Archaeological Reevaluation of Project STP-164-1(29), Fayette/Clayton Counties

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 STP- 164-1(29), Fayette/Clayton Counties, 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 54 in Fayette and Clayton Counties. The proposed project would begin just north of McDonough Road in Fayette County and end at the intersection of SR 54 and US 19/US 41/Tara Boulevard in Clayton County for a distance of 5.3 miles. Existing ROW along this portion of SR 54 varies from 80 to 200 feet. Required ROW would vary from 140 to 210 feet and expand to 255 feet at the Flint River. This reevaluation was concerned with the addition of ROW at various locations throughout the project corridor as well as the realignment of the intersection of SR 54 and US 19/US 41/Tara Boulevard. This realignment would be on new location, is approximately 1700 feet in length, and would require a maximum of 190 feet of ROW. 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".