AN INTENSIVE CULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT SURVEY OF GEORGIA KAOLIN TERMINAL RAIL SPUR PROJECT CHATHAM COUNTY, GEORGIA SAS-2018-00581

In August 2019, Environmental Services, Inc., (ESI) conducted a cultural resource assessment survey of the proposed Georgia KaolinTerminal Rail Spur Project tract in Chatham County, Georgia (Figure 1.1). The tract is located north of Foundation Drive Road, west of the Savannah River, and south of the Dundee Canal. The project is located within parcel ID is 10606 01002. The proposed project includes the construction of a rail spur, hopper loadout facility, and truck container handling facility along with a railroad spur and associated road. The survey was conducted on behalf of Georgia KaolinTerminals, Inc. at the request of the USACE – Savannah District (SAS-2005-00435). Fieldwork was conducted by Joshua Newman under the direction of Brent Handley, who served as Principal Investigator. The goals of the investigation were to locate all historic properties, including archaeological sites, within the project area, and to assess their significance and potential eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as mandated by federal laws and guidelines (Code of Federal Regulations [CFR], Title 36, Chapter VIII, Part 800 [36 CFR 800]). The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, requires cultural resource assessments on all projects that involve federal assistance, licensing, and/or permitting. The effect of a project on cultural resources must be taken into consideration, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation must be afforded an opportunity to comment on such effects. In order to meet these objectives, an intensive cultural resource assessment survey was conducted by ESI, the results of which are reported herein. The proposed rail spur footprint enters the forested area and will cross wetlands, it will then go across the northern section of the existent silos and end near the maintenance shed; this area is heavily compacted gravel. Also proposed is the continuation of the paved road, which will replace the graveled road in the small grass field and come parallel to the rail spur. This area will contain a hopper for trailer loading. The field investigation consisted of a thorough pedestrian inspection coupled with subsurface testing throughout upland portions of the study tract. Shovel tests measured 30 cm in diameter and were excavated to a depth of at least 80-cm below surface whenever possible. All soil was screened using ¼ inch mesh. The project area is heavily disturbed from past and modern land manipulation and construction. A historic property search was also conducted outside the project tract, but in close proximity to determine if there will be any visual impacts. The project area is located within the Brampton Planation Battlefield Historic District (9CH1191), which was fought during the American Civil War in the general vicinity of the project area. No evidence of this resource was discovered during the current study. The project area is also located within the Brampton/Imbrie Securities Company Industrial District. As a result of the survey, no cultural resources were identified within the project area, nor will the proposed project adversely affect any nearby cultural resources. It is the opinion of ESI that the proposed development be allowed to proceed without further concern of significant impacts to cultural resources.