Article Title

A Cultural Resources Survey Of Approximately 590 Acres For The Fbmud 215 In Fort Bend County, Texas

Authors

Charles E. Bludau

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

HRA Gray & Pape, LLC, of Houston, Texas, conducted a cultural resources survey on property proposed for residential development in Fort Bend County, Texas. The United States Army Corps of Engineers has been identified as the Lead Agency for this project.

The goals of the survey were to determine if the project would affect any previously identified archaeological sites as defined by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (36 CFR 800), and to establish whether or not previously unidentified buried archaeological resources were located within the project’s Area of Potential Effects. The procedures to be followed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to fulfill the requirements set forth in the National Historic Preservation Act, other applicable historic preservation laws, and Presidential directives as they relate to the regulatory program of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (33 CFR Parts 320-334) are articulated in the Regulatory Program of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Part 325 - Processing of Department of the Army Permits, Appendix C - Procedures for the Protection of Historic Properties. All fieldwork and reporting activities were completed with reference to State laws and guidelines (the Antiquities Code of Texas). Survey and site identification followed Texas Antiquities Code standards. No Texas Antiquities Permit was required as all survey work was completed on privately-owned property.

The property boundary for this project is approximately 238.8 hectares (590 acres). This defines the Area of Potential Effects. Field investigation consisted of visual inspection, subsurface shovel testing, and supplemental deep testing. Subsurface investigation resulted in the excavation of 206 shovel tests and 5 backhoe trenches. Four cultural resources were identified during survey: a historic-age barn and corral dating to the mid-twentieth century and 2 historic archaeological sites (41FB343 and 41FB344) that are interpreted as being associated with an early twentieth century domestic occupation. HRA Gray & Pape, LLC. recommends that these cultural resources are not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Additionally, an attempt was made to relocate 4 historic sites within the project area that were recorded during a previous survey by Prewitt and Associates, Inc. Sites 41FB110, 41FB111, 41FB112 and 41FB113 were not relocated, and land modification may have removed any trace of these light-density sites. A trash pile that may be associated with Site 41FB110 was observed. These sites were recommended as not eligible by Prewitt and Associates, Inc.; HRA Gray & Pape, LLC. collected no additional data that would suggest otherwise. It is the recommendation of HRA Gray & Pape, LLC that use of the project be allowed to proceed as planned.

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