Phase 1 Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Chapel Hill Elementary School Safe Routes to School Project, Douglas County, Georgia

In late April 2010, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of the proposed infrastructure project for Coursey Lake Road at Chapel Hill Elementary School (GDOT Project CSSRS-0009-00(450), P.I. 0009450). The improvements included in this proposed project would be undertaken within existing right-of-way (ROW). The project area is located along Coursey Lake Road, between The Plantation at Dorsett Shoals and Knollview at Coursey Lake neighborhoods, in Douglas County, Georgia. The goal of the survey was to locate and evaluate archaeological sites within the Area of Potential Effect (APE) of the proposed undertaking as well as an additional 100 foot (ft) buffer, referred to here as the expanded survey corridor (ESC), so that potential effects to any resources identified could be evaluated in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) as amended. The project was conducted under a contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates. A review of The Georgia Archaeological Site Files (GASF) at The University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens showed that one previously identified archaeological site is located within a 1 kilometer (km) radius of the project area. Site 9DO9 is listed as a Late Archaic to Early Woodland artifact scatter. Its status for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is recorded as unknown. During the course of the current investigation, one archaeological site, 9DO164, was identified. Site 9DO164 is a low density lithic scatter. The site is not in the APE of the current project; it is in the ESC. A total of four non-diagnostic artifacts were recovered from three positive shovel tests. All are related to lithic reduction. Due to very low artifact density and the lack of temporal or cultural information that can be gained from the artifacts, the portion of the site in the survey area does not contribute to its NRHP eligibility because it does not possess the ability to yield additional significant information. However, as the full boundaries of 9DO164 have not been delineated, its overall NRHP eligibility is unknown. Based on the results of EPEI's survey, no further work is necessary at its location and clearance for construction is recommended for the project as currently designed.