Archaeological Assessment of Projects STP-000E(31) (75) (76) (77) (78) (79) (80) (81) (82) (83)

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto projects STP-000E(31) (75) (76) (77) (78) (79) (80) (81) (82) (83) have been assessed with respect to archaeological resources, especially those on or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) . The purpose of the archaeological assessment was to locate, identify and evaluate the significance of any archaeological resources within the proposed project's area of potential environmental effect. The proposed projects consist of the rehabilitation of ten of Georgia's covered bridges. Located in Bartow, Forsyth, Oglethorpe, Madison, Oconee, Meriwether, Cobb, Early, Franklin and White counties, all of these bridges are currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The proposed work would be confined to the bridge structures themselves, with the only land disturbance activity being the construction of trench drain systems along approaches and the removal of accumulated dirt around the bridges where necessary. An archaeological survey (Level I) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archaeologists in consultation with DNR Historic Preservation Sect ion Staff and concurred in by the Federal Highway Administration and State Historic Preservation Officer. These guidelines provide general sur vey boundaries and methodological approaches to archaeological surveys based on the type/scope of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. As a result of this assessment, it was concluded, that the projects will have no effect upon archaeological resources on or eligible for inclusion in the NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above.