Article Title

Intensive Archeological Survey Of Basin G Sanitary Sewer Line City Of Lorena, McLennan County, Texas

Authors

Caitlin Gulihur
Annn M. Scott

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

Lorena Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) #1 East has proposed the Basin G Sanitary Sewer Line project where approximately 7,400-linear-feet of wastewater line will be constructed 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 approximate 17-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 Engineers 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 8318, issued to Caitlin Gulihur, MA, Principal Investigator. Fieldwork was carried out by Caitlin Gulihur with assistance from Archeological Technician Juan Morlock. Records from the project will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University.

The 7,400-linear-foot by 100-foot wide alignment (17 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 1, 2018. Sixteen shovel tests were excavated in areas that had less than 30 percent ground visibility or placed in areas that appeared to be undisturbed. No artifacts were discovered during the excavation of the shovel tests. No cultural materials were observed on the ground surface. No sites were recorded or revisited as a result of the survey. Therefore, there are no historic properties present within the project area. 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 future construction of the proposed sanitary sewer line. In the unlikely event that human remains or artifacts are discovered during construction, those activities should cease in the vicinity of the remains and Terracon, the Texas Historical Commission’s Archeology Division, or other proper authorities should be contacted.

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