Phase II Study, Proposed Dresden-Heard 500 kV Transmission Line

In November 2011, New South Associates conducted a Phase 2 Historic Resources Survey of the proposed Dresden-Heard 500 kV Transmission Line in Coweta and Heard counties. The purpose of the Phase 2 study was to identify historic properties located in the proposed transmission line’s area of potential effect (APE) and to evaluate its effects on those properties. The initial Phase 1 survey, which identified historic properties in a larger study area, was conducted in April 2010. The initial study area encompassed roughly six miles east-west, and three miles north-south in the western extreme of Coweta County and in an adjoining strip of Heard County. Based on the results of the Phase 1 survey, a preferred route for the transmission line was selected. The overall project area is rural, with some residential development along the larger roads. The largest of these roads is State Road (SR) 34, located along the southern edge of the project area. Other main roads include: Thomas-Powers, Martin Girl, Handy, Midway, Boy Scout, and Dr. Bruce Jackson. Three crossroads communities form a triangle within the project area: Handy, Dresden, and Stallings Crossroads (also known as Powers Crossroads). To the west of these communities is a large north-south transmission line, located in heard County along the western edge of the project area. Two transmission lines, a 230 kV and a 500 kV, are also located on the east side of the initial study area (Figures 1 and 2).