"Archeological Survey for the Proposed Commercial Development at North " by Melissa M. Green

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Article Title

Archeological Survey for the Proposed Commercial Development at North Tarrant Parkway and Ray White Road (SWF-2019-00445), Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas

Authors

Melissa M. Green

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

Winkelmann & Associates, Inc. plans to construct a new commercial enterprise comprising three commercial pads to be constructed on the approximately 14-acre (5.67-hectare) parcel in northwest Fort Worth in Tarrant County, Texas. Two of the three pads (eastern and western) are partially in place due to large quantities of fill dirt and bounders already on site; only the middle portion of the parcel will require additional fill prior to construction. On 27 November 2019, an archeological pedestrian survey augmented by shovel testing was completed to evaluate potential impacts associated with the project; the survey was conducted under pre-2020 Texas Historical Commission approved guidelines. A total of 14 acres (5.67 hectares) were examined and shovel testing was conducted within 4 acres (1.62 hectares) of the larger project area where development is proposed. The proposed development is in the northwest quadrant of the intersection of North Tarrant Parkway and Ray White Road, which has two unnamed tributaries of Whites Branch running through it. A Race Trac gas station/convenience store is situated in the immediate corner of the intersection and was excluded from survey. The area is in an urban setting surrounded by both commercial and residential development. The terrace edges that have been partially artificially modified for development and infrastructure for these developments and have somewhat altered the drainage within the floodplain. Melissa Green (Principal Investigator) and Corey Pursell of Cox|McLain Environmental Consulting, Inc. (CMEC) carried out the survey in support of a Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit (SWF-2019-00445) for the United States Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended. A Texas Antiquities Permit was not required for this project. Based on background review of available data, the potential for intact archeological deposits was considered very low to none for both prehistoric and historic sites within the archeological area of potential effects. Ground surface visibility varied across the parcel between 0 and 30 percent and ranged from low grasses to shoulder-high grasses and young saplings. Large boulders and soil have been purposely placed and/or dumped along North Tarrant Parkway, partially creating the western pad and the west slope of the eastern pad proposed for construction; however, the remaining area is floodplain. Soils around the footings of the existing commercial pads are disturbed. Three shovel test units were excavated to examine the potential for subsurface archeological deposits in the areas in the floodplain that will be impacted by proposed construction; no additional shovel tests were attempted as these three were inundated at shallow levels. No evidence of historic or prehistoric deposits, materials, or features were identified, and no further work is recommended within the 14-acre area of potential effects. No artifacts were collected during the investigation however, all notes, photographs, administrative documents, and other project data will be housed at the CMEC Irving office and would be available to future researchers. If any unanticipated cultural materials or deposits are found at any stage of clearing, preparation, or construction, the work should cease, and Texas Historical Commission (THC) personnel should be notified immediately. The Texas Historical Commission concurred with the findings and recommendations present in this report on 5 August 2020.