Archaeological Reassessment of GDOT Projects EDS-555(5) and BHN-015-1(57), Jenkins County

The Archaeological Reassessment of GDOT Projects EDS-555(5) and BHN-015-1(57), Jenkins County was conducted in November 2005 by GDOT. In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, projects EDS-555(5) and BHN-015-1(57), Jenkins County, Georgia, 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 widen and reconstruct SR 121/US 25 from MP 9.34 northward to the Millen Bypass (SR 21), in Jenkins County, Georgia. The project was originally surveyed by Southeastern Archeological Services and has since been changed to include sediment basins, bike lanes and shoulders, new side street tie-ins to improve drainage within the City of Millen, and two new location segments for local service roads (CR 200 and SR 23). Required right-of-way varies from temporary easements to approximately 120 feet for the new location segments. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed changes was conducted for 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 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.