PHASE I ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES SURVEY 39-ACRE DEL WEBB AT LAKE OCONEE, PHASE II, UNIT II

On November 7, 2016 and from February 28 through March 3, 2017, R.S. Webb & Associates conducted a cultural resources literature review and a Phase I archeological resources survey of areas surrounding three proposed stream crossings and two road/utility corridors in Phase II, Unit II of the Del Webb at Lake Oconee development in Greene County, Georgia. A 100-meter (m) radius/buffer was surveyed around each stream crossing site and each road/utility corridor. These areas cover a total of approximately 15.8 hectares (39 acres). In email correspondence dated February 15, 2017, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District requested that a Phase I archeological resources survey be conducted for this project, due to Clean Water Act permitting, and in compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (Public Law 89-665; 80 STAT.915; 16 U.S.C. 470). Under the NHPA, an archeological resources survey is conducted to determine if archeological resources eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) will be affected by the proposed project. Archeological resources within the project area were assessed for significance using the NRHP eligibility criteria set forth in 36 CFR Part 60.4. In addition, the archeological resources survey was conducted following guidelines set by the Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists (GCPA)(2014) and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior (Federal Register 1983).

Literature and Records Search: Official files and maps of the Georgia Archeological Site File, University of Georgia in Athens were examined, followed by a review of the pertinent site forms and the Laboratory of Archaeology manuscript/report files. At the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division (HPD) (Stockbridge), pertinent compliance document files, official maps, and National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)/pending files were reviewed, as well as the Greene County historic structures survey records. Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographical Information System (GNAHRGIS) was also used to confirm the presence or absence of state-recognized historic resources in Greene County. Historic maps were examined at various online sources. The Official Military Atlas of the Civil War (Davis et al.1983) was consulted for the locations of Civil War-era military actions or associated features. Aerial photographs were accessed through the Digital Library of Georgia and historicaerials.com. Field Surveys: The project archeologist surveyed the project area using surface and subsurface techniques along survey transects to search for archeological and historic above-ground resources. Exposed surfaces within the project area were inspected for artifacts and surface features. Subsurface techniques included the excavation of 30-centimeter (cm)-diameter screened shovel tests to sterile subsoil. Shovel test profiles were inspected and soil data recorded. Shovel tests were not excavated in severely disturbed areas, areas with slope greater than 15 percent, or in drainageways. In other areas, survey shovel tests were excavated at 30-meter (m) intervals along transects spaced 30 m apart. Occasionally, shovel test intervals were decreased or advanced off-transect to sample diminutive landforms well suited for human use. Since this was an archeological resources survey, the project Area of Potential Effects was set at the project area boundaries. Literature Review: GNAHRGIS and HPD records indicate that there are no NRHP-listed historic properties located within at least 1.6 kilometers (km) of the project area. There are 126 archeological sites recorded within 1.6 km of the project area. The closest of these, 9GE2141 and 9GE2142, are located between 345 m and 460 m southeast of the project area. No resources have been recorded within or adjacent to the project area. The closest recorded resource is GNAHRGIS Resource No. 226348, a circa 1900 dwelling located approximately 610 m west of the project area. Archeological Field Survey: One archeological site, 9GE3717, was recorded as a result of the current survey. This site is a prehistoric lithic scatter that could not be assigned to a specific cultural period. The site is confined to the plowzone and exhibits low artifact density and diversity. Because 9GE3717 lacks contextual clarity and depositional integrity, it is recommended ineligible for the NRHP under all criteria, especially Criterion (d) (archeology). Based on the survey results, the proposed undertaking will have no effect on NRHP-listed or eligible resources. No additional archeological resources work is recommended for this project.