Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed Camp Lawton Solar Farm near Millen, Jenkins County Georgia

Apalachee Research Archaeological Consultants Inc. completed a Phase I cultural resource survey on behalf of Pilot Environmental Inc. in August 2019. This investigation was undertaken in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing regulations. 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 678-acre tract of farmland near Millen in Jenkins County, Georgia.

This investigation included archival research for previously recorded sites and to establish a historic context for the area. The ensuing fieldwork consisted of an intensive archaeological survey of the entire 678-acre tract and an architectural 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 development.

Twenty-three archaeological sites, 14 isolated artifact finds, and seven historic resources were identified as a result of the fieldwork. One of the archaeological sites (9JS111) is an abandoned cemetery that requires protection in accordance with state and federal burial laws. It contains three marked graves and at least 38 unmarked graves within a roughly 0.85 acre stand of mature hardwoods. The area containing known or suspected graves is an approximately 70 x 40-meter area within the stand of hardwoods. The archaeological site boundary is expanded to roughly 2.8 acres to include a buffer around hardwoods to ensure unmarked graves remain undisturbed. Logging, land clearing, or any ground disturbing activities should be avoided with the 9JS111 boundary. The other 22 archaeological sites are recommended not eligible for the NRHP and no further work or preservation is recommended. The 14 isolated finds by definition, are not archaeological sites, and do not require further work or preservation.

The architectural survey identified two historic properties, which are documented as Historic Resources 2 and 6 (HR- 2 and HR-6). They are on adjacent parcels and will not be directly affected by the proposed development. HR-2 is farm complex with an early twentieth century house and several outbuildings. The recommended 26 acre boundary includes visually connected historic fields. Presently, the viewshed west from HR-2 includes a limited view of the development tract as a result of a recent logging episode. However, this view is expected to be temporary as the area was replanted in loblolly pines circa 2015, which will soon provide a full visual buffer of the proposed solar array, which as planned will be 0.19 miles or more west and northwest of HR-2. The solar array as planned will be within 450 feet southwest of the HR-2 boundary. This area is wooded and not presently visible from HR-2 due to mature woodland vegetation along Sardis Road. However, intermittent planted buffers may be needed to supplement the natural buffer in this area. Provided sufficient existing vegetation is retained and the young loblolly pine stand is left undisturbed, no additional planted buffers should be needed to mitigate potential adverse visual effects to this historic property.

HR-6 includes a circa 1900 craftsman with an outbuilding that also may be historic. They are in a heavily wooded parcel south of the development tract that is truncated on the north by the circa 1995 Millen Bypass (SR-21). Due to distance, and mature screening vegetation along the SR-21corridor, there will be no visual or other indirect effects to HR-6 as result of the proposed development. Therefore, we recommend no further work for HR-6. The other five historic resources are recommended not eligible for the NRHP and we recommend no further work for these five sites, which include HR-1, HR-3, HR-4, HR-5, and HR-7.