20201372 Ver 1_B-5848_NoArchPropPresent_20210203

Project Tracking No.:
NO NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
PRESENT FORM
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
Historic Architecture and Landscapes Group.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project No: B-5848 County: Cleveland
WBS No: 45801 Document: PCE or MCC
F.A. No: BRZ-2226(003) Funding: State Federal
Federal Permit Required? Yes No Permit Type: NWP 3 or 14
Project Description:
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to replace Bridge No. 72
on SR 2226, Lavender Road, over Buffalo Creek in Cleveland County. No preliminary plans
were submitted for reference. A study corridor was provided by NCDOT. Construction will
occur within a study area measuring approximately 600 feet (183 meters) long and 150 feet (46
meters) wide and encompasses approximately 2.07 acres (0.84 hectares).
SUMMARY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDINGS
Prior to commencement of the field survey, Environmental Corporation of America (ECA)
conducted a background literature review to identify previously recorded cultural resources,
including archaeological sites, features, or historic structures within the APE of Bridge No. 72.
Sources reviewed included the files at the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology (OSA),
the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the North Carolina Historic Preservation
Office (NCSHPO) GIS service. No previously identified archaeological sites or previously
conducted archaeological surveys were identified in the location of the proposed project. Further,
ECA reviewed the 1971 Blacksburg North, NC-SC topographic map and Google Earth aerial
photographs to determine if any above-ground cultural features are located within the APE.
Based on this review, no structures were identified within the project area.
Geologically, the project area is located within the Piedmont physiographic region of North
Carolina. The APE is characterized by maintained grass-covered right-of-way (ROW) and
wooded areas. The boundaries of the area of potential effects (APE) were not identifiably
delineated during the time of the site visit. According to the USDA Web Soil Survey, soils
located within or immediately adjacent to the APE consist of Chewacla loam, 0 to 2 percent
slopes, frequently flooded (ChA), Madison gravelly sandy clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes,
moderately eroded (MaC2), Pacolet-Saw complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded
(PsC2), Toccoa loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded (ToA). Landforms exhibiting
slope may have eroded and/or deflated soils, and alluvial soils may be frequently flooded (USDA
Soil Survey 2017).
“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 10
16-02-0004
Project Tracking No.:
On February 23, 2017, ECA completed an intensive archaeological survey within the APE,
located along Bridge No. 72 on SR 2226, Lavender Road, over Buffalo Creek. A pedestrian
survey was conducted by visual inspection of exposed ground surfaces throughout the project
APE in conjunction with systematic shovel testing. Ground surface visibility throughout the
project area was less than 5% due to vegetative cover and standing water.
Shovel testing was completed at 50-foot (15-meter) intervals to survey for potential
archaeological resources within the project APE. Bridge No. 72 is aligned in a general
northwest/southeast orientation. The intensive archaeological survey consisted of two transects,
each located on either side of the existing road (SR 2226) and generally offset approximately 40
feet (12 meters) from the edge of the roadway in order to sample areas that were conducive to
shovel testing. Transect A was positioned on the northeastern side of SR 2226 and Transect B
was positioned on the southwestern side of SR 2226. See Figures 1-9 for photographs and maps.
Based on the dimensions of the ROW, ECA planned to excavate 24 shovel test pits within the
APE; however, during our field work, three shovel test pits were omitted due to steep slope and
three shovel test pits were omitted due to the presence of Buffalo Creek.
Transect A was positioned on the east side of SR 2226 (Lavender Road) and traversed from the
northwestern edge of the project area to its southeastern extent. ECA planned to excavate 14
shovel tests along Transect A. Of these, one shovel test was omitted due to the presence of
standing water associated with Buffalo Creek and one shovel turn was conducted in lieu of
shovel testing due to gravel and subsoil just below the ground surface.
Transect B was positioned on the west side of SR 2226 (Lavender Road) and traversed from the
northwestern edge of the project area to its southeastern extent. ECA planned to excavate 14
shovel tests along Transect B. Of these, two shovel tests were omitted due to the presence of
standing water associated with Buffalo Creek and two turns were conducted in lieu of shovel
testing due to impenetrable gravel and disturbed soils associated with a raised roadbed.
All shovel tests measured approximately 16 inches by 16 inches (41 cm by 41 cm) and were
excavated into known sterile subsoils for the project area. All soils were screened through a six-
millimeter wire mesh archaeology screen to isolate any cultural artifacts. All shovel tests were
backfilled.
The intensive archaeological survey revealed both disturbance and intact soils throughout the
APE. No artifacts or cultural features were observed within the APE during the surface survey,
and all shovel tests were negative (see Table 1 and Figure 9).
Matthew Beazley, MA, RPA with ECA, recommends no further archaeological investigations for
the proposed replacement of Bridge No. 72 in Lincoln County. Mr. Beazley concludes that the
proposed improvements will not impact any significant archaeological resources.
“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 10
16-02-0004
Project Tracking No.:
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.
Brief description of review activities, results of review, and conclusions:
SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION
See attached: Map(s) Previous Survey Info Photos Correspondence
Signed:
March 30, 2017
NCDOT ARCHAEOLOGIST 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 10
16-02-0004
Project Tracking No.:
Table 1. Shovel Test Pit Results
Shovel
Test Pit
(STP)
STP Width/Length Munsell Color/Texture Average Depths Between
Inches cm
A-1 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 5/4 (yellowish brown) clay loam with 2.5YR
4/6 (red) clay mottles 0-13 0-33
A-2 - Shovel turn – gravel and subsoil just under surface - -
A-3 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 4/2 (dark grayish brown) sandy loam 0-4 0-10
10YR 4/6 (dark yellowish brown) loamy sand 4-12 10-30
7.5YR 4/6 (strong brown) clay loam with abundant
mica flakes 12-21 30-53
2.5YR 4/8 (red) clay 21 53
A-4 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 4/4 (dark yellowish brown) sandy loam 0-20 0-51
10YR 4/6 (dark yellowish brown) loam 20-30 51-76
Impenetrable layer of asphalt 30 76
A-5 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 6/2 (light brownish gray) sand 0-7 0-18
10YR 4/4 (dark yellowish brown) sandy loam 7-19 18-48
10YR 4/6 (dark yellowish brown) loam 19-27 48-69
Impenetrable roots 27 69
A-6 - Test omitted – creek and bridge - -
A-7 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 5/6 (yellowish brown) sand 0-17 0-43
10YR 3/6 (dark yellowish brown) sand 17-36 43-91
A-8 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 4/4 (dark yellowish brown) loam 0-8 0-20
10YR 4/6 (yellowish brown) sandy loam 8-22 20-56
5YR 4/6 (yellowish red) clay loam 22-36 56-91
A-9 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 4/4 (dark yellowish brown) loam 0-10 0-25
7.5YR 4/6 (strong brown) clay loam 10-17 25-43
5YR 4/6 (yellowish red) clay loam 17-29 43-74
2.5YR 4/8 (red) clay 29-36 74-91
A-10 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 4/4 (dark yellowish brown) loam 0-6 0-15
7.5YR 4/6 (strong brown) clay loam 6-9 15-23
5YR 4/6 (yellowish red) clay loam 9-18 23-46
A-11 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 5/4 (yellowish brown) sandy loam 0-5 0-13
2.5YR 4/8 (red) clay 5-10 13-25
A-12 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 5/4 (yellowish brown) sandy loam 0-4 0-10
2.5YR 4/6 (red) clay 4-12 10-30
2.5YR 4/6 (red) clay with 7.5YR 5/6 (strong brown)
clay mottles 12-18 30-46
B-1 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 2/2 (very dark brown) silty loam 0-5 0-13
10YR 3/2 (very dark grayish brown) silty loam 5-9 13-23
10YR 4/6 (yellowish brown) clay loam 9-14 23-36
B-2 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 3/2 (very dark grayish brown) sandy loam 0-9 0-23
10YR 2/1 (black) sandy loam 9-11 23-28
7.5YR 4/6 (strong brown) clay loam 11-24 28-61
5YR 4/6 (yellowish red) sandy clay 24-36 61-91
B-3 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 4/4 (dark yellowish brown) sandy loam 0-7 0-18
7.5YR 4/6 (strong brown) clay loam 7-23 18-58
5YR 4/6 (yellowish red) sandy clay 23-36 58-91
B-4 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 4/4 (dark yellowish brown) sandy loam 0-9 0-23
10YR 5/8 (brownish yellow) sand 9-21 23-53
10YR 6/8 (yellowish brown) sand 21-22 53-56
10YR 5/8 (brownish yellow) sand 22-28 56-71
Bedrock 28 71
B-5 - Test omitted – creek and bridge - -
B-6 - Test omitted – creek and bridge - -
B-7 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 5/6 (yellowish brown) sand 0-12 0-30
10YR 3/6 (dark yellowish brown) sand 12-36 30-91
“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 10
16-02-0004
Project Tracking No.:
Shovel
Test Pit
(STP)
STP Width/Length Munsell Color/Texture Average Depths Between
Inches cm
B-8 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 4/4 (dark yellowish brown) loam 0-9 0-23
10YR 5/8 (brownish yellow) clay loam 9-16 23-41
7.5YR 4/4 (brown) sandy loam 16-36 41-91
B-9 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
10YR 4/4 (dark yellowish brown) silty loam 0-8 0-20
7.5YR 5/6 (strong brown) sandy clay loam 8-13 20-33
2.5YR 4/8 (red) clay 13-28 33-71
B-10 - Shovel turn – gravel and subsoil just under surface - -
B-11 - Shovel turn – gravel and subsoil just under surface - -
B-12 16"x16"
(41cm x 41cm)
7.5YR 4/6 (strong brown) sandy clay loam 0-2 0-5
2.5YR 4/8 (red) clay 2-12 5-30
“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 10
16-02-0004
Project Tracking No.:
Figure 1: Southeasterly View of Transect A.
Figure 2: Southeasterly View of Transect A.
“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 10
16-02-0004
Project Tracking No.:
Figure 3: Southwesterly View of Bridge 72.
Figure 4: Southeasterly View of Transect A.
“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 10
16-02-0004
Project Tracking No.:
Figure 5: Southeasterly View of Transect B.
Figure 6: Northwesterly View of Transect B.
“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 10
16-02-0004
Project Tracking No.:
Figure 7: Northwesterly View of Transect B.
Figure 8: Southeasterly View of Transect B.
“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 10
16-02-0004
Project Tracking No.:
Figure 9: Site Map of the APE for the Replacement of Bridge No. 72.
“NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT”
form for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement.
10 of 10
16-02-0004