Archeological Survey of the Proposed McNutt Creek Sewer Connector-Phase II, Oconee County Georgia

Oconee County wishes to construct the Phase II portion of the McNutt Creek sewer line and is seeking federal funds to do so, which requires that an archeological survey be conducted to assure that no significant (eligible for the National Register of Historic Places) archeological sites are adversely affected by the project. In August 2016, Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc.

conducted an intensive archeological survey of approximately 10,100 ft (3,079 m) of proposed sewer line corridor along the south side of McNutt Creek. Approximately 1,600 ft (488 m) of the line replaces existing line and did not require survey. Another 1,600 ft (488 m) of the line will be bored and also, did not require survey. Thus, the remaining 6,900 ft (2,103 m) of the 40-ft (12-m) wide corridor was the subject of the survey. Portions of the line will be placed in the largely disturbed floodplain of McNutt Creek, while other portions will be placed on the lower flanks of ridge slopes just above the floodplain. Much of the line traverses a golf course, mostly along the edges of fairways, while the remaining sections are wooded.

Archival research showed that the only known site or historic structure possibly within the project corridor is Jennings/Sykes Mill, recorded as archeological site 9CA60. The mill, once associated with the Jennings family, was on the north, Clarke County side of McNutt Creek. Our survey involved the excavation of 41 shovel tests and surface inspection of a few patches of ground surface exposure to locate artifacts or features indicative of sites.

Our survey discovered no archeological sites, but did record an isolated find and the stone dam to Jennings/Sykes/Sikes Mill. Isolated Find 1 consists of two prehistoric quartz artifacts on the surface of a low ridge crest. The cemented stone dam across McNutt Creek is the one described on the 1976 archeological site form for Sykes Mill, although it has a modern appearance. It is likely that it has been reconstructed, possibly in the 1980s when the golf course was built. The proposed sewer line will not physically affect the dam, as it will pass about 40 ft (12 m) to the south of it. The mill site (9CA60) has been recommended as not eligible for the National Register because it has been severely damaged by a previous sewer line and other construction. We concur that site 9CA60, including the reconstructed stone dam, is not eligible. However, we recommend that because the Jennings Mill

name is so prominent in the area and because this may be the only tangible remnant of that mill, simple protective measures, such as alerting contractors and installing barrier fencing around the dam, should be undertaken to ensure that the dam is not damaged during pipeline construction.

Thus, because the proposed sewer line project does not intercept any archeological sites, we recommend that the project will have no adverse effects to significant archeological resources and should be granted clearance to proceed.