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Home My WebLink About20180613 Ver 1_Archaeological Clearance_20180503Project Tracking No.: 14-02-0011 ��' NO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY REQUIRED FORM .�.�:. � This farm only pertains to ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES far this project. It is not [�;' ;� .tm valid far Histaric Architecture and Landscapes. You must consult separately with the �'� ` '� Histaric Architecture and Landscapes Crroup. �.. �� ""�� . �.� PROJECT INFORMATION Project No. WBS No: F.A. No: Str.# 190226 17BP.14.R.86 �1 Federal Permit Required? Counry: Cherokee Document: Minimum Criteria Sheet Funding: � State ❑ Federal NWP 14, 401 Cert., & � Yes ❑ No Permit Type: TVA Project Description: The project calls for the replacement of Bridge No. 226 on SR 1350 (Grape Creek Road) over the West Prong of Grape Creek in Cherokee County. The archaeological Area of Potential Effects (APE) for the project is defined as a 600 foot (182.88 m) long corridor running 300 feet (91.44 m) northwest and 300 feet southeast along Grape Creek Road from the center of Bridge No. 226. The corridor is approximately I50 feet (45. 72 m) wide extending 75 feet (22.86 m) on either side of the road from its present center. SUMMARY OF CULTURAL RESOURCES REVIEW Brief description of review activities, results of review, and conclusions: Bridge No. 226 is located north of Hiwassee Lake and northwest of Murphy in the central portion of Cherokee County, North Carolina. The project area is plotted in the southwest corner of the McDaniels Bald USGS 7.5' topographic quadrangle (Figure 1). A map review and site file search was conducted at the Office of State Archaeology (OSA) on February 20, 2013. No previously recorded archaeological sites have been identified within the APE, but one site (31 CE777) is reported within a mile radius of bridge. According to the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office online data base (HPOWEB 2014), there are no known historic architectural resources within the APE that may yield intact archaeological deposits. Topographic maps, USDA soil survey maps, aerial photographs (NC One Map), and historic maps (North Carolina maps website) were 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. Bridge No. 226 and Grape Creek Road cross the West Prong of Grape Creek from the northwest to the southeast. The West Prong of Grape Creek runs southeast and joins with Grape Creek. These waterways are part of the Hiwassee drainage basin. The APE for the project resides along the narrow West Prong of Grape Creek drainageway with hillside slopes to either side (Figure 2). Only the northwestern end of the APE is situated on a bench that overlooks a small floodplain to the north. The vast majority of the floodplain falls outside of the APE, and the bench covers only a marginal area within the APE. The stream runs alongside the road to the southeast and northwest. It occupies most of the APE in the southeast quadrant and at least half of the northwest quadrant. Signi�cant and intact archaeological deposits will not be present in these areas due to disturbance from the stream. Vegetation consists of forest that encompasses most of the area except for a residential property and a grassy meadow on the bench at the northern end. Overall, ground disturbance is likely minimal due to a lack of development. "No ARCHAEOLOGYSUR VEYREQUIRED"form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement. 1 of7 Project Tracking No.: 14-02-0011 The USDA soil survey map shows that the Dellwood gravelly fine sandy loam (DeB) makes up the APE (see Figure 2). However based upon the presence of hillsides within the APE, it is more likely that the neighboring Junaluska-Brasstown soil complex (JbE) covers most of the project area. The Dellwood series is considered moderately well drained with a slope of less than 5 percent. It is typically only found on floodplains. Whereas, the Junaluska-Brasstown complex is well drained with a slope of 30 to 50 percent and situated on hillsides. Slope of 15 percent or more is unlikely to contain signi�cant archaeological resources, and no subsurface testing is not required. This covers the majority of the project area. The Dellwood series likely occupies the open northwestern end of the APE. As previously mentioned, this area is minimal within the project limits making it unlikely signi�cant deposits will be encountered. A review of the site �les shows few archaeological investigations in the surrounding area with only one site (310E777) being reported. Site 310E777 was identified in 2011 by archaeologist with the U.S. Forest Service during an investigation following a fire incident on federal property. The site is a prehistoric lithic scatter situated in a saddle at Hurricane Gap to the west. It has been determined ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Overall, further and more comprehensive work is needed in the area. However, the current project will not provide the necessary data in helping to predict new archaeological sites due to steep slope. Lastly, a historic map review was conducted. The �rst accurate and recognizable map in which the vicinity is depicted is the 1838 U.S. Army composite map, complied from the 1837 army field survey of part of the Cherokee Territory prior to their removal (Figure 3). An approximate location of the project area could be determined, but no features such as the West Prong of Grape Creek are identi�ed. Likewise, no historic Cherokee farmsteads are plotted and previous archaeological and historic reports cite no occupation along this particular drainage. Although undocumented Cherokee farmsteads could be present along the drainage, the minimal extent of the APE onto desirable soils and landforms makes it unlikely for signi�cant deposits to be encountered. It is not until the early 20th century that the next map is published, which depicts the project area with any clarity. The 1914 USGS Murphy topographic map shows the West Prong of Grape Creek but labels it as the main channel for Grape Creek (Figure 4). No roads are shown along the stream, and the map details no structures. The subsequent 1921 Soil Survey map for Cherokee County shows little change in the project area (Figure 5). No road is present, and the nearest structures are well to the east in a neighboring drainage. It is not until the Cherokee County Highway map from 1938 that a road is illustrated along the West Prong of Grape Creek (Figure 6). The road depicted on this map, however, never crosses the stream as it runs along the eastern bank. Structures are shown on this map, but none appear to be within the project area. It would seem from this review that no deposits associated with significant historic structure should be encountered within 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: The de�ned archaeological APE for the proposed replacement of Bridge No. 226 over the West Prong of Grape Creek consists mostly of hillsides with a small area at its northwestern end residing along a bench. It is unlikely intact and signi�cant archaeological deposits will be encountered within the APE. This is mostly due to steep slope in excess of 15 percent on the hillsides. Areas to the southeast and northwest are occupy primarily by the stream, which should not yield any signi�cant results. The northwestern bench, although well suited for settlement activities, encompass only a marginal area within the APE. Due to its limited extent within the project area, it is unlikely to contain deposits considered signi�cant. In addition, the historic maps suggest that no former historic structures and/or features are in the area. As long as impacts to the subsurface occur within the de�ned APE, no further archaeological work is recommended for the replacement of Bridge No. 226 in Cherokee County. If construction should affect subsurface areas beyond the de�ned APE, further archaeological consultation might be necessary. "No ARCHAEOLOGYSUR VEYREQUIRED"form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement. 2 of 7 SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION See attached: � Map(s) ❑ Previous Survey Info ❑ Photocopy of County Survey Notes FINDING BY NCDOT ARCHAEOLOGIST NO ARCHAEOLOGYSURVEYREQUIRED � C. Damon Jones NCDOT ARCHAEOLOGIST II Project Tracking No.: 14-02-0011 � Photos ❑Correspondence Other: Images from historic maps 2/26/ 14 Date `7Jo ARCHAEOLOGYSUR VEYREQUIRED"form for Minor Transportafion Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmafic Agreement. 3 of 7 Pi•ojecl Traching No.: 14-02-0011 Figure 1. Topograpllic Setting of the Project Area, McDaniels Bald (1957; photorevised 1976), NC, USGS 7.5' Topographic Quadrangle. No ARCH,4EOLOGYSURV6'Y REQU[RED ",fo�zn f'or Minor Transporlcition Projec[s as Oucilifred i�v the 1007 Pro�rariunutic A�reement. 4 of 7 Pi•ojecl Tradcing No.: 14-02-0011 ��r • ,��'�`��`� ��"� ��=,.. 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R ., �,� ��' ,� �" �',� ��' "''�!r,. � ��z :, ��'�'-�=�,- � ' z.. � - ; � �. ; � _�•�`` �,� �Pcy � � ` �: ` �4 ��..: �� :'� �f 1864��4�. ,,�� , o� v�� S�'� � �r . l gy2� � �L �� '.'s�. _ �� v , ��; �d, i-a � O 7 �� ,��876 {� �..�r,�� ► �� a y� 9G.-a � �� A � � � - �- �_F8S_0�1��` ",' .., ��i�0 rs _ � a�'�E.'� �iC �\ � � � �$� � . , � �F�� di _ ��`9�:��`�� r... . , ^�+. ,'�$$4;,�`�(�'� �T�� A � � � �t" ' � _'� � . �� Soil Types � �: "' ��8�� ^ Contour at 4 feet r/1� -!. _ . � �'. 788 \68 �e� � � � • � . .�� 8 �: � � �3+ v r_�, � � � r � �* ��,, 0 300 N � � �. � �� i�`�-- -� a_1��, `.�w Feet �� 0 100 W E � Cherokee County Meters S Figure 2. Aerial photograph of the APE showing development, landforins, and soils within and near the project area. No ARCH,4EOLOGYSURV6'Y 2EQU[RED ",fo�zn f'or Minor Transporlcition Projec[s us Oucilifred i�v the 2007 Pro�rariunutic A�reement. 5 of7 Pi•oject Tradcir�g No.: 14-02-0011 `� { �� I � � � , • '`� ~� • � 'r` K {' ) i� � .� � �� • � •S � f � "w,�i ��'�'�'�"!r� i ' � L ` � � 1�"r i „�,.K� �'N ( � �" �. � ,. : - � ::.� �� , • ; .,�,. �i!� � � �, � - , • � .. • . � ., . ,..N,��r. , .: .I. � 1�� , � �"�.� �� . •� �� 4. . �. �r _ _ � 7, / • ti i T �Y�rR H• 1 � 1 � �i � � � � � / � � �,1 . � ' � ��►� � � � . 'V _' � � � �� Y . �_ .a ,� a�3 � ,.� r f, �„ - � ��•�4��t` - -'��, � . f , � • � �i � � r� , j� � «. . � ..�,�� . ., •+`� ;� �;�C! I, � . • .�1�-` �. f��,�'i „r' • '•s� � r. � •, -i.. 3 � � : �, � � .� ; � F �_K�Zr�'� fi � .,. � �� l} ' � ` ,1 3 �► t 1.r '-. � ": "•/ � �� • � N ,- . ^,� �� r�,• � }lS'I' "~ i ♦ � �'��r1 /� � , rr � � . � r r `. • �► • �� lr�i - / `. � � . � _ -��'�i �r .� . �� r � �� . ' • ; �+ . , . � ��jr 't,'��-� i�fj�I ! M • . � t '_- .: �` ''� ., j�. :'. ' �4'` 'l�`' j' i� 't �''; � �t. - ` '"'''. �- � r ,.� �� .��;. -! � =�1�- '. '' �'� .. �'•j�%": ?�. „ �� .,� ; � �� j � t '.;��i��;a- `��+� � ,� � t �'.�� •. � / rt �.�� ,. � � .f �� . • 7� �• �/+� - � f . � �* • •�r�'sr�t:� � �� , • � _ a+. � - ... /. � �- 1� '.�•: .,� f .t :,�,�t�� ,, ��, i. t� •_ � . • , � � ` _ " r'� . I. ' S '�. ��'S� l� � � � r �y./� t � , � � .� ..r . , , 1 r�, w•.� � . �'' 1 � , �� • �.•'f� +r ��7� � ! .r�� 1 � ,�,y.* /�l..� � • a. �� r' � � � �/ . '� x �. . ,� �� r; , •� N} � . ;'�. � � � ' � � ``� I � � r t�l � `�►. _� r ' � �� . �'1,� � ,% r r • �. '\,r. y. Figure 3. The 1837-1838 U.S. Army survey map showing the approximate project area location. 1�ti �_��M� �■ �� ._ A�'��! ,.� ��s� �I / �:� i ti� , � � r . ` � �.� •� , �' - 1 �' � �' �,1 r� f� { � ��l `�)1 ��r• �," ' !� � , �� ` .. �� `_ .l � �� l.�,�1� i � � �l � � \ �` '� `t� -. ' ;�%�� ./1 � �`D�''./ % � r ,_.�''- � � �= ��,i ,�,,,�, .� �� , �; � � r � � / "'�- ._- � - r • 'K / �� j � � , �� ,; . ;�r �--�. , �`� � � . `,'. �' .� . , , � �j , �`•� � , � `� � � ,' T � ' ' � � � �=` � �� x � � � , . � .�. „ :,,� j � � __ _ � � � ;: l f ? �- .� ��` ` ; t . � � - � � � 1 /_ lCf r� 1 ��' � �_ � 8, � -� , `l�` h�r �' - ` �. �, 1, , ,� � � '•� � _ _--� �n._ � � , � r �, . . � ,- __. ,'', ♦��f"i_ , '� t ► � '� ,, � .l_ , t. Figure 4. The l 914 USGS Murphy topographic map showing the location of the project area. No,4RCH,9EOLOGYSURD'EYREOU/RED ",forru for �Yliiior Transportation Projec[s as Oualified in the 1007 Proganunc�tic Agreemen/. 6 of 7 Pi•oject Tradcir�g No.: 14-02-0011 � Figin-e 5. The 1921 Soil Survey Map for Cherol<ee Counry showing the location of the proj�ct area. • +'�r��e�t Are� .J � - �� • h i l I ��\ • � �� '\ • ,.� . .� • r • � i1 .' • �� • ``�- --, ' O � a '� � � • �`�: • � ` ;\ ,. � � � ,v�• 1 • . � • �. . '� • • � • � � � 1 1 ` � • � � • • � � ..�� • . �' � , -/- . � � , �', Q f� � �% • r'� r �, .�+ �' 7 �� 7'_ �, " Figure 6. The 1938 North Carolina Highway Map for Cherokee County showing the location of the project area. No ,4RCH,9EOLOGYSUR VEY REOU/RED ",forn7 for hliiior Transportation Projec[s as Oualified in the 2007 Proganunatic Agreement. 7 of7 .