Archaeological Assessment of Project STP-2800(2), Monroe County

"In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project STP2800(2), Monroe 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 STP-2800(2) would consist of the addition of both northbound and southbound passing lanes, approximately 1.88 miles in length, on SR 19/US 41 in Monroe County, Georgia. The passing lanes are proposed for the west side of SR 19/US 41 and begin at milepost 6.3 and terminate at milepost 8.2. In addition, two intersection improvements have been proposed for the project. The first intersection is at CR 73/King Road and SR 19/US 41 and the second is at the CR 71/Woodland Road/SR 19/US 41 intersection. The existing right-of-way for SR 19/US 41 varies with a maximum of 55 feet. The required right-of-way varies with a maximum of an additional 100 feet. All work is restricted to the west side of the road. The existing right-of-way for CR 73/King Road is 50 feet. The required right-of-way for CR 73/King Road is approximately 40 feet at the widening with 70 feet total for the new location segment as the road intersects with SR 19/US 41. The existing right-of-way for CR 71/Woodland Road is 300 feet. The required right-of-way is approximately 70 feet at the widening with 110 feet on new location where the road intersects with SR 19/US 41. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed project description was conducted along the entire length of the 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".