"Phase I Cultural Resources Investigations of the East Dalton-Oostanula Transmission Line

Between October 4 and 8, 2021, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted a Phase I Cultural Resources Survey (CRS) for the proposed 115 kV East Dalton-Oostanaula transmission line improvement project in Gordon and Whitfield Counties, Georgia. Activities associated with the proposed development within the project corridor will directly impact soils through the movement of heavy machinery within the project corridor and the clearing of necessary vegetation. Background research and cultural resources survey were used to identify potentially significant resources within the project’s Area of Potential Effect (APE).

Background research conducted on Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS) identified no previously recorded archaeological sites or historic resources within the project corridor. In addition, no previously recorded historic resources were identified within 1.0 kilometer (km) of the project corridor. Five previously recorded archaeological sites are located within 1.0 km of the current project corridor but will not be impacted by the proposed development. Brockington conducted both an archaeological field survey and an architectural field survey within the APE of the project corridor. The archaeological field survey included systematic visual reconnaissance, 30-meter-interval shovel testing, and metal detecting survey. The field survey identified one archaeological site and one isolated find within the project corridor. Site 9GO422 is a prehistoric lithic scatter and historic artifact scatter located in the southern portion of the project corridor on the south bank of the Oostanula River. The site is recommended not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). In addition, two historic resources are present within the project corridor viewshed. A portion of the former Western and Atlantic Railway is located in the northern segment of the corridor in Whitfield County and is considered eligible for inclusion on the NRHP. Due to the continual redevelopment of properties within the viewshed, the railroad’s viewshed has already been compromised and contains no NRHP-qualifying aesthetics in terms of setting. Resource 1 is a historic house site that is recommended not eligible for inclusion on the NRHP and will not be affected by the proposed improvements. Therefore, we recommend a finding of No Adverse Effect for the proposed improvements to the existing transmission line.