Baker Highway - Langboard 115/25kV Transmission Line Coffee and Atkinson Counties and the College Avenue Substation, Pierce County

Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC) proposes to construct the 17-mile long Baker Highway - Langboard 1 15/25 kV Transmission Line, which will begin south of the city of Douglas in Coffee County, Georgia and terminate south of Willacoochee in Atkinson County, Georgia, and the College Avenue Substation in Pierce County, Georgia. Greenhorne & O'Mara, Inc. (G&O) conducted an archaeological survey of the areas to be affected by the construction of these facilities during the month of December 1999. The survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended through 1992 (16 U.S.C. 470). The survey documented the presence or absence of archaeological resources potentially eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The scope of the project included background research, archaeological field survey, artifact analysis, and evaluation of the potential NRHP eligibility of any archaeological resources identified within the project area. All work was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (GaSHPO 1993). Background research indicated that portions of the project area possessed a combination of environmental factors conducive to prehistoric settlement and were thus considered high probability areas for prehistoric archaeological sites. In addition, historic maps indicated a high probability for historic archaeological resources, especially in areas near the existing roadways. A large portion of the 17-mile long corridor was in agricultural use or possessed surface visibility of 50 percent or greater, and was subject to pedestrian reconnaissance. No cultural materials, other than late 20`" century debris, were identified in these areas. A total of 82 shovel test units were excavated along the remainder of the corridor. No cultural materials were identified in any of these excavations. The majority of the College Avenue Substation parcel was agricultural and was subjected to pedestrian reconnaissance. Three shovel test units were also excavated within the College Avenue Substation parcel. No cultural materials were identified in this area. Because no potentially significant archaeological resources were identified during this survey, no further archaeological investigations are recommended within the project area. It is concluded that the proposed construction of the Baker Highway - Langboard 1 15/25 kV Transmission Line and the College Avenue Substation will have no effect on significant archaeological resources.