Article Title

Archeological Survey for the Proposed Atmos Energy D9 Natural Gas Pipeline Replacement, Dallas and Denton Counties, Texas

Authors

Brett Lang
Melissa M. Green

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

On 23 October 2019, an archeological survey was completed in order to evaluate potential impacts to archeological resources associated with the proposed construction of Atmos Energy Corporation’s (Atmos) proposed D9 natural gas pipeline replacement in Dallas and Denton Counties, Texas. Approximately 5.5 miles of the replacement line is expected to be installed through open-cut trenching with approximately 1.5 miles installed through directional boring; this method will be utilized at all waterways and roadway crossings. Brett Lang (Project Archeologist) of Cox|McLain Environmental Consulting, Inc. (CMEC) carried out the survey for Atmos under Texas Antiquities Permit 9124; Melissa M. Green served as Principal Investigator. Required archeological investigations were conducted per Texas Antiquities Code standards, since the project area is partially located on public lands and no previous survey had been conducted.

The approximately 7.0-mile long, 50-foot wide project area, totally 41.53 acres (16.8 hectares), was subject to an intensive survey augmented with shovel test excavations. Shovel tests were excavated where ground visibility was lower than 30 percent, ground disturbance was minimal, or landforms with higher potential for prehistoric or historic archeology were observed. The project area is located in an urban setting of residential or commercial developments, with scattered cleared and open areas extending from just north of Interstate Highway 635 in Dallas County to approximately 7.0 miles (11.3 kilometers) north and terminating just south of the Old Denton Road and Frankfort Road intersection in Denton County. The replacement gas line crosses Farmers Branch, Rawhide Creek, Cooks Branch, Hutton Branch, and Furneaux Creek, as well as several unnamed tributaries. A total of 17 shovel tests were excavated within the proposed project area, with no cultural material observed on the surface or subsurface. CMEC recommends that no further investigation is required, and that the proposed project should be allowed to continue as planned.

No new archeological sites were identified, and no artifacts were collected during this survey; therefore, only project records will need to be curated, per TAC 26.16 and 26.17. Project records will be permanently housed at the Center for Archaeological Studies (CAS) at Texas State University. If any unanticipated cultural materials or deposits are found at any stage of clearing, preparation, or construction, the work should cease in that area and Texas Historical Commission (THC) personnel should be notified immediately. During evaluation of the finds and coordination with the THC, clearing, preparation, and/or construction could continue in any other areas along the corridor where no such deposits or materials are observed.

The Texas Historical Commission concurred with the findings and recommendations presented in this report on 5 December 2019.

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