A PHASE I CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY OF 116 ACRES FOR THE PROPOSED SITE 3 FIRST SOLAR INC. UTILITY-SCALE PHOTOVOLTAIC PROJECT IN CLAY COUNTY, GEORGIA

Under contract with AECOM of Austin, Texas, TerraXplorations, Inc. (TerraX) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama conducted a cultural resource survey of 116 acres for a proposed utility-scale photovoltaic project in Clay County, Georgia. The purpose of this study was to determine if any prehistoric or historic properties exist within the limits of the project area, and, if so, to document and assess each based on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria. All work was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Advisory Council on Historic Preservation [ACHP] 2009), with regulations implementing this legislation (Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Part 800: Protection of Historic Properties [ACHP 2004]), the Archeology and Historic Preservation: Secretary oflnterior's Standards and Guidelines (National Park Service [NPS] 1983), and with standards set by the Georgia Historic Preservation Division (Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists 2015). The lead Federal Agency for this project is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District. 

The investigation led to the discovery of five archaeological sites (9CY238, 9CY239, 9CY240, 9CY241, and 9CY242), two isolated finds, and the revisit of one previously recorded archaeological site (9CY197). The five newly recorded sites included a sparse unknown prehistoric lithic scatter (9CY238), an unknown prehistoric and post-Archaic artifact scatter (9CY242), and three historic scatters likely dating from the mid to late nineteenth to the early to mid-twentieth century (9CY239, 9CY240, and 9CY24 l ). The two isolated finds both represent unknown prehistoric occurrences. Lastly, Site 9CY197, representing a late nineteenth to early twentieth century house site and unknown prehistoric isolated find, was revisited and its boundaries were expanded as it was shown to extend west of Walnut Road/Henry McKemmie Road (CR 15) into the current study area. Soils across most of these sites were disturbed and eroded due to past agricultural use and silviculture practices. 

The six archaeological sites and two isolated finds are recommended as ineligible for inclusion in the NRHP and require no further archaeological investigation. These sites contain sparse cultural material or are deflated and heavily disturbed by previous land use impacts and subsequent erosion. 

In addition to this cultural resource survey, a historic resource survey was also conducted by TerraX. Shanda Davidson, architectural historian for TerraX, conducted this survey. The survey of the project area of potential effect (APE) resulted in the identification of one historic resource (HR-I). This historic structure is considered eligible for the NRHP based on Criteria C and D for its architectural features and its potential to yield information about late nineteenth/early twentieth century farming in rural Georgia. Furthermore, the structure retains its integrity of location, design, materials, and workmanship. As this resource will not be adversely impacted, either visually or directly, TerraX recommends historic resource clearance of the APE.