Archeological Survey of the Proposed Jackson Farms Stream Mitigation Tract, Mitchell County, Georgia

Jackson Farms Holdings, LLC wishes to conduct stream restoration along a section of an unnamed tributary of Big Creek in southern Mitchell County. Because a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is required, compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, is required. This act stipulates that projects using federal funds or requiring federal permitting must take into account the effects of the project on significant cultural resources, those eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. To comply with this act, Jackson Farms contracted with Southeastern Archeological Services to conduct an intensive, Phase I archeological survey of the project tract, which extends about 60 m (200 ft) on either side of the creek bed and comprises about 32.9 ha (81 ac). A prior review of the Georgia Archaeological Site File showed no sites had been recorded in or near the project area. Early to mid-twentieth century maps and aerial photographs showed a few houses or farmsteads in the vicinity, but none within or close to the project area. The archeological field survey that was conducted from April 24 through May 5, 2017 located nine archeological sites in the project area, all of which are prehistoric sites composed of sparse scatters of lithic debris and sometimes pottery along the edge of the floodplain (Table 1). Three of the sites extend beyond the project boundary and could not be fully investigated or evaluated, but we were able to evaluate the significance of the portions of all nine sites within the project area, and we recommend that none of the portions of sites within the area of potential effect are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Thus, we conclude that the proposed undertaking will have no adverse effects to significant archeological sites and should be granted clearance to proceed.