Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of the Ocean Inlet Development Tract

From October 2-6 2006, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted Phase I cultural resources survey at the approximately 15 acre Ocean Inlet development tract on Tybee Island in Chatham County, Georgia. This tract, situated on the north end of Tybee Island, is located across the Savannah River from the Fort Pulaksi National Monument on Cockspur Island. Ocean Inlet Development Company, LLC applied for a dock permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Savannah District and cultural resources survey was required pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 CFR 320-330), in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended through 1992), and 36 CFR 800 (Protection of Historic Properties).     The project tract is adjacent to sites of the masked Federal cannon and mortar batteries constructed during March/ April 1862. Artillery fire from these batteries breached Fort Pulaski's walls and forced its surrender during April 10-11, 1862. In addition to the typical Phase I archaeological survey, the USACE tasked the developer to determine the proposed undertaking's potential for non-physical effects National Landmark! National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listed Fort Pulaski.     The Phase I survey identified no archaeological sites or significant subsurface deposits within the project tract. None of the earthen Federal battery sites are located within the project area. The metal detector survey yielded three Civil War period artifacts. These were recorded as isolated finds; none are considered significant. A Visual Impact Analysis (VIA) indicated the undertaking will cause no adverse visual effects to Fort Pulaski.     The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division ( GHPD) noted in a 29 August 2006 letter that the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) previously identified a NRHP eligible segment of the Old Tybee Island Causeway east of the study tract. They recommended the cultural resources survey examine the project area for evidence of the causeway. Field survey review of aerial photographs indicate that the Old Tybee Island Causeway occupied the same location as present U.S. Highway 80 and is no longer identifiable as a historic road corridor. The Tybee Island Railroad corridor borders the southern study tract boundary. The rail bed segment does not retain its historic integrity, and is not recommend NRHP eligible. Nevertheless, the rail corridor will be donated to the City of Tybee Island for use as a recreational bike path/hiking trail. No additional cultural resources management is suggested for the Ocean Inlet development.