Article Title

Intensive Cultural Resources Survey for the Shell Connection Project, Loving County, Texas

Authors

Ben Fullerton

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

EnLink Midstream contracted with HDR Engineering, Inc. (HDR) to conduct an intensive cultural resources survey for the Shell Connection project. The proposed project consists of the construction of approximately nine miles (14.5 kilometers [km]) of pipeline within a 150-foot (ft) (45.7-meter [m]) wide Right-of-Way (ROW), extending from the Shell University Compressor Station to the Lobo II Plant, in Loving County, Texas. The southern approximate 4.3 miles (6.9 km) of the proposed pipeline fall within Texas public university lands (University Lands) owned by the State of Texas. Therefore, the proposed developments on University Lands 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 purpose of the cultural resources investigation is to determine the presence/absence of cultural resources within the Area of Potential Effects (APE), defined as the 4.3-mile (14.5-km) long, 150-ft (45.7-m) wide portion on University Lands, 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) under the Antiquities Code of Texas (13 TAC 26.12). The cultural resources survey was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 8039. The field effort was led by principal investigator Ben Fullerton on June 1, 2017

HDR conducted an intensive survey with pedestrian walkover and shovel testing within the entire 4.3-mile (6.9-km) APE. Due to the high ground surface visibility (averaging approximately 80 percent) and shallow soils within the APE, judgmental shovel testing was employed. A total of six shovel tests were excavated during the survey. The soils encountered were shallow overlying dense calcium carbonate concretions and caliche. No cultural materials were identified 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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