"Cultural Resources Investigation of the CPS Energy Interstate Highway " by Laura E. Vilsack, Sophia Salgado et al.

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Article Title

Cultural Resources Investigation of the CPS Energy Interstate Highway 10 / Loop 1604 to FM 1518 Project, Bexar County, Texas

Authors

Laura E. Vilsack
Sophia Salgado
Zachary M. Overfield

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

CPS Energy retained SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) to complete an intensive cultural resources survey for the Interstate Highway (IH) 10 / Loop 1604 to Farm-to-Market Road (FM) 1518 Project (Project). The Project consists of the installation of a 3.44-mile (5.53-kilometer) long steel supply gas main in eastern Bexar County, Texas. The total size of the proposed area of investigation is 22.9 acres (9.3 ha) in extent, which represents the area of potential effects (APE) for the Project. The Project area is located parallel to IH-10 between Loop 1604 and Graytown Road, with sections also paralleling Loop 1604 and Graytown Road. Most of the Project area falls within the city limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction of San Antonio, Texas.

The Project requires an Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT) permit since it will involve more than 5 acres and/or 5,000 cubic yards of land disturbance. The ACT is administered by the Texas State Historic Preservation Office, known as the Texas Historical Commission (THC).

The purpose of this investigation was to identify and assess any cultural resources, such as historic and prehistoric archaeological sites and historic buildings, structures, objects, and sites (such as cemeteries) that might be located within the boundaries of the Project area. All investigations were conducted in accordance with the ACT and standards and guidelines established by the THC and Council of Texas Archeologists. The cultural resources investigation was conducted under ACT Permit No. 8395.

The cultural resources investigation consisted of a thorough background literature and records review. Field investigations consisted of an intensive pedestrian survey augmented by shovel testing. The background review determined that one previously identified cultural resource (site 41BX1693) is located within the Project area. Site 41BX1693 is a lithic artifact scatter of unknown temporal association located within a plowed field. The initial investigation of 41BX1693 observed cultural materials on the surface and subsurface (plow zone) identified through shovel tests and backhoe trenching efforts. SWCA conducted a site revisit to 41BX1693 and observed cultural lithic materials present on the surface and within the plow zone. SWCA extended the site boundary to the northeast and southwest. SWCA did not identify any cultural features or diagnostic artifacts during the revisit. The portion of site 41BX1693 within the Project area does not possess research potential beyond its locational data and does not meet the criteria for designation as a State Antiquities Landmark (SAL).

The SWCA investigation also recorded one prehistoric archaeological site (41BX2277) within the Project area. Site 41BX2277 consists of a light scatter of lithic debitage and tested cobbles/cores across a disturbed land surface. The artifacts have likely been secondarily deposited from a site located uphill to the northwest, which is outside of the Project area. SWCA did not identify any cultural features or diagnostic artifacts within the portion of 41BX2277 within the Project area. It is the professional opinion of SWCA that 41BX2277 does not possess research potential beyond its locational data and does not meet the criteria for designation as a SAL.

In accordance with the ACT, SWCA has made a reasonable and good faith effort to identify cultural resources within the Project area. No archaeological sites or above-ground historic resources were identified within the Project area that may meet the criteria for designation as a SAL according to 13 Texas Administrative Code 26.10. SWCA recommends no additional cultural resources investigations within the Project area, as currently defined.