Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted Phase I archaeological survey of the proposed replacement of the southbound State Route (SR) 4/United States (US) 1 bridge over South Prong Creek in Richmond County, Georgia, located southwest of the city of Augusta. The project was conducted under contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966. EPEI conducted fieldwork on April 10 and June 28, 2017. The criteria for eligibility and procedures for listing resources on the Georgia Register of Historic Places are identical to those of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP); hence, NRHP eligibility will be referred to throughout this report. The GDOT report summary table (Table 0.1) appears below.
Review of existing records indicated there were three previously recorded sites within the survey area, 9RI181, 9RI182, and 9RI183. Surveyors revisited the previously recorded site locations and successfully identified deposits or features associated with sites 9RI181 and 9RI183. Nothing related to site 9RI182 could be identified within the survey area, and the landform appears to have been heavily modified since it was recorded. Site 9RI181 is a sparse lithic and historic artifact scatter recommended ineligible for NRHP inclusion. Site 9RI183 is an early-middle twentieth century historic mill site on South Prong Creek with an intact earthen and concrete dam forming Ellis Pond. Site 9RI183 was recommended potentially eligible and of indeterminate eligibility when first recorded. EPEI’s revisit of 9RI183 was limited to the current survey area and the crew was unable to investigate the entire recorded boundary of the site. However, the site has enough data potential to be recommended eligible. EPEI altered the site boundary to better reflect the location of features and deposits at 9RI183, which situates the site outside of the APE. No further archaeological investigation is recommended. The establishment of Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) via orange barrier fencing is recommended in order to prevent adverse effects to site 9RI I 81 and 9RI 183 beyond the APE.
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