Cultural Resources Survey of the Georgia Pacific Plant Development

From November 27 through December 1, 2006, Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted a cultural resources survey of the approximately 243-acre Georgia-Pacific Tract. The project area is situated in the northwest portion of Chatham County, to the west of Garden City and southeast of the Savannah International Airport. Dean Forest Road (State Route 370) borders the project area to the west, the abandoned Central of Georgia of Railway defines the tract to the south, the existing Georgia-Pacific facility borders the tract to the east, and the Pipe Makers Canal defines the northwest corner (see Figures 1-2). Center Point Properties, Inc. is proposing a redesign and enhancement of the warehouse facilities for the Georgia-Pacific Plant currently on site. This cultural resources survey was carried out in compliance to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 CFR 320-330) and the Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended) and 36 CFR 800. Center Point Properties, Inc. commissioned this survey to identify and provide information regarding cultural resources present within and around the tract, and how the future use of the tract may affect historic properties (cultural resources such as sites, buildings, structures, objects, or districts listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places [NRHP]). The Phase I archaeological survey consisted of 644 shovel tests placed systematically throughout the tract. Two archaeological sites and one isolated find were identified in the project tract and were recommended NRHP-ineligible. No evidence of subsurface features was encountered in any shovel test. Years of plowing, timbering activities (silviculture) and the industrial use of the site have altered this landscape significantly, while causing extensive damage, wear and possible displacement to the artifacts. The integrity of the materials, their location, and their associations have been severely compromised. The potential for intact subsurface features to be present within each site is very low. These sites cannot generate additional information concerning the past settlement patterns or land use practices in Chatham County. Additional investigation of these archaeological sites is unlikely to generate information concerning the occupations represented and the unknown in the area. There are three historic resources within the project area's Area of Potential effect (APE). Pipe Maker's Canal defines the northwest corner and the former Central of Georgia Railroad serves as the southern boundary. The Georgia-Pacific Plant, constructed 1940s-1970s, is situated in the southwest corner. The circa 1834 Pipe Maker's Canal and the circa 1840s Central of Georgia Railway Bed are both recommended eligible for the NRHP. The only architectural resource in the project tract is the Georgia-Pacific Plant, which we recommend not eligible for the NRHP. Proposed developments will not impact either of the two NRHP eligible properties, the Pipe Makers Canal and the Central of Georgia Railway.