Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Judy Mountain 230/115 kV Substation Tract, Floyd County, Georgia

This report presents the results of an intensive archeological survey performed by Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. in Floyd County, where the Georgia Transmission Corporation wishes to construct the proposed Judy Mountain 230/115 kV Substation. The proposed 52.4- ac (21.2-ha) tract is located on the existing Hammond-Rome 115 kV, Hammond-Lindale 115 kV, Hammond-Laffayette Primary 115 kV, Hammond-Rocky Mountain SS 230 kV, and Bowen Rocky Mountain 230 kV transmission lines. The substation is located approximately 0.5 miles north of State Highway 20 and 2 miles west of the city of Rome, Georgia. The goal of the survey was to locate and evaluate any archeological resources that may be adversely affected by the construction of the substation. The survey was undertaken in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. The area of potential effect for the project consisted of a rectangular, 52.4-ac (21.2-ha), tract of land that will house the substation. The tract is composed primarily of wooded land (planted pine) and overgrown clearcut areas, except for the areas along the existing transmission lines which have been cleared of trees. Moderate to extensive grading has occurred along the southern edge of the tract. Portions of the tract are highly dissected by narrow ridge projections and drainages. The broader ridge areas display agricultural terraces. The area was surface searched when possible, but most of the area required systematic shovel testing. Two archeological sites and four isolated artifact occurrences were encountered and documented. Archival research showed that no previously recorded sites occur within the substation tract but several have been found during previous projects close to the project area. Examination of maps dating to the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, as well as a 1943 aerial photograph, showed no standing structures older than 50 years directly within the substation tract. The project area was archeologically surveyed on February 27 and 28, 2013 by SAS archeologists Ron Schoettmer and Joel Jones. One prehistoric site, one historic period site, and four prehistoric artifact occurrences were identified. 9FL490 is a disturbed lithic scatter that appears to date to the Paleoindian or Early Archaic period. 9FL491 is a bulldozed Historic period structure. A small collection of artifacts from 9FL491 suggest a date of late nineteenth to the early twentieth century. The four prehistoric artifact occurrences consist of single pieces of Ridge and Valley chert (three of which were identified as tools). None of the sites or isolated artifacts are recommended 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 Judy Mountain 230/115 kV Substation will have no effect to significant archeological resources and should be granted clearance to proceed.