ArchaeologicalSurvey for the Proposed San Antonio Water System W-1 Leon CreekSewer Main Improvement Project,Bexar County, Texas

AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM) conducted an intensive archaeological survey for the proposed San Antonio Water System (SAWS) W-1 Leon Creek Sewer Main Improvement Project (project). Initially, the project spanned approximately 3.9-miles from State Highway 151 to United States Highway 90, in west San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. In 2017, the project alignment was split into 2 segments: Segment 1 (northern half) and Segment 2 (southern half). Segment 2 of the alignment was re-evaluated in 2018, which resulted in approximately 1.1-miles of alignment which was not previously surveyed. Project construction will include the installation of an 84-inch diameter wastewater sewer main, to be installed parallel to the existing undersized 42-inch wastewater sewer main. The existing sewer main may be abandoned in-place. Construction will be located within or adjacent to an existing 50-foot wide SAWS easement. A proposed construction easement (approximately 100-feet in width) and a temporary construction easement (approximately 25-feet in width) are also included within the project area. Because Section 404 permitting or a Nationwide Permit 12 is required, the project constitutes a federal undertaking requiring compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. In addition, portions of the project are on land owned by the City of San Antonio (CoSA); therefore the project falls within the purview of the Antiquities Code of Texas, which requires review by the Texas Historical Commission. Furthermore, since the project is located within the city limits, the survey was also conducted in compliance with historic preservation provisions of the CoSA’s Unified Development Code. AECOM archaeologists conducted the initial archaeological survey of the project between May 25, 2016, and June 8, 2016, under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 7632. The investigation included a pedestrian survey and the excavation of 57 shovel tests, all of which failed to identify any cultural resources sites. Numerous disturbances, particularly from gravel quarrying and previous sewer line installations, were observed, which precluded the presence of any intact sites. Segment 2, which was developed much later over the course of the project, was surveyed on September 26, 2018. Pedestrian survey and the excavation of 10 shovel tests failed to yield cultural materials. Since no artifacts were identified or collected during the survey, only records will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Research, the University of Texas at San Antonio. During the survey, shovel tests, cut bank profiles, and fluvial-morphological observations revealed the Leon Creek floodplain consists of a recently-constructed (historic/ modern) alluvial deposit. The presence of imbricated gravel layers within the loamy floodplain soils, along with reworked sediments, gravel bars, and numerous bedrock scours indicates this portion of the stream is subject to periodic, high-energy flooding, with little potential to contain deeply buried and intact sites. As such, no deep mechanic trenching was warranted. Based on the survey results, it is recommended that construction of the project would have No Effect on any archaeological historic properties, State Antiquities Landmarks, or historic structures. Therefore, no further archaeological investigations are recommended. However, should the project alignment change, additional archaeological investigations may be necessary

Cultural Resources Survey for the Proposed Reconstruction of the Great Oaks Drive Bridge at Brushy Creek, Williamson County, Texas

On behalf of Williamson County, AECOM was contracted by HNTB Corporation to conduct a cultural resources survey for the proposed reconstruction of the Great Oaks Drive Bridge at Brushy Creek, located in Williamson County, Texas. The purpose of this investigation was to survey and inventory archeological and historic resources and to evaluate the potential of any such resources for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and for designation as State Antiquities Landmarks (SALs). AECOM conducted the cultural resources survey on September 27, 2018, under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8544. The archeological Area of Potential Effect (APE) consisted of a 13-acre environmental study area. The historic resources APE included the environmental study area plus a 150-foot buffer. The archeological survey was completed using a combination of 100 percent pedestrian survey, augmented by the excavation of 26 shovel tests. No archeological materials were identified during the survey. Field observations included imbricated gravel layers within the narrow floodplain soils, reworked sediments, and bedrock scouring along the channel alignment that is indicative of a floodplain subjected to periodic high-energy flood discharge. Extensive disturbances such as buried utilities (natural gas line, water, electric) and mechanized impacts were also noted in the roadway right-of-way. Given these observations and the absence of sites identified during the survey, the project is not likely to contain deeply buried and intact cultural deposits, and no backhoe trenching was deemed necessary. During the historic resources reconnaissance survey, no historic resources (buildings, structures, objects, sites, or potential districts) were identified within the historic resources APE. Based on the foregoing observations and survey results, the proposed project should have No Effect on historic properties or SALs, and no further cultural resources investigations are recommended. Should the dimensions of the project area change, additional archeological and/or historical investigations may be warranted. In the event that any unmarked prehistoric or historic human remains or burials are encountered during construction, the area of the remains is considered a cemetery under current Texas law, and all construction activities must cease immediately so as to avoid impacting the remains. The THC must be notified immediately by contacting the History Programs Division at (512) 463-5853 and the Archeology Division at (512) 463-6096. All cemeteries are protected under State law and cannot be disturbed. Further protection is provided in Section 28.03(f) of the Texas Penal Code, which provides that intentional damage or destruction inflicted on a human burial site is a state jail felony

Cultural Resources Survey for the Proposed Dam No. 101 Project within the Upper Brushy Creek WCID, Williamson County, Texas

AECOM was contracted by the Upper Brushy Creek Water Control and Improvement District (UBCWCID) to conduct a cultural resources survey for the proposed Dam No. 101 project, located in Williamson County, Texas. AECOM evaluated a 189-acre area of potential effects (APE), which includes the conceptual dam footprint plus a 150-foot (ft) buffer, the inundation area, and any additional areas that could be potentially affected by key construction activities. The project is bisected by O’Conner Drive on the north side of State Highway 45 and partially overlaps the existing Dam No. 9. AECOM conducted an intensive cultural resources survey within the APE from September 16 – 20, 2019. The objectives of the survey were to inventory any archaeological and historic resources within the APE and to evaluate their eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and for designation as State Antiquities Landmarks (SALs). All work was performed in accordance with Texas Historical Commission (THC) Archeological Survey Standards for Texas. The survey was completed under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8855 and utilized a combination of pedestrian survey methods and the systematic excavation of 78 shovel tests. No new archaeological sites were identified during the survey. However, the survey revisited four previously recorded archaeological sites, including 41WM748, 41WM750, 41WM1058, and 41WM1248. These sites are within, or are partially within, the portion of the APE located east of O’Connor Drive. Each of these sites has been impacted by erosion and natural weathering, and all the site components were found to be resting on either limestone and eroded soils surfaces, or within shallow (\u3c30 cm) soils. Due to these factors, the sites do not exhibit integrity. Due to the absence of temporally diagnostic artifacts and features, these sites are not likely to yield information important to prehistory. Based on the current investigations, we recommend that sites 41WM748, 41WM750, 41WM1058, and 41WM1248 are ineligible for listing in the NRHP and do not merit designation as SALs. In addition, the two prehistoric isolated finds (IF-1 and IF-2) identified during the survey are recommended as ineligible for NRHP listing and SAL designation. Finally, two historic-age resources, including Dam No. 9 (Resource 001) and a corral (Resource 002), were recorded during the survey and evaluated by an architectural historian. Both resources are assessed as failing to meet NRHP criteria of eligibility and are recommended as ineligible for listing in the NRHP. Right-of-entry could not be obtained for the portion of the APE on the west side of O’Connor Drive, which contains one previously recorded archaeological site (41WM1057), and one NRHP-eligible structure (ca. 1950 Agricultural Building). In 2004, the THC determined site 41WM1057 to be ineligible. Based on the current plans, no construction will take place in the APE west of O’Connor Drive. Since no significant hydrological changes would occur in this area as a result of Dam 101 construction, no impacts to these sites are anticipated and no archaeological survey is currently warranted. A field geomorphic assessment was conducted and revealed that the APE contains thin and eroded soils that formed in residuum weathered from Cretaceous limestone. Along Lake Creek, the soils consist of shallow, gravelly deposits confined to a relatively narrow flood surface. Given the residual nature and ancient age of the APE soils, the absence of deep alluvial deposits, and the high-energy flood discharge regime evidenced in creek bank profiles, the APE does not exhibit the pedologic and geomorphic conditions necessary for the deep burial and preservation of cultural deposits. It is therefore unlikely that any archaeological sites in these areas would exhibit the integrity necessary to be considered eligible for the NRHP or to merit SAL designation. No backhoe trenching is recommended for this project. Based on the results of the survey, the proposed project should have No Effect on historic properties or SALs. AECOM recommends that construction can proceed without further cultural resources investigations. However, should the dimensions of the project area change, additional archaeological and historical investigations may be warranted. If any unmarked prehistoric or historic human remains or burials are encountered at any point during the project, the area of the remains is considered a cemetery under current Texas law and all construction activities must cease immediately to avoid impacting the remains. The THC must be notified immediately by contacting the Archeology Division at (512) 463-6096. All cemeteries are protected under State law and cannot be disturbed. Further protection is provided in Section 28.03(f) of the Texas Penal Code, which provides that intentional damage or destruction inflicted on a human burial site is a state jail felony. No artifacts were collected during the survey. All correspondence, field records, and photographs generated during field investigations were prepared for permanent curation at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory

Cultural Resources Survey for the Oncor Cogdell - Clairemont 138 kV Transmission Line Project, Kent and Scurry Counties, Texas

Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC (Oncor) and Brazos Electric Power Cooperative propose to construct a new, singlecircuit 138 kilovolt (kV) transmission line (Project) between the existing Oncor Cogdell substation located in Scurry County, approximately 15 miles northeast of Snyder, Texas, east of Farm-to-Market (FM) 1231, and the existing Brazos Electric Clairemont substation located in Kent County, approximately seven miles northwest of Clairemont, Texas. The proposed transmission line would be constructed with one circuit of 138 kV transmission line supported by double circuit 138 kV steel or concrete monopole structures within a 70-foot (ft) right-of-way (ROW). AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM) conducted a 100 percent pedestrian archaeological survey of the Project ROW for the portion of the Project from the Cogdell substation to the Project midpoint, which covers approximately 14.4 miles (including various potential reroutes). The survey was conducted from October 8 to 13, 2019, requiring 156 person hours in the field. The investigations reported herein were conducted in accordance with Oncor’s Generic Research Design for Archaeological Surveys of Oncor Electric Delivery Electric Transmission Line Projects in Texas (PBS&J 2008). The survey resulted in the identification and recording of a historic windmill and cistern site (41SC76), two prehistoric lithic scatters (41KT176 and 41KT177), and nine isolated finds (IFs 1 through 9). In addition, two flakes from one previously recorded site (41KT107) were found within the Project ROW. Based upon poor integrity contexts of these sites, the lack of any known associations with significant historic events and/or persons, and because the sites are not likely to yield information important to prehistory or history, each of these sites and the IFs are recommended as not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Furthermore, these sites do not merit designation as State Antiquities Landmarks (SALs). A single historic-age ranch complex was identified 240 feet north of the Project ROW. The ranch complex with associated agricultural outbuildings was built ca. 1930. The complex contains one single-family domestic dwelling and five outbuildings of various sizes. The resource retains some aspects of integrity, but they are unremarkable examples of a common dwelling and outbuildings. The resources do not convey association with significant historical events or a significant pattern of development. The buildings do not appear to be associated with significant persons in history and lack architectural design merit. Furthermore, the resources are not likely to yield information important to history or prehistory of the area. Therefore, the ranch complex and associated outbuildings are recommended as not eligible for listing in the NRHP. A geomorphological evaluation of the project area revealed that the Project ROW does not exhibit the pedologic and geomorphic conditions necessary for the deep burial and preservation of cultural deposits. Therefore, no geoarchaeological monitoring of transmission pole emplacement is recommended. Based on the results of the survey, the development, construction, and operation of the proposed Project should have No Effect on historic properties or SALs. It is recommended that construction can proceed without further cultural resources investigations. However, should the dimensions of the Project change, additional investigations may be required. If any unmarked prehistoric or historic human remains or burials are encountered at any point, the area of the remains is considered a cemetery under current Texas law and is protected. Section 28.03(f) of the Texas Penal Code provides that intentional damage or destruction inflicted on a human burial site is a state jail felony. If a cemetery is identified in the Project ROW, all work in the area of the discovery must cease and the THC must be notified by contacting the History Programs Division at (512) 463-5853 and the Archeology Division at (512) 463-6096. Following consultation with the THC, a treatment or avoidance plan would be developed and implemented. No artifacts were collected during the survey. All correspondence, field records, and photographs generated during field investigations will be prepared for permanent curation at Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL), Austin, Texas

Ramifications of late Holocene hide-processing geographies along the lower Medina River, Texas

Due to the character of the original source materials and the nature of batch digitization, quality control issues may be present in this document. Please report any quality issues you encounter to [email protected], referencing the URI of the item.Includes bibliographical references: 139-158.Issued also on microfiche from Lange Micrographics.This thesis identifies and describes the importance of late Holocene hide processing along the lower Medina River, Texas within a contextual framework of human ecology and land use on the Texas inner Gulf Coastal Plain. Toyah sites in Texas indicate a marked increase in bison exploitation between A.D. 1300 and 1650, and yield significantly more end-scrapers and other hide-processing tools than earlier sites. Hide-processing assemblages from the Pampopa-Talon Crossings Site (41BX528) and several others in south-central Texas differ from most Toyah sites in that middle and late hide-processing stages are unusually well-represented. Selection of places on the landscape for intensive hide-processing activities is examined in the context of ecological, ethnohistorical, geographical, and lithic-analysis studies. The project area setting along major travel corridors suggests that trade may have been an important factor for the presence of these distinctive hide-processing assemblages

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