CULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT SURVEY OF THE EVERGREEN LANDFILL CELL 1 AND 2B TRACTS, LOWNDES COUNTY, GEORGIA

In January of 2017, Environmental Services, Inc., conducted an intensive cultural resource assessment survey of the 26-acre Evergreen Landfill Cell 1 and 2B tracts in Lowndes County, Georgia. This 26-acre parcel is located west of Valdosta, Georgia, to the north of U.S. Highway 84 and east of northern end of Wethington Lane (Figure 1.1). The archaeological study was completed in anticipation of compiling with state and federal regulations through the permit application process. The goal of the survey was to locate, delineate, identify and evaluate all cultural resources within the proposed project area, and to assess their significance and potential eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places in accordance with National Register Criteria (36 CFR 60.4).

The term "cultural resources" as used herein is meant to refer to sites or objects that are archaeological, architectural, and/or historical in nature. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (PL 89-665, as amended) requires that federal agencies take into account the effects upon historic properties projects involving federal funding and/or permitting. The guidelines for fulfilling the provisions of Section 106 and determinations of effect are contained in the implementing regulations of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 36, Chapter VIII, Part 800 (36 CFR 800). All cultural resources within the project tract were evaluated for eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in accordance with National Register Criteria (36 CFR 60). "Significant" historic properties are those meeting the criteria of eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, as defined in 36 CFR 60.4.

Portions of the project area have been previously impacted by earthmoving activities, specifically the southern and northeastern portions of the project area. Background research revealed that over sixty-percent of Cell 1 and 2B had been previously tested in 2010. As a result of that survey seven sites and four isolated artifacts were discovered, of which one of the isolated finds were located in the current project area.

The fieldwork strategies for the current study included a pedestrian inspection coupled with systematic shovel testing at 15 and 30-meter intervals, as well as judgmental testing. All shovel tests (n=26) were dug to a depth of 80 centimeters whenever possible. Josh Newman conducted the field study under the direction of Brent M. Handley, Principal Investigator.

As a result of the survey, one archaeological site (9LW175) was encountered that included three prehistoric lithic flakes in the west-central portion of the testing area. Based on the low frequency of artifacts, it is unlikely that additional work at 9LW175 will produce significant new data; therefore, the site is not considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.