Apalachee Research Archaeological Consultants Inc. completed a Phase I cultural resource survey on behalf of Pilot Environmental Inc. in June 2018. This investigation was undertaken in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing regulations 36CFR800. The goal was to evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed development on historic properties that are listed or may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The proposed development will consist of a solar farm on an approximately 655-acre tract of farmland in Jefferson County, Georgia.
This investigation preceded with a literature review that found no previously recorded NRHP eligible historic properties within the area of potential effects. There are also no previously recorded cultural resources of any kind and no record of previous investigations within the survey tract. The ensuing fieldwork consisted of an intensive archaeological survey of the entire 655-acre tract and a historic resources survey to locate structures, or above-ground resources that are 50 years of age or older that could have visual or other indirect effects as a result of the proposed construction.
The archaeological survey recorded ten archaeological sites (9JF356-374) and 12 isolated artifact finds within the survey tract. All ten of the archaeological sites are recommended not eligible for the NRHP because they are disturbed and lack significant research potential. We recommend no additional investigations or preservation for these sites. The isolated finds by definition, are not archaeological sites, and also warrant no further investigation or preservation.
The historic resources survey recorded three residences and a cemetery. These are not within the survey tract but are within the potential viewshed and thus in the area of indirect effects. These include a 1930s residence (HR-A), which is eligible for the NRHP as a good example of a rural pyramidal cottage, and a cemetery (HR-B) of unknown eligibility. The other two historic resources do not meet NRHP eligibility criteria because they lack architectural distinction and historic associations. These include a circa 1900 side-gable bungalow (HR-C), and a circa 1950s brick ranch (HR-D). No further documentation or preservation efforts are warranted for HR-C and HR-D.
The NRHP eligibility of the Ebenezer Cemetery (HR-B) is unknown due to the inability to survey it archaeologically. However, we believe that visual effects (if any) resulting from construction of the solar farm as planned, will be insignificant. Therefore, we do not recommend any further preservation efforts for HR-B.
Historic Resource A is within the viewshed of the proposed development. In order to minimize adverse visual effects, Pilot Environmental has provided a screening vegetative buffer plan, which is submitted with this report.
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