Archaeological Investigations (Phase I Survey) to Support Proposed Solar Photovoltaic Project at Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) Kings Bay, Camden County, Georgia

Between 12 and 30 January 2015, SEARCH conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of approximately 250 acres, plus a 7,150‐meter transmission line corridor, at Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) Kings Bay, located in Camden County, Georgia (Figure 1.1). The work was completed on behalf of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic under contract to Ecology and Environment, Inc. (E&E) in support of the proposed construction and operation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system and in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (PL 89‐665), as amended, and the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (PL 93‐291), as amended. The proposed solar PV system to be constructed would include solar PV arrays, panel‐mounting brackets on vertical members, and steel tracking structures within the project site, a new substation, as well as miscellaneous electrical equipment at the point of connection (i.e., inverters, combiner boxes, electrical switchgear, associated electrical wiring, and connections) and other items required for the solar PV system. Transmission lines would need to be constructed from the proposed new substation to SUBASE Kings Bay’s existing substation at the intersection of USS Henry L. Stimson Drive and USS Daniel Webster Road.

The proposed site of the ground arrays for the solar PV system is located in the northwestern corner of SUBASE Kings Bay (see Figure 1.1). It encompasses approximately 250 acres, generally bounded by the installation boundary to the north and west (and Charlie Smith Sr. Highway), the Trident Lakes Golf Club to the east, and USS Proteus Boulevard to the south (the southern site boundary is approximately 1,000 feet (304.9 meters) north of USS Proteus Boulevard). Figure 1.2 provides the proposed development plan. The proposed transmission line will be located along existing roads within SUBASE Kings Bay to the extent possible.

The area of potential effects (APE) for the proposed solar PV system includes the 250‐acre proposed site of the solar PV system and the proposed 7,150‐meter transmission corridor. The width of the proposed transmission line has not been determined; however, it is anticipated that transmission poles will be run approximately 35 feet (10.67 meters) from the east edge of the existing roads within SUBASE Kings Bay, including a perimeter road, within a 50 foot (15 meter) wide cleared right‐of‐way (ROW) (Chris Cimento [NAVFAC Southeast UEM Branch Head], personal communication, January 2015). Thus the corridor was treated as a linear survey down the center of the line that extends 35 feet from the edge of these existing roadways, and work was limited to within the projected 50‐foot‐wide cleared ROW. Figure 1.3 shows the APE for the proposed solar PV system on an aerial photograph, while Figure 1.4 shows the APE on a USGS quadrangle. Overall, the land is flat and much of it is planted in slash pine (Pinus elliottii), with mature stands harvested on an approximately three‐ to five‐year cycle. Several longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) restoration areas also are located within the site.