Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed Redlands III Check Station Project Greene County, Georgia

Southern Research Historic Preservation Consultants, Inc. has completed a cultural resources survey of a Fiscal Year 2019 Project (Redlands III Check Station Project) within the Oconee Ranger District, Chattahoochee- Oconee National Forests. The current investigation consists of a cultural resources survey of approximately 104.4 acres in northwestern Greene County. In particular, the cultural resources survey took place in Compartment 180 (see Figure 1). It should be noted that approximately 12 acres that encompassed the USFS Magnolia Hunt Camp were exchanged for an equal number of acres immediately north of it, still within Compartment 180. This was done per the request of the Silvaculturist working with Oconee Ranger District Archaeologist Andrew Wells. 

This cultural resources survey was sponsored by the USDA Forest Service (USFS), in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations concerning the management of historic properties (i.e., archaeological sites, buildings, structures, objects, or districts listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places [NRHP]) that may be affected by ground disturbing activities on Federally-owned property. Compliance is administered through the regulatory programs of the US Forest Service and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. These laws and regulations include, but are not limited to: Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) of 1979 (93 Stat. 721, 16 U.S.C. 470aa-11) and the regulations thereof (7932 CFR 229); the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 USC 470), as amended; and 36 CFR Part 800. 

The goal of this cultural resources survey was to identify all potentially significant archaeological and historical resources within the survey area and evaluate the eligibility of the identified resources for inclusion on the NRHP using criteria established by the National Park Service (36CFR60). Mr. James Wettstaed, Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests Archaeologist, served as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for the USFS. 

Fieldwork for this project was conducted from 4 through 7 November 2019. There were no extant structures located within the project area. During the cultural resources survey, there were no previously recorded sites within the current APE, we identified four new sites (9GE3737 through 9GE3740), and USFS Archaeologist Wells identified one isolated find prior to our fieldwork commencing (IF180-1). Table 1 summarizes archaeological sites and isolated finds investigated during the survey. 

All of the sites are recommended not eligible for listing on the NRHP.