Cultural Resource Survey for the Proposed 55.18-Mile Thomson-Vogtle Transmission Line Corridor in Burke, Jefferson, McDuffie, and Warren Counties, Georgia

From August 29 through November 18, 2011, TRC conducted a Phase I cultural resource survey for a transmission line project in Burke, Jefferson, McDuffie, and Warren counties, Georgia. The survey included archaeological and historic architectural investigations along an approximate 55.18-mile route for a proposed 500-kV transmission line between the Vogtle nuclear generating facility and a substation located near Thomson, Georgia. The Area of Potential Effects (APE) for archaeological resources consists of the actual areas where Georgia Power Company’s work could create ground-disturbing activities, which was limited to the proposed 150-foot transmission line corridor. The APE for historic resources includes an area 0.5 km (0.3 miles) from the proposed center line encompassing possible lines of sight to new construction or clearing of vegetation. The results of the survey are summarized below.

Background research prior to the fieldwork using the GNAHRGIS online cultural resources database indicated that 13 archaeological sites are located within a half-mile radius of the project corridor. One of these sites, 9BK109, falls within areas where ground-disturbing activities are to take place. During the field survey, TRC was unable to relocate this previously recorded site, which was recommended ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). In addition to the previously recorded sites, 15 newly recorded sites and 12 isolated finds were identified. Four of the newly recorded archaeological sites exhibited various combinations of buried, intact deposits, diagnostic artifacts, and preserved features, and are recommended eligible for the NRHP pending further investigation. The remaining 11 newly recorded sites have limited research potential, and are therefore recommended ineligible for listing on the NRHP. Likewise, the isolated finds do not consist of intact sites, and therefore retain no research value.

Additionally, the background research found seven previously recorded architectural resources within the 0.5-km radius of the project corridor. Two of the resources, 51181 and 51267, were not relocated, and are presumed to be demolished. Three of the previously recorded resources are potentially eligible for the NRHP, but the project will not adversely affect them. In addition to these resources, 30 newly identified resources were recorded as a result of the current survey. However, several of these are not within view of the project. Fourteen of the identified resources are recommended potentially eligible for inclusion on the NRHP; however, of these resources, only HR-20 will be adversely affected by the project. The remaining NRHP-eligible resources will not be adversely affected by the current undertaking due to distance, intervening tree cover, and the presence of existing transmission structures in their viewshed.

Eleven of the 15 newly recorded archaeological sites and 12 newly recorded isolated finds are recommended ineligible for inclusion on the NRHP. In the case of these resources, TRC recommends that no further work is necessary at these locations prior to project implementation. The remaining four newly recorded sites are recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP pending further investigation. If avoidance of these sites is not possible, TRC recommends that Phase II investigations be implemented prior to commencement of ground-disturbing activities.

HR-20, which has been recommended potentially eligible for listing on the NRHP will be adversely affected by the project as currently proposed. The proposed transmission line corridor will pass through an agricultural field approximately 820 feet south of this farmstead. The proposed transmission structures will be obtrusive from various vantage points on the property, which will undermine the property’s historic setting. If the project cannot be redesigned to avoid effects to the resource, Georgia Power Company will need to consult with the State Historic Preservation Office, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on measures to mitigate the project’s adverse effects to the resource.

The remaining historic architectural resources recommended eligible for the NRHP will not be adversely affected by the proposed undertaking. Therefore in the case of these resources, work should be allowed to proceed as planned without any further consideration.