Cultural Resource Survey for the Georgia Mountain Orchard Restoration Project, Chattooga River Ranger District, Habersham and Stephens Counties, Georgia, Compartments 209 and 216

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests recently completed a survey of 229 acres for the proposed Georgia Mountain Orchard woodland restoration project and prescribed burn on the Chattooga River Ranger District in Habersham and Stephens Counties, Georgia. This project proposes to create and maintain open pine/oak woodland habitat conditions. The primary purpose of this proposal is to take advantage of the existing early successional habitat conditions by creating and maintaining an additional mosaic of pine/oak "woodland" conditions (Table 1). A 2000 acre prescribed burn is also planned, although no survey was completed for the bum, known historic house sites within the burn area were checked for any wooden features (Table 2). No new plow lines are proposed. The fieldwork involved intensive archeological survey on the proposed project area to identify and evaluate heritage resources, and assess project effects on recorded properties. Fieldwork was completed in November and December of 2007 and one new historic period cemetery was recorded. Twenty-three previously recorded heritage properties are also within the project area bringing the total to 24. There are 16 historic house sites, 4 prehistoric sites, and 4 historic cemeteries (Table 2). Two of the 21 previously recorded properties were re-tested since they are in the project area and additional testing will be necessary to determine their National Register (NRHP) eligibility. Thirteen previously recorded sites have already been determined ineligible and that recommendation still stands (Table 2). Ten sites that were originally included in the 1991-1993 Historic Community Survey of the Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area that have not been evaluated are included within this current report. In summary, of the 24 sites within the current Georgia Mountain Orchard restoration and prescribed burn project, eight historic house sites and four historic cemeteries are currently recommended as ineligible to be National Register, while the other twelve sites are recommended as unknown for the NRHP. Although the cemeteries are ineligible they will be protected from the project and prescribed burn.