Effigy Mounds superintendent relieved of her duties

Phyllis Ewing has been relieved of her duties as superintendent at Effigy Mounds National Monument, the National Parks Service confirmed Friday.

The Parks Service would not say if the move is related to unauthorized construction projects that may have damaged the ancient cultural features that Effigy Mounds National Monument was established to protect.

“It's a personnel matter that we can't discuss.” Said Patty Rooney, a public affairs specialist with the Park Service's Midwest Region office in Omaha.

For the same reason, Rooney said she could not discuss whether Ewing will be reassigned.

Rooney said Michael Evans, a senior cultural anthropologist at the Park Service's St. Paul office, will be on board Monday as acting supervisor.

Ewing took personal responsibility earlier this year after a Parks Service review determined that required environmental and cultural studies had not been completed before the construction of a maintenance shed in the

north unit and an elevated boardwalk trail on the Nazekaw Terrace across Highway 76 from the visitor center.

The review also uncovered other irregularities dating to 1999, including a similar malfeasance preceding the 2002 construction of the much larger Yellow River boardwalk and bridge.

A team of archaeologists spent much of April assessing what,  if any, damage to the mounds may have been inflicted by the unauthorized construction projects.

Their findings will be discussed Tuesday at a meeting of an advisory council that includes representatives of several Indian tribes whose ancestors were buried in or near some of the mounds.

Tim Mason of McGregor, who worked 19 years as a seasonal employee at Effigy Mounds, said the public trust had been violated by unapproved projects that defaced property sacred not only to the affiliated tribes but to nature lovers everywhere.

Ewing, a native of nearby Waukon, took over as supervisor in 1999.