Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of 61.5 Acres Settlers Hammock

Between February 22 and March 2, 2018, Brockington and Associates, Inc. (Brockington) conducted an intensive Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of the proposed 61.5-acre Settlers Hammock project tract in Camden County, Georgia. Activities associated with the proposed development at Settlers Hammock will directly impact soils through mechanical grading, cutting, and filling for the proposed tract. Additional impacts include the movement of heavy machinery in the project tract. This cultural resource survey was conducted for Lamar Smith Signature Group to determine whether any known historic properties (i.e., sites, buildings, structures, objects, or districts listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places) may be affected by the proposed development project. The investigation was completed in partial fulfilment of guidelines established for a Section 404 of the Clean Water Act permit. These investigations follow standards and guidelines that are in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended) by personnel qualified under the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards (36 CFR Part 61: Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation). To identify potentially significant resources within the project’s area of potential effect (APE), we conducted background research and completed a cultural resources survey. Background research conducted on Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources GIS website identified no previously recorded archaeological sites or historic resources within the project tract. In addition, no previously recorded architectural resources and three previously recorded archaeological sites (two unspecified Pre-Contact lithic scatters [9CM217 and 9CM218] and one Post-Contact homestead [9CM522]) are located within a 1.0-mile (1.6-kilometer) radius of the project tract. These three archaeological sites are located well outside the boundaries of the project tract; therefore, no previously recorded cultural resources will be affected by the proposed project. Brockington conducted both an archaeological field survey and an architectural field survey within the APE of the project tract. The archaeological field survey involved systematic 30-meter-interval shovel testing and visual reconnaissance. Investigators identified no archaeological sites or isolated ­finds. The architectural fi­eld survey consisted of a visual pedestrian walkover of the project tract and its viewshed. No historic architectural resources were identi­fied within the project tract or its viewshed. The Phase I cultural resources survey of the Settlers Hammock project resulted in the identifi­cation of no archaeological sites or historic architectural resources within the APE of the project tract. No additional cultural resources management considerations are warranted for this proposed project. Therefore, we recommend cultural resources clearance for the proposed Settlers Hammock project tract.