AN INTENSIVE CULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT SURVEY OF SAVANNAH BOATHOUSEPROJECT CHATHAM COUNTY, GEORGIA SAS-2019-00138

In October 2019, Environmental Services, Inc., A Terracon Company (ESI) conducted a cultural resource assessment survey of the proposed Savannah Boathouse Project tract in Chatham County, Georgia (Figure 1.1). The tract is located north of US-80 and bordering the Bull River. The project is located within parcel ID #10047 03008. The proposed project includes the construction of new structures and impacts on the vacant property; including a marina/dock into the Bull River. The survey was conducted 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 project area contains an upland component of 2.38-acres with a marshland component of 1.33-acres.

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 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 where the Williams Family Seafood Restaurant was located for many years prior to burning down. In addition, adjacent to the project tract is archaeological site 9CH1509, which is the remnants of the Old SR-26/ US-80 Bridge over the Bull River. The site contains the five support structures located in the Bull River. Located to the west and north (across the marsh) are two historic structures that are unrecorded in GNAHRGIS but have been previously surveyed in the past.

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.