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Texas Historical Commission
Abstract
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.
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