20191465 Ver 1_AR12-08-0026noeligiblesites_revised II_20191220

Project Tracking No.:
12-08-0026
Revised II
NO NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Qo� 0 ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
l®rW.
p PRESENT FORM
i
This form only pertains to ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES for this project. It is not, y
.. �.
valid for Historic Architecture and Landscapes. You must consult separately with the
Historic Architecture and Landscapes Group.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project No: Bridge 147 County: Henderson
WBS No: 14SP.20451.2 Document: Minimum Criteria
F.A. No: NA Funding: ® State ❑ Federal
Federal Permit Required? ® Yes ® No Permit Type: USACE
Project Description:
The project calls for the replacement of Bridge No. 147 on SR 1353 (Hooper Lane) over the Mills River
in Henderson County. The revised archaeological Area of Potential Effects (APE) for the project is
defined as a 600 foot (182.88 in) long corridor running 300 feet (91.44 m) north and south along Hooper
Lane from the center of the bridge. The corridor is approximately 150 feet (45.72 m) wide extending
100 feet (30.48 m) east and 50 feet (15.24 m) west from the center of Hooper Lane.
A "No Prehistoric or Historic Properties Present/Affected "form was first submitted on August 29, 2012
for a smaller APE. This was followed by a revised submission of a "No National Register of Historic
Places Eligible or Listed Archaeological Sites Present " form for the current enlarged APE on June 21,
2019. The enlarged project was resubmitted as state funded requiring no federal permits. It has
subsequently been determined since the past submission that a federal permit is necessary for a culvert
extension at a side road. The former two forms are now invalid and are replaced by the present "No
National Register of Historic Places Eligible or Listed Archaeological Sites Present" Revised Hform.
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 or eligible ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES present
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.
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT"
form for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement.
1 of 9

Project Tracking No.:
12-08-0026
Revised II
SUMMARY OF CULTURAL RESOURCES REVIEW
Brief description of review activities, results of review, and conclusions:
Bridge No. 147 is west of French Broad River, east of community of Mill River, and south of the Asheville
Airport in the northwestern portion of Henderson County, North Carolina. The project area is plotted near
the northern edge of the Skyland USGS 7.5' topographic quadrangle (Figure 1). The project was previously
reviewed and a "No Prehistoric or Historic Properties Present/Affected" form was submitted on August 29,
2012. The project was resubmitted to archaeology for review in June 2019 with an expanded APE. No
federal permits were thought necessary during the resubmittal. A revised "No National Register of Historic
Places Eligible or Listed Archaeological Sites Present" was submitted on June 21, 2019. It has now been
determined at a federal permit is necessary for a culvert extension, but the APE has not changed. This
current form replaces to the two previous forms, which are now invalid.
A site file search was first conducted at the Office of State Archaeology (OSA) on August 9, 2012. A
subsequent review was carried out on June 21, 2019 followed by a third review on November 7, 2019. No
previously recorded archaeological sites have been identified within or adjacent to the APE, but 25 known
sites (31HN1, 31HN4-31HN7, 31HN9, 31HN10, 31HN34, 31HN63, 31HN79, 31HN80, 31HN87,
31HN151-31HN155, 31HN162, 31HN163, 31HN165, 31HN170, 31HN172, 31HN193, 31HN194,
31HN265) are within a mile radius of the bridge. According to the North Carolina State Historic
Preservation Office (SHPO) online data base (HPOWEB 2019), there are no known historic architectural
resources within the APE that may yield intact archaeological deposits. Topographic maps, USDA soil
survey maps, aerial photographs (NC One Map), and historic maps (North Carolina maps website) were
also utilized to gage environmental factors that may have contributed to historic or prehistoric settlement
within the project limits and to assess the level of ground disturbance. An archaeological field and
reconnaissance survey were conducted for the first submission on August 15, 2012 to help assess the
project area.
Bridge No. 147 and SR 1353 cross the Mills River roughly north to south. This river drains east into the
French Broad River. The project area is situated within the Mills River's floodplain, which encompasses
an extensive area (Figure 2). The APE is open with cultivated field in each of the quadrants, while dense
vegetation grows along the banks of the river (Figures 3-6). Wide ditches are also present in three of the
four quadrants (Figure 7). Only the southeast quadrant lacks a ditch. Overall, disturbance within the APE
varies from heavy along the ditches to light in the fields.
The USDA soil survey map indicates that the entire APE consists of Rosman loam (Ro) (see Figure 2).
This is a moderately well drained to well drained soil found on floodplains with less than 2 percent slope.
The soil is subject to frequent flooding but only for very brief periods. This series is ideal for precontact
and historic settlement activities due to being well drained, nearly level, and close to fresh water. For these
reasons, a field investigation was first recommended.
Several previous archaeological investigations have been conducted within the vicinity of the bridge.
These investigations have resulted in the identification of 25 sites (31HN1, 31HN4-31HN7, 31HN9,
31HN10, 31HN34, 31HN63, 31HN79, 31HN80, 31HN87, 31HN151-31HN155, 31HN162, 31HN163,
31HN165, 31HN170, 31HN172, 31HN193, 31HN194, 31HN265) within a mile of the project area, but
none are reported within the currently defined APE. Most of these sites were found in the fields to the
south of the Mills River and recorded by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) in
1964 through 1979 as part of the Cherokee Archaeological Project. All of the sites are situated either in the
floodplain or on terraces just above the floodplain. None have been recommended as eligible for the
NRHP. Eight (31HN151, 31HN153-31HN155, 31HN162, 31HN163, 31HN170, and 31HN172) have been
determined ineligible, while 17 (31HN1, 31HN4-31HN7, 31HN9, 31HN10, 31HN34, 31HN63, 31HN79,
31HN80, 31HN87, 31HN152, 31HN165, 31HN193, 31HN194, and 31HN265) remain unassessed. The
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT"
.form.for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement.
2 of 9

Project Tracking No.:
12-08-0026
Revised II
site file review suggests the possibility of archaeological sites at the bridge, since site density appears high.
However, it is very likely the current project area was previously covered during UNC-CH investigations
but was not reported having produced no positive results.
A historic map review was also conducted for the project area prior to field work. The earliest maps to
depict the area with any great detail are the 1892 and 1905 USGS Pisgah topographic maps (Figures 8 and
9). The 1892 map shows the Mills River and its floodplain, but no roads are depicted in the vicinity of the
current bridge. Likewise, the subsequent 1905 map shows no cultural features near the project area.
Therefore, it seems probable that no significant former structure will be encountered within the APE.
The 2012 archaeological field investigation consisted first of a pedestrian survey. Surface visibility was at
or near 100 percent in three (northeast, southeast, and northwest) of the four quadrants. This inspection
revealed no cultural material along the surface. In general, the wide ditches occupy much of the APE
leaving only a minimal area that is not impacted (see Figures 2-7). Since no cultural material was
identified on the surface and impacts from the proposed bridge replacement appear to be near the ditch line,
it was determined that subsurface testing was not needed in at least three of the quadrants. The remaining
southwest quadrant was covered with dense soybeans, which hindered visibility at the time of the
investigation (see Figure 3). Three shovel tests were attempted in this quadrant, but gravel from a possible
former field road was encountered at 40 cm (16 in) below the surface. This layer could not be penetrated.
It is likely that soil was deliberately pushed to level this portion of the field within the APE in order to help
prevent water from pooling in depressed areas. It appears that the old farm road and the ditch have
impacted the integrity of the southwest quadrant. As a result of this investigation, it is unlikely for any
significant archaeological sites to be encountered by the proposed bridge replacement. The newly
expanded APE cover only a minimal expanse of new property east of the road. More than likely the
previously noted disturbances extend into this area.
The defined archaeological APE for the proposed replacement of Bridge No. 147 is located on the Mills
River floodplain. A wide ditch located in three of the four quadrants encompasses much of the APE. Since
surface visibility was considered good in most of the fields, a surface inspection was carried out. No
archaeological sites were identified. Shovel tests were attempted in poorly visible areas, but these tests
showed further disturbance. Along with the field work, it is very likely that the project area was covered by
UNC-CH during the Cherokee Archaeological Project in which they recorded no sites within the APE. It
was common for UNC-CH to not to identify areas that yielded negative results. The historic map review
also identified no historic structures in the vicinity. As a result of this investigation, it is unlikely for
significant and intact archaeological deposits to be encountered within the APE for the proposed
replacement of Bridge No. 147 in Henderson County. As long as impacts to the subsurface occur within
the defined APE, no further archaeological work is recommended for this project. If construction should
affect subsurface areas beyond the defined APE, further archaeological consultation might be necessary.
SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION
See attached: ® Map(s)
Signed:
4��,
❑ Previous Survey Info
C. Damon Jones
NCDOT ARCHAEOLOGIST
® Photos ❑Correspondence
11/7/19
Date
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT"
.form.for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement:
3 of 9

Project Tracking No.:
12-08-0026
Revised II
cane Mile Radius (Shaded)
Around Project Area
Milt-
� t "
Ii f
! 3' 1 r I !
River
1 I Bridge 147
:, Park ti ti APE (Red) Mill
Go+mbFant l0
Tradly
31 .'_ `' <� 17'. • ,� ��'
r 8`
UFB 51 I . ' ridge f '`
�+ \ z
0 1 N
Miles w E
1.ra00
I
Henderson County Meters
Figure 1. Topographic Setting of the Project Area, Skyland (2013), NC, USGS 7.5' Topographic
Quadrangle.
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT"
.form.for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement:
4 of 9

Project Tracking No.:
12-08-0026
Revised II
Figure 2. Aerial photograph of the APE showing development, bidforms, soils, and shovel tests (STs)
within the project area.
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT"
.form.for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement:
5 of 9

Project Tracking No.:
12-08-0026
Revised II
Figure 3. General View of soybean field in the southwest quadrant, facing southwest.
Figure 4. General View of corn field in the southeast quadrant, facing southwest.
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT"
.form.for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement:
6 of 9

Project Tracking No.:
12-08-0026
Revised II
x
Figure 5. General View of cherry tomato field in the northwest quadrant, facing north.
Figure 6. General View of plowed field in the northeast quadrant, facing northeast.
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT"
.form.for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement:
7 of 9

Project Tracking No.:
12-08-0026
Revised II
f
f�t z- d# r
1
Figurc 7. General Vicw of ditch in the southwest quadrant, facing southwest.
Project.}
Figure 8. 1892 USGS Pisgah topographic map showing the project area.
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT"
.form.for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement:
8 of 9

Project Tracking No.:
12-08-0026
Revised II
Figure 9. 1905 USGS Pisgah topographic map showing the project area.
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT"
.form.for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement:
9 of 9