Waterways developer may pay over $1M to settle Native American artifacts lawsuit
RICHMOND HILL, Ga. (WTOC) - The developer of the Waterways neighborhood in Richmond Hill may pay the United States government over a million dollars to settle a lawsuit accusing them of destroying thousands of Native American artifacts.
The federal government filed the lawsuit against the developer, Savannah Land Holdings, in January of last year.
The lawsuit says there are 18 archaeological sites throughout the property, and that the developer was supposed to consult the US Army Corps of Engineers, Georgia State Historic Preservation Office, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida when certain objects were discovered.
The government says the company failed to do that or cease excavation when human remains were found.
As a result, 80,000 artifacts were mishandled and 3,000 were lost or destroyed.
As part of the settlement agreement, Savannah Land Holdings must also hire an archaeologist to monitor preservation efforts, and put back any human remains or funerary objects.
The agreement has not yet been signed off on by a judge.
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