Article Title

Phase I Cultural Resources Survey Of The Proposed Texas Eastern Transmission, Lp, Dot 2015 - Mexi-Stfe Project, In Hidalgo County, Texas

Authors

James Eberwine

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

This document describes the results of Phase I cultural resources survey of the proposed Texas Eastern Transmission, LP, DOT 2015 – MEXI-STFE Project, in Hidalgo County, Texas (Figures 1.1 and 1.2). The project entailed the examination of a 275 m (2378.6 ft) long pipeline replacement, as well as 2.1 ha (5.2 ac) of additional temporary workspace and 826.0 m (2710 ft) of project access roads. Together these project items totaled 4.4 ha (10.9 ac) in area. This investigation was completed on behalf of Texas Eastern Transmission, LP, by R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc. in May of 2015. The goal of fieldwork was to identify and to evaluate all historic properties, archeological sites, cultural resources loci, standing structures, and/or cemeteries that may be impacted adversely by the proposed project. All work was performed in accordance with the procedures outlined in the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended; the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974; the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, as amended; and Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 60-66 and 800, as appropriate. Additionally, this survey effort abided by the standards set forth in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Office of Pipeline Regulation’s Guidelines for Reporting on Cultural Resources Investigations (1994:11-13), the Archeology and Historic Preservation: The Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines, and with guidelines contained within the Texas Historical Commission’s Preserving Our Heritage:

A Statewide Plan for Texas. Information provided by the Council of Texas Archeologists, the Texas Archaeological Research Laboratory, the Antiquities Code of Texas, and the Texas Historical Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure for the Antiquities Code of Texas, also was utilized..

All of the proposed project items fell within the bounds of the Louisiana-Rio Grande Canal Company Irrigation System National Register District. The historic property consists of two pumping stations and a network of canals, irrigation pipes, and drainage ditches that extend approximately 500 miles total in length (Meyers and Weitze 1995). The two pumping stations are located outside the project area, but the project area is in the vicinity of drainage ditches likely part of the former Louisiana – Rio Grande Canal Company system, now under the jurisdiction of the Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 2.

Despite the proximity of the district, the proposed projects, currently defined as replacement of an existing pipeline and hydrostatic testing, will not pose an adverse effect to, or have any additional visual impacts on, the district. If the project scope changes, further investigation of this national register property may be warranted. Furthermore, no cultural resources were identified within the limits of the current survey areas. No additional investigation or recordation of the project items associated with the Texas Eastern Transmission, LP, Project Name Project is recommended.

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