In the summer of 2001, Fort Stewart began to experience an infestation of Southern Pine Beetles (SPB) (Dendroctonus frontalis). An outbreak had occurred in the summer of 2000, but the conditions of the summer of 2001 suggested that this year would be much more severe and damaging.
In order to contain the expansion of the infested areas while still remaining in compliance with applicable cultural resource management legislation, Fort Stewart re-enacted the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was established in 1995 with the Georgia State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). The MOU allows for reporting to occur after the work of the epidemic has passed. This report presents the efforts and results of the 2001 SPB infestation. A total of 61 locations, covering in excess of 213 acres were surveyed and evaluated for cultural resources. Ten of these locations contained a total of thirteen archaeological sites/isolated finds. Three of these thirteen sites/isolated finds were evaluated as potentially eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic .Places (NRHP) (Table 1). Protective measures for these sites, as outlined in the MOU were enacted. The remaining nine sites were recommended as ineligible for NRHP inclusion and no protection was required for these sites.
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