Cultural Resource Investigations of Proposed Rec. Areas and Land Exchange at Clarks Hill Lake Georgia and SC.

A cultural resource reconnaissance and inventory was performed at proposed and existing recreation areas, areas scheduled for new development, and areas selected for land exchange between Savannah District and McCormick County, South Carolina. This cultural resource investigation included a reconnaissance level pedestrian survey with limited subsurface testing of all areas scheduled for either recreational development or land exchange. This study inventoried 12 cultural resources All resources have been disturbed to some degree. Lands identified for recreational improvement or development in this study have been heavily disturbed by either historic timbering activities agricultural practices, wind, sleet and water erosion, and or recent recreational area development. Because of the heavily disturbed condition of the cultural resources inventoried during this study, it has been determined by this researcher and Savannah District that they do not meet the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Place (NRHP). However, parts of two areas selected for land exchange between Savannah District and McCormick County South Carolina, F-6-1G, and H-3D, (Figures 2 and 3) may contain significant cultural resources. During the course of this survey, two probable prehistoric rock cairn sites were inventoried. An analysis of these two cairn sites has determined that they fit the preliminary eligibility criteria identified in 36 CFR Part 60, Section 60.6, of the NRHP. Rather than to impact these potential significant sites, Savannah District has decided to withdraw the portions of exchange tracts in F-6-IG, and H-3D that contain the rock cairn prehistoric sites. This withdrawal action will serve to protect these sites. Based on the results of the survey and the Government's withdrawal action, this researcher and Savannah District recommend cultural resource clearance for the proposed areas scheduled for recreation expansion and land exchange.