This report describes archeological survey performed for two bridge replacement projects proposed by the GDOT. The bridges are both located in Lowndes County, one on the south side of Valdosta, at the crossing of Smith Avenue over Dukes Bay Canal, and the other to the north of Bemiss, at the crossing of Cat Creek Road over Beatty Branch. The areas of potential effect (APEs) of the two bridge replacement projects were surveyed using archival and field methods. Survey located no cultural resources in the Dukes Bay Canal project area. Segments of two archeological sites, recorded as 9LW82 and 9LW83, were located within the APE of the Beatty Branch project area. The located segment of site 9LW83 has been disturbed in upper levels by plowing and building destruction. It contains generic twentieth century debris and sparse, nondiagnostic prehistoric artifacts; the portion of the site within the APE is not archeologically significant and does not contribute to NRHP eligibility. Likewise, the portion of site 9LW82 located within the APE has little value for research. Due to existing disturbance, lack of distinction, and sparse artifacts, the site portion within the APE is archeologically insignificant. In short, neither of the proposed projects' potential impacts to cultural resources would create adverse effects to archeologically significant, NRHP-eligible resources.
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