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
