HCTRA M124 Drainage Improvement Project

On behalf of Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) and the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA), SWCA conducted natural resources surveys and cultural resources and historic resources investigations for HCFCD’s proposed M124 Channel Improvement and Detention Basin Project. Natural resources tasks included: bald eagle surveys and a Bald Eagle Take Permit Application, coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) personnel, a Phase I ESA, a wetland delineation, and obtaining an approved jurisdictional determination for the project. HCFCD proposed channel improvements from the existing TxDOT detention ponds adjacent to SH 249, south and west for approximately 2 miles to Willow Creek, crossing FM 2920; HCFCD also proposed creating two new detention ponds south of FM 2920, encompassing approximately 226.52 acres of land, in total.

SWCA assisted HCFCD in avoiding and minimizing impacts to the active eagle nest and completed bald eagle nest monitoring over three nesting seasons, as required by the conditions of the USFWS Short-term Take Permit. The background literature review revealed that a single cultural resources survey had been conducted within the direct and indirect APE and no cultural resources have been previously recorded within or immediately adjacent to the direct or indirect APE. SWCA conducted a non-collection survey; therefore, no cultural materials will be curated. Original survey documentation will be curated with TARL in Austin, Texas, in fulfillment of requirements for TAC Permit No. 7902.

SWCA identified a single cultural resource (Isolated Find 1) within the direct APE, which was a single positive shovel test containing historic debris, likely associated with a mid-twentieth-century oil/gas well pad. The find was considered insufficient to constitute a site and a trinomial was not requested. Isolated Find 1 was recommended NOT ELIGIBLE for the NRHP or for designation as a SAL. In addition, no aboveground historic structures or buildings were located within the direct APE. Four resources (IDs 1-4) were identified as being of historic age within the indirect APE; however, each was recommended NOT ELIGIBLE for the NRHP or SAL due to loss of integrity of design, materials, setting, and/or workmanship. Therefore, SWCA recommends no further cultural resources or historic resources investigations and a finding of NO HISTORIC PROPERTIES AFFECTED.