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Home My WebLink About20210465 Ver 1_AR15-02-0028NoSitesPresent_20210430 Project Tracking No.: 15-02-0028 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-5355 County: Rockingham WBS No: 46069.1.1 Document: PCE or CE F.A. No: NA Funding: State Federal Federal Permit Required? Yes No Permit Type: NA Project Description: NCDOT is proposing to replace Bridge No. 106 on SR 1902 (Dibrell Road) over Wolf Island Creek in Rockingham County, North Carolina. The proposed project approximately 1,400 feet (426.72 meters) long (centered on the mid-point of the existing bridge). The proposed ROW is approximately 200 feet (60.96 meters) wide. The Area of Potential Effects (APE) for archaeology encompasses approximately 6.43 acres (2.6 hectares). SUMMARY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDINGS An archaeological survey and evaluation of the proposed replacement of Bridge No. 106 on SR 1902 (Dibrell Road) over Wolf Island Creek in Rockingham County was conducted on February 25, 2016 by Terri Russ and Kevin Murphrey of Environmental Services, Inc. (ESI). As a result of the investigations, no archaeological sites were located within the project’s APE. 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. 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 Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement. 1 of 14 Project Tracking No.: 15-02-0028 Brief description of review activities, results of review, and conclusions: See below. SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION See attached: Map(s) Previous Survey Info Photos Correspondence Signed: March 29, 2016 NCDOT ARCHAEOLOGIST Date “NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT” form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement. 2 of 14 Project Tracking No.: 15-02-0028 Bridge 106 AR15-02-0028 An archaeological survey and evaluation of the proposed replacement of Bridge No. 106 on SR 1902 (Dibrell Road) over Wolf Island Creek in Rockingham County, North Carolina was conducted on February 25, 2016 by Terri Russ and Kevin Murphrey of Environmental Services, Inc. (Figures 1 and 2). The proposed project approximately 1,400 feet (426.72 meters) long (centered on the mid-point of the existing bridge). The proposed ROW is approximately 200 feet (60.96 meters) wide. The Area of Potential Effects (APE) for archaeology encompasses approximately 6.43 acres (2.6 hectares). Background Summary A map review and site file search conducted by NCDOT at the Office of State Archaeology (OSA) on March 5, 2015 revealed that no comprehensive archaeological survey of this bridge has been conducted, and no previously recorded sites have been documented within the project’s proposed APE. A search of the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office online database (HPOWEB GIS Service) revealed no previously recorded historic architectural resources located within the APE that have the potential to yield intact archaeological deposits. Topographic maps, aerial photography, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) soil survey maps, and historic maps were examined for information on natural or cultural factors that might have affected site locations or preservation. The ca. 1910–1919 Rural Delivery Route map and 1926 Soil Survey appear to generally show the current bridge location and road alignment (Figures 3 and 4). The 1938 Rockingham County road map appears to show two branches of Wolf Island Creek crossed by the bridge; however, this may be the result of a map scale issue rather than an alternate bridge alignment (Figure 5). The 1971 topographic quadrangle appears to shows the current road and bridge alignment (Figure 6). Environmental Setting The APE is located within the Piedmont physiographic region and consists of the floodplain and adjacent terraces of Wolf Island Creek. Dibrell Road (SR 1902) crosses Wolf Island Creek roughly northwest to southeast. Stony Creek drains northeast into the Dan River. Map units (soil series) are named for the major soil or soils within the unit, but may have minor inclusions of other soils (NRCS 2015). The majority of the APE is mapped as Codorus loam, a frequently flooded, somewhat poorly drained soil series encountered on floodplains (Table 1). The soils along the terrace edges on either end of the APE are mapped as Fairview-Poplar Forest complex soils, a moderately eroded, well drained soil complex encountered on hillslopes. A small portion of the steeply sloping northwestern edge of the APE is mapped as Rhodhiss sandy loam. Table 1: Project Area Soils. Soil Name Code Slope Drainage Landform Codorus loam, freq. flooded CsA 0–2% Somewhat Poorly Floodplains Fairview-Poplar Forest Complex, mod. eroded FrD2 8–15% Well Hillslopes on Ridges Rhodhiss sandy loam RnE 15–30% Well Hillslopes on Ridges The current archaeological investigation included pedestrian (visual) inspection and shovel testing at 15- meter intervals within the APE. Photographs of the project area are shown as Figures 7–16. A systematic visual inspection of the APE was undertaken to search for surface artifacts, above-ground “NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT” form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement. 3 of 14 Project Tracking No.: 15-02-0028 resources, or other signs of cultural activity. A total of 28 shovel tests were excavated during the current investigation (see Figure 2 for shovel test locations). The APE was divided into four quadrants (e.g., northeast, southeast) based roughly on their locations relative to the bridge. Each quadrant of the APE is described below. Northwest Quadrant The northwest quadrant of the APE consisted of a low, saturated area adjacent to the existing, elevated road bed (see Figures 7–8). A visual inspection of this quadrant and vicinity revealed several hunting stands, deer carcasses, and ATV trails; no historic surface artifacts or structural remains were noted. Thirteen shovel tests were placed in this portion of the APE (STs 1–13); all of these encountered wet soils or standing water. Southwest Quadrant The southwest quadrant of the APE consisted of a fallow field and wooded area (see Figures 9–10). Like the northwest quadrant, the majority of this area exhibited standing water or saturated soils. A tributary runs parallel to the road and drains into of Wolf Island Creek near the bridge crossing. Of the 14 shovel tests placed within this portion of the APE (STs 14–27), all were located within the floodplain of Wolf Island Creek. Ten shovel tests (STs 14, 16–18, 20, 23–27) were not excavated do to disturbance, hydric soils, or standing water. Excavated shovel tests revealed up to 45 centimeters of brown silty loam over wet reddish brown silty clay loam. No artifacts or cultural materials were recovered during shovel testing in this quadrant of the project’s APE. Northeast Quadrant The northeast quadrant of the project area consisted of a gently sloping wooded area (see Figures 11–12). Shovel tests excavated in the southernmost portion of this quadrant of the APE (STs 28–31, 40–41) revealed up to 25 centimeters of brown silty loam over strong brown clay subsoil. Shovel testing closer to the creek (STs 32–39) revealed somewhat disturbed soils, with up to 30 centimeters of reddish brown and strong brown mottled sandy clay loam and gravel over reddish brown sandy clay loam or reddish brown wet clay loam. These disturbed soils are likely associated with the construction and elevation of the adjacent roadbed. No artifacts or cultural materials were recovered during shovel testing in this quadrant of the APE. Southeast Quadrant The majority of the southeast quadrant of the APE was located within the floodplain of Wolf Island Creek (see Figures 13–14). The easternmost portion of this quadrant was located along the side slope of a wooded terrace. Shovel testing in this area (STs 42–45) revealed 10 centimeters of brown loam over strong brown loamy clay. No artifacts or cultural materials were recovered from the shovel tests. The remaining portion of this quadrant of the APE was located within an inundated grassy field. No shovel tests were excavated in this area due to standing water. Pedestrian inspection of this portion of the project area revealed no surface signs of cultural activity or structural remains. Excavated shovel tests measured 30 centimeters in diameter and were excavated to sterile subsoil, hydric/saturated soils, the water table, or 75 centimeters below surface (whichever was encountered first). All soils were excavated by natural levels (soil strata) and screened through a 0.25-inch hardware mesh. No artifacts were recovered from any of the shovel tests. Based on the results of the background research and field investigations, no archaeological resources are located within the APE for Bridge No. 106 in Rockingham County. It is recommended that this project “NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT” form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement. 4 of 14 Project Tracking No.: 15-02-0028 be allowed to proceed without concern for impacts to significant cultural resources. Should the boundary of the proposed APE be expanded or moved, additional archaeological investigations may be necessary, as determined in consultation with the NCDOT and/or SHPO per the Programmatic Agreement. REFERENCES CITED National Geographic Society/ESRI 2011 Ruffin, North Carolina. I-cubed Seamless USGS Quadrangle. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 2015 Rockingham County, North Carolina Soil Survey. Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture Web Soil Survey. http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/ accessed 2 February 2016. North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission 1938 Rockingham County Highway Map. On file, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh. http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/ncmaps/id/1690/rec/24 accessed 2 February 2016. United States Bureau of Chemistry and Soils: North Carolina Department of Agriculture 1926 Soil Survey of Rockingham County, N.C. On file, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh. http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/ncmaps/id/1800/rec/21 accessed 2 February 2016. United States Geological Survey (USGS) 1971 Ruffin, North, N.C., 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle map. Historical Topographic Map Collection. http://historicalmaps.arcgis.com/usgs/ accessed 1 February 2016. United States Post Office Department 1919 Rural Delivery Routes, Rockingham County, N.C., circa 1910s. On file, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh. http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/ncmaps/id/929/rec/14 accessed 1 February 2016. “NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT” form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement. 5 of 14 Project Tracking No.: 15-02-0028 Figure 1. Project Location (Ruffin, NC USGS 7.5-Minute Topographic Quadrangle) “NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT” form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement. 6 of 14 Project Tracking No.: 15-02-0028 Figure 2. Bridge No. 106 APE and Shovel Test Locations “NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT” form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement. 7 of 14 Project Tracking No.: 15-02-0028 Figure 3. ca. 1910–1919 Rural Delivery Map of Rockingham County Figure 4. 1926 Soils Map of Rockingham County Approximate Project Area Approximate Project Area “NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT” form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement. 8 of 14 Project Tracking No.: 15-02-0028 Figure 5. 1938 Rockingham County Highway Map Figure 6. 1971 USGS Topographic Quadrangle Approximate Project Area Approximate Project Area “NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT” form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement. 9 of 14 Project Tracking No.: 15-02-0028 Figure 7. Northwest Quadrant of APE, facing Southeast from ST 4 Figure 8. Northwest Quadrant of APE, facing South from ST 10 “NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT” form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement. 10 of 14 Project Tracking No.: 15-02-0028 Figure 9. Southwest Quadrant of APE, facing South towards ST 18 Figure 10. Southwest Quadrant of APE, facing West from ST 16 “NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT” form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement. 11 of 14 Project Tracking No.: 15-02-0028 Figure 11. Northeast Quadrant of APE, facing Southeast Figure 12. Northeast Quadrant of APE, facing North from Existing Road “NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT” form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement. 12 of 14 Project Tracking No.: 15-02-0028 Figure 13. Southeast Quadrant of APE, facing Northwest from ST 16 Figure 14. Upland Portion of Southeast Quadrant of APE, facing Northwest “NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT” form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement. 13 of 14 Project Tracking No.: 15-02-0028 Figure 15. Bridge No. 106, facing Southeast Figure 16. Bridge No. 106, facing Northwest “NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT” form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement. 14 of 14