20231088 Ver 1_Yancey 120 No NRHP sites 2018 (1)_20230802

Project Tracking No.
16-02-0041 (Re -submittal)
NO NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
as ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES`
PRESENT FORM'
r I �
This form only pertains to ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES for this project. It is not
valid for Historic Architecture and Landscapes. You must consult separately with the d
Historic Architecture and Landscapes Group.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project No: B-5881 County: Yancey
WBS No: 17BP.13.R.158 Document: State Minimum Criteria Checklist
F.A. No: Funding: ® State ❑ Federal
Federal Permit Required? ® Yes ❑ No Permit Type: USACE
Project Description:
Replace Bridge 120 on SR 1395 (Bald Mountain Rd.) over Jim Creek in Yancey County. The
Area of Potential Effects (A.P.E.) is approximately 427 meters (1,400 ft.) long and 60 meters (200
ft.) wide. The A.P.E. includes the area within 214 meters (700 ft.) from each end of the bridge and
30 meters (100ft.) from centerline on each side of the road.
NOTE: A smaller version of this project was reviewed in 2016. An archaeological survey was
conducted and a "No National Register of Historic Places -Eligible Archaeological Sites Present"
form was submitted on 11/29/2016 (Brilliant 2016).
SUMMARY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDINGS
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Archaeology Group reviewed
the subject project and determined:
® There are no National Register listed ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES within the project's
area of potential effects. (Attach any notes or documents as needed.)
❑ No subsurface archaeological investigations were required for this project.
❑ Subsurface investigations did not reveal the presence of any archaeological resources.
® Subsurface investigations did not reveal the presence of any archaeological resources
considered eligible for the National Register.
® All identified archaeological sites located within the APE have been considered and all
compliance for archaeological resources with Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act and GS 121-12(a) has been completed for this project.
Brief description of review activities, results of review, and conclusions:
see attached report
SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION
See attached: ® Map(s) ® Previous Survey Info ® Photos ❑Correspondence
Other:
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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Project Tracking No.
16-02-0041 (Re -submittal)
Signed:
CALEB SMITH
NCDOT ARCHAEOLOGIST
4/12/2019
Date
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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Archaeological Survey for the Proposed Replacement of Bridge 120 on SR 1395
(Bald Mountain Rd.) over Jim Creek, Yancey County, North Carolina
(NCDOT TIP B-5881; PA # 16-02-0041)
By Caleb Smith, Archaeologist
April 2019
Introduction
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to replace Bridge 120 on SR
1395 (Bald Mountain Rd.) over Jim Creek in Yancey County (Figures 1-2). The study area for the
bridge replacement is approximately 427 meters (1,400 ft.) long and 60 meters (200 ft.) wide. It
includes the area along SR 1395 in each direction from the bridge for 214 meters (700 ft.), and 30
meters (100 ft.) from centerline on each side of the road. Although the road is oriented northeast -
southwest it is considered north -south for this review.
This project was first assigned for cultural resources review in February 2016. The study area for
that review was smaller than the current one (Figure 3). It measured approximately 183 meters (600
ft.) long and 46 meters (150 ft.) wide. An archaeological survey was conducted by Brilliant (2016),
and a No National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)-Eligible Sites Present form was submitted on
11/29/2016. The survey identified one isolated find (31CY206**), a single historic ceramic, next to
the bridge in the southwest quadrant (Figure 4). Since that time, the culvert that carries Jim Creek
under SR 1402 (Jim Creek Rd.) has been replaced a short distance north of its original location. This
moved the road closer to Bridge 120, very close to where the isolate was found.
The current review was assigned in July 2018. The larger study area included the original one with
additional land at each end. A revised Archaeological Survey Required form was submitted
9/20/2018. The archaeological survey of the study area was conducted by NCDOT archaeologists
Scott Halvorsen and Caleb Smith on 10/16/2018.
Since that time 25% design plans have been submitted that show the bridge will be replaced along
the east side of the existing bridge with minimal impacts to land outside of the existing right of way
(Figure 5). The Area of Potential Effects (A.P.E.) shown on those design plans is only 91 meters
(300 ft.) long and 23 meters (75 ft.) wide, an area that is much smaller than the 2016 study area. The
project will impact a narrow strip of floodplain along the east side of SR 1395 (between it and Bald
Mountain Creek). This appears to be an unstable landform with a low potential for archaeological
sites. Several shovel tests (STs) excavated by Brilliant (2016) in that area and did not identify any
archaeological sites.
Archaeological Field Survey
The October 2018 fieldwork included the excavation of a total of seven shovel tests (STs) at a 30-
meter (100-ft.) interval (Figure 6). Two STs (1-2) were excavated in the northeast quadrant, two were
excavated in the northwest quadrant, and three were excavated in the southwest quadrant. None of
the shovel tests contained any artifacts. Table 1 describes each shovel test.
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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AVERY
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MCDOWELL
Figure 1: Location of Bridge 120 in Yancey County.
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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2018 A.P.E. f µ * •`
44
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Figure 3: Topographic map of Bridge 120 showing the 2016 and 2018 study areas (Bald Cheek topographic map).
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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ST 4
ST 3 ST 2
t
V t SR 1402
(Jim Creek Bridge
Rd.) 119
2016
A.P.E.
ST 6 ST _5
ST 7
0 Bridge
120
B
Figure 6: Aerial photograph showing the 2018 survey shovel test locations.
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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Table 1: Description of Shovel Tests
Northeast quadrant
ST 1
0-25 cm (0-9 in.) IOYR 3/4 (dark yellowish brown) silty clay with dense gravel
ST 2
0-25 cm (0-9 in.) 10YR 3/3 (dark brown) silty loam with dense gravel content; 25-40 cm (9-16 in.)
IOYR 3/4 (dark yellowish brown) silty loam with dense gravel.
Northwest Quadrant
ST 3
0-20 cm (0-8 in.) 10YR 3/4 (dark yellowish brown) silty loam with dense gravel content; 20-30 cm (8-
12 in.) 10YR 5/6 (yellowish brown) silty clay with dense gravel
ST 4
0-25 cm (0-10 in.) 10YR 3/6 (dark yellowish brown) silty loam with dense gravel; 25-35 cm (10-14
in.) 10YR 5/4(yellowish brown silty clay with dense gravel
Southwest Quadrant
ST 5
0-35 cm 0-14 in. 10YR 3/2(very dark grayish brown silty loam with dense gravel
ST 6
0-35 cm 0-14 in. IOYR 3/3 dark brown silty loam with dense gravel
ST 7
0-25 cm 0-9 in. 10YR 3/2(very dark grayish brown silty loam with dense gravel
Two STs were excavated in the northeast quadrant. The 2016 survey included the area within 92
meters (300 ft.) of the bridge. The landform in that quadrant was a narrow strip of floodplain
between SR 1395 and Bald Mountain Creek. Brilliant (2016:5-6) excavated two STs a short
distance north of Bridge 120. Both contained shallow soils with a high gravel content. The larger
2018 study area added another 122 meters (400 ft.) to the north. It included more of the narrow
strip of floodplain along the east side of the road, as well as the floodplain/terrace located north of
Bridge 119 (the bridge on SR 1395 north of Bridge 120). STs 1-2 were each excavated along the
east side of SR 1395 in a plowed garden (Figure 7).
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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The soils consisted of between 25-40 cm. (10-16 in.) of brown silty loam with a dense gravel
content. There was good surface visibility in the plowed garden, and a visual inspection did not
identify any artifacts.
Two STs (3-4) were excavated in the northwest quadrant. The 2016 survey had included the area
within 92 meters (300 ft.) of the bridge. The landform in that quadrant was terrace/floodplain
along the west side of the road and the north side of the bridge. Brilliant (2016:7-8) excavated
three STs in a residential yard along the west side of SR 1395. All contained shallow soils with a
high gravel content. The expanded 2018 study area added another 122 meters (400 ft.) to the north.
The study area included a moderately -sloped ridge to the north of the terrace, and the
floodplain/terrace landform on the north side of Bridge 119. The sloped ridge north of the terrace
was a residential yard with a low to moderate potential for archaeological sites. The
floodplain/terrace north of Bridge 119 was a fallow field across the street from STs 1-2 (Figure 8).
The soils consisted of approximately 30 cm. (12 in.) of dark brown silty loam with a dense gravel
content. The STs did not recover any artifacts.
Three STs (5-7) were excavated in the southwest quadrant. The 2016 survey had included the area
within 92 meters (300 ft.) of the bridge. The landform in that quadrant was a "flattened ridge toe"
along the west side of the road and the south side of the bridge. Brilliant (2016:8-9) excavated
five STs in the quadrant. One ST recovered a single historic ceramic (undecorated ironstone) that
was assigned isolate 31YC206**. The ceramic was recovered from an area between the bridge
and SR 1402. (SR 1402 has since been moved to the north, closer to Bridge 120.)
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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Each of the STs contained approximately 45 cm (18 in.) of sandy, clayey loam with a high gravel
content. The expanded 2018 study area added another 122 meters (400 ft.) to the south. The
landform is a floodplain/terrace between the road on the east side and a ridge toe to the west. The
area was a fallow field. There was an old shed or office building near the south end of the study
area (Figure 9).
ST 5 was placed approximately 120 meters (394 ft.) south of the bridge. It was intended to be
located approximately 30 meters (100 ft.) south of Brilliant's (2016: Figure 5) southwest quadrant
ST 3. STs 6 and 7 were placed 30 and 60 meters (100 and 200 ft.) south. The soil in each ST was
approximately 35 cm. (14 in.) of silty loam with a dense gravel content. This seems to match the
soils described in the 2016 survey.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the archaeological survey of the expanded study area for the replacement of Bridge
120 did not identify any archaeological sites. STs were excavated in the northeast, northwest, and
southwest quadrants in the parts of the expanded study area that were not included in the 2016
survey (Brilliant 2016). No further work is recommended.
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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References Cited
Brilliant, Brooke
2016 No National Register of Historic Places -Eligible or -Listed Archaeological Sites Present
form: Replace Bridge 120 on SR 1395 (Bald Mountain Rd.) over Jim Creek in Yancey
County. Submitted to the N.C. Department of Transportation, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Archaeological Consultants of the Carolinas, Inc., Clayton, North Carolina.
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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