Abstract
On behalf of CP&Y and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), AmaTerra Environmental conducted an intensive archeological survey of two of five proposed detention ponds in Brazoria and Fort Bend Counties, Texas. The detention ponds are part of TxDOT’s proposed widening of State Highway (SH) 36 from Farm to Market Road (FM) 2218 in Pleak, Fort Bend County to FM 1495 in Freeport, Brazoria County, Texas (CSJs 0187-05-050, 0188-02-029, 0188-03-019, 0188-04-035, 0188-04-025, 0188-05-027, 0188-06-046, 0111-08-100, 0187-05-048, 0188-04-044, and 0188-02-036). The project was completed in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 106) and the Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT) under Permit no. 8868. Work was conducted April 17, 2019 by a team of two archeologists and consisted of visual inspection and shovel testing of two proposed pond locations (Varner Creek and Pond B). A total of 21 shovel tests were excavated and one new archeological site (41BO282) was recorded. This mid-twentieth century site, recorded in the proposed Pond B location, retains little to no data potential within the APE. It is therefore recommended not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or as a State Antiquities Landmark. Access was not available at the time of survey for proposed detention Pond A. However, it was visually inspected from the existing right-of-way (ROW) and its current use as a paved construction staging area indicates that archeological resources are unlikely to exist at the location. Therefore, no further work is recommended for this pond site. Rights of Entry (ROE) were not available at the time of survey for the remaining proposed pond locations (Big Creek 1 and Big Creek 2). AmaTerra recommends intensive archeological survey for these areas when access becomes available and prior to construction.
Highlights
Archeological Survey of Selected Detention Ponds: State Highway (SH) 36 from Farm to Market Road (FM) 2218, Ft Bend Co to FM 1495, Brazoria Co. ii ii
Given that the upper 30 cm or more of soil have been disturbed by clearing and paving, it is unlikely that intact archeological deposits of either prehistoric or historic age could be present within the Area of Potential Effects (APE) and proposed Pond A
▪ ☒ The integrity of the areas within and adjacent to the setting is affected by prior clear cutting and ranching activities
Summary
▪ An archeological survey of the SH 36 expansion from FM 2218 to FM 1495 in Freeport to support a NEPA document was completed in 2004 and found that no further archeological work was necessary except at three locations (two at Big Creek and one at Varner Creek) where detention ponds would have deep impacts in areas where archeological potential exists. No previously recorded archeological sites overlap the APE, though two are within one kilometer (THC 2019) Archeological Survey of Selected Detention Ponds: SH 36 from FM 2218, Ft Bend Co to FM 1495, Brazoria Co. 13 13 This figure has been redacted due to site sensitive material. The Pond A location (which could not be fully surveyed) has been largely modified in the last decade and is mostly paved Disturbances in this location have probably been deep enough in the area’s upland setting that buried archeological deposits are unlikely. Disturbance in the south half is probably limited to the surface or just below the surface except where the house is currently located
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