A Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed Doles Tap 115 kV Transmission Line Worth County, Georgia

Oglethorpe Power Corporation contracted with Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. to conduct an intensive cultural resources survey of a proposed 8.6 km (5.3 mi) transmission line in northern Worth County. The proposed line almost entirely parallels state and county roads. The purpose of the survey was to locate and evaluate the significance of all cultural resources (archeological sites and standing historic structures) that might be affected by the construction and maintenance of the line. Careful surface inspection and the excavation of 49 shovel tests led to the discovery of four sites and six artifact occurrences (a small number of artifacts out of context). Two of the sites are scatters of historic and prehistoric material, one is a twentieth century house site and one is a sparse prehistoric lithic scatter. One site, 9Wo14, is actually just outside of the proposed right-of-way. The historic sites consist of dispersed artifactual remains of houses that have been razed, while the prehistoric sites are very sparse scatters of stone debitage and tools. All four sites have been extensively disturbed by plowing or tree planting. It is the opinion of the principal investigator that none of the sites meet the criteria of eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places and that no further work needs to be conducted at any of them. Seven standing structures that are older than 50 years are within view of the proposed line and were also evaluated for eligibility to the National Register. It is the opinion of consulting architectural historian Dr. William Chapman that none of the structures are eligible to the National Register. It is the opinion of the principal investigator that no significant (potentially eligible) cultural resources will be impacted by the proposed transmission line and that in regard to cultural resources, the project should be granted clearance to proceed. Site Summary Site Number Components Condition Recommended Eligible? 9Wo8 L 19th-E 20th Plowed no Prehistoric lithic 9Wo9 prehistoric lithic Plowed no 9Wo13 20th century partially no bulldozed 9Wo14 L 19th-E 20thPlowed no Paleoindian