Archaeological Survey of Project EDS-545(3), McDuffie County, Falling Creek Wetland Mitigation Site, Elbert County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, the Falling Creek Wetland Mitigation Site for project EDS-545(3), McDuffie 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. The proposed project would create a potential wetland mitigation bank next to Falling Creek, south of the City of Elberton, Elbert County, Georgia. Stream restoration may involve reconfiguring currently ditched and straightened stream channels. The overall wetland area is approximately 60 acres and consists mainly of the bottomland area of the 132 acre Rayle Property Tract. This area will be used for the mitigation needed for the subject project. 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 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 archaeological 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 archaeological resources on or eligible for inclusion in the NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above.