Article Title

An Intensive Cultural Resources Survey of a Segment of Plains All American Pipeline, LP’s Proposed China Draw Expansion Project Located on GLO Property in Reeves County, Texas

Authors

Russell K. Brownlow

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

On 26 September 2017, Horizon Environmental Services, Inc. (Horizon) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey of a segment of Plains All American Pipeline, LP’s (Plains) proposed China Draw Expansion pipeline right-of-way (ROW) located in northwestern Reeves County, Texas (Project Area). The development of the pipeline ROW will be privately funded and will not require any federal permitting or coordination. However, a 1.0-mile (1.6-kilometer [km])-long segment of the proposed ROW is located on property owned by the Texas General Land Office (GLO). As the GLO is considered to be a political subdivision of the state, the portion of the undertaking on GLO property falls under the regulations of the Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT). At the request of Whitenton Group, Inc. (Whitenton), Horizon conducted the cultural resources survey of the Project Area on behalf of Plains in compliance with the ACT. The purpose of the survey was to determine if any archeological sites were located within the Project Area and, if any existed, to determine if the project had the potential to have any adverse impacts on sites considered eligible for formal designation as State Antiquities Landmarks (SALs). The cultural resources survey was conducted under Texas Antiquities Committee (TAC) permit number 8170.

Overall, the entire proposed ROW measures 6.7 miles (10.9 km) long by 30.0 feet (9.1 meters [m]) wide, with a total area of approximately 24.4 acres. However, the Project Area (i.e., the segment of the proposed ROW that crosses GLO property) measures only 1.0 mile (1.6 km) long by 30.0 feet (9.1 m) wide, with a total area of approximately 3.6 acres.

The cultural resources survey of the Project Area resulted in entirely negative findings. No cultural materials were observed on the surface of the Project Area or within any of the 17 excavated shovel tests.

Based on the negative survey results, it is Horizon’s opinion that the construction of the proposed China Draw Expansion Project across GLO property will have no adverse effect on significant cultural resources designated as or considered eligible for designation as SALs. Horizon therefore recommends that Plains be allowed to proceed with the construction of the proposed pipeline relative to the jurisdiction of the ACT.

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