On behalf Greenland Developers, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an archaeological survey for the proposed Highway 21 Rincon Assemblage in Effingham County, Georgia. The proposed project includes the construction of five warehouses and associated infrastructure. The structures will range in size from 220,000 to 1,061,000 square feet.
All work was conducted in support of Greenland Developers’ anticipated application requirements for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) permit in accordance with 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 325, Appendix C (Processing Department of Army Permits: Procedures for the Protection of Historic Properties, Final Rule 1990, with current Interim Guidance Documents dated April 25, 2005 and January 31, 2007), and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 United States Code [USC] 470) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR 800). All investigations were conducted in accordance with the State of Georgia archeology standards.
The investigation was conducted between July 23 and 27, 2022, and included a thorough pedestrian inspection coupled with the excavation of 99 shovel tests within the project boundaries. No archaeological sites, isolated artifacts, or historic structural remains were encountered within the project area. Two previously identified historic structures are located outside the current study tract on the western side of Route 21, but within the visual range. Both of these resources have been deemed eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). According to current proposed plans, the buildings will be single-story (approximately 50-feet in height) and set back from the eastern edge of Route 21 with load and unloading occurring from the back of the buildings. A 50-foot set back with natural vegetation is also proposed. It is unlikely the proposed development will adversely affect the nearby historic properties.
In accordance with Section 106 of the NHPA (36 CFR 800.4), SWCA has made a reasonable and good faith effort to identify historic properties within the proposed project area. Based on the results of this investigation, SWCA recommends a finding of NO HISTORIC PROPERTIES AFFECTED (per 36 CFR 800.4[d][1]) within the proposed project area.
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