Archaeological Assessment of Project EDS-545 (5), Jefferson County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, the proposed project 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 project area. The proposed project would widen and reconstruct S.R.17 in Wrens. The project as proposed would begin at a point just south of the intersection of S.R.88 south of Wrens then would extend northerly along S.R.17 to a point just north of S.R.80/Old Quaker Road northwest of Wrens. Existing R.O.W. varies from approximately 60 feet to a maximum of approximately 200 feet. Required minimum R.O.W. for the proposed project would be from 100 to 150 feet. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed project corridor was surveyed for the entire 2.3 mile 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 potentially eligible National Register archaeological resources were located within the proposed projects area of potential environmental effect as described in paragraph two above. 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.