20200443 Ver 1_Sloop Channel Dredge Dare No Archaeological Survey Required Form_20200402

Project Tracking No.:
19-04-0010
oa NO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY REQUIRED FORM?c .
This form only pertains to ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES for this project. It is not t`
'p valid for Historic Architecture and Landscapes. You must consult separately with the D1. B
Historic Architecture and Landscapes Group.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project No: Sloop Channel Dredge County: Hyde
WBSNo: 16.71080 Document: Federal PCE
F.A. No: N/A Funding: ® State ❑ Federal
Federal Permit Required? ® Yes ❑ No Permit Type: USACE (anticipated)
Project Description: NCDOT's Ferry Division proposes supplemental dredging operations within Sloop
Channel for the Hatteras Ferry in Hyde County. In order to facilitate environmental review at this stage,
an Area of Potential Effects (APE) for Sloop Channel has been generated, measuring about 225 feet wide
by about 3.25 miles and encompassing an area of roughly 99 acres within Pamlico Sound, extending
North from Ocracoke Island at the Ocracoke Ferry Terminal.
SUMMARY OF CULTURAL RESOURCES REVIEW
Brief description of review activities, results of review, and conclusions:
This project was accepted on Thursday, April 11, 2019. Between that day and Wednesday, April 17,
2019, background information for the APE was compiled by staff at the Office of State Archaeology
(OSA) and the Underwater Archaeology Branch (UAB) for NCDOT's review. To their knowledge, no
underwater archaeological surveys have been conducted along Sloop Channel and only three (3)
archaeological sites (all are shipwreck timbers) have been recorded within one-half (1/2) mile of the
proposed project. Digital copies of HPO's maps (Green Island and Hatteras Quadrangles) as well as the
HPOWEB GIS Service (http://gis.ncdcr.gov/hpoweb/) were last reviewed on Monday, April 22, 2019.
There are no known historic architectural resources located within or adjacent to the APE for which intact
archaeological deposits would be anticipated within the footprint of the proposed project. In addition,
topographic maps, historic maps (NCMaps website), USDA soil survey maps, and aerial photographs
were utilized and inspected to gauge environmental factors that may have contributed to historic or
prehistoric settlement within the project limits, and to assess the level of modern, slope, agricultural,
hydrological, and other erosive -type disturbances within and surrounding the APE.
Brief Explanation of why the available information provides a reliable basis for reasonably predicting
that there are no unidentified historic properties in the APE:
This is a State -funded project for which a Federal permit is anticipated. Permanent/temporary easements
will not be necessary. Since this is a proposed dredging operation, the need for ROW is irrelevant.
Nevertheless, the size and shape of the APE have been drawn in a way to capture any possible ground -
disturbing activities (underwater) associated with the dredging of Sloop Channel. At this time, we are in
compliance with NC GS 121-12a, since there are no eligible (i.e. National Register -listed) archaeological
resources located within the project's APE that would require our attention. Based on the description of
the proposed project, all activities will take place within the waters of Pamlico Sound. In the vicinity, the
Office of State Archaeology (OSA) has reviewed several projects for environmental compliance, most of
which have been previous dredging operations around the South Dock Ferry Terminal and its access
"No ARCHAEOLOGYSURVEYREQUIRED "form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 200712015 Programmatic Agreement.
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Project Tracking No.:
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channels (ERs 17-0652, 94-7001, and 88-7080). Additional compliance work needing environmental
review in the area included a CAMA permit for the Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) to enhance
the little shoal/island in the middle of the inlet for nesting shorebirds (ER 18-0651) and for the NCDOT to
construct an asphalt plant with storage on the north end of Ocracoke (ER 84-7202). Citing a low
probability for submerged sites within the existing channels, OSA (through UAB) did not recommend a
remote -sensing survey for any of these projects. Within five (5) miles of the APE, NCDOT's
Archaeology Group has reviewed only one (1) transportation -related project for environmental
compliance under the Programmatic Agreement (PA) with the State Historic Preservation Office (NC-
HPO), that being a bus service project on Ocracoke Island (PA 15-11-0024). An archaeological survey
was initially recommended for that project based on the presence of previously recorded archaeological
sites despite most of the APE having a low probability for archaeological resources. After refinement of
the APE for PA 15-11-0024 and discussions with the National Park Service (NPS), an archaeological
survey for that project was no longer necessary. Based on the information above and discussions with the
Underwater Archaeology Branch (UAB), there is a low probability for significant prehistoric and/or
historic archaeological materials to be present. Therefore, it is believed that the current APE, as depicted,
is unlikely to contain intact and significant archaeological resources. No underwater archaeological
survey is required for this project. If design plans change or are made available prior to construction, then
additional consultation regarding archaeology will be required. At this time, no further archaeological
work is recommended. If archaeological materials are uncovered during project activities, then such
resources will be dealt with according to the procedures set forth for "unanticipated discoveries," to
include notification of NCDOT's Archaeology Group.
As noted by staff members at the UAB, "if they are anticipating or are desiring to expand the potential
dredging footprint a survey may be warranted" (Nathan Henry, personal communication, April 12, 2019).
In addition, "if work is required outside of defined channel, basin, or beach disposal area then further
review may be warranted" (Chris Southerly, in reference to previous maintenance dredging for South
Dock Ferry, April 17, 2017).
"This project falls within a North Carolina County in which the following federally recognized Tribe(s)
has expressed an interest: Catawba Indian Nation. It is recommended that you contact each federal
agency involved with your project to determine their Section 106 Tribal consultation requirements.
Please know that no State -recognized tribes have expressed interest in activities within this county.
kill 9 03:718 1ZIZ4111u 1 Biel 1041 Mei
See attached: ® Map(s) ® Previous Survey Info
❑ Photocopy of County Survey Notes
101lei 71►[ei:11delf) 11111 W.11 Zy:I:R ICI] MIT" K3I
NO ARCHAEOLOGY SUR VEY REQUIRED
NCDOT
❑ Photos ❑Correspondence
Other:
April 22, 2019
Date
"No ARCHAEOLOGYSURVEYREQUIRED "form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 200712015 Programmatic Agreement.
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Project Tracking No.:
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Figure 1: Green Island, NC (USGS 1983) and Hatteras, NC (USGS 1950 [PR83, PI87]).
Wo ARCHAEOLOGYSUR VEYREQUIRED " form,for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 200712015 Programmatic Agreement.
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