Archaeological Reevaluation of Project EDS-441(28), Rabun County

ln compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project EDS-441 (28), Rabun 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. The proposed project would widen and reconstruct US 441/SR 15 from the city of Clayton, Georgia, northward to the North Carolina state line. Existing right-of-way on US 441/SR 15 varies from 70 feet to 270 feet. An additional 100-300 feet of right-of-way would be required. The total project length is approximately 7.50 miles. This reevaluation was concerned with various design changes along the project corridor. The largest shift surveyed was a new location section, approximately 3000 feet in length, on the east side of US 441/SR15 across from the Rabun Gap Nacoochee School. The new location section and all other areas of additional right-of-way were surveyed for cultural resources. An archaeological survey (Level II) was conducted in accordance with "GDOTIFHW A Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archaeologists in consultation with DNR Historic Preservation Division 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 work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. No existing or eligible National Register resources were located within the project's area of potential environmental effect. It is concluded, therefore, that the project will have no effect upon archaeological resources on or eligible for inclusion in the NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above.