Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Amboy Electrical Substation Expansion, Turner County, Georgia

On December 6-10, 2012, Brockington and Associates completed a background literature review and field investigations for a Phase I archaeological survey for an expansion of the Amboy electrical substation along Georgia Highway 159 in Turner County, near Ashburn (Figures 1-4). This letter report summarizes the archaeological resources survey study methods, results, and recommendations related to the investigation of the study corridor. The entire property is approximately 2.7 acres with a 0.7 acre area of expansion. The property outside of the fenced substation pad was considered within the Area of Potential Effects (APE) for the investigation. The archaeological investigations consisted of an examination of archaeological site forms from previous surveys along with a shovel testing survey and surface inspection with the APE . Background research was conducted through the University of Georgia State Site File (GASF) in Athens. The research recovered current information on previously recorded cultural resources (i.e., archaeological sites, buildings, structures, districts, objects, and sites of traditional/ cultural importance) that might be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and could be affected by the proposed project. The records search was made for documents pertaining to previously known, reported, and/ or National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nominated resources within a one-mile (1.6-km) radius of the project tract. The results of the search of the GASF indicate that there are no previously recorded archaeological resources either within the APE or within the one-mile (1.6-km) search buffer around the APE. An on-site assessment was also made based on topography, setting, previous regional surveys, and nearby resources as to the potential for the project tract to produce as yet unidentified archaeological or historic architectural resources, or for the undertaking to have an effect on those not yet identified outside of the project tract. Given the APE's location along a broad interfluvial ridge between three forks of Deep Creek, b1.1t at some distance (approximately 500 m) from freshwater resources or the his torical center of Ashburn, the ~-PE was generally considered to have a moderate probability for prehistoric or early historic settlement sites to be located within it; it was considered that such sites could possibly include short term prehistoric camps or historic period farmsteads. During the field investigations, an archaeological crew chief and a technician investigated the APE through a combination shovel testing and pedestrian survey (surface inspection). The methods were consistent with the State of Georgia professional standards (Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists [GCPA] 2001), complied with the guidelines set forth in 36 CFR part 800, and were carried out by personnel qualified under 36 CFR part 61. Field methods consisted of the hand excavation of 14 30-cm wide shovel tests placed at 30 m intervals along five north-south transects across the grassy portions of the property. All soil from shovel tests was screened with 1/4-inch mesh hardware cloth for the recovery of archaeological materials. The recently planted field in the northeast corner of the property had 80-100°/o surface visibility and was subject to surface inspection for archaeological materials or features. Soils within the APE segment were comparable to the expected USDA classification, Dothan loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes (DoB), a well-drained, interfluvial formation. Tests within the corridor generally exhibited an average of 25 em of brown (10YR 4/3) loamy sand topsoil (Ap Horizon) overlying yellowish brown (10YR 5/ 6) sandy clay subsoil (B1 Horizon). In proximity to the substation pads, the soils indicated mixed and unconsolidated Ap and B1 Horizon deposits and is likely the result of grading and redepositing of soils during the construction of the facility. None of the tests produced any cultural material. Close surface inspection of the planted field also did not produce artifacts. In summary, Brockington and Associates, Inc. has identified no cultural resources within the project site for the Amboy Substation expansion. Due to the absence of cultural materials or sites, we recommend that the undertaking by Georgia Transmission Corporation be allowed to proceed as planned. There will be no effects to significant archaeological materials. While archaeological survey has demonstrated no archaeological resources within the APE, were yet-undiscovered sites to remain within the APE, given the intensive coverage of the Phase I survey, they would likely be small (30 m) scatters, ineligible for the NRHP and not requiring further management under NHPA.