Phase I Intensive Cultural Resources Survey of 26-acres along Bryan County Fisherman’s Co-Op Road Bryan County, Georgia

Between January 27 and January 29, 2020, Brockington and Associates, Inc. (Brockington) conducted a Phase I cultural resources survey for the Bryan Fisherman’s Co-Op Road project tract in Bryan County, Georgia. The investigation consisted of an archaeological survey of the 26-acre project tract, and an architectural survey of the project tract and its surrounding viewshed. This cultural resources investigation was carried out for Thomas & Hutton Engineering Co. of Savannah, Georgia, in partial fulfilment of guidelines established for Section 404 of the Clean Water Act permit. The proposed public recreation development of the Bryan County Fisherman’s Co-Op Road property tract includes the repair and reuse of a dock in Kilkenny Creek, the construction of a boat ramp, and additional parking at the end of Bryan County Fisherman’s Co-Op Road. Proposed development will directly impact soils that will be mechanically graded, cut, and filled for the proposed project tract. Secondary impacts will occur primarily from the movement of heavy machinery in the tract. Types of impacts may include removal and relocation of soils, clearing of vegetation, and filling activities. Background research conducted on Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS) revealed no previously recorded cultural resources (i.e., archaeological sites or historic resources) within the project tract. Archaeological field investigations consisted of 30-meter-interval shovel testing and pedestrian survey within our defined Area of Potential Effects (APE) of the project tract. The architectural survey entailed a viewshed analysis of all potentially historic buildings, structures, and landscape features in the vicinity of the proposed project. Our field investigations identified that much of the project tract is situated in low-lying sandy flats, depressions, and draisnages, with predominantly hydric soils. These conditions are not optimal for past settlements and intact archaeological site locations. Our field investigation identified one archaeological site (9BN1616) which is recommended not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). No historic architectural resources were identified within the project tract or its viewshed. Therefore, no additional cultural resources management considerations are warranted for this project, and we recommend cultural resources clearance for the proposed Bryan County Fisherman’s Co-Op Road project tract.