Archaeological Survey of Project DE-00MS(389), Richmond County

The following is being furnished to you for inclusion as written, in the appropriate environmental document: "In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project DE-OOMS(389), Richmond 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 construct a new road from the existing St. Sebastian Way on the south, northward to join Riverwatch Parkway. The St. Sebastian Way component will consist of a four-lane divided facility with bridges across the first and third levels of the Augusta Canal. The Greene Street Extension component will consist of a multi-lane facility from Fifteenth Street on a new location to Riverwatch Parkway. The total project length would be 7900 feet in length and St. Sebastian will require a right-of-way of 100 feet. The project was originally surveyed by Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., in 2003. This reevaluation was concerned with the addition of small amounts of required right-of-way and construction easements added throughout the corridor. These minor new additions would require an additional 5-20 feet in various locations. 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.