20190909 Ver 1_EB-5923 Jackson No Archaeological Survey Required Form_20190708

Project Tracking No.:
18-02-0006
o� NO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY REQUIRED FORM
This form only pertains to ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES for this project. It is not 0
valid for Historic Architecture and Landscapes. You must consult separately with the
Historic Architecture and Landscapes Group.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project No: EB-5923
WBS No: 47589.1.1
F.A. No: TAP-1432(007)
Federal Permit Required?
County: Jackson
Document: Federal PCE
Funding: ❑ State
❑ Yes ® No Permit Type: N/A
® Federal
Project Description: NCDOT's Division 14 proposes to add an 8-foot wide sidewalk along the west side
of SR 1432 (Skyland Drive) from SR 1429 (Chipper Curve Road) to US 23 Business in the Town of
Sylva, Jackson County. A footbridge across Scott Creek may also be constructed; however, no stream
impacts are anticipated. Currently, SR 1432 (Skyland Drive) is a two-lane facility with no sidewalks.
Existing ROW along the corridor is about 60 feet. Proposed ROW is also 60 feet; all project activities
will be contained within the existing ROW. Project length is approximately 0.75 mile (3,960 feet). An
Area of Potential Effects (APE) has been developed based on the proposed width and location of the
sidewalk as well as the dimensions of the existing ROW along SR 1432 (Skyland Drive) in order to
facilitate environmental planning purposes at this stage. Overall, the APE will encompass about 1.3
acres, inclusive of any modern development.
SUMMARY OF CULTURAL RESOURCES REVIEW
Brief description of review activities, results of review, and conclusions:
This project was accepted on Thursday, March 8, 2018. A map review and site file search was conducted
at the Office of State Archaeology (OSA) on Friday, March 9, 2018. A comprehensive archaeological
survey has never been conducted along this particular stretch of SR 1432 (Skyland Drive), and only one
(1) archaeological site has been recorded within one (1) mile of the proposed project. Digital copies of
HPO's maps (Sylva North Quadrangle) as well as the HPOWEB GIS Service
(http://gis.ncdcr.gov/hpoweb/) were last reviewed on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. There are two (2) known
historic architectural resources (Azalea Motel [JK01041 and the Azalea Motel Cabin #12 [JK0105])
located within or adjacent to the APE; however, intact archaeological deposits associated with these
resources would not 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 Federally funded project for which a Federal permit should not be necessary. Permanent/
temporary easements will not be necessary nor will additional ROW be needed. The size and shape of the
APE have been drawn in a way to capture any possible impacts beyond the NCDOT's existing ROW
along SR 1432 (Skyland Drive) though all work is to be contained within the existing ROW. At this time,
`No ARCHAEOLOGYSURVEYREQUIRED "form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 200712015 Programmatic Agreement.
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Project Tracking No.:
18-02-0006
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, activities should not take place beyond the NCDOT's existing ROW.
From an environmental perspective, the APE falls within a mixed residentiaYcommercial setting in the
Blue Ridge Mountain physiographic region of North Carolina. The APE consists of three (3) soil types,
all of which have been heavily disturbed by modern development (Udorthents-Urban land complex, 0-5%
slopes, rarely flooded [UfB], Cowee-Evard-Urban land complex, 15-30% slopes [CrD], and Braddock -
Urban land complex, 2-15% slopes [BrC]). Based on the poor soil conditions and the level of
development, the preservation of intact archaeological resources would not be anticipated. The Office of
State Archaeology (OSA) has reviewed several projects within the vicinity of the APE for environmental
compliance, including a cell tower (CT 15-2851), water and sewer upgrades in the Dillardtown area (ER
12-0097), a new bank along Asheville Road (ER 90-8397), and a renovation project at the Sylva
Swimming Pool (ER 84-0623). Stating a low probability for intact and significant archaeological sites to
be present, OSA did not require an archaeological survey for any of these projects. Within five (5) miles
of the Study Area, NCDOT's Archaeology Group has reviewed at least fourteen (14) transportation -
related projects for environmental compliance under the Programmatic Agreement (PA) with the State
Historic Preservation Office (NC-HPO), three of which are located within one (1) mile of the proposed
project. Based on the presence of fairly level and typically dry soils, an archaeological survey was
recommended for five (5) of these projects, all of which were bridge replacement projects crossing
perennial drainages. However, as a result of these surveys, only one (1) archaeological site was newly
documented and that one was an isolated find. Nearby projects located within the Town of Sylva, similar
in scope to the proposed project, did not require an archaeological survey based on the presence of
heavily modified soils, modern development, and steeply sloping topography. Given the poor soil
conditions and developed nature within the APE and the results of previously reviewed/surveyed projects
in the vicinity, 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 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.
SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION
See attached: ® Map(s) ® Previous Survey Info
❑ Photocopy of County Survey Notes
FINDING BY NCDOT ARCHAEOLOGIST
NO ARCHAEOLOGY SUR VEY REO UIRED
NCDOT AR
LOGIST
❑ Photos
Other:
❑Correspondence
March 13, 2018
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: Sylva North, NC (USGS 1978).
`No ARCHAEOLOGYSUR VEY REQUIRED "form for Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 200712015 Programmatic Agreement.
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