Phase I Cultural Resources Survey for the 300-Acre Plantation Quarry Tract Warren County, Georgia

On June 8–12, 2009, Brockington and Associates, Inc. completed a Phase I cultural resources survey and evaluation of the Plantation Quarry tract near Camak in Warren County, Georgia. Archaeological field survey involved visual ground surface examination and excavation of screened shovel tests at 30-meter (100-foot) intervals across the entire project tract. Historic resources survey involved a windshield and pedestrian survey of the area of potential effects (APE), defined as the project tract and the viewshed of the project tract, for historic architectural resources. The project was carried out in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (per 36 CFR Part 800, as amended through 2004) by personnel qualified under 36 CFR Part 61. The Phase I survey was conducted across the entire project tract, located north of the intersection of Georgia Highway 80 (GA 80) and Plantation Road. The proposed project comprises 300 acres, measuring 1.0 kilometers (0.6 miles) east to west and 2.1 kilometers (1.3 miles) north to south, and falls primarily within timbered and planted pine forests. This project is intended to satisfy US Army Corps of Engineers–Savannah District and Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (Department of Natural History, Historic Preservation Division) requirements for Section 404 Clean Water Act permitting, by identifying archaeological resources within the property boundaries and assessing eligibility for inclusion of encountered archaeological resources on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) according to the criteria set forth by 36 CFR Part 63. No previously recorded archaeological sites within the project tract were identified during background research, though 12 previously recorded archaeological sites were identified within a 1.6-kilometer (1.0- mile) radius of the project tract. Nine of these sites are recommended ineligible for the NRHP, and three sites are historic cemeteries. None of these previously recorded archaeological sites are impacted by the current proposed project. Prior to this survey, no historic resources had been identified within a 1.6-kilometer (1.0-mile) radius of the project tract. During fieldwork, 1,451 screened shovel tests were spaced at 30-meter (100- foot) intervals along 66 transects placed throughout the tract according to landforms, wetlands, and disturbance patterns. In areas where the slope exceeded 20 percent, visual surface inspection was used to supplement shovel tests. During this survey, we identified four previously unrecorded archaeological sites (9WR68, 9WR69, 9WR70, and 9WR71) and two isolated finds (Isolates 1 and 2). Isolate 1 is a single ironstone sherd. Isolate 2 is a quartz projectile point tool. Isolates are generally not considered eligible for the NRHP, and neither of these isolates indicates further research potential. We recommend that Isolate 1 and Isolate 2 be considered not eligible for inclusion on the NRHP. Site 9WR68 is a small scatter of nineteenth- and twentieth-century artifacts, primarily along a roadbed. The artifacts all appear to have been disturbed and redeposited, and the site itself is nearly entirely within the road. Brockington recommends 9WR68 not eligible for the NRHP. Site 9WR69 is composed of three whiteware sherds, possibly redeposited. Brockington recommends 9WR69 not eligible for the NRHP. Site 9WR70 is likely a late historic or modern rubbish dump or transient camp, and is composed of a metal pail, machine-made glass bottles and a milkglass jar, and aluminum pull-tab cans. Site 9WR70 is entirely a surface scatter and does not appear to hold substantial research potential. Brockington recommends 9WR70 not eligible for the NRHP. Site 9WR71 is composed of a rock pile. No artifacts were located in shovel tests or on the surface near or at 9WR71. Clay subsoil is present at the ground surface at 9WR71, and there is evidence of significant disturbance through successive phases of logging and pine planting. Further, 9WR71 is likely of recent origin and was likely formed by loggers, foresters, or potentially farmers. Brockington recommends 9WR71 not eligible for the NRHP. The historic resources field survey identified four previously unrecorded resources within the APE but outside the project tract (the Weston Brooker Spur, the Georgia Railroad [now CSX], the residence at 229 East Railroad Street, and Camak Methodist Church). The Weston Brooker Spur is an intact railroad spur constructed circa 1930 to provide rail access to the Georgia Railroad for the Weston and Brooker Quarry, located four miles northeast of Camak. The Weston Brooker Spur is located along the southeastern border of the project tract. The Georgia Railroad (now CSX) is also located along the southeastern border of the project tract, and was constructed circa 1837. The residence at 229 East Railroad Street is a Georgian cottage constructed circa 1900. The structure is located just south of the project tract. Camak Methodist Church, located across GA 80 to the southeast of the project tract, was constructed in 1870 and rebuilt in 1875 and 1887. All four newly recorded historic resources are recommended eligible for inclusion on the NRHP. The two railroad properties (the Weston Brooker Spur and the Georgia Railroad [now CSX]) are not adversely affected by the proposed project. Visual impacts should be considered in relation to the residence at 229 East Railroad Street and Camak Methodist Church. The proposed development should avoid entrance or exit roads in the vicinity of the two resources, and a vegetative buffer of at least 30 meters (100 feet) should be left to screen the historic resources from the proposed development. In summary, Brockington and Associates, Inc., identified four archaeological sites (9WR68, 9WR69, 9WR70, and 9WR71), two isolated finds, and four historic architectural resources within the APE for the proposed Plantation Quarry. Of these resources, we recommend that the four historic architectural resources be considered eligible for inclusion on the NRHP. We recommend that the remaining resources are NRHP-ineligible. The two railroad properties (the Weston Brooker Spur and the Georgia Railroad [now CSX]) are not adversely affected by the proposed project. Visual impacts should be considered in relation to the residence at 229 East Railroad Street and Camak Methodist Church. The proposed development should avoid entrance or exit roads in the vicinity of the two resources, and a vegetative buffer of at least 30 meters (100 feet) should be left to screen the historic resources from the proposed development. Beyond these results, we find no other cultural resources issues of concern and recommend that the undertaking be allowed to proceed.