Phase I Archaeological Survey for the Proposed - Center Point 230/115 - KV Transmission Line, Whitfield and Catoosa Counties, Georgia

TRC conducted a Phase I archaeological survey for this proposed West Ringgold-Center Point TVA transmission line project from July 10-21, 2000. The project area consists of an approximately 18-mile-long and 100- to 150-foot-wide corridor for a new transmission line, as well as an approximately 65-acre tract slated for the construction of the Center Point substation and its associated access road. During the survey, two previously recorded archaeological sites (9CT13 and 9CT16) were reexamined, and a total of 16 new prehistoric and historic archaeological sites were identified. Of these, a total of 11 are recommended as potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), five are recommended as ineligible, and two could not be evaluated at the present time. Seven isolated finds also were discovered; due to their low research potential, they are recommended as ineligible for the NRHP. TRC recommends that the 11 sites recommended as potentially eligible be preserved in place. If construction plans prohibit avoidance, then Phase II archaeological testing is recommended for these locations to evaluate their NRHP eligibility. Two sites, 9CT16 and 9CT82, appear to be deeply buried, and deep testing methods should be applied to their locations if proposed construction plans (such as tower placement) warrant such action. Due to the fact that large sections of the project area are located in the floodplain of East Chickamauga Creek, and that shovel testing may not have identified all archaeological sites present, TRC also recommends that once project construction plans are finalized, structure locations within the floodplain areas be examined for their potential for deeply buried archaeological deposits.