Article Title

Intensive Archaeological Survey for the Hayhurst Lateral Pipeline Project

Authors

Melanie Johnson
Kristin Morgan

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

XRI Blue (XRI) has contracted HDR to conduct an intensive archaeological survey in advance of the installment of the Hayhurst Lateral Pipeline in Reeves and Culberson Counties, Texas (Figure 1-1). The proposed pipeline will begin approximately 0.5 mile (mi; 0.8 kilometer [km]) west of Orla, Texas, along Ranch-to-Market (RM) 652. The proposed project area is approximately 8.5 mi (13.7 km) long located within the existing Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Right-of-Way (ROW) with six pump station easements located on private land. Since the majority of the project area is on stateowned land, the proposed developments are required to be in compliance with Chapter 191 of the Texas Natural Resources Code, also known as the Antiquities Code of Texas (13 Texas Administrative Code [TAC] 26.12).

The pipeline is a 16-inch water pipeline. It will begin on the south side of RM 652 and cross to the north side at Pump #5.5 approximately 0.8 mi (1.3 km) west from the eastern edge of the Area of Potential Effects (APE). The permanent pipeline easement is 8.5 mi (13.7 km) long and 10 feet (ft; 3 meters [m]) wide. Each pump station easement is 100 ft x 100 ft (30.5 m x 30.5 m). The depth of impacts will be up to 4 ft (1.2 m) along the entire project area. Pipeline construction will include boring at waterway crossings. The APE for the main pipeline will be contained within the existing TxDOT ROW. The total APE includes the 8.5 mi x 10 ft pipeline corridor and the six 100 ft x 100 ft pump station easements for a total of approximately 12 acres (ac; 4.9 hectares [ha]).

The purpose of the archaeological investigation is to determine the presence/absence of archaeological resources within the APE as per the Antiquities Code of Texas (13 TAC 26.12) and to evaluate identified resources for their eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or as a designated State Antiquities Landmark (SAL). The cultural resources survey was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 8163. The field effort was led by Melanie Johnson on September 20, 2017.

HDR conducted an intensive archaeological survey within the 12-ac (4.9 ha) APE. A total of 11 shovel tests were excavated during the survey: 5 within the RM 652 ROW and 6 within the pump station easements. The soils encountered were typically shallow overlying caliche. All shovel tests were negative. No cultural materials were discovered within the APE during the investigation.

In accordance with 13 TAC 26.12, no further archaeological investigations are recommended and construction may proceed. In the event that any archaeological deposits are encountered during construction, work should cease and the Texas Historical Commission (THC) should be notified.

All records and materials generated by this project will be permanently curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies (CAS) at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

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