanged. Visitors walking along the trail occasionally would 

inadvertently intrude on American Indian 

practitioners. The effects caused by such inadvertent visitor intrusion on traditional use of 

these ethnographic resources would be minor, 

adverse, and long term. 

The two annual Sun Dances would continue 

to take place, even if limited somewhat by the 

establishment of carrying capacity numbers 

for the land. The area in the national monument designated for this ceremonial purpose 

would continue to serve as a place of cultural 

expression. To American Indians who feel 

that continuing the Sun Dance here would be 

culturally appropriate because it seems to be a 

good modern site for a Sun Dance, the effects 

would be minor, beneficial, and long-term in 

relation to their concept of traditional cultural 

identity. To American Indians who feel that 

continuing the Sun Dance in this place would 

not be culturally appropriate because it 

apparently is not a traditional Sun Dance site, 

the effects would be moderate, adverse, and 

long term in relation to their opinions about 

revitalizing and reinforcing their traditional 

cultural identity. 

The north quarry line would remain a location 

for sweat lodges, and it still would be closed to 

visitors. Although visitors still would be directed to stay on designated trails, they occasionally stray off the trails, inadvertently intruding on American Indian practitioners 

using sweat lodges. This occasional and 

inadvertent intrusion would apply to sweat 

lodge users in the areas of the north and Sun 

Dance quarries. The effects from such visitor 

intrusion on American Indian use of the sweat 

lodges would range from negligible to minor 

and be adverse and long term. 

This occasional and inadvertent intrusion 

from straying visitors would apply to quarriers 

in the area of the main quarries and in the Sun 

Dance quarry area. During the two times of 

summer when the two different Sun Dances 

are performed, visitors are welcome at the Sun 

Dance ceremonies as long as they observe the 

protocols. Occasionally and inadvertently, 

wandering visitors intrude inappropriately 

during Sun Dances. The effects from such visitor intrusion on American Indian use of the 

sweat lodges in the northern sweat lodge area, 

the quarries in the main quarry area, and the 

Sun Dances in the Sun Dance area as ethnographic resources would range from negligible 

to minor and be adverse and long term. However, overall in this alternative, the effects 

from reducing the chances of visitor intrusion 

on American Indian use of the sweat lodges as 

ethnographic resources by requiring all of 

them to be placed in a more remote location 

would be minor, beneficial, and long term. 

Overall, visitors walking among the quarries 

could cause occasional and inadvertent intrusions on American Indian practitioners working the main quarries or the Sun Dance 

quarry. The effects from visitor intrusion on 

the traditional use of the quarries as 
Impacts of Alternative 1 

169 

ethnographic resources would be minor, 

adverse, and long term. 

Cumulative Effects. The ethnographic landscape of Pipestone National Monument is 

prairie background setting for the ongoing but 

traditional American Indian quarrying in what 

is now the national monument. 

Agricultural development and construction in 

and around Pipestone National Monument 

have previously affected the prairie setting 

both in the national monument and in the 

general vicinity. These activities have disturbed or changed the prairie setting and ultimately reduced the amount of surviving tallgrass prairie. Areas where such activities have 

occurred are the Pipestone Indian School and 

its successor, the Minnesota West Community 

and Technical College north and northeast of 

the national monument and subdivisions to 

the east, south, and west, as well as agricultural areas farther outside the boundaries. 

Regional long-term adverse effects on the 

tallgrass prairie as a setting reminiscent of a 

time before European–American influences 

continue to range from minor to major. 

Reasonably foreseeable future actions occurring throughout the region — for example, 

continued subdivision and proposed commercial development — also could disturb the 

prairie setting outside the national monument 

by threatening any remnant tallgrass prairie 

patches that might remain and any altered 

prairie lands that might be restored by the 

recovery of native plant species. 

In the region, prairie restoration through the 

recovery of native plant species is underway at 

the Nature Conservancy’s Hole in the Mountain property near Lake Benton. Prairie 

restoration also is underway in the USFWS/ 

MDNR Pipestone Wildlife Management Area 

north of the national monument. Similar programs are in place at Split Rock Creek State 

Park, Touch the Sky Prairie in Rock County, 

and at Blue Mounds State Park (where a bison 

herd is maintained). These programs would 

result in moderate long-term beneficial effects 

on potential ethnographic landscapes 

associated with traditional scenes. 

The development of a parklike environment 

for American Indians to quarry catlinite pipestone through the Pipestone Indian School 

and then as a national monument has meant 

change in American Indian access to ethnographic resources. That change generally has 

been caused by the development of trails, 

bridges, and parking lots to make physical 

access to various ethnographic resources 

more convenient. To the extent that American 

Indians value convenience (for example, to 

help the elderly participate in activities), the 

long-term effects on ethnographic resources 

from the past and at present were minor to 

moderate and beneficial. To the extent that 

the natural setting contributes to the value of 

American Indian traditional use (there is some 

evidence from NPS observation of American 

Indian practitioners that it does) and that 

there has been a change in the setting away 

from nature associated with development, the 

long-term effects on ethnographic resources 

from the past and at present were minor to 

moderate and adverse. 

Traditional American Indian practices associated with ethnographic resources (which happen to be all natural resources at Pipestone 

National Monument) are subject to inadvertent distraction from encounters by visitors. 

Past visitor use patterns have resulted in such 

encounters, which have caused long-term 

negligible to minor adverse impacts on 

American Indian practitioners. 

Development has affected ethnographic resources outside of the national monument by 

making identifying potential ethnographic 

resources harder because of changes brought 

about by agriculture and home and commercial development. Various rock art sites, including Pipestone National Monument, show 

the importance of the state of Minnesota as a 

rock art district worthy of listing in the National Register of Historic Places, which 

happened on October 15, 1996. 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

170 

In Minnesota, in the region around the national monument, the following locations 

could contain ethnographic resources relevant to American Indians: Blue Mounds State 

Park, Jeffers Petroglyphs State Historic Site, 

Split Rock Creek State Park, and the USFWS 

land administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which is just north 

of the national monument. Jeffers Petroglyphs 

State Historic Site is the only one that maintains an ongoing program of consultation with 

American Indians to identify ethnographic resources (as does Pipestone National Monument). The fact that some ongoing American 

Indian consultations are underway and continuing is beneficial. More ethnographic information should result, which would be a minor 

long-term beneficial effect. 

Removing the picnic area and restrooms near 

the Three Maidens rock formation under 

alternative 1 would contribute a long-term 

minor beneficial effect to the cumulative 

effects of other past, present, and reasonably 

foreseeable actions. Although alternative 1 

would contribute both adverse and beneficial 

effects to such cumulative effects, and these 

would be small components of any overall 

cumulative effect, the overall contribution to 

cumulative effects would be beneficial. 

Section 106 Summary. Since the “Affected 

Environment” chapter suggests that traditional cultural properties (ethnographic resources eligible to be listed in the National 

Register of Historic Places) may be represented at the national monument by the entire 

national monument or by individual resources, in accordance with the criteria of adverse 

effect of the Advisory Council on Historic 

Preservation (36 CFR 800.5), the determination of effect on traditional cultural properties 

would be no adverse effect. 

Conclusion. The inadvertent distracting access of visitors to ethnographic resources in 

the presence of traditional practitioners 

would mean that the effects on traditional use 

associated with ethnographic resources would 

be minor, adverse, and long term. Removing 

the picnic area and restrooms near the Three 

Maidens rock formation would result in a 

long-term minor beneficial effect. Continuing 

the two annual Sun Dances would result in 

either a long-term minor beneficial effect or a 

moderate adverse effect, depending on the 

perspective of the person rendering the 

opinion. 

Because there would be no major adverse 

effects on a resource or value whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific purposes identified in the establishing legislation 

of Pipestone National Monument, (2) key to 

its natural or cultural integrity or opportunities for its enjoyment, or (3) identified as a 

goal in its general management plan or other 

relevant NPS planning documents, the national monument’s resources or values would not 

be impaired. 

Historic Structures 

If the visitor center function was moved out of 

the national monument, the national registereligible Mission 66 visitor center building 

would be razed. The effect on this historic 

structure would be major, adverse, and long 

term. The National Park Service would not 

take this action before consulting with the 

state historic preservation officer and 

identifying appropriate mitigation; for 

example, architectural, historical, and 

photographic documentation. 

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the National Park Service and the state 

historic preservation office would be sought 

in accordance with 36 CFR 800.6(b). If necessary the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation also would be included in the memorandum of agreement. The MOA mitigative 

measures would reduce the intensity of the 

impacts on the visitor center building from 

major to moderate, but the effects would remain adverse and long term. However, if the 

visitor center function was relocated to downtown Pipestone in a historic building or buildings of Sioux quartzite, it would result in a 
Impacts of Alternative 1 

171 

long-term moderate beneficial effect on the 

city’s and county’s historic preservation program by promoting the rehabilitation and use 

of historic buildings. 

With the Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s house not being acquired by the National Park Service under alternative 1, the 

National Park Service could contribute to the 

preservation and rehabilitation of this historic 

structure (see appendix F). Any rehabilitation 

assistance would necessitate conformance 

with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards 

for the Treatment of Historic Properties, with 

Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, 

Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic 

Buildings. With much of the external historic 

fabric — the façade —preserved and the 

interior possibly redesigned (to make the 

building serve visitors and staffers better), the 

effects on this structure would be moderate, 

beneficial, and long term. These actions would 

be taken only after development of a 

Memorandum of Agreement with the State 

Historic Preservation Officer. 

Cumulative Effects. Past actions in the national monument were the development of 

trails, bridges, and parking lots and the construction of maintenance facilities and two 

houses now used as a resource management 

office and a residence for a law enforcement 

ranger. Placing the visitor center in a central 

location on the Circle Trail was consistent 

with the “centralize and circulate” thinking of 

the Mission 66 era. The development of that 

trail has affected the way visitors use the visitor center, but since the center was centrally 

placed, development in the national monument has not affected the historic fabric of this 

late 1950s Mission 66 structure, unless the 

1970s addition of space for the Pipestone 

Indian Shrine Association is viewed in that 

light. However, adding that space was consistent with the Mission 66 philosophy because it allowed visitors to watch American 

Indian pipestone carvers at work. The ability 

for visitors to interact with and learn from the 

demonstrators has become part of the centralized aspect of the visitor experience. 

The 1970s addition enhanced the function of 

the historic fabric and is part of historic significance of the visitor center’s eligibility in its 

own right for the National Register of Historic 

Places. The historic fabric of the structure 

could be threatened by its apparent location in 

the 500-year and 100-year floodplains. However, past flooding of Pipestone Creek suggests that any serious damage would be unlikely, although damage still could result. 

Vandalism has not been a problem at the visitor center. 

Actions expected in the region in the reasonably foreseeable future, such as continued 

subdivision and commercial development, 

have no potential to affect historic structures 

in the national monument. Such actions 

would result in a negligible effect, if any, on 

historic structures outside the national monument, except that this economic activity appears to be generating no funding to preserve 

the Indian School superintendent’s house, 

which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. However, under this alternative 

the National Park Service would help the 

owners of the Indian School superintendent’s 

house preserve and interpret the structure. 

This would contribute to the historic preservation efforts that are in place in the city of 

Pipestone and other towns in the County to 

rehabilitate and adaptively reuse the late 19th 

century business and municipal architecture 

characterized by the use of local Sioux quartzite as the predominant building material. 

Preserving and interpreting the Pipestone 

Indian School superintendent’s house under 

alternative 1, pending available funding, 

would complement the razing of the national 

monument’s visitor center and relocating the 

visitor center function. If the visitor center 

function was relocated to downtown 

Pipestone in a historic building or buildings of 

Sioux quartzite, it would result in a long-term 

moderate beneficial effect on the city’s and 

county’s historic preservation program by 

promoting the rehabilitation and use of 

historic buildings. 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

172 

NPS help in preserving and interpreting the 

Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s 

house also would contribute a long-term 

moderate beneficial effect on local and regional historic preservation. The cumulative 

impacts associated with alternative 1 would be 

long term and both adverse and beneficial. 

Razing the Mission 66 visitor center would 

contribute a long-term major adverse impact 

to any overall cumulative impact. However, 

those adverse impacts would be partially offset by the long-term moderate beneficial effects of the other actions. In addition, the adverse effect caused by razing the visitor center 

would be reduced from major to moderate 

through a memorandum of agreement with 

the state historic preservation officer for mitigation. Although implementing alternative 1 

would result in both adverse and beneficial 

effects, its overall contribution to cumulative 

effects would be adverse. 

Section 106 Summary. After applying the 

criteria of adverse effects of the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation (36 CFR 

800.5), the National Park Service concludes 

that implementing alternative 1 would result 

in an adverse effect on the national monument’s historic properties listed in or eligible 

to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places, namely the Mission 66 visitor 

center. Before razing the Mission 66 visitor 

center, Pipestone National Monument would 

negotiate and execute a memorandum of 

agreement with the Minnesota state historic 

preservation officer in accordance with 36 

CFR 800.6 (c), “Resolution of Adverse Effects: 

Memorandum of Agreement.” The memorandum of agreement would stipulate how the 

adverse effect would be mitigated, for example, by documenting and recording the 

structure before it was demolished. It is expected that the mitigative measures identified 

in the memorandum of agreement would reduce the intensity of the adverse impact from 

major to moderate. Assuming technical 

assistance is available (see appendix F), the 

National Park Service also concludes that 

implementing alternative 1 would have no 

adverse effect on the national register-listed 

Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s 

house. 

Conclusion. Razing the Mission 66 visitor 

center building would cause a major longterm adverse effect. Rehabilitating the Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s house 

would result in a moderate beneficial longterm effect on that historic structure. 

Although razing the Mission 66 visitor center 

would be a permanent, adverse impact of 

major intensity and long-term duration, there 

would be no major adverse impacts on a 

resource or value whose conservation is (1) 

necessary to fulfill specific purposes identified 

in the establishing legislation of Pipestone National Monument, (2) key to its natural or cultural integrity or opportunities for its enjoyment, or (3) identified as a goal in its general 

management plan or other relevant NPS planning documents; therefore, the national 

monument’s resources or values would not be 

impaired. 

Museum Collections and Archives 

Relocating the visitor center away from the 

national monument under alternative 1 and 

including in the new quarters a section 

designed and rehabilitated to meet state-ofthe-art museum standards would result in the 

following effects on museum collections and 

archives: The effects from the risk involved in 

moving artifacts, specimens, and archives 

would be negligible to minor, adverse, and 

short term. Every effort would be made to 

ensure the protection of all objects during the 

move and reinstallation. Having essential 

additional space for future curation, research, 

and storage — better protected and 

environmentally controlled — and being free 

of the current location in the 100-year and 

500-year floodplains would result in moderate 

to major long-term beneficial effects 

Cumulative Effects. In the past and at present 

the national monument’s museum collections 
Impacts of Alternative 1 

173 

and archives have been at risk by being 

housed in the visitor center, which is in the 

floodplain. If Pipestone Creek flooded, the 

long-term adverse impacts on museum collections and archives would range from moderate to major. The intensity of the impact 

would depend on the amount and rate of 

flooding, whether there was sufficient warning to enable the staff to implement the evacuation plan that is in place for protecting the 

collections and archives, and how high from 

the floor particular artifacts and documents or 

photographs were stored in relation to the 

height of the water entering the storage area. 

However, in alternative 1, relocating the museum collections and archives away from the 

national monument (in a relocated and rehabilitated visitor center, possibly in downtown Pipestone) would result in long-term 

moderate beneficial effects because the threat 

of flooding would be eliminated. 

Conclusion. Museum collections and archives would be better secured under alternative 1. Negligible to minor adverse shortterm impacts would result from the risk of 

packing, moving, storing, and reinstalling the 

artifacts, specimens, and documents to newly 

rehabilitated quarters. Moderate long-term 

beneficial effects would result from providing 

new state-of-the-art space for museum collections and archives away from the national 

monument, possibly in downtown Pipestone, 

to conduct future curation, research, and 

storage. 

Because there would be no major adverse 

effects on a resource or value whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific purposes identified in the establishing legislation 

of Pipestone National Monument, (2) key to 

its natural or cultural integrity or opportunities for its enjoyment, or (3) identified as a 

goal in its general management plan or other 

relevant NPS planning documents, the 

national monument’s resources or values 

would not be impaired. 

NATURAL RESOURCES 

Vegetation 

Remnant Tallgrass Prairie. Remnant prairie 

has survived despite other uses having taken 

place. It is made up of Sioux quartzite prairie, 

mesic crystalline bedrock prairie, and oak savanna/woodland. In this document, the effects on the remnant prairie as a whole will be 

described under remnant tallgrass prairie. 

Effects specific to mesic crystalline bedrock 

prairie will be described under that heading. 

The alternatives would not affect the other 

two components of remnant tallgrass prairie, 

Sioux quartzite prairie and oak savanna/woodland. 

Placing most of the national monument in the 

prairie preservation zone would decrease the 

fragmentation of the remnant prairie (by 

removing facilities), improving its sustainability. The decrease in fragmentation would 

reduce the number of corridors for the 

invasion of exotics and improve the success of 

exotic control.

Establishing a carrying capacity for the 8-acre 

Sun Dance area in the ceremonial use zone at 

the north end of the prairie might reduce the 

twice-annual degradation of the remnant prairie. Heavy use in this zone would continue to 

denude native vegetation and increase the encroachment of exotics. Mowing and trampling 

of the site during its use would continue to decrease fuel loading and fuel continuity, which 

would reduce the ability of the prairie to carry 

fire, an important means of enhancing the 

preservation of the prairie ecosystem. Continued use of the northern part of the remnant 

prairie for large gatherings would increase the 

potential for the loss of native plants. However, managing use within a carrying capacity 

would control the intensity of use, potentially 

causing measurable improvement in the 

condition of native plants in the 8-acre area. 

The effect would be minor, long term, and 

beneficial. 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

174 

Removing the visitor center, parking, and the 

road from the visitor center to the south quarry entrance, two houses, a residential area 

road, and a garage, would allow the restoration of approximately 6 acres of remnant prairie. The increase in abundance and distribution of remnant prairie and the reduction in 

fragmentation would be a minor long-term 

beneficial effect on remnant tallgrass prairie. 

Acquiring the school district’s land on the 

northeast boundary of the monument and 

intensively managing it would make it possible 

to restore 15.3 acres of farm fields, exotic 

trees, and buckthorn to remnant prairie and 

further buffer the prairie in the national 

monument from the invasion of exotic species. The increase in the abundance and distribution of remnant tallgrass prairie would 

result in a minor long-term beneficial effect on 

this community type. 

Mesic Crystalline Bedrock Prairie. Removing the entrance road from the south quarry 

entrance to the visitor center, the visitor center itself, and the parking area and restoring 

natural contours west of the south quarry line 

would improve water flow through the national monument, potentially restoring historic soil moisture levels in the mesic prairie, a 

potential moderate long-term beneficial 

effect. 

There would be a slight loss of mesic crystalline bedrock prairie, about 0.25 acre, from 

constructing a 6-car parking area for south 

quarry line access. Converting the maintenance storage area to parking would result in 

no net change in the mesic crystalline bedrock 

prairie. Overall, this loss of about 0.25 acre of 

prairie would not affect the overall viability of 

the plant community and would be a minor 

long-term adverse impact on the prairie. 

Restored Tallgrass Prairie. The restored 

tallgrass prairie plant community covers an 

area where tallgrass prairie was lost to agricultural activities but is being restored by 

national monument staff, who reduce the 

numbers and extent of exotic plants and 

reseed areas with native seed of tallgrass 

prairie plants. 

The restored tallgrass prairie would be increased in size through intensively managing 

most of the national monument in the prairie 

preservation zone. The National Park Service 

would coordinate and cooperate with the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service and the Minnesota 

Department of Natural Resources on prescribed burns, managing prairie and exotic 

species, Sun Dances, and access to the 

northern quarries, as well as on trash removal 

and possibly law enforcement. This could 

result in a substantial increase in the abundance and distribution of the prairie community, a major long-term beneficial effect. 

There would be a loss of about 1 acre of restored prairie from converting the maintenance storage area above the falls to parking, a 

prairie overlook, a kiosk, restrooms, and a national monument entrance. A loss of about 0.5 

acre of restored prairie would result from 

building a trail from the new parking area to 

Winnewissa Falls. The new trail would increase the fragmentation of this community 

for the length of the trail. These effects, which 

would occur over a relatively small area, 

would be minor, long term, and adverse. 

Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and development have greatly reduced native prairie 

plants. Plants have been affected by being 

displaced, and habitat has been lost through 

agricultural uses and introduction of nonnative plants. 

In the past, flourishing exotic plants on the 

adjacent USFWS/MDNR land north of the 

national monument were a source of seed that 

was dispersed to the national monument. 

The development of some private lands for 

residential or commercial uses (such as those 

east and south of the national monument 

boundary) could increase runoff, wind erosion, the number of exotics, and soil compaction and could alter soil regimes. 
Impacts of Alternative 1 

175 

The past impacts of agriculture and development on vegetation covered wide areas and 

were adverse. The effects of current and anticipated future actions outside the national 

monument, in conjunction with the impacts of 

this alternative, would result in major longterm adverse impacts on tallgrass prairie. 

Most of the impacts would result from development outside of the national monument, 

which might or might not be mitigated. The 

actions of this alternative would contribute 

only a minuscule increment to the overall 

cumulative impact. 

Conclusion. Acquiring the school district 

lands and restoring 15.3 acres to remnant prairie, managing the use of the 8-acre Sun Dance 

area within a carrying capacity, and removing 

6 acres of development, followed by the 

restoration of remnant tallgrass prairie, would 

result in a minor long-term beneficial effect on 

this community type. 

Removing the entrance road from the south 

quarry entrance to the visitor center, 

removing the visitor center and parking area, 

and restoring natural contours west of the 

south quarry line would improve water flow 

through the national monument, potentially 

restoring historic soil moisture levels in the 

mesic crystalline bedrock prairie — a potential 

moderate long-term beneficial effect. 

Increasing the size of the restored tallgrass 

prairie would cause a substantial increase in 

the abundance and distribution of the prairie 

community, a major long-term beneficial 

effect. 

Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 

Before the design was begun for the removal 

of the visitor center, roads, parking, a garage, 

and residences, wetland areas would be delineated with the use of the Cowardin system 

(as described in U.S. EPA 1989). Wetland 

areas would be avoided in the removal of facilities and the restoration of sites, and filled 

wetlands on the sites would be restored if 

feasible. Should it be infeasible to avoid wetlands during the removal and restoration, the 

planning team would prepare a statement of 

findings for wetlands in cooperation with the 

Water Resources Division of the National 

Park Service to explain why the impact would 

be unavoidable and describe mitigating measures that would be used. 

More intensive exotic control would improve 

the condition of native riparian vegetation. 

There would be potential for an increase in 

wetland habitat following the removal of the 

visitor center, the entrance road from the 

visitor center to south quarry entrance, and 

associated road drainage structures, two 

houses, a garage, and a road — and the 

restoration of natural contours. This would be 

a minor long-term beneficial effect. 

Cumulative Effects. Some wetlands in and 

outside of the national monument have been 

filled to make more land available for growing 

crops. These practices decrease wetland areas 

and degrade natural and beneficial wetland 

values in exchange for benefit to agricultural 

uses. NPS structures and visitor uses in wetland areas contribute to the loss of natural and 

beneficial values. 

The presence of tiles over a wide area, perhaps 

including the national monument, and continued heavy use of Pipestone Creek would 

continue to result in major long-term reductions in wetland area and in beneficial values 

of wetlands in the national monument and 

upstream and downstream of the national 

monument. Further development in wetlands 

outside the national monument for residential, agricultural, or commercial uses would 

decrease the area in which natural and beneficial wetland values would be preserved. 

The severe hydrological alterations of the 

creek’s watershed have increased sediment 

deposition, causing a change in both floral and 

faunal composition along the creek corridor. 

The past impacts of agriculture and urbanization on wetlands covered wide areas and were 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

176 

major and adverse. The continuing use of agricultural and other chemicals that make their 

way into Pipestone Creek contributes to adverse impacts on wetlands along the creek. 

The impacts on wetlands from other current 

and anticipated future actions, in conjunction 

with the impacts of this alternative, would be 

moderate, long term, and adverse. Most impacts would result from development actions 

outside the national monument, which might 

or might not be mitigated. The actions of this 

alternative would contribute only a minuscule 

increment to the overall cumulative impact. 

Conclusion. The actions of alternative 1 

would have an appreciable effect on natural 

processes and a minor long-term beneficial 

effect on wetlands, including those in the 

riparian corridor. The wetlands resources in 

the national monument, including those in the 

riparian corridor, would not be impaired by 

the actions of this alternative. 

Floodplains 

Natural and Beneficial Floodplain Values. 

Removing the visitor center (including the fuel 

storage building, the museum collections and 

parking area, the road from the visitor center 

to the south quarry entrance, the employee 

residence, the house used for administrative 

offices, the garage, and the residential area 

road) from the floodplain would allow for the 

restoration of natural and beneficial floodplain values in the area of these facilities. The 

natural functioning of the floodplain would be 

restored over about 6 acres. Replacing the 

maintenance outdoor equipment storage area 

with a visitor parking area, a kiosk, an overlook, and restrooms above the falls and adding 

a small parking area at the south quarry entrance would place additional impermeable 

surfaces within the 100-year floodplain, reducing natural and beneficial floodplain values. There would be a net gain of about 5 acres 

of reduced development in the floodplain, and 

natural and beneficial floodplain values would 

be restored. This would be a minor beneficial 

long-term effect on natural and beneficial 

floodplain values. 

Flooding. Removing the visitor center (including the fuel storage building, the museum 

collections and parking area, the road from 

the visitor center to the south quarry entrance, 

the employee residence, the house used for 

administrative offices, and the garage) from 

the floodplain would mean that these facilities 

no longer would restrict floodwaters or decrease permeability in the floodplain. Removing the fuel storage facility at the visitor center 

and removing the maintenance function from 

the area would prevent the potential spilling 

of fuels used in maintenance vehicles and 

equipment into floodwaters in the event of a 

100-year flood. 

More impermeable surfaces would be placed 

within the 100-year floodplain by replacing 

the maintenance storage area with a paved 

visitor parking area, an overlook, a kiosk, and 

restrooms above the falls and by adding a 

small parking area at the south quarry entrance. This would cover about 1 acre, decreasing the permeability of areas within the 

floodplain. Together, these actions would 

cause a local impact on flooding. The net 

removal of about 5 acres of buildings and 

impermeable surfaces would have a minor 

long term beneficial effect on flooding. 

Under alternative 1, removing the visitor center, parking, the entrance road, an employee 

residence, and a house used for administrative 

offices would mean that few visitors and employees would be at risk from flooding. Some 

would be at risk if they were in the new parking area that would replace the maintenance 

storage area, in the small parking area at the 

south quarry entrance, on the Circle Trail, or 

in or near the quarries. Although the possibility of loss of life would be extremely small,

there would be some danger to visitors and 

employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and the risks would be minor to moderate, but flooding could cause major adverse 

impacts on the visitors, employees, and property involved. 
Impacts of Alternative 1 

177 

If this alternative was selected for implementation, a statement of findings for floodplains would be prepared because locating a 

large parking area (such as the one at the site 

of the maintenance storage area) within the 

100- year floodplain is contrary to NPS policy. 

The statement of findings would explain why 

the best available alternative would be to remove most facilities from the floodplain, leave 

part of the entrance road in the floodplain, 

and construct a new parking area for visitor 

access within the 100-year floodplain. It also 

would describe mitigating measures that 

would be undertaken to reduce the impacts. 

Cumulative Effects. The heavy use and ditching of Pipestone Creek upstream have greatly 

reduced the extent of the floodplain and the 

natural and beneficial values of floodplains in 

the national monument. 

Cattle and other farm animals probably have 

been allowed to use some riparian areas in and 

near the national monument. This practice degrades natural and beneficial floodplain values 

in exchange for benefits to agricultural uses. 

NPS structures and visitor uses in floodplain 

areas contribute to the loss of natural and 

beneficial values. 

Further development in floodplains and wetlands outside the national monument for residential, agricultural, or commercial uses 

would decrease the area in which natural and 

beneficial floodplain values would be 

preserved. 

Under this alternative, the natural and beneficial values of floodplain areas would continue to be compromised by the development at 

national monument headquarters, the employee residence, the house used for administration, and the storage of hazardous chemicals at headquarters. 

The past impacts of agriculture and urbanization on floodplains covered wide areas and 

were adverse. Impacts on floodplains from 

current and anticipated future actions inside 

and outside the national monument, in conjunction with the impacts of this alternative, 

would be moderate, long term, and adverse. 

Most impacts would result from agricultural 

use and development actions outside of the 

national monument, which might or might not 

be mitigated. The actions of alternative 1 

would contribute a minuscule increment to 

the overall cumulative effect. 

Conclusion. The net removal of about 5 acres 

of buildings and impermeable surfaces would 

cause a minor long term beneficial effect on 

natural and beneficial floodplain values. The 

continuing impact on the floodplains’ ability 

to function normally during flooding would 

be minor, adverse, and long term. 

Although the possibility of loss of life from 

flooding would be extremely small, there 

would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, 

and the risks would be minor to moderate, but 

flooding could cause major adverse impacts 

on the visitors, employees, and property 

involved. The national monument’s floodplain resources would not be impaired by the 

actions of this alternative. 

Hydrology 

Removing the visitor center, the parking area, 

the road from the visitor center to the south 

quarry entrance, two houses, a garage, and the 

associated road and recontouring the area 

would partially restore water flow patterns 

across the national monument. Acquiring the 

school district lands south of the Minnesota 

West Community and Technical College on 

the national monument’s eastern boundary 

would maintain water flow patterns because 

development would not occur and remnant 

prairie would be restored. Overall, this would 

be a moderate long-term local beneficial effect 

on hydrology. 

Cumulative Effects. The area’s hydrology has 

been greatly altered by the heavy use and 

ditching of Pipestone Creek upstream, the 

removal of water with wells, quarrying on 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

178 

adjacent land, the use of tiles to drain areas 

near and possibly within the national monument, the reduction of the height of Winnewissa Falls in the national monument, and 

residential and commercial development. 

Under this alternative, removing the development and acquiring the school district lands 

south of the Minnesota West Community and 

Technical College would maintain or improve 

water flow patterns. The past effects on hydrology from draining land and altering water 

flows for agriculture and urbanization covered wide areas, were adverse to natural water 

flow, and restricted the distribution of surface 

water through the surrounding landscape. 

The effects on hydrology from current and 

anticipated future actions inside and outside 

the national monument, in conjunction with 

the impacts of this alternative, would be 

moderate, long term, and adverse. Most 

impacts would result from agricultural use and 

development actions outside the national 

monument, which might or might not be 

mitigated. The actions of this alternative 

would contribute a minuscule increment to 

the overall cumulative impact. 

Conclusion. Alternative 1 would result in a 

moderate long-term local beneficial effect on 

hydrology. The national monument’s hydrologic resources would not be impaired by the 

actions of alternative 1. 

Soils 

Establishing carrying capacities based on acceptable levels of resource impact might reduce soil compaction if the carrying capacities 

were set below the current levels of use. Ceremonies attended by large groups of people 

(450 or more people on 8 acres once each 

summer and 50 people once each summer) 

compact soils at the ceremonial grounds. The 

compacting is greater in areas of heavy, concentrated use such as the kitchen / cooking 

structure area and the sweat lodge fire ring. 

Soils would continue to be sterilized in areas 

of fire rings used for cooking and sweat 

lodges. Establishing a carrying capacity for the 

ceremonial area based on acceptable levels of 

resource impact would result in a minor beneficial long-term effect on soil at the ceremonial ground (8 acres). 

Removing development at the visitor center, 

the parking area, the entrance road to the 

south quarry entrance, a residence, a house 

used for offices, and a garage would remove 

impermeable surfaces from about 6 acres of 

soil, allowing it to function more naturally. If 

grading the site was required, some of the soil 

profile would be permanently lost. However, 

it is possible that regrading would affect only 

fill that was brought in for the construction of 

the visitor center. Removing these facilities 

would result in a minor beneficial long-term 

effect on soils. 

Converting the maintenance outdoor equipment storage area to a paved parking area and 

adding a small parking area at the south 

quarry entrance would compact and cover 

soils on about 1 acre with an impermeable 

surface. If grading of the parking area site was 

required, some of the soil profile would be 

permanently lost. Overall, this would be a 

minor long-term adverse impact on soils. 

Constructing a trail from the new parking area 

to the top of Winnewissa Falls would result in 

about 0.5 acre of soil disturbance and would 

cover about 0.5 acre of soil with an impermeable surface. Soil productivity would be reduced because the impermeable surface 

would prevent natural soil processes from 

occurring, a long-term minor adverse impact. 

Cumulative Effects. Agriculture has led to 

the erosion of soils by removing native vegetation. This, along with tilling the soil, has left 

soils exposed to erosion by wind and water. 

The future development of some private lands 

(such as those on or near national monument 

borders and in the city of Pipestone) for residential, tourist-related, or other uses could 
Impacts of Alternative 1 

179 

increase runoff, wind erosion, and soil compaction and alter soil regimes. 

The past effects on soils from agriculture covered wide areas and were adverse. This alternative would result in an overall minor beneficial long-term effect on about 14 acres and a 

minor long-term adverse effect on 1.5 acres. 

The effects on soils from current and anticipated future actions inside and outside of the 

national monument, in conjunction with the 

effects of this alternative, would be moderate 

and adverse because they would change the 

character of the soils over a relatively wide 

area, and mitigating measures probably would 

be necessary to offset adverse effects. Most 

effects would result from development outside the national monument, which might or 

might not be mitigated. The actions of alternative 1 would contribute a minuscule increment to the overall cumulative effect. 

Conclusion. Establishing a carrying capacity 

for the ceremonial area (about 8 acres) and 

removing facilities from about 6 acres would 

cause a minor long-term beneficial effect on 

soils. If grading of sites was necessary as part 

of restoration, some of the soil profile would 

be permanently lost, a minor long-term adverse effect on soil. Converting the maintenance outdoor equipment storage area to 

parking (about 1 acre), adding a small parking 

area at the south quarry entrance, and constructing a trail would cause a minor longterm adverse impact on soils. 

The national monument’s soil resources 

would not be impaired by the actions of this 

alternative. 

Wildlife 

Under this alternative, the size and connectivity of the prairie would be increased by 

• placing most of the national monument in 

the prairie preservation zone 

• developing a cooperative agreement with 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the 

Minnesota Division of Wildlife to cooperatively manage adjacent boundary lands 

as one contiguous prairie preservation 

zone while conforming to the designated 

purpose of each agency 

• acquiring the school district lands south of 

Minnesota West Community and Technical College on the national monument’s 

eastern boundary (15.3 acres) and 

managing this land as prairie 

• removing the visitor center, the parking 

area, part of the main road, two houses, a 

garage, and the maintenance storage area 

(6 acres) and managing this land as prairie 

These actions would improve habitat for 

many faunal groups such as birds, reptiles, 

amphibians, and insects. Paving the maintenance storage area for parking would result 

in the loss of about 1 acre of disturbed, low 

quality habitat. Overall, there would be a net 

gain of about 6 acres of habitat, a moderate 

long-term beneficial effect on wildlife. 

Mowing about 8 acres and holding Sun 

Dances on about 8 acres in the ceremonial use 

zone at the northern end of the national 

monument would continue to degrade 

remnant prairie, thereby degrading wildlife 

habitat and reducing cover and forage. Because wildlife could use the area during the 

rest of the year, this would be a continuing 

minor long-term adverse impact on wildlife. 

Establishing a carrying capacity for the Sun 

Dance grounds might mitigate the adverse 

impact on wildlife to some degree, depending 

on the capacity determined. This small local 

effect would be minor, beneficial, and long 

term. 

Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and development have greatly reduced the numbers of 

native animals. Animals have been affected by 

being displaced and killed as vermin, and habitat has been lost through agricultural uses and 

the introduction of nonnative animals. Wildlife continues to be disrupted by development 

and human activity. 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

180 

The development of some private lands (such 

as those on or near the national monument 

boundary and in communities) for residential, 

commercial, or other uses could alter wildlife 

habitat and habits and cause the loss of wildlife in some areas. 

The past impacts of agriculture and development on wildlife covered wide areas and were 

adverse. The impacts on wildlife from current 

and anticipated future actions outside the 

national monument, in conjunction with the 

impacts of this alternative, would be moderate, long term, and adverse. Most of the impacts would result from development actions 

outside the national monument, which might 

or might not be mitigated. The actions of 

alternative 1 would contribute a minuscule 

increment to the overall cumulative impact. 

Conclusion: A net gain of about 6 acres of 

habitat would cause a moderate long-term 

beneficial effect on wildlife. Establishing a 

carrying capacity for the Sun Dance grounds 

might mitigate the continuing minor longterm adverse impact on wildlife to some 

degree. 

The national monument’s wildlife resources 

would not be impaired by the actions of 

alternative 1. 

Threatened or Endangered Species 

and Species of Special Concern 

Topeka Shiner. This fish, listed as endangered by the federal government, occupies 

prairie rivers and streams. The U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service has listed Pipestone Creek 

within the Monument as part of the critical 

habitat for the fish. 

Removing most development from the national monument would not change the habitat of 

the Topeka shiner in the national monument. 

The Pipestone National Monument staff 

would continue efforts to ensure that the 

water quality of Pipestone Creek would not be 

degraded by staff or visitor actions. 

This alternative would not have any effect on 

the Topeka shiner or on critical habitat 

downstream. 

Western Prairie Fringed Orchid. This federally listed threatened plant lives on mesic 

(moist) prairies and sedge meadows. Removing houses and part of the access road and 

subsequently restoring the natural vegetation 

would reduce human disturbance of mesic 

crystalline bedrock prairie, thus improving 

orchid habitat. This action would result in a 

minor beneficial long-term effect on the 

orchid. 

A small portion of orchid habitat south of the 

entrance road would be at risk for loss because of placing it in the quarry zone. If this 

alternative was chosen to be the new management plan for Pipestone National Monument, 

before implementing the alternative, the National Park Service, in consultation with the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, would evaluate 

the potential effects on the orchid and ways to 

mitigate those effects. The consultation and 

mitigation would ensure that there would be 

no adverse effect on the orchid. 

Removing the sewer and water lines beneath 

the site that the orchids occupy might result in 

the destruction of some or all of the orchids, a 

moderate long-term adverse effect on the orchids. At the beginning of the planning or design process for removing the lines, the National Park Service, in consultation with the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, would evaluate 

the potential effects on the orchid and ways to 

mitigate those effects. Examples of potential 

mitigation are allowing the sewer and water 

lines to remain underground in the vicinity of 

the orchids or transplanting the orchids during the line removal and replanting them 

afterward. This alternative would not affect 

the orchids. 

Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and development have greatly reduced native plants 

and animals, including threatened and endangered species. The Topeka shiner has been 

affected by habitat destruction, degradation, 
Impacts of Alternative 1 

181 

modification, and fragmentation resulting 

from siltation, reduced water quality, tributary 

impoundment, stream channelization, instream gravel mining, and changes in stream 

hydrology. The species also can be affected by 

introduced predaceous fishes. 

The western prairie fringed orchid has lost 

habitat (tallgrass prairie) to cropland, and its 

remaining habitat has been fragmented. 

“Mowing, haying, and grazing prevent the 

plants from flowering, stalling seed production” (Talley 2004). Croplands present an obstacle to the free movement of hawkmoths 

(the orchid’s only known pollinator) between 

orchid populations, and pesticide drift from 

nearby cropland can kill hawkmoths. 

The development of some private lands, such 

as those on or near the national monument 

boundary, as well as development in nearby 

communities for residential, commercial, or 

other uses, could affect the Topeka shiner or 

the western prairie fringed orchid by altering 

suitable habitat. Water use for the developments or for activities not requiring development could reduce the amount of water 

available for habitat for these species. 

The past impacts on threatened and endangered species from agriculture and urbanization have been major and adverse. The effects 

on threatened and endangered species from 

current and anticipated future actions outside 

the national monument, in conjunction with 

the impacts of alternative 1, are not known 

because the locations of species outside the 

national monument in areas that might be affected are not known. Given the lack of information about impacts outside the national 

monument, it is not possible to assess the 

relative magnitude of the impacts of alternative 1 combined with current and anticipated future actions outside the national 

monument. 

Conclusion. This alternative would have no 

effect on the Topeka shiner. 

Removing houses and part of the access road 

and restoring natural vegetation would reduce 

human disturbance of the orchid habitat, 

causing a long-term minor beneficial effect. If 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined 

that the orchid might be affected by removing 

the sewer and water lines from beneath one 

site occupied by orchids or by placing a small 

part of orchid habitat in the quarry zone, the 

National Park Service would develop mitigating measures in consultation with that 

agency to ensure that there would be no 

impacts on the orchid. 

The threatened and endangered species of 

Pipestone National Monument would not be 

impaired by the actions of alternative 1. 

VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE 

There would be a change in the visitor experience at Pipestone National Monument under 

alternative 1. Three small visitor service areas 

around the national monument’s perimeter — 

a restroom facility, a new entrance road, and a 

prairie overlook — would affect visitor access 

into the prime resource area. 

Three Maidens Area 

The Three Maidens zone would be combined 

with the quarry zone in alternative 1, with this 

area reverting to prairie. The long-term effect 

on visitors from seeing the formation and 

other natural resources in their natural prairie 

setting would be major and beneficial. 

New Entrance Area 

New exhibits would be available only in an 

offsite facility a few miles from the national 

monument under alternative 1. This would 

make visitors’ access to the exhibits a little 

more difficult, and some visitors might not see 

the exhibits until after they had visited the 

national monument. Therefore, the long-term 

effect on visitors to the new exhibit area 

would be moderate and adverse. However, 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

182 

the interpretive themes of the national 

monument would be presented better by the 

new exhibits at the offsite facility. They would 

be presented in a historically accurate, easy to 

maintain, culturally unbiased manner that 

would be both interactive and compelling in 

design. Therefore, there would be a long-term 

major beneficial effect on the overall visitor 

experience. 

A new, adequately sized information desk 

would enable the national monument staff to 

serve visitors more efficiently under alternative 1, alleviating occasional overcrowding. 

Therefore, the long-term effect on visitors 

would be moderate and beneficial. 

There would continue to be a demonstration 

area in the new offsite visitor facility. Visitors 

would have the opportunity to see American 

Indians making pipes and demonstrating 

other crafts. There would be a long-term 

major beneficial effect on visitors from this 

change. 

New, fully accessible modern restrooms 

would be available at both the new entrance 

and the kiosk area and along the entrance 

road. This would be a long-term major 

beneficial effect on the visitor experience. 

Circle Trail Area 

A new trail leading from the new entrance to a 

location above Winnewissa Falls would connect to the existing Circle Trail, which still 

would loop past the Nicollet marker, Winnewissa Falls, Pipestone Creek, Hiawatha Lake, 

the quarry sites, and the prairie remnant. The 

trail would give access to all the resources in 

the national monument, with minimal impact 

on the landscape. The effect on the visitor 

experience from this new trail would be 

major, long term, and beneficial. 

Quarry Area 

Modifying the existing trails where feasible 

and making features along the quarry trails 

fully accessible would result in a long-term 

moderate beneficial effect on visitors. 

Prairie Area 

The Circle Trail still would loop past the edge 

of the prairie remnant under alternative 1, allowing visitors to observe the species of vegetation closely. This would continue to be a 

major beneficial effect on the visitor experience. The new prairie overlook off County 

Road 67 would give visitors a sweeping view 

of the remnant prairie, a major beneficial 

effect on most visitors. 

Conclusion. Alternative 1 would result in 

long-term major beneficial effects on the 

visitor experience at the Three Maidens area, 

the exhibits in the new offsite visitor facility, 

the restroom accommodations, the Circle 

Trail area, and the prairie remnant. There 

would be long-term moderate beneficial 

effects on the visitor experience at the information desk and the quarry area. A long-term 

moderate adverse effect on visitors would 

result in this alternative from the effects on 

visitors’ ability to find the new offsite visitor 

center. 

SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 

Quarriers and Demonstrators 

Removing the visitor center from the current 

location and truncating the entrance road 

would cause some minor inconvenience to 

quarriers because the distance between some 

quarries and the restrooms would be greater. 

Likewise, quarriers who now park their 

vehicles at the visitor center parking area 

would have to park near the south quarry line 

trail entrance, then use wheelbarrows or 

similar devices to move the stone and tools 

from quarry to vehicle. The south quarry line 

then would be more desirable for quarriers 

wanting quicker access to vehicles, and the 

north quarry line would be more desirable for 

those wanting solitude. Alternative 1 would 
Impacts of Alternative 1 

183 

not affect the availability of any quarries or the 

current permitting process. There would be 

no economic effect on quarriers. 

Demonstrators would move into a new visitor 

center facility. Their numbers would be 

expected to remain the same. 

Businesses 

Alternative 1 would result in a negligible effect 

on businesses that are directly dependent on 

the national monument, such as the 

campground and the gift shop across 

Hiawatha Avenue from the national monument entrance. 

If the Pipestone Indian Shrine Association 

remained in the visitor center, relocating the 

visitor center outside the national monument 

would result in a negligible effect on that 

organization. If the organization did not relocate with the visitor center, there could be a 

minor adverse effect on its business because 

visitors would have to make extra effort to 

seek out the new location. This could affect 

impulse buying by visitors. 

It is unlikely that any changes would be seen 

in other businesses farther from the national 

monument, since presumably these businesses 

depend on the national monument but not 

necessarily on the visitor center. 

Community 

There would be some economic effect on the 

community of Pipestone when the visitor 

center and maintenance facilities were moved 

out of the national monument and into the 

city. These effects would result from space 

being leased that otherwise might remain 

empty. The impact would be greater if either 

or both of these facilities involved new construction. 

Some additional monies could be generated in 

the local community during the construction 

of a new entrance, trails, and a new prairie 

overlook and by removing parts of the existing 

entrance road, existing housing, the visitor 

center, and parking. These monies would 

come from the salaries of construction workers, who would purchase goods and services. 

The ranger who now lives in employee housing in the national monument would move to 

existing housing in Pipestone. The land south 

of Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College that would become part of the national monument is already school property 

exempt from the county tax rolls. 

Cumulative Effects. Although past actions 

have affected socioeconomic resources, no 

actions in this alternative would result in a 

new perceptible socioeconomic effect. The 

actions, together with those in the cumulative 

effect scenario, would not add appreciably to 

cumulative effects. 

Conclusion. Alternative 1 would cause a 

minor long-term inconvenience to some 

quarriers, and it would cause no impact on 

demonstrators. It would not result in any 

economic effects. 

Alternative 1 would result in a negligible long 

term adverse effect on businesses that are 

dependent on the national monument. Should 

the Pipestone Indian Shrine Association move 

to another location, the effect would likely be 

minor. 

Development activities included in alternative 

1 would result in a minor short-term 

beneficial effect on the local and regional 

economy from construction dollars filtering 

into the local community. 

NATIONAL MONUMENT OPERATIONS 

Maintenance 

The maintenance facility would be moved out 

of the national monument under this alternative. This would allow the staff to make better 

use of the current space. Better organization 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

184 

would be necessary to minimize the need for 

traveling between the national monument and 

the maintenance facility. There would be 

more communication by cell phone and radio 

to coordinate activities between administrative divisions. The new maintenance facility 

would be adequately sized and equipped to 

fulfill its function. Visitors would continue to 

see the maintenance employees performing 

the everyday tasks of mowing, site work, trail 

maintenance, and building repairs. However, 

some functions would take place offsite, such 

as construction activities, painting, and the 

storage of vehicles and building supplies. 

More employees would be available yearround, but especially during the visitor season. 

Facilities 

Most visitor services, demonstrations, sales, 

and administrative functions would be moved 

outside the national monument boundaries. 

This would make it possible to return to prairie conditions the former site of the visitor 

center and parking, along with two houses 

and a garage near the entrance. The new facilities would be designed to offer the most modern visitor experience and up-to-date administrative working conditions. The sales and 

demonstration areas also would be adequately 

sized and designed to fully accommodate 

those functions. 

With some functions moved outside the 

boundary, visitors might go directly to the 

national monument without realizing that the 

visitor center is not on the site. Having seen 

the site, visitors might then decide to forgo 

seeing the visitor center. Such visitors then 

would leave without gaining a full understanding of the significance of the site or its 

story. They also would miss seeing the cultural 

demonstrators and exhibits and the Pipestone 

Indian Shrine Association, with its many 

educational and craft items. 

There would be a new visitor entrance to the 

national monument under alternative 1. Visitors would park above the falls, pay their fee at 

a kiosk and restroom facility, and be informed 

about the national monument and its visitor 

center offsite. In this way, national monument 

managers would have an opportunity to greet 

visitors at the entrance and orient them to the 

site. 

A second, more restricted entrance would allow quarriers to park closer to the quarries. 

This would ease transport of supplies and 

quarried materials. Visitors with disabilities 

also would be able to reach the site on this 

more accessible trail. This would preclude the 

need for a separate accessible trail from the 

top of the falls to the Circle Trail. 

More than other alternatives, this alternative 

would require the presence of staff throughout the national monument to help visitors 

and offer interpretation because the visitor 

center would not be onsite. 

Emergency Response Time 

The response to accidents and emergencies 

could take somewhat longer under this alternative, with visitors seeking out national 

monument employees to summon assistance 

from offsite. There would not be a central 

location, as at present, where visitors could go 

for assistance. However, once called, emergency vehicles should take no more time than 

at present to provide assistance. 

Ability to Enforce Regulations 

Having no ranger housed onsite in this alternative would limit the ability of staff to monitor the site 24 hours a day. Any deterrence 

that might exist as a result of that presence 

would be removed. However, entrances 

would be gated to control access to the national monument after visitor hours. Only 

staff and quarriers would be expected to use 

the site after hours. Otherwise there would be 

no change in the ability of the national 

monument to enforce regulations. 
Impacts of Alternative 1 

185 

Conclusion. The construction of new 

facilities under alternative 1 would result in 

major long-term beneficial effects. The 

development of new maintenance facilities 

and the improved quality of the work 

accomplished would cause long-term 

moderate beneficial effects. There would be 

no change in the national monument’s ability 

to enforce laws and regulations. Moving 

maintenance away from the site would result 

in a long-term negligible adverse impact on 

the efficiency of maintenance activities. 

Having the visitor center offsite would cause a 

long-term moderate adverse impact on visitor 

services. Long-term minor adverse impacts 

could occur when visitors sought assistance in 

emergency situations. 

UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS 

The following paragraphs describe the more 

important (moderate and major intensity) 

adverse impacts that would result from this 

alternative. These are residual impacts that 

would remain after mitigation was implemented. The negligible and minor impacts are 

described in the foregoing analysis. 

Because the Mission 66 visitor center, a contributing feature of the Mission 66 (1957–

1969) cultural landscape, would be removed 

and razed under alternative 1, the effects on 

that national register-eligible cultural landscape would be major, adverse, and long term. 

To those American Indians who believe that 

the national monument is not a traditional Sun 

Dance site, continuing to allow Sun Dances to 

take place under alternative 1 would be 

culturally inappropriate and would thus 

constitute a moderate, adverse, and long term 

impact in relation to their world-view about 

revitalizing and reinforcing their traditional 

cultural identity. 

Although the possibility of loss of life from 

flooding would be extremely small, there 

would be some danger to visitors and 

employees. Severe flooding has been 

infrequent, and the risks would be minor to 

moderate, but flooding could cause major 

adverse effects on the visitors, employees, and 

property involved. Any loss of life would be 

irretrievable. 

IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE 

COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES 

The loss of the Mission 66 visitor center cultural landscape (described above) and the 

building itself would be irreversible and 

irretrievable. 

Although the possibility of loss of life from 

flooding would be extremely small, there 

would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and 

the risks would be minor to moderate, but 

flooding could cause major adverse effects on 

the visitors, employees, and property involved. Any loss of life would be irretrievable. 

If grading at any of the sites (for construction 

or restoration) was necessary, some of the 

original soil profile could be permanently lost, 

an irreversible impact. 

RELATIONSHIP OF SHORT-TERM 

USES OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND 

LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY 

Through the removal of the visitor center, 

parking, the north-south part of the entrance 

road, and the house used as offices, this alternative would preserve the cultural resources 

for which the monument was set aside (see 

“National Monument Purpose,” p. 24) for the 

long term. The preservation of the setting, site 

history, and spiritual significance of the national monument would be greatly enhanced. 

The landscape would be restored to very near 

the landscape of the Prehistoric Quarrying 

into the Historic Period (see p. 110). 

Removing the national register-eligible 

Mission 66 visitor center building under this 

alternative would result in a long-term major 

adverse impact on that structure. The tallgrass 

prairie would be preserved and restored on 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

186 

the sites where buildings, parking, and roads 

once stood, decreasing fragmentation. 

Removing the facilities described would 

enable the national monument staff to restore 

natural and beneficial floodplain values over 

about 3 acres more than in the no-action 

alternative. Removing the structures mentioned above and the museum collection from 

the floodplain would greatly reduce potential 

damage from flooding compared to the noaction alternative. The chance of fuels spilling 

into floodwaters would be removed. 

Although the possibility of loss of life from 

flooding would be extremely small, there 

would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and 

the risks would be minor to moderate, but 

flooding could cause major adverse effects on 

the visitors, employees, and property involved. In this alternative there would be 

much less risk to employees and visitors than 

in alternatives in which the listed structures 

would remain in the floodplain because in 

alternative 1 there would be no visitors or 

employees in the visitor center, the fuel storage building, the parking area or the converted house. Visitors on the trails and quarries 

would continue to be at risk in alternative 1. 

Continuing visitor activities would reduce the 

long-term productivity of the environment. 

Noise, artificial lighting, and human activities 

associated with ongoing visitor use of the 

national monument would prevent natural 

prairie ecosystems and wildlife populations 

from reaching their full potential in size and 

population density. The quarrying of pipestone by American Indians of all tribes as provided for in the enabling legislation would 

continue to reduce the quantity of pipestone 

at the national monument. 
187 

IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 2 

CULTURAL RESOURCES 

Cultural Landscapes 

Before constructing any facilities or trail 

changes (for example, involving the Circle 

Trail, which probably contains features of all 

eight potential cultural landscapes), the National Park Service would undertake more 

site-specific study of the affected landscapes 

to ensure that character-defining features 

(topography, vegetation, circulation, spatial 

organization, land use, natural systems and 

elements, historic structures and views, and 

small-scale elements) would not be affected or 

that the effects would be minimal. The potential adverse effects on cultural landscapes 

from such construction would be long term 

and of negligible to minor intensity. 

Removing and relocating the footbridge below Winnewissa Falls in the CCC-era cultural 

landscape would benefit that landscape 

because removing this nonhistoric bridge and 

erecting a new bridge downstream of the falls, 

in closer alignment to both the historic trail 

and the original bridge’s stone foundations, 

would return the area around the falls to more 

of a semblance of its historic appearance. 

These actions also would reestablish more 

traditional views of the falls, enabling the national monument staff to interpret and visitors 

to visualize how the Winnewissa Falls area 

once was oriented and functioned. The longterm effects on the CCC-era cultural landscape would be beneficial and of moderate 

intensity. 

Cumulative Effects. Agricultural development and construction in and around Pipestone National Monument — the Pipestone 

Indian school and its successor, Minnesota 

West Community and Technical College 

north and northeast of the national monument and subdivision developments along the 

national monument’s eastern and southern 

borders, as well as agriculture in surrounding 

areas farther outside the national monument’s 

boundaries — have previously affected potential cultural landscapes both in the national 

monument and in the general vicinity. These 

effects resulted because the development and 

construction disturbed or changed the prairie 

setting and ultimately reduced the amount of 

surviving tallgrass prairie. The long-term adverse effects on the tallgrass prairie as the setting in cultural landscapes have ranged from 

minor to major. 

Reasonably foreseeable future actions 

occurring throughout the region (for example, 

continued subdivision and proposed commercial development) also would disturb cultural 

landscapes outside the national monument’s 

boundaries. These actions could damage or 

destroy patches of remnant tallgrass prairie 

that might remain and altered prairie lands 

that might be restored by the recovery of 

native plant species. The long-term regional 

impacts on the prairie components of cultural 

landscapes from agricultural development and 

construction would be adverse and range 

from minor to major. 

In the region, prairie restoration through the 

recovery of native plant species is underway at 

the Nature Conservancy’s Hole in the Mountain property near Lake Benton. Prairie 

restoration also is underway in the USFWS/ 

MDNR Pipestone Wildlife Management Area 

north of the national monument. Similar programs are in place at Split Rock Creek State 

Park and at Blue Mounds State Park (where a 

bison herd is maintained). These programs 

would result in moderate long-term beneficial 

effects on associated cultural landscapes. 

Remnant prairie preservation and prairie 

restoration from the recovery of native plant 

species would result in long-term minor to 

moderate beneficial effects on cultural landscapes in the national monument that are 

potentially eligible for the national register. 

Alternative 2 would contribute to the overall 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

188 

moderate beneficial long-term cumulative 

effects on cultural landscapes in the region 

from prairie restoration. 

The potential effects on landscapes eligible for 

national register listing that could not be 

avoided could be adverse. Such effects would 

range in intensity from minor to major, depending on the scope of the potential actions 

and the landscape features and patterns affected. In alternative 2, relocating the 1998 

bridge and building a new bridge downstream 

would improve the historic and traditional 

view of Winnewissa Falls, a moderate beneficial effect on the CCC-era potential cultural 

landscape. Although a small component, that 

contribution would be moderate and beneficial to the cumulative effects of other past, 

present, and reasonably foreseeable actions. 

Section 106 Summary. After applying the 

criteria of adverse effects of the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation (36 CFR 

800.5, “Assessment of Adverse Effects”), the 

National Park Service concludes that implementing alternative 2 would have no adverse 

effect on the eight potential national registereligible cultural landscapes. 

Conclusion. Implementing alternative 2 

would result in a long-term moderate beneficial effect on the CCC-era cultural landscape. There would be no impairment of the 

national monument’s cultural landscapes or 

values. 

Ethnographic Resources 

Visitors could be intrusive to American Indian 

individuals placing offerings like sage and personal items at the Three Maidens rock formation. Although visitor parking would be rearranged to place it more along the entry road 

and away from the picnic area, there would be 

little change in the visitor use pattern. The picnic area and the restroom near the Three 

Maidens would continue to attract visitors. 

American Indian access to the Three Maidens 

during the Hiawatha Pageant has been improved in recent years through national 

monument negotiations with the Hiawatha 

Club so that the rock formation is not used 

intrusively as a pageant component. However, 

the summer use of the Three Maidens in the 

Hiawatha Pageant would continue on the 

relevant weekends. The effects on the traditional use of the Three Maidens as an ethnographic resource from inadvertent visitor 

intrusion and from the Hiawatha Pageant 

would be minor, adverse, and long term. 

Access acceptable to American Indians would 

be needed for religious reasons similar to 

those discussed above for the Circle Trail’s 

ethnographic resources. Rerouting the Circle 

Trail would involve relocating the footbridge 

in front of Winnewissa Falls over Pipestone 

Creek to a spot downstream to preserve the 

viewshed and “frame” the falls better for a 

picturesque view for visitors, somewhat at a 

distance rather than close up. 

Accommodating American Indian access to 

the Circle Trail’s ethnographic resources 

would change under this alternative in that 

part of the trail would be rerouted. However, 

off-trail access for American Indians would 

continue to be accommodated to Winnewissa 

Falls as well as to the other ethnographic resources associated with the Circle Trail — the 

Old Stone Face / Leaping Rock and the Oracle 

rock formation. 

Relocating the bridge could inhibit access to 

Winnewissa Falls because getting close to the 

falls via the existing bridge would be altered to 

accommodate less close, less convenient access at a new bridge downstream. However, 

observations of American Indians by NPS 

personnel indicate that bridge access to the 

falls is not necessarily preferred; the preferred 

way seems to be to approach either side of the 

falls by way of the natural setting without 

benefit of the existing bridge. Without the 

bridge being so near the falls, the setting 

would be more natural and thus more traditional. Correspondingly, off-trail access to 

the falls through adjacent natural settings 

would be more traditional as well. Therefore, 
Impacts of Alternative 2 

189 

there would be long-term moderate beneficial 

effects on traditional use of Winnewissa Falls 

as an ethnographic resource because the setting and associated access (without the modern bridge close at hand) would be more like 

the past situation before any changes were 

made by European–American influences. 

Under this alternative, visitors walking along 

the Circle Trail might occasionally and inadvertently intrude on American Indians on 

their way to approach Winnewissa Falls with 

offerings or to place offerings at the Old Stone 

Face / Leaping Rock or the Oracle rock formations. The effects from such visitor intrusion on American Indian use of these ethnographic resources would be negligible to 

minor, adverse, and long term. 

The two annual Sun Dances no longer would 

take place, and the area in the national monument designated for this ceremonial purpose 

no longer would serve as a place of cultural 

expression. To American Indians who believe 

that continuing the Sun Dances here would be 

culturally appropriate because it is an appropriate modern site for a Sun Dance, the effects 

would be moderate, adverse, and long term in 

relation to their opinions about revitalizing 

and reinforcing their traditional cultural 

identity. 

To American Indians who believe that continuing the Sun Dance here would not be 

culturally appropriate because the national 

monument apparently is not a traditional Sun 

Dance site, the effects would be moderate, 

beneficial, and long term in relation to their 

opinions about revitalizing and reinforcing 

their traditional cultural identity. 

The north quarry line would remain a location 

for sweat lodges, and it still would be closed to 

visitors. Although visitors still would be directed to stay on designated trails, they occasionally stray off the trails, inadvertently intruding on American Indian practitioners 

using sweat lodges. This occasional and 

inadvertent intrusion would apply to sweat 

lodge users in the areas of the north and Sun 

Dance quarries. The effects from such visitor 

intrusion on American Indian use of the sweat 

lodges would range from negligible to minor 

and be adverse and long term. 

Cumulative Effects. The ethnographic landscape of Pipestone National Monument is a 

prairie background setting for the ongoing but 

traditional American Indian quarrying in what 

is now the national monument. Other ethnographic landscapes in the region could be associated with the bison herd maintained by 

the state of Minnesota in Blue Mounds State 

Park or with simply restoring prairie to patches of preagricultural landscape in Split Rock 

Creek State Park. Prairie preservation and 

restoration contributes to such landscapes. 

Agricultural development and construction in 

and around Pipestone National Monument 

have previously affected the prairie setting 

both in the national monument and in the 

general vicinity. These activities have disturbed or changed the prairie setting and 

ultimately reduced the amount of surviving 

tallgrass prairie. Areas where such activities 

have occurred are the Pipestone Indian 

School and its successor, the Minnesota West 

Community and Technical College north and 

northeast of the national monument and subdivisions to the east and south, as well as 

agricultural areas farther outside the boundaries. Regional long-term adverse effects on the 

tallgrass prairie as a setting reminiscent of a 

time before European–American influences 

continue to range from minor to major. 

Reasonably foreseeable future actions occurring throughout the region — for example, 

continued subdivision and proposed commercial development — also could disturb the 

prairie setting outside the national monument 

by threatening any remnant tallgrass prairie 

patches that might remain and any altered 

prairie lands that might be restored by the recovery of native plant species. 

The development of a parklike environment 

for American Indians to quarry catlinite pipestone through the Pipestone Indian School 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

190 

and then as a national monument has meant 

change in American Indian access to ethnographic resources. That change generally has 

been caused by the development of trails, 

bridges, and parking lots to make physical 

access to various ethnographic resources 

more convenient. To the extent that American 

Indians value convenience (for example, to 

help the elderly participate in activities), the 

long-term effects on ethnographic resources 

from the past and at present were minor to 

moderate and beneficial. To the extent that 

the natural setting contributes to the value of 

American Indian traditional use (there is some 

evidence from NPS observation of American 

Indian practitioners that it does) and that 

there has been a change in the setting away 

from nature associated with development, the 

long-term effects on ethnographic resources 

from the past and at present were minor to 

moderate and adverse. 

Traditional American Indian practices associated with ethnographic resources (which happen to be all natural resources at Pipestone 

National Monument) are subject to inadvertent distraction from encounters by visitors, a 

long-term negligible to minor adverse impact 

on the practitioners. Past visitor use patterns 

have resulted in such encounters, which have 

caused long-term negligible to minor adverse 

impacts on American Indian practitioners. 

Development has affected ethnographic resources outside of the national monument by 

making identifying potential ethnographic 

resources harder because of changes brought 

about by agriculture and home and commercial development. The state of Minnesota has 

designated various rock art sites throughout 

the state, including those in Pipestone National Monument, as a rock art district worthy of 

listing in the National Register of Historic 

Places (listed on November 14, 1996). 

In Minnesota, in the region around the national monument, the following locations 

could contain ethnographic resources relevant to American Indians: Blue Mounds State 

Park, Jeffers Petroglyphs State Historic Site, 

Split Rock Creek State Park, and the USFWS 

land administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which is north of 

the national monument. Jeffers Petroglyphs 

State Historic Site is the only one that maintains an ongoing program of consultation with 

American Indians to identify ethnographic resources (as does Pipestone National Monument). The fact that some ongoing American 

Indian consultations are underway and continuing is beneficial. More ethnographic information should result, which would be a minor 

long-term beneficial effect. 

Implementing alternative 2 would contribute 

both long-term minor to moderate adverse 

impacts and long-term minor to moderate 

beneficial effects to the overall cumulative 

effects of other past, present, and reasonably 

foreseeable actions. 

Section 106 Summary. Since the “Affected 

Environment” chapter suggests that traditional cultural properties (ethnographic resources eligible to be listed in the National 

Register of Historic Places) may be represented at the national monument by the entire 

national monument or by individual resources, in accordance with the criteria of adverse 

effect of the Advisory Council on Historic 

Preservation (36 CFR 800.5), the determination of effect on traditional cultural properties 

would be no adverse effect. 

Conclusion. The inadvertent distracting 

access of visitors to ethnographic resources in 

the presence of traditional practitioners 

would result in effects on traditional use associated with ethnographic resources under 

alternative 2 that would be minor, adverse, 

and long term. Relocating the bridge at Winnewissa Falls could benefit American Indians’ 

traditional use of the falls, resulting in a 

moderate long-term beneficial effect. 

Removing the picnic parking area near the 

Three Maidens rock formation and expanding 

the Three Maidens interpretive pullout would 

result in a long-term minor beneficial effect on 

the traditional use of the Three Maidens 
Impacts of Alternative 2 

191 

because access would be accommodated 

without inadvertent distractions from 

picnicking visitors. Discontinuing the two 

annual Sun Dances would be either a longterm moderate adverse effect or a long-term 

moderate beneficial effect, depending on the 

perspective of the person rendering the 

opinion. 

Because there would be no major adverse 

impacts on a resource or value whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific 

purposes identified in the establishing legislation of Pipestone National Monument, (2) 

key to its natural or cultural integrity or to 

opportunities for its enjoyment, or (3) identified as a goal in its general management plan 

or other relevant NPS planning documents, 

the national monument’s resources or values 

would not be impaired. 

Historic Structures 

For the visitor center and museum collections 

functions to be improved and remain in situ in 

the national monument, the Mission 66 visitor 

center building would be rehabilitated. The 

rehabilitation of this national register-eligible 

structure would be done in accordance with 

the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the 

Treatment of Historic Properties, with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, 

and Reconstructing Historic Buildings. Because 

much of the external historic fabric — the façade — would be preserved while the interior 

was redesigned, the effects on this structure 

would be moderate, beneficial, and long term. 

This action would be taken only after consultation with the state historic preservation 

officer. 

With NPS acquisition and rehabilitation of the 

Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s 

house under alternative 2, the national monument boundary would be adjusted to include 

that house. The rehabilitation of that national 

register-listed historic structure would be carried out in accordance with the Secretary of 

the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of 

Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings. With much of the external historic fabric — the façade —preserved 

and the interior redesigned (to make the 

building serve visitors and staffers better), the 

effects on this structure would be moderate, 

beneficial, and long term. These actions would 

be taken only after consultation with the state 

historic preservation officer. 

Cumulative Effects. Past actions in the national monument were the development of 

trails, bridges, and parking lots and the construction of maintenance facilities and two 

houses now used as an administrative office 

and a residence for a law enforcement ranger. 

Placing the visitor center in a central location 

on the Circle Trail was consistent with the 

“centralize and circulate” thinking of the Mission 66 era. The development of that trail has 

affected the way visitors use the visitor center, 

but since the center was centrally placed, development in the national monument has not 

affected the historic fabric of this late 1950s 

Mission 66 structure, unless the 1970s addition of space for the Upper Midwest American Indian Cultural Center is viewed in that 

light. However, adding that space was consistent with the Mission 66 philosophy because it allowed visitors to watch American 

Indian pipestone carvers at work. The ability 

for visitors to interact with and learn from the 

demonstrators has become part of the centralized aspect of the visitor experience. 

The 1970s addition enhanced the function of 

the historic fabric and is part of the historic 

significance of the visitor center’s eligibility in 

its own right for the National Register of Historic Places. The historic fabric of the structure could be threatened by its apparent location in the 500-year and 100-year floodplains. 

However, past flooding of Pipestone Creek 

suggests that any serious damage would be unlikely, although damage still could result. Vandalism has not been a problem at the visitor 

center. 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

192 

Actions expected in the region in the reasonably foreseeable future, such as continued 

subdivision and commercial development, 

have no potential to affect historic structures 

in the national monument. Such actions 

would result in a negligible effect, if any, on 

historic structures outside the national monument. 

Under this alternative the National Park Service would acquire, preserve, and interpret the 

Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s 

house. This would contribute to the historic 

preservation efforts that are in place in the city 

of Pipestone and other towns in the county to 

rehabilitate and adaptively reuse the late 19th 

century business and municipal architecture 

characterized by the use of local Sioux quartzite as the predominant building material. 

Under alternative 2, NPS preservation and 

interpretation of the Pipestone Indian School 

superintendent’s house would complement 

the rehabilitation of the national monument’s 

visitor center. Rehabilitating both of those 

structures would contribute moderate beneficial long-term effects to the overall cumulative long-term moderate beneficial effects on 

historic structures from reasonably foreseeable present and future actions in the region. 

The potential effects on landscapes eligible for 

listing in the National Register of Historic 

Places that could not be avoided could be adverse. Such potential effects would range in 

intensity from minor to moderate, depending 

on the scope of the potential actions and the 

landscape features and patterns affected. Because the potential impacts on cultural landscapes under alternative 2 would be mostly 

negligible (that is, to seven of the eight potential cultural landscapes) implementing alternative 2 would contribute only minimally to the 

impacts of other actions and would be a small 

component of any overall cumulative impact. 

The exception would be the new bridge to be 

built downstream of the falls, with a moderately beneficial effect on the CCC-era potential cultural landscape. That contribution 

would be moderate and beneficial to the 

cumulative effects of other actions. 

Section 106 Summary. After applying the 

criteria of adverse effects of the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation (36 CFR 

800.5), the National Park Service concludes 

that implementing alternative 2 would result 

in no adverse effect on the Mission 66 visitor 

center, a structure eligible to be listed in the 

National Register of Historic Places. The 

National Park Service also concludes that 

implementing alternative 2 would cause no 

adverse effect on the national register-listed 

Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s 

house. 

Conclusion. Rehabilitating the historic Mission 66 visitor center building and the Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s house 

would result in moderate beneficial long-term 

effects on those structures. There would be no 

impairment of the national monument’s resources or values. 

Museum Collections and Archives 

Under alternative 2, expanding the space for 

museum collections and archives into a facility 

designed to meet state-of-the-art museum 

standards (in a rehabilitated visitor center) 

would result in both beneficial and adverse effects. The rehabilitated facility would include 

a storage area raised to be out of possible 

flood levels from the 100-year and 500-year 

floodplains of Pipestone Creek. The risk 

involved in moving and reinstalling artifacts, 

specimens, and archives would result in negligible to minor short-term adverse effects, but 

every effort would be made to ensure the protection of all objects during the move and reinstallation. Having more space for better protected and environmentally controlled curation, research, and storage, along with being 

out of the floodplains, would result in moderate to major long-term beneficial effects. 

Cumulative Effects. In the past and at present 

the national monument’s museum collections 
Impacts of Alternative 2 

193 

and archives have been at risk by being 

housed in the visitor center , which is in the 

floodplain. If Pipestone Creek flooded, the 

long-term adverse impacts on museum collections and archives would range from moderate to major. The intensity of the impact 

would depend on the amount and rate of 

flooding, whether there was sufficient warning to enable the staff to implement the evacuation plan that is in place for protecting the 

collections and archives, and how high from 

the floor particular artifacts and documents or 

photographs were stored in relation to the 

height of the water entering the storage area. 

However, in alternative 2, rehabilitating and 

expanding the space for museum collections 

in a rehabilitated visitor center and adding 

“off the floor” storage cabinets would result in 

long-term moderate beneficial effects because 

the threat of flooding would be eliminated. 

Conclusion. Museum collections and archives would be better secured under alternative 2. Negligible to minor short-term adverse impacts would result from the risk of 

packing, storing, and moving the artifacts, 

specimens, and documents to newly rehabilitated quarters. Moderate long-term beneficial 

effects would result from providing new stateof-the-art space for museum collections and 

archives in a rehabilitated visitor center in the 

national monument to conduct future 

curation, research, and storage. 

Because there would be no major adverse 

impacts on a resource or value whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific 

purposes identified in the establishing legislation of Pipestone National Monument, (2) 

key to its natural or cultural integrity or to 

opportunities for its enjoyment, or (3) identified as a goal in its general management plan 

or other relevant NPS planning documents, 

the national monument’s resources or values 

would not be impaired. 

NATURAL RESOURCES 

Vegetation 

Remnant Tallgrass Prairie. Remnant prairie 

has survived despite other uses having taken 

place. It is made up of Sioux quartzite prairie, 

mesic crystalline bedrock prairie, and oak savanna/woodland. The effects that apply to the 

remnant prairie as a whole will be described 

under remnant tallgrass prairie. Effects specific to mesic crystalline bedrock prairie will 

be described under that heading. The actions 

of the alternatives would not affect the other 

two components of remnant tallgrass prairie, 

Sioux quartzite prairie and oak savanna/ 

woodland.

In the national monument, this habitat type is 

fragmented by the entrance road, the visitor 

center, parking, the Circle Trail, restrooms, a 

picnic area, a residence, a house used for 

administrative offices, and a garage. Fragmentation would continue to allow the invasion of exotics along corridors separating 

segments of prairie and to decrease the 

success of efforts to control exotics. 

The presence of development and increased 

use in the quarry zone would be likely to increase exotic invasion into remnant prairie. 

This effect, which would occur in a relatively 

small area, would be minor, long term, and 

adverse. A small loss of remnant prairie would 

be caused by the promotion of more quarrying activity. 

Acquiring the school district lands south of 

Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College on the national monument’s eastern 

boundary would increase the prairie preservation zone by 15.3 acres. This would provide a 

better buffer for the remnant prairie compared to existing conditions. The quality of 

the remnant prairie would improve in a local 

area, a minor long-term beneficial effect. 

Removing the ceremonial use in the north end 

of the national monument would improve the 

condition of the remnant prairie by allowing it 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

194 

to recover from twice yearly mowing in preparation for the gatherings and trampling by 

large groups of up to 500 people. The encroachment of exotics would decrease. Ending the mowing and trampling in this area 

would allow fuel loads and fuel continuity to 

recover to a natural state in which the former 

ceremonial area could carry fire, enhancing 

the preservation of the prairie ecosystem. The 

potential for the loss of native plants to be 

caused by ceremonial use would be eliminated. This action would cause an increase in 

the abundance of and quality of the remnant 

prairie in the area where the Sun Dances take 

place. The effect would be moderate, long 

term, and beneficial. 

Mesic Crystalline Bedrock Prairie. Pumping 

water out of the quarries to extend the quarrying season might remove water from the 

prairie. Studies are proposed to determine if 

this is the case. 

Restored Tallgrass Prairie. This plant community covers an area where tallgrass prairie 

died out but is being restored by members of 

the national monument staff, who reduce the 

numbers and extent of exotic plants and reseed areas with native seed of tallgrass prairie 

plants. 

The size of the restored tallgrass prairie would 

be increased by removing the maintenance 

storage area (approximately 1 acre) and managing it for prairie preservation. Acquiring the 

school district lands south of Minnesota West 

Community and Technical College on the 

national monument’s eastern boundary (15.3 

acres) and managing all but 2 acres for prairie 

preservation would increase the size of the 

restored tallgrass prairie by about 13 acres. 

These two actions would increase the restored 

tallgrass prairie by 14 acres. Extending the 

quarrying zone beyond current limits would 

result in a decrease of up to 2 acres of restored 

tallgrass prairie. 

Building a new maintenance facility and a 

maintenance storage area inside the national 

monument boundary on land acquired just 

south of Minnesota West Community and 

Technical College would cover about 2 acres, 

reducing the amount of the parcel that could 

be restored to prairie (the prairie would not be 

able to recover in the area covered by development). 

The area of restored tallgrass prairie managed 

for prairie preservation would be increased by 

100 acres on USFWS/MDNR land to be acquired and 14 acres at the restored maintenance storage area and south of Minnesota 

West Community and Technical College. It 

would be decreased by 2 acres from extending 

the quarry zone. Thus, the increase in area 

would be much larger than the decrease. 

Overall, the changes would be expected to increase the abundance and distribution of restored tallgrass prairie, a major long-term 

beneficial effect on restored tallgrass prairie. 

Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and development have greatly reduced native prairie 

plants. Plants have been affected by being 

displaced, and habitat has been lost through 

agricultural uses and the introduction of 

nonnative plants. 

The development of some private lands for 

residential or commercial uses (such as those 

near the national monument boundary) could 

increase runoff, wind erosion, and soil 

compaction and alter soil regimes. 

The past effects of agriculture and development on tallgrass prairie covered wide areas 

and were adverse. The effects of current and 

anticipated future actions outside the national 

monument, in conjunction with the effects 

from the actions of this alternative, would result in major long-term adverse impacts on 

tallgrass prairie. Most of the impacts would 

result from development outside the national 

monument, which might or might not be mitigated. The actions of alternative 2 would contribute a minuscule increment to the overall 

cumulative effect.

Conclusion. Overall, the effects on remnant 

and restored tallgrass prairie would be long 
Impacts of Alternative 2 

195 

term, major, and beneficial. The national 

monument’s tallgrass prairie resources would 

not be impaired by the actions of this alternative. 

Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 

Alternative 2 would not involve any change 

from existing conditions in wetlands. 

Cumulative Effects. Because there would be 

no effects on wetlands and riparian corridors 

from this alternative, no actions would combine with past, present, or future actions by 

others to result in cumulative impacts on wetlands and the riparian corridor. 

The severe hydrological alterations of the 

creek’s watershed have increased sediment 

deposition, causing a change in both floral and 

faunal composition along the creek corridor. 

Conclusion. There would be no impact on 

wetlands or the riparian corridor. The national monument’s wetlands, including the 

riparian corridor, would not be impaired by 

the actions of this alternative. 

Floodplains 

Natural and Beneficial Floodplain Values.

Keeping the visitor center, parking, picnic 

areas, restrooms, an employee residence, and 

a house used for administrative offices within 

the 100-year floodplain would prevent the 

restoration of natural and beneficial floodplain values such as groundwater recharge and 

maintaining an open floodplain to carry floodwaters. Keeping structures in the floodplain, 

continuing to store the museum collection 

within the 500-year floodplain, and retaining 

employee residences within the 100-year 

floodplain are contrary to NPS policy. If this 

alternative was selected, a statement of findings for floodplains would be prepared as part 

of this document to explain why there would 

be no practicable alternative to leaving facilities in the 100-year floodplain, housing an 

employee in the 100-year floodplain, and 

storing the museum collections in the 500-

year floodplain. The effects on the ability of 

the floodplain to function normally would be 

local and slightly detectable, a minor adverse 

long-term impact. 

Removing the maintenance facility, including 

fuel and other storage, from their current 

locations in the 100-year floodplain would 

reduce the likelihood of fuels and other hazardous material spilling into floodwaters. 

Before constructing a maintenance facility on 

acquired land just south of the Minnesota 

West Community and Technical College, the 

National Park Service would conduct a study 

to determine whether the site is out of the 

100-year floodplain. Should the site prove to 

be in the floodplain, before constructing the 

facility the national monument would prepare 

a statement of findings for floodplains to explain why there would be no practicable alternative to constructing a maintenance facility 

and a maintenance storage area in the 100-

year floodplain. Storing fuel and other toxic 

chemicals at the new maintenance area within 

the 500-year floodplain would also require the 

preparation and approval of a statement of 

findings for floodplains. 

Flooding. The visitor center with its headquarters, administrative, and curatorial functions would continue to occupy the 100-year 

floodplain. One employee residence, a house 

used for administrative offices, and a garage 

would remain in the 100-year floodplain. A 

potential new maintenance area might also be 

in the floodplain. Because the floodplain is 

extremely broad and floodwaters would be 

only slightly impeded by development in the 

floodplain, this continuing effect on the floodplain’s ability to function normally during 

flooding would be minor, adverse, and long 

term. 

Visitors and employees at the headquarters 

and employees and others at the residence or 

at the house used as an administrative facility 

could be injured by floodwaters. Although the 

possibility of loss of life would be extremely 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

196 

small, there would be some danger to visitors 

and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and the risks would be minor to 

moderate, but flooding could cause major 

adverse effects on the visitors, employees, and 

property involved. 

Cumulative Effects. The heavy use and ditching of Pipestone Creek upstream have greatly 

reduced the extent of the floodplain and the 

natural and beneficial values of floodplains in 

the national monument. 

Cattle and other farm animals probably have 

been allowed to use some riparian areas in and 

near the national monument. This practice degrades natural and beneficial floodplain values 

in exchange for benefits to agricultural uses. 

NPS structures and visitor uses in floodplain 

areas contribute to the loss of natural and 

beneficial values.

Further development in floodplains and wetlands outside the national monument for residential, agricultural, or commercial uses 

would decrease the area in which natural and 

beneficial floodplain values would be preserved. Channel adjustments upstream could 

send water down a path toward the visitor 

center. Channel changes upstream of the national monument also could direct flow over 

the bluff in areas other than the existing channel, causing the flow to be directed toward the 

visitor center (NPS 2003c). 

Under alternative 2 the natural and beneficial 

values of floodplain areas would continue to 

be compromised by development at national 

monument headquarters, the residence, and 

the house used for administration. 

The past impacts of agriculture and urbanization on floodplains covered wide areas and 

were adverse. Impacts on floodplains from 

current and anticipated future actions inside 

and outside of the national monument, in conjunction with the impacts of alternative 2, 

would be moderate, long term, and adverse. 

Most of the effects would result from agricultural use and development outside the 

national monument, which might or might not 

be mitigated. The actions of alternative 2 

would contribute a minuscule increment to 

the overall cumulative impact.

Conclusion. The effects of alternative 2 on 

the ability of the floodplain to function normally would be local and slightly detectable, a 

minor adverse long-term effect. 

Although the possibility of loss of life from 

flooding would be extremely small, there 

would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, 

and the risks would be minor to moderate, but 

flooding could cause major adverse impacts 

on the visitors, employees, and property 

involved. 

The national monument’s floodplain resources would not be impaired by the actions 

of alternative 2. 

Hydrology 

Increasing quarrying activities and associated 

pumping might change the level of the water 

table and soil moisture availability. A study is 

underway to identify the consequences of 

increased quarrying and pumping. If unacceptable resource impacts were detected, 

pumping would be discontinued. Should this 

occur, the impact would be measurable (a fall 

in the water table), and mitigation would be 

necessary to protect important plants and 

animals. This potential impact would be 

minor, short term, and adverse. 

Relocating the falls bridge farther downstream 

would reduce the backup of water at the present location of the bridge, which floods the 

bridge and parts of the trail. Removing the 

restrictions to the creek’s natural flow would 

have a relatively local effect that would be 

moderate, long term, and beneficial. 

Acquiring the school district lands south of 

Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College on the national monument’s eastern 
Impacts of Alternative 2 

197 

boundary would maintain or improve water 

flow patterns. This would be a moderate longterm beneficial effect on hydrology. 

Cumulative Effects. The area’s hydrology has 

been greatly altered by the heavy use and 

ditching of Pipestone Creek upstream, removing water by the use of wells, and 

commercial quarrying of Sioux quartzite on 

adjacent land. It also has been affected by 

using tiles to drain areas near and possibly 

within the national monument, reducing the 

height of Winnewissa Falls, and residential 

and commercial development. 

Under alternative 2, continued monitoring of 

the water table level when quarries were being 

pumped would help determine if pumping 

would cause unacceptable resource impacts. If 

so, pumping would be discontinued to protect 

the resources. Relocating the bridge across 

Pipestone Creek farther downstream would 

restore a more natural flow in the creek. 

Acquiring the school district lands south of 

Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College on the national monument’s eastern 

boundary would maintain or improve water 

flow patterns. 

The past impacts of draining land and altering 

water flows for agriculture and urbanization 

on hydrology covered wide areas, were adverse to natural water flow, and restricted the 

distribution of surface water through the surrounding landscape. The effects on hydrology 

from current and anticipated future actions 

inside and outside the national monument, in 

conjunction with the effects of this alternative, 

would be moderate, long term, and adverse. 

Most effects would result from agricultural 

use and development actions outside the national monument, which might or might not 

be mitigated. The actions of this alternative 

would contribute a minuscule increment to 

the overall cumulative effect. 

Conclusion. Continued pumping of the quarries could lower the water table or decrease 

soil moisture, a potential minor short-term 

adverse effect that could be mitigated by discontinuing pumping. Relocating the falls 

bridge farther downstream would remove a 

restriction to the natural flow of the creek, a 

moderate long-term beneficial effect. 

Acquiring the school district lands south of 

Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College on the national monument’s eastern 

boundary would maintain or improve water 

flow patterns, a moderate long-term beneficial 

effect on hydrology. 

The national monument’s hydrologic resources would not be impaired by the actions 

of this alternative. 

Soils 

Expanding the visitor center and potentially 

constructing a maintenance facility and a 

maintenance storage area on acquired land 

just south of Minnesota West Community and 

Technical College would cause additional soil 

compaction on about 2 acres. If grading was 

necessary, some of the natural soil profile 

would be lost, a long-term minor adverse impact. The removal and restoration of the current maintenance storage area would eliminate soil compaction, allowing for natural soil 

processes and below-ground primary productivity to return on about 1 acre. Discontinuing 

the Sun Dance ceremony would eliminate the 

twice annual compaction of the soil in an 8-

acre area by up to 600 people and some of 

their vehicles, allowing natural soil processes 

and below-ground primary productivity of the 

soils to return. Overall, there would be a 

minor long-term beneficial effect on soils. 

Cumulative Effects. Agriculture has led to 

the erosion of soils by removing native vegetation. This, along with tilling the soil, has left 

soils exposed to erosion by wind and water. 

The future development of some private lands 

for residential, tourist-related, or other uses 

(such as those on or near the national monument’s borders and in the city of Pipestone ) 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

198 

could increase runoff, wind erosion, and soil 

compaction and alter soil regimes. 

The past effects on soils from agriculture covered wide areas and were adverse. The effects 

on soils from current and anticipated future 

actions inside and outside the national monument, in conjunction with the impacts of alternative 2, would be moderate and adverse because they would change the character of the 

soils over a relatively wide area, and mitigating 

measures probably would be necessary to offset adverse effects. Most impacts on soils 

would result from development outside of the 

national monument, which might or might not 

be mitigated. The actions of this alternative 

would contribute only a minuscule increment 

to the overall cumulative effect. 

Conclusion. Implementing alternative 2 

could result in a long-term moderate adverse 

effect on about 3 acres of soil at the visitor 

center and potential new maintenance facility, 

and a long-term minor beneficial effect on 

about 8 acres at the Sun Dance site and 1 acre 

at the maintenance storage area. The soil 

resources of the national monument would 

not be impaired by the actions of alternative 2. 

Wildlife 

Under alternative 2 the size and connectivity 

of the prairie would be increased by the 

following actions: 

• placing most of the national monument in 

the prairie preservation zone 

• acquiring the USFWS/MDNR land (100 

acres) on the northwest boundary of the 

national monument and managing it as 

prairie 

• acquiring the school district land (15.3 

acres) south of Minnesota West Community and Technical College on the 

eastern boundary of the national monument and managing it as prairie 

• removing the outdoor maintenance 

storage area (1 acre) 

This would improve habitat for many faunal 

groups such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, and 

insects. Habitat for wildlife would be improved in most of the national monument, but 

the most intensive improvement would take 

place on 116 acres. Overall, the improvement 

of 116 acres of wildlife habitat, which would 

benefit wildlife, would be easy to detect, long 

term, and local. Populations would be expected to increase, a moderate long-term 

beneficial effect on wildlife. 

Because the mowing of about 8 acres would 

not be permitted, nor would Sun Dances on 

about 8 acres in the prairie restoration zone at 

the north end of the national monument, the 

remnant prairie would be able to recover from 

past use. This would increase cover and forage 

and improve wildlife habitat. Wildlife would 

be able to use the area all year without being 

displaced, a moderate long-term beneficial 

effect on wildlife. 

Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and development have greatly reduced the numbers of 

native animals. Animals have been affected by 

being displaced and killed as vermin, and 

habitat has been lost through agricultural uses 

and the introduction of nonnative animals. 

Wildlife continues to be disrupted by development and human activity. 

The development of some private lands (such 

as those on or near the national monument 

boundary and in communities) for residential, 

commercial, or other uses could alter wildlife 

habitat and habits and cause the loss of wildlife in some areas. Water use in these developments for residential or other uses could reduce the amount of water available for 

wildlife. 

The past impacts of agriculture and development on wildlife covered wide areas and were 

adverse. The impacts on wildlife from current 

and anticipated future actions outside the 

national monument, in conjunction with the 

impacts of this alternative, would be moderate, long term, and adverse. Most of the impacts would result from development actions 
Impacts of Alternative 2 

199 

outside the national monument, which might 

or might not be mitigated. The actions of 

alternative 1 would contribute a minuscule 

increment to the overall cumulative impact. 

Conclusion. A moderate long-term beneficial 

effect on wildlife would result from a net gain 

of about 116 acres of wildlife habitat (from 

acquiring the USFWS/MDNR land, acquiring 

the school district land, removing the outdoor 

maintenance storage area, and managing the 

acquired areas as prairie). Because the mowing 

of the Sun Dance ground (8 acres) no longer 

would be permitted, nor would holding Sun 

Dances, the remnant prairie would be able to 

recover, a moderate long-term beneficial 

effect on wildlife. 

The national monument’s wildlife resources 

would not be impaired by the actions of 

alternative 2. 

Threatened or Endangered Species 

and Species of Special Concern 

Increased quarrying and associated pumping 

might change the area’s hydrology by lowering the water table and decreasing soil moisture availability. If pumping would result in 

unacceptable resource impacts on, for example, the Topeka shiner in Pipestone Creek 

or its designated critical habitat downstream 

or the western prairie fringed orchid, it would 

be discontinued. There would be a potential 

short-term minor adverse impact on threatened and endangered species. 

Removing the bridge over Pipestone Creek 

and replacing it farther downstream would 

not be undertaken without consultation with 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Mitigation 

developed during these consultations would 

be incorporated into the design and 

specifications for the removal and 

construction. Examples of potential 

mitigation are performing demolition and 

construction at times of the year that would 

minimize impacts on the shiner or minimizing 

the amount and duration of work in the creek. 

It is expected that bridge demolition and construction would not affect the Topeka shiner. 

Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and development have greatly reduced native plants 

and animals, including threatened and endangered species. The Topeka shiner has been 

affected by habitat destruction, degradation, 

modification, and fragmentation resulting 

from siltation, by reduced water quality, tributary impoundment, stream channelization, instream gravel mining, and changes in stream 

hydrology. The species also can be affected by 

introduced predaceous fishes. 

The western prairie fringed orchid has lost 

habitat (tallgrass prairie) to cropland, and its 

remaining habitat has been fragmented. 

“Mowing, haying, and grazing prevent the 

plants from flowering, stalling seed production” (Talley 2004). Croplands present an 

obstacle to the free movement of hawkmoths 

(the orchid’s only known pollinator) between 

orchid populations, and pesticide drift from 

nearby cropland can kill hawkmoths. 

The development of some private lands (such 

as those on or near the national monument 

boundary) in nearby communities for residential, commercial, or other uses could affect 

the Topeka shiner or the western prairie 

fringed orchid by altering suitable habitat. 

Water use for the developments or for activities not requiring development could reduce 

the amount of water available for habitat for 

these species. 

The past effects on threatened and endangered species from agriculture and urbanization have been major and adverse. The effects 

on threatened and endangered species from 

current and anticipated future actions outside 

of the national monument, in conjunction 

with the effects from this alternative, are not 

known because the locations of species outside of the national monument in areas that 

might be affected are not known. Given the 

lack of information about effects outside of 

the national monument, it is not possible to 

assess the relative intensity of the impacts of 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

200 

this alternative compared to current and anticipated future actions outside of the national 

monument. 

Conclusion. Increased quarrying and associated pumping might change the area’s 

hydrology by lowering the water table and 

decreasing soil moisture availability. If pumping resulted in unacceptable impacts on, for 

example, the Topeka shiner in Pipestone 

Creek and the western prairie fringed orchid, 

it would be discontinued. There would be a 

potential short-term minor adverse impact on 

threatened and endangered species. 

The national monument’s threatened and 

endangered species and species of special 

concern would not be impaired by the actions 

of this alternative. 

VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE 

The focus of the visitor experience under 

alternative 2 would be on the quarries and the 

quarriers, the methods used in the quarrying 

process, the items created, and their importance in American Indian culture. The 

effects on the visitor experience under this 

alternative would depend on interpretation 

and an enlarged visitor center. 

Three Maidens Area 

The Three Maidens zone would revert to 

prairie with a trail to guide and control access. 

This would result in a long-term moderate 

beneficial effect on visitors. 

New Visitor Center Area 

The new exhibits at the expanded onsite 

visitor center would interpret the themes in a 

historically accurate, easy to maintain, culturally unbiased manner that would be both 

interactive and compelling in design. The 

overall result of this would be a long-term 

major beneficial effect on the visitor experience. 

The new, adequately sized information desk 

in the expanded visitor center would enable 

the staff to serve visitors more efficiently. This 

would result in a long-term major beneficial 

effect on the visitor experience. 

Keeping (and possibly enlarging) the existing 

demonstration area in the expanded visitor 

center, along with improved interpretation 

and exhibits, would offer visitors continued 

opportunities to see American Indians making 

pipes and demonstrating other crafts. Visitor 

understanding and appreciation of the pipemaking process is the primary reason for these 

demonstrations. This would result in a major 

long-term beneficial effect on the visitor 

experience. 

New, enlarged, fully accessible modern 

restrooms at the enlarged visitor center would 

result in a long-term major beneficial effect on 

the visitor experience. 

Circle Trail Area 

Keeping the existing Circle Trail and modifying it where possible, making features more 

accessible, along with replacing the current 

bridge with one built farther downstream, 

would result in a long-term major beneficial 

effect on the visitor experience. 

Quarry Area 

Constructing new trails for better access and 

interpretation of the quarries and other features under this alternative would result in a 

long-term major beneficial effect on visitors. 

Prairie Area 

The continued opportunities under alternative 2 for visitors to closely observe the vegetative species of the prairie remnant from the 

Circle Trail would result in a continued longterm major beneficial effect on the visitor experience. The continued ability of visitors to 

observe the prairie remnant from a distance 

from the entry road (which skirts the edge of 
Impacts of Alternative 2 

201 

the prairie remnant) would cause a long-term 

minor beneficial effect on the visitor experience. 

Conclusion. Alternative 2 would result in 

major beneficial effects on the visitor experience at the new visitor center exhibits, the 

information desk, the demonstration area, the 

restrooms, the quarry area, the prairie area, 

and the Circle Trail. There would be moderate 

long-term beneficial effects on the visitor experience at the Three Maidens area. This alternative would cause no adverse effects on 

the visitor experience. 

SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 

Quarriers and Demonstrators 

Expanding the visitor center at the current 

location would have no effect on the 

quarrying of pipestone or the terms of the 

quarriers’ permits. Demonstrators would have 

a more attractive area in which to work in the 

enlarged visitor center but a negligible 

increase in earnings. 

Businesses 

There probably would not be much change in 

businesses that are dependent on the national 

monument (such as the campground and the 

gift shop on Hiawatha Avenue across from the 

entrance to the national monument) from the 

development included in alternative 2. A 

larger visitor center might encourage visitors 

to stay in the community longer, but it probably would not add substantially to their 

business. 

The Pipestone Indian Shrine Association 

would benefit from a larger, more attractive 

sales area in the visitor center, along with 

more storage space. Businesses farther from 

the national monument (such as restaurants 

and hotels) probably would not be affected by 

the actions of alternative 2. 

Community 

Alternative 2 would cause some short-term 

economic effects on the community of Pipestone during the construction of a larger visitor center and a new bridge below the falls. 

These effects would result from the purchase 

of building materials in the local community, 

workers staying in local hotels and eating at 

local restaurants, and the purchase of clothing 

and incidental items by workers. The land 

south of the Minnesota West Community and 

Technical College is school land, which is 

exempt from the county tax rolls. 

Cumulative Effects. Although past actions 

have affected socioeconomic resources, no 

actions in this alternative would result in a 

new perceptible socioeconomic effect. The 

actions, together with those in the cumulative 

effect scenario, would not add appreciably to 

cumulative effects. 

Conclusion. Alternative 2 would cause a 

negligible long-term beneficial economic 

effect on quarriers and demonstrators. 

Alternative 2 would result in a minor longterm socioeconomic effect on businesses that 

are directly dependent on the national 

monument. 

Alternative 2 would result in a short-term 

minor beneficial socioeconomic impact on the 

local and regional economy. 

Because there would be no major adverse 

impacts on a resource or value whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific 

purposes identified in the establishing legislation of Pipestone National Monument, (2) 

key to its natural or cultural integrity or to 

opportunities for its enjoyment, or (3) identified as a goal in its general management plan 

or other relevant NPS planning documents, 

the national monument’s resources or values 

would not be impaired. 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

202 

NATIONAL MONUMENT OPERATIONS 

Maintenance 

The maintenance facility would be moved out 

of the national monument, allowing the visitor 

center to be expanded into the current maintenance area. The new maintenance facility 

would be adequately sized and equipped to 

fulfill its function. Visitors would continue to 

see the maintenance employees performing 

their everyday tasks of mowing, site work, 

building repairs, and trail maintenance. However, some functions would take place offsite, 

such as construction activities, painting, and 

the storage of vehicles and building supplies. 

More employees would be available yearround, but especially during the visitor season. 

Facilities 

Enlarging the visitor center and administration building would consolidate all the national monument functions but maintenance 

into one structure, making interaction between staff divisions easier. Adequate space 

for offices, library, storage, and meetings 

would allow the employees to carry out their 

responsibilities more efficiently. Visitors 

would have an opportunity to learn more in 

the rehabilitated visitor center with upgraded 

exhibits and more interpretation. The demonstration area and the Pipestone Indian Shrine 

Association sales area would be updated and 

enlarged to meet visitor needs. 

Emergency Response Time 

Having a law enforcement ranger continue to 

live in one of the houses near the national 

monument entrance would make the ranger 

available to respond to emergencies on the 

site. The staff of the visitor center / administration building would remain close to trails 

and quarries. The increase in staff presumably 

would make assistance more readily available. 

There would be no change in distance for city 

fire, police, or emergency vehicles. 

Ability to Enforce Regulations 

Continuing to house a ranger on the site 

would make some after-hours monitoring 

available. The ranger would continue to patrol 

the trails and help visitors in emergencies. 

Visitors still would be able to bypass the visitor center, where the entrance fee is collected. 

Laws and regulations would be enforced at 

the same level as at present. 

Conclusion. Adding high-quality new 

facilities would result in long-term major 

beneficial effects. Moving the maintenance 

facility offsite would improve the ability of the 

visitor center to serve visitors’ needs, a longterm moderate beneficial effect. Having the 

law enforcement ranger continue to live on 

the site and increasing the national monument 

staff would make more people available to 

respond to emergencies, a long-term 

negligible beneficial effect. There would be no 

long-term change in the ability of the national 

monument to enforce regulations. 

UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS 

The following paragraphs describe the more 

important (moderate and major intensity) 

adverse impacts that would result from this 

alternative. These are residual impacts that 

would remain after mitigation was implemented. The negligible and minor impacts are 

described in the foregoing analysis. 

To those American Indians who believe that 

the national monument is a traditional Sun 

Dance site, discontinuing the Sun Dances 

under alternative 2 would be culturally 

inappropriate and would thus constitute a 

moderate, adverse, and long-term impact in 

relation to their world-view about revitalizing 

and reinforcing their traditional cultural 

identity. Although the possibility of loss of life 

from flooding would be extremely small, there 

would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and 

the risks would be minor to moderate, but 

flooding could cause major adverse effects on 
Impacts of Alternative 2 

203 

the visitors, employees, and property 

involved. 

IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE 

COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES 

Alternative 2 would result in no irreversible 

and irretrievable commitments of cultural 

resources. 

Although the possibility of loss of life from 

flooding would be extremely small, there 

would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and 

the risks would be minor to moderate, but 

flooding could cause major adverse impacts 

on the visitors, employees, and property involved. Any loss of life would be irretrievable. 

If grading was necessary (for construction or 

restoration) at any of the sites, including 

additions to the visitor center or for the new 

maintenance facility on land acquired from 

the Pipestone Area School District south of 

Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College, some of the original soil profile could 

be permanently lost, an irreversible impact. 

RELATIONSHIPS OF SHORT-TERM 

USES OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND 

LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY 

Enlarging the headquarters would increase 

the adverse impact on natural and beneficial 

floodplain values compared to the no-action 

alternative. The continued occupation of the 

floodplain by the headquarters, the fuel storage building, the parking area, the entrance 

road, an employee residence, and a house 

used for administration would continue a 

long-term loss of natural and beneficial values 

of the floodplain and would prevent the 

floodplain from functioning naturally. 

Rehabilitating and enlarging the Mission 66 

visitor center would result in a long-term 

beneficial effect on its preservation while 

keeping it very near the quarries. Discontinuing the twice annual Sun Dances would remove this relatively recent use from the national monument, enhancing the preservation 

of the tallgrass prairie and improving wildlife 

habitat. It might have an adverse impact on 

people who attend the Sun Dances until they 

could find another location for this activity. 

The quality of the restored prairie would be 

enhanced on about 114 acres and diminished 

on about 2 acres, a major long-term beneficial 

effect on the tallgrass prairie community. 

There would be a long-term reduction in the 

natural beneficial values of the floodplain, and 

it would be prevented from functioning naturally because of the presence in the floodplain 

of the enlarged headquarters/visitor center, 

the fuel storage building, an employee residence, and a house used for administration. 

All these resources could be damaged by 

flooding. Fuel in the fuel storage building 

could be released into floodwaters, potentially 

damaging natural resources. Although the 

possibility of loss of life from flooding would 

be extremely small, there would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding 

has been infrequent, and the risks would be 

minor to moderate, but flooding could cause 

major adverse effects on the visitors, employees, and property involved. 

Continuing visitor activities would reduce the 

long-term productivity of the environment. 

Noise, artificial lighting, and human activities 

associated with ongoing visitor and administrative use of the national monument would 

prevent natural prairie ecosystems and wildlife populations from reaching their full potential in size and population density. Quarrying of pipestone by Indians of all tribes, as 

provided for in the enabling legislation, would 

continue to reduce the quantity of this natural 

resource at the national monument. 
204 

IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 3 

CULTURAL RESOURCES 

Cultural Landscapes 

Before constructing any facilities or trail 

changes (for example, involving the Circle 

Trail, which probably contains features of all 

eight potential cultural landscapes), the National Park Service would undertake more 

site-specific study of the affected landscapes 

to ensure that character-defining features 

(topography, vegetation, circulation, spatial 

organization, land use, natural systems and 

elements, historic structures and views, and 

small-scale elements) would not be affected or 

that the effects would be minimal. The potential adverse effects on cultural landscapes 

from such construction would be long term 

and of negligible to minor intensity. 

Removing and relocating the footbridge below Winnewissa Falls in the CCC-era cultural 

landscape would benefit that landscape because removing this nonhistoric bridge and 

erecting a new bridge downstream of the falls, 

in closer alignment to both the historic trail 

and the original bridge’s stone foundations, 

would return the area around the falls to more 

of a semblance of its historic appearance. 

These actions also would reestablish a more 

traditional view of the falls, better enabling the 

national monument staff to interpret and visitors to visualize how the Winnewissa Falls 

area once was oriented and functioned. The 

effects on the CCC-era cultural landscape 

would be beneficial, long term, and of moderate intensity. 

Cumulative Effects. Agricultural development and construction in and around Pipestone National Monument — the Pipestone 

Indian school and its successor, Minnesota 

West Community and Technical College 

north and northeast of the national monument and subdivision developments along the 

national monument’s eastern and southern 

borders, as well as agriculture in surrounding 

areas farther outside the national monument’s 

boundaries — have previously affected 

potential cultural landscapes both in the 

national monument and in the general vicinity. These effects resulted because the 

development and construction disturbed or 

changed the prairie setting and ultimately 

reduced the amount of surviving tallgrass 

prairie. The long-term adverse effects on the 

tallgrass prairie as the setting in cultural landscapes have ranged from minor to major. 

Reasonably foreseeable future actions occurring throughout the region (for example, continued subdivision and proposed commercial 

development) also would disturb cultural 

landscapes outside the national monument’s 

boundaries. These actions would damage or 

destroy patches of remnant tallgrass prairie 

that might remain and altered prairie lands 

that might be restored by the recovery of 

native plant species. The long-term regional 

impacts on the prairie components of cultural 

landscapes from agricultural development and 

construction would be adverse and range 

from minor to major. 

In the region, prairie restoration through the 

recovery of native plant species is underway at 

the Nature Conservancy’s Hole in the Mountain property near Lake Benton. Prairie 

restoration also is underway in the USFWS/ 

MDNR Pipestone Wildlife Management Area 

north of the national monument. Similar programs are in place at Split Rock Creek State 

Park and at Blue Mounds State Park (where a 

bison herd is maintained). These programs 

would result in long-term moderate beneficial 

effects on associated cultural landscapes.

Remnant prairie preservation and prairie 

restoration from the recovery of native plant 

species would result in long-term minor to 

moderate beneficial effects on cultural landscapes in the national monument that are potentially eligible for the national register. Alternative 3 would contribute to the overall 
Impacts of Alternative 3 

205 

moderate beneficial long-term cumulative 

effects on cultural landscapes in the region 

from prairie restoration. 

The potential effects on landscapes eligible for 

national register listing that could not be 

avoided could be adverse. Such effects would 

range in intensity from minor to major, depending on the scope of the potential actions 

and the landscape features and patterns affected. 

Section 106 Summary. After applying the 

criteria of adverse effects of the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation (36 CFR 

800.5, “Assessment of Adverse Effects”), the 

National Park Service concludes that implementing alternative 3 would have no adverse 

effect on the eight potential national registereligible cultural landscapes. 

Conclusion. Implementing alternative 3 

would result in a long-term moderate beneficial effect on the CCC-era cultural landscape. There would be no impairment of the 

national monument’s cultural landscapes or 

values. 

Ethnographic Resources 

Visitors could be intrusive to American Indian 

individuals placing offerings like sage and personal items at the Three Maidens rock formation. The picnic area and restroom structure 

near the Three Maidens would continue to 

attract visitors. American Indian access to the 

Three Maidens during the Hiawatha Pageant 

has been improved in recent years through 

national monument negotiations with the 

Hiawatha Club so that the rock formation is 

not used intrusively as a pageant component. 

However, the summer use of the Three 

Maidens in the Hiawatha Pageant would 

continue on the relevant weekends. The 

effects on the traditional use of the Three 

Maidens as an ethnographic resource from 

inadvertent visitor intrusion and from the 

Hiawatha Pageant would be minor, adverse, 

and long term. 

Access for American Indians to the Old Stone 

Face / Leaping Rock, the Oracle, and Winnewissa Falls would remain relatively unchanged. Without the bridge being so near the 

falls, the setting would be more natural and 

thus more traditional. Therefore, there would 

be long-term moderate beneficial effects on 

traditional use of Winnewissa Falls as an 

ethnographic resource because the setting and 

associated access (without the modern bridge 

close at hand) would be more like the past 

situation before any changes were made by 

European–American influences. 

Under this alternative, visitors walking along 

the Circle Trail might occasionally and inadvertently intrude on American Indians on 

their way to approach Winnewissa Falls with 

offerings or to place offerings at the Old Stone 

Face / Leaping Rock or the Oracle rock formations. The effects from such visitor intrusion on American Indian use of these ethnographic resources would be minor, adverse, 

and long term. 

The two annual Sun Dances would take place, 

even if limited somewhat by the establishment 

of carrying capacity numbers for the land. The 

area in the national monument designated for 

this ceremonial purpose would continue to 

serve as a place of cultural expression. To 

American Indians who believe that continuing 

the Sun Dances here would be culturally appropriate because it is an appropriate modern 

site for a Sun Dance, the effects would be minor, beneficial, and long term in relation to 

their concept of traditional cultural identity. 

To American Indians who believe that continuing the Sun Dance here would not be culturally appropriate because the national 

monument apparently is not a traditional Sun 

Dance site, the effects would be moderate, adverse, and long term in relation to their opinions about traditional cultural identity. 

The sweat lodges would remain in their current locations on the north quarry line and 

farther north in the Sun Dance quarry area, so 

they would remain unchanged. Although visitors still would be directed to stay on 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

206 

designated trails, they occasionally stray off 

the trails, inadvertently intruding on American 

Indian practitioners using sweat lodges. This 

occasional and inadvertent intrusion would 

apply to sweat lodge users in the areas of the 

north and Sun Dance quarries. The effects 

from such visitor intrusion on American 

Indian use of the sweat lodges would range 

from negligible to minor and be adverse and 

long term. 

During the two times of the summer when the 

two different Sun Dances are performed, visitors are welcome at the Sun Dance ceremonies as long as they observe the protocols. 

Occasionally and inadvertently, wandering 

visitors intrude inappropriately during Sun 

Dances. The effects from such visitor intrusion on American Indian use of the sweat 

lodges in the sweat lodge areas, the quarries in 

the main quarry area and in the Sun Dance 

quarry area, and the Sun Dances in the Sun 

Dance area as ethnographic resources would 

be minor, adverse, and long term. 

Overall, visitors walking among the quarries 

would occasionally intrude inadvertently on 

American Indian practitioners working the 

main quarries or the Sun Dance quarry. The 

effects of such inadvertent intrusion on traditional use of the quarries as ethnographic 

resources would be minor, adverse, and long 

term. 

Cumulative Effects. The ethnographic landscape of Pipestone National Monument is a 

prairie background setting for the ongoing but 

traditional American Indian quarrying in what 

is now the national monument. Other ethnographic landscapes in the region could be associated with the bison herd maintained by 

the state of Minnesota in Blue Mounds State 

Park or with simply restoring prairie to patches of preagricultural landscape in Split Rock 

Creek State Park. Prairie preservation and 

restoration contributes to such landscapes. 

Agricultural development and construction in 

and around Pipestone National Monument 

have previously affected the prairie setting 

both in the national monument and in the 

general vicinity. These activities have disturbed or changed the prairie setting and ultimately reduced the amount of surviving tallgrass prairie. Areas where such activities have 

occurred are the Pipestone Indian School and 

its successor, the Minnesota West Community 

and Technical College north and northeast of 

the national monument and subdivisions to 

the east and south, as well as agricultural areas 

farther outside the boundaries. Regional longterm adverse effects on the tallgrass prairie as 

a setting reminiscent of a time before 

European–American influences continue to 

range from minor to major. 

Reasonably foreseeable future actions occurring throughout the region — for example, 

continued subdivision and proposed commercial development — also could disturb the 

prairie setting outside the national monument 

by threatening any remnant patches of tallgrass prairie that might remain and any altered 

prairie lands that might be restored by the 

recovery of native plant species. 

The development of a parklike environment 

for American Indians to quarry catlinite pipestone through the Pipestone Indian School 

and then as a national monument has meant 

change in American Indian access to ethnographic resources. That change generally has 

been caused by the development of trails, 

bridges, and parking lots to make physical 

access to various ethnographic resources 

more convenient. To the extent that American 

Indians value convenience (for example, to 

help the elderly participate in activities), the 

long-term effects on ethnographic resources 

from the past and at present were minor to 

moderate and beneficial. To the extent that 

the natural setting contributes to the value of 

American Indian traditional use (there is some 

evidence from NPS observation of American 

Indian practitioners that it does) and that 

there has been a change in the setting away 

from nature associated with development, the 

long-term effects on ethnographic resources 

from the past and at present were minor to 

moderate and adverse. 
Impacts of Alternative 3 

207 

Traditional American Indian practices associated with ethnographic resources (which happen to be all natural resources at Pipestone 

National Monument) are subject to inadvertent distraction from encounters by visitors, a 

long-term negligible to minor adverse impact 

on the practitioners. Past visitor use patterns 

have resulted in such encounters, which have 

caused long-term negligible to minor adverse 

impacts on American Indian practitioners. 

Development has affected ethnographic resources outside of the national monument by 

making identifying potential ethnographic 

resources harder because of changes brought 

about by agriculture and home and commercial development. Various rock art sites, including Pipestone National Monument, show 

the importance of the state of Minnesota as a 

rock art district worthy of listing in the National Register of Historic Places, which 

happened on November 14, 1996. 

In Minnesota, in the region around the national monument, the following locations 

could contain ethnographic resources relevant to American Indians: Blue Mounds State 

Park, Jeffers Petroglyphs State Historic Site, 

Split Rock Creek State Park, and the USFWS 

land administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which is north of 

the national monument. Jeffers Petroglyphs 

State Historic Site is the only one that maintains an ongoing program of consultation with 

American Indians to identify ethnographic resources (as does Pipestone National Monument). The fact that some ongoing American 

Indian consultations are underway and continuing is beneficial. More ethnographic information should result, which would be a minor 

long-term beneficial effect. 

Implementing alternative 3 would contribute 

both long-term minor to moderate adverse 

effects and long-term minor to moderate 

beneficial effects to the overall cumulative effects of other past, present, and reasonably 

foreseeable actions. 

Section 106 Summary. Since the “Affected 

Environment” chapter suggests that traditional cultural properties (ethnographic resources eligible to be listed in the National 

Register of Historic Places) may be represented at the national monument by the entire 

national monument or by individual resources, in accordance with the criteria of adverse 

effect of the Advisory Council on Historic 

Preservation (36 CFR 800.5), the determination of effect on traditional cultural properties 

would be no adverse effect. 

Conclusion. The inadvertent distracting access of visitors to ethnographic resources in 

the presence of traditional practitioners 

would mean that the effects on traditional use 

associated with ethnographic resources under 

alternative 3 would be minor, adverse, and 

long term. This would include the effects from 

expanding the Three Maidens parking lot. Relocating the bridge at Winnewissa Falls would 

not inhibit access and traditional use of the 

falls because the trail and trail abutments 

would remain, resulting in a moderate longterm beneficial effect. Continuing the two 

annual Sun Dances would be either a longterm moderate adverse effect or a long-term 

moderate beneficial effect, depending on the 

perspective of the person rendering the 

opinion. 

Because there would be no major adverse 

impacts on a resource or value whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific purposes identified in the establishing legislation 

of Pipestone National Monument, (2) key to 

its natural or cultural integrity or to opportunities for its enjoyment, or (3) identified as a 

goal in its general management plan or other 

relevant NPS planning documents, the 

national monument’s resources or values 

would not be impaired. 

Historic Structures 

For the visitor center functions to be improved and remain in situ in the national 

monument, the Mission 66 visitor center 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

208 

building would be rehabilitated. The rehabilitation of this national register-eligible structure would be done in accordance with the 

Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the 

Treatment of Historic Properties, with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, 

and Reconstructing Historic Buildings. Because 

much of the external historic fabric — the 

façade — would be preserved while the interior was redesigned, the effects on this structure 

would be moderate, beneficial, and long term. 

This action would be taken only after consultation with the state historic preservation 

officer. 

Although the National Park Service would not 

acquire the Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s house under alternative 3, the agency would contribute to its preservation and 

interpretation to the extent possible (see 

appendix F). Any rehabilitation assistance for 

this national register-listed historic structure 

would necessitate conformance with the 

Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the 

Treatment of Historic Properties with 

Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, 

Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic 

Buildings. With much of the external historic 

fabric — the façade —preserved and the 

interior redesigned (to make the building 

serve visitors and staffers better), the effects 

on this structure would be moderate, 

beneficial, and long term. These actions would 

be taken only after consultation with the state 

historic preservation officer. 

Cumulative Effects. Past actions in the 

national monument were the development of 

trails, bridges, and parking lots and the construction of maintenance facilities and two 

houses now used for administrative offices 

and a residence for a law enforcement ranger. 

Placing the visitor center in a central location 

on the Circle Trail was consistent with the 

“centralize and circulate” thinking of the 

Mission 66 era. The development of that trail 

has affected the way visitors use the visitor 

center, but since the center was centrally 

placed, development in the national monument has not affected the historic fabric of this 

late 1950s Mission 66 structure, unless the 

1970s addition of space for the Upper Midwest American Indian Cultural Center is 

viewed in that light. However, adding that 

space was consistent with the Mission 66 

philosophy because it allowed visitors to 

watch American Indian pipestone carvers at 

work. The ability for visitors to interact with 

and learn from the demonstrators has become 

part of the centralized aspect of the visitor 

experience. 

The 1970s addition enhanced the function of 

the historic fabric and is part of historic significance of the visitor center’s eligibility in its 

own right for the National Register of Historic 

Places. The historic fabric of the structure 

could be threatened by its apparent location in 

the 500-year and 100-year floodplains. However, past flooding of Pipestone Creek suggests that any serious damage would be unlikely, although damage still could result. Vandalism has not been a problem at the visitor 

center. 

Actions expected in the region in the reasonably foreseeable future, such as continued 

subdivision and commercial development, 

have no potential to affect historic structures 

in the national monument. Such actions 

would result in a negligible effect, if any, on 

historic structures outside the national monument. Nevertheless, historic preservation efforts are in place in the city of Pipestone and 

in other towns in the county to rehabilitate 

and adaptively reuse the late 19th century 

business and municipal architecture characterized by the use of local Sioux quartzite as 

the predominant building material. 

Under alternative 3, NPS assistance to the 

owners of the Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s house in preserving and interpreting that structure could occur. Along with the 

long-term moderate beneficial effect on the 

national monument’s historic structure, the 

actions of alternative 3 would contribute 

overall to the long-term cumulative moderate 

beneficial effects on historic structures in the 

region. 
Impacts of Alternative 3 

209 

Section 106 Summary. After applying the 

criteria of adverse effects of the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation’s (36 CFR 

800.5), the National Park Service concludes 

that implementing alternative 3 would have no 

adverse effect on the Mission 66 visitor center, 

a structure eligible to be listed in the National 

Register of Historic Places. The National Park 

Service also concludes that implementing alternative 3 would not result in any adverse effect on the national register-listed Pipestone 

Indian School superintendent’s house. 

Conclusion. Rehabilitating the historic 

Mission 66 visitor center building and the 

Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s 

house would result in moderate beneficial 

long-term effects on those structures. There 

would be no impairment of the national 

monument’s structures or values. 

Museum Collections and Archives 

The museum collections and archives would 

be located within the visitor center in an area 

above the 500-year floodplain. The visitor 

center would contain a section designed and 

rehabilitated to meet state-of-the-art museum 

standards. The effects from the risk involved 

in moving artifacts, specimens, and archives 

within the visitor center would be negligible to 

minor, adverse, and short term. Every effort 

would be made to ensure the protection of all 

objects during the move and reinstallation. 

Having more space for better protected and 

environmentally controlled curation, 

research, and storage, along with being out of 

the floodplains, would result in moderate to 

major long-term beneficial effects. 

Cumulative Effects. In the past and at present the national monument’s museum collections and archives have been at risk by being 

housed in the visitor center, which is in the 

floodplain. If Pipestone Creek flooded, the 

long-term adverse impacts on museum collections and archives would range from moderate to major. The intensity of the effect would 

depend on the amount and rate of flooding, 

whether there was sufficient warning to enable the staff to implement the evacuation 

plan that is in place for protecting the collections and archives, and how high from the 

floor particular artifacts, documents, or photographs were stored in relation to the height 

of the water entering the storage area. However, in alternative 3, relocating the collections 

and archives in an area of the visitor center 

that is out of the floodplain would result in 

long-term moderate beneficial effects because 

the threat of flooding would be eliminated. 

Conclusion. Museum collections and archives would be better secured under alternative 3. Negligible to minor short-term adverse impacts would result from the risk of 

packing, moving, storing, and reinstalling the 

artifacts, specimens, and documents to a 

newly rehabilitated area of the visitor center. 

Moderate long-term beneficial effects would 

result from providing new state-of-the-art 

space for museum collections and archives. 

Alternative 3 would not result in any 

impairment of the national monument’s museum collections and archives or values. 

NATURAL RESOURCES 

Vegetation 

Remnant Tallgrass Prairie. Remnant prairie 

is a habitat type that has survived despite 

other uses having taken place. 

Opening a demonstration quarry would result 

in the loss of a small area of remnant prairie, a 

negligible long-term adverse impact. 

Establishing a carrying capacity for the 8-acre 

Sun Dance area in the ceremonial use zone at 

the north end of the prairie might reduce the 

twice-annual degrading of the remnant prairie. Heavy use in this zone denudes some areas 

by removing native vegetation and increases 

the encroachment of exotics. Mowing of the 

site before use and trampling during its use 

decrease fuel loading and fuel continuity, 

thereby reducing the ability of the prairie to 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

210 

carry fire, an important means of enhancing 

the preservation of the prairie ecosystem. 

Continued use of the northern part of the 

remnant prairie for large gatherings would 

increase the potential for the loss of native 

plants. Managing use within a carrying capacity would potentially cause measurable 

effects within the 8-acre area, a minor longterm beneficial effect. 

Acquiring the school district land on the 

northeast boundary of the national monument 

and intensively managing it would make it 

possible to restore 15.3 acres of farm fields, 

exotic trees, and buckthorn to remnant prairie 

and further buffer the prairie in the national 

monument from the invasion of exotic species. The increase in the abundance and distribution of remnant tallgrass prairie would 

result in a minor long-term beneficial effect on 

this community type. 

The amount of seed and other agents of 

introduction of exotic species on the USFWS/ 

MDNR land on the national monument’s 

north boundary would be reduced by developing a cooperative agreement with the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service and the Minnesota 

Department of Natural Resources for the 

management of 100 acres of their land. This, 

in turn, would reduce the introduction of 

exotic species from that land into remnant 

prairie in the national monument. This would 

be a moderate long-term beneficial effect on 

tallgrass prairie on the USFWS/MDNR land 

and in the national monument. 

Carrying capacities would be established on 

the basis of acceptable levels of resource impact. Establishing a carrying capacity for ceremonies attended by large groups of people 

(450 people on 8 acres once each summer and 

50 people once each summer) might reduce 

the degradation of remnant prairie if carrying 

capacities were set below current levels of use. 

Ceremonies denude native vegetation and increase the encroachment of exotics. Mowing 

before such concentrated use of the site decreases fuel loading and fuel continuity. This 

reduces the ability of the prairie to carry fire, 

an important means of enhancing the 

preservation of the prairie ecosystem. 

The continued use of the northern part of the 

remnant prairie for large gatherings increases 

the potential for losing native plants. However, managing use within a carrying capacity 

based on acceptable levels of resource impact 

potentially would control the intensity of use, 

resulting in a measurable improvement in the 

condition of native plants in the 8-acre area. 

The long-term effect would be minor and 

beneficial. 

Overall, despite the fragmentation of habitat, 

the occupancy of habitat by national monument structures, and heavy visitor use in a 

large area of the national monument, ongoing 

efforts to restore tallgrass prairie would result 

in a moderate beneficial effect on remnant 

tallgrass prairie because these systematic efforts would increase the abundance, distribution, quantity, and quality of the habitat in 

the national monument. 

Mesic Crystalline Bedrock Prairie. There 

would be a slight loss of mesic crystalline bedrock prairie, about 0.25 acre, from consolidating the picnic area parking with the Three 

Maidens parking area and removing the picnic 

area parking. This loss of about 0.25 acre from 

increasing the size of the parking area would 

not affect the overall viability of the plant 

community and would be a minor short-term 

adverse impact on the prairie. Prairie would 

be restored in the current parking area for the 

picnic area and adjacent to the Three Maidens 

formation. 

Restored Tallgrass Prairie. The restored 

tallgrass prairie plant community covers an 

area where tallgrass prairie died out but is 

being restored by members of the national 

monument staff, who work to reduce exotic 

plants and reseed areas with native seed of 

tallgrass prairie plants. The restored tallgrass 

prairie would be increased in size by partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and 

the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to restore about 100 acres of prairie 
Impacts of Alternative 3 

211 

on USFWS/MDNR land northwest of the national monument. This would be a large increase in the abundance and distribution of 

the prairie community, a moderate long-term 

beneficial effect. 

Establishing a carrying capacity for the 8-acre 

ceremonial ground based on acceptable levels 

of resource impact might reduce the degradation of this area of prairie if the carrying capacities were set below the current levels of 

use. The participants in large ceremonies that 

take place twice each year — up to a total of 

500 people — denude the soil of native vegetation and increase the encroachment of exotics. The continued use of the northern part 

of the remnant prairie for large gatherings 

would hinder efforts to restore the prairie. 

However, managing use within a carrying capacity would potentially reduce measurable 

impacts on the area, a minor long-term 

beneficial effect. 

Overall, despite the existence of corridors for 

the entrance of exotic plants and heavy use in 

the restored tallgrass prairie, ongoing efforts 

to restore tallgrass prairie would result in a 

moderate beneficial effect on the restored 

tallgrass prairie because these systematic 

efforts would increase the abundance, distribution, quantity, and quality of the habitat in 

the national monument. 

Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and development have greatly reduced native prairie 

plants. Plants have been affected by being 

displaced, and habitat has been lost through 

agricultural uses and the introduction of 

nonnative plants. 

The development of some private lands for 

residential or commercial uses (such as lands 

on, or near the national monument’s boundaries) could increase runoff, wind erosion, 

exotics, and soil compaction and alter soil 

regimes. 

Past adverse effects on vegetation from agriculture and development covered wide areas. 

The effects of current and anticipated future 

actions outside the national monument, in 

conjunction with the effects of this alternative, 

would produce major long-term adverse impacts on tallgrass prairie. Most of these effects 

would result from development outside the 

national monument, which might or might not 

be mitigated. The actions of this alternative 

would contribute only a minuscule increment 

to the overall cumulative effect. 

Conclusion. Overall, despite the fragmentation of habitat, the occupancy of habitat by 

national monument structures, the presence 

of corridors for the entrance of exotic plants, 

and short-term heavy visitor use in an 8-acre 

area of the national monument managed within a carrying capacity, ongoing efforts to restore tallgrass prairie would result in a moderate beneficial effect on tallgrass prairie 

because these systematic efforts would increase the abundance, distribution, quantity, 

and quality of the habitat in the national 

monument. 

The vegetative resources of Pipestone National Monument would not be impaired by 

the actions of this alternative. 

Wetlands and Riparian Corridor 

Wetlands near the picnic area, parking, and 

restrooms on the southern boundary of the 

national monument would continue to be 

subject to foot traffic from visitors and staff. 

The entrance road would continue to prevent 

water flow from one wet area to another. The 

natural functioning of these wetlands would 

continue to be compromised by development 

and visitor use. Because changes in the areas 

involved would be local and only slightly detectable and would not appreciably affect 

natural processes, this continuing adverse impact on wetlands would be long term and 

minor. 

Before the design for the visitor center was 

begun, wetland areas would be delineated 

with the use of the Cowardin system (U.S. 

EPA 1989). Wetland areas would be avoided 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

212 

during construction. Should it be infeasible to 

avoid wetlands while rehabilitating the visitor 

center, the planning team would prepare a 

statement of findings for wetlands in 

cooperation with the Water Resources Division of the National Park Service to explain 

why the impact would be unavoidable and 

describe mitigating measures that would be 

used to reduce the impacts. 

Cumulative Effects. Some wetlands in and 

outside of the national monument (scattered 

over about 30,000 acres) have been filled or 

drained (using tiles) to make more land available for growing crops. Wetlands have been 

filled and drained for residential uses on about 

1 square mile surrounding the national monument. NPS structures and visitor uses in wetland areas contribute to the loss of natural and 

beneficial values. 

Past practices of draining and filling wetlands 

in the area have caused a major long-term reduction in wetland areas and degraded natural 

and beneficial wetland values in exchange for 

benefit to agricultural, residential, and commercial uses. These continuing impacts affect 

the national monument, surrounding agricultural land, and surrounding residential and 

commercial areas. 

Future filling or draining of wetlands in or 

outside of the national monument for agricultural, residential, or commercial uses 

would decrease the area in which natural and 

beneficial wetland values would be preserved. 

There could be increased runoff into the national monument from the tiled farm field on 

the southern boundary. If this occurred, wetlands in the national monument might be 

increased in number and or size. (NPS 1998b). 

The severe hydrological alterations of the 

creek’s watershed have increased sediment 

deposition, causing a change in both floral and 

faunal composition along the creek corridor. 

The past effects of agriculture and urbanization on wetlands covered wide areas and were 

major and adverse. The continuing use of agricultural and other chemicals that make their 

way into Pipestone Creek contributes to adverse impacts on wetlands along the creek. 

The effects on wetlands from other current 

and an future actions outside the national 

monument, along with the effects of this alternative, would be moderate, long term, and 

adverse. Most impacts would result from agricultural and development actions outside of 

the national monument, which might or might 

not be mitigated. The effects from this alternative would contribute only a minuscule increment to the overall cumulative effect. 

Conclusion. Continued foot traffic in the 

wetlands near the picnic area, parking, and 

restrooms on the southern boundary of the 

national monument would result in long-term 

minor adverse effects on wetlands. 

The national monument’s wetland resources 

would not be impaired by the actions of this 

alternative. 

Floodplains 

Natural and Beneficial Floodplain Values. 

Removing the fuel storage building and the 

maintenance storage area from the floodplain 

would allow for the restoration of natural and 

beneficial floodplain values in the area of 

these facilities. The natural functioning of the 

floodplain would be restored over about 1 

acre. There would be a net gain of about 1 acre 

of reduced development in the floodplain and 

restoration of natural and beneficial floodplain values. This would be a minor beneficial 

long-term effect on natural and beneficial 

floodplain values. 

Keeping the visitor center, the parking and 

picnic areas, restrooms, and employee residences within the 100-year floodplain would 

prevent the restoration of natural and beneficial floodplain values such as groundwater 

recharge and maintaining an open floodplain 

to carry floodwaters. Keeping structures in the 

floodplain and retaining employee residences 

within the 100-year floodplain are contrary to 
Impacts of Alternative 3 

213 

NPS policy. If this alternative was selected, a 

statement of findings for floodplains would be 

prepared as part of this document to explain 

why there would be no practicable alternative 

to leaving facilities, including employee housing, in the 100-year floodplain. The effects on 

the ability of the floodplain to function normally would be local and slightly detectable, a 

minor long-term adverse impact. 

Flooding. Removing the fuel storage building 

near the visitor center and removing the maintenance storage area near the east boundary of 

the national monument from the floodplain 

would mean that these facilities no longer 

would restrict floodwaters or decrease permeability in the floodplain. Removing the fuel 

storage facility at the visitor center would prevent the spilling of fuels used in maintenance 

vehicles and equipment into floodwaters in 

the event of a 100-year flood. The net removal 

of about 1 acre of buildings and impermeable 

surfaces would have a minor long-term 

beneficial effect on flooding. 

The visitor center (with its visitor center and 

law enforcement functions) would continue 

to occupy the 100-year floodplain. Two employee residences and a garage would remain 

in the 100-year floodplain. Because the floodplain is broad and the floodwaters are only 

slightly impeded by development in the 

floodplain, this continuing effect on the floodplain’s ability to function normally during 

flooding would be minor, adverse, and long 

term. 

Moving the maintenance function outside the 

boundary of the national monument would 

mean that fewer employees would be at risk 

from flooding. Some would continue to be at 

risk in the visitor center, at the two employee 

residences, and on trails and in quarries within 

the monument. There would be no reduction 

in the number of visitors at risk from flooding. 

Although the possibility of loss of life would 

be extremely small, there would be some 

danger to visitors and employees. Severe 

flooding has been infrequent, and the risks 

would be minor to moderate, but flooding 

could cause major adverse impacts on the 

visitors, employees, and property involved. 

Cumulative Effects. The alteration and 

ditching of Pipestone Creek upstream and its 

use to carry rural and city runoff and stormwater have greatly reduced the extent of the 

floodplain and the natural and beneficial 

values of floodplains in the national 

monument. 

Cattle and other animals probably have been 

allowed to use some riparian areas in and near 

the national monument. This practice degrades natural and beneficial floodplain values 

in exchange for benefits to agricultural uses. 

NPS structures and visitor uses in floodplain 

areas contribute to the loss of natural and 

beneficial values. 

Further development in floodplains and wetlands outside the national monument for residential, agricultural, or commercial uses 

would decrease the area in which natural and 

beneficial floodplain values would be 

preserved. 

Under this alternative, the natural and beneficial values of floodplain areas would continue to be compromised by development at 

national monument headquarters, the two 

houses, and the garage. 

The past impacts of agriculture and urbanization on floodplains covered wide areas and 

were adverse. The effects on floodplains from 

current and anticipated future actions inside 

and outside of the national monument, in conjunction with the effects of this alternative, 

would be moderate, long term, and adverse. 

Most of the effects would result from agricultural use and development outside the national monument, which might or might not be 

mitigated. The actions of this alternative 

would contribute a minuscule increment to 

the overall cumulative effect. 

Conclusion. The net removal of about 1 acre 

of buildings and impermeable surfaces would 

cause a minor long-term beneficial effect on 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

214 

natural and beneficial floodplain values. 

Keeping the visitor center, the parking and 

picnic areas, restrooms, and residences within 

the 100-year floodplain would prevent the 

restoration of natural and beneficial floodplain values and continue to affect the floodplain’s ability to function normally during 

flooding, a minor long-term adverse impact. 

Although the possibility of loss of life from 

flooding would be extremely small, there 

would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and 

the risks would be minor to moderate, but 

flooding could cause major adverse impacts 

on the visitors, employees, and property 

involved. 

The national monument’s floodplain resources would not be impaired by the actions 

of this alternative. 

Hydrology 

Water flow patterns across the national 

monument would be partially restored by 

removing the fuel storage building near the 

visitor center, removing the maintenance 

storage area, and recontouring the area. This 

would be a minor long-term beneficial effect 

on hydrology. 

Relocating the falls bridge farther downstream 

would reduce the backup of water at the existing location of the bridge, which floods the 

bridge and parts of the trail. Removing the restrictions to the creek’s natural flow would 

result in a relatively local effect that would be 

moderate, long term, and beneficial. 

Acquiring the school district lands south of 

Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College on the national monument’s eastern 

boundary (15.3 acres) would maintain or 

improve water flow patterns. This would be a 

moderate long-term beneficial effect on 

hydrology. 

Cumulative Effects. The area’s hydrology has 

been greatly altered by the ditching of Pipestone Creek upstream, the removal of water 

by the use of wells, quarrying on adjacent 

land, the use of tiles to drain areas near and 

possibly within the national monument, the 

reduction of the height of Winnewissa Falls, 

and residential and commercial development. 

Under this alternative, removing the fuel storage building and the outdoor maintenance 

storage area and acquiring the school district 

lands south of Minnesota West Community 

and Technical College on the national monument’s eastern boundary would maintain or 

improve water flow patterns. 

The past effects on hydrology from draining 

land and altering water flows for agriculture 

and urbanization covered wide areas, were 

adverse to natural water flow, and restricted 

the distribution of surface water through the 

surrounding landscape. The effects on hydrology from current and anticipated future actions inside and outside the national monument, in conjunction with the effects of this 

alternative, would be moderate, long term, 

and adverse. Most effects would result from 

agricultural use and development actions outside of the national monument, which might 

or might not be mitigated. The actions of this 

alternative would contribute a minuscule increment to the overall cumulative effect. 

Conclusion. Alternative 3 would result in a 

moderate long-term local beneficial effect on 

hydrology. 

The national monument’s hydrologic resources would not be impaired by the actions 

of this alternative. 

Soils 

Establishing a carrying capacity for the 8-acre 

ceremonial ground based on acceptable levels 

of resource impact might reduce the degradation of this area of prairie if the carrying capacities were set below the current levels of use. 
Impacts of Alternative 3 

215 

The participants in large ceremonies that take 

place twice each year — up to 500 people — 

compact soils at the ceremonial grounds. The 

compacting is greater in areas of heavy, concentrated use such as the kitchen/cooking 

structure and the sweat lodge fire ring. Soils 

would continue to be sterilized in areas of fire 

rings that are used for cooking and sweat 

lodges. Establishing a carrying capacity for the 

ceremonial area based on acceptable levels of 

resource impact would result in a minor beneficial long-term effect on soils at the ceremonial ground (8 acres). 

Removing the fuel storage building and the 

maintenance storage area near the national 

monument’s eastern boundary would remove 

impermeable surfaces from about 1 acre of 

soil, allowing the soil to function more naturally. If grading of either site was necessary, 

some of the soil profile would be permanently 

lost. However, it is possible that regrading 

would affect only the fill that was brought in 

for constructing the visitor center. Removing 

these facilities would cause a minor beneficial 

long-term effect on soils. 

Cumulative Effects. Agriculture has led to 

the erosion of soils by removing native vegetation. This, along with tilling the soil, has left 

soils exposed to erosion by wind and water. 

The future development of some private lands 

(such as those on or near national monument 

borders and in the city of Pipestone) for residential, tourist-related, or other uses could 

increase runoff, wind erosion, and soil compaction and alter soil regimes. 

The past effects on soils from agriculture covered wide areas and were adverse. This alternative would result in an overall minor beneficial long-term effect on about 9 acres. The 

effects on soils from current and anticipated 

future actions inside and outside of the national monument, in conjunction with the effects from alternative 3, would be moderate 

and adverse because they would change the 

character of the soils over a relatively wide 

area, and mitigating measures probably would 

be necessary to offset adverse effects. Most 

effects would result from agricultural use and 

development outside the national monument, 

which might or might not be mitigated. The 

actions of this alternative would contribute 

only a minuscule increment to the overall 

cumulative effect. 

Conclusion. Establishing a carrying capacity 

for the ceremonial area (about 8 acres) and 

removing facilities from about 1 acre would 

cause a minor long-term beneficial effect on 

soils. If grading at the fuel storage building or 

maintenance storage area was necessary, some 

of the soil profile could be permanently lost, a 

minor long-term adverse effect on soil. 

The national monument’s soil resources 

would not be impaired by the actions of this 

alternative. 

Wildlife 

Under this alternative, the size and connectivity of the prairie would be increased by 

• placing most of the national monument in 

the prairie preservation zone 

• developing a cooperative agreement with 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the 

Minnesota Division of Wildlife for prescribed burns, managing prairie and exotic 

species, Sun Dances, and access to the 

northern quarries, as well as for trash 

removal and possibly law enforcement on 

their land adjacent to the national 

monument’s northwest boundary 

• acquiring the school district land south of 

Minnesota West Community and Technical College on the national monument’s 

northeastern boundary and managing it as 

prairie 

• removing the fuel storage building near 

the visitor center and the maintenance 

storage area near the eastern boundary 

and managing the land as prairie 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

216 

This would improve habitat for many faunal 

groups such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, and 

insects. Overall this net gain of about 116 acres 

of habitat would result in a moderate longterm beneficial effect on wildlife. 

Depending on the carrying capacity determined, establishing a carrying capacity for the 

Sun Dance grounds might mitigate the adverse 

impacts on wildlife (degrading wildlife habitat 

and reducing cover and forage caused by 

mowing 8 acres and holding large gatherings 

there twice a year. This small local effect 

would be minor, beneficial, and long term. 

Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and development have greatly reduced the numbers of 

native animals. Animals have been affected by 

being displaced and killed as vermin, and 

habitat has been lost through agricultural activities and the introduction of nonnative animals. Wildlife continues to be disrupted by 

development and human activity. 

The development of some private lands for 

residential, commercial, or other uses (such as 

lands on or near the national monument 

boundary and in communities) could alter 

wildlife habitat and habits and cause the loss 

of wildlife in some areas. Water use in these 

developments for residential or other uses 

could reduce the amount of water available 

for wildlife. 

The past impacts of agriculture and development on wildlife covered wide areas and were 

adverse. The effects on wildlife from current 

and anticipated future actions outside the 

national monument, in conjunction with the 

impacts of this alternative, would be moderate, long term, and adverse. Most effects 

would result from development actions outside the national monument, which might or 

might not be mitigated. The actions of this alternative would contribute a small increment 

to the overall cumulative effect. 

Conclusion. A net gain of about 15.3 acres of 

habitat would result in a moderate long-term 

beneficial effect on wildlife. Establishing a 

carrying capacity for the Sun Dance grounds 

might mitigate the adverse impact of holding 

the Sun Dances to some degree, depending on 

the capacity determined, a minor long-term 

beneficial effect. 

The wildlife resources of the national 

monument would not be impaired by the 

actions of alternative 3. 

Threatened or Endangered Species 

and Species of Special Concern 

Opening a demonstration quarry and the associated increase in pumping might change the 

area’s hydrology by lowering the water table 

and decreasing soil moisture availability. If 

monitoring of water levels in drill holes indicated a decrease in water levels or if monitoring of species numbers in the national 

monument indicated a decrease in species 

numbers, pumping would be stopped. In that 

case, the National Park Service would consult 

with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about 

whether decreases in water levels would be 

expected to cause adverse impacts on the species or whether decreased species numbers 

might result from reduced water levels in the 

area or from some other factor. If necessary, 

the national monument would develop a mitigation plan in consultation with the U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service. 

If pumping would result in unacceptable impacts on the Topeka shiner in Pipestone 

Creek or its designated critical habitat or on 

the western prairie fringed orchid, it would be 

discontinued. There would be a potential 

short-term minor adverse effect on threatened 

and endangered species. 

Removing the bridge over Pipestone Creek 

and replacing it farther downstream would 

not be undertaken without consultation with 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Mitigation 

developed during these consultations would 

be incorporated into the design and 

specifications for removing and constructing 

the bridge. Examples of potential mitigation 
Impacts of Alternative 3 

217 

are performing demolition and construction 

at times of the year that would minimize 

impacts on the shiner or minimizing the 

amount and duration of work in the creek. It 

is expected that bridge demolition and 

construction would have no effect on the 

Topeka shiner. 

Cumulative Effects. Agriculture and development have greatly reduced the numbers of 

native plants and animals, including threatened and endangered species. The Topeka 

shiner has been affected by habitat destruction, degradation, modification, fragmentation resulting from siltation, reduced water 

quality, tributary impoundment, stream channelization, in-stream gravel mining, and changes in stream hydrology. The species also can 

be affected by introduced predaceous fishes. 

The western prairie fringed orchid has lost 

habitat (tallgrass prairie) to cropland, and its 

remaining habitat has been fragmented. 

“Mowing, haying, and grazing prevent the 

plants from flowering, stalling seed production” (Talley 2004). Croplands present an 

obstacle to the free movement of hawkmoths 

(the orchid’s only known pollinator) between 

orchid populations, and pesticide drift from 

nearby cropland can kill hawkmoths. 

The development of some private lands in 

nearby communities for residential, commercial, or other uses (such as lands on or 

near the national monument boundary) could 

affect the Topeka shiner or the western prairie 

fringed orchid by altering suitable habitat. 

Water use for the developments or for activities not requiring development could reduce 

the amount of water available for habitat for 

these species. 

The past effects on threatened and endangered species from agriculture and urbanization have been major and adverse. The effects 

on threatened and endangered species from 

current and anticipated future actions outside 

of the national monument, in conjunction 

with the effects from this alternative, are not 

known because the locations of species outside of the national monument in areas that 

might be affected are not known. Given the 

lack of information about effects outside of 

the national monument, it is not possible to 

assess the relative intensity of the impacts of 

this alternative compared to current and anticipated future actions outside of the national 

monument. 

Conclusion. Adding a demonstration quarry 

and the associated pumping might change the 

area’s hydrology by lowering the water table 

and decreasing soil moisture availability. 

There would be a potential short-term minor 

adverse impact on threatened and endangered 

species even though pumping would be 

stopped if impacts were identified. 

Demolishing the bridge and reconstructing it 

farther downstream would not be expected to 

have any effect on the Topeka shiner. 

The national monument’s threatened and 

endangered species and species of special 

concern would not be impaired by the actions 

of alternative 3. 

VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE 

The focus of the visitor experience under alternative 3 would be the melding of the most 

advantageous features of alternatives 1 and 2. 

This alternative would result in the reestablishment of the prairies in the national monument. The quarries and quarriers would be 

interpreted, as would the methods used in the 

quarrying process, the items created, and their 

importance in American Indian culture. 

Three Maidens Area 

Allowing the Three Maidens zone to revert to 

prairie and establishing a trail to guide and 

control access would result in a moderate 

beneficial effect on the visitor experience. 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

218 

Visitor Center Area 

Updated exhibits at the rehabilitated visitor 

center would improve the interpretation of 

the themes in a historically accurate, easy to 

maintain, culturally unbiased manner. This 

would result in a moderate beneficial effect on 

the visitor experience. 

Keeping the existing demonstration area in 

the rehabilitated visitor center and adding a 

demonstration area nearby to interpret the 

quarrying process would result in a moderate 

beneficial effect on the visitor experience. 

Adding accessible restrooms to the rehabilitated visitor center would result in a minor 

beneficial effect on visitors. 

Circle Trail Area 

Keeping the existing Circle Trail and modifying it where possible, making features more 

accessible, along with moving the bridge 

downstream and redesigning it to make it less 

obtrusive would result in a long-term major 

beneficial effect on the visitor experience. 

Prairie Area 

The continued opportunity under alternative 

3 for visitors to closely observe the vegetative 

species of the prairie remnant from the Circle 

Trail would result in a continued major beneficial effect on the visitor experience. The continued opportunity for visitors to observe the 

prairie remnant from a distance from the 

entry road (which skirts the edge of the prairie 

remnant) would cause a minor beneficial effect on the visitor experience. 

Cumulative Effects. Alternative 3 would result in major beneficial effects on the visitor 

experience at the demonstration areas, the 

Circle Trail, and the quarry and prairie areas. 

There would be moderate beneficial effects on 

the visitor experience at the Three Maidens 

area and the exhibits in the expanded visitor 

center, as well as minor beneficial effects from 

the restrooms. This alternative would not 

have any adverse effects on the visitor 

experience. 

Alternative 3 would result in major beneficial 

effects on the visitor experience from (1) 

keeping and modifying the existing Circle 

Trail and moving the bridge downstream and 

redesigning it to make it less obtrusive, and (2) 

the continued opportunity for visitors to 

closely observe the vegetative species of the 

prairie remnant from the Circle Trail. 

There would be moderate beneficial effects 

from (1) allowing the Three Maidens zone to 

revert to prairie and establishing a trail to 

guide and control access, (2) the updated 

exhibits and improved interpretation at the 

rehabilitated visitor center, and (3) keeping 

the existing demonstration area in the 

rehabilitated visitor center and adding a 

quarrying demonstration area behind the 

visitor center. 

Adding accessible restrooms to the rehabilitated visitor center and continuing 

opportunity for visitors to observe the prairie 

remnant from the entry road would result in a 

minor beneficial effect on visitor experiences. 

SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 

Quarriers and Demonstrators 

Rehabilitating the visitor center would not 

affect the quarrying of pipestone or the terms 

of the quarriers’ permits. Demonstrators 

would have a more attractive work area in the 

visitor center but a negligible increase in 

earnings. 

Businesses 

Businesses that are dependent on the national 

monument (such as the campground and the 

gift shop across Hiawatha Avenue from the 

entrance to the national monument) would 

not be changed by the development included 
Impacts of Alternative 3 

219 

in alternative 3 because they are dependent on 

the national monument but not necessarily on 

the visitor center. A rehabilitated visitor 

center might encourage visitors to stay in the 

community longer, but it probably would not 

add substantially to their business. The 

Pipestone Indian Shrine Association would 

benefit from a larger, more attractive sales 

area in the visitor center that might increase 

sales somewhat. Businesses farther from the 

national monument (such as restaurants and 

hotels) probably would not be affected by the 

actions of alternative 3. 

Community 

Alternative 3 would result in some beneficial 

economic effects on the Pipestone community 

from construction activity associated with 

rehabilitating the visitor center. Land south of 

Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College is school land exempt from the county 

tax rolls. 

Cumulative Effects. Although past actions 

have affected socioeconomic resources, no 

actions in this alternative would result in a 

new perceptible socioeconomic effect. The 

actions, together with those in the cumulative 

effect scenario, would not add appreciably to 

cumulative effects. 

Conclusion. Alternative 3 would result in no 

effect on quarriers. Although the working 

conditions for demonstrators probably would 

be improved, there would be a negligible 

increase in earnings. 

Alternative 3 would result in a negligible longterm beneficial socioeconomic effect on 

businesses that are directly dependent on the 

national monument. 

Alternative 3 would result in a long-term 

minor beneficial socioeconomic effect on the 

local and regional economy. 

NATIONAL MONUMENT OPERATIONS 

Maintenance 

Moving the maintenance function out of the 

national monument would allow the expansion of the visitor center into the current 

maintenance area. The new maintenance 

facility would be adequately sized and 

equipped to fulfill its function. Visitors would 

continue to see the maintenance employees 

performing their everyday tasks of mowing, 

site work, building repairs, and trail 

maintenance. However, some functions 

would take place offsite, such as construction 

activities, painting, and the storage of vehicles 

and building supplies. More employees would 

be available year-round, but especially during 

the visitor season. 

Facilities 

The work areas of the national monument 

staff would be divided into two facilities, the 

visitor center and the offsite maintenance 

facility. Should it be necessary, one of the 

converted houses could be used for overflow 

office space. This would continue the current 

heavy reliance on radio, telephones, and cell 

phones. Having adequate space for offices, 

library, storage, and meetings would allow the 

employees to carry out their responsibilities 

more efficiently. Updating the demonstration 

area and the Pipestone Indian Shrine 

Association sales area would better meet 

visitors’ needs. The rehabilitated visitor 

center, with upgraded exhibits and more 

interpretation, would give visitors an 

opportunity to learn more about the national 

monument. 

Emergency Response Time 

Having a law enforcement ranger continue to 

live in one of the houses near the national 

monument entrance would make the ranger 

available to respond to emergencies on the 

site. The staff of the visitor center / 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

220 

administration building would remain close to 

trails and quarries. The increase in staff 

presumably would make assistance more 

readily available. There would be no change in 

distance for city fire, police, or emergency 

vehicles. 

Ability to Enforce Regulations 

Continuing to house a ranger on the site 

would make some after-hours monitoring 

available. The ranger would continue to patrol 

the trails and help visitors in emergencies. 

Visitors still would be able to bypass the visitor center, where the entrance fee is collected. 

Laws and regulations would be enforced at 

the same level as at present. 

Conclusion. Adding high-quality new 

facilities would result in long-term major 

beneficial effects. Adding a new offsite 

maintenance facility would remove conflicting 

sights and sounds and improve the national 

monument’s ability to serve visitors’ needs, a 

long-term moderate beneficial effect. Having 

the law enforcement ranger continue to live 

on the site and increasing the national 

monument staff would make more people 

available to respond to emergencies, a longterm negligible beneficial effect. There would 

be no change in the ability of the national 

monument to enforce regulations. 

UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS 

The following paragraphs describe the more 

important (moderate and major intensity) adverse impacts that would result from this alternative. These are residual impacts that 

would remain after mitigation was implemented. The negligible and minor impacts are 

described in the foregoing analysis. 

To those American Indians who believe that 

the national monument is not a traditional Sun 

Dance site, continuing to allow Sun Dances to 

take place under alternative 3 would be 

culturally inappropriate and would thus 

constitute a moderate, adverse, and long-term 

impact in relation to their world-view about 

revitalizing and reinforcing their traditional 

cultural identity. 

Although the possibility of loss of life from 

flooding would be extremely small, there 

would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and 

the risks would be minor to moderate, but a 

flood could cause major adverse effects on the 

visitors, employees, and property involved. 

IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE 

COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES 

For cultural resources there would be no irreversible and irretrievable commitments of 

resources. 

Although the possibility of loss of life from 

flooding would be extremely small, there 

would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and 

the risks would be minor to moderate, but 

flooding could cause major adverse impacts 

on the visitors, employees, and property involved. Any loss of life would be irretrievable. 

RELATIONSHIPS OF SHORT-TERM 

USES OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND 

LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY 

Rehabilitating the Mission 66 visitor center 

would result in a long-term beneficial effect 

on its preservation, but it would continue to 

be an intrusion on the landscape of the 

Prehistoric Quarrying into the Historic 

Period, a long-term moderate to major impact. 

Moving the museum collections to a more 

secure location within the visitor center would 

enhance their preservation. Managing the Sun 

Dance ground within a carrying capacity 

would benefit tallgrass prairie. 

There would be a continued long-term reduction in the natural beneficial values of the 

floodplain, and it would be prevented from 

functioning naturally because of the presence 

in the floodplain of the headquarters/visitor 
Impacts of Alternative 3 

221 

center, an employee residence, and a house 

used for administration. All these resources 

could be damaged by flooding. 

Although the possibility of loss of life from 

flooding would be extremely small, there 

would be some danger to visitors and employees. Severe flooding has been infrequent, and 

the risks would be minor to moderate, but a 

flood could cause major adverse effects on the 

visitors, employees, and property involved. 

Continuing visitor activities would reduce the 

long-term productivity of the environment. 

Noise, artificial lighting, and human activities 

associated with ongoing visitor and administrative use of the national monument would 

prevent natural prairie ecosystems and wildlife populations from reaching their full potential in size and population density. 

The quarrying of pipestone by Indians of all 

tribes, as provided for in the enabling 

legislation, would continue to reduce the 

quantity of this natural resource at the 

national monument.

CONSULTATION AND

COORDINATION WITH OTHERS

225 

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 

This Draft General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement for Pipestone 

National Monument reflects thoughts presented by the National Park Service, American 

Indian groups, and the public. Consultation 

and coordination among the agencies and the 

public were vitally important throughout the 

planning process. The general public had two 

primary avenues to participate during the 

development of the plan: participation in 

public meetings and responses to newsletters. 

AMERICAN INDIAN INVOLVEMENT 

The section on the scoping process (p. 4) contains detailed information about the specific 

dates of notices and meetings and when 

government-to-government American Indian 

consultations were conducted. Consultations 

with American Indians began with letters sent 

initially to 27 tribes and follow-up telephone 

contact with tribal governments. Thirteen 

more tribes were contacted as their interest in 

Pipestone National Monument was identified. 

Because there were 40 identified Indian tribes 

with an interest in Pipestone National Monument, each tribe was asked about its interest in 

being involved in the planning process and 

how its members wanted to be consulted. All 

tribes indicated they wanted to be kept on the 

mailing list for newsletters and the draft plan. 

Several tribes identified specific individuals to 

represent them. 

Meetings were conducted with individuals 

and with tribal entities on the basis of the level 

of interest that each showed in the plan alternatives as described in the newsletters. Written comments about the newsletters also were 

solicited. 

PUBLIC MEETINGS 

AND NEWSLETTERS 

Public meetings and newsletters were used to 

inform the general public and governmental 

entities and to keep them involved in the planning process for Pipestone National Monument. A mailing list was compiled that consisted of members of government agencies, 

nongovernmental groups, businesses, legislators, local governments, and interested 

citizens. 

The notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement was published in the 

Federal Register on September 25, 2000. A 

news release on September 29, 2000, announced the beginning of the planning process and invited the public to open houses at 

the visitor center on October 11 and 12. These 

meetings helped the planning team determine 

issues and concerns that should be addressed 

in the plan. 

A short newsletter explaining the planning 

process was issued in February 2002. A news 

release was published in April 2002 to update 

the public about the progress of the planning 

effort. A third newsletter published in June 

2002 outlined the alternative concepts and 

sought public comment. 

The draft Pipestone National Monument 

General Management Plan was made available 

to the public on February 28, 2007. The 

Notice of Availability for the draft plan was 

published on March 16, 2007. Public review 

officially closed on May15, 2007. The general 

management plan was mailed to everyone on 

the park mailing list, which includes a total of 

273 individuals, agencies, and organizations. 

During the review period four open houses 

were held in four locations in Minnesota and 

South Dakota. The public meetings were held 

in locations close to the reservations of 

culturally affiliated tribes and in population 

centers near Pipestone National Monument. 

These meetings helped the planning team to 

answer questions of the public and 

understand any concerns raised by the plan. 

The first open house was held the afternoon 
CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION WITH OTHERS

226 

and evening of February 20 at the Performing 

Arts Center in Pipestone with 32 in 

attendance. The second was held the 

afternoon and evening of February 21 in 

Pierre, South Dakota at the South Dakota 

State Historical Society. One person attended. 

The third open house was held at the 

Chamber of Commerce in Yankton, South 

Dakota on February 22. A total of 7 people 

attended during the two sessions that were 

held from 2:00 to 5:00 and from 6:00 to 8:30. 

The third open house was held the afternoon 

of February 23 in Marshall, Minnesota at 

Southwest Minnesota State University. No 

one attended. The open houses were 

announced in local newspapers, via news 

releases to the park mailing list. Notice was 

provided to local television and radio stations. 

In addition, the National Monument 

Superintendent met with a group of 15 Lakota 

and Dakota elders on March 15, with the 

Pipestone County Commissioners on April 3, 

and with 22 Lower Brule elders on May 6. 

Twenty-five (25) letters were received in 

response to the public review. Four (4) official 

responses were received from Indian tribes. 

Responses were received from city and county 

government officials and state and federal 

agencies. 

CONSULTATION 

Agencies that have direct or indirect jurisdiction over historic properties are required 

by section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 USC 

470, et. seq.) to take into account the effect of 

any undertaking on properties in or determined eligible for inclusion in the National 

Register of Historic Places. To meet the requirements of the regulations of the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation on implementing section 106 (36 CFR 800, “Protection 

of Historic Properties”), the National Park 

Service sent letters to the Minnesota state historic preservation officer (SHPO) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in 

October 2000, inviting their participation in 

the planning process. All the newsletters were 

sent to both offices with a request for 

comments. 

Under the terms of stipulation VI.E of the 

1995 programmatic agreement among the 

National Park Service, the Advisory Council 

on Historic Preservation, and the National 

Conference of State Historic Preservation 

Officers, the National Park Service will work 

with the Minnesota state historic preservation 

officer to determine which actions qualify as 

programmatic exclusions under IV.A and B 

and which other undertakings will require 

further review and comment under 36 CFR 

800.4-6. 

The following table identifies the actions that 

were considered and the determination that 

was reached about whether further SHPO 

consultation would or would not be required 

for each. 
Public Involvement 

227 

TABLE 11: FUTURE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT COMPLIANCE REQUIRED FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF 

SPECIFIC ACTIONS (PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE) 

Action Compliance Requirement

Maintenance moved out of national monument; cooperative maintenance agreement with other public or private entity to house operations; 

if not possible, then contract for or lease space. 

No further SHPO consultation needed. 

Visitor center and two Mission 66 houses removed. Needs further consultation with the SHPO 

and development of an MOA. 

Remnant prairie managed to preserve its significance; restored prairie 

managed to recover native plant species 

No further SHPO consultation needed. 

American Indian ceremonial use unchanged; Three Maidens grounds 

restored to prairie; Hiawatha Club use of Three Maidens ceased. 

Needs further SHPO consultation. 

Picnic area and restrooms removed. No further SHPO consultation needed. 

NPS assists with preservation of Indian School superintendent’s house. No further SHPO consultation required, 

but NPS will consult with SHPO as part of 

memorandum of agreement on 

demolition of the National Register eligible 

visitor center and associated cultural 

landscape. 

School district lands south of Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College on eastern boundary acquired; prairie restored. 

No further SHPO consultation needed. 

Cooperative agreement among NPS, USFWS, and MDNR to coordinate 

mutually beneficial land management activities. 

Needs further SHPO consultation if ethnographic resources as traditional properties or cultural landscapes found eligible 

for national register. 

Existing trails upgraded with rerouting; new trails possible to connect the 

Circle Trail to the new entrance. 

Needs further SHPO consultation. 

Continued NPS efforts to control exotic species in national monument; 

NPS would work with owners of adjacent property to identify and 

eradicate exotics. 

No further SHPO consultation needed. 

Sun Dances still permitted; modifications of use might be made on the 

basis of impact and sustainability of resources. 

No further SHPO consultation needed. 

Superintendent’s Indian Advisory Committee established. No further SHPO consultation needed. 
CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION WITH OTHERS

228 

TRIBES, AGENCIES, AND 

ORGANIZATIONS TO WHICH 

THIS DOCUMENT WAS SENT 

Director’s Order 12 requires a listing of all 

agencies, organizations, and people who 

receive copies of the plan. A list of individual 

recipients may be kept in the project file 

rather than being listed in the back of the plan 

if that list is more than three pages. A complete list is available from the National Park 

Service, Denver Service Center, 12795 West 

Alameda Parkway, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, 

CO 80225-0287 

Federal Agencies and Officials 

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 

U.S. Department of Agriculture 

 Natural Resource Conservation Service 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

 National Park Service 

 Badlands National Park 

 Effigy Mounds National Monument 

 Grand Portage National Monument 

 Keweenaw National Historical Park 

Mississippi National Scenic 

Riverway 

Saint Croix National Scenic 

Riverway 

 Voyageurs National Park 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Honorable Norm Coleman, Senator 

Honorable Mark Dayton, Senator 

John Kline, Representative to Congress 

Affiliated American Indian Tribes 

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe 

Crow Creek Sioux Tribe 

Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe 

Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes 

Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska 

Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma 

Lower Brule Sioux Tribe 

Lower Sioux Indian Tribe 

Oglala Sioux Tribe 

Omaha Tribe of Nebraska 

Otoe-Missouria Tribe 

Ponca Tribe of Nebraska 

Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma 

Prairie Island Indian Tribe 

Rosebud Sioux Tribe 

Santee Sioux Nation 

Shakopee Mdewakanton Nation 

Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe 

Spirit Lake Tribe 

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe 

Three Affiliated Tribes 

Upper Sioux Community of Minnesota 

Yankton Sioux Tribe 

Other American Indian Tribes and 

Organizations 

Caddo Indian Tribe of Oklahoma, 

Chairperson 

Devil’s Lake Sioux Tribe 

Eastern Band of Cherokee, Principal Chief 

Fond du Lac Band of Minnesota Chippewa 

Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of 

Pipemakers 

Little Feather Indian Center 

Nez Perce Tribe, Chairperson 

Northern Cheyenne Tribe, President 

Osage Nation, President 

Pipestone Indian Shrine Association 

Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa 

Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri, Chairperson 

Sac & Fox Nation of Oklahoma, Principal 

Chief 

Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, 

Chairperson 

Shoshoni Tribe, Chairperson 

United Sioux Tribes 

State Agencies and Officials and Parks

Minnesota Department of Health 

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 

Minnesota Department of Tourism 

Minnesota Department of Transportation, 

Passage Coordinator 

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 

Minnesota State Historic Preservation Officer, 

Dr. Nina Archabal 

Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College 

State of Minnesota Indian Affairs Council 

Governor Tim Pawlenty 

Senator Jim Vickerman 
Public Involvement 

229 

Hon. Doug Magnus, Minnesota House of 

Representatives 

Bigstone Wildlife Refuge 

Blue Mounds State Park 

Camden State Park 

Jeffers Petroglyphs State Historic Park 

Lake Shetek State Park 

Split Rock Creek State Park 

Local Agencies and Officials 

Pipestone County Attorney 

Pipestone County Auditor 

Pipestone County Extension 

Pipestone County Fair 

Pipestone County Museum 

Pipestone County Treasurer 

Pipestone County Recorder of Deeds 

Pipestone County School District 

Pipestone County Soil and Water 

Conservation District 

Pipestone County Sheriff 

Mayor of Pipestone 

Pipestone Building and Zoning Administrator 

Pipestone City Administrator 

Pipestone Community Library 

Pipestone Convention and Visitors Board 

Pipestone Parks and Recreation Director 

Pipestone Heritage Preservation Commission 

Organizations and Businesses 

Ambulance Association 

American Indian Movement, Minneapolis 

American Indian Studies Program 

Association on American Indian Affairs 

Boy Scouts of America 

Calumet Chapter 51 

Cattlemen’s Association 

Center for Rural and Regional Studies 

Chapter C, PEO 

Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts of America 

Farm Bureau 

Fire Department, Pipestone 

Flying Arrow Ranch 

Fort Pipestone 

Girl Scouts U.S.A. 

Hiawatha Club 

Hiawatha Snowblazers 

Historic Pipestone 

Historical Society 

Indian Shrine Association 

Jaycees 

Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of 

Pipemakers 

Kiwanis Club 

Little Feather Indian Center 

Master Gardeners/Home Study 

MCCL 

Medical Auxiliary 

The Nature Conservancy 

Pheasants Forever 

Pipestone Chamber of Commerce 

Pipestone Golden Kiwanis 

Pipestone Lions Club 

Pipestone RV Campground 

Pipestone Publishing Company 

Pork Producers 

Pottawatomie Cultural Center and Museum 

Red Cross 

Reliant Energy–Minnegasco 

Sagio Club 

Senior Citizen Center 

Sioux Valley Southwest Electric 

SWST Cultural Affairs Committee 

Travelers Council 

Truine Chapter #51 

Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3814 

Williams Pipeline Company 

XCEL Energy-Northern States Power 

Media 

Argus Leader

Brookings Register 

Buffalo Ridge Gazette

Dell Rapids Tribune

Edgerton Enterprise

Flandreau Santee Sioux Executive 

Indian Country Today 

KARL-KKCK-KMHL Radio 

KDLT-TV 

KELO-TV 

KLOH 

KRSW-FM 

KSFY-TV 

KTTW-FOX-TV 

Lakota Times 

Marshall Independent

Minneapolis Star–Tribune
CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION WITH OTHERS

230 

Moody County Herald

Murray County Herald

South Dakota Public Broadcasting 

Tollefson Publishing 

Tyler Tribune

Worthington Daily Globe

Consultation and Coordination Record 

7/15/00 Lower Brule Sioux Tribal Council, elders, and Cultural Resource Committee members visit Pipestone 

National Monument. 

8/25/00 Pipestone National Monument superintendent met with Ms. Kathy Bolin, Passage Coordinator at 

Minnesota Department of Transportation, to discuss “International Prairie Passage Route.” 

9/25/00 Federal Register notice published. 

9/25/00 Press release announcing beginning of general management plan (GMP) process. 

9/29/00 Press release announcing public meetings on the GMP. 

10/2000 

and 2001 

Letters and GMP data mailed to 40 tribes inviting participation. Pipestone NM staff made followup calls 

to confirm interest in receiving documents or briefings as plans became available. (Original letters to 27 

tribes in October 2000; letters to 13 more tribes in 2001). 

10/02/00 Letter to Advisory Council on Historic Preservation inviting participation in planning process. 

10/02/00 Letter to Minnesota state historic preservation officer (SHPO) inviting participation in planning process. 

10/02/00 Letter to Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Field Office, notifying of 

GMP and requesting list of federally listed species. 

10/02/00 Letter to all people on NM mailing list inviting them to open houses. 

10/02/00 Letter to Joseph Schelhass, president of Hiawatha Club, notifying him of GMP and inviting participation 

in open houses. 

10/03/00 Letter to State Representative Richard Mulder to attend open houses. 

10/11/00 Open House at Pipestone National Monument, 4–6 p.m. 

10/12/00 Open House at Pipestone National Monument, 7–9 p.m. 

10/27/00 Superintendent called Myron Williams, Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribe, and asked him to put out word on 

GMP. All welcome to provide input. 

10/30/00 Lower Brule Sioux Tribal Council elders and Cultural Resource Committee members return to Pipestone 

NM to meet with national monument staff and GMP team captain to discuss their impressions of the 

national monument and the GMP and to advise the NM about issues of sacredness. 

11/08/00 Letter from U.S. Fish and Wildlife saying that two T&E species possible in the NM (Topeka shiner, 

endangered, and western prairie fringed orchid, threatened). 

11/17/00 Letter from Minnesota SHPO requesting involvement in planning process. 

12/01/00 Letter to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage and Nongame Research 

Program, Section of Ecological Services, requesting information about state-listed species in Pipestone 

County. 

12/12/00 List of species and native plant communities in the county provided by Minnesota Department of 

Natural Resources, Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program, Section of Ecological Services. 

List of species and native plant communities in the county provided by Minnesota Department of 

Natural Resources, Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program, Section of Ecological Services. 

12/28/00 Letter from Pipestone Indian Shrine Association giving ideas, comments, and suggestions for GMP. 

1/10/01 Letter from Larry Van Horn, DSC planning team, responding to a request from Scott Jones of the Lower 

Brule Tribe regarding American Indian Religious Freedom Act. 

1/11/01 Letter from Advisory Council on Historic Preservation acknowledging the GMP and outlining the 

group’s participation. 

1/12/01 Telephone call to Minnesota SHPO arranging meeting to discuss SHPO involvement. 

1/22/01 Tribal Chair Dallas Ross, Upper Sioux Community of Minnesota, came to Pipestone to discuss issues and 

review GMP process with superintendent. 

02/02/01 Pipestone NM published short newsletter explaining GMP, telling schedule, and explaining how people 

can get involved. Newsletter sent to national monument’s mailing list. 

02/12/01 Jolene Arrow, Yankton Sioux Tribe, called about GMP because Jerry Flute, Association on American 

Indian Affairs, had alerted her. Fax and copies of original GMP mailing sent to her. 

2/13–

16/2001 

GMP meetings at Performing Arts Center. DSC and NM team, as well as Bill Supernaugh, 

superintendent of Badlands NP. 
Public Involvement 

231 

2/20/01 Pipestone NM superintendent conferred with Paul Dobbs, Minnesota West Community and Technical 

College, about Pipestone Indian school Superintendent’s. house, discussed ownership issues and how it 

was transferred. 

2/20/01 Superintendent conferred with Bud Johnston, Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers, discussed 

ownership of superintendent’s house and how it was transferred. 

2/26/01 Telephone call between Larry Van Horn, DSC planning team, and Dennis Gimmstad, Minnesota state 

historic preservation office, to discuss SHPO involvement in planning process. 

3/03/01 Superintendent met with Flandreau Santee Sioux, Santee Sioux, and Chuck Derby, Little Feather 

Interpretive Center, to discuss national monument management and GMP issues. 

3/20/01 Letter from Pipestone NM superintendent to Dennis Gimmstad, Minnesota state historic preservation 

office, outlining GMP progress and following up on conversations of 1/12/01 and 2/26/01. 

4/02/01 Jolene Arrow, Yankton Sioux Tribe, asked Pipestone NM superintendent to present GMP and national 

monument management issues to a group meeting at Fort Randall, SD. 

4/23/01 Letter from Dennis Gimmstad, Minnesota state historic preservation office to Pipestone NM 

superintendent regarding SHPO involvement in the GMP. 

4/25/01 Meeting about pipestone quarries at Pipestone NM hosted by the Yankton Sioux at the Fort Randall 

Casino/Hotel. Members of many other Sioux Tribes included. Topics discussed were GMP, Government 

Performance and Results Act (GPRA), and national monument management. Pipestone NM 

superintendent and team captain spoke about the GMP, answered questions about NM management 

and operation. Regional anthropologist and NM chief ranger also attended. 

4/2701 Telephone call between Minnesota state historic preservation office and Pipestone NM superintendent 

to discuss GMP. 

5/2/01 Yankton Tribal Chair designated Jolene Arrow as contact. 

5/23/01 Myron Williams, Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribe, discussed with superintendent forming a consultative group.

6/28/01 Minnesota SHPO visited Pipestone NM for a day. Team captain and planning team also visited. GMP 

discussed. 

7/3/01 Jolene Arrow, Yankton Sioux Tribe, called to discuss previous meeting. 

7/13/01 Superintendent briefed Mick Myers, executive director, Pipestone Chamber of Commerce, on GMP. 

7/16/01 Superintendent briefed County Commissioner Jack Keers on GMP. 

7/19/01 Superintendent briefed Pipestone Mayor Bill Ellis on GMP. 

7/24/01 Superintendent briefed Vern Long on GMP. 

8/02/01 Superintendent briefed Chuck Derby, Little Feather Interpretive Center, on GMP and other issues. 

1/30/02 Telephone conversation with Jim Jones, MN Indian Affairs Council, to discuss GMP. Follow-up letter 

and background materials on GMP sent 2/05/02. 

2/2002 Two articles and an editorial in the Argus Leader newspaper about GMP following input from Pipestone 

NM superintendent and staff. 

2/14/02 Meeting with Lower Brule Sioux Tribal Council and Elder Council at Pipestone NM. 

2/22/02 Radio interview of superintendent with KDCR, Sioux Center, Iowa, about GMP. 

2/22/02 Letter from Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewas Tribal Council to NM superintendent, 

designating Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers to represent the band on the GMP. 

3/04/02 Letter from Pipestone NM superintendent to Chairman, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewas 

confirming their 2/22/02 letter and assuring that they would remain on the mailing list. 

4/01/02 Letter to Tribal Chairman, Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, acknowledging request that Chuck Derby 

function as the tribe’s liaison to the GMP. 

4/03/02 Letter from Pipestone NM superintendent to Chairman, Fond du Lac Band of Minnesota Chippewa 

Indians, to discuss GMP. 

4/03/02 News release telling status of GMP. 

5/29/02 Conversation between Pipestone NM superintendent and a staff writer, Minneapolis Star Tribune about 

GMP. 

5/29/02 Letter to Tribal Chairman, Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, acknowledging request that. Joe Williams, 

Cultural Committee of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribe, and. Chuck Derby, Little Feather Interpretive 

Center, function as tribe’s liaison to GMP team. 

5/30/02 Meeting with Minnesota West Community and Technical College CEO Paul Dobbs about GMP. 

6/02/02 Pipestone NM published newsletter describing progress to date and outlining alternative concepts to be 

expanded on in GMP. 

7/16/02 Pipestone NM superintendent spoke at a meeting of Hiawatha Club about GMP, NPS policy and laws 

dealing with sacred sites, and possible impacts on the Hiawatha Pageant. 
CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION WITH OTHERS

232 

8/05/02 Letter from Tribal Council of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribe, Lake Traverse Reservation, to Pipestone NM 

superintendent transmitting three tribal council resolutions individually designating the Three Maidens, 

Leaping Rock, and the Oracle as sacred sites. 

10/19/02 Meeting with Lower Brule Sioux at Pipestone NM. 

3/19/03 Superintendent briefed City Administrator on possible partnerships and space needs. 

4/24/03 Superintendent briefed Paul Dobbs, CEO, Minnesota West Community and Technical College. 

4/29/03 Superintendent briefed Chuck Derby, Sisseton-Wahpeton Liaison, on GMP. 

5/01/03 Superintendent briefed Cally Eckles, staff person for Congressman Gutknecht, about national 

monument and GMP. 

5/6–7/03 Superintendent attended meeting hosted by the Lower Brule Sioux at Lower Brule, SD and gave GMP 

briefing and status of GMP. Other tribes represented were Yankton, Rosebud, Three Affiliated Tribes, 

Standing Rock, and Pine Ridge. 

5/21/03 Superintendent briefed Joe Williams, Sisseton-Wahpeton Liaison, on GMP. 

11/26/04 Elders and some council members of the Lower Brule Sioux visited national monument. They were 

given an update on draft GMP status and provided handouts on establishing act, proposed mission, 

purpose, significance statements, and interpretive themes. 

3/25/05 Superintendent briefed Sisseton-Wahpeton tribal GMP liaison Chuck Derby on status of plan. 

3/31/05 Superintendent had telephone discussion with Sisseton-Wahpeton tribal liaison Joe Williams on draft 

GMP and sent pipestone geology study. 

7/1/05 Letters were sent to each of the 23 affiliated tribes transmitting recently completed studies: Native 

American Cultural Affiliations and Traditional Association Study, and The Ever-Changing Pipestone 

Quarries. Status of draft GMP was stated, and an invitation was extended requesting liaison 

representative designations. 

10/12/05 Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Mr. Frankie Johnson, and several other tribal 

members visited the national monument. Superintendent extended an invitation to discuss the draft 

GMP at a later time. Upon their request, a national monument Strategic Plan was sent. 

10/12/05 Letters were sent to each of the 23 affiliated tribes requesting a preferred method for conducting 

government-to-government relations for the draft GMP and the designation of a preferred tribal 

contact person. One response dated December 6 was received from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. 

12/6/05 – 

12/9/05 

Telephone contacts were made with 22 of the affiliated tribes for designated contacts. Contact persons 

were recorded for future reference in disseminating plans. 
Government Agencies

233

SUBSTANTIVE COMMENTS AND NPS RESPONSES

Following are reprinted letters containing substantive comments and 

NPS responses to those comments.
234

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES

Responses to United States Envir

onmental Protecti

on Agency

1. In the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Minnesota State Historic

Preservation Officer (SHPO) detailing mitigation measures the National ParkService will undertake in removing the Pipestone Visitor Center, the NationalPark Service will provide technical assistance and will commit to search forpreservation funding for the stabilization and restoration of theSuperintendent's house. This may include-at some point in the future, shouldother options prove unsuccessful-the National Park Service assuming ownership of the house through a minor boundary adjustment, legislation, donation,or any other practical vehicle. One of the options the National Park Servicewill pursue is stabilization and preservation funding through the CentennialChallenge Program, with the premise that matching funds would come fromthe State of Minnesota and local sources, and in-kind assistance would comefrom the college. Future uses of the Superintendent's house could be as aninterpretive center telling the story of the Indian Schools using the PipestoneIndian School as an example, or to house office space for tribal uses. The owners of the Superintendent's house, Minnesota West Community and TechnicalCollege, will be invited to be signatory to the MOA, and the MOA will beincluded as an appendix in the final General Management Plan.
Government Agencies

235

COMMENTS RESPONSES

1.
236

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES
Government Agencies

237

COMMENTS RESPONSES
238

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES
State Agencies

239

COMMENTS RESPONSES

1.

Responses to the State Historic Preservation Office

1.We appreciate the comments of the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)

on the adequacy of information in the Environmental Impact Statement. Werecognize that not all resources have been completely inventoried, and the significance of all cultural resources and their roles as contributing elements within the Monument are not entirely known. However, we note that the purposeof the Draft Environmental Impact Statement is not a formal determination ofeffect. The intent of circulating the Draft Environmental Impact Statement forcomment is to gain information on the sufficiency of the data gathered, and thereasonableness of the evaluation of impacts. 
240

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES 2. cont.

3.

2. The GMP process is designed to provide a vision for the management of the

Monument for the next 15 to 20 years. As such, the desired future conditionsdescribed within the General Management Plan tend to be directions theMonument will take in achieving the goals identified in the plan.Implementation of the general management plan will entail additional planning for specific actions to accomplish some of the goals and recommendations of the plan through the implementation phase. At that time, specificactions with specific impacts will be detailed. Each implementation phase willhave its own compliance action, including adherence to the consultationrequirements with the SHPO. However, at this level of planning, the implementation of the preferred alternative is not likely to have a direct adverseeffect on cultural resources, keeping in mind the need for further planningand consultation.

3. In response to the lack of information specific to cultural landscapes, the

Monument initiated an ethnographic landscape assessment in 2005. Thisreport is scheduled to be finalized in early 2008. Although still in draft form,the current version of the report identifies a single cultural landscape; thereport will assess the history of the Monument and the built elements withinthat landscape. Once complete, the report will address alternatives for management of that landscape and the State Historic Preservation Office will beprovided an opportunity to review and comment on that report. In terms ofdata gaps with other cultural resources, the Monument will be working to

acquire the necessary survey information before taking any actions that mayimpact these resources.
State Agencies

241

COMMENTS RESPONSES

1.

Responses to Minnesota Department of Natural Resorces

1.Updated species occurrence information has been incorporated into the

Final Environmental Impact Statement. The management actions proposedin the Draft General Management Plan / Draft Environmental ImpactStatement would have no effect on either of the species, Buellia nigra (acrustose lichen) and Oarisma poweshiek (Poweshiek skipperling). The lichenoccurs in areas that will not be affected by fire or construction or other projects proposed in the Draft General Management Plan / Draft EnvironmentalImpact Statement. The effects of fire on insects such as the poweshiek havebeen ongoing at the Monument since 1971 when the prescribed fire programbegan. The Fire Management Plan outlines and implements methods to protect pollinators from the impacts of fire. While the details of resource management are not a topic of the General Management Plan, copies of theMonument's Fire Management Plan/ Environmental Assessment, PrairieManagement Plan, and Resource Management Plan are available uponrequest
242

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES
State Agencies

COMMENTS RESPONSES

243
COMMENTS AND

RESPONSES

COMMENTS RESPONSES

2.

244

2.The information regarding the Topeka shiner on page 125 has been corrected. 
State Agencies

COMMENTS RESPONSES

245
COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES

246
State Agencies

247

COMMENTS RESPONSES
COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES

248
American Indian Tribes

COMMENTS RESPONSES

249
250

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES

Responses to t

heYankton Si

oux 

Tribe

1. See response 2 to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
American Indian Tribes

251

COMMENTS RESPONSES
252

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES
American Indian Tribes

253

COMMENTS RESPONSES

2.

3.

2. The Monument is required to comply with the American Indian Religious

Freedom Act (the Act) as amended (Public Law 95-341, 42 U.S.C. 1996 and1996a). The Act protects and preserves for American Indians their inherentright of freedom to believe, express, and exercise the traditional religions ofthe American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut, and Native Hawaiians, including but notlimited to access to sites, use and possession of sacred objects, and the freedom to worship through ceremonials and traditional rites. As such, SunDances will be permitted within the Monument grounds though issuance of aSpecial Use Permit. The Monument encourages open dialog between SunDance organizers and concerned tribes and citizens to resolve this issue. 

3. The request for funding of a Traditional Cultural Property (TCP) Survey is

considered a desirable addition of information for the management ofMonument resources. The Monument's need for additional cultural/ethnographic information is already mentioned in the alternatives (pages 57, 65, 72,and 79). Funding will be sought to complete such a project and usual government procurement procedures would be followed to secure a contractor tocomplete the study. 
COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES

5.

254

3.

4.

3. Ethnobotanical information has already been obtained by the 2003 ethnobotany study completed by the University of Arizona. The study included interviews with members of various tribes including Yankton elders.4. The establishment of a Superintendent's Indian Advisory Committee called for

in the Draft General Management Plan should fulfill the desire of the Yanktontribe to be more closely involved in the management of the Monument. Thecurrent base budget of the Monument does allow for the filling of these positions; however, adding additional unfunded positions is not possible at thistime. Yankton tribal members as well as members of other tribes are encouraged to apply for National Park Service positions as they are advertised. Wewill continue to forward seasonal and permanent position openings to all thetribal offices. 

5. The Hiawatha Pageant occurs on property not owned or managed by the

National Park Service. Efforts to work with the Hiawatha Club to reduce theimpact of the pageant on the Three Maidens sacred site have been made andwill continue to be pursued as described under Alternative 1 (page 65). Theprevious response to the request for a carrying capacity study of the Hiawathapageant also applies to this comment. 
American Indian Tribes

255

COMMENTS RESPONSES
256

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES
Groups and Individuals

257

COMMENTS RESPONSES
258

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES
Groups and Individuals

COMMENTS RESPONSES

259
260

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES
Groups and Individuals

COMMENTS RESPONSES

1.

261

1. The prescribed carrying capacity study of the Sun Dance grounds will seek to

ensure the continued availability of the property for ceremonial/religious usesover time. The study will assess the qualities of the property that are most valued to the Sun Dance attendees, assess what impacts are occurring to theproperty as a result of the use, and define acceptable levels of damage. Weconsider this study to be an assessment of both social values and resource values that will sustain the use of this property for religious events over time. It isnot meant to reduce the use of the property or limit religious practices. 

A carrying capacity study at the Hiawatha grounds is not warranted. The portion of the pageant that occurs on federal property is negligible; the majority

of use is on property owned solely by the Hiawatha Club. The Monument hasalready lessened the impacts of the pageant by limiting certain uses of theThree Maidens through the annual permit process. Adoption of Alternative 1would eliminate contact with the Three Maidens during the production of theHiawatha Pageant (page 65).
COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES 1. cont.

262
Groups and Individuals

COMMENTS RESPONSES

263

2. The request for funding of a Traditional Cultural Property (TCP) Survey is

considered a desirable addition of information for the management ofMonument resources. The Monument's need for additional cultural/ethnographic information is already mentioned in the alternatives (pages 57, 65,72, and 79). Funding will be sought to complete such a project and usualgovernment procurement procedures would be followed to secure a contractor to complete the study. 

Ethnobotanical information has already been obtained by the 2003 ethnobotany study completed by the University of Arizona. The study included

interviews with members of various tribes including Yankton elders.

1.cont.

2.
264

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES 2.

3.

3. The establishment of a Superintendent's Indian Advisory Committee

called for in the Draft General Management Plan should fulfill thedesire of the Yankton tribe to be more closely involved in the management of the Monument. The current base budget of the Monumentdoes allow for the filling of these positions; however, adding additional

unfunded positions is not possible at this time. Yankton tribal membersas well as members of other tribes are encouraged to apply for NationalPark Service positions as they are advertised. We will continue to forward seasonal and permanent position openings to all the tribal offices. 
Groups and Individuals

COMMENTS RESPONSES

265
266

COMMENTS ANDRESPONSES

COMMENTS RESPONSES

1.

Responses to the Pipestone Tribal meeting

1.The Monument is required to comply with the American Indian Religious

Freedom Act (the Act) as amended (Public Law 95-341, 42 U.S.C. 1996and 1996a). The Act protects and preserves for American Indians theirinherent right of freedom to believe, express, and exercise the traditionalreligions of the American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut, and Native Hawaiians,including but not limited to access to sites, use and possession of sacredobjects, and the freedom to worship through ceremonials and traditionalrites. As such, Sun Dances will be permitted within the Monumentgrounds though issuance of a Special Use Permit. The Monumentencourages open dialog between Sun Dance organizers and concernedtribes and citizens to resolve this issue. 
Groups and Individuals

267

COMMENTS RESPONSES

1.

2. 2. The Monument is required to comply with the American Indian Religious

Freedom Act (the Act) as amended (Public Law 95-341, 42 U.S.C. 1996 and1996a). The Act protects and preserves for American Indians their inherentright of freedom to believe, express, and exercise the traditional religions of theAmerican Indian, Eskimo, Aleut, and Native Hawaiians, including but not limited to access to sites, use and possession of sacred objects, and the freedom toworship through ceremonials and traditional rites. As such, Sun Dances will bepermitted within the Monument grounds though issuance of a Special UsePermit. The Monument encourages open dialog between Sun Dance organizers and concerned tribes and citizens to resolve this issue. 
268

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES 1.
Groups and Individuals

269

COMMENTS RESPONSES
COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES

270

1.

Responses to t

he Pipesto

ne I

ndian Shrine

1. In the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Minnesota State

Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) detailing mitigation measures theNational Park Service will undertake in removing the Pipestone VisitorCenter, the National Park Service will provide technical assistance andwill commit to search for preservation funding for the stabilization andrestoration of the Superintendent's house. This may include-at somepoint in the future, should other options prove unsuccessful-theNational Park Service assuming ownership of the house through aminor boundary adjustment, legislation, donation, or any other practical vehicle. One of the options the National Park Service will pursue is

stabilization and preservation funding through the CentennialChallenge Program, with the premise that matching funds would comefrom the State of Minnesota and local sources, and in-kind assistancewould come from the college. Future uses of the Superintendent'shouse could be as an interpretive center telling the story of the IndianSchools using the Pipestone Indian School as an example, or to houseoffice space for tribal uses. The owners of the Superintendent's house,Minnesota West Community and Technical College, will be invited to besignatory to the MOA, and the MOA will be included as an appendix inthe final General Management Plan.
Groups and Individuals

271

COMMENTS RESPONSES
COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES

1.

272

Responses to t

he Frien

ds of Pipesto

ne Nati

o

nal M

o

nument

1. 15.1

In the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Minnesota State Historic

Preservation Officer (SHPO) detailing mitigation measures the National ParkService will undertake in removing the Pipestone Visitor Center, the NationalPark Service will provide technical assistance and will commit to search forpreservation funding for the stabilization and restoration of theSuperintendent's house. This may include-at some point in the future, shouldother options prove unsuccessful-the National Park Service assuming ownership of the house through a minor boundary adjustment, legislation, donation,or any other practical vehicle. One of the options the National Park Service willpursue is stabilization and preservation funding through the CentennialChallenge Program, with the premise that matching funds would come from theState of Minnesota and local sources, and in-kind assistance would come fromthe college. Future uses of the Superintendent's house could be as an interpretive center telling the story of the Indian Schools using the Pipestone IndianSchool as an example, or to house office space for tribal uses. The owners of theSuperintendent's house, Minnesota West Community and Technical College,will be invited to be signatory to the MOA, and the MOA will be included as anappendix in the final General Management Plan.
Groups and Individuals

273

COMMENTS RESPONSES
274

COMMENTS ANDRESPONSES

COMMENTS RESPONSES

Response to Shirley Ecks1. The Monument is required to comply with the American Indian

Religious Freedom Act (the Act) as amended (Public Law 95-341, 42U.S.C. 1996 and 1996a). The Act protects and preserves for AmericanIndians their inherent right of freedom to believe, express, and exercisethe traditional religions of the American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut, andNative Hawaiians, including but not limited to access to sites, use andpossession of sacred objects, and the freedom to worship through ceremonials and traditional rites. As such, Sun Dances will be permittedwithin the Monument grounds though issuance of a Special Use Permit.The Monument encourages open dialog between Sun Dance organizersand concerned tribes and citizens to resolve this issue. 

1.
Groups and Individuals

275

COMMENTS RESPONSES
276

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES

Responses to J

ohn S

o

wl

1. The suggested 4th alternative is very similar to the Draft Alternative 1. The

notable exceptions are retaining the current Reservation Avenue in its entirety,upgrading of all trails within the Monument to Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) standards, and locating of a new visitor center at the southeastern cornerof the Monument. 

Location of the new visitor center will be analyzed and determined through

additional study and appropriate environmental compliance. The proposed siteand other potential locations have not been formally evaluated for impacts toresources; the selection of a site is outside the scope of this document.

The retention of Reservation Avenue is not warranted under the proposed 4th

alternative as the parking for quarriers is provided for at the southern terminusof the south quarry trail. The trail will also be widened to accommodate a smallmaintenance vehicle to assist in the movement of tools and quarried stone at therequest of individual quarriers. The widening of the trail will also put the southquarry trail in compliance with ADA standards for trails. Other legs of the traildo not afford an opportunity to be ADA compliant due to the steepness of theescarpments and their location near sensitive plant communities and ethnographic/archeological resources. Access to sites and vistas will be afforded tohandicapped visitors in other ways while retaining the historic qualities of theCircle Trail.

1.

1.
Groups and Individuals

277

COMMENTS RESPONSES
278

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES
Groups and Individuals

279

COMMENTS RESPONSES

2. The Monument is required to comply with the American Indian Religious

Freedom Act (the Act) as amended (Public Law 95-341, 42 U.S.C. 1996 and1996a). The Act protects and preserves for American Indians their inherentright of freedom to believe, express, and exercise the traditional religions ofthe American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut, and Native Hawaiians, including butnot limited to access to sites, use and possession of sacred objects, and thefreedom to worship through ceremonials and traditional rites. As such, SunDances will be permitted within the Monument grounds though issuance ofa Special Use Permit. The Monument encourages open dialog between SunDance organizers and concerned tribes and citizens to resolve this issue. 

2.
280

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES
Groups and Individuals

281

COMMENTS RESPONSES
282

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES
Groups and Individuals

283

COMMENTS RESPONSES

3. In the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Minnesota State

Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) detailing mitigation measures theNational Park Service will undertake in removing the Pipestone VisitorCenter, the National Park Service will provide technical assistance and willcommit to search for preservation funding for the stabilization and restoration of the Superintendent's house. This may include-at some point in thefuture, should other options prove unsuccessful-the National Park Serviceassuming ownership of the house through a minor boundary adjustment,legislation, donation, or any other practical vehicle. One of the options theNational Park Service will pursue is stabilization and preservation fundingthrough the Centennial Challenge Program, with the premise that matchingfunds would come from the State of Minnesota and local sources, and inkind assistance would come from the college. Future uses of theSuperintendent's house could be as an interpretive center telling the story ofthe Indian Schools using the Pipestone Indian School as an example, or tohouse office space for tribal uses. The owners of the Superintendent'shouse, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, will be invited tobe signatory to the MOA, and the MOA will be included as an appendix inthe final General Management Plan.

3.
284

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES COMMENTS RESPONSES
APPENDIXES, 

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY,

PREPARERS, INDEX

287 

APPENDIX A: RELATIONSHIPS WITH AMERICAN INDIANS 

TRIBES TRADITIONALLY 

ASSOCIATED WITH 

PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT 

In the glossary of its publication Management 

Policies 2006 the National Park Service defines 

traditionally associated peoples as follows: 

Traditionally associated peoples – may include 

park neighbors, traditional residents, and former 

residents who remain attached to a park area 

despite having relocated. For purposes of these 

Management Policies, social/ cultural entities such 

as tribes, communities, and kinship units are 

“traditionally associated” with a particular park 

when (1) the entity regards park resources as 

essential to its development and continued 

identity as a culturally distinct people; (2) the 

association has endured for at least two 

generations (40 years); and (3) the association 

began prior to establishment of the park (NPS 

2006b). 

The identification of an American Indian tribe as 

traditionally associated with Pipestone National 

Monument means that a contemporary link of 

interest from the present to the past — known as 

cultural affiliation — exists between the tribe 

and the national monument. The status of traditionally associated does not affect the national 

monument’s enabling legislation about who 

enjoys quarrying rights, which, as mentioned on 

the following page and elsewhere in the document in the reprinted legislation, expressly reserves the right to quarry the pipestone “to 

Indians of all tribes.” In the section on public 

involvement and Native American consultation, 

the American Indian tribes included in the list of 

tribes, agencies, and organizations to which this 

document was sent overlap in many instances 

but are not exactly congruent with the tribes 

listed below as traditionally associated tribes and 

possibly traditionally associated tribes. 

Through previous ethnographic and ethnohistorical evidence, eight federally recognized 

American Indian tribes have been previously 

identified through studies and NPS staff as 

having cultural affiliation with the national 

monument. A more recent study completed in 

mid 2004 recognized that an additional 15 tribes 

were affiliated with the national monument. 

Therefore, 23 tribal names officially appear in 

the list of federally recognized tribes in the 

Federal Register, vol. 70, no. 226, November 25, 

2005. A federally recognized tribe means that 

American Indian tribes in this category are eligible to receive services from the Bureau of Indian 

Affairs of the U. S. Department of Interior. 

Affiliation is limited to federally recognized 

tribes. 

The study completed by the University of 

Arizona at Tucson includes two volumes: Native 

American Cultural Affiliation and Traditional 

Association Study (Zerdano andBasaldú 2004) 

and The Everchanging Pipestone Quarries, Sioux 

Cultural Landscapes and Ethnobotany of 

Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota,

(Toupal et al. 2004). The former study provided 

indications about tribal affiliation but failed to 

definitively detail affiliated tribes until it was 

provided by letter of April 28, 2005. 

Federally Recognized Tribes Culturally Affiliated 

with Pipestone National Monument 

1. Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe 

2. Crow Creek Sioux Tribe 

3. Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe 

4. Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes 

5. Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska 

6. Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma 

7. Lower Brule Sioux Tribe 

8. Lower Sioux Indian Tribe 

9. Oglala Sioux Tribe 

10. Omaha Tribe of Nebraska 

11. Otoe-Missouria Tribe 

12. Ponca Tribe of Nebraska 

13. Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma 

14. Prairie Island Indian Tribe 

15. Rosebud Sioux Tribe 

16. Santee Sioux Nation 

17. Shakopee Mdewakanton Nation 

18. Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe 

19. Spirit Lake Tribe 

20. Standing Rock Sioux Tribe 
APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS /INDEX

288 

21. Three Affiliated Tribes 

22. Upper Sioux Community of Minnesota 

23. Yankton Sioux Tribe 

The staff of Pipestone National Monument 

conducts government-to-government relations 

with those of the affiliated tribes who so desire. 

Consultation was recently completed with interested tribes for design and construction of a 

display for the national monument’s petroglyphs 

collection. The staff aims for effective communication and the sharing of information and 

knowledge about mutual interests in the national 

monument. These include concerns about 

planning and operations for the national 

monument and managing cultural and natural 

resources. Consultations are also conducted 

with individuals from the Dakotah Community 

of Pipestone, Minnesota, which is not a federally 

recognized but is consulted as a matter of 

courtesy and policy (NPS 2006b). 

The National Park Service recognizes that 

indigenous peoples may well have traditional 

interests and rights in lands now under NPS 

management, as well as concerns and contributions to make for the future through the 

scoping process for general management plans 

of the national park system. Related to tribal 

sovereignty, the need for government-togovernment Native American consultations 

stems from the historic power of Congress to 

make treaties with American Indian tribes as 

sovereign nations. Consultations with American 

Indians and other Native Americans, such as 

Native Hawaiians and Alaska Natives, are required by various federal laws, executive orders, 

regulations, and policies. They are needed, for 

example, to comply with section 106 of the 

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as 

amended (most recently in 1992). The implementing regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for the National Environmental 

Policy Act of 1969 also call for Native American 

consultations. 

INDIAN TRUST RESOURCES 

The planning process of the National Park Service requires the evaluation of potential Indian 

trust resources in planning documents. That is, 

are Indian trust resources present or not? Should 

the red catlinite pipestone in Pipestone National 

Monument be regarded as an Indian trust 

resource, or the national monument itself? The 

lands comprising Pipestone National Monument in southwestern Minnesota are not held in 

trust by the secretary of the interior for the 

benefit of American Indians because of their 

status as American Indians. The National Park 

Service has considered whether, when in 1937 

Congress created the national monument and 

“reserved to Indians of all tribes . . . the quarrying of the red pipestone” within the national 

monument, the pipestone became a trust resource for the benefit and use of Indians or 

tribes. The National Park Service has concluded 

that it did not. In other words, the enabling 

legislation’s reservation of the quarrying of 

pipestone “to Indians of all tribes” did not 

establish an Indian trust resource just because it 

was being done on behalf of American Indians. 

The text of the act — “An Act to Establish the 

Pipestone National Monument in the State of 

Minnesota of August 25, 1937” — is reprinted 

elsewhere in this document. Section 1 establishes that Congress created the national monument “for the benefit and enjoyment of the 

people of the United States.” Section 2 says that 

the national monument “shall be managed by 

the National Park Service under the direction of 

the Secretary of the Interior consistent with the 

provisions of the Organic Act” (“An Act to Establish a National Park Service”) of August 25, 

1916. The Organic Act requires the Secretary of 

the Interior through the National Park Service 

“to conserve the scenery and the natural and 

historic objects and the wild life therein and to 

provide for the enjoyment of the same in such 

manner and by such means as will leave them 

unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations” of all Americans. 

It is section 3 of the 1937 enabling legislation 

that speaks of “the quarrying of the red pipestone” as “reserved to Indians of all tribes.” 

Section 3 adds that the quarrying is to occur 

“under regulations to be prescribed by the 

Secretary of the Interior.” The National Park 

Service believes that “the quarrying of the red 

pipestone . . . reserved to Indians of all tribes . . . 

under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior” recognized a historic and 

cultural use of the resource. But such recogni-
Appendix A: Relationships with American Indians 

289 

tion does not translate into the creation of a trust 

resource because the quarrying is to take place 

in the context of first managing and preserving 

the pipestone for the benefit of all Americans as 

required by both the Organic Act and the enabling legislation. 

The current regulations are reprinted below, as 

follows. They are published in the Code of 

Federal Regulations (36 CFR 7.42) as stated in the 

volumes revised as of July 1, 2000, and first published for Pipestone National Monument in the 

Federal Register (34 FR 5377) on March 19, 1969. 

Code of Federal Regulations. Volume 36, Part 

7, Section 42, Pipestone National Monument 

(36 CFR 7.42). 

(a) An American Indian desiring to quarry and 

work ‘catlinite’ pipestone shall first secure a permit from the Superintendent. The Superintendent 

shall issue a permit to any American Indian applicant, Provided, that: (1) In the judgment of the 

Superintendent, the number of permittees then 

quarrying or working the pipestone is not so large 

as to be inconsistent with preservation of the 

deposit and (2) a suitable area is available for 

conduct of the operation. The permit shall be 

issued without charge and shall be valid only 

during the calendar year in which it is issued. 

(b) An American Indian desiring to sell handicraft 

products produced by him, members of his family, 

or by other Indians under his supervision or under 

contract to him, including pipestone articles shall 

apply to the Superintendent. The Superintendent 

shall grant the permit provided that (1) in his 

judgment the number of permittees selling handicraft products is not so large as to be inconsistent 

with the enjoyment of visitors to the Pipestone 

National Monument and (2) a suitable area is 

available for conduct of the operation. The permit 

shall be issued without charge and shall be valid 

only during the calendar year in which it is issued. 

THE PERMITTING PROCESS 

TO QUARRY PIPESTONE 

The superintendent of Pipestone National 

Monument requires that an individual applying 

for an annual permit to quarry pipestone show 

proof of affiliation with a federally recognized 

American Indian tribe. More than one person 

may quarry at the same site. Any person assisting 

the quarrier at a site must also validate his or her 

status as a member of a federally recognized 

American Indian tribe. 

No permits are issued to tribes. The 1937 enabling legislation clearly states that pipestone 

quarrying is reserved to individual “Indians of all 

tribes,” not to particular tribes. 

CONSULTATION FOR THE NATIVE 

AMERICAN GRAVES PROTECTION AND 

REPATRIATION ACT OF 1990 (NAGPRA) 

Museum collections have been inventoried for 

items covered by NAGPRA, such as human remains, funerary objects, and sacred or other 

objects of cultural patrimony. Neither human 

remains nor associated funerary objects have 

ever been part of the collections at Pipestone 

National Monument. The NPS “Servicewide 

NAGPRA Summary” of 1993 indicates 20 pipestone pipes that could be objects of cultural 

patrimony. They might be pipes of such 

individuals as Red Dog, Kills Spotted Horse, 

Short Bull, Rushing Bear, Dull Knife, Wolf Robe, 

Spotted Tail, Hollow Horn Bear, Crow Dog, 

Kicking Bear, White Eagle, Jack Red Cloud, 

American Horse, Red Cloud, Rain in the Face, 

Chief Joseph, Sitting Bull, Big Snake, Black Dog, 

and Roan Horse. One might be a council pipe. 

The affiliated and other federally recognized 

tribes that might be linked to these pipes were 

notified according to NAGPRA procedures as to 

their possible provenance with an invitation to 

discuss the idea of cultural patrimony. These 

pipes are part of the Edward Butts Collection of 

Kansas City, which the national monument acquired in 1964 through the Pipestone Indian 

Shrine Association. The documentation linking 

them to these people is unclear. Nevertheless, 

one response was received and duly considered, 

with repatriation resulting in 1999 of the Roan 

Horse pipe, catalog number 904 in the Pipestone 

National Monument collections. It was returned 

to Raymond Lasley, Sr., of the Osage Tribe of 

Oklahoma, a grandson of Chief Roan Horse. 

The national monument remains open to 

NAGPRA discussions with tribes that would 

wish to assert claims of cultural patrimony with 

regard to these pipes. If there are no further 

claims, all of the mandates of NAGPRA should 

be met. 
290 

APPENDIX B: ESTABLISHING LEGISLATION 

ACT OF AUGUST 25, 1937, ESTABLISHING PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT: 

An Act To establish the Pipestone National Monument in the State of Minnesota, approved 

August 25, 1937 (50 Stat. 804) 

(a) Establishment; boundaries

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress 

assembled, That the lands lying in Pipestone County, Minnesota, within the area hereinafter 

described are dedicated and set apart as a national monument for the benefit and enjoyment of 

the people of the United States, under the name of the ''Pipestone National Monument'': 

Beginning at a point twenty-two and four-tenths feet north and forty-five and eight onehundredths feet west of the southwest corner of section 1, township 106 north, range 46 west, 

fifth principal meridian; thence north one thousand six hundred and fifty-five feet; thence north 

eighty-nine degrees fifteen minutes east, seven hundred and eight feet; thence north no degrees 

forty-five minutes west, six hundred and seven and three-tenths feet; thence north sixty-two 

degrees five minutes east, nine hundred and eighty-seven and one-tenth feet; thence south 

twenty-seven degrees fifty-five minutes east, two hundred and sixty-four and five-tenths feet; 

thence south eighty-eight degrees nineteen minutes east, nine hundred and sixty-seven and fivetenths feet; thence south no degrees twenty-four minutes east, one hundred and forty-four and 

three-tenths feet; thence south eighty-three degrees forty-three minutes west, four hundred and 

seventy-two and four-tenths feet; thence south two degrees seventeen minutes east, two thousand 

two hundred and forty-nine feet; thence south eighty-nine degrees twenty minutes west, four 

hundred and fifty-eight and two-tenths feet; thence south no degrees no minutes east, one 

hundred and one and one-tenth feet; thence south ninety degrees no minutes west, one hundred 

and thirty-seven and two-tenths feet; thence north no degrees no minutes west, one hundred feet; 

thence south eighty-nine degrees twenty minutes west, one thousand six hundred and eightythree and eight-tenths feet to the point of beginning; containing approximately one hundred and 

fifteen and eighty-six one-hundredths acres, including concourse, excluding from the area 

described herein forty-seven one-hundredths acres, constituting a right-of-way of the Chicago, 

Rock Island and Pacific Railway. (16 U.S.C. sec.445c) 

(b) Administration, protection, and development 

The administration, protection, and development of such monument shall be exercised under the 

direction of the Secretary of the Interior by the National Park Service, subject to the provisions of 

an Act entitled “An Act to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes,” approved 

August 25, 1916, as amended. (16 U.S.C. sec. 445c) 

(c) Quarry rights of Indians 

The quarrying of the red pipestone in the lands described in subsection (a) of this section is 

expressly reserved to Indians of all tribes, under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of 

the Interior. (16 U.S.C. sec. 445c.) 
Appendix B: Establishing Legislation 

291 

ACT OF JUNE 18, 1956 ADDING LANDS TO PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT: 

An Act To authorize the addition of certain lands to the Pipestone National Monument in 

the State of Minnesota, approved June 18, 1956 (70 Stat. 290) 

Acquisition of additional lands, Pipestone School Reserve and non-Federal land; redefining 

of boundaries; quarry rights of Indians 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress 

assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to add to the Pipestone National 

Monument such part of the Pipestone school reserve, not exceeding two hundred and fifty acres, 

as he deems necessary to protect archeological remains, to acquire by purchase or condemnation 

not exceeding ten acres of non-Federal land, as he deems necessary to improve the boundary and 

administration of the Pipestone National Monument Federal land, and to redefine the exterior 

boundaries of the Pipestone National Monument to include the lands so transferred and acquired 

pursuant to this section. All lands added to the Pipestone National Monument pursuant to this 

section shall be subject to the provisions of subsections 2 and 3 of the Act of August 25, 1937 (50 

Stat. 804). (16 U.S.C. section 445d). 
292 

APPENDIX C: THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES AND SPECIES OF 

SPECIAL CONCERN 

The state of Minnesota maintains a list of endangered, threatened, and special concern 

species. Under “Threatened or Endangered 

Species and Species of Special Concern” (p. 19), 

the species for this area are shown, with a discussion of which have been considered in this 

document and which have been dismissed from 

further consideration. 

All the state-listed species at Pipestone are associated with the Sioux quartzite prairie. They are 

as follows: 

Endangered Threatened 

Of Special 

Concern 

blackfoot 

quillwort 

short-pointed 

umbrella-sedge 

water-hyssop 

hairy water 

clover 

mud plantain buffalo grass 

 slender plantain mudwort 

 plains prickly 

pear 

 tumble grass 

The Prairie Cluster Long Term Ecological 

Monitoring Program is designing a protocol to 

monitor sensitive species located in the Sioux 

quartzite habitat. The following descriptions of 

state-listed plants come from the 1983 memorandum of understanding between the state of 

Minnesota and the National Park Service. The 

descriptions for the memorandum were prepared by Welby Smith, Botanist, Natural 

Heritage Program. 

Blackfoot quillwort is a fern at the northern 

extent of its range in Minnesota. According 

to the state of Minnesota, it appears to be 

rare or local over most of its range and may 

be extinct in neighboring states. It is known 

to occur at two sites in Minnesota. It is 

found only in ephemeral pools that form in 

depressions in Sioux Quartzite outcrops. 

This species was first collected in Pipestone 

National Monument in 1979. 

Hairy water clover is a fern that reaches 

the eastern edge of its range in Minnesota. It 

has been found in three locations in the 

state, most recently in 1963. The plant may 

survive in low numbers or may have succumbed to heavy grazing by cattle. It occurs 

in prairie pools and water-filled depressions 

in Sioux quartzite. It was collected at Pipestone National Monument in 1938 and 

1946. It could not be found in 1979, but it 

may persist in low numbers. 

Short-pointed umbrella-sedge (called 

Tapeleaf flatsedge in the memorandum) did 

occur at three locations in Minnesota, but at 

the time of the memorandum, none could 

be located at the known locations. The species, which appears to be restricted to a 

limited habitat, is threatened by cattle 

grazing and quarrying. In 1983 it was 

thought possible that populations might 

persist at Pipestone and Blue Mounds State 

Park. All three of the collections are from 

the margins of shallow pools on quartzite 

outcrops. It was collected at Pipestone in 

1938 and 1961 but could not be located in 

1979 and 1980. A few individuals may 

persist. 

Mud plantain is a small aquatic species first 

collected in 1945. It was collected in or near 

Pipestone in 1956. Repeated searches of 

both these sites have failed to find the species. A few may persist at these sites or in 

similar habitats nearby. The greatest threat 

to this species is heavy grazing of its habitat 

by dairy cattle. Both known populations of 

this species are associated with shallow rock 

pools formed in depressions in Sioux 

quartzite outcrops.

Water hyssop is an aquatic species, wideranging in North America but restricted 

ecologically and geographically in Minnesota. There have been six documented 

populations in Minnesota from six counties 

in the southwestern and west-central part of 

the state. Most populations occur in shallow 

pools on quartzite and granite outcrops. The 

other populations are found in mud flats at 

the margins of receding ponds in the prairie 

region of the state. A specimen was collected 

in 1963 from Pipestone National 

Monument, but it has not been found there 
Appendix C: Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 

293 

in recent years. It may persist in a dormant 

condition during dry periods. 

Buffalo grass is a characteristic Great Plains 

species that reaches the eastern limit of its 

natural range in Minnesota. Although it can 

withstand cattle grazing on western rangelands, Minnesota populations appear to be 

susceptible to grazing and are quite small. 

Native Minnesota populations may also be 

threatened by nonnative strains introduced 

from farther west. This is basically a species 

of dry prairies and plains, but all of the 

known Minnesota populations are restricted to thin soil on quartzite outcrops. 

The species was first collected at the monument in 1954 and has been verified several 

times in recent years. The population is not 

large but is well established. 

Mudwort is a small aquatic species that 

ranges throughout much of the continent to 

the north and west of Minnesota. Within 

Minnesota it appears to be quite rare. There 

have been only five documented occurrences in four counties on the western edge 

of the state. Many of the populations are 

relatively small and may have trouble 

persisting. It is uncertain why the genus is so 

rare, but it may be related to the ephemeral 

nature of its habitat. Three of the five occurrences are from granite or quartzite outcrops, where they are found at the edge of 

depression pools. The remaining two populations are from the margin of a prairie pool 

and the edge of a small river. This species 

was first collected at Pipestone National 

Monument in 1963 and verified in 1979. The 

population is small but appears to be well 

established. 

Plains prickly pear is typical of dry prairies 

and plains in the south-central and southwestern United States. However, it is local in 

Minnesota, where it reaches the northern 

limit of its range in the Upper Minnesota 

Valley. There are currently 16 known 

populations in Minnesota and 2 believed 

recently extinct. Unlike the common Opuntia cactus (Opuntia fragilis), prickly pear is 

not usually favored by grazing or other disturbances, although it does persist under 

light-to-moderate grazing. All the populations in Minnesota occur on granite or 

quartzite outcrops. The species was first 

collected at the monument in 1895, with 

many subsequent collections. It is well 

established at the site although not notably 

abundant. 

Tumble grass is a common western species 

that reaches the eastern limit of its natural 

range in southwestern Minnesota. It has 

been collected at only four locations since 

its discovery in the state in 1895. It appears 

to be tolerant of grazing but requires areas 

of sparse vegetation where competition 

from other species is minimal. Of the four 

documented populations in Minnesota, 

three occur on quartzite outcrops. The 

habitat of the fourth population was 

described by the collector as an “alkalai 

prairie.” The first documented occurrence 

in Pipestone National Monument is 

believed to have been in 1895. It was 

collected again at the monument in 1954 

and 1959, but not since. Although its 

occurrence at the site has not been recently 

verified, it is believed likely to persist there. 

Slender Plantain is a western species that reaches 

the eastern edge of its range in Minnesota and 

appears to have very specific habitat 

requirements. This species was first collected at 

the national monument in 1931 and again in 

1962. It could not be relocated in 1979 or 1980 

and its present status is uncertain. It may persist 

in low numbers. 

Although some of these species have not been 

found recently, protecting the Sioux quartzite 

outcrops from development would protect any 

that may still occur but are in such small 

numbers they cannot be found easily. 
APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS /INDEX

294 
Appendix C: Threatened and Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 

295 
APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS /INDEX

296 
Appendix C: Threatened and Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 

297 
APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS /INDEX

298 
Appendix C: Threatened and Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 

299 
APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS /INDEX

300 
Appendix C: Threatened and Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 

301 
APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS /INDEX

302 
Appendix C: Threatened and Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern 

303 
APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS /INDEX

304 
305 

APPENDIX D: CORRESPONDENCE WITH MINNESOTA STATE HISTORIC 

PRESERVATION OFFICE 
APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS /INDEX

306 
Appendix D: Correspondence with Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office 

307 
APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS /INDEX

308 
309 

APPENDIX E: STATEMENT OF FINDINGS — FLOODPLAINS 

STATEMENT OF FINDINGS FOR GENERAL 

MANAGEMENT PLAN / ENVIRONMENTAL 

IMPACT STATEMENT, PIPESTONE 

NATIONAL MONUMENT

Introduction 

In accordance with Executive Order (EO) 11988, 

“Floodplain Management” and NPS guidelines 

for implementing the order, the National Park 

Service has evaluated the flood hazards for development in Pipestone National Monument 

and has prepared this statement of findings. As 

an integral part of the effort to develop a general 

management plan for the national monument, 

this statement contains descriptions of the flood 

hazard, alternatives, and mitigating measures for 

the continued use of this area. More details 

about future actions and environmental impacts 

are available in the General Management Plan / 

Environmental Impact Statement.

Description of Site 

Pipestone Creek enters the national monument 

from the east, cascades over the Sioux quartzite 

escarpment as a waterfall, and flows into a small 

impoundment. From there it meanders northwesterly across the glacial valley until it exits at 

the north boundary. Above the falls, the creek 

was channeled in the early 1900s to help drain 

agricultural lands and decrease the chance of 

flooding upstream. Now it flows well below its 

original bed. The channel to the falls, which is 

roughly 21 feet wide and 5 feet deep, drains 

about 30,000 acres of land. Pipestone Creek 

starts upstream about 13 miles and eventually 

flows into the Lower Big Sioux River. According 

to measurements taken in 1984, the discharge of 

the creek ranges from about 1 to 88 cubic feet 

per second (cfs). 

Within a few hundred feet of Pipestone Creek, a 

Mission 66 visitor center / maintenance facility / 

administrative headquarters was developed 

roughly in the center of the national monument 

along the quarry line. The quarry line is a northsouth layer of Sioux quartzite rock where American Indians quarried a thin layer of pipestone 

(catlinite). 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency 

mapped floodplains at Pipestone National 

Monument in 1991. The resulting flood insurance rate map indicates that about one-third to 

one-half of the national monument is in the 100-

year floodplain. A small portion of the floodway 

of the main channel lies between the Soo Line 

Railway and Hiawatha Avenue, east of the national monument. Base flood plain elevations 

were determined for this area. 

A wide corridor along the main channel is in the 

100-year floodplain. That corridor extends from 

the northwest boundary of the national monument to within about 250 feet of the eastern 

boundary, but no base flood elevations were determined. An area approximately 250 feet wide 

along the eastern boundary is within the 100-

year floodplain. That area extends from 9th 

Street to about 250 feet north of the main channel. Its base flood elevations were calculated at 

1718–1719 feet. The rest of the monument lies 

within the 500-year floodplain or areas of 100-

year flood with average depths of less than 1 foot 

or with drainage areas less than 1 square mile. 

Description of Preferred Alternative 

This statement of findings addresses the NPS 

proposal to remove the visitor center and associated development including the two houses near 

the entrance. The picnic grounds, and restroom 

facilities near the Three Maidens rock 

formation, would be removed. 

New facilities will be developed including a new 

restroom facility near the western end of the 

Circle Trail and a new Visitor Center in an area 

that will be determined following detailed study 

of available locations and potential impacts. 

The use of the Sun Dance grounds by American 

Indians would continue. The National Park Service would continue to rehabilitate and preserve 
APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS /INDEX

310 

the native prairie, which is the setting for the 

quarries and their interpretation. 

Area Flooding Characteristics 

The visitor center / maintenance / headquarters 

facility is in the 100-year floodplain, for which 

no base flood elevations have been determined. 

The two houses are in the area for which base 

flood elevations have been calculated at 1718–

1719 feet. The maintenance storage yard is in the 

floodway of the main channel. It appears that 

most of the western part of the USFWS property 

north of the national monument also is within 

the 100-year floodplain. 

Flash flooding in the national monument along 

Pipestone Creek is relatively frequent. Such 

flooding is most likely to occur after a quick 

spring thaw over frozen soils or after a severe 

summer thunderstorm. Flooding of bridges and 

trails is frequent, with rare flows causing floodwaters to overtop the escarpment south of 

Winnewissa Falls. 

Several adverse impacts can result from frequent 

flash flooding. Sediments have nearly filled Lake 

Hiawatha, and less than 2 feet of water storage is 

left in the lake. Periphyton on rocks in the 

stream are dislodged, resulting in reduced 

stream productivity. In the floodplain, biota are 

exposed to chemical pollutants from upstream, 

and debris detracts from the site’s aesthetics. 

JUSTIFICATION FOR USE 

OF THE FLOODPLAIN 

Why Facilities in Floodplain 

Would Be Retained 

The visitor center / maintenance / headquarters 

facility would be removed from the floodplain. 

The two houses are exactly at the calculated 

flood elevation of 1,718–1,719 feet and will also 

be removed. 

Under NPS procedures for implementing EO 

11988, all other facilities such as parking areas, 

trails, maintenance storage areas, and picnic 

areas may be within the 100-year floodplain. 

Alternatives Considered in the 

General Management Plan / 

Environmental Impact Statement

Retaining the visitor center at its current 

location the national monument was considered, 

as was expanding it at the present location. 

SITE-SPECIFIC FLOOD RISK; MINIMIZING HARM TO FLOODPLAIN VALUES 

AND RISK TO LIFE OR PROPERTY 

To protect lives, the staff of Pipestone National 

Monument periodically closes trails that could 

be flooded. The national monument could be 

closed completely to visitors during a 100-year 

or greater event. The staff monitors weather reports and follows standard operating procedures 

for handling trail closures. Such procedures 

include posting signs explaining the hazards, assigning rangers to alert visitors to the danger, 

and clearing the trails to ensure that no visitors 

are present. 

The new restroom facility along the western leg 

of the Circle Trail will be constructed in the 100- 

year floodplain. The facility will be located in an 

area that has historically not flooded. A berm 

will be constructed around it to prevent 

floodwaters from damaging the structure. 

The natural and beneficial values of floodplains 

(moderation of floodwaters, maintenance of 

water quality, and groundwater recharge) would 

not be affected by retaining the existing facilities. 

Minimal improvements to groundwater 

recharge would result from removing the 

structures and associated impervious paved 

surfaces. 

SUMMARY 

The National Park Service has determined that 

removing the visitor facilities and two houses 

from the floodplain of Pipestone Creek is the 

most desirable alternative. 
311 

APPENDIX F: THE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT AND NPS 

ASSISTANCE 

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, 

as amended, provides a mechanism for federal 

agencies to help private entities with the 

preservation of structures in or eligible for 

inclusion in the National Register of Historic 

Places. 

Federal agencies can provide technical 

assistance in the form of advice. This is the type 

of assistance envisioned within this plan for the 

Pipestone Indian School superintendent’s 

house. National monument staff and NPS 

regional staff would provide recommendations 

on types of materials or products that should be 

used for preservation work. They could also 

provide some on-site evaluative services based 

on expertise and available time providing 

judgments on building condition and uses. 

National monument staff could help with grant 

applications for funding. However, no funding 

from the government to a private entity would 

be involved. 

Funds are provided yearly by the National Park 

Service to each state historic preservation officer 

to oversee the granting of funds to organizations 

for historic preservation purposes. Grants would 

be requested by the property owner and, if 

accepted, overseen by the state historic 

preservation officer. In the case of the Pipestone 

Indian School superintendent’s house, any 

funding for design or bricks and mortar 

preservation would have to come from this or 

some other funding source. No funding directly 

from Pipestone National Monument would 

occur. 
312 

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Abbott, Kathryn A. 

 1996 “Hiawatha” In Encyclopedia of American Indians, edited by Frederick E. Hoxie, 245–

246. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 

Ager, Jerald 

 1996 “Geology of the Pipestone Quarry.” Coteau Heritage, Journal of the Pipestone 

County [MN] Historical Society 2 (1, April 1989): 2–5.

Anfinson, Scott F. 

 1997 Southwestern Minnesota Archaeology: 12,000 Years in the Prairie Lake Region. Saint 

Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press. Minnesota Prehistoric Archaeology Series, 

no. 14.

Becker, Donald A., Thomas B. Bragg, and David M. Sutherland

 1986 “Prairie Management Plan: Pipestone National Monument.” Prepared by Ecosystems 

Management, Elkhorn, NE.

Bray, Edmund C., and Martha Coleman Bray, editors and translators

 1993 Joseph N. Nicollet on the Plains and Prairies: The Expeditions of 1838–1839, with 

Journals, Letters, and Notes on the Dakota Indians. Saint Paul: Minnesota Historical 

Society Press. First published in 1976. 

Davis, John Wayne 

 1934 “A History of the Pipestone Reservation and Quarry in Minnesota.” M.S. thesis, 

University of Colorado at Boulder. 

Draper, Chuck, editor 

 1984 A History of Pipestone County [MN]: Information Gathered by the Book Committee and 

Edited by the Editorial Committee. Dallas, TX: Taylor Publishing Company. Prepared 

for the Pipestone County Historical Society, Pipestone, MN (copyright holder). 

Dudzik, Mark J. 

 1995a “American Indian Rock Art, State of Minnesota.” National Register of Historic Places

nomination form prepared by Mark J. Dudzik, March 18, 1995. Omaha, NE: 

sponsored by the Midwest Regional Office, National Park Service. This rock art 

district, state of Minnesota, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on 

November 14, 1996. 

 1995b “Visions in Stone: The Rock Art of Minnesota.” Minnesota Archaeologist 54: 99–108.

Fish, Larry 

 2001 “Indian Schools’ Mark Indelible: Exhibit Explores Rules, Paternalism.” Denver Post,

July 15, 2001, 26A. 

Halvorson V. 

 1983 Personal correspondence with superintendent of Pipestone National Monument in 

June 1983. 
Selected Bibliography 

313 

Hiebert, Ron 

 2001 “Prioritizing Weeds: The Alien Plant Ranking System.” Conservation Biology in 

Practice. 2 (1, Winter 2001): 36–38. 

Hoxie, Frederick E. 

 1996 “Calumet.” In Encyclopedia of North American Indians., edited by Frederick E. Hoxie, 

98. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 

Hughes, David T. 

 1995 “Perceptions of the Sacred: A Review of Selected Native American Groups and Their 

Relationships with the Catlinite Quarries” [at Pipestone National Monument, 

Minnesota]. Prepared by Anthropological Research Laboratories, Wichita State 

University. Wichita, KS, under contract for the Midwest Archeological Center, 

National Park Service, Lincoln, NE.

Hughes, David T., and Alice J. Stewart

 1997 “Traditional Use of Pipestone National Monument: Ethnographic Resources of 

Pipestone National Monument.” Prepared by Anthropological Research 

Laboratories, Wichita State University. Wichita, KS, under contract for the Midwest 

Archeological Center, National Park Service, Lincoln, NE.

Linch, Lyle K. 

 1954 The History of the Pipestone Indian Shrine and National Monument. Compiled for the 

Pipestone Shrine Association. Pipestone, MN: Pipestone National Monument. 

Mahon,. John K. 

 1967 History of the Second Seminole War, 1835–1842. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida 

Press.

Matusky, Julia Gedeon 

 2001 “The Great Peace of Montreal, 1701.” The Beaver, Canada’s History Magazine 81(3, 

June–July 2001): 8–11.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program

 1973 Minnesota Proposed List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Plants and 

Animals. 

 1983a Letter of November 16, 1983, transmitting the memorandum of understanding that 

would place Pipestone National Monument on the Minnesota Natural Heritage 

Register. Signed by Barbara Coffin, Coordinator, Natural Heritage Program. Prepared 

by Section of Ecological Services. 

 1983b Memorandum of understanding for inclusion of Pipestone National Monument on 

the Minnesota Natural Heritage Register. Includes species status sheets prepared by 

Welby Smith, Botanist, Natural Heritage Program. 

 1985 “Sioux Quartzite Prairie Element Abstract,” prepared by Keith Wendt. 

 2000 Natural Heritage Database, Element Occurrence Records “List of Known Rare 

features in Pipestone National Monument, Sorted by Class and Element Name.” 
APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS /INDEX

314 

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

 1984 Chapter 7050: Classification and Standards for Waters of the State. Saint Paul. Cited in 

Becker, Bragg, and Sutherland “Prairie Management Plan.”

Mitchell, J. H. 

 1934 “The Pipestone Quarry, or Restoring an Ancient Indian Shrine.” In Indians at Work: A 

News Sheet for Indians and the Indian Service 2 (8, December 1934): 25–29. Pipestone, 

MN: The Pipestone Indian School, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the 

Interior. 

Moore, Robert J., Jr. 

 1997 Native Americans: A Portrait: The Art and Travels of Charles Bird King, George 

Catlin, and Karl Bodmer. New York: Stewart, Tabori, and Chang. 

Murray, Robert A. 

 1965 A History of Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota. Pipestone, MN: Pipestone 

Indian Shrine Association. 

Nabokov, Peter 

 1995 “Lineal Descendants of Former Owners of Pipes in Collections of Pipestone National 

Monument.” Prepared by Loendorf and Associates, Las Cruces, NM, for the Midwest 

Archeological Center, National Park Service, Lincoln, NE. 

 1996 “Tobacco.” In Encyclopedia of North American Indians, edited by Frederick E. Hoxie, 

633–635. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 

National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior

 1955 “Notes on the Archeology of Pipestone National Monument,” by Paul L. Beaubien. 

Manuscript on file at Midwest Archeological Center, Lincoln, NE. 

 1964 “Master Plan for the Preservation and Use of Pipestone National Monument,” by 

Carl R. Stoddard. Pipestone, MN. 

 1966 “A Vascular Plant Collection, Pipestone National Monument,” by Dennis Disrud. 

Pipestone, MN. 

 1971 “Report on Archeological Salvage, Upper Midwest Cultural Center and Six-Unit 

Apartment Complex, Pipestone National Monument,” by Roy W. Reaves III. 

Prepared by Northeast Region, Philadelphia, PA. 

 1973 “Interpretive Prospectus, Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota,” by. Russell J. 

Hendrickson, *William T. Ingersoll, Cecil D. Lewis Jr., and Jon B. Montgomery. 

Harpers Ferry, WV: Harpers Ferry Center. 

 1976 Pipestone National Monument nomination form, National Register of Historic 

Places, by David Arbogast. Omaha, NE: Midwest Regional Office. Form recorded July 

2, 1976, by Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, Washington, DC. [The 

national monument was originally listed in the national register on October 15, 1966. 

(Form updated April 13, 1976.)] 
Selected Bibliography 

315 

National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior (continued)

 1983 Evaluation of Catlinite Resources: Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota, by G. B. 

Morey. Prepared by Midwest Region, Omaha, NE. Report MWR-4. 

 1984 “Water Quality Study, Pipestone: National Park Service Staff Research Investigation,” 

by Denise Stocks. 

 1986 “Prairie Management Plan: Pipestone National Monument.”

 1988 Trails Management Handbook, by Lennon Hooper. Denver Service Center. Available 

on the Internet at <www.bea.doc.gov/bea/regional/bearfacts/index.htm>. 

 1993a Floodplain Management Guideline. Washington, DC.

 1993b Guiding Principles of Sustainable Design.

 1993c “Servicewide Summary of Unassociated Funerary Objects, Sacred Objects, and 

Objects of Cultural Patrimony, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation 

Act of 1990”. Prepared by Cultural Resources Division. 

 1996 “Archeological Survey of a Controlled Burn at Pipestone National Monument, 

Pipestone County, Minnesota,” by Caven P. Clark. Lincoln, NE: Midwest Archeological Center. Technical report 40. 

 1998a Director’s Order 28: Cultural Resource Management. Washington. 

 1998b National Park Service Procedural Manual 77-1: Wetland Protection. Technical report 

NPS/NRWRD/TRTR098/203. Denver. 

 1998c “Resources Management Plan: Pipestone National Monument.”

 1999a Annual Report, Fiscal Year 1998. From Inventory and Monitoring Program. Available 

on the Internet at <http://www.nature.nps.gov/pubs/I&M/title.htm>. 

 1999b “Great Plains Prairie Cluster, Prairie and Grassland Biome,” by L. Thomas, (Cluster 

I&M Coordinator), M. DeBacker, S. Jenkins, L. Thomas, G. Wilson, B. Rizzo, E. 

Schneider, D. Debinski, S. Mahady, and A. Powell. 

 2000a Annual Status Report, 1999: Plant Community Monitoring for Pipestone National 

Monument, by Mike DeBacker and Karola Milekush. Prairie Cluster Long-Term 

Ecological Program. 

 2000b Annual Status Report, 1999: Western Prairie Fringed Orchid Monitoring for Pipestone 

National Monument, by Gary D. Wilson, U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources 

Division, Northern Prairie Research Center. Missouri Project Office. Program Report 

99-003, Great Plains Prairie Cluster Long-Term Ecological Program. 

 2000c “Grassland Bird Inventory of Seven Prairie Parks,” by A. N. Powell. Final Report to 

the Great Plains Prairie Cluster Long-term Ecological Monitoring Program, Wilson 

Creek National Battlefield, Republic, Missouri. 
APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS /INDEX

316 

National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior (continued)

 2000d “Mission 66 Visitor Centers: The History of A Building Type,” by Sarah Allaback 

Washington, DC: Park Historic Structures and Cultural Landscapes Program, 

Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships Division. 

 2000e Strategic Plan for Pipestone National Monument, October 1, 2001–September 30, 2005.

 2001a Conceptual Framework, Monitoring Components, and Implementation of an NPS Longterm Ecological Monitoring Program, by L. P. Thomas, M. D. Debacker, J. R. Boetsch, 

and D. G. Peitz. Prairie Cluster Prototype Program Status Report, Wilson’s Creek 

National Battlefield, Springfield, MO. 

 2006b Management Policies 2006.

 2001c “Ethnographic Landscapes,” by Michael J. Evans, Alexa Roberts, and Peggy Nelson. 

In People and Places: The Ethnographic Connection. A Special Issue of CRM [Cultural 

Resource Management]: A Journal of the National Park Service 24 (5): 53–56.

 2001d “Plant Help.” E-mail message regarding slender plantain, a species listed as 

threatened by the state, from Mike Debacker, NPS Great Plains Prairie Cluster, to 

Kristin Legg, Resource Manager, Pipestone National Monument. 

 2002 Trip report for travel to Pipestone National Monument on June 10–12, 2002, by 

Richard Inglis, Hydrologist, Water Operations Branch, Water Resources Division. 

September 16. 

 2003a M. James LaRock, superintendent, Pipestone National Monument, to Dr. Nina 

Archabal, Minnesota state historic preservation officer, May 29, 2003, regarding 

request for concurrence, determination of eligibility for listing in the National 

Register of Historic Places of the Mission 66 structures and features in the national 

monument. On file at Pipestone National Monument. 

 2003b “Pipestone National Monument Visitor Study: Summer 2002, ” by Margaret 

Littlejohn and Steven J. Hollenhorst. Visitor Services Project Report 135. 

 2003c Gary M. Smillie, hydrologist, Water Resources Division, National Park Service, e-mail 

message to Mary Magee, Denver Service Center, January 3, 2003, regarding Pipestone 

flood hazard. 

National Park Service and U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior 

 1996 “Prairie Cluster Long-term Ecological Monitoring (LTEM) Program, submission to 

NPS Annual Report, Inventory and Monitoring Program, Fiscal Year 1996.” Prepared 

by NPS and USGS, Biological Resources Division. 

Ojakangas, R. W., and C. L. Matsch 

 1982 Minnesota’s Geology. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. 

Pond, Samuel W. 

 1986 The Dakota or Sioux in Minnesota: As They Were in 1834. Saint Paul: Historical Society 

Press. First published in 1908 by Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul. Minnesota 

Historical Collections 12. 
Selected Bibliography 

317 

Powers, William K. 

 1977 Oglala [Lakota] Religion. Lincoln: NE. University of Nebraska Press. A Bison book.

Rothman, Hal K., and Daniel K. Holder

 1992 “Managing the Sacred and the Secular: An Administrative History of Pipestone 

National Monument.” Report prepared for the National Park Service Midwest 

Regional Office by Hal K. Rothman and Associates,. Henderson, NV, under contract. 

Seig, Louis 

 1999 Tobacco, Peace Pipes, and Indians: The Ceremonial Use of Tobacco. Palmer Lake, CO: 

Filter Press. 

Sigstad, John S. 

 1970 “A Report of the Archaeological Investigations, Pipestone National Monument 1965 

and 1966.” Journal of the Iowa Archaeological Society 17 (December 1970): 1–51. 

Snyder, Ellen J. 

 1986 “Small Mammal Habitat Use and Some Population Parameters of Microtus 

pennsylvanicus and Sorex cinereus at Pipestone National Monument. Prepared for the 

National Park Service by Iowa State University, Ames, IA. 

Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

 1976 Soil Survey of Pipestone County, Minnesota. Maps included.

Stevens, O. A. 

 1969 “Pipestone National Monument in Minnesota.” Rhodora, 195–7. 

Talley, Jenell 

 2004 “Little Orchid on the Prairie.” National Parks: The Magazine of the National Parks 

Conservation Association 78 no. 2 (Spring): 60–61. 

Thiessen, Thomas D. 

 2002 “The Pipestone Petroglyphs.” Talk presented at the February 26, 2002, meeting of the 

Kiwanis Club of Pipestone, Pipestone, Minnesota. Ethnohistorian and archeologist 

from Midwest Archeological Center, National Park Service, Lincoln, NE. 

Thiessen, Thomas D., and Charles R. Bailey

 1999 “The Pipestone Petroglyphs.” Paper presented at the 1999 meeting of the 

International Rock Art Congress, Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin on May 27, 1999. 

In possession of the authors at NPS Midwest Archeological Center, Lincoln, NE, and 

Upper Midwest Rock Art Research Association, Brooklyn Center, MN. 

 2000 “The Pipestone Petroglyphs.” In Proceedings of the 1999 Meeting of the International 

Rock Art Congress, Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin May 27, 1999, edited by Peggy J. 

Whitehead and Lawrence L. Loendorf, 115–126. Tucson, AZ: American Rock Art 

Research Association.

Tiller, Veronica E. Velarde 

 1996 Tiller’s Guide to Indian Country: Economic Profiles of American Indian Reservations. 

Albuquerque NM: Bow-Arrow Publishing Company. 

Toupal, Rebecca S., Richard W. Stoffle, Nathan O’Meara, and Jill Dumbauld

 2004 “The Everchanging Pipestone Quarries: Sioux Cultural Landscapes and Ethnobotany 

of Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota.” Vol. 2 of “Ethnohistorical and Ethnobotanical Study.” Prepared by Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology, University of Arizona, for the National Park Service under cooperative agreement. 

Tucson, AZ. 
APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS /INDEX

318 

U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Office of Occupational Safety and Health

 2001 Memo to Superintendent, Pipestone National Monument, from Industrial Hygienist, 

subject “Silica Exposure Monitoring” September 28, 2001. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

 1998 Environmental Justice Guidance. From the Internet at <http://es.epa.gov/oeca/ofa/

ejepa.html>. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (continued)

 1979 Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. Prepared for the 

USFWS by Lewis M. Cowardin (USFWS), Virginia Carter (USGS), Francis C. Golet 

(Univ. of RI), and Edward T. LaRoe (NOAA). Reprint 1992. Washington, DC. 

 1989 Classification of Wetlands and Deep Water Habitats of the United States. Prepared 

for the USFWS by Lewis M. Cowardin (USFWS), Virginia Carter (USGS), Francis C. 

Golet (Univ. of RI), and Edward T. LaRoe (NOAA). Reprint 1992. Washington, DC. 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior

 1996 “Western Prairie Fringed Orchid Recovery Plan,” Fort Snelling, MN. 

 2002a “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for 

the Topeka Shiner.” Federal Register (August 21, 2002) vol. 67, no. 162. USDI, Fish 

and Wildlife Service, 30 CFR 17. 

 2002b For Lack of a Moth, the Orchid is Lost.” Feature Series, vol. II, no. 4. From USFWS

Internet site, November 1, 2002. 

 2002c U.S. Fish and Fish and Wildlife Service Publishes Updated List of Candidates for 

Endangered Species Act Listing June 13, 2002, from the Internet at 

<fws-news@lists.fws.gov>. 

U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior

 1998 Regional Landscape Ecosystems of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Sub-Section 

II.2.3., Ivanhoe-Worthington Coteau: Ground Moraine and stagnation moraine; 

tallgrass prairie. Accessed on the Internet in June 2003 at <http://www.npwrc.usgs. 

gov/resource/1998/rlandscp/s2-2-3.htm>. 

Wilson, Gary D., and Timothy W. Vinyard

 1984 “Changes in the Lichen Flora of Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota.” The 

Prairie Naturalist 8(1): 9–14. 

Woolworth, Alan R., editor 

 1983 “The Red Pipestone Quarry of Minnesota: Archaeological and Historical Reports.” 

Minnesota Archaeologist 42 (1 and 2): 1–137 

Zedeño, Maria Nieves and Robert Christopher Basaldú

 2004 “Native American Cultural Affiliation and Traditional Association Study, Pipestone 

National Monument, Minnesota.” Vol. 1 of “Ethnohistorical and Ethnobotanical 

Study.” Prepared by Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology, University of 

Arizona, for the National Park Service under cooperative agreement. Tucson, AZ. 
319 

PREPARERS OF THE DOCUMENT

PLANNERS AND PREPARERS, 

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 

Denver Service Center

Craig Cellar, Anthropologist/Planner. Job 

Captain, overall project coordination. B.A. 

(History), B.A. (Anthropology), two years 

toward M.A. in Anthropology. Thirty-two 

years with the National Park Service. 

Mary Magee, Natural Resource Specialist. 

Responsible for description and analysis of 

impacts on natural resources. B.S. (Biology). 

Thirty years with the National Park Service. 

Karen Vaage, Landscape Architect. Responsible 

for analysis of design, visual resources, circulation, and construction costs. B.L.A. (Landscape Architecture and Environmental 

Planning), M.L.A. (Landscape Architecture). 

Twenty-three years with the National Park 

Service. 

Larry Van Horn, Cultural Resource Management Specialist. Responsible for description 

and analysis of impacts on cultural resources. 

B.A. (History), M.A. (Anthropology), Ph.D. 

(Anthropology). Twenty-eight years with the 

National Park Service. 

Harpers Ferry Center 

Don Kodak, Interpretive Planner. Responsible 

for description and analysis of interpretive, 

information, and orientation media. Eighteen 

years with the National Park Service. 

Pipestone National Monument 

Jim LaRock, Superintendent. Core Planning 

Team. Responsible for overall park 

management, including planning. B.S. 

(Landscape Architecture). Thirty-two years 

with the National Park Service. 

Sheryl Baerenwald, Administrative Technician. 

Extended Planning Team. Fifteen years with 

the National Park Service. 

Alice Erickson, Park Ranger (retired). Extended 

Planning. Team, responsible for 

interpretation. Thirty years with the National 

Park Service. 

Kristin Legg, Chief of Resources, Core Planning 

Team. B.S. (Biology), M.S. (Fish and Wildlife 

Management). Fifteen years with the 

National Park Service. 

Glen Livermont, Chief of Visitor Services and 

Protection. Core Planning Team. Twenty-six 

years with the National Park Service. 

Sue Reiss, Maintenance Worker. Extended 

Planning Team. Twenty years with the 

National Park Service. 

David Trieff, Maintenance Worker Supervisor 

(deceased). Core Planning Team. Fifteen 

years with the National Park Service. 

Sylvia Vogt, Administrative Officer. Core 

Planning Team. Twenty-five years with the 

National Park Service. 

Gia Wagner, Biologist-Resource Program 

Manager, Core Planning Team. B.S. 

(Biology), M.S. (Environmental Biology). 

Thirteen years with the National Park 

Service. 

Keweenaw National Historical Park 

Abby Sue Fisher, Curator. Extended Planning 

Team. PhD 1992. Thirteen years with the 

National Park Service. 

Midwest Region 

Michael Evans, Regional Anthropologist. 

Consultant. B.S. (Sociology), M.A. 

(Sociology), Ph.D. (Anthropology). Eleven 

years with the National Park Service. 
APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS /INDEX

320 

Sändra Washington, Regional Chief of Planning. 

Extended Planning Team. B.S. (Natural 

Resources), M.A. (Natural Resources). 

Fifteen years with the National Park Service. 

Sherda Williams, Cultural Landscape Architect. 

Extended Planning Team. B.S. (Forestry), 

M.L.A. (Landscape Architecture). Thirteen 

years with the National Park Service. 

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield 

Lisa Thomas, Ecologist, Prairie Cluster, Longterm Ecological Monitoring Program. 

Extended Planning Team. M.A. (Ecology). 

Fifteen years with the National Park Service. 

PEER REVIEWERS, 

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 

Noel Poe, Superintendent, Theodore Roosevelt 

National Park. 

Bill Supernaugh, Superintendent, Badlands 

National Park. 

PUBLICATION SERVICES, 

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, 

DENVER SERVICE CENTER 

Ruth Eitel, Visual Information Specialist 

Lou Layman, Writer-Editor 

Linda Ray, Visual Information Specialist 

Sandy Schuster, Writer-Editor
321 

INDEX 

Access, 10, 51, 116, 186, 203 

Accessibility, 128 

Advisory Council, 4, 15, 25, 26, 27, 64, 138, 

139, 141, 147, 150, 151, 164, 165, 168, 170, 

186, 188, 190, 203, 205, 207, 224, 226, 228 

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 

4, 25, 26, 27, 64, 138, 139, 141, 147, 150, 

151, 164, 165, 168, 170, 186, 188, 190, 203, 

205, 207, 224, 226, 228 

agreements, 26, 33 

air quality, 20, 29 

American Indian Movement, 107, 227 

American Indian Religious Freedom Act, 25, 

26, 228 

American Indians, i, iii, v, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 

16, 17, 23, 24, 26, 27, 41, 43, 46, 47, 49, 50, 

55, 56, 58, 63, 64, 68, 71, 79, 85, 92, 105, 

106, 107, 108, 110, 111, 112, 115, 116, 130, 

136, 148, 149, 150, 159, 162, 166, 167, 168, 

180, 183, 184, 186, 187, 188, 198, 200, 203, 

204, 205, 218, 223, 285, 286, 307, 312, 313, 

314 

archeological resources, 15, 25, 35, 44, 45, 46, 

51, 104, 105, 106 

Archeological Resources Protection Act, 25 

Archives, 93, 114, 115, 142, 152, 170, 190, 207 

birds, 46, 120, 124, 177, 196, 214 

bison, 82, 124, 147, 149, 165, 167, 185, 187, 

202, 204 

boundaries, i, v, 9, 42, 65, 72, 80, 85, 104, 110, 

111, 114, 136, 147, 149, 153, 154, 164, 167, 

182, 185, 187, 202, 204, 209, 288, 289 

boundary adjustment, 65, 72, 80 

buffalo, 20, 290 

Bureau of Indian Affairs, 285, 314 

camping, 106 

campsites, 62, 76, 85, 105, 131 

carrying capacity, vi, ix, 36, 41, 62, 76, 94, 96, 

166, 171, 173, 176, 177, 178, 203, 207, 208, 

209, 212, 213, 214, 218 

catlinite, i, iii, 3, 16, 23, 24, 44, 49, 51, 56, 71, 

104, 105, 106, 108, 109, 110, 111, 115, 116, 

118, 120, 149, 167, 187, 204, 286, 287, 307 

CCC, vii, viii, 92, 109, 110, 114, 165, 185, 186, 

190, 202, 203 

CEQ, 19, 135, 138 

Circle Trail, 3, 9, 11, 44, 52, 55, 56, 58, 63, 68, 

79, 98, 110, 113, 119, 127, 128, 136, 148, 

151, 153, 158, 159, 160, 164, 166, 169, 174, 

180, 182, 185, 186, 187, 189, 191, 198, 199, 

202, 203, 206, 216 

Civilian Conservation Corps, vii, 109, 110, 

114 

construction, 12, 15, 18, 20, 29, 30, 37, 52, 85, 

86, 87, 99, 114, 124, 135, 139, 141, 147, 149, 

151, 164, 165, 167, 169, 176, 181, 182, 183, 

185, 187, 189, 197, 199, 200, 201, 202, 204, 

206, 210, 215, 217, 286, 319 

cooperating association, i, iv, v, vi, viii, 10, 11, 

37, 58, 66, 75, 82, 127, 161 

Council on Environmental Quality, 19, 135, 

286 

counties, 290, 291 
APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS /INDEX

322 

cultural landscapes, 11, 13, 14, 25, 27, 28, 35, 

55, 63, 85, 92, 104, 108, 113, 114, 136, 138, 

139, 147, 148, 164, 165, 185, 186, 190, 202, 

203, 225 

cultural resources, iii, 7, 13, 15, 26, 37, 41, 42, 

104, 106, 108, 115, 135, 138, 139, 140, 163, 

183, 201, 218, 319 

ecosystem, 24, 29, 31, 32, 33, 45, 115, 122, 

153, 171, 192, 208 

education, viii, ix, 55, 64, 68, 74, 75, 79, 88, 

90, 91, 127, 128, 157, 225 

employment, 27, 99, 145, 161 

endangered species, 23, 24, 29, 31, 32, 44, 45, 

52, 97, 142, 158, 159, 178, 179, 197, 198, 

214, 215 

Endangered Species Act, 14, 21, 24, 32, 86, 

142, 318 

environmentally preferable alternative, 83, 

84 

erosion, 31, 38, 76, 85, 86, 124, 136, 154, 157, 

172, 176, 177, 192, 195, 196, 209, 213 

ethnographic resources, viii, 13, 25, 26, 27, 

55, 63, 64, 68, 71, 79, 92, 104, 106, 108, 111, 

112, 138, 139, 140, 148, 149, 150, 166, 167, 

168, 186, 187, 188, 203, 204, 205, 225 

exotic species, 10, 24, 29, 31, 32, 33, 42, 43, 

52, 58, 90, 121, 136, 153, 172, 208, 213, 225 

fee collection, 9, 58 

fires, ix, 35, 58, 74, 122, 125 

fishes, 120, 159, 179, 197, 215 

flooding, i, iv, vi, vii, ix, 10, 30, 45, 66, 72, 80, 

88, 93, 95, 105, 109, 123, 124, 137, 151, 152, 

155, 156, 162, 163, 169, 171, 174, 175, 183, 

184, 189, 191, 193, 194, 200, 201, 206, 207, 

211, 212, 218, 219, 307, 308 

floodplains, i, iv, vii, ix, 14, 29, 30, 56, 64, 71, 

80, 86, 95, 105, 123, 142, 143, 151, 155, 156, 

163, 169, 170, 175, 189, 190, 193, 194, 206, 

207, 211, 307, 308 

floods, 123, 194, 212 

Forest Service, 35 

geologic features, 118, 120 

geology, 115, 116, 230 

goals, 23, 27, 28 

gravel, 18, 158, 179, 197, 215 

grazing, 19, 121, 159, 179, 197, 215, 290, 291 

hunting, iv, 10, 46, 106 

impairment, 31, 92, 137, 138, 148, 150, 186, 

190, 203, 207 

Indian School superintendent’s house, i, iv, 

v, viii, 8, 63, 64, 74, 80, 90, 151, 169, 225 

interpretation, i, iv, v, vi, vii, viii, ix, 4, 7, 8, 9, 

14, 37, 41, 49, 51, 52, 55, 56, 62, 63, 64, 66, 

67, 68, 74, 75, 76, 79, 80, 88, 90, 91, 98, 142, 

145, 151, 182, 190, 198, 200, 206, 216, 217, 

225, 308, 319 

interpretive themes, 79, 115, 180, 230 

landowners, 13, 18, 33, 64, 72, 80 

management prescriptions, 48 

management zones, 48 

Minnesota Department of Natural 

Resources, i, iv, vi, ix, 4, 10, 33, 46, 58, 61, 

74, 150, 168, 172, 188, 205, 208, 226, 228, 

313 

mitigation, 13, 30, 85, 139, 143, 144, 156, 157, 

162, 168, 170, 178, 183, 194, 197, 200, 214, 

218 

mitigative measures, 139, 141, 168, 170 
Index 

323 

museum collections, i, iv, v, vii, viii, 25, 28, 

56, 64, 71, 74, 75, 80, 88, 93, 104, 108, 111, 

115, 116, 117, 118, 136, 138, 139, 142, 152, 

162, 163, 170, 171, 174, 189, 190, 191, 193, 

207, 218 

National Environmental Policy Act, 13, 83, 

135, 138, 286 

National Historic Preservation Act, 13, 24, 

25, 26, 27, 64, 86, 138, 224, 286, 309 

national monument headquarters, 30, 155, 

156, 175, 194, 211 

National Register of Historic Places, 8, 15, 

24, 25, 26, 27, 43, 55, 56, 58, 63, 64, 71, 79, 

80, 83, 105, 108, 112, 113, 138, 139, 140, 

141, 150, 151, 164, 165, 167, 168, 169, 170, 

188, 189, 190, 205, 206, 207, 224, 309, 312, 

314, 316 

Native American Graves Protection and 

Repatriation Act, 26, 28, 115, 315 

Native Americans, 286, 314 

natural resources, i, iii, vi, 3, 4, 13, 16, 23, 25, 

29, 30, 35, 37, 41, 51, 52, 74, 90, 115, 120, 

142, 143, 150, 163, 167, 179, 188, 201, 205, 

286, 319, 326 

natural sounds, 29, 34, 49, 50, 51 

nonnative, 10, 45, 46, 49, 61, 67, 76, 86, 124, 

136, 154, 158, 172, 177, 192, 196, 209, 214, 

291 

nonnative species, 45, 49 

NPS Organic Act, 35 

parking, i, iv, v, vii, viii, 8, 15, 31, 48, 50, 51, 

52, 58, 61, 62, 63, 66, 67, 68, 71, 75, 76, 79, 

88, 89, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96, 113, 127, 128, 149, 

151, 153, 154, 155, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 

175, 176, 177, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 186, 

188, 189, 191, 193, 201, 204, 205, 206, 208, 

209, 210, 212, 308 

pipemaking, 12, 68, 79, 115, 118, 127, 159, 

198 

pipes, i, iii, 3, 23, 28, 56, 68, 71, 104, 115, 116, 

118, 127, 180, 198, 287 

pipestone, i, iii, v, vi, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 

17, 23, 24, 27, 42, 43, 44, 46, 51, 56, 58, 63, 

66, 67, 71, 75, 104, 105, 106, 108, 109, 110, 

111, 115, 116, 118, 120, 121, 127, 130, 136, 

148, 149, 151, 160, 161, 163, 167, 169, 184, 

187, 189, 199, 201, 204, 206, 216, 219, 229, 

230, 285, 286, 287, 288, 307 

Pipestone County, i, 3, 19, 42, 118, 129, 135, 

137, 151, 161, 227, 228, 288, 312, 315, 317 

Pipestone Indian School, i, vi, vii, 8, 23, 43, 

44, 46, 55, 56, 58, 63, 66, 71, 72, 93, 105, 

109, 112, 114, 115, 147, 149, 151, 152, 162, 

164, 165, 167, 169, 170, 187, 189, 190, 204, 

206, 207, 309, 314 

Pipestone Indian Shrine Association, 99, 127, 

130, 161, 169, 181, 182, 199, 200, 217, 226, 

228, 287, 314 

Pipestone Wildlife Management Area, i, iv, 

10, 46, 147, 149, 165, 167, 185, 202 

pollution, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 42, 45, 118 

prairies, vi, vii, 21, 52, 89, 109, 125, 178, 215, 

291 

public involvement, 41, 285 

purpose, iii, 3, 4, 13, 23, 34, 42, 63, 67, 74, 76, 

82, 106, 115, 116, 118, 137, 148, 166, 177, 

187, 203, 230 

quarries, i, iii, v, vi, 3, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 20, 

23, 27, 31, 41, 49, 55, 58, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 

67, 68, 72, 74, 75, 76, 79, 80, 86, 95, 98, 104, 

105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 114, 

115, 116, 121, 127, 136, 149, 156, 158, 159, 

160, 162, 163, 166, 172, 174, 180, 182, 184, 

187, 192, 195, 198, 200, 201, 204, 211, 213, 

215, 218, 229, 308 
APPENDIXES / SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY / PREPARERS /INDEX

324 

quarrying, i, vi, vii, viii, 3, 8, 12, 13, 16, 23, 24, 

42, 43, 46, 49, 51, 62, 63, 66, 67, 68, 75, 76, 

82, 91, 97, 98, 104, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 

111, 112, 114, 115, 136, 148, 149, 156, 160, 

161, 163, 167, 175, 184, 187, 191, 192, 194, 

195, 197, 198, 199, 204, 212, 215, 216, 219, 

285, 286, 287, 288, 290 

recreation, 35, 45, 110, 326 

research, v, vi, vii, viii, ix, 7, 24, 25, 26, 32, 33, 

52, 55, 58, 63, 66, 68, 75, 82, 88, 93, 107, 

115, 120, 142, 152, 170, 171, 190, 191, 207 

sacred sites, i, 25, 27, 111, 229, 230 

sacredness, 12, 41, 82, 107, 112, 228 

scoping, 11, 13, 41, 82, 223, 286 

section 106, 64, 86, 138, 139, 140, 141, 224, 

286 

SHPO, 7, 224, 225, 228, 229 

socioeconomic environment, 17, 136, 138, 

145 

soils, vii, 13, 14, 18, 19, 24, 29, 31, 32, 33, 44, 

46, 86, 87, 96, 121, 124, 142, 144, 155, 157, 

176, 177, 195, 196, 213, 308 

soundscape, 111 

species of special concern, 32, 142, 144, 198, 

215 

state historic preservation office, 4, 7, 15, 25, 

26, 27, 56, 64, 71, 79, 85, 105, 113, 164, 165, 

168, 170, 189, 206, 224, 228, 229, 309, 316 

state historic preservation officer, 4, 25, 26, 

27, 56, 64, 71, 79, 85, 105, 113, 164, 165, 

168, 170, 189, 206, 224, 228, 309, 316 

Sun Dances, i, iv, v, vi, vii, viii, 50, 51, 55, 61, 

62, 76, 90, 92, 96, 107, 148, 150, 153, 162, 

163, 166, 168, 172, 177, 183, 187, 189, 192, 

196, 197, 200, 201, 203, 204, 205, 213, 214, 

218, 225 

sweat lodges, 50, 51, 55, 62, 67, 76, 149, 166, 

176, 187, 203, 204, 213 

threatened or endangered species, 9, 13, 14, 

87, 142, 144, 159 

Three Maidens formation, iv, 8, 10, 51, 56, 

67, 76, 159, 208 

Topeka shiner, 9, 14, 19, 21, 45, 86, 97, 125, 

158, 159, 178, 179, 197, 198, 214, 215, 228 

traditional use, vii, 41, 55, 64, 68, 79, 92, 148, 

150, 166, 167, 168, 186, 187, 188, 203, 204, 

205 

trails, i, iv, v, viii, ix, 9, 12, 15, 18, 27, 28, 38, 

48, 49, 51, 55, 61, 62, 64, 67, 68, 75, 76, 79, 

85, 86, 90, 109, 110, 114, 123, 128, 130, 149, 

151, 157, 158, 162, 166, 167, 169, 180, 181, 

184, 187, 188, 189, 198, 200, 204, 206, 211, 

218, 225, 308 

tribes, iii, 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 25, 27, 41, 42, 82, 85, 

104, 106, 107, 111, 116, 119, 163, 184, 201, 

219, 223, 228, 230, 285, 286, 287, 288 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, i, iv, vi, ix, 4, 

10, 14, 19, 21, 33, 35, 42, 46, 58, 61, 74, 86, 

87, 97, 125, 135, 172, 177, 178, 179, 197, 

208, 213, 214, 226, 228, 318 

U.S. Geological Survey, 120, 315, 316, 318 

Upper Midwest Indian Cultural Center, 11, 

66, 118, 127 

USFWS, i, iv, vi, vii, ix, 10, 46, 66, 67, 72, 75, 

90, 96, 123, 125, 142, 147, 149, 150, 153, 

165, 167, 168, 172, 185, 188, 192, 196, 197, 

202, 205, 208, 209, 225, 292, 308, 318 

USGS, 316, 318 

vegetation, iv, ix, 3, 10, 13, 18, 29, 31, 32, 35, 

49, 51, 85, 87, 97, 106, 114, 120, 136, 137, 

139, 153, 154, 155, 157, 160, 164, 171, 173, 

176, 178, 179, 180, 185, 195, 202, 207, 208, 

209, 213, 291 
Index 

325 

views, 11, 33, 43, 164, 185, 202 

viewshed, 42, 137, 186 

visitor experience, i, iii, 3, 4, 14, 24, 34, 35, 36, 

38, 41, 48, 51, 74, 84, 98, 137, 145, 151, 159, 

160, 169, 179, 180, 182, 189, 198, 199, 206, 

215, 216 

visitors with disabilities, v, 24, 61, 62, 67, 88, 

89 

water quality, 12, 13, 18, 24, 31, 42, 45, 61, 64, 

66, 72, 75, 80, 86, 124, 125, 158, 178, 179, 

197, 215, 308 

western prairie fringed orchid, 9, 14, 19, 42, 

86, 87, 97, 121, 125, 158, 159, 179, 197, 198, 

214, 215, 228 

wetlands, vi, 10, 14, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 86, 94, 

122, 123, 136, 142, 143, 154, 155, 173, 174, 

175, 193, 194, 209, 210, 211 

wildlife, i, vi, 10, 14, 32, 33, 46, 52, 96, 125, 

142, 144, 158, 163, 177, 178, 184, 196, 197, 

201, 214, 219, 326 

Winnewissa Falls, i, iv, v, vii, ix, 3, 18, 44, 55, 

58, 62, 63, 68, 71, 72, 75, 79, 80, 85, 86, 88, 

89, 90, 92, 95, 109, 110, 111, 112, 114, 120, 

123, 127, 136, 148, 156, 160, 162, 166, 172, 

176, 180, 185, 186, 187, 188, 195, 202, 203, 

205, 212, 225, 308 

Yankton Sioux, 7, 106, 107, 108, 111, 226, 

228, 229, 285 

Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, 107 

zones, 48, 51 

As the nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility 

for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering 

sound use of our land and water resources; protecting our fish, wildlife, and biological diversity; 

preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places; and 

providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The department assesses our 

energy and mineral resources and works to ensure that their development is in the best interests 

of all our people by encouraging stewardship and citizen participation in their care. The 

department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for 

people who live in island territories under U.S. administration. 

NPS D-27A February 2008 / Printed on recycled paper.