Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed Santee Cooper John S. Rainey Generating Station, Natural Gas and Water Pipelines, Anderson County, South Carolina and Hart County, Georgia

In February and June 1999, Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted a cultural resources survey of the proposed Santee Cooper John S. Rainey Generating Station tract, and gas and water pipeline alternatives (hereafter referred to as the project tract) in Anderson County, South Carolina and Hart County, Georgia. The proposed Generating Station tract consists of approximately 199 acres. A 1.6 km (1.0 mile) radius APE for this tract was established through coordination with the State Historic Preservation Offices of Georgia and South Carolina. The three proposed natural gas pipeline alternatives total 4,880 meters (16,000 feet) long and range from 15 to 92 meters (50 to 300 feet) in width. The three proposed water pipelines alternatives total 7,320 meters (24,000 feet) long and average 15 meters (50 feet) wide. A number of potential construction access roads were also investigated. The APE established for the pipeline and the access roads is comprised of the various corridor widths. The goals of our survey were to identify all cultural resources (archaeological sites and/or buildings over 50 years of age) within the project boundaries, and to evaluate their significance based on National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria. This survey was conducted for the South Carolina Public Service Authority (Santee Cooper), under contract with General Engineering, Inc., in accordance with State and Federal permit requirements. The cultural resources survey consisted of background research and field investigations. Background research conducted in Columbia, South Carolina, and in Athens and Atlanta, Georgia identified six previously recorded archaeological sites within 0.8 kilometer (0.5 mile) of the project limits. All have been previously recommended ineligible for the NRHP. Background research identified the Smith McGee bridge, a NRHP listed property located at the west end of SC 181, near the proposed intake and discharge structures for the water pipelines. The remaining section of the bridge, which extends from the Georgia side of the Savannah River toward South Carolina, is part of the original structure that is listed on the NRHP. This portion of the bridge is currently used as a fishing pier. The remaining concrete abutments (located between the intact section of the bridge and the South Carolina shore of the river) are not considered significant contributors to this resource. Archaeological field survey of the project tract identified two archaeological sites (38AN250 and 38AN262) and four isolated finds. Both sites consist of sparse scatters of artifacts in disturbed, eroded contexts, and are recommended ineligible for the NRHP. The isolated finds consist of individual prehistoric artifacts, and are also recommended ineligible for the NRHP. Architectural field survey was conducted to identify all architectural resources within the project's APE. Vehicular reconnaissance of the APE identified one residence at 2904 Opry House Road which appears to be older than 50 years of age. This house was apparently moved to its present location, separating the house from its historic context, and it is therefore recommended ineligible for the NRHP. There are no standing buildings within the path of the natural gas and water pipelines. The cultural resources survey of the proposed Santee Cooper John S. Rainey Generating Station, and natural gas and water pipelines identified no NRHP eligible archaeological sites within either the tract or along the proposed corridor alternatives. One of the alternate natural gas corridors would have potentially impacted a previously recorded archaeological site. No NRHP eligibility information was available for this site, consequently, an intensive survey of the entire island was conducted following the completion of the initial draft report. Two archaeological sites had been recorded on Derritt Island. Neither site was relocated and are believed to have been destroyed. This supplemental work also included the investigation of a 25 acre tract north of the proposed generating station location. No cultural resources were identified in this tract. The investigations of Derritt Island and the 25 acre tract are documented in an addendum included in this report as Appendix A. One previously recorded NRHP listed architectural resource is located near the proposed project. The proposed pipeline construction will not impact this resource either directly or indirectly, although caution should be exercised in the vicinity of the bridge during installation of the proposed water intake and discharge structures. No further work should be required in the project areas, and cultural resources clearance is recommended.