Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of Morgan Lakes (Area 1)

From 5 to 9 December 2005, Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted an intensive cultural resources survey of the Morgan Lakes tract in Chatham County, Georgia. The survey tract consisted of approximately 293 acres. This investigation was carried out for Thomas and Hutton Engineering, Inc. and was conducted in compliance with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and by criteria defined under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended) by personnel qualified under the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards (36 CFR Part 61 ). Background research was conducted on NAHRGIS (Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information Systems), an online database operated by the Georgia Archaeological Site File at the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. One previously recorded archaeological resource was found to be within the project tract (9CH950) and five sites within a 1.6-km (1-mi) radius (9CH786, 9CH915, 9CH882, 9CH1149 and 9CH1150). With the exception of9CH915, the Fortner Farm, none of these sites have been recommended eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Site 9CH950, a prehistoric surface lithic scatter, could not be located. Phase I archaeological resources survey consisted of screened shovel tests at 30-meter ( -100- ft) intervals. A visual inspection of all exposed ground surfaces and slopes was also conducted. No archaeological resources were discovered. Archaeological resources clearance is recommended. Architectural resources survey consisted of vehicular and pedestrian reconnaissance of the project area and its surrounding viewshed to identify any properties exceeding 50 years in age that might be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Research conducted at the Georgia Historic Preservation Division and on NAHRGIS determined no NRHP previously listed or eligible properties were within 0.8 km (0.5 mi) of the project area. No architectural resources were identified during field survey. Architectural resources clearance is recommended.