"PHASE I ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE PROPOSED

From October 15 through October 17, 2013, Edwards-Pitman Environmental Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of the proposed Lowndes County Surplus Property Transfer, in Lowndes County, Georgia (PM File No. 3026, HP No. 130722-002). The proposed project is located along the west side of Interstate (I)-75, near Mile Marker 30, approximately 1.75 miles northwest of the City of Hahira, Georgia. The proposed project is a property transfer from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to Lowndes County involving an approximately 63-acre tract of land designated as Parcel Number 0022 029. Lowndes County does not have immediate plans for any improvements to the property. No additional right-of-way (ROW) or easements would be required for the transfer. Prior to the commencement of fieldwork, a review of the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) and Georgia's Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS) database was completed. These data indicate that no archaeological sites have been previously recorded within 1 kilometer of the project area. One project, a Phase I survey for two interchanges on I-75, has been conducted within 1 kilometer of the project area (Stoops 2007). The project identified seven isolated finds, but no archaeological sites. The Phase I survey for the Lowndes County Surplus Property Transfer resulted in the identification of two new archaeological sites, 9LW118 and 9LW119. Both sites are associated with former structure locations. Based on aerial photograph data, 9LW118 dates to the middle twentieth century. Artifact and map data indicate that 9LW119 dates to the late nineteenth through early twentieth century. The deposits at both sites have been compromised by agricultural and silvicultural activities, and due to poor integrity the portions recorded within the project area are recommended as non-contributing to their eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion D. The sites could not be fully delineated beyond the project area boundary, and thus their overall recommendation for the NRHP is unknown under Criterion D. No additional archaeological investigations are recommended for the portions of 9LW118 and 9LW119 within the project area.