Article Title

Intensive Archeological Survey Of South I-35 Water Line City Of Belton, Bell County, Texas

Authors

Caitlin Gulihur
Ann M. Scott

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

The City of Belton has proposed the South I-35 Water Line project where a water transmission line will be constructed in southern Belton, Bell County, Texas. The project engineer, Kasberg Patrick and Associates LP, retained Terracon Consultants, Inc. to conduct a systematic, intensive pedestrian survey of the approximate 11-acre project area. Because the City of Belton, a political subdivision of the State of Texas, sponsored the project, the proposed undertaking is subject to compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas and oversight from the Texas Historical Commission. In addition, the survey meets the standards for compliance under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, should federal permitting or funding be utilized for this project. The work described herein was performed under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 9140, issued to Caitlin Gulihur, MA, RPA Principal Investigator, and in adherence to Title 13, Chapter 26 of the Texas Administrative Code. Fieldwork was carried out by Caitlin Gulihur with assistance from Archeological Technician Ruben Castillo, Jr. Records from the project will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University.

The approximate 9,600-linear-foot alignment was considered the Area of Potential Effect (APE) for the project. Survey of the APE consisted of systematic pedestrian coverage, including discretionary shovel tests. The work was carried out on November 5 and 6, 2019. Twenty-four shovel tests were excavated in areas that appeared to be undisturbed. Shovel tests excavations were devoid of cultural materials; prehistoric or historic-age cultural materials were not observed on the ground surface. No sites were recorded or revisited as a result of the survey. Therefore, there are no historic properties present within the project area. It is Terracon’s recommendation that there are no historic properties eligible for National Register of Historic Places inclusion or State Antiquities Landmark designation that will be affected by future construction of the proposed water line. In the unlikely event that human remains or intact cultural features are discovered during construction, those activities should cease in the vicinity of the remains and Terracon, the Texas Historical Commission’s Archeology Division, or other proper authorities should be contacted.

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