Archaeological Assessment of Project SMA-56(57), Laurens County

"In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, and the Georgia Environmental Policy Act of 1991, project PR-56(57) , Laurens County has been surveyed with respect to archaeological resources, especially those on or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) . The purpose of the survey was to locate, identify and evaluate the significance of any archaeological resources within the proposed project's area of potential environmental effect.

Project PR-56 (57) involves the paving of the existing shoulders along SR 56 in Laurens County. The project would begin approximately 4 m (13 ft) east of the intersection of Canary Drive in the city of Soperton and would end at the Treutlen/Emanuel County line. All project construction would be limited to the existing right-of-way. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed right-of-way was conducted for the entire length of project corridor.

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 Section Staff and concurred in by the Federal Highway Administration and State Historic Preservation Officer . These guidelines provide general survey 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.

No existing or eligible National Register archaeological resources were located within the project's area of potential environmental effect. It is concluded, therefore, that the project will have no archaeological resources on or eligible for inclusion in the effect upon NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above.