An Archaeological Survey of Georgia Department of Transportation Projects MSL-1226-00(200)(300), Including Portions of the Richard B. Russell Reservoir, Elbert County, Georgia

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Projects MSL-122600(200)(300), Elbert County, was surveyed with respect to archaeological resources, especially those on or eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). GDOT proposes to widen SR 72 from SR 17 easterly to an end point just east of the South Carolina state line. The proposed corridor was originally surveyed by Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. (Whitley 1996), however project revisions required realignment of various side streets at their intersections with SR 72. Marina Drive and Boat Ramp Road are located within the Richard B. Russell Reservoir (RBR Reservoir) boundary, requiring an archaeological survey under the provisions of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA). Marina Drive would be realigned to correct for a reverse curve, requiring a survey of approximately 38.1 meters (125 feet) of required right-of-way for a distance of approximately 426.7 meters (1400 feet). Boat Ramp Road would be realigned on new location east of its current footprint, requiring a survey of approximately 68.5 meters (225 feet) of required right-of-way for a distance of approximately 487.6 meters (1600 feet). In addition, the rights-of-way along CR 304/Vans Creek Church Road, CR 19Balchin Road and CR 296/Old Middleton Road on privately held property were surveyed for archaeological resources. A permit to conduct the survey on the RBR Reservoir was acquired on October 8, 2002 (ARPA Permit No. DACW21-3-03-2100); the archaeological survey was conducted on October 23, 2002. The archaeological survey consisted of an intensive pedestrian survey and systematic shovel testing. The goals of the survey were to locate, document and evaluate the NRHP eligibility of any archaeological properties located within the proposed projects' area of potential effect (APE). An artifact occurrence consisting of a single, nondiagnostic sherd was located during shovel testing of the Boat Ramp Road realignment corridor; all subsequent, shovel tests surrounding the sherd were negative. The Hunter's Chapel Cemetery is located immediately west of the Boat Ramp Road realignment corridor, and measures have been taken to avoid impacting the cemetery. No archaeological sites were identified within the project corridor. Therefore, it is concluded that implementation of GDOT Projects MSL-1226-00(200)(300), Elbert County, would not affect archaeological resources on or eligible for inclusion on the NRHP.