Intensive Archeological Survey for the Bridge Replacement Project on County Road 1511 at Resaca Creek, Leon County, Texas

On behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive archeological survey on April 16–17, 2018, of a potential bridge replacement consisting of approximately 1.5 acres of existing right-of-way (ROW) along Farm-to-Market (FM) Road 1511 in Leon 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, the work 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. 8365. The total area of potential effects (APE) is defined as the existing 100-foot-wide FM 1511 ROW beginning 200 feet north of the Resaca Creek channel centerline and extending 500 feet south. According to typical design, the depth of impacts would be up to 20 feet below the current ground surface for the bridge supports and up to 6 feet below ground surface for the rest of the project. The total APE is approximately 1.5 acres. Background research identified no archeological surveys, archeological sites, cemeteries, or known historic resources within a 0.6-mile (1-kilometer) radius review area. However, six potentially historic structures are identified on 1964 USGS topographic maps along FM 1511. None of the structures are located within or immediately adjacent to the project area. The field investigation of the proposed project APE consisted of an intensive pedestrian survey with both shovel testing and mechanical backhoe trenching. The existing ROW is heavily disturbed by existing roadway, utilities, and prior bridge construction activities; in addition, the APE is almost entirely wetlands with standing water or shallow water table. The investigations identified no archeological resources within the APE. SWCA has made a reasonable and good faith effort to locate and identify historic properties as per 36 CFR Part 800.4(b)(1), and cultural resources as per Subchapter A of Chapter 26 of the Texas Administrative Code throughout the proposed project APE. Based on the results of the survey, SWCA recommends a finding of “no historic properties affected,” and no further archeological investigations are recommended within the APE

Hooks Road at Tributary of Bear Creek, Polk County, Texas Lufkin District

On May 5, 2015, SWCA Environmental Consultants conducted an intensive cultural resources survey at Hooks Road and Tributary of Bear Creek crossing in Polk County. These investigations for Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) were conducted for the proposed replacement of an existing bridge. The work was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 USC 470) and the Antiquities Code of Texas (9 Natural RC 191). Eric Oksanen served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Code Permit No. 7267. The maximum depth of impacts is currently undetermined but the majority of the project will be limited to less than 60 centimeters (cm) (2 feet) near the current natural grade. The area of potential effects (APE) is therefore defined as the variable 13.9 to 14.6-meter-wide (45.6 to 48-foot-wide) proposed rightof-way (ROW) north of the Hooks Road ROW extending a distance of 279 meters (916.45 feet) along the roadway, totaling approximately 1 acre. Shovel tests were excavated on both sides of the tributary. The excavations encountered disturbed stratigraphy down to roughly 30 cm (1 foot) (generally from road and bridge construction and residential disturbance) above intact alluvial deposits. No further cultural resources investigations are recommended within the existing ROW of Hooks Road and Tributary of Bear Creek or within the new easement corridor

Dick Skinner Road at Tributary of Neches Rover, Polk County, Texas

On May 4, 2015, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey at Dick Skinner Road on a bridge crossing at a minor unnamed tributary of Neches River in Polk County, Texas. The investigations for the Texas Department of Transportation were conducted for the proposed replacement of an existing bridge. 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 Natural Resources Code 191). Eric R. Oksanen served as Principal Investigator under Texas Permit 7276. The area of potential effects (APE) consists of approximately 1.0 acre, including approximately 0.7 acre of existing right-of-way (ROW) and 0.3 acre of new ROW. Width of the APE ranges from 13.9 to 14.6 meters (m) (45.6 to 48 feet) extending a distance of 279 m (916.45 feet) along the existing roadway. The maximum depth of impacts is expected to be less than 60 centimeters (cm) (2 feet) with deeper impacts at the footings. Shovel tests were excavated on both sides of the tributary. Access was not granted to the new ROW, and consequently these areas were assessed from the existing ROW. The excavations encountered disturbed stratigraphy down to roughly 30 cm (1 foot) (generally from road and bridge construction and pine farm disturbance) above intact sandy loam and sandy clay deposits. No cultural materials were recovered from the four shovel tests, and none were observed in the various surficial and subsurface exposures. Assessment of the new ROW, which is entirely located on the northern side of the roadway, suggests a low probability for archaeological resources. No further cultural resources investigations are recommended within the existing ROW of Dick Skinner Road and the tributary of Neches River or within the new easement corridor

Archeological Intensive Survey of Farm-toMarket Road 1463, Fort Bend County

On behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive archeological survey on December 16, 2016, of approximately 87.5 acres of existing right-of-way (ROW) along Farm-to-Market road (FM) 1463 near Katy, Texas, for the purpose of upgrading and widening the roadway. Investigations occurred along FM 1463 between Interstate Highway (IH) 10 and FM 359. The total project area for roadway improvements constitutes 115.4 acres within new and existing ROW; however, access was limited to the 87.5 acres of existing ROW; access to 27.9 acres comprising new ROW was not available. 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, 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). Allen Bettis served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Code Permit No. 7828. The total area of potential effects (APE) for the project is defined as the FM 1463 ROW between its juncture with IH 10 to the north and FM 359 to the south, totaling approximately 6.8 miles (10.9 kilometers [km]). The existing FM 1463 ROW is approximately 100 feet wide and the proposed new ROW is approximately 20 to 60 feet wide. Based upon typical roadway design, the depth of impacts is anticipated to be no more than 3 feet for the roadway, 10 feet in depth for the proposed storm water drainage, and up to 50 feet in depth for the bridge replacement across Willow Fork Creek. The background review revealed that within 0.6 mile (1 km) of the APE there are eight previously conducted archeological investigations, two archeological sites (41FB279 and 41FB129) and one cemetery. A review of historic topographic maps indicated that 102 potentially historic buildings are present within 0.6 mile (1 km) of the APE, some of which are mapped directly adjacent to, but not within, the APE. Site 41FB279 is a buried prehistoric lithic scatter located on the east bank of Willow Fork. The site’s eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is currently listed as undetermined. Site 41FB129 is a prehistoric campsite located on the west bank of Willow Fork. Site 41FB129 is listed as not eligible for the NRHP. Field investigations, consisting of a pedestrian survey, revealed that the APE has been modified by previous roadway construction, residential and commercial development, and utilities, lessening the potential for intact archeological deposits to be present within the APE. Other than modern debris, investigators did not identify any cultural materials within the APE during the pedestrian survey. Additionally, based on field observations, the 27.9 acres of proposed new ROW have been extensively developed and no further work is recommended. Based on the results of the survey, SWCA recommends a finding of “no historic properties affected,” and no further archeological investigations are recommended within the surveyed portions of the APE. Finally, the location of associated facilities, such as detention ponds, have not yet been identified; therefore, no recommendations are provided for these pending facilities

Howell Road at Paces Creek, Polk County, Texas Lufkin District

On May 5, 2015, SWCA Environmental Consultants conducted an intensive cultural resources survey at Howell Road and Paces Creek crossing in Polk County, Texas. On behalf of Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the investigations were conducted for the proposed replacement of an existing bridge. The work was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 USC 470) and the Antiquities Code of Texas (9 NRC 191). Eric Oksanen served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Code Permit No. 7267. The area of potential effects includes new and existing right-of-way (ROW) covering an area approximately 12 to 18 meters (m) wide (40 to 60 feet wide) extending a distance of 241 m (790 feet) along the roadway, totaling approximately 1 acre. The depth of impacts will be limited to less than 60 centimeters (cm) (2 feet) in the approaches with deeper impacts expected where the bridge piers or footings will be constructed. The background review revealed no previous surveys or recorded cultural resources in the vicinity of the project area. SWCA excavated shovel tests on both sides of the tributary south of the roadway where new ROW will be acquired. Lack of access precluded shovel testing within new ROW, but the investigations immediately adjacent, within existing ROW, allowed adequate assessment to provide recommendations on the archaeological potential in the new areas. The excavations encountered disturbed stratigraphy down to roughly 30 cm (1 foot) (generally from road and bridge construction and residential disturbance) above intact sediments. No cultural resources were identified in the shovel tests, cutbanks, or surface exposures. No further cultural resources investigations are recommended within the existing or new ROW of Hooks Road and Paces Creek

Intensive Cultural Resources Survey of Proposed Improvements to Farm-to-Market Road 16 from 4.0 Miles West of Farm-to-Market Road 849, East to United States Highway 69, Smith County, Texas

At the request of Arredondo, Zepeda, & Brunz, LLC (ABZ), and on behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Tyler District, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey of proposed improvements (i.e., widening the existing two-lane road) to approximately 23,232.08 linear feet (4.4 miles) of Farm-to-Market Road (FM) 16 from 4.0 miles west of FM 849 east to U.S. Highway 69 (US 69) in Lindale, Smith County, Texas (CSJ: 0522-04-032). The project would consist of widening FM 16 within existing and proposed right-of-way (ROW). The proposed project includes approximately 39.1 acres of existing FM 16 ROW, which ranges from 70 to 100 feet wide. Proposed ROW for the project would encompass approximately 68.1 acres and have a variable width of 145 to 315 feet within rural sections; in urban sections, the proposed ROW would be a minimum of 80 feet wide to a maximum of 370 feet wide. In summary, the overall area of potential effects (APE) is approximately 23,232.08 feet (4.4 miles) long, 70 to 370 feet wide, and will extend 4 to 6 feet below ground surface for roadway improvements, up to 10 feet below ground for cross drainage culverts, and 20 to 30 feet below ground for bridge support columns. Utility relocations are anticipated, but the exact locales of such relocations are currently unknown. Archaeological investigations were performed to comply with the Antiquities Code of Texas, due to the involvement of public lands controlled by TxDOT, a political subdivision of the State of Texas. Additionally, the project may receive funding from the Federal Highway Administration or require a federal permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and, as such, is subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The goal of the work was to identify cultural resources within the proposed project area, establish vertical and horizontal site boundaries as appropriate, and evaluate the significance and eligibility of all discovered cultural resources for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or for designation as a State Antiquities Landmark (SAL). SWCA conducted field investigations from February 21 through February 25. Archaeologists attempted to excavate 225 shovel tests during the survey, but due to standing water, existing subsurface utilities, and eroded areas, only 215 shovel tests were excavated in support of the project, which exceeds the Texas Historical Commission’s recommended survey standards for a project of this size. Investigations resulted in the discovery of two archaeological sites (41SM483 and 41SM484) consisting of an early- to midtwentieth-century single crib barn (41SM483) and a low-density scatter of non-diagnostic prehistoric lithic artifacts (41SM484). Investigations also discovered one isolated find (IF1), a single presumably Early Caddo (ca. A.D. 900–1200) ceramic sherd recovered from a single shovel test. Due to the paucity of cultural material, a lack of diagnostic artifacts, or cultural features, and extensive disturbances, both sites are recommended as not eligible for the NRHP or for designation as SALs. In accordance with the Antiquities Code of Texas and 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 800.4, SWCA made a reasonable and good faith effort to identify cultural resources within the APE. As no properties were identified that may meet the criteria for listing on the NRHP, according to 36 CFR 60.4, or for designation as an SAL, as per 13 TAC 26.12, 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 those areas. However, as SWCA lacked right-of-entry (ROE) to 30 parcels encompassing 27.76 acres of proposed ROW, investigations in those areas were not possible. To complete the assessment of the APE, SWCA recommends that an intensive cultural resources survey of the proposed ROW in these 30 parcels should be undertaken once ROE becomes available

Intensive Archeological Survey of Burleson-Retta Road at Village Creek, Tarrant County, Texas

On behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey with mechanical trenching on September 18, 2017, of 8.8 acres of new and existing right-of-way (ROW) along BurlesonRetta Road in Tarrant 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). Kevin Hanselka served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8097. The area of potential effects (APE) is defined as a total of 8.8 acres comprising the bridge, new approaches on either side of the bridge, as well as 2.39 acres of new ROW. A background literature review determined that the APE has not previously been surveyed for cultural resources and no archeological sites, historical markers, or State Antiquities Landmarks (SALs) are within 0.6 miles (1 km) of the APE. One possible cemetery is located approximately 0.17 miles south of the APE on the western side of Village Creek. The survey identified substantial disturbances within the APE, including prior infrastructure development, such as utilities and bridge construction, and a variety of other land use practices. SWCA assessed the entire 8.8-acre survey area, but focused on the 2.39 acres of proposed new ROW. SWCA excavated four backhoe trenches to assess the potential for deeply buried cultural deposits. The survey identified deep subsurface disturbance close to Village Creek. Moderately intact soils were found away from the creek; however, these soils contained negligible potential for deeply buried cultural materials and these investigations identified no cultural resources. Due to the heavy disturbance observed throughout the existing ROW and the negligible potential for deeply buried deposits or intact cultural material, no further archeological investigations are recommended. SWCA recommends that a finding of “no historic properties affected” be made for the current undertak

Intensive Archeological Survey of the Highway US 69 and Farm-to-Market 779 Interchange, Wood County, Texas

On behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey with mechanical trenching on September 20-22, 2017, of 57.69 acres of new and existing right-of-way (ROW) along United States Highway (US) 69 and the intersection of Farm-to-Market (FM) 779 in Wood 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). Kevin Hanselka served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8162. The area of potential effects (APE) is defined as a two-mile long stretch of US 69 and a 0.17- mile long stretch along FM 779. The area includes the existing 120-foot-wide ROW and an additional 25.19 acres (from 19 parcels) of new ROW along the southwest side of the existing ROW. The total project area is therefore about 57.69 acres, of which about 32.5 acres is existing ROW and 25.19 acres is new ROW. Typical depths of impact are anticipated to be approximately two feet, with maximum depths of impacts of up to six feet at culvert locations. A background literature review determined that the APE has previously been surveyed for cultural resources by Hicks & Company in 2004, but that no deep testing was conducted to assess the potential for deeply buried deposits during that effort. One other cultural resource survey was conducted within 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) of the survey area; a 2010 survey of Golden Community Cemetery by AR Consultants, Inc. on behalf of the Texas Water Development Board. One archeological site (41WD257) is located approximately 350 meters north of the APE, but minimal information is available on this site. Two historic markers are located in the town of Golden near the APE, for Reuben Leon and Fairess Simmons, and for the Reneau Building (marker numbers 15501 and 17729). Finally one cemetery, Golden Cemetery, is located within 0.6 miles of the project area. The survey identified substantial disturbances within the APE, including prior infrastructure development, such as utilities and road construction, and a variety of other land use practices. SWCA assessed the entire 57.69-acre survey area, but focused on the 25.19 acres of proposed new ROW. SWCA excavated eight backhoe trenches (BHTs) to assess the potential for deeply buried cultural deposits along the prominent drainages and 26 shovel tests in upland areas. The survey identified a negligible potential for intact cultural resources within the existing ROW, and the investigations revealed no cultural material within the new ROW. At the time of the survey access was denied for six parcels, comprising 1.85 acres of new ROW; these parcels are predominantly commercial or residential developments. No further archeological investigations are recommended within the APE and within a 50-foot buffer beyond the horizontal project limits on the southwestern side of the roadway

Intensive Archeological Survey of Boyce Lane at Harris Branch, Travis County, Texas

On behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive archeological survey on February 23, 2018, of a potential bridge replacement consisting of approximately 1.5 acres of existing right-of-way (ROW) along Boyce Lane over Harris Branch in Travis 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, the work 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 Code Permit No. 8298. The total area of potential effects (APE) is defined as the existing 100-foot-wide Boyce Lane ROW extending 175 feet north and 200 feet south of the Harris Branch channel centerline, encompassing approximately 1.5 acres. Depth of impact is estimated to be up to 40 feet below the current ground surface for the bridge supports and up to 10 feet for the remainder of the project. Background research identified that one previous archeological survey covered a portion of the project area, but no archeological sites, cemeteries, or known historic resources were within or immediately adjacent to the review area. The field investigation of the proposed project APE consisted of an intensive pedestrian survey with shovel testing. Mechanical trenching was originally proposed, but existing utilities on both sides of the ROW and large fill sections precluded trenching. The existing ROW is heavily disturbed by existing roadway and associated bridge construction activities; in addition, the APE is almost entirely within existing fill sections. The investigations identified no archeological resources within the APE. SWCA has made a reasonable and good faith effort to locate and identify historic properties as per 36 CFR Part 800.4(b)(1), and cultural resources as per Subchapter A of Chapter 26 of the Texas Administrative Code throughout the proposed project APE. Based on the results of the survey, SWCA recommends a finding of “no historic properties affected,” and no further archeological investigations are recommended within the APE