Phase I Archaeological Resources Survey for the Drainage Basin Areas of Ash Pond E, Plant Harllee Branch, Putnam County, Georgia

From July 7 to October 14, 2016, Brockington and Associates, Inc. (Brockington; Norcross, Georgia), conducted a Phase I archaeological resources survey of approximately 540 acres of land surrounding Ash Pond E at Georgia Power's Plant Harllee Branch facility near Milledgeville, Putnam County, Georgia. This facility is in the process of being retired, necessitating the closure of the ash pond. The current investigations were undertaken by Georgia Power Corporation (GPC) to determine the effects of the project on archaeological resources as due diligence for the future permitting requirements, as current mitigation plans for the ash pond may fall under the purview of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), via application for US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)-issued wetlands permit (Section 404 of the Clean Water Act) or other regulatory vehicle.

The archaeological Area of Potential Effects (APE) was defined as 540 acres surrounding the existing ash pond that may be affected by closure activities, including approximately 189 acres to be used as potential borrow pond locations. During the archaeological survey, shovel testing and pedestrian survey was conducted across the entirety of the APE. All activities were completed in accordance with the NHPA (1966, as amended) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800) by personnel qualified under the Secretary of Interior Standards (36 CFR [Code of Federal Regulations] Part 61) as well as and in accordance with the standards set forth by National Register Bulletin 24, Guidelines for Local Surveys: A Basis for Preservation Planning (Parker 1985), and Georgia Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Surveys (Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists [GCPA] 2003) All personnel participating in project completion met the Secretary of Interior professional qualifications under 36 CFR Part 61.

Although background research identified no previously recorded archaeological resources within the APE, archaeological survey identified 22 archaeological sites (9PM2359 through 9PM2380) and six isolated artifact finds during field investigations. These finds are generally low density surface scatters of historic and prehistoric materials with few associated cultural features and are considered ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). However, three historic sites (9PM2376, 9PM2379, and 9PM2380) were found to include intact features or structural elements, and were subject to additional testing. Two other sites (9PM2365 and 9PM2373) appear to be associated with nearby homesteads dating to the early nineteenth century.

Following survey and testing, Site 9PM2380 was found to have intact structural remains and cultural features that may provide significant information on late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Putnam County; therefore Site 9PM2380 is recommended eligible for the NRHP. We recommend preservation and avoidance of Site 9PM2380. In addition, Site 9PM2376 represents an isolated, intact historic feature. Site 9PM2376 is therefore recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP. We also recommend preservation and avoidance for this site pending further investigation and assessment to establish its NRHP eligibility.

The remaining 20 archaeological sites and isolated finds are recommended ineligible for the NRHP and no further archaeological investigations or management fort these sites is recommended. However, it is noted that Sites 9PM2365 and 9PM2373 both date to the antebellum historic period and extend outside of the APE. Therefore, while Sites 9PM2365 and 9PM2373 as defined within the APE of the current undertaking are ineligible for the NRHP, they may be associated with significant homestead components beyond the limits of the current survey.

Finally, the Skelton-Napier Cemetery is within the survey area. This cemetery was formerly located in the area now encompassed by the ash pond, but was relocated to its current location along plant road Woodland Way in 1981. Regardless of the NRHP status of this cemetery, the human remains are protected by state and local burial codes.

In sum, Brockington recommends that one of the archaeological sites identified (9PM2380) is eligible for the NRHP and one (9PM2365) is potentially eligible for the NRHP. We recommend avoidance of these sites pending further management actions. Beyond the established boundaries of these two resources, we recommend no further archaeological investigations are required within the APE. The remaining 20 archaeological sites and six isolated finds are considered ineligible for the NRHP and should require no further management under NHPA.