A Research Design and Proposal to Conduct Phase II Testing of Archaeological Deposits within the Area of Potential Effects of the Proposed Construction of a Tolomato Island Community Boat Ramp and Dock Facility, McIntosh County, Georgia

The purpose of this research design is to propose a plan to execute a Phase II investigation of archaeological deposits within the Area of Potential Effects (APE) of a planned boat ramp and dock facility construction adjacent to Hudson Creek, Mcintosh County, Georgia by Tolomato Partnership, LLLC. The APE is defined as "the geographic area or areas within which an undertaking may directly or indirectly cause changes in the character or use of historic properties, if any such properties exist (36 CFR Part 800.16[d]). Examples of the effect are direct, indirect, cumulative, visual, atmospheric, audible, beneficial, or adverse (GC PA 2001:1 ). The area of concern is a single land Jot designated by Tolomato Partnership, LLLC for community use by the development residents. The 3800 square meters lot is adjacent to Hudson Creek, one of the many estuaries that drain the surrounding salt marsh. Tolomato Partnership, LLLC does not own any of the adjoining property.

The project area is located at the northeastern end of a modem residential development identified as Tolomato Island (Figure 1.). Tolomato Island is actually the southwestern 2.0 kilometers of a narrow peninsula that is about 2.6 kilometers in total length. This peninsula has been referred to for over a century as "The Thicket." The upper or northeastern portion of The Thicket peninsula was subdivided for residential homes about 30 years ago. This portion is presently known as the Tolomato Spanish Mission Subdivision. Within the last six years Tolomato Island was supplied with utilities and subdivided into residential lots. Disturbance caused by foundation trenches, septic tanks and drain fields, the planting of ornamentals, underground utilities, swimming pools, and driveways associated with the residential development have greatly affected the integrity of the archaeological resources in the uplands of Tolomato Island.