3,365 research outputs found
Intensive Archaeological Survey Of Portions Of The Plains Connection 1 And 2 Pipeline Project Within University Lands, Crane County, Texas
On behalf of Medallion Pipeline Company, LLC (Medallion), SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive archaeological survey of portions of the Plains Connection 1 and 2 Pipeline Project that cross University of Texas Lands (University Lands) in Crane County, Texas. Medallion proposes to construct two parallel, 12-inch-diameter oil pipelines measuring approximately 0.6 mile (0.97 kilometer [km]) in length within an area marked by intensive oil and gas exploration. Both pipelines will occupy a single, 60-foot-wide (18.3-meter [m]-wide) workspace. Approximately 0.50 mile (0.8 km) of the proposed pipelines will be constructed within University Lands in Crane County, Texas. As a portion of the undertaking will be located on state-owned University Lands, cultural resources investigations were conducted to satisfy the requirements of the Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT) under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8262. This report addresses only the 0.5-mile (0.8-km) segment of pipelines on Texas public lands.
Impacts associated with the construction of the pipelines will occur within a 60-foot-wide (18.3-m-wide) workspace. For the 0.5 mile (0.8 km) of cultural resources survey on public lands, SWCA investigated a 300-foot-wide (91.4-m-wide) corridor to give Medallion options for the ultimate centerline placements. The area of potential effects (APE) for the project is approximately 0.6 mile (0.97 km) long and 300 feet (91.4 m) wide, totaling 23.5 acres. The portion of the proposed project that crosses parcels owned by University Lands consists of a 0.5-mile-long (0.8-km-long) and 300-foot-wide (91.4-m-wide) segment in Crane County, Texas, totaling 18.8 acres
Investigations included a cultural resources background review and literature search of the entire APE and an intensive pedestrian survey augmented with shovel testing of the portions of the APE within University Lands. The background review indicated that five previous cultural resources surveys have been conducted within a 1-mile (1.6-km) radius of the APE. Two of the five previously surveyed project areas intersect the APE or are adjacent to (within 300 feet [91.4 m] of) the APE; the remainder of the previous survey areas are within the 1-mile buffer, but due to their distance from the APE, will not be traversed by the planned construction. Two archaeological sites (41CR43 and 41CR44) were recorded during the previous investigations; however, neither is located within the current APE. No additional archaeological sites or cultural resources, such as, cemeteries, National Register of Historic Places properties, historic markers, or historic features are located within or adjacent to (within 300 feet [91.4 m] of) the current APE.
The majority of the APE has been disturbed by oil and gas development associated with petroleum exploration and expansion, which includes well pads, crude oil and holding tanks, and surface and buried pipelines. Other disturbances include overhead and buried utilities, fence lines, vegetation clearing, earth moving, gravel access roads, and two-track roads. These impacts have resulted in significant disturbances throughout the APE.
The Texas Historical Commission / Council of Texas Archeologists survey standards for this project necessitated the excavation of 24 shovel tests along the 0.5-mile-long (0.8-km-long) segment of APE within University Lands. SWCA excavated a total of 27 shovel tests, thereby exceeding the survey standards for projects of this size. No cultural materials were recovered from any of the 27 shovel tests or observed on the ground surface.
In accordance with the ACT, SWCA has made a reasonable and good faith effort to identify archaeological sites and historic properties within the investigated APE. Based on the negative shovel test results, the planned project will have no effect on cultural resources. SWCA recommends that because no cultural resources will be impacted by the project, no further archaeological investigations within the APE are warranted for the assessed portion of the Plains Connection 1 and 2 Pipeline Project on State of Texas public lands
Foreword
The overwhelming reoccurring theme in this nineteenth edition of the San Diego International Law Journal centers on the international effects of recent domestic political changes in the United States. Whether a compelling factor or working in the background without express recognition, President Trump remains a point of interest in many of the articles published this academic year. Each article is distinct in legal policy and analysis and covers diverse legal topics
Intensive Archeological Survey: State Highway 31, Navarro County, Texas
On behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey with systematic shovel testing and mechanical trenching from July 13-14 and 18-20, 2017 of 266 acres of new right-of-way (ROW) along State Highway (SH) 31 in Navarro County, Texas. Because the project will receive funding from the Federal Highways Administration, it qualifies as an undertaking as defined in Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 800.16(y) and, therefore, survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S. Code 306108). Furthermore, the project must also comply with the Antiquities Code of Texas (9 Natural Resources Code 191). Jon Budd served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8081.
The area of potential effects (APE) is defined as the typical 400 to 1200-foot-wide new ROW for a length of approximately 14 miles. The depth of impacts is estimated to be up to 50 feet below the current ground surface for bridge and overpass supports and up to 12 feet for the remainder of the project. The total project covers approximately 800 acres, but most of this has been previously surveyed. The survey area comprises 266 acres (the previously unsurveyed areas) within the total 800-acre project area.
A background literature review determined that portions of the APE have been previously surveyed for cultural resources, and nine archeological sites are within the APE (Table 1) (Texas Historical Commission [THC] 2017a). However, only two of the nine sites within the total APE (41NV48 and 41NV681) are located within the current survey areas reported herein. In addition, numerous previously conducted cultural resources surveys, four archeological sites, and a single cemetery are mapped within a 0.6-mile (1-kilometer [km]) radius of the APE (THC 2017).
The survey identified substantial disturbances within the APE, including ongoing construction, prior infrastructure development such as utilities and roads, and a variety of other land use practices. SWCA conducted a pedestrian inspection, augmented with the excavations of 71 shovel tests and 23 mechanical trenches, across the entire 266-acre survey area within the proposed ROW. The survey identified a total of six, factory-made bricks and brick fragments in the heavily disturbed existing Interstate Highway 45 ROW. No indications of 41NV48 or 41NV 681 were identified within the APE. SWCA recommends a finding of “no historic properties affected” and no further archeological investigations
Intensive Cultural Resources Survey Of The 8.9-Mile-Long Ranch Road 335 Fiber Optic Cable Extension Project, Edwards And Real Counties, Texas
On behalf of Southwest Texas Telephone Company Inc. (SWTTC), SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey for the Ranch Road (RR) 335 Fiber Optic Cable Extension Project (Project) on state-owned lands in Edwards and Real Counties, Texas. The Project involves the installation of approximately 8.9 miles (14.3 kilometers [km]) of fiber optic telecommunication cable for SWTTC. Approximately 4.6 miles (7.4 km) of the cable will be installed within the right-of-way (ROW) of RR 335, and the remaining 4.3 miles (6.9 km) will be installed within private lands; portions of the line will be installed overhead, with the remainder being installed underground via trenching and boring. Overall, the Project Area is approximately 8.9 miles (14.3 km) long, 20 feet (6 meters [m]) wide, and between 4–5 feet (1.2–1.5 m) in depth, encompassing about 21.7 acres. In specific locations (e.g., roads and drainages) where the buried utility will be horizontally directional drilled (HDD), the depth of impacts may extend to approximately 10 feet (3.1 m). The portion of the Project on state-owned land (Survey Area) is approximately 4.6 miles (7.4 km) long and 20 feet (6 m) wide, encompassing 11.2 acres.
Because the proposed Project occurs on land owned by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), a political subdivision of the state, the work was performed in compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT) under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8390. Investigations consisted of a cultural resources background review of the Project Area and an intensive pedestrian archaeological survey with shovel testing of the Survey Area.
The background literature review determined that no cultural resources surveys have been conducted and that no prehistoric or historic resources have been recorded within the Project Area. Fifteen archaeological sites (i.e., 41ED17, 41ED86, 41ED90, 41ED165, 41ED166, 41ED170, 41ED233–235, 41RE12, 41RE13, 41RE18, and 41RE84–86), one cemetery (Vance Cemetery), and one historical marker (Marker No. 5638) are located within 1 mile (1.6 km) of the Project Area. The historic map review revealed eight potentially historic-age structures adjacent to (within 350 feet [107 m] of) the current Project Area (USGS 2018b). Current aerial imagery indicates that all structures are extant; however, none are within either the Project or Survey Areas.
Field investigations involved the excavation of 57 shovel tests and examination of the ground surface and exposed profiles within the Survey Area. An additional 18 shovel tests were attempted but not excavated, due to the presence of exposed bedrock and upland gravels on the surface. The proposed Project is situated in a highly modified easement along the edges of RR 335, and as such, there was a significant amount of disturbance throughout the Survey Area. During these investigations, SWCA documented one standing structure (a small historic-age cabin) immediately adjacent to the Survey Area; however, the cabin is 26 feet (8 m) west of the survey corridor and will not be affected by the proposed Project.
In accordance with the ACT, SWCA made a reasonable and good faith effort to identify cultural resources within the Survey Area. No archaeological sites were identified that meet the criteria for designation as a State Antiquities Landmark, per 13 Texas Administrative Code 26.12; therefore, SWCA recommends that no additional cultural resources investigations should be warranted within the Survey Area, as currently defined
Intensive Archeological Survey on County Road 151 at the Nueces River, Live Oak County, Texas
On behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey on July 25, 2017, of 1.13 acres of along County Road (CR) 151, southeast of George West in Live Oak County, Texas. As the project will receive funding from the Federal Highways Administration, it qualifies as an undertaking as defined in Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 800.16(y); therefore, the archeological survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S. Code 306108). Furthermore, the project must also comply with the Antiquities Code of Texas (9 Natural Resources Code 191). Eric Oksanen served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Code Permit No. 8113.
The project area is defined as the existing CR 151 ROW beginning 508 feet (154 meters [m]) southwest of the south bank of the Nueces River, and ending 175 feet (53 m) northeast of the intersection of the north bank of the Nueces River. The area of potential effects (APE) for archeological resources consists of 0.93 acres of existing ROW and 0.2 acres of additional right of way (contiguous to and extending approximately 10 feet in added width on the east side) along 841 feet (256 m) of CR 151 with depths of impacts ranging from 3 feet (1 m) on the approaches to 40 feet (12 m) for the proposed bridge.
Background research identified one archeological site (41LK286) within 0.6 mile (1 kilometer [km]) of the proposed project APE. Site 41LK286 is located 0.32 miles (0.51 km) southwest of the proposed APE. No archaeological surveys are mapped within a 0.6-mile (1- km) search radius of the proposed project APE. The historic map review identified no potentially historic structures within the current project APE and 48 potentially historic structures within a 0.6-miles (1-km) radius of the current APE. Additionally, two cemeteries, and one historic marker are located within 0.6 mile (1 km) of the project area.
The field investigation consisted of two backhoe trench excavations. The existing ROW has been modified by the construction of CR 151, existing buried utilities, the current concrete span bridge, and disturbances from the active floodplain of the Nueces River. Portions of the ROW consist of tall grasses and dense riparian vegetation near the Nueces River. Outside the APE, the landscape comprises a densely-vegetated floodplain. The trenches and pedestrian survey identified no cultural materials or features in the project APE. One of the trenches uncovered an abandoned buried utility; the cumulative impacts from the roadway and existing utilities indicate a negligible potential for intact archeological resources within the APE.
SWCA made a reasonable and good faith effort as per 36 CFR Part 800.4(b)(1) to identify and locate prehistoric and historic archeological properties within the proposed project APE. The field investigation discovered no cultural resources; therefore, SWCA recommends a finding of “no historic properties affected”
Intensive Archeological Survey: State Highway 6 at Farm-to-Market Road 2, Grimes County, Texas
On behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey with shovel testing and backhoe trenching from November 29–30, 2017, of approximately 27.55 acres (11.15 hectares) of existing and 10.45 acres (4.23 hectares) of proposed new TxDOT right-of-way (ROW) along State Highway (SH) 6 and Farm-to-Market Road (FM) 2, located approximately 7.0 miles (11.3 kilometers [km]) southeast of Navasota and 11.0 miles (17.7 km) northwest of Hempstead, Grimes County, Texas. Because the project will receive funding from the Federal Highways Administration, it qualifies as an undertaking as defined in Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 800.16(y) and, therefore, survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S. Code 306108). Furthermore, the project must also comply with the Antiquities Code of Texas (9 Natural Resources Code 191). Jason Barrett served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8213.
The total area of potential effects (APE) consists of 27.55 acres (11.15 hectares) of existing and 10.45 acres (4.23 hectares) of proposed new TxDOT ROW along a 1-mile (1.6-km) long stretch of SH 6 slated for improvements to the FM 2 intersection and modifications on two side-by-side SH 6 bridges over Beason Creek. At the time of the investigations, right of entry (ROE) was obtained for all but 3.0 acres (1.2 hectares) of proposed new ROW, all of which is located along the eastern side of SH 6. The typical depth of impacts for the project is variable, with a maximum depth of 20.0 feet (6.1 meters) where improvements to the intersection and modification to the bridges will occur.
A background literature review determined that the APE has not been previously surveyed for cultural resources, and that no archeological sites, cemeteries, National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) districts and properties, or historical markers are within the APE or within a 0.6-mile (1-km) radius of the APE. No historic-age buildings or structures were identified within the APE during a review of the TxDOT Historic Overlay Maps (Foster et al. 2006). Field investigations of the existing ROW and 7.0 acres (2.8 hectares) of proposed new ROW for which access has been granted consisted of an intensive pedestrian survey supplemented with the excavation of 15 shovel tests and a single backhoe trench. Areas without ROE were examined from the accessible portions of the APE. The existing ROW has been heavily modified as a result of road construction, ditches, driveways, buried and overhead utilities, and immediately adjacent commercial and industrial development. The proposed new ROW has been modified by farming and ranching practices and infrastructure, as well as some commercial development. SWCA documented two isolated finds (IFs), one prehistoric (IF01) and one historic (IF02), along the margins of the SH 6 at FM 2 survey area. IFs are not eligible for the NRHP or for designation as a State Antiquities Landmark. SWCA recommends a finding of “no historic properties affected” and no further archeological investigations. Cultural resources survey of the currently inaccessible parcels with proposed new ROW is not recommended due to the negligible and heavily modified areas involved
Intensive Archeological Survey: Farm-to-Market 45 from Richland Creek to Near Mills County Line, San Saba and Mills Counties, Texas
On behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey with systematic shovel testing from July 10–14, 2017 of new and existing right-of-way (ROW) along Farm-to-Market (FM) 45 in San Saba and Mills Counties, Texas. Because the project will receive funding from the Federal Highways Administration, it qualifies as an undertaking as defined in Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 800.16(y) and, therefore, survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S. Code 306108). Furthermore, the project must also comply with the Antiquities Code of Texas (9 Natural Resources Code 191). Kevin Hanselka served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8096.
The total area of potential effects (APE) is defined as a 12.5-mile-long stretch of FM 45 between the limits outlined above, and includes the existing 100- to 200-foot-wide ROW and an additional 84 acres of new ROW in discontinuous segments along both sides of existing ROW. The total project area is about 264.5 acres, of which about 178 acres is existing ROW, 84 acres is new ROW, and 2.5 acres is proposed easements. Typical depths of impact would range between 3 and 5 feet for pavement and vertical adjustments to the roadway profile. Maximum depths of impacts would reach up to 60 feet at bridge widening/replacement locations. Some areas would require significant (i.e., 5–15 foot) cuts in back slopes to accommodate the new roadway width.
Background research determined that two cultural resources surveys have been previously conducted within the APE. Fourteen previously recorded archeological sites and 166 potentially historic structures are located within a 0.6-mile (1-kilometer) radius of the current APE; of these, three archeological sites and three possible historic structures are located within the APE. The field investigations assessed all portions of the APE for which access was granted; however, right-of-entry was denied on 17.6 acres of new ROW. Consequently, the survey covered 246.9 acres of the total 264.5-acre APE. The investigations consisted of an intensive pedestrian survey supplemented with the excavation of 231 shovel tests and 15 backhoe trenches. The proposed ROW has been modified to varying degrees by modern land-use practices (e.g., farming and ranching) and infrastructure, but most areas are relatively intact. SWCA documented nine cultural resources, including five isolated finds, three prehistoric sites (41SS73, 41SS75, and 41MI2), and one historic archeological site (41SS197), within the FM 45 survey areas. Site 41SS197 is a historic residential site consisting of a standing chimney and artifact scatter. The artifacts included milk, clear, green and brown glass, whiteware, and miscellaneous metal. Based on information provided by the landowner, archival review, and temporally diagnostic artifact attributes, the site dates to the early through mid-twentieth century. Sites 41SS73, 41SS74, and 41MI2 are prehistoric lithic scatters with poor integrity and lacking substantial assemblages. Sites 41SS73, 41SS74, 41MI2, and 41SS197 are recommended as not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or as State Antiquities Landmarks within the current APE. For the surveyed portion of the APE, SWCA recommends a finding of “no historic properties affected” and no further archeological investigations. Cultural resources survey is recommended on 12 currently inaccessible parcels, once right of entry is obtained
Spin entangled two-particle dark state in quantum transport through coupled quantum dots
We present a transport setup of coupled quantum dots that enables the
creation of spatially separated spin-entangled two-electron dark states. We
prove the existence of an entangled transport dark state by investigating the
system Hamiltonian without coupling to the electronic reservoirs. In the
transport regime the entangled dark state which corresponds to a singlet has a
strongly enhanced Fano factor compared to the dark state which corresponds to a
mixture of the triplet states. Furthermore we calculate the concurrence of the
occupying electrons to show the degree of entanglement in the transport regime.Comment: 9 pages and 3 figure
Intensive Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed Bagdad Road at County Road 278 Improvements Project, Williamson County, Texas
At the request of Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc., and on behalf of Williamson County, Texas, SWCA Environmental Consultants conducted an intensive cultural resources survey of the proposed approximately 4,500-foot-long (1371.6 meters [m]) Bagdad Road (County Road [CR] 279) Improvements Project extending 1,000 feet (304.8 m) north and south of CR 278 and 2,500 feet (762.0 m) west-southwest of CR 278 in western Williamson County, Texas. The project area is located between the communities of Liberty Hill and Leander along the intersection of CR 279, also known as Bagdad Road, and CR 278. Since the project involves lands that will be acquired and controlled by Williamson County (a subdivision of the State of Texas), the project is subject to review under the Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT). SWCA conducted the investigations under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8044.
The proposed project will involve improvements to the existing Bagdad Road and CR 278 intersection and the construction of new roadway (to be called “River Ranch County Park Road”) west-southwest of the intersection, to allow access to the River Ranch County Park. The planned improvements will be located along the existing Bagdad Road from 1,000 feet (304.8 m) north and south of CR 278. The planned new roadway will extend 2,500 feet (762.0 m) west-southwest of the Bagdad Road and CR 278 intersection to the southeastern edge of River Ranch County Park. Overall, the direct area of potential effects (APE) encompasses approximately 13.8 acres (5.6 hectares [ha]), composed of a 4,500-foot-long (1371.6 m) and approximately 25- to 70-foot (7.6- to 21.3-m) wide proposed right-of-way. The depth of impacts is anticipated to extend 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 2.2 m) below ground surface for roadway construction and up to 10 feet (3.1 m) for culverts.
Investigations included a background and historic map review, and an intensive pedestrian survey with shovel testing of the proposed APE. The background review determined that no previously conducted cultural resources investigations and no previously recorded archaeological sites are located within the direct APE. One cultural resources testing project and eight previously recorded archaeological sites are located within a 1-mile radius of the project area. The review of maps on the Texas Department of Transportation Historic Overlay, U.S. Geological Survey TopoView, and Historic Maps revealed one possible historic-age structure adjacent to the APE.
The field investigations included extensive visual inspection and intensive pedestrian survey with shovel testing throughout the APE. The investigations revealed the APE is along the existing county roads and within the undeveloped land and residential development that surrounds the roadways. The undeveloped land consists of rocky uplands with exposed limestone bedrock, cobbles, and gravels along the ground surface. Previous and current impacts to the area include clearing and grading activities, construction of existing roads and driveways, associated infrastructure installation, impervious cover, gravel filled areas, residential development, and overhead and buried utility installations particularly along and immediately adjacent to the roadways. SWCA excavated a total of 15 shovel tests within the APE, which revealed shallow soils atop of bedrock. SWCA’s investigations exceeded the Texas Historical Commission’s requirements and identified no prehistoric or historic cultural materials within the APE. One historic-age standing structure was identified during the historic map review and field investigations immediately adjacent to the APE located on the southeast corner of the intersection of Bagdad Road and CR 278. An SWCA architectural historian evaluated the structure and determined that based on historic aerials the date of construction is circa 1940, but that while it is historic age it lacks integrity and is recommended as NOT ELIGIBLE for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
In accordance with the ACT and 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 800.4, SWCA made a reasonable and good faith effort to identify cultural resources within the direct APE. As no archaeological sites were identified that may meet the criteria for designation as a State Antiquities Landmark, per 13 Texas Administrative Code 26.12, or standing structures for listing on the NRHP, according to 36 CFR 60.4, SWCA recommends that no further cultural resources investigations are warranted within the surveyed portions of the APE and that a determination of No Historic Properties Affected be granted for the proposed project
FM 121 Rehabilitation S Curve Realignment, Grayson County, Texas
On February 22 and March 9–10, 2015, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey with systematic hand and mechanical excavations along Farm-to-Market (FM) 121 in Grayson County, Texas. SWCA conducted these investigations for the Texas Department of Transportation Paris District for the proposed rehabilitation S curve realignment of FM 121. The work was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA; 16 USC 470) and the Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT; 9 NRC 191). Jason Barrett served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Code Permit No. 7164.
The area of potential effects (APE) is defined as the 60- to 100-foot-wide (18- to 30-meterwide) FM 121 right-of-way, extending a distance of 7.4 miles (11.9 kilometers) between the towns of Gunter and Elmont, Texas, and 19.91 acres of new ROW for the S curve realignment section, or a total of 82 acres. The maximum depth of impacts is estimated to be up to 3 feet (90 centimeters [cm]) below the current ground surface for the entire project, although widening along the existing roadway will generally be accomplished through fillsection expansion. Subsurface impact below the current level of disturbance is not anticipated with fill-section expansion.
No previous cultural resources investigations had been conducted and no archaeological sites are documented within the APE. One potential historic-age structure is depicted within the APE on the 1936 Grayson County General Highway Map on the south side of FM 121; however, a review of current aerial imagery and field reconnaissance indicates that this structure is no longer extant.
SWCA archaeologists inspected the ground surface across the entire APE and excavated a total of six backhoe trenches and 19 shovel tests. Mechanical trenching was limited to the larger drainages (East Fork Trinity River and Squirrel Creek) crossed by the project alignment. Both drainages are situated against an interfluve landform with their floodplains (composing roughly 4.6 acres of the project area total) located to the west (East Fork Trinity River) or to the east (Squirrel Creek) of the respective waterways. Existing utilities precluded placement of additional trenches at Squirrel Creek where the ROW narrowed in the southeast quadrant. In addition, SWCA excavated 19 shovel tests within the APE. Given the level of existing disturbance and limited potential for subsurface impacts in areas of existing ROW characterized by upland terrain, shovel testing focused on areas of new ROW proposed for the addition of S curves to the roadway design.
The excavations at the East Fork Trinity River crossing encountered silt loam grading to silt clay loam with increasing amounts of calcium carbonate filaments and nodules and horizons of matrix-supported sub-angular limestone clast materials (pebbles and gravels) beginning at about 3.9 feet (118 centimeters below surface [cmbs]). The excavations at the Squirrel Creek crossing encountered clay loam grading to clay with vertical cracks and slickensides with some level of disturbance noted to a maximum of 2.6 feet (80 cmbs) and dense clay beginning at approximately 3 feet (90 cmbs).
No archaeological sites were documented within the APE. One site (41GS246), an early- to late-twentieth century farmstead, was identified adjacent to the APE, but has been severely disturbed by heavy equipment, lacks horizontal or vertical integrity, and can provide no new or beneficial information to local or regional history.
Given the results of the survey, SWCA recommends that no further cultural resources investigations are warranted within the existing ROW or the 19.6 acres of newly proposed ROW of FM 121. Although existing utilities restricted the amount of trenching that could be conducted in some areas, available exposures and trenches provided sufficient visibility to adequately assess the East Fork Trinity River and Squirrel Creek crossings
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