Phase 1 Cultural Resources Survey and Archeological Inventory of the Proposed Southern Natural Gas Company South System Expansion III Project. Fulton, Clayton, Spalding, Lamar, and Upson Counties, Georgia

The Phase I cultural resources survey and archeological inventory of the proposed Southern Natural Gas Company (SNG) South System Expansion III Project (SSE-III) in Fulton, Clayton, Spalding, Lamar, and Upson Counties, Georgia. It includes one replacement in Fulton and Clayton Counties and a Loop in Spalding, Lamar, and Upson Counties, Georgia. This report is also being submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as an appendix to Resource Report #4. The examined pipelines include the South Atlanta to Austell Replacement (Milepost [MP] 0 to 10.9) that extends between the towns of Riverdale and Union City, Georgia. The South Atlanta to Austell Replacement involves the installation of 17.54 km (10.9 mi) of 30-inch OD pipeline, four access roads, and one warehouse yard. The Thomaston to Griffin Loop, (MP 0 to 31.2) extends through portions of Spalding, Lamar, and Upson Counties, Georgia. This loop involves the installation of a 30-inch OD pipeline, and the use of eight access roads and three warehouse yards. A fourth warehouse yard was surveyed, but has since been dropped from the project. The standard survey corridor investigated within the South Atlanta to Austell Replacement portion of the proposed undertaking measured 90 m (300 ft) in width and it was assessed through a combination of pedestrian survey and shovel testing. The survey corridor along the Thomaston to Griffin Loop measured 60.9 m (200 ft) in width and was also assessed through pedestrian survey and shovel testing. The area examined as a result of this Phase I archeological inventory totaled approximately 468.18 ha (1,156.90 ac). One hundred percent of the survey area, associated workspaces, and access roads have been inventoried for cultural resources. Fieldwork resulted in the identification of 23 cultural resources including; 15 archeological sites, 1 historic standing structure and 7 nonsite loci. Of the 23 identified cultural resources the 7 non-site loci were designated: (Loci LWP0130A-04, LWP0131A-04, LWP0201A-01, LWP0202A-01, LWP0203B-01, LWP0214A-01, LWP0215A-01, and LWP0215A-02). These loci were comprised of small scatters of prehistoric and historic artifacts. None were found to possess those qualities of significance as defined by the National Register of Historic Places Criteria for Evaluation (36 CFR 60.4 [a-d]). Fifteen archeological sites were identified during the Phase I cultural resources survey (9FU553, 9CN183, 9UP107, 9UP99, 9FU551, 9FU552, 9UP101, 9UP102, 9UP103, 9UP104, 9UP105, 9LR53, 9UP106, and 9UP100). These archeological sites consisted of both prehistoric and historic artifact scatters. Prehistoric components dated from the late Paleoindian Period to the Woodland Stage. The identified historic components date from the late eighteenth to early nineteenth centuries. Of these 15 sites identified, one (9UP99) was assessed as potentially significant and it may be eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Phase II evaluatory testing or avoidance of this site is recommended. One historic standing structure was identified (HSS-LWP0212A-01). This structure represents a typical early twentieth century residence found in northern Georgia. No further recordation of this structure is recommended. Additionally, no historic cemeteries or Native American Traditional Cultural Properties were identified during the present investigation.