20140923 Ver 2_No Archaeological Survey Required PA 19-11-0013_20200324

Project Tracking No.:
19-11-0013
;oa NO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY REQUIRED FORM -
This form &
only pertains to ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES for this project. It is not lam'
o o ,fo valid for Historic Architecture and Landscapes. You must consult separately with the
� Historic Architecture and Landscapes Group. f�-
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project No: R-5605 Extension County: Transylvania
WBS No: 13587.1.1 Document: EA
F.A. No: na Funding: ® State ❑ Federal
Federal Permit Required? ® Yes ❑ No Permit Type: USACE
Project Description:
The project calls for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of US 641276 (Asheville
Highway) and the corridor for the Davidson River Village Connector (TIP R-5605) in Transylvania
County. The archaeological Area of Potential Effects (APE) for the project is defined as extending
approximately 625 feet (190.50 m) northeast and 450 feet (137.16 m) southwest along US 641276 from
the intersection and approximately 815 feet (248.41 m) east along the corridor for the connector. The
APE is generally 200 feet (60.96 m) wide extending 100 feet (30.48 m) on either side from the centerline
except at the proposed roundabout. At this location. the APE extends slightly further northwest from the
center of the proposed roundabout to approximately 190 feet (57.91 m). In all, the APE encompasses
approximately 8.5 acres.
SUMMARY OF CULTURAL RESOURCES REVIEW
Brief description of review activities, results of review, and conclusions:
The US 64/276 and Davidson River Village Connector roundabout project (R-5605 Extension) is located
on the north side of Brevard in Transylvania County, North Carolina. It is plotted in the southern half of
the Pisgah Forest USGS 7.5' topographic quadrangle (Figure 1).
A site file search was conducted at the Office of State Archaeology (OSA) on November 25, 2019.
Although no known sites are reported within the APE, 23 previously recorded sites (31TV3, 31TV11,
31TV16, 31TV28, 31TV43, 31TV44, 31TV132, 31TV286, 31TV405, 31TV533, 31TV535, 31TV536,
31TV573, 31TV583, 31TV665, 31TV667, 31TV701, 31TV758, 31TV828, 31TV831, 31TV833,
31 TV 1085, and 31 TV 1086) are within a mile exhibiting a high density of known archaeological
resources for the region. According to the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office online data
base (HPOWEB 2019), there are no known historic architectural resources within the APE that will yield
intact archaeological deposits that may be considered significant. Topographic maps, USDA soil survey
maps, aerial photographs (NC One Map), historic maps (North Carolina maps website), and Google
Street View application were also examined for information on environmental and cultural variables that
may have contributed to prehistoric or historic settlement within the project limits and to assess the level
of ground disturbance.
The project corridor runs northeast to southwest with tributaries to the Davidson River north and south of
the proposed roundabout (Figures 2). These tributaries have been modified by property owners and
during past road/utility construction projects. Portions of the channels have been buried, straighten,
and/or relocated. This has greatly affected the natural characteristics of the surrounding landforms. The
project area is situated generally along low stream terraces with hillsides to the northwest of US 64/276.
Hillsides and a southern ridge nose have been cut by construction of US 64/276. A floodplain adjacent to
the northern tributary has been partially fill-in if not entirely by urban development. Overall,
"No ARCHAEOLOGYSURVEYREQUIRED " form for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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development is high with commercial properties in the north and residential properties in the south.
Disturbance is heavy from past earth moving activities associated with road construction, utilities, and
development. The corridor for the Davidson River Village Connector is nearly complete and has
impacted the entire corridor to the east and a section of property northwest of the proposed roundabout
and US 64/276. It does not appear that any intact soils remain within the project area.
The USDA soil survey map for Transylvania County shows the project area covered by Evard loam
(ChD), Dillard loam (DeB); Fannin fine sandy loam (FaE), the Brasstown-Junaluska complex (FfE), Tate
fine sandy loam (TaD), and Toxaway loam (Tn) (see Figure 2) (USDA NRCS 2019). The Tate, Dillard,
and Evard series encompass most of the project area and comprises the stream terraces. These soils are
moderate to well drained with a slope of 1 to 15 percent. They have the potential for archaeological sites
if ground disturbance is low; however, this does not appear to be the case within the current project area
were disturbance is high. The adjacent hillsides are made up of either the Fannin or Brasstown-Junaluska
complex soils. Although well drained, they are steeply sloped at over 15 percent. Finally, the floodplain
is composed of Toxaway loam, which is very poorly drained. Significant archaeological resources are
not expected on wet or steeply sloped soils, and do not required any subsurface testing.
A review of the site files shows a high density of known archaeological resources in the region with 23
sites within a mile of the proposed project. Most of which were reported by Patricia Holden (1966) and
Ruth Wetmore (1991, 1993) during their archaeological surveys for Transylvania County. Further work
for the US Forest Service (Alford 2005; Burchett and Ashcraft 1994; Burchett and Noel 1994; Hall 1996;
Noel 2004; Shumate et al. 2001; Wilson 1978), NCDOT (Jones 2018; Raszick 2019), and local
development projects (Southerland and Trinkley 2003) have contributed additional archaeological
information for the surrounding region. Many of the sites have yet to be assessed for the National
Register (NRHP), but at least two (31TV286 and 31TV1085) have been determined eligible for the
NRHP. Both sites are in locations have seen little development activity, unlike the current APE. A
portion of the project area was also reviewed as part of a background study and reconnaissance for the
originally proposed Davidson River Village project by TRC (Benyshek 2014). Although the background
study states that most of the Davidson River Village project area is disturbed, it does indicate on Figure
12 that a portion of the current R-5605 Extension project area may contain intact soils (Figure 3). This
recommendation was made prior to the construction of the Davidson River Village Connector and reflects
properties at a greater distance away from US 64/276 and its associated development. It is very unlikely
due to the project setting that similar known archaeological sites in the region will be encountered within
the currently defined APE.
A historic map review was also carried out, but most early maps prior to the 20th century provide few
details concerning the project area. The USGS maps are some of the first in which the project location
could be determine. The 1905 Pisgah topographic maps depict an early road that partially follows an
alignment similar for US 64/276 (Figure 4). The two tributaries have yet to be altered, and a house is
located just north of the southern waterway and road. This area has been recently disturbed by roadway
construction. However, the house site shown on the map may be slight further north at the location of a
current house outside of the defined APE. Later USGS maps (Pisgah 1935, 1945, and 1946) show an
increase in residential development with several structures plotted northwest of the road. Regardless, it
seems likely that these structures are typical for the region and will not provide any new or significant
information.
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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 proposed US 64/276 and Davidson River Village Connector roundabout project (R-5605 Extension)
project in Transylvania County is not likely to impact any significant archaeological resources. The steep
hillsides and wet soils in the floodplain are not suitable for early habitation, while the terrace is occupied
by modern development associated with past road and utility construction including alterations to the
current tributaries. No additional archaeological work is recommended for this project. But if design
plans change to affect subsurface areas beyond the defined APE, further archaeological consultation will
be necessary.
Please note, this project falls within a North Carolina County in which the Catawba Nation, the Eastern
Band of Cherokee Indians, the Cherokee Nation, the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, and
the Muscogee Creek Nation have expressed an interest. It is recommended that you contact each federal
agency involved with this project to determine their Section 106 Tribal consultation requirements.
SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION
See attached: ® Map(s) ® Previous Survey Info ❑ Photos ❑Correspondence
❑ Photocopy of County Survey Notes Other:
FINDING BY NCDOT ARCHAEOLOGIST
NO ARCHAEOLOGYSURVEYREQUIRED
z- 12/2/19
C. Damon Jones
NCDOT ARCHAEOLOGIST
Date
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REFERENCES CITED
Alford, Paul
2005 Reevaluation of 31 TV76: The Davidson River Site, Transylvania County, North Carolina.
US Forest Service.
Benyshek, Tasha
2014 Letter Report, Archaeological Background Research and Reconnaissance of Davidson River
Village, Transylvania County, North Carolina. TRC Environmental Corporation, Asheville,
North Carolina. Submitted to Clearwater Environmental Consultants, Inc., Hendersonville,
North Carolina.
Burchett, Alan H. and A. Scott Ashcraft
1994 The Heritage Resources Survey for the Proposed Schenck Timber Sale, Compartment 79,
Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest, Transylvania County, North Carolina.
National Forests in North Carolina, Asheville.
Burchett, Alan H. and Robert O. Noel
1994 The Heritage Resources Survey for the Proposed Davidson River Salvage Timber Sale,
Compartments 65 and 79, Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest, Transylvania
County, North Carolina. National Forests in North Carolina, Asheville.
Hall, Linda
1996 Archaeological Survey for the Proposed Drip Irrigation System at the Pisgah Center for
Wildlife Education, Compartment 76, Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest,
Transylvania County, North Carolina. High Country Archaeological Services, Weaverville,
North Carolina. Submitted to National Forests in North Carolina, Asheville.
Holden, Patricia P.
1966 An Archaeological Survey of Transylvania County, North Carolina. Unpublished Master's
Thesis, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
HPOWEB
2019 North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office GIS Web Service.
http:HgisNCDCR.gov/hpoweb/. Accessed November 26, 2019.
Jones, C. Damon
2018 No National Register Of historic Places Eligible or Listed Archaeological Sites Affected
Form, PA 17-05-0033, R-5799, Transylvania County, North Carolina. In Programmatic
Agreement for Minor Transportation Projects Annual Report for FY 2018-2019, Multi
County. Submitted to North Carolina Department of Transportation, Raleigh.
Noel, Robert O.
2004 Heritage Resources Survey for the Proposed Sycamore Flats Rehabilitation Project (P79-1),
Compartment 79, Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest, Transylvania County,
North Carolina. National Forests in North Carolina, Asheville.
Raszick, Tiffany
2019 Archaeological Adverse Effect Determination, PA 18-07-0032, EB-5858, Transylvania
County, North Carolina. In Programmatic Agreement for Minor Transportation Projects
Annual Report for FY 2018-2019, Multi County. Submitted to North Carolina Department of
Transportation, Raleigh.
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Shumate, M. Scott, Patti Evans -Shumate, and Larry R. Kimball
2001 Archaeological Testing at 31TV758 at the Schenck Job Corps Center, Pisgah National
Forest, Transylvania County, North Carolina. Appalachian State University Laboratories of
Archaeological Science, Department of Anthropology, Boone, North Carolina. Submitted to
National Forests in North Carolina, Asheville.
Southerland, Nicole, and Michael Trinkley
2003 Cultural Resources Survey of Two Tracts in Brevard, Transylvania County, North Carolina.
Chicora Foundation, Inc., Columbia, South Carolina.
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services (USDA NRCS)
2019 Transylvania County Soil Survey. Available online at
http://webosilsurvey.nres.usda.gov/app/. Accessed November 26, 2019.
United States Geological Survey (USGS)
1905 Pisgah, North Carolina -South Carolina, 30-minute quadrangle map.
1935 Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, 7.5-minute quadrangle map.
1945 Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, 7.5-minute quadrangle map.
1946 Pisgah Forest, North Carolina 7.5-minute quadrangle map.
2016 Pisgah Forest, North Carolina 7.5-minute quadrangle map.
Wetmore, Ruth Y.
1991 Archaeological Survey of Tract for Proposed Brevard Care Center, Brevard, Transylvania
County, North Carolina. Submitted to Pruitt Corporation, Toccoa, Georgia.
1993 An Archaeological Survey of Transylvania County, North Carolina. Sponsored by the
Transylvania County Historic Properties Commission. North Carolina Division of Archives
and History, Department of Cultural Resources, Raleigh.
Wilson, Jack H. Jr.
1978 Archaeological Sites On and Near National Forest Land in North Carolina. United States
Forest Service, Asheville, North Carolina.
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One Mile Radius (Shaded) �4
Around Project Area
van,
'
, . v f � �
R-5605 Extension
APE (Red)
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'pf io t re rci�����{`' �' a
amaCon ,,,rt
104
MAT'
Pisgah Fog,
4 . `►
0 5.000 N
Feet Vt+
u 2,000
Transyiaarria Count Meters
Figure 1. Topographic Setting of the Project Area, Pisgah Forest (2016), NC USGS T5 Topographic
Quadrangle.
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1~igure ?. Aerial photograph of the APG showing landforms, soils, and development.
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Figure 3. Aerial Image from the background study and reconnaissance for the proposed Davidson River
Village project carried out by TRC showing that the current project area.
"No ARCHAEOLOGY SURVEYREQUIRED " form.for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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_ f C,
1.
Project Area
s,
Figure 4. The 1905 USGS Pisgah topographic map showing the location of the project area.
il
"No ARCHAEOLOGY SURYEYREQUlkED " form.for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2015 Programmatic Agreement.
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