Cultural Resources FERC Survey of the Proposed Dock Locations within the Bayside Lake Oconee Development, Greene County, Georgia

On August 22 through 23, 2016, Brockington and Associates, Inc. completed a background literature review and field investigations for a cultural resource survey for two proposed dock locations along the shoreline within the proposed Bayside Lake Oconee development property on Lake Oconee, Greene County, Georgia (Figures 1 and 2). The Bayside Lake Oconee development property is located along the eastern edge of Lake Oconee to the north of Parks Mill Recreation Area and west of Carey Station Road. This letter report summarizes the archaeological resources survey study methods, results, and recommendations related to the investigation of the project area.

The area of investigation is divided into two shoreline segments; the northern segment (see Figures 5 and 6) is approximately 244 meters (799 feet), and the southern segment (see Figures 7 and 8) is approximately 238 meters (782 feet). The northern segment is comprised largely of eroded slopes terminating into Lake Oconee. The southern segment is comprised of an eroded, mostly level to a slightly sloping landform terminating into Lake Oconee. Figure 2 shows the two segments. The entirety of the areas of investigation lies along the edge of Lake Oconee within the Georgia Power buffer that surrounds the lake. This buffer is defined as the area from the water line of Lake Oconee to the high water mark, which is generally 8 to 15 meters (25 to 20 feet). The two segments (north and south) of shoreline property are considered of an examination of archaeological site forms from previous surveys, along with a shovel testing survey and surface inspection within the project tract.

No previously listed NRHP properties, archaeological sites, or historic resources are located within the project area. Background research showed 64 previously recorded archaeological sites are within 0.5 mile (0.8-km) of the project area. However, most of these sites were located on bottomland adjacent to the Oconee River and inundated with the Wallace Reservoir was constructed in 1979. No previously identified sites were actually located within the project area. However, during our present survey, Brockington and Associates, Inc. identified one prehistoric archaeological site (9GE3716) within the project area. The 9GE3716 site limits likely extend outside of the narrow project area limits. We identified Site 9GE3716 as an Archaic lithic reduction site. If the site cannot be avoided, Phase II archaeological testing is recommended to determine the full extent of the site and to assess whether significant subsurface deposits and/or diagnostic artifacts are present.