Douglas-Baker Highway 115/25 kV Substation and Transmission Line Coffee County, Georgia

Georgia Transmission Corporation proposes to construct the four-mile long Douglas - Baker Highway 115/25 kV Transmission Line and Baker Highway Substation located near the city of Douglas in Coffee County, Georgia. An archaeological resources 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 preliminary evaluation of the NRHP eligibility of any archaeological resources identified. 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, a previous archaeological investigation identified two historic archaeological sites along the existing transmission line (Georgia Archaeological Site Files). Neither of these sites were recommended eligible for the NRHP in the previous study. In addition, an historic map indicated a high probability for historic archaeological resources, especially in areas near the existing roadways. A quarter of the four-mile long corridor was in agricultural use and was subject to pedestrian reconnaissance. No cultural materials were identified in these areas. A total of 186 shovel test units were excavated at 30 meter intervals along the remainder of the corridor. No cultural materials were identified in any of these excavations. An additional six shovel test units were excavated within the Baker Highway Substation. No cultural materials were identified in this area as well. 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 Douglas - Baker Highway 115/25 kV transmission line and the Baker Highway substation will have no effect on significant archaeological resources.