In March 2014, aci consulting was contacted by Terracon on behalf of TAS Environmental to assist in archeological monitoring for the remediation of an accidental jet fuel discharge into a tributary of the San Antonio River. The location complicated the work in that it was situated in Acequia Park, property owned by the City of San Antonio (COSA) and managed by the San Antonio River Authority (SARA). Furthermore, the location was part of the Mission Parkway Historic-Archeological District, a National Register District under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service (NPS).
Before any remediation work could be conducted, the NPS required that a qualified archeologist be onsite to monitor the clean up process to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. In addition, the location of the work on the COSA property required compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas.
Upon arrival at the spill site, senior archeological staff was briefed on the property ownership, informed the COSA Office of Historic Preservation staff of the situation, and within a couple of hours procured an emergency monitoring Texas Antiquities Code permit from the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to do the archeological work. With the TAC permit secured the remediation work could commence. aci consulting archeological staff conducted a pedestrian survey along the banks and margins of the creek and monitored the excavation and industrial vacuuming of contaminated sediment and rocks. The San Juan Ditch, an important historic acequia or canal, was located about 50 feet away from the spill. Historic trash from the early- to mid- twentieth century was encountered during the work. None of the artifacts were considered significant and did not contribute to the National Register District or constitute a recommendation as a State Antiquities Landmark (SAL).
The remediation work did not cause any impacts to any historic properties eligible for the National Register or listing as a SAL. These findings were agreed up by both the NPS and the THC and no further archeological work was required. The remediation work was completed and the monitoring report was submitted to COSA and THC, which received concurrence and approval.
Click here to download a PDF of this project.
Before any remediation work could be conducted, the NPS required that a qualified archeologist be onsite to monitor the clean up process to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. In addition, the location of the work on the COSA property required compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas.
Upon arrival at the spill site, senior archeological staff was briefed on the property ownership, informed the COSA Office of Historic Preservation staff of the situation, and within a couple of hours procured an emergency monitoring Texas Antiquities Code permit from the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to do the archeological work. With the TAC permit secured the remediation work could commence. aci consulting archeological staff conducted a pedestrian survey along the banks and margins of the creek and monitored the excavation and industrial vacuuming of contaminated sediment and rocks. The San Juan Ditch, an important historic acequia or canal, was located about 50 feet away from the spill. Historic trash from the early- to mid- twentieth century was encountered during the work. None of the artifacts were considered significant and did not contribute to the National Register District or constitute a recommendation as a State Antiquities Landmark (SAL).
The remediation work did not cause any impacts to any historic properties eligible for the National Register or listing as a SAL. These findings were agreed up by both the NPS and the THC and no further archeological work was required. The remediation work was completed and the monitoring report was submitted to COSA and THC, which received concurrence and approval.
Click here to download a PDF of this project.