Phase I Marine Archeological Remote Sensing Survey of the Proposed Mississippi River Sand Borrow Sites for the Louisiana Coastal Area Barrier Shoreline Restoration Project, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

Abstract : This report presents results of Phase I marine archeological remote sensing survey of the proposed Mississippi River sand borrow sites for the Louisiana Coastal Area Barrier Shoreline Restoration Project, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc. performed this work on behalf of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District (USACE-NOD). This study was carried out prior to the planned commencement of dredging at this location to assist the USACE-NOD in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. All aspects of these investigations were completed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation (48 FR 44716), and in consultation with the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Division of Archeology. The study area comprised two survey blocks designated Blocks A and B. These areas measure a total of 2,065 ac (835.6 ha), and are located between Mile Markers 25.0 and 35.0 above Head of Passes along the Mississippi River. Marine remote sensing survey was conducted utilizing a marine magnetometer, an echo sounder, a sub-bottom profiler, and a side-scan sonar. A total of forty (40) individual magnetic anomalies, and nine (9) individual acoustic anomalies were registered in Block A, and 332 individual magnetic anomalies, and 28 individual acoustic anomalies were registered in Block B. The application of pattern recognition protocols and examination of remote sensing data permitted the discrimination of five (5) targets in Block A, designated Targets 1-5, and 27 targets in Block B, designated Targets 6-32, that merited more detailed scrutiny. None of the targets identified in Block A, and only four of the targets identified in Block B exhibit characteristics that suggest they may represent significant submerged cultural resources. Targets 13, 30, 31 and 32 require either complete avoidance or further inves