Archeological Survey Along a Proposed Fiber-Optic Line Route at Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area, Brewster County, Texas

In April 2002, the Center for Big Bend Studies (CBBS) of Sul Ross State University (SRSU) conducted an archeological survey for Big Bend Telephone Company, Inc. at Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area (EMWMA), Brewster County, Texas. The overall project, consisting of three segments (Segments I–III), was initiated in response to plans by Big Bend Telephone to install a fiber-optic line at the wildlife management area. Segment I is the portion of the proposed line that runs from a telecommunications tower on top of Elephant Mountain to the northern base of the mountain. Segment II is the portion of the line that extends from the base of the mountain to State Highway 118. Segment III runs from the EMWMA headquarters up to the educational center and bunkhouse on the west-northwest flank of the mountain. Almost the entire line will be placed beneath existing roadways. All of Segment I runs across the top and flank of the mountain within an existing roadway where soils are extremely thin to non-existent (much of this segment crosses exposed bedrock) and the chances of significant archeological sites being present are relatively low. Due to these factors, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) agreed that construction of Segment I could proceed without an archeological survey. However, both the THC and TPWD agreed that an archeological survey was necessary along Segments II and III to record and assess archeological sites along the routes and to identify and examine areas with the potential for buried soils. In order to conform to the Texas Antiquities Code relative to ground disturbance projects on state-owned land, in this case land administered by the TPWD, the project was conducted under Antiquities Permit No. 2774, which is an annual permit (2002) issued to TPWD.

* Contact the Center at (432) 837-8179 or at cbbs@sulross.edu to obtain a photocopy.