Proposed New Steel  Facility, Ohio

Lawhon & Associates, Inc. conducted a Phase I cultural resources and history/architecture survey and a Phase II archaeological assessment for 850 acres within the Ohio River floodplain near Franklin Furnace, Scioto County, Ohio where a developer representing an international steel manufacturer proposed to construct a state-of-the art steel mill referred to as the New Steel facility.   The Phase I survey examined 45 archaeological sites within the project boundaries and identified six sites that were further evaluated in a Phase II assessment. The Phase I History/Architecture survey consisted of the development of a historic context and completion of a literature review for the project area. All architectural resources, fifty years or older, were documented in the Area of Potential Effect with a thorough field survey.  Investigative techniques included geo-morphological trenching, geo-physical magnetrometer and electromagnetic survey, mechanical excavation of large archaeological block units and hand excavation of smaller units and controlled surface collection of the identified sites.   

Thousands of prehistoric and historic artifacts were recovered during the project.  Several archaeological features of various origins and time periods were encountered and examined as part of the investigations.  However due to many years of agricultural activities and natural erosion, the majority of the archaeological sites had limited cultural integrity and the sub-surface archaeological features contained only the remnants of the bottom of the features; the upper sections of the features having been destroyed by repeated years of chisel plowing.    Finally, the Project Summary Form for the State of Ohio Historic Preservation Office was completed.   

The fieldwork for this development was a “fast-track” project. Field investigations were conducted in adverse conditions throughout the fall, winter, and early spring to fulfill the requirements of Section 106 and aid the client in obtaining their Federal permits, which were obtained in less than half the time it normally takes to permit a project of this size.