20230396 Ver 1_Other Agency Correspondence_20230526

North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
State Historic Preservation Office
Ramona M. Bartos, Administrator
Governor Roy Cooper
Secretary D. Reid Wilson
May 26, 2023
Liz Hair
Wilmington District
US Army Corps of Engineers
69 Darlington Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403
Office of Archives and History
Deputy Secretary, Darin J. Waters, Ph.D.
sarah.e.hair(ibusace.army.mil
Re: Proposal for a 104-acre residential development on the White Oak River in Carteret County
to be called Hamptons on the White Oak, that includes 168 residential parcels, amenities,
and associated infrastructure, a 29-slip open water marina, a 40-slip upland excavated marina with 2
excavated channels connecting to an adjacent creek, and associated dredging of the creek and river
to provide access, ER 23-0496
Dear Ms. Hair:
We have reviewed the above -referenced project and need to comment. In terms of archaeological
resources, the White Oak River estuary is extremely rich in prehistoric occupation sites. Although there are
no recorded archaeological sites on the tracts proposed by Dirt to Dreams, LLC for the development, there
has never been a systematic archaeological survey performed on the properties. We recommend that a
comprehensive archaeological survey be conducted over portions of the property that are likely to contain
intact remnants of prehistoric habitation sites. We estimate that the area involved will encompass
approximately 24-acres of the upland adjacent to the White Oak River and "Raymond's Gut" Creek.
The purpose of this survey is to identify archaeological sites and make recommendations regarding their
eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The presence of significant sites will not
stop the development, but additional work may become necessary to retrieve as much information as
possible prior to their destruction if they cannot be avoided.
This work should be conducted by an experienced archaeologist that meets the Secretary of the Interior
professional qualifications standards. A list of archaeological consultants who have conducted or expressed
an interest in contract work in North Carolina is available at hgps://archaeology.ncdcr.gov/archaeolo _ig cal -
consultant -list. Please note that our office requests consultation with the Office of State Archaeology
Review Archaeologist to discuss appropriate field methodologies and scope -of -work prior to the
archaeological field investigation.
One paper copy and one digital copy (PDF) of all resulting archaeological reports, as well as a digital copy
(PDF) of the North Carolina Site Form for each site recorded, should be forwarded to the Office of State
Archaeology (OSA) through this office, for review and comment as soon as they are available and in
advance of any construction or ground disturbance activities. OSA's Archaeological Standards and
Location: 109 East Jones Street, Raleigh NC 27601 Mailing Address: 4617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-4617 Telephone/Fax: [phone]-6898

ER 23-0496, May 26, Page 2 of 2
Guidelines for Background Research, Field Methodologies, Technical Reports, and Curation can be found
online at: https:Hfiles.nc.gov/dncr-arch/OSA_Guidelines_Dec20l7.pdf.
We have determined that the project as proposed will not have an effect on any historic structures.
The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Regulations for Compliance with Section 106 codified at 36
CFR Part 800.
Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. If you have questions concerning the above comment,
contact Renee Gledhill -Earley, environmental review coordinator, at 919-814-6579
or environmental.reviewkncdcr.gov. In all future communication concerning this project, please cite the
above referenced tracking number.
Sincerely,
Ramona Bartos, Deputy
(� State Historic Preservation Officer
Location: 109 East Jones Street, Raleigh NC 27601 Mailing Address: 4617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-4617 Telephone/Fax: [phone]-6898