Intensive Cultural Resources Survey and Evaluation of Alternative A-1, Proposed Eisenhower Parkway Extension, Bibb County, Georgia.

Cultural resources survey and site evaluation were conducted on 8.53 kilometers (5.3 mi) of proposed new location highway corridor (Alternative A-1), including an interchange, for the Eisenhower Parkway Extension, in Bibb County, Georgia. The proposed corridor crosses the Ocmulgee River floodplain south of Macon, Georgia, and is approximately 76 meters (250 feet) wide. These investigations were conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and were funded by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). Lauren A. Cotton (GDOT Environment/Location) completed the historic resources survey and evaluation. Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted archaeological survey and site evaluation under contract with Michael Baker Jr., Inc.(Atlanta). Records research and field investigation were undertaken during historic resources survey. Local and state repositories were examined for records of previously recorded historic structures. These efforts resulted in identification of one historic resource: Villa Court, a cat 1932 building complex consisting of a filling station/general store and seven tourist cabins. This complex is recommended eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criteria A and C at the local level of significance; project implementation is not expected to adversely affect this property, and no mitigation measures are recommended. Archaeological survey methods consisted of background research and field investigations. Archival records indicate that a number of significant prehistoric archaeological sites are located in the vicinity of the project corridor. None of these previously recorded sites will be affected by the current corridor alignment. Archaeological survey and evaluation methods consisted of 30 meter interval pedestrian coverage of all corridor sections and excavation of formal test units. Standing water and saturated soils were observed during systematic pedestrian traverse of corridor sections passing through the eastern Ocmulgee River floodplain between Interstate 16 and the Seaboard Coastline Railroad; the potential for adequate archaeological survey in this area is severely restricted. Shovel tests were excavated in all corridor sections not under standing water. Archaeological testing was conducted at two sites (9Bi73 and 9Bi74) initially judged to be potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Testing at these sites consisted of excavation of formal test units: 50 by 50 centimeters (1.64 by 1.64 ft) and 1 by 1 meters (3.28 by 3.28 It). Archaeological investigation of Alternative A-1 resulted in the discovery, recording, and evaluation of a recent municipal dump site, three isolated artifact finds, and four archaeological sites within the project corridor's area of effect (Figure 1). The western portion of the project corridor passes through the old Macon city dump, where extensive deposits of relatively recent (ca.1940 to present) domestic and industrial waste were encountered. No archaeological site designation was assigned to this area. Isolated Find B-2 consists of a chert projectile point fragment, and a chert flake found on the surface in a quarried area. Isolated Find B-3 consists of two chert flakes and a residual sherd recovered from a shovel test adjacent to a dirt road. Isolated Find E-1 is a fragment of clear bottle glass recovered from a shovel test in a pasture. Short interval shovel testing across these locations encountered no additional cultural material. Isolated Finds are not considered eligible for the NRHP. Sites 9Bi75 and 9Bi76 are light density surface and plow zone scatters of historic and prehistoric artifacts. Artifacts are mixed within the plowed field and frequency is low. There is little potential for intact subsurface deposits at 9Bi75 and 9Bi76. These sites are recommended ineligible for the NRHP; no additional investigations are recommended. Site 9Bi73 is a Late Woodland (Napier phase) and Historic Aboriginal (Ocmulgee Fields phase) site located on the Ocmulgee River floodplain. Cultural material associated with the Napier phase was recovered within a well-defined, preserved soil zone. Based on potential for intact features, 9Bi73 is recommended eligible for the NRHP under Criterion D, at the local level of significance. This site will be adversely affected by the proposed project. Avoidance/preservation is recommended. If 9Bi73 cannot be avoided, mitigation (i.e., data recovery) should be conducted in order to produce a finding of Conditional No Adverse Effect. Site 9Bi74 is a large subsurface artifact deposit dating primarily to the Late Archaic period. The presence of a variety of tool types and fire cracked rock in deposits below the plow zone indicate potential for preserved features. Site 9Bi74 is recommended eligible for the NRHP under Criterion D, at the local level of significance. This site is located within the project corridor and will be adversely affected by the proposed project. Avoidance/ preservation is recommended. If 9Bi74 cannot be avoided, mitigation (i.e., data recovery) should be conducted in order to produce a finding of Conditional No Adverse Effect. Construction monitoring will be required in currently inundated areas of the eastern Ocmulgee River floodplain. If a monitoring plan is implemented, and if avoidance/preservation or data recovery can be assured for 9Bi73 and 9Bi74, then cultural resources clearance is recommended for Alternative A-1.