Phase I Cultural Resources Survey Proposed Butler Creek Mitigation Bank, Elbert County, Georgia

R.S. Webb & Associates conducted a Phase I cultural resources survey of proposed stream restoration corridors within the Butler Creek wetlands mitigation in Elbert County, Georgia on September 24 through October 10, 2008. The project area covers appr9-ximately 72.8 hectares (ha) (180 acres) of stream restoration corridors along Butler Creek and several of its tributaries, which lie within a larger 226-ha (559-acre) mitigation tract. The survey was conducted on behalf of Mitigation Solutions Group, LLC to locate and identify cultural resources within the project's Area of Potential Effects (APE), which was set at the project corridor boundaries; and assess resource significance based on National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria [36 CFR Part 60.4].

The Phase I cultural resources survey project included a literature review and intensive field surveys for archeological and historic resources. During the literature review, state and county records, maps, and documents were examined to determine if previously recorded archeological sites/historic structures are located within or around the project area. Using surface and subsurface techniques, the field survey was conducted to identify and record cultural resources within the study area.

Literature Review: No properties listed on the NRHP are located in or near the project area. Furthermore, only one historic structure is near the project area. Several structure signatures were historically present within the project area based on review of the 1955 and 1973 aerial photographs and historic maps.

There have been three previous cultural resource projects within 800 meters (m) of the project corridors. Review of maps at the GASF revealed that there are seven archeological sites located within 150 m of the project corridors and three sites (9EB 176, 9EB470, and 9EB717) located within the project corridors. Phase II archeological testing was conducted at site 9EB 176 during previous studies. All three sites in the project corridors are recommended ineligible for inclusion in the NRHP.

Cultural Resources Field Survey: The field survey identified five archeological sites and one isolated find within the project corridors (Table I). No evidence of the three previously recorded sites was detected during the current survey.R.S. Webb & Associates conducted a Phase I cultural resources survey of proposed stream restoration corridors within the Butler Creek wetlands mitigation in Elbert County, Georgia on September 24 through October 10, 2008. The project area covers appr9-ximately 72.8 hectares (ha) ( 180 acres) of stream restoration corridors along Butler Creek and several of its tributaries, which lie within a larger 226-ha (559-acre) mitigation tract. The survey was conducted on behalf of Mitigation Solutions Group, LLC to locate and identify cultural resources within the project's Area of Potential Effects (APE), which was set at the project corridor boundaries; and assess resource significance based on National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria [36 CFR Part 60.4].

The Phase I cultural resources survey project included a literature review and intensive field surveys for archeological and historic resources. During the literature review, state and county records, maps, and documents were examined to determine if previously recorded archeological sites/historic structures are located within or around the project area. Usi.ng surface and subsurface techniques, the field survey was conducted to identify and record cultural resources within the study area.

Literature Review: No properties listed on the NRHP are located in or near the project area. Furthermore, only one historic structure is near the project area. Several structure signatures were historically present within the project area based on review of the 1955 and 1973 aerial photographs and historic maps.

There have been three previous cultural resource projects within 800 meters (m) of the project corridors. Review of maps at the GASF revealed that there are seven archeological sites located within 150 m of the project corridors and three sites located within the project corridors. Phase II archeological testing was conducted at site 9EB 176 during previous studies. All three sites in the project corridors are recommended ineligible for inclusion in the NRHP.

Cultural Resources Field Survey: The field survey identified five archeological sites and one isolated find within the project corridors (Table I). No evidence of the three previously recorded sites was detected during the current survey.