Cultural Resources Survey of the DENA Murray Energy Facility Tracts, Murray County, Georgia

Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted a comprehensive cultural resources investigation of the two proposed DENA Murray Energy Facility substation tracts, southeast of Dalton, Georgia. These tracts, comprised of four and six acres, respectively, are situated on Loopers Bend of the Conasauga River. Background research consisted of a review of records on file at the Georgia State Archaeological Site Files in Athens, and at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division in Atlanta. This review did not identify any recorded cultural resources within 4 km (2.5 mi) of the survey tracts. The four-acre tract, the Loopers Bend Substation tract, is located in an upland setting between an existing DENA plant and the river. This tract has been severely impacted by modern day activities, including extensive grading, and is flanked by wooded side slopes and construction areas. No cultural material was recovered or observed. The six-acre tract, the Conasauga Substation tract, is situated on a ridge top immediately adjacent to a wastewater reservoir. This tract is primarily wooded and contains numerous graded roads. Approximately 80 percent of the tract is steep side slopes. The ridge top itself has been impacted by heavy equipment and evidence of grading was observed. No cultural material was recovered or observed during this investigation. Architectural survey of both project tracts and their immediate vicinity was conducted. No historic structures were identified. The Loopers Bend and Conasauga Substation tracts exhibit moderate to severe disturbance by heavy machinery and erosion. Neither tract yielded any cultural material. In addition, no historic structures were identified either within or in the vicinity of the project tracts. Based on the results of this investigation, the proposed construction of these two substations will not impact any significant cultural resources and clearance is recommended.