Archaeological Assessment of Project MLP-337(17), Walker County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project MLP-337(17), Walker 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 MLP-337 (17) would widen and reconstruct SR 337 in Walker County just southwest of the Lafayette city limits. The proposed project on SR 337 would begin at the Chattooga/Walker County Line then continue northeasterly to an end point at Shattuck Industrial Boulevard. The existing right-of-way on SR 337 is approximately 15 meters (SO feet), while the additional required right-of-way will be approximately 15 meters (SO feet). An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed rights-of-way was conducted for the entire 13.29 kilometer (8.26 mile) project corridor.

An archaeological survey (Level II) 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 for inclusion in the NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above.