Archeological Survey For The Proposed Brazos Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. Oak Point Substation And Transmission Line, Denton County, Texas

On June 14-15, 2017, an intensive archeological survey was completed in order to evaluate potential impacts associated with the proposed construction of a new electrical substation on an approximately 5-acre (2.0-hectare) parcel and approximately 8.10 miles (13.0 kilometers) of transmission line within a 70-foot-wide (21.3-meter) easement in east central Denton County, Texas. A total of 73.71 acres were examined. The Brazos Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. project would be situated east of Farmto-Market Road 720 and south of Martop Road in the vicinity of Oak Point in east central Denton County and proceeding north to a tap point along an existing Brazos Electric 138-kV transmission line generally located northeast of Bailey Lane, which is southeast of Krugerville. Melissa M. Green (Principal Investigator) of Cox|McLain Environmental Consulting, Inc. carried out the survey for Brazos Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. and the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended. A Texas Antiquities Permit was not required. Based on background review of available data, the potential for intact archeological deposits was considered low along the project corridor. Ground surface visibility varied across area of potential effects (APE) between 0 and 100 percent depending on the area. Fourteen shovel test units were excavated in order to examine the subsurface in areas where the potential for archeological deposits might be expected. Only one shovel test yielded an artifact during the survey. The majority of the corridor has been utilized for agricultural practices and grazing in the past and in recent years, but urban development of the general area is rapidly encroaching on the rural feel of the area. Two historic cemeteries are located immediately adjacent to the corridor in the southern half of the transmission line path, but will not be impacted; the possibility of impacts to unmarked graves in the path of the line is low, since no transmission towers or other project components with ground disturbance potential will be placed in the vicinity of either of the cemeteries’ boundaries. Two historic-age structures were identified during the survey, but have lost integrity and are recommended not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. No further work is recommended within the APE prior to the construction of the proposed substation or transmission line corridor. No artifacts were collected during the investigation however, all notes, photographs, administrative documents, and other project data will be made permanently available to future researchers via an appropriate public facility. If any unanticipated cultural materials or deposits are found at any stage of clearing, preparation, or construction, the work should cease and Texas Historical Commission personnel should be notified immediately. The Texas Historical Commission concurred with the findings and recommendations of this report on October 25, 2017