Phase Ia Archaeological Survey for Proposed Troy Primary Substation and 161kV Transmission Line, Spencer County, Indiana

Abstract

At the request of Hoosier Energy, the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana University (GBL) conducted a Phase Ia archaeological reconnaissance survey of the proposed Troy primary substation and 161 kV transmission line in Spencer County, Indiana. The project area consists of one rectangular area of approximately ten acres and an easement 2,600 feet in length and 75 feet wide (4.5 acres). The total project area is approximately 14.4 acres in size. The ten acre section for the substation was surveyed. An overview was conducted for the 4.5 acre 161 kV transmission line easement. Due to its location within an existing right-of-way and previous disturbance from a fiber optic cable, no archaeological survey was conducted for the proposed easement. The purposes of survey were 1) to identify and document all of the cultural resources in the project area, 2) to evaluate any sites found with regard to their eligibility for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures (IRHSS), and 3) to make recommendations for the protection of significant and potentially significant sites. Fieldwork was conducted November 21, 2001 by GBL archaeologists Kris Suthers, Nicole Palmer, and Tamara Hull. No cultural resources were discovered within the proposed project area. Cultural resource clearance is therefore recommended for the proposed Troy primary substation and 161 kV transmission line project location provided that all earth-moving activities are restricted to the currently defined project area boundaries.