In early February of 2010 Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. conducted a Phase I archeological survey of the Deptford - Whitemarsh 115 kV transmission line in eastern Chatham County. The area of potential effect for the project consists of a transmission line corridor 30 m (100 ft) wide and 5.7 km (3.6 mi) long. A wetlands permit may be required from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers because redesigned portions of the transmission line cross salt marsh. Thus, the survey was conducted to ensure that Georgia Power Company is in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. The line parallels Islands Expressway but switches several times between the south and north side of the highway. This survey recorded one site, 9CH1231, in the present project area. It is a prehistoric (Middle Woodland) site that is contemporaneous with the nearby Deptford Site (9CH2), which is one of the paramount sites in the history of Southeastern archeology. We are recommending that the eligibility of 9CH1231 is unknown. As currently designed, a concrete pole will replace a wooden 115 kV pole (Structure 4) near the middle of the archeological site. To avoid impacts to the archeological site, we recommend that it should occupy the same spot as the existing wooden pole, whose installation has already damaged this portion of the site. If this is not feasible, and the new pole has to be placed elsewhere on the site, we recommend excavating a 2-x-2-m test pit at the new location.
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