Archaeological Assessment of Project S-1517(4), Sumter County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project S-1517(4), Sumter 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 project area. This project consists of the proposed construction of a bypass on new location north of the city of Americus, Georgia. The proposed project would begin at S.R. 3/U.S. 19, just north of the S.R. 3-Lacrosse Road intersection continuing easterly to tie into Souther Field Road/C.R. 297. The total length of the proposed project is approximately 3.23 miles. The required right-of-way for the proposed project would vary from approximately 100 to 150 feet. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed rights-of-way was conducted along the entire project corridor. An archaeological survey (Level III) 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.