PHASE I ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR THE NORTH OCONEE RIVER BRIDGE PROJECT, CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA

On May 9, 2018, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey for the proposed bridge replacement of State Route (SR) 10/ United States (US) 78 bridge over the North Oconee River, in Clarke County, Georgia (Georgia Department of Transportation [GDOT] P.I. No. 0013806; and HP No. 170727-003). EPEI was contracted by Gresham Smith Partners (GSP) to locate and evaluate archaeological resources within an Environmental Survey Boundary (ESB), which includes all potential areas of disturbance from construction, including easement staging areas. The project area is approximately 442.5 meters long and 138 meters wide, and encompasses a portion of US 78 from Oconee Street to Oak Street, over the North Oconee River. The actual Area of Potential Effect (APE) will likely be reduced as the project design progresses. Identified resources were evaluated in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Prior to the commencement of fieldwork, a search of the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) and Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS) was made for previously recorded sites within 1 kilometer of the survey area. Twelve previously recorded archaeological sites, 9CA67, 9CA79, 9CA86, 9CA116, 9CA119, 9CA131, 9CA132, 9CA175, 9CA182, 9CA200, 9CA207, and 9CA216, were identified by this review; one of these sites, 9CA86, was located within the current survey area. The site file search also found that three previous archaeological investigations intersected with the ESB of the current survey area.

No new archaeological sites were identified during the Phase I archaeological survey for the proposed bridge replacement of SR 10/ US 78 over the North Oconee River in Clarke County, Georgia. One previously recorded site, 9CA86, was revisited; however, shovel testing could not be conducted due to the presence of extensive paved surfaces and residential structures. Previous investigations located several quartz flakes within the site’s boundary. Site 9CA86 is fully bounded within the ESB of the current survey area, and the site boundary measures approximately 51 by 26 meters (167 by 85 feet) based upon information from the site form. No artifacts were recovered during this Phase I survey, but it cannot be demonstrated that the site has been completely destroyed. EPEI recommends 9CA86 has an unknown eligibility under Criterion D. Due to the nature of the site and proposed project, no further work is recommended at this time. In addition, an Environmentall Sensitive Area (ESA) is not recommended at this time. Should plans show disturbances to pavement and gravel over the site, an ESA should be established to protect unknown portions of the site within the survey area. No further archaeological work is recommended for the SR 10/ US 78 bridge replacement over the North Oconee River. If the project design change to include areas not covered by the current survey, then additional Phase I archaeological survey would be necessary.