The Hart County Board of Commissioners wishes to develop a 13.0 ha (32 ac) tract in northern Hart County, in part using federal grants. This required compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, which calls for an assessment of project effects on significant (eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places) cultural properties within the project's area of potential effect. The first step in such compliance is completing a survey to determine if significant (eligible) structures or archeological sites exist in the area of potential effect. The project tract is bounded by I ‑85, SR 77, Knox Bridge Crossing Road and an eastern property line. Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. conducted a Phase I cultural resources survey of the tract on May 3 and 4, 2011.
Archival research showed that no archeological sites had been recorded in or close to the project tract. However, many prehistoric and historic period sites have been recorded in northern Hart County and surrounding areas, and one or a few sites could be expected on the tract. Historic period maps and aerial photographs (especially a 1960 Soil Conservation Service aerial photograph) showed that there was one house/farmstead older than 50 years on the tract, but it had been razed.
The field survey located two archeological sites, a sparse prehistoric lithic scatter of unknown age (site 9HA134) and the late nineteenth to mid‑twentieth century house/farmstead seen in the aerial photograph (site 9HA135). No standing structures older than 50 years are within the viewshed of the project area. Both sites have poor integrity and lack research potential. Therefore we recommend that neither meets the criteria for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. We conclude that there are no cultural resources eligible for the National Register within the area of potential effect for this development project and that the project should be granted clearance to proceed.
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