Between 9 September 2019 and 18 September 2019, SEARCH completed a Phase I cultural resource survey for the Buford Dam Road relocation and adjacent timber sale area at Lake Sidney Lanier in Forsyth and Gwinnett counties, Georgia. The project was conducted under contract W91278‐15‐D‐0046, Task Order W9127819F0228 between USACE Mobile District and SEARCH. The goal of this project was to identify potential cultural resources within a 63.3‐acre Area of Potential Effect (APE) associated with the construction of a road and proposed timber harvest area in the vicinity of Buford Dam on USACE‐owned lands acquired in support of the Lake Sidney Lanier Flood Control Project in the state of Georgia.
Survey methods were consistent with the Georgia Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Surveys and consisted of pedestrian survey and systematic subsurface testing. Shovel tests were circular with a diameter of 30 centimeters [(cm) 12 inches (in)] and excavated to culturally sterile subsoil/substrate or an impasse before backfilling. Excavated soil was sifted through a screen with 6.4‐millimeter [(mm) ¼‐in] holes. Soil descriptions [texture, color (Munsell)] were collected for excavated sediments. Soil profiles were recorded for shovel tests and photographs were taken of representative tests. A total of 81 shovel tests were plotted and all those excavated were negative for cultural material. Six shovel tests were not excavated due to disturbance or slope. Due to the lack of cultural material, it is the opinion of SEARCH that the road construction and timber harvest will not affect historic properties and should proceed as planned.
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