HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210046 Ver 1_UKBCI Ashe 355 notification_20210208
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ROY COOPER J. ERIC BOYETTE
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
Mailing Address:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION 11
801 STATESVILLE HWY
NORTH WILKESBORO, NC 28659
Telephone: (336)-903-9129
Fax: (336)-667-4549
Customer Service: 1-877-368-4968
Website: www.ncdot.gov
January 5th, 2021
James Hartley
Tribal Historic Preservation Office
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians
PO BOX 1245
Tahlequah OK, 74465
Dear James,
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is starting the project development,
environmental, and engineering studies for the replacement of bridge #355 on SR 1181 (Hartzog
Ford Road), over South Fork New River, Ashe County, North Carolina. The US Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) is the lead federal agency for compliance with the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and a Permit
is anticipated under the Section 404 Process with the USACE. The coordinates of this project are
approximately 36.317030, -81.423069. A project vicinity map is attached, as well as results from an
archaeology survey completed in December of 2016.
We would appreciate any information you might have that would be helpful in evaluating potential
environmental impacts of the project including recommendation of alternates to be studied. Your
comments may be used in the preparation of a NEPA/ State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
Environmental Document.
In accordance with Section 106 of the NHPA, we also request that you inform us of any historic
properties of traditional religious or cultural importance that you are aware of that may be affected
by the proposed project. Be assured that, in accordance with confidentiality and disclosure
stipulations in Section 304 of the NHPA, we will maintain strict confidentiality about certain types
of information regarding historic properties.
Please respond by February 15th so that your comments can be used in the scoping of this project.
If you have any questions concerning this project, or would like any additional information, please
contact me at kjhining@ncdot.gov or 828-386-7202.
Thank you,
Kevin Hining
Division Environmental Officer- NCDOT, Highway Division 11
Cc: Matt Wilkerson, NCDOT Archaeology Team Lead
Cc: Lori Beckwith, USACE Regulatory Project Manager
WILKESASHEUV16
UV163
¯Legend
County Boundary
ESRI World Street Basemap
WBS ELEMENT NO. 17BP.11.R.162REPLACE BRIDGE #040355ON SR 1181 (HARTZOG FORD ROAD)OVER SOUTH FORK NEW RIVERASHE COUNTY
VICINITY MAP
1FIGURE
WILKES
ASHE
ALLEGHANY
SURRY
WATAUGA
N.T.S.
BRIDGE#355
County: ASHE
WBS: 17BP.11.R.162
Div: 11 Bridge #040355
Prepared By: TGS
Date: 12/12/2018
0 0.5 10.25 Miles
DocuSign Envelope ID: 54BC5755-1EF8-40F7-B304-DA8C8E68F51F
Project Tracking No.:
Page 1 of 16
16-01-0078
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-5823 County: Ashe
WBS No: 45776.1.1 Document: CE
F.A. No: BRZ-1181(005) Funding: State Federal
Federal Permit Required? Yes No Permit Type: NWP 3 or 14
Project Description:
The project calls for the replacement of Bridge No. 355 on SR 1181 (Hartzog Ford Road) over the South
Fork New River in Ashe County. The archaeological Area of Potential Effects (APE) for the project is
defined as a 14 acre parcel that runs along Hartzog Ford Road, Ellis Road, and two private drives. The
APE measures approximately 1,400 feet (426.72 m) along Hartzog Road extending 700 feet (213.36 m)
north and 700 feet south from the center of the bridge. The width of the APE varies but it is
approximately 420 feet (128.02 m). It extends 100 feet (30.48 m) west and 320 feet (97.54 m) east from
the center of Hartzog Road north of Bridge 355, and 100 feet (30.48 m) east and 320 to 380 feet (97.54 to
115.82 m) from the center of the road south of the bridge. The northern extent of the APE encompasses
the first private drive found on the eastern bank of the South Fork New River, while the southern extent
includes Ellis Road on the western bank. The APE also extends 360 feet (109.73 m) west along the
second private drive from its intersection with Hartzog Road. This section of the APE is approximately
235 feet (71.63 m) wide extending 150 feet (45.72 m) north and 85 feet (25.91 m) south from the center
line of the private drive.
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.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 54BC5755-1EF8-40F7-B304-DA8C8E68F51F
Project Tracking No.:
Page 2 of 16
16-01-0078
RECOMMENDATION
Archaeological Consultants of the Carolina, Inc. (ACC) conducted an archaeological survey and
evaluation for the proposed replacement of Bridge No. 355 on SR 1181 (Hartzog Ford Road) over the
South Fork New River in Ashe County. The fieldwork was carried out in October 2016 by Luan Cao and
Katherine Carter. No archaeological sites were identified during the course of this survey within the
currently defined APE. As a result, ACC recommends no further archaeological investigations are
needed for this project. I concur with this recommendation as the proposed bridge replacement project
will not impact significant archaeological resources. If the project expands and impacts subsurface areas
beyond the defined APE, further archaeological consultations will be necessary.
SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION
See attached: Map(s) Previous Survey Info Photos Correspondence
Other: Cultural Review
Signed:
12/14/16
C. Damon Jones Date
NCDOT ARCHAEOLOGIST
DocuSign Envelope ID: 54BC5755-1EF8-40F7-B304-DA8C8E68F51F