An Intensive Cultural Resource Assessment Survey of the Georgia Central Railway, L.P. (GCLP), Rail Spur, Chatham County, Georgia

In November and December 2019, Environmental Services, Inc., (ESI) conducted a cultural resource assessment survey of the proposed Georgia Central Railway, L.P. (GCLP) Rail Spur in Pooler, Chatham County, Georgia (Figure 1.1). The project purpose is for the expansion of a railroad spur for the GCLP owned railroad, also called the Seaboard Coast Line and Georgia Central Railroad. The project area mostly includes the northern Right-of-Way (ROW), with a small portion on the southern side of the ROW (See APPENDIX A for Project Plans). The project includes a total of 6.18-acres. The survey was conducted on behalf of Coleman Company, Inc., in anticipation of complying with USACE - Savannah District (SAS-2018-00581 ).

The goals of the investigation were to locate all historic properties, including archaeological sites, within the project area, and to assess their significance and potential eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as mandated by federal laws and guidelines (Code of Federal Regulations [CFR], Title 36, Chapter VIII, Part 800 [36 CFR 800]). The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, requires cultural resource assessments on all projects that involve federal assistance, licensing, and/or permitting. The effect of a project on cultural resources must be taken into consideration, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation must be afforded an opportunity to comment on such effects. In order to meet these objectives, an intensive cultural resource assessment survey was conducted by ESI, the results of which are reported herein.

The proposed project includes constructing of a new rail spur along the northern side of the ROW, extending from approximately S. Ash Street and S. Oak Street to the east of the Hardin Canal, to connect to an existing rail spur. The project includes the construction of the new switch, the new rail spur along the northern ROW, the existing rail connection, and the culvert replacement. The culvert work within the Hardin Canal will include the removal of one ~60" concrete culvert to be replaced with a double S'xlO' concrete box culvert. This culvert replacement may include the replacement and removal of the rails, cross ties, ballast, sub-ballast, and subgrade for the main rail line. The new double S'xl O' concrete box culvert will include the existing railroad and the new rail spur.

The field investigation consisted of a thorough pedestrian inspection coupled with subsurface testing (n=49) at 30-meter intervals throughout the study tract. Shovel tests measured 30 cm in diameter and were excavated to a depth of at least 80-cm below surface whenever possible. All soil was screened using ¼ inch mesh. The current study resulted in no new cultural resources identified from. In addition, the Hardin Canal (9CHI029 & 9CH1454) was also encountered and assessed during the current study. The overall canal has been deemed eligible for NRHP listing, however, it will not be adversely affected by the proposed project. Fieldwork was conducted by Joshua Newman and Neal MacClyment under the direction of Brent Handley, who served as Principal Investigator.