An Archeological Survey of the Proposed Riceboro-Tradeport Industrial Park 115 kV Transmission Line, Liberty County, Georgia

In June and July 2008, Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. conducted a Phase I archeological survey of approximately 10.3 km (6.4 mi) of a proposed 115 kV transmission line corridor, approximately 3.1 ha (7.7 ac) at two proposed substations and 3.05 km (1.9 mi) of proposed access roads in Liberty County, Georgia. The survey was undertaken in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, which requires that federal agencies that fund or license projects must take into account the effects of an undertaking on significant cultural resources. The proposed transmission line mostly runs cross country, but portions follow existing roads. This portion of Liberty County is mostly wooded and undeveloped, except for the southern terminus at the outskirts of Riceboro and the northern terminus near Interstate Highway 95. Consequently, the archeological survey primarily relied on shovel testing to detect sites. We discovered and recorded ten archeological sites and noted the previously documented presence of three more sites in the project area (9L1295, 91,11160 and 9L11161). All but two of the sites are in the corridor of the proposed transmission line. One of the previously recorded sites, historic plantation site 9LI1161, was recommended as eligible for the National Register, and we concur with this assessment. The other two previously recorded sites, 9LI295 and 9LI1160, were recommended as not eligible for the National Register, and we concur with these assessments. Of the ten sites newly discovered by the present survey, we recommend that two are potentially eligible (9LI1638 and 9LI1641) and the other eight are not eligible for the National Register (Table 1). Site 9LI1638 is a dense scatter of early to mid-nineteenth century artifacts associated with the early town of Riceboro and site 9LI1641 is a prehistoric and late eighteenth to nineteenth century site. Non-site historic resources, such as the Old Sunbury Road, the former Florida, Central and Peninsula Railroad and rice fields in marshes were evaluated for potential impacts, and there will be none. The three sites recommended as potentially eligible for listing in the National Register will need additional archaeological work to firmly determine eligibility status or will require special procedures to minimize harm to them. The three will be affected differently by the project. Site 91,11161, the previously recorded plantation site, could be affected by one of the proposed access roads, which is slated to bisect the site on an existing road/driveway through the site. Site 9LI1638, a portion of the early nineteenth century town of Riceboro, will have 180 m of transmission line and at least one structure (pole) within its boundaries, perhaps as many as three. Site 9LI1641, a prehistoric and early nineteenth century house site, will be affected mainly by a structure (pole) and guy wires at a turn in the line. We recommend a program of archeological testing at the specific points of physical impact and the adoption of a set of existing, approved guidelines for constructing transmission lines across sites without creating adverse effects. Specifically, we recommend the following: 91,11161 Ensure that the access road through this site (an existing road) does not result in earth disturbance within site boundaries. This will require hand clearing of vegetation (mainly undergrowth and low hanging limbs), no grading or filling and a provision in the construction plans that bans earth disturbing activity (deeper than 6 inches) within the site. 9LI1638 - Excavate a 2-x-2-m test unit at the pole location(s) (stub pole and guy wires are in disturbed portion of site); hand clear corridor through site; ensure no earth disturbance of site deeper than 6 inches during construction. 9LI1641 - Excavate 1-x-1-m test units at guy wire anchor locations; hand clear the portion of site within project corridor; ensure no earth disturbance of site deeper than 6 inches during construction. If the above-described measures are implemented, there should be no adverse effects to any of the potentially eligible sites. The testing may gather enough information to make a definitive assessment of site eligibility, but this is unlikely since the testing is narrowly focused on the footprint of the project, and not the entire site.