Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of 87 Acres At The Jelks Tract

Between 10 and 14 May 2010, Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted a Phase I cultural resources survey of a proposed project area totaling 87 acres within the Jelks tract in Liberty County, Georgia. This investigation was carried out for Thomas & Hutton Engineering Co., through a subcontract with Resource and Land Consultants, LLC. This cultural resources study is intended to satisfy Savannah District, US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (Department of Natural History, Historic Preservation Division [HPD]) requirements for Section 404 Clean Water Act permitting. The proposed undertaking involves the construction of a new boat dock, floating boat dock, boat launch, parking area, and two boardwalk complexes, to be contained within the project area. The total project area of 87 acres consists of seven distinct survey parcels grouped in three separate sub-areas. The northern sub-area includes the proposed dock, floating dock, boat launch, and parking area located within two survey parcels (six and 10 acres); the central sub-area includes a proposed boardwalk traversing four hammocks (0.4, 13, 29, and 22 acres); and the southern sub-area includes a proposed boardwalk traversing one hammock (seven acres). Brockington conducted background research and cultural resources survey to identify potentially significant cultural resources within the project's area of potential effect (APE). The APE for archaeological resources was defined as the boundary of the proposed project areas, including the entirety of hammocks to be accessed by boardwalks. The APE for architectural resources was defined as the proposed project areas and the potential viewshed from these areas. Brockington identified and documented cultural resources within the APE and assessed their eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), according to the criteria set forth by 36 CFR Part 63. The architectural resources survey identified no new or previously identified historic resources that would or may be affected by the proposed project. Archaeological background research conducted on NAHRGIS identified no previously recordedarchae1logical sites within or adjacent to the APE for the proposed project. Additionally, no previously recorded archaeological sites are located with a 1.6-km (one-mile) radius of the project areas. The archaeological resources survey !verified that much of the project area has been only moderately or minimally disturbed, primarily by silviculture activities and natural erosion processes along the coastline and adjacent to wetland areas. During this investigation, Brockington recorded three sites (Sites 9LI182f, 9LI1824, and 9LI1825) and one isolate (Isolate 1). Isolate 1 is comprised of a single brick fragment located in the hydric soils on the periphery of a hammock in the eastern portion of the project area. Isolates are generally not considered eligible for the NRHP, and no further management of Isolate 1 is warranted. Site 9LI1823 is a prehistoric, protohistoric/contact period] and historic artifact scatter. The site is situated across the southern portion of a hammock, surrounded by marsh, and contains Early to Middle Woodland (Refuge-Deptford), Middle to Late Woodland (Wilmington, Ste. Cathe1nes), and Protohistoric/Contact (Altamaha) components, as well as nondiagnostic lithic debitage and shell. The historic component consists of a metal fragment and porcelain sherd, and appears to represent an ephemeral occupation or redeposited items. A blue bead was recovered along with both Ste. Catherines and Altamaha sherds in a single shovel test, and may represent Guale interactions with European populations. The site represents multiple habitations, possibly extended camps occupied during multiple periods. The site appears minimally disturbed by historic and modern effects. Site 9LI1823 represents an extensive multicomponent prehistoric and Contact period occupation. We recommend 9LI1823 potentially eligible for the NRHP. Effects to 9LI1823 should be avoided; if avoidance is not possible or not feasible, we recommend Phase II testing to determine NRHP eligibility. Site 9LI1824 consists of a residual sherd and a chert flake recovered from two shovel tests. The site is located in the central portion of a hammock east of the proposed parking area and bridge in the northwest portion of the project area, along the proposed location of a path to a dock on the Newport River. Though the site likely represents an ephemeral occupation of some sort, likely a very short-term camp, the site appears to have been substantially disturbed or potentially never contained extensive cultural deposits. 9LI1824 is recommended not eligible for the NRHP. Site 9LI1825 is located in the southern portion of a hammock in the central southeastern portion of the project area. The site consists of a shell lens and ceramic scatter. Artifacts recovered from five shovel tests indicate both Woodland (Refuge) and Protohistoric/ Contact (Altamaha) occupations. These occupations likely represent short-term camps, possibly for marine resource procurement. The two occupational components are mixed and are not distinguishable. 9LI1825 is recommended not eligible for the NRHP.