Article Title

Cultural Resources Investigations for the Multiple Sewershed Package 6 Project, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

Authors

Rhiana D. Ward
Chris Matthews
Antonio E. Padilla

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

Raba Kistner Environmental, Inc. (RKEI), was contracted by K FRIESE + ASSOCIATES (CLIENT), on behalf of San Antonio Water System (SAWS), to perform cultural resources investigations for the SAWS Package 6 Project. The project consists of the replacement and rehabilitation of four distinct locations (Location 1- 3 and Location 10) of existing sewer alignment throughout San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. SAWS will replace and rehabilitate the existing sewer alignment through a combination of non-ground disturbing robotic machinery and open-cut trenching excavations. Temporary work spaces for the construction include the existing SAWS easement, portions of other existing easements (i.e., overhead utility easements and City of San Antonio [COSA] easements), existing city streets, or new temporary easements partially within private land.

The project is located on both private lands and lands owned by the COSA and maintained by SAWS, both political subdivisions of the state. As such, the project is subject to review under the jurisdiction of the COSA Unified Development Code (Article VI 35-630 to 35-634), as well as the Antiquities Code of Texas (Texas Natural Resource Code, Title 9, Chapter 191).

On April 4, 2018, RKEI archaeologists conducted an archival search for the Hunt Lane Cemetery. The search determined that the cemetery was likely dedicated as a private family cemetery in the 1930-1940s for the use of the Hernandez family and their descendants. The review also determined that the cemetery does not likely cross the unnamed tributary of Medio Creek, and therefore does not extend within the boundaries of Location 10. On April 12, 2018, RKEI Archaeologists conducted a pedestrian survey augmented with shovel testing for Locations 1-3 and 10. A total of 12 shovel tests was excavated for all four locations, none of which tested positive for cultural deposits. As a result, no new cultural resources were documented during the SAWS Package 6 Project. Antonio E. Padilla, M.A., RPA, served as Principal Investigator for the Project, and Rhiana D. Ward served as Project Archaeologist. Field work was conducted by Chris Matthews and Jason Whitaker. All work complied with Texas Historical Commission and Council of Texas Archeologists guidelines and standards.

In accordance with federal regulation 36 CFR Part 79 and THC requirements for State Held-in-Trust collections, all project related documentation produced during the investigations will be curated at The Center for Archaeological Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

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