CONTRACT PUBLICATION SERIES: WV08-70 PHASE I ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE BEECH RIDGE WIND ENERGY PROJECT & ASSOCIATED TRANSMISSION SUPPORT LINE, GREENBRIER AND NICHOLAS COUNTIES, WEST VIRGINIA Authored By: Jamie S. Meece, RPA & Aaron O. Smith, RPA Submitted to: Mr. Erik Duncan Beech Ridge Energy LLC 7564 Standish Place, Suite 123 Rockville, Maryland 20855 Submitted by: Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc. 3556 Teays Valley Road, Suite 3 Hurricane, West Virginia 25526 Phone: (304) 562-7233 Fax: (304) 562-7235 Website: www.crai-ky.com CRAI Project No.: W08P004 ______________________________ C. Michael Anslinger, RPA Principal Investigator January 28, 2009 Lead Agency: West Virginia Public Service Commission, Case #.: 05-1590-E-CS West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office FR #.: 06-147-GB-23 MANAGEMENT SUMMARY Cultural Resource Analyst, Inc. conducted a Phase I archaeological survey for the proposed Beech Ridge Wind Energy project and associated Transmission Support Line in Greenbrier and Nicholas counties, West Virginia. The survey was completed under contract with Potesta & Associates, Inc. on the behalf of Beech Ridge Energy LLC. The records search for this project was completed on July 17, 2008, and the field investigation was conducted between August 25 and September 26, 2008. The area for the Phase I survey was considered the direct Area of Potential Effect. The direct Area of Potential Effect to archaeological sites was defined as the footprint of proposed ground disturbing activities, which includes the development of a wind turbine power generating facility, new access roads, access roads requiring upgrade, a substation, an operation and maintenance facility, and a transmission line. Systematic survey resulted in the identification of six newly recorded archaeological sites; 46Gb445, 46Gb446, 46Gb447, 46Gb448, 46Gb449, and 46Gb450. Site 46Gb445 is a potential stone mound. Site 46Gb446 is a multicomponent artifact scatter containing prehistoric lithic debris and historic-period refuse. Sites 46Gb447 and 46Gb448 are possible historic-period gravesites. Sites 46Gb449 and 46Gb450 are prehistoric lithic scatters of unknown cultural and temporal affiliation. Based on extant information, there is insufficient evidence to determine the origin, age, or cultural affiliation of sites 46Gb445, 46Gb447, and 46Gb448. Further investigation beyond the scope of a Phase I study would be required to assess the eligibility of these sites for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The eligibility of these three sites is currently indeterminable, and it is the recommendation of CRAI that the sites be avoided by all project activities by no less than 30.5 m (100 ft). If avoidance is not feasible, it is recommended that a Phase II research design be developed in consultation with the WVSHPO, in accordance with Stipulation B.1.b of a Memorandum of Agreement between the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office and Beech Ridge Energy LLC. The remaining sites (46Gb446, 46Gb449, and 46Gb450) are recommended not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Outside of sites 46Gb445, 46Gb447, and 46Gb448, no additional archaeological investigations are recommended for the direct Area of Potential Effect. However, should evidence of intact archaeological deposits or human burials be identified during construction or project activities, work in the area of discovery should cease, and the West Virginia Public Service Commission and the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office should be notified immediately of the discovery. i ii TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................1 II. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT.............................................................................................................................2 III. RECORDS SEARCH...........................................................................................................................................15 IV. CULTURE HISTORY...........................................................................................................................................16 V. HISTORIC CONTEXT ..........................................................................................................................................25 VI. RESEARCH DESIGN..........................................................................................................................................36 VII. METHODS..........................................................................................................................................................51 VIII. RESULTS..........................................................................................................................................................59 IX. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................................................................85 REFERENCES .........................................................................................................................................................86 Appendix A: Memorandum of Agreement Appendix B: Phase I Archaeological Scope of Work Appendix C: WV Archaeological Site Forms Appendix D: Historic Artifact Catalogue Appendix E: Prehistoric Artifact Catalogue Appendix F: Typical Conditions in the Direct APE LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Locations of Greenbrier and Nicholas counties, West Virginia. .................................................................1 Figure 2. Portions of USGS 7.5-minute 1972 (1979) Nettie, 1972 (1981) Quinwood, Richwood, and Duo, 1977 (1981) Fork Mountain, and Trout, WV quadrangles charting the approximate location of direct APE for archaeological sites. .................................................................................................................................................3 Figure 3. Portions of USGS 7.5-minute 1972 (1979) Nettie, 1972 (1981) Quinwood, Richwood, and Duo, 1977 (1981) Fork Mountain, and Trout, WV quadrangles charting the approximate location of direct APE for archaeological sites. .................................................................................................................................................5 Figure 4. Regional map showing locations of available chert toolstone resources. ..................................................8 Figure 5. Portion of H.H. Harrison and J.O. Handley 1887 Map of Greenbrier County.............................................27 Figure 6. Portions of USGS 15-minute 1921 Richwood, WV and 1935 Lobella, WV quadrangles charting approximate location of the direct APE for archaeological sites. ..............................................................................29 Figure 7. Portions of WVGS 15-minute 1936 Map of Greenbrier County (with portions of Nicholas County) charting the approximate location of direct APE for archaeological sites.................................................................31 Figure 8. Portions of USGS 7.5-minute 1972 (1979) Nettie, 1972 (1981) Quinwood, Richwood, and Duo, 1977 (1981) Fork Mountain, and Trout, WV quadrangles showing the approximate locations of documented archaeological sites in relation to the direct APE......................................................................................................61 Figure 9. Plan drawing of 46Gb445. .........................................................................................................................63 iii Figure 10. Overview of 46Gb445. .............................................................................................................................64 Figure 11. Representative soil profile for 46Gb445...................................................................................................64 Figure 12. Plan drawing of 46Gb446. .......................................................................................................................65 Figure 13. Overview of 46Gb446 located in Reid Gap..............................................................................................67 Figure 14. Representative artifact-bearing profile exposed in STP 7 at 46Gb446 in Reid Gap. ...............................67 Figure 15. Stone Pile 1 located adjacent to direct APE at 46Gb446 in Reid Gap.....................................................68 Figure 16. Impenetrable channery deposit exposed in STP 3 adjacent to Stone Pile 1 at 46Gb446........................69 Figure 17. Overview of area outside of direct APE containing Stone Piles 2-12 at 46Gb446 on west slope of Reid Gap...........................................................................................................................................................................69 Figure 18. Stone Pile 2 outside of direct APE at 46Gb446 on west slope of Reid Gap. ...........................................70 Figure 19. Typical soil profile exposed in STPs adjacent to Stone Piles 2-12 at 46Gb446.......................................70 Figure 20. Stone Pile 16 outside of direct APE at 46Gb446. ....................................................................................71 Figure 21. Stone wall located outside of direct APE at 46Gb446..............................................................................71 Figure 22. Upright boulder on east slope of Reid Gap at 46Gb446. .........................................................................72