Additional Phase I Cultural Resources Investigations of the Elba Liquefaction Project at Elba Island in Chatham County, Georgia

This report describes the results of the Phase I cultural resources investigations of the Elba Liquefaction Project at Elba Island in Chatham County, Georgia. This document expands upon archeological research completed previously by Krause et al. (2002), Krause (2003; 2004), and Lackowicz (2006). The construction of the currently proposed project will result in the addition of new natural gas liquefaction and exporting capacity to the existing Elba Island Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal (i.e., Elba Liquefaction Project). The current project area totals 99.6 ha (246.0 ac) in size. Portions of the proposed project area (an area measuring 41.9 ha [103.6 ac] in size), fall within the limits of previously conducted surveys (Krause et al. 2002 and Lackowicz 2006). Other portions of the proposed project area (measuring 31.7 ha [78.4 ac] in size) could not be tested due to man‑made obstructions, such as previously permitted plant facilities. This cultural resources survey resulted in the examination of six previously undisturbed, unsurveyed areas totaling 25.9 ha (64.0 ac) in size (Figures 1, 2, and 3). This investigation was performed in March 2013, by R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc. (RCGA), on behalf of Elba Liquefaction Company, LLC. (ELC) and Southern LNG Company, LLC (SLNG) (together Companies).

In depth information pertaining to the natural, prehistoric, and historic settings of the region, as well as a review of those previous archeological investigations completed in the vicinity of the additional project items (project survey areas), are contained in the previously submitted and reviewed cultural resources survey report entitled Phase I Cultural Resources Survey and Archeological Inventory of the Proposed Southern Liquefied Natural Gas (SLNG) Elba Island Expansion Project Elba Island, Chatham County, Georgia. (Krause et al. 2002). No cultural resources were identified as a result of the current Phase I cultural resources investigation. A summary of the field methods utilized to complete this investigation, as well as a description of the survey item, is presented below. An Unanticpated Discoveries Plan for the project is presented in Appendix I.

All work associated with this investigation was performed in accordance with the procedures outlined in the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended; the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974; the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, as amended; and Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 60‑66 and 800, as appropriate. Additionally, this survey effort abided by the standards set forth in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Office of Pipeline Regulation=s Guidelines for Reporting on Cultural Resources Investigations (1994:11‑13), in Archeology and Historic Preservation: The Secretary of the Interior=s Guidelines, in A Strategy for Cultural Resource Planning in Georgia (Crook 1986), and in A Vision for the Future: The Georgia Historic Preservation Plan (The Georgia Department of Natural Resources 1989). Fieldwork was conducted in accordance with the procedures described in the document entitled Georgia Standards and Guidelines for Archeological Surveys (Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists 2001).