Wind Energy Transmission of Texas (WETT) is constructing 345-kV transmission lines to distribute power generated by the wind farms in west-central Texas and has received funding from the Public Utilities Commission of Texas as part of the Competitive Renewable Energy Zones initiative. While WETT was under no federal or state requirement to carry out archeological studies, the company is committed to acting as a good steward of the land and entrusted this responsibility to aci environmental consulting.

As the cultural resources consultant for the project, aci conducted intensive Phase I survey of the entire 400-mile proposed transmission line corridor. Utilizing a combination of computer-generated probability area information and on-the-ground observations allowed the archeological team to focus shovel testing efforts on areas of highest probability for buried archeological resources while examining the entire route for surface indications of archeological sites.

The cultural resources survey resulted in the recording of 106 archeological sites. These sites range from Early Archaic campsites to an early-20th-century rural school. Because WETT could not avoid impacts to some of the resources recommended for avoidance, aci also performed Phase II testing of seven prehistoric sites.

This project required a blend of archival research, archeological investigation, and an understanding of the landscape. aci env consulting worked with WETT to develop a method for responsible stewardship of archeological sites within budgetary and time parameters.