Archaeological Assessment of Project STP-957(9), Newton County

Project STP-957(9) would consist of the widening and reconstruction of SR 212 in Newton County, Georgia. The project would begin approximately 0.5 mile south of the SR 212 intersection with CR 8Butler Road/Bethany Road and terminate approximately 0.2 mile north of the CR 19/Oak Hill Road intersection with SR 212. A portion of SR 212 will be constructed onto new location beginning 550 feet south of its intersection with CR 10/Richmond's Chapel Road and terminates 1,150 feet north of that same intersection. This section of new location will be on the west side of SR 212. The second segment of new location is on the east side of SR 212 and begins approximately 1,400 feet south of CR 19/Oak Hill Road and terminates at that intersection. CR 8/Butler Road/Bethany Road and CR 19/Oak Hill Road will also be realigned for intersection improvements along SR 212. CR 8/Butler Road/Bethany Road will be realigned to the north of its present location while CR 19/Oak Hill Road will be realigned to the south of its present location. The existing right-of-way for SR 212 is 100 feet. The existing right-of-way for CR 8/Butler Road/Bethany Road is 50 feet and the existing right-of-way for CR 19/Oak Hill Road is 60 feet. The required right-of-way throughout the project varies with a maximum of 300 additional feet. The entire length of the project is 2.11 miles. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed project description was conducted along the entire length of the 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 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.