Orange County NC Website
maps, and highway maps for the project area. The Natural and Cultural Systems Element of the Orange <br /> County Comprehensive Plan will be reviewed on-line and any available research files compiled by <br /> Department of Environment,Agriculture,Parks&Recreation staff will be examined. <br /> Field Survey <br /> ACC uses a variety of environmental factors to determine the cultural resource potential of a project <br /> area. Topographic setting (e.g., degree of slope) and soil survey data (e.g., soil drainage characteristics) are <br /> the two most significant factors considered. Other factors considered when defining the archaeological <br /> potential of an area include roads and known resources. In addition, the vicinities of all previously recorded <br /> sites are considered to have high probability for additional sites. The majority of both corridors traverse well- <br /> drained soils with minimal slopes. Such areas would generally be considered to have the potential to contain <br /> intact archaeological deposits. However,due to its proximity to the interstate, it is likely that road/water line <br /> corridor has undergone moderate to severe disturbance. It has, therefore, been classified as having low <br /> potential for intact archaeological deposits. The proposed sewerline corridor is considered high potential. <br /> It should be noted, however, that while this initial assessment of potential zones will serve as a guide for <br /> survey strategy,all final determinations for survey intensity will be based on field conditions. <br /> The field survey will be comprised of a single pedestrian transect along the length of both corridors. <br /> Areas determined to have high or moderate potential for the presence of archaeological sites will be shovel <br /> tested at 30 meter (98 ft) intervals. Intensive reconnaissance will be used to investigate the low potential <br /> areas. These areas will be examined by pedestrian walkover with shovel tests being excavated at <br /> judgementally determined locations based on soil and topographic conditions. All shovel tests will be at least <br /> 30 cm (12 in) in diameter. All test fill will be screened through 0.25 inch mesh, and each test will be <br /> excavated either to sterile subsoil, to bedrock or the water table. Each shovel test will be backfilled upon <br /> completion. In all areas, shovel testing will be supplemented by comprehensive examination of all exposed <br /> ground surface. <br /> Archaeological Site Definition and Evaluation. Archaeological site definition will generally follow <br /> the criteria set out by the OSA that a site is defined by the presence of three or more artifacts within a 30 <br /> meter radius or where aboveground features are present. Isolated finds, defined as no more than two <br /> temporally related artifacts within a 30 meter radius,will not be defined as sites. <br /> Once a site is discovered, close interval shovel testing will be used to define site boundaries and to <br /> assess intrasite artifact variability. This shovel testing will focus on the portion of the identified site situated <br /> within the project corridor. If an archaeological site extends onto adjacent private property, the field <br /> archaeologists will make observations of surface remains and conditions, and estimate the site dimensions <br /> based on surface indications and topography. Formal site delineation will not be conducted outside of the <br /> project corridor unless prior authorization is provided. Visible surface remains and artifacts, topographic <br /> features, and systematic shovel testing will be utilized in determining the stratigraphy, integrity, content, and <br /> extent of each site. Site descriptions will include maps showing the location of all shovel tests, cultural and <br /> natural surface features, topographic features, and site boundaries. A representative description of soil <br /> characteristics and stratigraphy also will be provided for each site. <br /> Site and isolated find locations will be recorded using a differentially corrected global positioning <br /> system (GPS) receiver capable of at least f 3-meter accuracy. ArcGIS shape files of the identified <br /> archaeological resources will be made available upon request. <br /> 2 <br />