Article Title

Intensive Archaeological Survey for the Proposed City of Conroe Outfall Relocation, Montgomery County, Texas

Authors

Susan E. Butler
Steve Cummins
Todd L. Butler

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

On behalf of Carollo Engineers, Inc. and the City of Conroe, Texas, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive archaeological survey for the proposed City of Conroe Outfall Relocation project located southwest of the existing City of Conroe wastewater treatment facility in Montgomery County, Texas. The proposed project consists of the construction of a new pipeline and outfall structure within a 2,190-foot-long, 60-foot-wide corridor (approximately 3 acres in total), with potential depth of impact from 5 to 17 feet below surface.

Archaeological investigations were conducted in compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas (Texas Natural Resource Code, Title 9, Chapter 191) and accompanying Rules of Practice and Procedure (Texas Administrative Code, Title 13, Chapter 26) under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 7770, and with guidelines set forth by the Texas Historical Commission (THC) and Section 106 of National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 United States Code [USC] 470) and its implementing regulations, 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 800.

The background review revealed that no previous surveys or recorded cultural resources are located within the proposed project area. An intensive archaeological survey, including pedestrian survey augmented by shovel testing, was conducted along the length of the project area on September 7, 2016. Following THC and USACE recommendations and as a condition of Permit No. SWG-2016-01062 (dated to August 14, 2017), additional deep testing was conducted through the monitoring of the excavation of five trench locations within the proposed alignment on May 2, 2018. No cultural resources were identified during the investigations.

Overall, the project alignment extends across a forested bottomland along the eastern bank of the West Fork San Jacinto River. Vegetation included hardwood forests of elm and sycamore, pine, and palmetto. Evidence of disturbance along the line was obvious and includes hydraulic alteration of the floodplain, land clearing, and power line/water utility construction.

In accordance with Section 106 of the NHPA 36 CFR 800.4 (b)(1) and the Antiquities Code of Texas, SWCA has made a good faith effort to identified significant cultural resources within the project area to the project depth of impact. No properties listed or otherwise eligible for the NRHP, or for designation as a SAL, were found within the investigated project area. Consequently, SWCA recommends no further archaeological investigation and a finding of NO HISTORIC PROPERTIES AFFECTED under 36 CFR 800.4(d)(1).

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