Article Title

Intensive Archeological Survey Of The Lorena Tirz #1 East Phase 1 Trunk Line City Of Lorena, McLennan County, Texas

Authors

Caitlin Gulihur
Ann M. Scott

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

Lorena Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) #1 East has proposed the TIRZ #1 East Phase 1 Trunk Line project, which is the construction of an approximately 15,800-linear-foot wastewater line in northeast Lorena, McLennan County, Texas. The project engineer, Kasberg Patrick and Associates LP, retained Terracon Consultants, Inc. to conduct a systematic, intensive pedestrian survey of the approximately 18.14-acre project area. Because Lorena TIRZ #1 East, a public private partnership with the City of Lorena, a political subdivision of the State of Texas, sponsored the project, the proposed undertaking is subject to compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas and oversight from the Texas Historical Commission. In addition, the survey meets the standards for compliance under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, should a US Army Corps of Engineer permit be necessary or federal funding be utilized for the project. The cultural resources survey was carried out in advance of ground disturbance under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 7903, issued to Ann M. Scott, PhD, RPA, Principal Investigator. Fieldwork was carried out by Dr. Scott, with assistance from Project Archeologist Caitlin Gulihur, MA, and Archeological Technician Juan Morlock. Records from the project will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University.

The 15,800-linear-foot by 50-foot wide alignment (18.14 acres) was considered the Area of Potential Effect (APE). Survey of the APE consisted of systematic pedestrian coverage, including discretionary shovel tests. The work was carried out on March 14-16, May 11, and July 19, 2017. Two alignment changes occurred during the project. Those changes were subject to the same intensive pedestrian survey methodology. In total, 20,000 linear feet, with a 50-foot wide alignment (23 acres), was surveyed. Several hundred linear feet of the project area were agricultural fields with ground visibility of at least 50 percent. Thirty-five shovel tests were excavated in areas that had less than 30 percent ground visibility or placed in areas previously undisturbed; three of those shovel tests contained artifacts. The three shovel tests contained historic artifacts, such as glass, ceramics, plastics, and metal fragments associated with historic site 41ML320. As a result of the survey, one new historic-period site was recorded, 41ML320, which had already been noted during review of historic maps and aerial imagery. Site 41ML320 is an historic homestead. The site comprises a historic artifact scatter, two rubble piles, and a well/cistern. The eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places or potential for designation as a State Antiquities Landmark of site 41ML320 is undetermined. After 41ML320 was recorded, the project alignment was revised, and no portion of site 41ML320 is within the current project APE. Therefore, there are no historic properties present in the alignment. It is Terracon’s recommendation that there are no historic properties eligible for State Antiquities Landmark designation or National Register of Historic Places inclusion that will be affected by construction of the proposed trunk line. In the unlikely event that human remains are discovered during construction, construction should cease in the vicinity of the remains and Terracon, the Texas Historic Commission’s Archeology Division, or other proper authorities should be contacted.

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