Phase I Cultural Resources Survey, Laura Lake Dam Rehabilitation, Cobb County, Georgia

This letter is in reference to a Department of the Army application for impacts to aquatic resources associated with the rehabilitation of the earthen dam that impounds Laura Lake, located south of Hunters Trail, north of I-75, in unincorporated Cobb County, Georgia (Latitude 33.237798, Longitude -84.5548). The proposed project would construct a new spillway that incorporates a labyrinth and rip-rapped outlet stilling basin. To achieve the project purpose and provide for long-term dam maintenance, the construction of a permanent access road is proposed. The proposed access road would begin at Bells Ferry Road and extend approximately 2,650 feet due west to an existing internal road within the property. The proposed impacts to aquatic resources for the road are 279 linear feet of stream and 0.006-acre of wetland for two culverted stream crossings. The proposed impacts to aquatic resources for the dam rehabilitation are 164 linear feet of intermittent stream, 0.14-acre of forested wetlands, and 0.13-acre of open water. Temporary construction impacts are 1-acre of open-water and 200 linear feet of intermittent stream to install an earthen cofferdam. Sediment removal would be conducted in the dry lakebed. This project has been assigned number SAS-2011- 00236. Please refer to this number in all communication regarding this matter.

In accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended in 2014, and 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 325, Appendix C, copies of the following draft report entitled, “Phase I Cultural Resources Survey, Laura Lake Dam Rehabilitation, Cobb County, Georgia: Georgia Cultural Resources Short Report”, dated November 19, 2021, by R.S. Webb & Associates, are enclosed for your review and comment. 

Pursuant to Paragraph 6(d) of the Department of the Army’s Directorate of Civil Works/Regulatory “Revised Interim Guidance for Implementing Appendix C of 33 CFR Part 325, with the Revised Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Regulations 36 CFR 800”, dated April 25, 2005, the Corps’ Scope of Analysis for this project, based on the distribution of waters of the U.S., is defined as a “project area,” and found in the enclosed mapping.

The cultural resources investigation strategy included a background literature review, historic resources survey, and archeological survey within the project area. The archeological investigations included the placement of shovel tests at 30-meter intervals and historic investigations included visual pedestrian investigations, neither of which were successful in the identification of archeological or historic resources.

Based on the Corps scope of analysis for this project and the proposed impacts, it is the Corps determination that this permit action will result in no effect to historic properties. As lead federal agency, the Corps is providing copies of the project specific information for your review and comment. Pursuant to 33 CFR Part 325, Appendix C.4(b), and subsequent headquarters memorandum, dated January 31, 2007, and in accordance with 36 CFR Part 800.4(d)(1)(i), if your agency does not object within 30 days of receipt of this information, the Corps will consider its responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act fulfilled. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Jade Bilyeu, Regulatory Project Manager, Piedmont Branch, at 678-422-6572, or Mr. Rodney Parker, Archeologist, Regulatory Division, at 912-652-5964.