Between March 9 and May 15, 2015, and between June 4 and 22, 2018, Brockington and Associates, Inc. (Brockington) completed Phase I cultural resources survey and Phase II testing for the 1,411.7-acre Bryan County Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Site managed by the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA). This tract is located south of the intersection of Interstate-16 (I-16) (GA-404) and US-280/25 (GA-30) in northwestern Bryan County. The cultural resources investigations were carried out for SEDA in partial fulfilment 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).
The cultural resources survey includes both an archaeological and a historic architectural survey component. Archival research revealed no previously recorded archaeological sites and one previously recorded historic resource (Resource 225086, a ca. 1930 single-family dwelling) within the project Area of Potential Effects (APE). Archaeological field investigations consisted of 30-m-interval shovel testing and pedestrian survey within the entire 1,411.7-acre tract, as well as 1-by-1-m test unit excavations within selected archaeological sites. The architectural survey entailed a viewshed analysis of all potentially historic buildings, structures, and landscape features in the vicinity of the proposed project.
Our field investigations identified five newly recorded archaeological sites (9BN1586, 9BN1610, 9BN1611, 9BN1612, and 9BN1613), five archaeological isolated finds (Isolates 1 through 5), 26 newly recorded historic resources (Resources 1 through 26), and a revisit of the above-mentioned previously recorded historic resource.
The results of our archaeological investigations indicate that these archaeological sites and isolated finds are recommended not eligible for the NRHP. Further management considerations of these resources under Section 106 of the NHPA are not warranted.
The historic resources identified during the architectural survey include one late nineteenth-century single-family dwelling (Resource 1), 24 early to mid-twentieth-century single-family dwellings (Resources 2 through 24, 26, and Resource 225086), and one late nineteenth- to twentieth-century railroad corridor (Resource 25). We recommend Resources 1 through 24 not eligible for the NRHP due to lack of significance associated with events, individuals, design, and/or potential to contribute to additional historical knowledge. We recommend the previously recorded Resource 225086 eligible for the NRHP under Criterion C since this ca. 1930s cross-gabled bungalow maintains integrity of design, workmanship, and setting. We also recommend the Central of Georgia Rail Line eligible for the NRHP under Criterion A for its connection with transportation and railroad towns, and under Criterion C for distinctive characteristics of engineering. However, for both these recommended NRHP-eligible resources, there are no anticipated adverse effects. Resource 225086 will not be affected by the project undertaking due to its distance from the tract as well as ample vegetation and non-historic development between the resource and proposed project activities. Any affect to Resource 25 (the railroad) will be consistent with the current industrial and commercial use and setting of the rail line and will not adversely affect the integrity or significance of the resource. Therefore, no further management consideration of architectural resources in the project APE are warranted.
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