Supplemental Archaeological Investigations at 9BL80 and 9BL249 for Phase II of the Oconee Riverfront Park, Baldwin County, Georgia

In September 2006, December 2006, and August 2008, TRC conducted archaeological investigations related to the second phase of the Oconee Riverfront Park [CSHPP‑0007‑00(629)] and East Greene Street Extension [CSHPP‑0007‑00 (531)] projects, in Milledgeville, Baldwin County, Georgia. The results of that work were reported in April 2009 (D'Angelo and Thomas 2009). This addendum to the 2009 report presents the results of additional archaeological investigations conducted as part of that study. The main focus of this addendum report is additional investigations conducted at 9BL80. Site 9BL80, which is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (Determination of Eligibility approved in May 2009), is a hydroelectric plant originally constructed in 1914‑1915 on the site of a nineteenth‑century mill. It includes the plant ruins, dam, combined raceway and mill pond, and upstream diversion dam. The additional archaeological investigation carried out in July 2009 was prompted by concerns raised during the Assessment of Effects review process. The questions centered on whether proposed development of park amenities might affect intact, significant archaeological deposits. The proposed amenities, including a 10‑foot wide concrete multi‑use trail and observation overlooks, will be constructed within the boundaries of site 9BL80, but in areas TRC had indicated have little potential for intact remains. The additional shovel testing in July 2009 was intended to provide further information about the nature of deposits in the areas of potential disturbance.

This addendum report presents the results of this recent shovel testing and clarification of previous investigations conducted within the site boundaries where construction of passive‑use amenities is proposed. This addendum report also describes an additional feature at 9BL249, the older section of which was not observed during the original survey. The feature, two sections of reinforced concrete pipe culvert, was identified during the wetland survey and brought to TRC's attention during the review of the project's ecology report. TRC revisited 9BL249 to record and assess the feature and determine whether it would be affected by the proposed undertaking. The culvert feature will be left intact and not disturbed by the project.