In January of 2018, Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. (SAS) conducted a historic resource survey for the property located at 3222 Madison Highway (Georgia State Route 31), a 3.21-acre tract just south of Valdosta in Lowndes County Georgia. This tract, known as the Malone Parcel, currently abuts the southern boundary of Valdosta Regional Airport and is one of two tracts proposed for acquisition by the airport (Figure 1).
The proposed undertaking consists of the acquisition and conversion of two parcels of privately owned land at the southern end of Runway 35 and adding these areas to the maintained airport property. This work will include extending the airport perimeter fence around the properties, removing (demolition of) all structures and trees, filling a small manmade pond, and extending and maintaining infield grass. The properties in question are currently within the
Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) for Runway 35. The purpose of this project is to acquire the privately-owned properties within the RPZ so that they can be owned and maintained by the airport. The RPZ serves to enhance the protection of people and property on the ground in the event an aircraft lands or crashes beyond the runway end. The FAA encourages airports to own their RPZ and maintain it as airfield turf, free from structures, trees, and other debris that would impose on safety standards.
Upon acquisition, the residence and auxiliary buildings on the 3.21-acre tract will be demolished, trees will be removed, and the pond will be filled. The entire parcel will be maintained as grass. No other ground disturbing activities are proposed. The other tract, a 14- acre portion of the Edgewood Farm currently cultivated for soybean production, does not contain any structures. Land disturbance activities will be limited to removal of soybeans and planting of grass.
Due to project funding from the Federal Aviation Administration, the proposed undertaking requires compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended. NHPA calls for an assessment of project effects on significant (eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places) cultural resources within a given project’s Area of Potential Effect (APE).
One structure 50 years of age or older was identified within the project’s APE. This is the Henry Cone House, a brick Ranch House built in 1966 and recommended as eligible for National Register listing as documented in this report. Two nonhistoric auxiliary buildings are also located on the 3.21-acre tract.
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