20191658 Ver 1_Ashe 8 No Survey form_20191206

Project Tracking No.
17-12-0011
oa NO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY REQUIRED FORM
This form only pertains to ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES for this project. It is not
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valid for Historic Architecture and Landscapes. You must consult separately with they
Historic Architecture and Landscapes Group.'Q.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project No: BR-0002
WBS No: 67002.1.1
Federal Aid No:
Federal Permit Required?
County: Ashe
Document: State Minimum Criteria Checklist
Funding: ® State ❑ Federal
® Yes ® No Permit Type: USACE
Project Description:
Replace Bridge 8 on NC 194 over the North Fork New River in Ashe County. The Area of
Potential Effects (A.P.E.) is approximately 235 meters (771 ft.) long and 46 meters (150 ft.)
wide. The A.P.E. includes the area within 103 meters (339 ft.) from each end of the bridge and
22 meters (74 ft.) from centerline on each side of the road. No design plans provided.
NOTE: An archaeological survey for this project was recommended on 1/16/2018. The
recommendation was changed based on a visual inspection of the project.
SUMMARY OF CULTURAL RESOURCES REVIEW
Brief description of review activities, results of review, and conclusions:
The review included an examination of a topographic map, an aerial photograph, and listings of
previously recorded sites, previous archaeological surveys, and previous environmental reviews
at the Office of State Archaeology (O.S.A.). Also, an archaeological reconnaissance was
conducted on 3/9/2018. The bridge is oriented northeast -southwest, but is considered north -
south for this review.
The topographic map (Warrensville, N.C.) shows the A.P.E. is located in a narrow river valley.
The landform in the northwest quadrant is a gently -sloped ridge toe. The landform in the
southwest quadrant is a narrow floodplain and a steeply -sloped ridge toe. The landform in the
southeast quadrant is narrow floodplain between the road and Buffalo Creek. Buffalo Creek
joins the North Fork New River a short distance downstream (southeast) from the bridge. The
landform in the northeast quadrant is a narrow floodplain and a gently -sloped ridge toe. Level,
well -drained landforms near streams have a moderate to high potential for archaeological sites.
The aerial photograph shows the A.P.E. in the northwest quadrant is a mixture of wooded and
cleared land. There is a driveway in the A.P.E. that leads to an electrical substation. The A.P.E.
in the southwest quadrant is cleared (pasture?) next to the river, and wooded on the ridge toe.
The intersection with SR 1351 is located in this quadrant. The southeast quadrant is a narrow
strip of cleared land between the road and Buffalo Creek. The northeast quadrant is cleared
residential yards. The intersection with SR 1504 is in this quadrant.
"No ARCHAEOLOGYSUR VEYREQUIRED " form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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Project Tracking No.
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A review of information at the O.S.A. shows there are no previously recorded sites near the
A.P.E. The A.P.E. is not within any areas that have been previously surveyed for archaeological
sites. The A.P.E. is not within any projects that have been reviewed by the State Historic
Preservation Office (HPO).
An archaeological reconnaissance of the A.P.E. was conducted by NCDOT archaeologist Caleb
Smith on 3/9/2018. The reconnaissance found that the landforms within the A.P.E. have a low
potential for archaeological sites.
The A.P.E. in the northwest quadrant is a floodplain from the river north for approximately 30
meters (100 ft.), then a driveway, then a sloped ridge side. The floodplain is currently fallow.
The driveway leads to a small electric power substation. The ridge slope is wooded with small
saplings. The abutment of the previous bridge is located next to the existing bridge in this
quadrant.
The A.P.E. in the northeast quadrant is a narrow floodplain from the river north for
approximately 30 meters (100 ft.), then a slope up to the intersection of NC 194 and SR 1504
(River Rd.), and then a gently -sloped ridge. The floodplain is currently a grass field or a
maintained residential yard. The property on the ridge is maintained residential yards, also.
There is a driveway at the north end of the A.P.E. There is a house and two farm buildings that
appear to be older than 50 years of age located near the A.P.E. in this quadrant.
The A.P.E. in the southeast quadrant is a narrow floodplain between NC 194 and Buffalo Creek.
The floodplain is between 20-30 meters (66-100 ft.) wide. The floodplain is currently a fallow
field.
The A.P.E. in the southwest quadrant is a narrow floodplain from the river south for
appoximately 20 meters (66 ft.), then a slope up to SR 1351 (Campbell Rd.), and then a steeply -
slope ridge side. The abutment of the previous bridge is located next to the existing bridge in
this quadrant.
Brief Explanation of why the available information provides a reliable basis for reasonably
predicting that there are no unidentified historic properties in the APE:
The landforms within the A.P.E. have a low to moderate potential for archaeological sites.
While there is level floodplain in each quadrant, it is a narrow strip between the river and a
sloped ridge. There is no level, elevated terrace overlooking the floodplain. In this region,
narrow strips of floodplain along major streams can have some archaeological potential, but are
often unstable landforms that are susceptible to flooding. Wider floodplains with a first terrace
have a higher potential because there is room for settlement outside of the commonly -flooded
area.
SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION
See attached: ® Map(s) ❑ Previous Survey Info ❑ Photos El Correspondence
❑ Photocopy of County Survey Notes Other:
"No ARCHAEOLOGYSUR VEYREQUIRED " form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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Project Tracking No.
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FINDING BY NCDOT ARCHAEOLOGIST
NO ARCHAEOLOGY SUR VEY REO UIRED
Caleb Smith
NCDOT ARCHAEOLOGIST II
3/12/2018
Date
"No ARCHAEOLOGYSURVEYREQUIRED" form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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"No ARCHAEOLOGYSURVEYREQUIRED "form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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"No ARCHAEOLOGYSURVEYREQUIRED " form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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"No ARCHAEOLOGYSURVEYREQUIRED " form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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