Botanical, Wildlife, and Archaeological Survey of Proposed Sewage Treatment Facility City of Omega, Georgia

A botanical, wildlife, and archaeological survey was conducted in three areas to be impacted by the construction of a sewage treatment faci1ity for the City of Omega, Georgia. Authorization was given for the survey by Fitzsimmons and· Associates, Inc. Fieldwork began December 20, and was completed December 21, 1982. This survey was Part I of a three part project including survey/analysis of a proposed spray irrigation field and soil analysis of a proposed oxidation pond. The survey areas are located on and near the Tift and Colquitt county line about two miles southwest of Omega (Figure 1.1). Most of the acreage is in Colquitt County. The overall project tract includes three separate areas: Area ''A", a 30 foot wide by 5250 foot 1ong ( 9 x 1600 meters) construction easement for. the proposed sewer force main; Area "B" totaling 13.4+ acres (5.4~ hectares), site of the future oxidation and holding pond for sewage treatment; and Area "C" totaling 20+ acres 8.1 hectares), site of a proposed spray irrigation field (Figure 1.2). The botanical and wildlife portion of the survey was designed to inventory and evaluate the flora and fauna 1ocated within the proposed construction easements. Special emphasis was placed on the identification of plant and animals species presently protected by Georgia or Federal regulations. The archaeological survey involved systematic visual reconnaissance and subsurface techniques to 1ocate any strucural or material remains of prehistoric or historic occupations in the project areas. Particular attention was given to the area bordering TyTy Creek due to the potential of deeply buried sites on the creek's floodplain. This report includes background information on the environment, prehistory, and history of the project area. Following these sections, the report discusses the field methods and the results and recommendations derived from the combined survey.