Article Title

Intensive Cultural Resources Survey of the Westpointe West Off-Site Sewer Extension Phase 3 Project, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

Authors

Adam D. Leroy

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

At the request of D. R. Horton and on behalf of San Antonio Water System (SAWS), Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc. (Pape-Dawson) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey supplemented by shovel testing and mechanical trenching for the proposed Westpointe West Off-Site Sewer Extension Phase 3 Project (Project) in western San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The Project consists of the installation of a 1.5-mile (mi; 2.4-kilometer [km])-long, 36-inch (91-centimeter)-diameter sewer extension pipeline on privately-owned land northeast of Talley Road, between two tributaries to Medio Creek. The Project will originate 0.3 mi (0.5 km) northwest of the intersection of Louis Agusta Drive and Talley Road, directing northwest for 0.91 mi (1.46 km) along the northeastern right-of-way of Talley Road. The Project will then inflect approximately 45 degrees north-northeast and continue east another 0.61 mi (0.98 km) before terminating southeast of a large pond. Pape-Dawson archaeologists surveyed a 50-foot (ft; 15.2-meter [m]) corridor along the length of the Project, including 25 ft (7.6 m) along each side of the proposed centerline. This corridor is commensurate with the Area of Potential Effect (APE) for the Project, totaling 9.2 acres (3.7 hectares) in size.

Although D.R. Horton will construct the new utility line, SAWS will be the grantee of the easement once the line is constructed. As a result, compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas is required. In addition, since the Project will require a Section 404 permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) is necessary. At the municipal level, the Project also falls under the City of San Antonio’s (COSA) Unified Development Code (Article 6 35-630 to 35-634), as it is within the COSA City Limits.

In accordance with Section 106 of the NHPA, the Project proponent must make a reasonable and good faith effort to identify historic properties within the APE and to take into account any direct or indirect effects the proposed Project could have on properties listed or considered Eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). No NRHP-eligible sites are located within a 1-km (0.6-mi) radius of the proposed Project APE.

One isolated find, consisting of a single prehistoric lithic artifact, was encountered during the investigation. However, by Texas Historical Commission definition, isolated finds do not meet the requirements for site designation. The isolated find, therefore, is not eligible for listing in the NRHP, or for designation as a State Archaeological Landmark (SAL). Additionally, a driveway to a historic-age residence intersects a portion of the APE. No artifacts were encountered on the surface of the driveway or in shovel tests excavated adjacent to the driveway. Pape-Dawson recommends that this portion of the driveway be considered a non-contributing element of the structure that is outside of the Project APE and is Not Eligible for NRHP or SAL status.

Pape-Dawson surveyed the proposed Project APE for cultural resources on March 23rd, 2020. Additionally, Pape-Dawson excavated three backhoe trenches within the APE on March 25th, 2020. The fieldwork was conducted by Pape-Dawson Principal Investigator Adam Leroy and Pape-Dawson Archaeological Technician Mikayla Mathews. As no significant cultural resources were encountered during the investigation, Pape-Dawson recommends a finding of No Historic Properties Affected for the proposed Project as inventoried, mapped, photographed, and described herein, provided that all Project construction occurs within the surveyed area.

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