Archeological Survey of the Proposed Braselton to Sharon Church 230kV Transmission Line, Barrow and Jackson Counties, Georgia

This report presents the results of an intensive archeological survey performed by Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. in northern Barrow and southeastern Jackson Counties, where the Georgia Transmission Corporation wishes to construct the proposed Braselton to Sharon Church 230 kV Transmission Line. The goal of the survey was to locate and evaluate any archeological resources that may be adversely affected by the construction of the substation. The survey was undertaken in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. The area of potential effect for the project consists of a corridor approximately 3.7 km (2.3 mi) long and 15 m (50 ft) wide, all of which abuts State Route 124. The corridor leads from an existing substation just west of the town of Braselton in Jackson County westward across the Mulberry River to a proposed substation site just east of State Route 211 in Barrow County. The corridor is heavily developed with large trucking/warehouse facilities, and just over 60 percent of the corridor has been heavily graded. The project area was surface searched and shovel tested to locate evidence of archeological sites. Two historic period house sites were recorded, along with an isolated prehistoric artifact and remnants of two earlier bridges over Mulberry Creek. None of these resources are recommended as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Thus, we conclude that the construction of the proposed transmission line will have no effect to significant archeological resources and should be granted clearance to proceed.