Austin Phase I Cultural Resources Assessments is a type of archeological survey report that identifies areas of historic significance relating to a development project or undertaking. It helps companies and stakeholders understand the impact of a planned project and how to best meet federal and state obligations to identify and avoid and protect potentially significant cultural resources sites.
An intensive investigation, the Phase I Cultural Resources Assessments in Austin TX covers all areas within the project plan boundaries. After archival research is conducted, a physical survey of the property takes place. A surface survey is conducted by walking transects across the property. Sampling is done through shovel testing and by surface collection by hand.
In areas exhibiting a high likelihood for the presence of cultural resources, Austin Phase I Cultural Resources Collection require subsurface testing, as well as surface inspection. Deeper deposits may require mechanically augmented survey with the use of backhoe trenching or auger testing to achieve greater depths. If the conditions are right and historic and prehistoric features are known to be present, geophysical testing may be conducted. Multiple strategy testing may be implemented to provide a complete overview of the given area.
Upon completion of the survey effort, the data is then compiled into a report as the deliverable for a Phase I Cultural Resources Assessments in Austin TX.
Phase II and III follow Austin Phase I Cultural Resources Assessments. Phase II tests for NRHP. If the fieldwork determines NRHP eligibility, Phase III provides an impact mitigation strategy. Care must be given to NRHP sites and mitigation plans can help avoid serious impact to a given area.
Sometimes, alternative plans become necessary. Some of the most common ways to avoid negative effects to significant cultural resources include:
- Avoidance
- Protection
- Data recovery plans
Avoidance is simply avoiding impacts to the site by moving project elements. Protection is the preparation of elements that can protect the cultural resources, such as fences, trees, or levees. Sometimes capping is used to protect sites from impact. Data recovery plans can provide additional information in regard to samples, methods, and non-destructive techniques that may be used to recover unique data that may be lost forever following impacts to the subject site by construction.
Strategic Preservation for Your Industry
ESE Partners provides a number of industries with environmentally responsible solutions that can move their project forward. Through federal and state compliant analysis and data research, the team at ESE Partners can provide a full report that can forecast the effect of your project.
To bring compliance to your project and learn more how the experienced team of engineers and building scientists at ESE can meet stakeholder obligations while meeting environmental standards, get in touch with us today.
