Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Pierpont Mitigation Tract Site

New South Associates has completed the archaeological survey of approximately 56 acres of the Pierpont Mitigation Tract site (Oliver Bridge Wildlife Management Area) east of Statesboro, Georgia in response to a request from Georgia Southern University (Georgia Southern). Georgia Southern plans to install three wells as part of a hydrological study of the tract and the Ogeechee River. Because the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) owns the 56-acre tract, the archaeological survey for this project was done in accordance with the GDOT Environmental Procedures Manual (EPM). The work for this survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (36 CFR 800) and was intended to determine the presence of significant archaeological resources in the project’s area of potential effect (APE). Fieldwork was conducted on November 10-11, 2014. The APE for the current project was defined as the 56-acre tract of land situated between U.S. Highway 24 and the Ogeechee River approximately 15 miles east of Statesboro, Georgia. As a result of the survey, one new site was identified. Site 9BU103 is a Precontact artifact scatter located along the northern boundary of the APE and west of the field road. Due to the paucity of artifacts, New South Associates believes that the portion of the site within the APE lacks data potential. However, given that the site may continue beyond the APE, the NRHP eligibility status of the site as a whole is unknown. Georgia Southern’s hydrology study is not likely to disturb archaeological sites on (or eligible for listing on) the NRHP. However, since the NRHP-eligibility of 9BU103 is unknown, New South recommends that the site be avoided during proposed activities. No further work is necessary to satisfy Section 106 requirements and the planned undertaking may proceed.