Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of the 190-Acre Imerys Mine Expansion

Between October 17 and 28 2016, Brockington and Associates, Inc. (Brockington) conducted an intensive Phase I cultural resources survey of the proposed Imerys mine expansion in Andersonville, Macon County, Georgia. Activities associated with the proposed mine expansion will directly impact soils that will be mechanically graded, cut, and filled for the proposed project tract. Additional impacts include the movement of heavy machinery in the project tract.

This cultural resources survey was conducted for Imerys Primary Raw Material Sourcing to determine whether any known historic properties (i.e., sites, buildings, structures, objects, or districts listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places [NRHP]) may be affected by the proposed mining expansion. The investigation was completed in partial fulfillment of guidelines established for Section 404 of the Clean Water Act permit. These investigations follow standards and guidelines that are in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 (as amended through 2006) by personnel qualified under the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards (36 CFR Part 61-Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation).

The Phase I cultural resources survey of the Imerys mine expansion resulted in the identification of four newly recorded archaeological sites (9MA90 through 9MA93) and three isolated archaeological finds within the project Area of Potential Effects (APE). No historic architectural resources were identified within the project tract or its view-shed. All four of the archaeological sites contain a prehistoric component; two of which (9MA91 and 9MA93) are multicomponent and also contain a historic component. These four archaeological sites (9MA90 through 9MA93) and the three isolated finds do not contain substantial archaeological deposits, and are therefore recommended not eligible for the NRHP. No additional management considerations are warranted for these archaeological sites. We recommend cultural resources clearance for the proposed mine expansion.