Fort Stewart 12: A Survey of a Portion of Natural Resource Management Unit D7.2, Fort Stewart, Liberty County, Georgia

This study represents a pedestrian archaeological survey of the Sniper Range on Natural Resource Management Unit D7, and shovel test survey of a portion of Natural Resource Management Unit D7.2 in Liberty County. A total of 322.5 ha were surveyed for this project. The sniper area contains unexploded ordnance and can not be tested using subsurface methods. The scope of work specified that this 93.5 ha area be pedestrian surveyed as high probability using transects spaced at 30 m intervals. Of the remaining tract, 38 ha were specified as requiring high probability survey using transects and shovel tests at 30 m intervals, while 191 ha were specified as needing only low probability survey, using transects at 30 meters, with shovel testing every 50 meters. This wont is being done in order to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act (Public Law 89-665, as amended by Public Law 96-515), Guidelines for Federal Agency Responsibilities, under Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Army Regulation AR 200-4 (Cultural Resources management) and 36CFR800 (Protection of Historic and Cultural Properties). The project is administered for the United States Army by the National Park Service (NPS), Southeast Regional Office. The primary purpose of this investigation is to identify the archaeological remains present on the survey tract at Fort Stewart. These investigations incorporated a review of previously reported site files located at the office of the Cultural Resources Management Specialist (CRMS). No previously recorded sites were located in the survey tracts. A previous survey suggests, however, that some portion of the ca. 1930 Bland Town community, situated at the intersection of F.S. Road 36 and 37D in the Taylors Creek Maintenance Area may extend southward into the current study tract. In addition, the post's Historic Preservation Plan was consulted regarding sites or structures on the National Register of Historic Places within the survey area. Historic maps of the project area were also examined. One archaeological site (90875) and one isolated occurrence (which was also assigned a site number, 90874) were identified during the survey of Natural Resource Management Unit D7.2. No archaeological resources were identified in the Sniper Range, which evidenced considerable ground alteration and disturbance. By definition the isolated find is recommended not eligible for inclusion on the National Register. Site 90875, although possibly associated with the Bland Town community, is recommended not eligible based on the extent of ground disturbance and the its inability to address significant research questions. As a result, no further management activities are recommended, pending concurrence by the lead agency and the Georgia State Historic Preservation Division.