Archeological Reassessment of Project NH-035-1(32), Rockdale County

The following is being furnished to you for inclusion as written, in the appropriate environmental document:"In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project NHS-035-1(32), Rockdale County, has been surveyed with respect to archeological 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 archeological resources within the proposed project's area of potential environmental effect. The proposed original project was surveyed and concurrence received in April 1993, then a portion of the original project was resurveyed and concurrence received in September 1997. The proposed original project included the widening and reconstruction of SR 20/138 from just north of the 1-20 Interchange to just south of Sigman Road. For the reevaluation the original project remains the same except for the following change: Driveway and sidewalk easements are required at various locations along the length of the project. The existing right-of-way varies from 120' to 130' with an additional 20' and 50' of required right-of-way needed at Barnetts Bridge Rd. and Keys Ferry Rd. respectively. CR 265/Haley Rd. will be relocated to the east to provide for a 90 degree intersection with Barnetts Bridge Rd. The total length of this project is 0.68 mile. An archeological survey (Level II) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archeologists in consultation with DNR Historic Preservation Division Staff and concurred in by the Federal Highway Administration and State Historic Preservation Officer. These guidelines provide general survey boundaries and methodological approaches to archeological surveys based on the type/scope of work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. No existing or eligible National Register resources were located within the project's area of potential environmental effect. It is concluded, therefore, that the project will have no effect upon archeological resources on or eligible for inclusion in the NRIIP provided that the project conforms to that described above.