Archaeological Survey for Proposed Buena Vista 138/12.47 kV Substation and 138 kV Tap Line, Monroe and Greene Counties, Indiana: Final

Abstract

From 13 November 2002 through April 2003, the Glenn A. Black Laboratory Office of Cultural Resource Management (GBL-OCRM), Indiana University, conducted a Phase Ia archaeological survey of the proposed Buena Vista 138/12.47 kV substation site and 138 kV tap line in Monroe and Green Counties, Indiana, under contract with Hoosier Energy. The substation tract is approximately 64 x 64 m (210 x 210 ft) in area and is located in Monroe County, Indian Creek Township, Section 20. The tap line is approximately 10.4 km (6.5 mi) in length and begins in Greene County, Jackson Township, Section 14 and terminates in Monroe County, Indian Creek Township, Section 20. Background research and field survey were conducted to: (1) Identify and document all cultural resources in the project area; (2) Provide an evaluation of National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures (IRHSS) eligibility for all identified cultural resources within the project corridor; and (3) Provide recommendations for mitigation if avoidance of NRHP or IRHSS eligible sites is not possible. This survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), as amended. The field survey consisted of pedestrian inspection of the entire substation tract and tap line corridor. Visual surface inspection and shovel testing were conducted within the project boundaries. Shovel probes were excavated at 10 m (32 ft) intervals along transects spaced at 10 m (32 ft) intervals traversing the length of the corridor. The field investigation resulted in the identification of 29 new prehistoric archaeological sites and one new historical site. Nine previously recorded prehistoric sites are located within the current Hoosier Energy substation tract and tap line corridors. These sites were revisited and reassessed during the field investigations conducted for Hoosier Energy. The GBL-OCRM recommends Phase II investigation for the following sites if avoidance is not possible: 12MO1205, 12MO1188, 12MO1190, 12MO581, 12MO580, 12MO579, 12MO578, 12MO577, 12MO576, 12GR1724, 12GR1725, 12GR744, 12GR1726, 12GR1714, and 12GR1730.