Archaeological Assessment of Project IM-285-1(348), Dekalb County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project IM- 285-1(348), Dekalb 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 IM-285-1(348) would reconstruct, relocate, and widen the existing I-285 Southbound exit loop ramp to US 78/Stone Mountain Freeway Eastbound in Dekalb County. The proposed project would replace the existing I-285 Southbound single loop exit ramp with a two-lane urban interstate ramp. A single lane would be added to US 78/Stone Mountain Freeway Eastbound within the existing I-285/US 78 interchange. Also, the existing I-285 Southbound exit ramp approach, located south of US 78, would be relocated on new location immediately west of I-285 and approximately 243 meters (800 feet) north of US 78. All project construction will be restricted to within the I-285 and US 78 existing right -of-way for the proposed project. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed project description was conducted for the entire length of the 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 effect upon archaeological resources on or eligible f o r inclusion in the NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above.