Cultural Resource Survey for the M840B Class 2 Replacement MP 16.5 Project

Chronicle Heritage was contracted by Merjent to conduct a cultural resource survey of the proposed Northern Natural Gas Company M840C Class 2 Replacement MP 16.5 project in Gaines County, Texas.

Project Overview:

Chronicle Heritage conducted an archaeological survey of 590 acres to determine whether any archaeological sites or resources were present within the Area of Potential Effects (APE). The investigation revealed that two previous surveys had been conducted in the area, with one overlapping the southern portion of the APE. The planned pipeline route intersected this known resource. To prevent impact to the site, Northern Natural Gas planned to employ trenchless Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) to install the pipeline at a depth of 36 feet.

A piece of ceramic recorded during the survey.

Program Activities Included:

Chronicle Heritage excavated a total of 242 shovel test pits (STPs) spaced along transects throughout the APE. One STP contained cultural material, six IFs (surface scatter), and a wooden shack of undetermined age were identified during pedestrian surface survey of the APE.

During the redesign, to avoid the site, temporary workspaces were reconfigured, and a new staging area and access road were added in the southern portion. These areas were not included in the survey, however, based on the nature of these areas and the proposed use (an existing dirt road and a staging area), there will be no ground disturbance.

Additional Information

Client

Merjent

Location

Gaines County, Texas

Sector

Oil and Gas

Service

Cultural Resource Survey

Results at a Glance

Chronicle Heritage believes the site is eligible for listing on the NRHP under Criterion A.
It is Chronicle Heritage’s opinion that the project as proposed, which involves HDD methods at a depth that will effectively bypass the site, will have no effect on the site’s eligibility or integrity under Criterion A. The project will not alter the characteristics of the site that make it eligible for listing, and the project will have no effect on the site’s association with the historic event.
Chronicle Heritage recommends no avoidance measures for any of the newly recorded resources, as they do not qualify as sites, and are not significant or eligible for listing on the NRHP. Chronicle Heritage recommends a finding of No Effect on Historic Properties in the APE.
In the unlikely event that any cultural materials (including human remains or burial features) are inadvertently discovered at any point during the construction, use, or ongoing maintenance in the APE, even in previously surveyed areas, all work at the location of the discovery should cease immediately, and the THC/SHPO should be notified of the discovery. Work should not recommence until the proper archaeologist assesses the discovery and gives clearance for work to continue

“This was a rewarding project, and we are happy to continue providing cultural resource management support in the Permian Basin region.”
– Laura Hensel, Project Manager and Associate Archaeologist

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