Justin Bensley, an archeologist with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ division of Missouri State Parks, has been selected as the department’s Team Member of the Month for December 2024. He was selected for his service to the department and his efforts while reviewing cultural resource impacts related to projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

In January 2024, Bensley’s section learned of 20 or so American Rescue Plan Act projects that needed to be reviewed for cultural resource impacts. Most of the projects needing review were for water and wastewater improvements, so they would also need an architectural survey. These projects needed to be reviewed and any issues resolved so they could go to bid by the end of the fiscal year, which was June 30, 2024.

“Justin turned out to be a miracle worker,” said Kim Dillon, a natural resources manager who nominated Bensley for the award. “His work resulted in the majority of the projects being reviewed, modified and approved just before the end of the fiscal year.”

Due to a vacancy, Bensley was the only staff archeologist at the time, so he was tasked with evaluating each of these projects on his own, or with archeological contractors on the larger jobs. In addition, he needed to consult with the Osage Nation Tribal Historic Preservation Office on these projects, which was a new process. Completion of reviews required coordination between the facilities, archeological contractors, planners and the Office of Administration while holding many meetings, making countless phone calls and preparing numerous documents.

“I honestly don’t know how he did it, but we are so thankful that he did,” said Dillon.

Bensley joined the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in March 2021 and resides in Columbia.