Article Title

A Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of the Fentress Johnson West Bay Mitigation Bank Project, Brazoria County, Texas

Authors

Sarah Boudreaux, Perennial Environmental Services, LLC
Abby Peyton, Perennial Environmental Services, LLC

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

Alluvion Resource Company (Alluvion) is proposing to establish and operate the Fentress-Johnson West Bay Mitigation Bank (FJWBMB) located in Brazoria County, Texas. Specifically, the development activities will consist of the construction of weir structures and the re-establishment of contours to meet existing marsh elevations of adjacent wetlands. In all, the FJWBMB totals approximately 5,377-acres (ac) (2,175.9 hectares [ha]), however impacts associated with the development of the FJWBMB would only occur within select areas totaling approximately 150.0 ac (60.7-ha), with intensive cultural resources surveys conducted across a broader environmental survey area (ESA) totaling approximately 300.0 ac (121.4-ha) centered on these development areas.

Alluvion retained Perennial Environmental Services, LLC (Perennial) to conduct an intensive Phase I cultural resources investigation for the proposed Project to at the request of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in correspondence dated March 20, 2020. Archaeological investigations for the Project were conducted in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the Texas State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) survey standards, as well as an approved scope of work.

Consistent with the USACE application requirements, and in accordance with Section 106 of the NHPA of 1966, as amended and implementing regulations (36 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 800), the proposed Project must make a reasonable and good faith effort to identify historic properties within the Area of Potential Effect (APE) and to take into account any direct or indirect effects the proposed undertaking could have on properties listed or considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). For purposes of this report, the APE is considered to be equivalent to the ESA totaling 300.0 ac (121.4-ha), with depths of impact anticipated to range from 0.5 to 1.5 feet (ft) (0.15 to 0.45 meters [m]).

Abby Peyton served as the Principal Investigator (PI) for the Project, while Wyatt Ellison and Wade Griffith led the field efforts. The Phase I survey investigations for the Project, as presented herein, were conducted between May 27, 2020 and May 29, 2020, and included the excavation of a total of 191 shovel tests. The survey investigations resulted in entirely negative findings. No artifacts were encountered as a result of these efforts, and so site delineation or artifact collection protocols were not implemented. Similarly, no curation is warranted for the Project.

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