Annual Report, FY 2001 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Heritage Program

Phase II National Register testing and evaluation was completed at three archeological sites (Sites 9SN223, 9BK444, and 9JF329) located within Screven, Burke, and Jefferson Counties, Georgia respectively. The fieldwork was conducted by R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc., in May of 2007; it was completed on behalf of Elba Express Company, a subsidiary of the El Paso Corporation. This investigation entailed supplemental cultural resources survey, site delineation, and National Register eligibility testing of Sites 9SN223, 9BK444, and 9JF329, which may be impacted by the proposed Elba Express Pipeline Project ((HPD File No. HP-060217-004)). The research was conducted to assess site stratigraphy, spatial distribution of the associated archeological deposits, and determine the nature of cultural deposits and features contained within each site area, as well as to assess the significance of the four sites applying the National Register of Historic Places criteria for evaluation (36 CFR 60.4 [a-d]). Site 9SN223 represented a mixed deposit of Middle Archaic, Late Archaic, and Woodland Period artifacts. The Phase II National Register testing and evaluation effort performed at Site 9BK444 resulted in the identification of a prehistoric component that dates from the Late Archaic/ Early Woodland Periods, while the investigation of Site 9JF329 identified a sparse Native American occupation that may date from the Middle Woodland to Protohistoric Periods. The Area of Potential Effect for the current investigation was defined as those portions of each site lying within the 91.4 m (300 ft) wide proposed pipeline corridor. Systematic pedestrian survey, shovel testing, and hand excavated units were situated throughout the Area of Potential Effect associated with each of the three sites in an effort to identify intact cultural deposits and cultural features. The results of this testing demonstrated that Sites 9SN223 and 9JF329 do not possess the qualities of significance as defined by the National Register of Historic Places criteria for evaluation (36 CFR 60.4 [a-d]). The Phase II testing and evaluation of Sites 9SN223 and 9JF329 documented an absence of depositional integrity, very low artifact density, and/or evidence of significant research potential; thus, no additional testing of these sites is recommended. In contrast, the Phase II National Register testing and evaluation of Site 9BK444 showed that the site retains research potential and that the examined intact cultural deposits may provide new and additional insights into the prehistory of the region; Site 9BK444 possesses the qualities of significance as defined by criterion D of the National Register criteria for evaluation (36 CFR 60.4). Avoidance of this site is recommended; however, should Elba Express Company, L.L.C. be unable to change or alter the proposed construction plans, then implementation of a Phase III data recovery plan is recommended.