Archeological Survey of Structure 67 on the Branch-Wadley 230 kV Transmission Line, Hancock County, Georgia

This report presents the results of an intensive archeological survey performed by Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. in southern Hancock County, where the Georgia Transmission Corporation wishes to move one H-type tower that supports the Branch-Wadley 230 kV transmission line. One leg of this tower, structure 67, is in a low-lying, wet area and is subsiding so that the entire structure needs to be moved about 46 m (150 ft) to an eastern ridge. The survey was undertaken in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. The area of potential effect for the project consists of an approximately 1.15 km (3,770 ft) long, 60 m (200 ft) wide section of the existing Branch-Wadley 230 kV transmission line that straddles tower structure 67. The anticipated impact area will be smaller, about 152 m (500 ft) around Structure 67, but the larger area described above was surveyed to allow project planners ample space within which to work. No archeological sites had been previously recorded in or near the project area. Archival sources indicated that no historic period structures existed in the project area. Our field survey discovered and documented three new archeological sites. Site 9HK285, which is a small, sparse, eroded, prehistoric lithic scatter located on a ridge at the northwest end of the project area, is recommended not eligible to the National Register of Historic Places. Site 9HK286 is a large, ridgetop prehistoric lithic and pottery site that extends to 120 m (400 ft) west of Structure 67. While this site has sparse remains and probably is not eligible to the National Register, we cannot be certain of this at the current level of survey effort, mainly because of the presence of the Mississippian component. We recommend that Site 9HK286 is of unknown eligibility status. However, the site lies outside the impact area of the project undertaking, as nearby Structure 67 is being moved to the other direction, to the southeast. Thus, the site will not be affected. It is possible that project vehicles will drive over the site to access Structure 67, but as long as the maintenance/access road is not bulldozed or otherwise graded, and as long as the vehicles do not mire down deeply in the site (very unlikely) there should be no affect to the site. The third site, 9HK287, lies on the sandy ridge east of Structure 67 on which the structure will be moved. Site 9HK287 consists of a sparse scatter of prehistoric lithic material that probably spans a great length of time. No pottery or diagnostic projectile points were recovered. We conclude that this site has little further research potential and thus is not eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The portion of the site within the transmission line corridor will be partially impacted by the relocation of Structure 67. Assuming that Site 9HK286 is not affected by vehicle access to the relocation/construction site of new Structure 67 we conclude that the project will have no adverse effects to significant (eligible) archeological resources and should be granted clearance to proceed.