On-Call Archaeological Monitoring P162V ASD/AIMD Facility Site, Fort Dix, Burlington County, New Jersey

Summary

This report presents the results of cultural resource monitoring for a proposed P-162V Joint Aviation Support Division and Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment Facility at Fort Dix, Burlington County, New Jersey. URS Corporation (URS) conducted this work for Archer Western Contractors. The purpose of the study was to identify the nature/extent of any cultural resources encountered within the project’s area of potential effects (APE) and determine if they would be impacted during the proposed construction activities.

Archaeological monitoring was provided during ground-disturbing construction activities within the APE that consisted of deep trenching for new retention basins, as well as sanitary, storm drain, and water lines. A previous study Louis Berger & Associates, Inc. (1985), conducted indicated that archaeological resources associated with up to three nineteenth-century farmsteads may be encountered within the project area. However, additional historical research indicated that only two farmsteads were located within the project area. Since the government’s occupation of the project area, the APE has remained primarily undeveloped, with the exception of an existing Army maintenance facility (Building 403), a water-pumping station in the northeast portion of the APE, and a baseball field located in the southern portion of the APE.

Only one historic feature was encountered during construction activities—a historic brick-lined circular shaft. It was uncovered at the base of the northernmost retention basin, approximately 8 feet below the current ground surface. A very limited amount of diagnostic artifacts was recovered from inside the feature during a cursory examination. No further monitoring is recommended. However, URS recommends that the shaft feature be preserved in place, since it will not be impacted during further construction activities. The uppermost courses of brick are at the planned base elevation of the basin’s floor, the purpose of which is to provide storm water infiltration and retention. The feature will be covered with a geo-tech fabric that will allow the natural penetration of water, followed by 2 feet of sterile sand. In addition, four metal stakes extending at least 4 feet above the sand and infiltration media will be placed 5 feet from the feature’s exterior wall to permanently delineate it as an archaeologically sensitive area. Further, it will be located on a base map via GPS and kept on file at the Joint Base McGuire-DixLakehurst, Natural/Cultural Resource Office.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Fort Dix Archaeology and Cultural Resources Archive

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Air Force Base

Principal Investigator(s): Edward Morin

Prepared By(s): URS Corporation

Submitted To(s): Archer Western Contractors

File Information