The Ford Plantation Development at the site of historic Richmond Plantation is planning to develop residential lots along the Ogeechee River. As part of their plan, the proposed lots are to have individual dock facilities associated with each lot. Brockington and Associates, Inc. of Norcross, GA has conducted historical research, archaeological surveys, and archaeological test excavations of the Ford Plantation Development. During their investigations, Brockington and Associates identified two archaeological sites (9BN44 and 9BN 177) that are potentially eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places that are situated above the river bank (proposed residential lots) adjacent to the proposed dock facilities. Site 9BN 177 is the site of the Richmond Plantation slave village and site 9BN44 is mostly a prehistoric site with historic component associated with the antebellum period. Because of the potential for underwater archaeological resources in the river adjacent to the archaeological sites, Brockington and Associates and the Ford Plantation Development contracted Mid-Atlantic Technology and Environmental Research, Inc. (M-AT /ER) of Castle Hayne, North Carolina to conduct an underwater archaeological survey of the southern half of the river and shoreline adjacent to proposed development. The object of the survey was to identify any submerged cultural resources that might be affected by construction of the proposed dock facilities. A marine magnetometer and a side scan sonar were the primary instruments used to conduct the survey. Because of the potential for historic or prehistoric artifact concentrations underwater near the shoreline a diving reconnaissance of the river bottom was also conducted.
A total of 4 magnetic and acoustic target signatures were recorded during the survey. Underwater archaeological investigations of each of the target locations resulted in the identification of each target as either modern debris or submerged logs. In addition, a diving reconnaissance of the river bottom also failed to identify any cultural materials associated with nearby archaeological sites 9BN44 and 9BN177.
The proposed plans for Ford Development to construct residential dock facilities in the Ogeechee River will have no impact on submerged cultural resources. No additional underwater archaeological investigations or mitigation are recommended.
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