Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed Harrison Impoundment, Washington County, Georgia

In July of 2005, Southern Research conducted a cultural resources survey within an approximately 550 acre tract of land in Washington County, Georgia (Figure 1). The tract is the location of proposed tailings impoundment for the Huber Corporation's kaolin mines. Golder Associates is preparing the environmental documentation for a Corps of Engineers permit. The survey was conducted in order to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended), which calls for the Corps to consider the effects on significant cultural resources that may be impacted if the proposed undertaking is permitted. The impoundment will occupy a natural basin created by tributaries of Limestone Creek east of Deepstep, Georgia. The Area of Potential Effect (APE) for archaeology includes possible borrow pits, construction staging areas and access roads. The APE for historic structures viewshed was determined to be a circle of one mile radiating from the center of the proposed impoundment. The archaeological survey resulted in the identification of seven previously unidentified archaeological sites and five isolated finds within the APE and two archaeological sites outside the APE. Six of the sites and the four of the isolated finds represent the remains of prehistoric activities, while three of the sites and one isolated find represent the remains of historic occupation and use. None of the sites within the APE are recommended potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The archaeological sites recorded outside the APE have not been evaluated for significance. No historic structures were identified during the viewshed survey of the APE.