Archaeological Reassessment of Project EDS-27(170), Polk County

This is an Archaeological Reassessment of Project EDS-27(170) in Polk County. Project EDS-27(170) would widen the Cedartown Bypass in Polk County. The proposed project was subjected to several previous archaeological surveys in June of 1998 by Eric Duff, in August of 2001, November 2002, and May of 2005 by Teresa Lotti (HPD# HP000619-004). Since that time, the project has been changed to include some additional right-of-way along the mainline, one sediment basin has been added, and one sediment basin has been removed. The existing right-of-way for the Cedartown Bypass varies between 200 to 502 feet. The additional rightof-way varies in size and has been added throughout the project corridor in various locations. The sediment basin added is in the northeast quadrant of the US 27 Bypass/MLK Jr. Boulevard intersection. The sediment basin is 60x40 feet. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed project descriptions 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.