Preliminary Assessment of the Archeological and Endangered Species Potential of a 3000 Acre Tract, Fort Benning, Georgia

Based largely on existing data bases concerning archeological sites and endangered species, but also relying on two days of cursory field inspection, we have formulated an assessment of the potential for significant archeological sites and endangered species occurring in a 3000 ac tract at the northern end of Fort Benning. About one third of the tract had already been archeologically surveyed and 58 archeological sites have been recorded in these areas. Of these about ten may be significant and warrant avoidance or further work. Virtually all significant sites occur on terraces or other landforms near the floodplain of Bull Creek and its major tributaries. For the most part significant archeological sites lie below 330 ft in elevation. In regard to endangered species, only a cursory survey was conducted and only red Cockaded woodpeckers and gopher tortoises were actually surveyed. The focus of the survey was constructing a vegetation (habitat) map of the tract that could be used to predict red-Cockaded woodpecker habitat. Both species were found to occur in the tract, although in small numbers, and more importantly, large portions of the tract are suitable foraging habitat for the red cockaded woodpecker. Almost two-thirds of the uplands (non-wetlands) would be classified as appropriate habitat for the woodpecker ( > 50 % pines 30 years in age), and almost half of the uplands is capable of containing nesting (cavity) trees (generally > 60 years in age). The tract could contain about five to ten other endangered species, including plants, fish, reptiles and bats. In regard to industrial development of the tract, which presumably would avoid the wetlands, archeology appears not to be a major factor, as most significant sites would occur near the wetlands and could probably be avoided and protected. Significant sites that cannot be avoided probably can be excavated, and thus taken care of, without tremendous expense. Endangered species, especially the red-Cockaded woodpecker, present a much greater obstacle to development. While it is possible to formulate a mitigation plan where some habitat is destroyed for development and other habitat is created, this is a complex, lengthy procedure requiring a great deal of study and rigorous public and regulatory review. It is very difficult to predict how state and federal review agencies will react to such plans. Based on conversations with Fort Benning and US Fish and Wildlife personnel, it is our opinion that review agencies (principally US Fish and Wildlife) will pursue a policy of allowing no encroachment on woodpecker habitat. The issue of suitable foraging habitat for the red-Cockaded woodpecker is complicated by the fact that much of the potential habitat we identified is barely suitable because of understory vegetation, which could be relatively easily removed to create excellent habitat. Acquisition of the 3000 ac tract will require an initial description of the project prepared by the lead federal agency, which we presume will be the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Savannah District. An intensive archeological survey (of unsurveyed portions) and a comprehensive endangered species survey will almost certainly be required. These surveys need to be coordinated with review agencies in advance. We believe that it is highly probable that the entire 6000 ac involved in the land swap will need to be surveyed. It is impossible to predict the costs of mitigation programs that may be required as a result of these surveys, but in the case of the red-Cockaded woodpeckers it could be substantial. It is our assessment that the presence of red-Cockaded woodpecker colonies and habitat on the tract will present a significant regulatory impediment to development of the tract, and at the worst could effectively prevent development on most of the tract.