Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Raccoon Creek Transmission Line Mitchell County, Georgia

From 25 June through 29 June 2001, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted an archaeological resources survey for a proposed transmission line running generally north, from Stage Coach Road near Raccoon Creek, to its terminus just east of U.S. Highway 19 outside of River Bend in Mitchell County, near the Dougherty County line. The project corridor, covering approximately 7 miles, crosses agricultural fields, pecan groves, patches of forest, as well as existing transmission line right-of-way. This survey, conducted in compliance with all relevant federal cultural resources legislation and guidelines (e.g., National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act [NHPA], 36 CFR Part 800), consisted of background research and field survey. Earlier background research had identified one archaeological site, 9ML123, just east of the project area. This site, a historic cemetery associated with Clements Bridge Baptist Church, appears on the Sale City, GA 1974 [1983] USGS 7.5 minute topographic quadrangle. Both the church, abandoned but standing, and the cemetery are outside of the project area and will not be affected by the proposed construction. Field survey identified two archaeological sites as well as one isolated find. The first site, 9ML144, consists of a prehistoric lithic scatter located on the edge of a planted peanut field. All artifacts were located on the surface, nothing was uncovered below ground-level. The site has been disturbed by farming and therefore its integrity has been compromised. The second site, 9ML145, is composed of an historic scatter of ceramics, stoneware, glass, and brick fragments located at the edge of Georgia Highway 93 in a planted cotton field. Nothing remains of the structure associated with this site, and the owner of the land has stated that it was the remains of a tenant farmhouse which was destroyed when his family took over the property. Both 9ML144 and 9ML 145 have been disturbed to the point that they are deemed ineligible for the NRHP or further research. The isolated find consisted of a small prehistoric lithic scatter on the surface, with no other artifacts in the surrounding soil. The isolated find is also ineligible for the NRHP. Background research and field survey indicate that no significant archaeological resources will be affected by the proposed construction. We recommend archaeological resources clearance for the project.