Initial Cultural Resources Evaluation of the Lake Blackshear Project (FERC #659), Crisp, Dooly, Lee, Sumter and Worth Counties, Georgia

The Crisp County Power Commission (CCPC) intends to renew their Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for operating the Lake Blackshear Project (FERC No. 659). Devine Tarbell & Associates, Inc., (DT A; formerly Framatome ANP, Inc.) contracted with Brockington and Associates, Inc. , to compile an initial evaluation of the project's cultural resources. Background research revealed that the hydroelectric facility was identified as a potentially significant cultural resource, but a detailed evaluation of the facility had not been conducted. An archaeological survey was conducted at Lake Blackshear in 1973-74 during a major drawdown. Over two hundred archaeological sites were identified within the project boundaries, including the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listed Cannon Site (9CP I 08); this Late Woodland site is located on a small island in the lake. In the early 1970s, archaeologists noted severe sheet erosion at a majority of the archaeological sites (now inundated), and the likelihood of intact archaeological contexts was considered poor. Archaeological field investigations by Brockington and Associates, Inc. , included a reconnaissance of the lake shoreline within the FERC Project boundary and FERC Project lands adjacent to the hydroelectric facility. Continued wave action has eroded some of the shoreline so that there is a drop-off of several feet at the water's edge. Along much of this shoreline, erosion control measures (rip rap and sea walls) have been itnplemented, preventing encroachment onto the adjacent private property. Additional archaeological survey along the lake shoreline (within the FERC Project boundary) is unlikely to identify significant archaeological remains. However, no previous archaeological inventory has been conducted on FERC Project lands surrounding the hydroelectric facility. We recommend Phase I archaeological survey of this tract. We also recomn1end consultation with the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to determine an appropriate level of effort for these archaeological investigations. An initial architectural field investigation of the hydroelectric facility indicates that it has undergone alterations to its components during its 73 years of operation. The facility should be considered potentially eligible for the NRHP at the state level because of its potential association with broad patterns of local history and because it 1nay have distinctive construction characteristics. Consultation should be conducted with the SHPO to determine if additional evaluation is warranted.