Archeological Reassessment of Project STP-156-1(11), Upson County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project STP-156-1(11), Upson County, has been reassessed 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 project was originally surveyed and concurrence received in September of 2000 by GDOT archaeologist Erica Schoeneberg. The original project proposed to widen SR 74 in the city of Thomaston, Georgia, from its intersection with Holstum Drive to a point east of the current intersection of SR 74 and Trice Road. The existing right-of-way on SR 74 varies from approximately 60' inside the city limits to 80' outside of the city limits, where the proposed project ends. The maximum required right-of-way for this project has increased to approximately 260'. The total length of this project is 0.68 mile. The original survey remains unaffected for this reassessment except in the following way: an additional easement has been added to the proposed project approximately 600' x 100' in size. 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 NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above.