Cultural Resources Survey of the 65-Acre Gum Log Wetland Mitigation Bank

From July 28 to July 30, 2008, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted a Phase I cultural resources survey of the approximately 65-acre (26.3-hectare) Gum Log Wetland Mitigation Bank in Jackson County, Georgia. The survey was conducted for Wildlands, Inc., in order to determine the effects of the project on cultural resources. Cultural resources survey was required pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 CFR 320-330), in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended through 2000), and 36 CFR 800 (Protection of Historic Properties). The project entails the establishment of a wetland and stream mitigation bank under an individual Section 404 of the Clean Water Act permit application with the US Army Corps of Engineers. Activities include replanting of native vegetation and restoration of the habitat to the lower-lying portions of the property. There should be no adverse effect to upland areas and no indirect adverse effects to any portion of the property. Most of the project area is currently hay fields and is covered with dense grasses. A mixture of mature hardwoods and scrubby, secondary vegetation fills in the areas along the seasonal drainage. The restoration of the natural wetland habitat will visually change the setting on the property. However, that visual alteration will result in the removal of the dense grasses and the restoration of a more natural, open appearance. Background research found five previously recorded sites within a 1.0-mile (1.6-km) radius of the project area. Three of these sites were located within the project area (9JK142, 9JK143, and 9JK146) and two just outside of the current project area but within the same property (9JK144 and 9JK145). However, background research found no previously recorded historic resources within a 1.0-mile (1.6-km) radius of the project area. During the archaeological fieldwork, screened shovel tests were spaced at 30-meter (100-ft) intervals along transects placed throughout the tract according to landforms, wetlands, and disturbance patterns. A visual inspection of all exposed ground surfaces was also conducted. Only one of the three sites previously recorded sites (9JK142) was relocated during our investigations, and two additional archaeological sites (9JK255 and 9JK256) were identified in the project area: Site 9JK142 (Revisit) is located adjacent to the Middle Oconee River on a large alluvial landform known by local residents as Rabbit Mount. The site included only a light scatter of surface artifacts of both lithic and ceramic materials. While the location of the site (i.e., on a hilltop above a major water source) may represent a prehistoric farmstead or very small hamlet, the soils were shallow and eroded, and there was a lack of both subsurface cultural contexts and diagnostic artifacts tying it to a specific prehistoric period. We recommend site 9JK142 not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Site 9JK255 is located approximately 160 meters south of Old Pendergrass Road at the edge of a low knoll situated above a seasonal stream. The site consists of a moderate collection of lithic and ceramic materials. None of the materials recovered were diagnostic. The site is disturbed and eroded due to cultivation and probably represents a small prehistoric farmstead or activity area. We recommend site 9JK255 not eligible for inclusion on the NRHP. Site 9JK256 is located approximately 140 meters south of Old Pendergrass Road at the edge of a low knoll situated above a seasonal stream. The site consists of a very light collection of lithic and ceramic materials. None of the materials recovered were diagnostic. The site is disturbed and eroded due to cultivation and probably represents a small activity area or hunting location. We recommend site 9JK256 not eligible for inclusion on the NRHP. No historic properties were identified during the fieldwork within the project area or within a 1.0-mile (1.6-km) radius of the project area. Sites 9JK255 and 9JK256 are in upland areas, and the proposed wetland restoration would not change the current preservation state nor increase erosion at either site. Site 9JK142 is located on the large alluvial landform (Rabbit Mount), and the proposed wetland restoration should have little effect on the current preservation state nor increase erosion at the site. However, none of these sites has been recommended eligible for the NRHP; therefore, we recommend no additional archaeological or historic structural investigations for the project at this time.