Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Suwanee-Old Atlanta Transmission Line, Gwinnett County, Georgia

Historic Preservation Consulting recently completed a Phase I archaeological survey of the proposed Suwanee Old Atlanta 11 5kV Transmission Line Corridor in Gwinnett County, Georgia. The project area is approximately 2.8 km (1.7 miles) in length and is situated between the McGinnis Ferry Road and a point located approximately 0.6 km (0.4 miles) northeast of the intersection of Stonecypher Road and Lawrenceville Suwanee Road. The study are is approximately 0.5 km (03 miles) West of the city of Suwanee. The work was conducted for Georgia Transmission Corporation by Historic Preservation Consulting of Avondale, Georgia. The principal aim of the survey was to locate and record any previously unidentified cultural resources that may exit within the project area and those located within the Area of Potential Effect (APE). The APE is defined as "the geographical area within which the undertaking may cause changes in the character of or the use of historic properties, if such properties exist" [36 CFR Part 800.2(c)]. The significance of the one cultural resource identified during the survey was assessed according to the Criteria For Evaluation (National Register Branch 1991:37) in order for Historic Preservation Consulting to make an informed recommendation on its potential eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Significant cultural resources are defined as properties that are: A. That are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or B. That are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or C. That embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or that represent the work of a master, or that posses high artistic value, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or D. That have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history (National Register Branch 1991:37). The archaeological Phase I survey of the proposed Suwanee-Old Atlanta 115kV Transmission Line Corridor, located in Gwinnett County was undertaken on July 7, 1998. The project area was examined using a combination of visual inspection and subsurface shovel testing to determine if any cultural remains were present within the study area. A total of 33 shovel tests were excavated across the project area, only one of which produced any traces of either prehistoric or historic cultural remains or activities. One archaeological site was identified within the project area. However, evaluation of the potential historical significance of the site, taking into consideration the absence of intact cultural stratigraphic contexts at both sites, indicates that it does not meet any of the four criteria of significance for inclusion in the NRHP. It is the recommendation of Historic Preservation Consulting. that no further archaeological investigations are required. This recommendation, if accepted, will complete the cultural resource obligations of Georgia Transmission Corporation under the stipulations of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1968 as amended and 36 CFR § 800.