Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Valentine Farms 230 kV Transmission Line and Valentine Farms 230/25 kV Substation, Jackson County, Georgia

This report presents the results of an intensive archeological survey performed by Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. in Jackson County, where the Georgia Transmission Corporation wishes to construct the proposed Valentine Farms 230 kV Transmission Line and Valentine Farms 230/25 kV Substation. The goal of the survey was to locate and evaluate any archeological resources that might be adversely affected by the construction ofthe transmission line and substation. The survey was undertaken in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, in accord with provisions of the Rural Utility Service, a federal agency. The transmission line runs from the existing 230 kV Center Primary-South Hall line east across rural farm land to a small county road presently known as Toy Wright Road. The transmission line then follows that road to the north to the proposed substation site. The transmission line is approximately 1.2 miles (2.0 km) long. The area of potential effect for the project consists of a 140-ft (43-m) wide corridor containing two parallel transmission lines, separated by a distance of 40ft, and a 2.0-ha (5-ac) substation tract on the east side of Toy Wright Road. Archival research showed that no previously recorded sites occur within the corridor or substation tract but several have been found during previous projects close to the project area. Research also showed that as many as four houses older than 50 years were/are located close to the transmission line corridor and substation tract.. The project area was archeologically surveyed during the period of February 18-20 by SAS archeologists Ron Schoettmer and Tom Gresham. Two prehistoric sites, one historic period site, and two prehistoric artifact occurrences were identified. 9JK292 is a Woodland period site located near the floodplain of Pond Fork and 9JK293 is a sparse Archaic period lithic scatter located nearby at a slightly more elevated location. Site 9JK294 is an artifact scatter most likely related to a farm house shown on the 1914 county soil map. The two prehistoric artifact occurrences were single pieces of chipped stone. None of these five cultural resources are recommended as eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, as they have little to no research potential. Thus, we conclude that the construction of the proposed Valentine Farms 230 k V Transmission Line and Valentine Farms 230/25 kV Substation will have no effect to significant archeological resources and should be granted clearance to proceed.