Archeological Survey of the Proposed Buzzards Roost-Thornton Road 230 kV Substation and Transmission Line Modification, Douglas and Cobb Counties, Georgia

In September and October of 2010, Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. (SAS) conducted a Phase I archeological survey of approximately 630 m (2,066 ft) of proposed modification to an existing 230 kV transmission line corridor and ca. 3 ha (8 ac) of area, divided among three separate tracts, for a proposed substation in eastern Douglas County and western Cobb County, Georgia. The survey was undertaken in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, which requires federal agencies that fund or license projects must take into account the effects of an undertaking on significant cultural resources. Much of the proposed substation tract is currently wooded with portions graded. The existing transmission line corridor has been cleared, but overgrown, and newly required right‑of‑way along the corridor extends approximately 7.5 m (25 ft) into wooded terrain. Consequently, the archeological survey primarily relied on shovel testing to detect archeological sites.

We discovered and recorded three archeological sites and one archeological occurrence (isolated artifact). All three sites and the one occurrence have prehistoric components. One site also includes a nineteenth‑early twentieth artifact scatter (Table 1 ). Due to lack of integrity and very low research potential, we recommend that two sites (9DO 166 and 900 168) are not eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The third site, 9D0167, is a prehistoric artifact scatter located in a rock shelter along the transmission line corridor. Because rock shelter sites are rarely encountered site types, we recommend 9D0167 potentially eligible for listing on the National Register. Measures should be taken to avoid adversely impacting 9D0167 while modifying the existing transmission line right‑of‑way, partly for the potential physical damage to the site and partly because of the consequent greater visibility of the rock shelter. Greater visibility of the rock shelter may attract potential looting activity on 9DO 167. If the area around 9DO 167 remains as is with no vegetation clearing, then no significant sites will be affected by the proposed undertaking and we recommend that the project should be granted clearance to proceed. If9D0167 cannot be avoided by the proposed undertaking, then additional investigation of 9DO 167 is required to mitigate potential adverse effects.