Full Text
June 8, 2020 Soheila Naji Grant Specialist Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program Georgia Department of Natural Resources 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SE Atlanta, Georgia 30334 RE: GOSP: Improve Ogeechee Crossing Park, 1928 TE Buchannon Road, Louisville Jefferson County, Georgia GP-200515-004 Dear Ms. Naji: The Historic Preservation Division (HPD) has received initial information concerning the above referenced project. Our comments are offered to assist the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in complying with the provisions of the Georgia Environmental Policy Act (GEPA) and the State Agency Historic Property Stewardship Program. In order to complete our review, HPD is in need additional information. The subject project consists of developing and improving Ogeechee Crossing Park located at 1928 TE Buchannon Road in Louisville, including a new entrance road, parking, pavilions, trails, playground, butterfly garden, gazebo, picnic shelter, restrooms, and related appurtenances. Based on the information provided, HPD finds that 3726 Highway 24 W and 1563 North Highway 171 are eligible for listing in the Georgia/National Register of Historic Places (G/NRHP). HPD is unable to comment on the project’s impacts to historic or archaeological resources without additional information. Regarding historic resources, please provide a landscape plan that indicates a vegetative buffer, including both maintained and installed vegetation, along the boundaries of the project area adjacent to the noted historic resources in order to minimize the visual impact of the project on the G/NRHP-eligible resources. Regarding archaeological resources, HPD finds that there is a high probability for intact archaeological resources to be present in the project area. Therefore, HPD recommends conducting a Phase I archaeological survey prior to commencing any ground disturbing activities. The survey should include both proposed parking areas, the campground loop area, in addition to any equipment staging areas or newly constructed roadways that may be required to access the project area. The archaeological investigations should be conducted by a professional archaeologist meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards and the survey methods should closely follow the Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists’ recommended survey standards. HPD looks forward to receiving the above noted documentation, once available, and working with you as this project progresses. Please refer to project number GP-2005115-004 in future correspondence regarding this project. If we may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at (770) 389-7851 or [EMAIL REDACTED]. Sincerely, Jennifer Dixon, MHP, LEED Green Associate Program Manager Environmental Review & Preservation Planning cc: Anne Floyd, Central Savannah River Area Regional Commission Robert Stokes, DNR