Archaeological Survey for the Proposed Gum Hill 115 kV Transmission Line and Substation, Greene and Hancock Counties, Georgia

In November of 2006, Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., conducted a Phase I archeological survey of the proposed 14.3 km (8.8 mi) Gum Hill 115 kV transmission line and the 4.1 ha (10.1 ac) Gum Hill substation site in southeastern Greene and northwestern Hancock County, Georgia. Eleven sites were discovered, ten along the proposed line and one in the proposed substation. The proposed line begins on an existing transmission line just west of Veazey in Greene County, and ends on the west side of State Route 15 in Hancock County just south of its border with Greene County. Virtually the entire project area was wooded and exhibited gentle relief. About half the line runs cross country and half follows existing roads, mostly along Old Sparta Road. Most of the project area is within a geological formation of granite, and large boulders were prevalent throughout the project area. The goal of the survey was to locate and evaluate archeological sites within the area of potential effect for the proposed project (the construction of the transmission line and substation), so that potential effects to those resources could be evaluated in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Archival research showed that one archeological site had been previously recorded within the project area, many more nearby (within a kilometer) and well over a thousand within and adjacent to the nearby Lake Oconee. Prehistoric site density was known to be very high in this portion of the Oconee River watershed, especially for Late Mississippian (Lamar phase) sites. Archival research also showed that as many as 15 house sites were likely to be in or close to the project area. Our field survey discovered and recorded eleven sites, including the previously recorded site. We recommend that eight of the sites are not eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places because they are not known to be associated with persons or events important in history and because they are unlikely to yield important new information. The eligibility of three sites is unknown. These sites are fairly well preserved and have the possibility to contain features and meaningful artifact distributions that could provide new information on the lifeways of occupation of the Oconee River valley. Georgia Transmission Corporation officials have been notified of this recommendation and have been provided with detailed site location data. They will follow established procedures (such as hand clearing the corridor across the sites, banning heavy equipment traffic on the sites) for avoiding possible adverse effects to these sites. Provided that these measures are followed, we can conclude that no significant archeological resources will be adversely affected by the proposed undertaking.