Phase 1 Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Redwine Road SRTS Multi-Use Path Infrastructure Project, Fayette County, Georgia

During April and May 2010, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of the proposed location for the Redwine Road Safe Routes To School (SRTS) Multi-Use Path Infrastructure Project (GDOT Project CSSRS-000900(440), P.I. # 0009440). The project corridor is located in Peachtree City in Fayette County, Georgia. The survey area includes 9,560 linear feet of multi-use trail in existing right-of-way (ROW), and an additional 100-foot extended survey corridor (ESC) beyond the ROW. 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 ESC so that potential effects to any resources identified could be evaluated in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. 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 there are 12 previously identified archaeological sites within a 1-kilometer radius of the project area. Three of these sites, 9FY10, 9FY15, and 9FY16, are located within or partially within the area surveyed for the current project. The site forms for 9FY 10 and 9FY 15 recommended the sites eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) based on twentieth century historic structures, but the associated survey report recommended that the archaeological components be considered ineligible (Webb and Doolin 1994). Site 9FY16, a twentieth century historic isolate with possible well features, was recommended ineligible for the NRHP. The portions of 9FY10 and 9FY15 in the survey area were revisited and subjected to shovel testing. The structures at both locations have been removed, and the site areas have been graded to red clay subsoil. Shovel testing and surface reconnaissance at both locations found no archaeological evidence. Site 9FY16 is located entirely in the surveyed area. Shovel testing and surface reconnaissance within the site boundaries found no archaeological evidence for the site. The survey found no additional archaeological sites in the APE or in the 100-foot ESC. The three previously recorded sites were found to be completely destroyed within the survey boundaries, and no evidence for them was identified. It is recommended that the portions of 9FY10 and 9FY 15 in the study area be considered as non-contributing to their eligibility recommendation. Since previously recorded portions of these sites beyond the current study parameters could not be evaluated, they are recommended overall as of unknown eligibility for the NRHP. It is recommended that 9FY16 be considered ineligible for the NRHP. EPEI recommends that the Redwine Road Multi-Use Trail project be allowed to proceed as designed.