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).

As a result of the survey, one archaeological site (9LW1 75) 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.

According to the Georgia Archaeological Site Files there are nine sites within the general vicinity of the proposed project area (Table 4.1 and Figure 4.1). Site Files research revealed one report (38) for cultural resource assessment conducted to the northeast. Report #38 was written by James Ledbetter in 1977 for a proposed wastewater treatment facility. The majority of the sites recorded nearby were documented in a report not provided by the Georgia Site Files; that study consisted of more than half of the current study area. Of the seven sites documented by New South and Associates, two were deemed not eligible and the rest had unknown NRHP statuses (Smith 201 0). A study by ESI in 2011 of the potentially eligible sites (9L W 105,

9LW107, and 9LW108) determined them to be ineligible for NRHP listing (Sipe and Handley 2011 ). The New South study also encountered four isolated finds, one of which was located within the current study tract.

As a result of the survey, 26 shovel tests were dug throughout the area not previously tested resulting in the recovery of three prehistoric lithic flakes in the south-central portion of the testing area (Figure 6.1). Site number 9LW175 was assigned to this resource and is described in more detail below. The remaining 24 shovel tests were negative for cultural material over 50 years of age. Tests were dug around the location of the isolated find (IF -2) discovered in 2010, but no additional finds were made. In addition, tests were also dug along the western boundary including areas previously tested due to site 9L W 104 being located approximately 150 meters to the west.