Res 2008-100 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

areas developed by the THC in consultation with the Council of Texas Archeologists (CTA 1987). These investigations will comply with appropriate archeological survey methods as defined in the Department of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines (NPS 1983), the Guidelines of the CTA (1987), and the survey standards developed by the THC in conjunction with the Council of Texas Archeologists (THC n.d.). This survey will be of sufficient intensity to determine the nature, extent, and if possible, the eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or for a formal State Archeological Landmark (SAL) designation of any prehistoric and historic archeological properties and sites discovered within the Project area. The Engineer will conduct investigations in accordance with the First Amended Programmatic Agreement (PA) among the FHWA, the THC, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), and TxDOT, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between TxDOT and THC. The Engineer's fieldwork for this task includes a 100 percent pedestrian survey of the Project area consisting of surface and subsurface investigations. Surface investigations will include the systematic examination of the ground surface throughout the Project area looking for surface expressions of prehistoric and historic cultural materials. Survey standards (CTA 1987) for linear project areas recommend that, for areas exhibiting less than 30 percent ground surface visibility systematic shovel testing should be employed to prospect for buried cultural deposits at an interval of 16 shovel tests a mile. However, given the clayey upland soils that formed in situ from calcareous clay and shale that dominate the CR 132 Area of Potential Effect (APE), the Engineer will conduct judgmental shovel testing as necessary, as those soils have little to no potential for containing intact buried cultural deposits. If shovel testing indicates that there is the potential for buried cultural deposits beyond that which can be reached by hand excavations then, as per CTA survey standards for alluvial settings, backhoe trenching will be conducted by the Engineer or its subconsultant. 1.4.5 Record both previously recorded and unrecorded historic properties, archeological historic properties, or prehistoric archeological sites encountered on a Texas Archeological Site Data Form and submit the form electronically to TARL via the TexSite recording system. The Engineer will include site data consisting of a description of the site's environment and the cultural materials noted within the study area, including comments on the continuance of any sites outside of the existing and proposed ROWS. Following fieldwork, if any archeological sites or archeological historic properties are discovered, the Engineer will complete an intensive survey report in accordance with the full report guidelines outlined by the THC's Rules of Practice and Procedures. If no archeological sites or archeological historic properties are discovered, the Engineer will follow a short report format. The report will contain background information on the proposed construction activity, archeological and geomorphic data from site files, information from geologic maps, soil surveys, and a description of previous impacts affecting the integrity of known or potential archeological sites and deposits. The report will evaluate, to the extent feasible, the eligibility of archeological sites within the Project area for inclusion in the NRHP or for formal SAL designation. The Engineer will evaluate the potential for intact archeological deposits and will provide recommendations for any additional archeological work, if deemed necessary. If further work is warranted, the Engineer's recommendation will indicate where the additional work is needed and the scope of work 16