Phase I Archaeological Resources Survey for the Proposed Coastal Heritage Multi-Use Trail

On 2 March and 4 May 2012, Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted an intensive Phase I cultural resources survey of the proposed Coastal Heritage Multi-Use Trail in Chatham County, Georgia(GDOT Project CSHPP-0007-00 [620] Chatham County; P.I. 0007620; HP 120427 -005). This report discusses only the archaeological resources recorded during this current investigation. Refer to Roberts(2012) for details concerning the historic architectural resources recorded during this investigation. The project corridor consists of the construction of a multi-use trail from US 516/US Highway80/GA Highway 26 to the east at its termination on Pritchard Street. The new pathway would be 10 feet(three meters) wide and approximately 1.5 miles (2.4kilometers) long. The project would traverse along City-owned land composed of a mix of vegetation, including grasses and secondary undergrowth, in an area surrounded by a blend of residential and industrial properties. Since the alignment of the proposed project will not deviate beyond 15 meters (SO feet)(the survey area covered by a single transect), thetypical30-meter (100-foot) expanded survey corridor(ESC) was not investigated. These investigations were carried out on behalf of Terracon, in partial fulfillment of guidelines established by Section 404of the Clean Water Act and in compliance with Section106 of the National Historic Preservation Act(as amended) by personnel qualified under 36 CFR Part 61. Background research and cultural resources survey were used to identify potentially significant resources within the project's area of potential effects (APE). Background research conducted on the Georgia Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS) did not identify any previously recorded archaeological sites within or adjacent to the APE for the proposed project. However, an additional nine previously recorded archaeological sites have been recorded within a one kilometer radius of the project corridor. However, these additional previously recorded archaeological resources are not located within an area of direct or indirect effects for the proposed project. This current field investigation surveyed the project corridor utilizing current Georgia archaeological survey methods (i.e., 30-meter interval shovel tests).Our field survey did identify one previously unrecorded archaeological site (9CH1270), the remnants of two early-to-mid-twentieth century structures that appear to have been razed in the historic past. Site 9CH1270 is not a significant archaeological resource as defined under Criterion D, and we recommend the site not eligible for the NRHP. Site 9CH1270 warrants no further management consideration. Therefore, no significant archaeological resources will be affected by the proposed Coastal Heritage Multi-Use Trail. Brockington recommends archaeological resources clearance for the proposed project.