Archeological Survey of the Replacement of the S.R. 57 Bridge Over the Little Ohoopee River, Johnson County, Georgia

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) wishes to replace the bridge on State Route 57 over the Little Ohoopee River in eastern Johnson County, immediately east of the town of Kite (Figure 1). Southeastern Archeological Services (SAS) conducted an intensive archeological survey of the bridge project to ensure compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. This act stipulates that federal agencies, in this case the Federal Highway Administration, take into account potential adverse effects of an undertaking to significant cultural resources. The goals of the survey were to locate, delineate, describe and evaluate, in terms of eligibility to the National Register, archeological sites in the area of potential effect for the project. A portion of the field survey was conducted on August 15, 2000 by SAS principals Tom Gresham and Chad Braley. Archeologists Ron Schoettmer and Nicole Gillis returned to complete the survey on November 8, 2000. At that time only a concept plan had been developed and the project area, that is, the area of potential effect, was defined as a 30 m (98 ft) wide swath on both sides of the highway extending 300 m (984 ft) from the river. That was the area surveyed in August and November. In June of 2001, more precise plans, showing actual required rights-of-way and easements were provided to us. These refined boundaries were less than the original survey area, so the original survey results are valid and are presented here, with the current project plans.