Phase I Cultural Resources Survey Proposed Pilgrims Pride Rail Loop Corridor Coffee County, Georgia

During the period of November 17 through 22, 2011, R.S. Webb & Associates (RSWA) conducted a Phase I cultural resources survey of the proposed rail loop at the Pilgrims Pride facility near Ambrose in Coffee County, Georgia. RSWA conducted this work for Wetland & Ecological Consultants, LLC. The rail loop is approximately 1.6 kilometers (km) long and 30 meters (m) wide and parallels a section of existing rail spur. The loop traverses several wetlands and active cotton fields.

The project was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended to meet the conditions of United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permitting under section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The purpose of this survey was to locate and identify cultural resources within the project Area of Potential Effects (APE), and to assess resource significance based on National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria (36CFR Part 60.4). Because of its nature, the project APE was set at the physical project boundaries.

At the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) [University of Georgia in Athens (UGA) ], the official files and maps were examined, followed by a review of the pertinent site forms and the Laboratory of Archeology manuscript/report files. At the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division (HPD) in Atlanta, pertinent compliance document files, official maps, and NRHP/pending files, as well as Coffee County historic structures survey files were reviewed. The Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographical Information System database was also used to determine the location of state-recognized historic resources in Coffee County. At the State Archives and Survey or General's Office, available maps of Coffee County were examined for trails, roads, structures, and cemeteries. The Official Military Atlas of the Civil War (Davis eta/. 1983) was consulted for Civil War era features. UGA’s digital library was searched on-line for historic maps and aerial photographs of the project area.

This was an intensive field survey, designed to determine the presence or absence of cui resources within the APE of the study area, and to assess their significance based on NRHP criteria. The project archeologist surveyed the project corridor along a single transect on the corridor centerline, using s and subsurface techniques to search for cultural resources. Exposed surfaces within the project corridor were inspected for artifacts and surface features. In areas undisturbed by previous rail construction or in dated by wetlands, shovel tests were excavated at intervals no greater than 30 m apart. Shovel tests were 0 by 30-centimeter (cm) screened units excavated to sterile subsoil. Shovel test profiles were inspected and recorded. The project area was photographed to document current conditions.

The architectural field survey consisted of a pedestrian walkover of the project APE to locate and identify potentially historic (over 50 years old) architectural resources. Review of the National Register files and maps indicated that no NRHP listed/eligible is located within 1.6 km (1.0 mile) of the project area GASF records revealed that no previously record archeological sites are recorded within the 1.6 km search radius. Review of 20th century maps from the 1950s and 1960s show two structures/structure complexes within 300 m of the project area, but none of the resources are within or adjacent to the propose rail loop corridor. The existing railroad, which the proposed rail loop will tie into, was in place by 1901. The 1977 USOS map shows the existing railroad, a dirt-farm road extending south into the proposed loop, and a house with an outbuilding along the dirt road.

No historic, individual aerial photographs of the project area were available during the literature search; however, the 1947, 1962, and 1968 aerial indices show that the project corridor was a combination of cultivated fields and limited wetland areas.

No archeological sites or historic structures were identified within the project area during the field survey. The existing railroad was originally constructed over 100 years ago; however, the rail line is a heavily used active route, subject to regular maintenance.

The proposed Pilgrims Pride rail loop undertaking will have no effect on archeological or historical resources eligible or potentially eligible for the NRHP. No additional cultural resources work is recommended for this undertaking.