Archeological Reassessment of Project BR-0003-00(451), Paulding County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project BR-0003-00(451), Paulding County, has been surveyed with respect to archeological 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 archeological resources within the proposed project's area of potential environmental effect. The proposed project would replace the existing structurally deficient bridge on CR 467/Baker's Bridge Road over Sweetwater Creek, located approximately 6 miles southwest of the City of Hiram in Paulding County. Existing right-of-way is approximately 60 feet, and approximately 40 feet of additional right-of-way would be required for the project. The project would begin approximately 1000 feet south of the existing bridge and end approximately 1000 feet north of the bridge for a total distance of approximately 0.43 mile. This project was originally surveyed by Department archaeologist Shawn Patch in December of 2003. In 2005 the project was changed to include temporary easements and minor amounts of new right-of-way; this project area was reassessed and cleared by S. Patch in November of 2005. Another reevaluation in June of 2008 to increase the amount of detour easement was reassessed and cleared by P. Johnson. For this reassessment, the project has further changed to slightly reduce the amount of temporary detour easement, to delete required right-of-way from one parcel, and to add driveway easements to two parcels. An archeological survey (Level I) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/FHW A Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archeologists 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 archeological surveys based on the type/scope of work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources.

By agreement, since no archaeological resources were located within the project's area of potential effect, no signed concurrence form the State Historic Preservation Officer is required. 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.