Phase I Cultural Resources Survey and Archaeological Inventory of the Proposed Southern Natural Gas Company South System Expansion - Part II Pipeline Project in Harris, Talbot, Monroe, Bibb, Jones, Baldwin, Washington, Jefferson, and Richmond Counties, Ge

This report presents the results of a Phase I cultural resources survey and archeological inventory of five discontinuous loops associated with the proposed Southern Natural Gas Company South System Expansion II Pipeline Project in Harris, Talbot, Monroe, Bibb, Jones, Baldwin, Washington, Jefferson, and Richmond Counties, Georgia. These pipelines include the Central Loop 8 (36 inch O.D. South Main 3rd Loop Line, Milepost 311.57 to 328.176 [328.25]), the East Loop 9 (30 in O.D. South Main 2nd Loop Line, Milepost 362.707 to 376.21 [MP 362.68 to 376.71]), the East Loop 10 (30 in O.D. South Main 3rd Loop Line, Milepost 380.602 to 388.202), the East Loop 11 (30 in O.D. South Main 3rd Loop Line, Milepost 420.20 to 425.02 [427.1]), and the East Loop 12 (24 in O.D. South Main 2nd Loop Line, Milepost [464.9] 465.03 to 477.60). This survey was conducted during the summer of 2001 on behalf of Southern Natural Gas Company, a subsidiary of El Paso Energy, by R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc. The investigation was designed to identify and to evaluate all cultural resources (archeological sites, isolated finds, standing structures, cemeteries, and traditional cultural properties) situated within the Areas of Potential Effect that may be impacted as a result of this undertaking. Fieldwork consisted of pedestrian survey augmented with systematic shovel testing; all portions of the Area of Potential Effect were investigated for cultural resources This work resulted in the identification and recordation of 19 non-site cultural resources loci (HR-3-01, HR-8-01, HR-12-01, AR-HAR-7A-01, ARHAR-8B-01, AR-HAR-8B-03, AR-HAR-9-01, TA-13A-01, TA-13C-01, AR-TAL-1-03, ARTAL-1-04, AR-TAL-4-01, MO-18-01, AR-MO6-03, JN-9-01, WA-2-01, AR-WA-2-04, JE-2 01, and RI-2-02), 31 archeological sites (9HS302 - 9HS306, 9TA116 - 9TA122, 9MO532 - 9MO539, 9JO283, 9WG139 -. 9WG144, and 9RI1086 -. 9RI1089), 3 historic standing structures (SS-TA-08-01, SS-MO-1301, SS-AR-MO-06-01), 1 previously recorded historic standing structure (Georgia Standing Structure RI-23), and 2 historic cemeteries (RICemetery 1 and RI-Cemetery 3). A total of 16 cultural resources dated from the prehistoric period, 13 were multi-component and produced evidence of both prehistoric and historic cultural components, while the remaining 21 loci dated from historic times. Each of these cultural resources was located within the proposed pipeline right-of-way or along proposed access roads associated with the current undertaking. No archeological sites or cultural resources loci were identified during the survey and inventory of the ancillary facilities. In addition, 3 nineteenth to twentieth century standing structures (SS-TA-08-01, SS-MO13-01, SS-AR-MO-06-01), 1 previously recorded historic standing structure (Georgia Standing Structure RI-23) with an associated residence and possible cemetery, and 2 cemeteries with interments dating from the nineteenth to twentieth centuries (RI-Cemetery 1 and RICemetery 3) were identified. As currently proposed, both cemeteries will be avoided during construction of the South System Expansion II pipeline project. Georgia Standing Structure RI23 is located north of the existing corridor and should not be impacted by the proposed construction; therefore, Georgia Standing Structure RI-23 was not assessed applying the National Register of Historic Places criteria for evaluation. The remaining structures and cemeteries do not possess the qualities of significance applying the National Register of Historic Places criteria for evaluation (36 CFR 60.4 [a-d]). No additional documentation of the cemeteries or architectural recordation of the structures is recommended. Only one site (Site 9WG141) produced evidence of intact cultural deposits and research potential. Site 9WG141 consisted of an isolated historic/modern period find and a dense surface and subsurface scatter of prehistoric artifacts recovered from Access Road AR-WA-02. In addition, the site boundaries extend into the currently proposed pipeline corridor near approximate Milepost 425.0; it is one of five sites identified on Access Road AR-WA-02. While the historic/modern component does not possess intact deposits, the prehistoric component produced evidence of both intact cultural deposits as well as temporally diagnostic artifacts dating from the Late Archaic to Gulf Formational period; as such Site 9WG141 may possess the qualities of significance as defined by the National Register of Historic Places criteria for evaluation (36 CFR 60.4 [a-d]). Removal of the access road and an alteration to the proposed Southern Natural Gas Company pipeline corridor is recommended. If Site 9WG141 can not be avoided by changes in the proposed construction plans, then additional Phase II testing and evaluation of this site is recommended. In summary, only one potentially significant cultural property (Site 9WG141) falls within the currently proposed Area of Potential Effect. Consequently, with the exception of this site, no additional testing of the proposed Southem Natural Gas Company South System Expansion II pipeline project is recommended. A single previously surveyed contractor yard (CY-JE-01) is included as part of this overall project. No cultural resources were identified and no additional work was recommended. The result of this work is summarized in a report prepared by Robblee, George et al. (2001). A copy of the concurrence letter received from the Georgia Historic Preservation Division is attached to this report (Appendix XIII).