Article Title

Cultural Resources Investigations for the CPS Energy 96th Street Riser Installation Project, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

Authors

Rhiana D. Ward

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

Raba Kistner Environmental, Inc. (RKEI), was contracted by CPS Energy (CLIENT) to conduct cultural resources monitoring investigations for the CPS Energy (CPSE) 96th Street Riser Installation Project in southern San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The project involved the installation of a 3-inch riser and a secondary enclosure within the 96th Street right-of-way (ROW). Given that the project took place within a publically owned ROW, and because CPSE is a political subdivision of the State of Texas, the project fell under the jurisdiction of Chapter 35 of the Unified Development Code of the City of San Antonio, as well as the Antiquities Code of Texas. Cultural resources investigations for the project were conducted on April 10 and 11, 2019. Rhiana D. Ward served as Principal Investigator and Project Manager for the duration of the project, and all fieldwork was completed by Project Archaeologist Jason M. Whitaker. All work was conducted in accordance with the standards set forth by the Council of Texas Archeologists and adopted by the Texas Historical Commission.

The APE encompassed approximately 200 feet (61 meters [m]) of alignment along the southern ROW of 96th Street; however, approximately 41 feet (12 m) of the Area of Potential Effects (APE) was excavated using directional boring excavations to prevent disturbance to two degrading asphalt drives that intersected the trench alignment. The remaining 159 feet (48 m) of APE alignment was excavated using open cut trenching. Trench excavations measured 20 inches (51 centimeters [cm]) wide and 40 inches (102 cm) deep on average. A minimal number of cultural materials were observed throughout monitoring investigations, but were limited to the upper stratigraphic layers and consisted predominately of modern refuse. Disturbances within the APE included existing underground utilities and road construction activities.

Overall, no significant deposits or features were documented during monitoring excavations of the CPSE 96th Street Riser Installation Project, and no evidence of unmarked burials or human remains were observed. Furthermore, no cultural materials or significant cultural materials were identified that may be associated with previously recorded site 41BX2221. As such, RKEI recommends site 41BX2221 as ineligible within the given APE due to a lack of cultural materials or deposits. Given this conclusion, no significant cultural deposits were impacted by the project and RKEI recommends no further archaeological investigations for the current APE. However, should additions be made to the project area, it is recommended that additional testing be conducted to determine the extent and significance of cultural deposits beyond the currently defined boundaries. All field records generated by this project will be permanently curated at the Center for Archaeological Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

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