Phase I Cultural Resources Survey in Advance of the Proposed Richmond Hill Interconnect, Bryan County, Georgia

Cardno cultural resources specialists have completed a Phase I cultural resources survey in advance of the construction of the Richmond Hill Interconnect natural gas pipeline (Figure 1). The Atlanta Gas Light Company (AGLC) Richmond Hill Interconnect Project (Project) is located in Bryan County, Georgia. The Project includes a new 0.93-mile single 8-inch steel pipeline connecting the existing 24-inch Southern Natural Gas (SNG) Cypress Pipeline and the 12-inch AGLC Richmond Hill to Ludowici Pipeline. The proposed pipeline route is west and parallel to Interstate (I)-95 and will cross Georgia Power Easement. A shared gate (Tap) Station will be located just west of Interstate I-95, adjacent to the existing Georgia Power Easement. AGLC will acquire a new easement for the Tap Station and pipeline.

The purpose of the Project is to increase AGLC’s pipeline capacity in Bryan and Chatham Counties to offset the derating of the 12-inch AGLC Richmond to Ludowici Pipeline from a transmission to a distribution pipeline. This line serves as an emergency backfeed supply to the Savannah distribution system. The Project’s pipeline will be a high-pressure distribution pipeline with a planned MAOP of 400 psig. The Project’s Gate Station and interconnect pipeline will provide feed gas to the 12-inch main.

The Project is comprised of two parts, designated here as the Gate Station and centerline (Figure 2). Both the Gate Station and centerline are situated on the west side of I-95. The Gate Station will be situated on the northern edge of an existing transmission power line corridor and the interconnect centerline will extend southward across the existing power line corridor and down the west side of I-95 for approximately 1.25 kilometers. The entire area of potential effects (APE) was visually inspected for archaeological and historic resources. Shovel tests were excavated within 50 feet (15.25 meters) of all wetland and waterbody crossings along the entirety of the APE.

Fieldwork for the Project was completed on June 28, 2018 and took one field archaeologist a day to complete. Project files and other materials associated with this survey will be curated with the Antonio J. Waring Archaeology Laboratory in Carrolton, Georgia.