Archeological Survey of the Proposed Fieldstone 230/25 kV Substation, Rockdale County, Georgia

In August 2019 Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., (SAS) conducted a Phase I archeological survey of the proposed Fieldstone Substation, a 1.1-ha (2.8-ac) tract located at the intersection of McCalla and Salem Roads in eastern Rockdale County, Georgia. The Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC) is proposing to construct a 230/25 kV substation on the tract of land that is located on the southern side of McCalla Road and the western side of Salem Road. The goal of the survey was to locate, describe, and evaluate archeological resources within the area of potential effect (APE) for the proposed project, so that potential effects to those resources could be evaluated in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The APE is defined as the entire 1.1-ha (2.8-ac) tract. Archival research had indicated that no known archeological sites were documented in the tract, and no archeological sites are located within a 1-km (0.6-mi) radius around the project area. An aerial photograph dating to 1940 reveals that a portion of a historic period farmstead existed on the tract. The portion of the farmstead is the former barn, which lies in the northwestern corner of the Fieldstone Substation tract. Through subsurface investigation, we located the barn and recorded it as site 9RO169. The former house is located in the adjacent tract outside of the project area, but a slightly raised/leveled structure platform is discernible. Due to poor preservation and limited archeological research potential, we recommend 9RO169 not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). No other archeological sites were encountered on the Fieldstone Substation tract. Since the proposed project will not adversely affect significant archeological resources, no special protections are necessary, and we recommend that the project be allowed to proceed as planned.