Channel to Victoria Project

Archeological Site 41VT98 (the Buckeye Knoll Site)

Local Government Briefing 2/13/02

   Yesterday a tribal consultation meeting was held by the Corps of Engineers to address the analysis, reporting, and disposition of the collection from prehistoric archeological site 41VT98. Site excavation was conducted by the Corps in conjunction with the widening and deepening of the Channel to Victoria. The site produced a large collection of artifacts dating from 1,000 to 12,000 years old. In addition, a large Early Archaic cemetery dating from 6,300 to 7,500 years old was also found, and approximately 80 burials were recovered. Our local sponsors are the Victoria and West Side Calhoun County Navigation Districts. The Port of Victoria is hosting this briefing today.

   Participants in the consultation meeting included representatives of the Corps of Engineers including Colonel Leonard Waterworth, District Commander, DuPont, the Port of Victoria, the Texas Historical Commission, and the federally recognized Choctaw, Alabama Coushatta, and Comanche Tribes. DuPont graciously hosted the meeting.

   The purpose of the meeting was primarily informational. The Corps provided information to the tribes on our work at the site, the historic and scientific significance of the site, and the wide range of analyses that could be conducted on site materials. The tribes very broadly discussed the cultural and spiritual significance of the site, and all expressed the desire to ultimately see the human remains reburied. All of the tribal representatives expressed their desire to return to their tribes to discuss our information on the site with their elders and spiritual leaders. We will continue discussions with the tribes concerning analysis and disposition of the site collection.

   This is but one part of the larger public participation process identified in 36CFR800, the federal regulation implementing the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. In addition to consulting with federally recognized tribes, the Corps has also requested the Texas Archeological Society and Society for American Archaeology join us as consulting parties, to represent the interests and concerns of avocational and professional archeologists. A public meeting is scheduled in Victoria for February 26th at Victoria College. From 5-7pm an open house will be held where the public can view posters of work at the site, and discuss their concerns directly with Corps representatives. Archeologists with Coastal Environments, Inc., our contractor, will also be available to answer questions on the site excavation. At 7pm there will be a formal presentation on site excavation by Coastal Environments, followed by a Question and Answer session where questions submitted in writing by the public will be answered.

   No decisions will be made by the Corps until this process of consultation and public participation is complete. All voices will be heard and all positions will be considered. A decision in the public interest will be made that takes into consideration the scientific, historical, cultural, and spiritual significance of this remarkable site.