Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of the Owl Creek Mitigation Bank Site

From October 19 to October 23, 2015, Brockington and Associates, Inc. (Brockington) of Norcross, Georgia, conducted a Phase I cultural resources survey of the 109.52-acre (44.32-hectare) Owl Creek Mitigation Bank Site in Towns County, Georgia. The site is located on three tracts north and south of Owl Creek Road in Hiawassee. The survey was conducted under subcontract with Mitigation Management (Atlanta, Georgia) to determine the effects of the project on cultural resources. This cultural resources survey was required pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 CFR 320-330), in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 (as amended through 2000), and 36 CFR 800 (Protection of Historic Properties).

The current undertaking includes both an archaeological and a historic architectural survey component. The archaeological Area of Potential Effects (APE) was defined as the entire parcel, which is to be developed commercially. The architectural resources APE is defined as the entire site and its immediate viewshed. During the archaeological survey, shovel testing and pedestrian survey was conducted across the entire 109.52-acre site. The architectural survey included a viewshed analysis of all potentially historic buildings or structures in the vicinity of the proposed development. All activities were completed in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA 1966, as amended) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800) by personnel qualified under the Secretary of Interior Standards (36 CFR Part 61) as well as and in accordance with the standards set forth by the Georgia Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Surveys (Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists 2003) and National Register Bulletin 24, Guidelines for Local Surveys: A Basis for Preservation Planning (Parker 1985). All personnel participating in project completion met the Secretary of Interior professional qualifications under 36 CFR Part 61.

Background research identified a previously recorded cultural resource within the project area. However, this resource, a 1914 farmstead (Resource 1/219324) is considered ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). No other cultural resources were identified within the APE of the Owl Creek Mitigation Bank Site that warrant further management under Section 106 of the NHPA. Brockington recommends no further cultural resources investigations be required for this undertaking.