Archaeological Assessment of Projects IM-520-1-(11) & NH-IM-520-1(13) (14), Richmond County, Reevaluation

Archaeological Assessment of projects XM-520-1(11) & NH-IM-520-1(13)(14), Richmond County, Reevaluation. In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Pre5ervatiorx Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, projects IM-520-1(11) and NH-IM-520-1(13)(14), Richmond County have been surveyed with respect to archaeological resources, especially those on or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRIP). The purpose of the survey was to locate, id ratify and evaluate the significance of any archaeological resources within the proposed project's area of potential environmental effect. Proposed project IM-520-1•(11) originally consisted of the repaving and rehabilitation of I-520 from the intersection of I-20 to the intersection of SR 4/US 1. Proposed project NH-IM-520-1 (13) (14) consisted of the widening of I-520 from the intersection of Wheeler Road to the intersection of Gordon Highway (US 78). The existing right-of-way along the corridor varied from approximately 61 m (200 ft) to 152 m (500 ft). Required right-of-way varied from approximately 36.6 m (120 ft) to 152 m (500 ft). An archaeological survey consistent with the project description was conducted along the entire project corridor by Bob Entorf in May of 1994. Currently, proposed project IM-520-1 (11) would consist of the repaving and rehabilitation of I-520 from the intersection of Scott Nixon Memorial Drive to the intersection of SR 4/US 1. Proposed Protect NH-IM-520-1 {13) (14) would. consist of the widening of I-520 from the intersection of Scott Nixon Memorial Dive to the intersection of Gordon Highway (US 78). Existing right-of-way remains the same. Additional right-of-way would be required at various locations including just north of the Wrightsboro Road intersection measuring 60 ft and in the area of (Illegible) Creek measuring 6.1 m - 9.1 m (20 ft - 30 ft). An archaeological survey consistent with the current project description was conducted along the entire project corridor. An archaeological survey (Level 11) 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. Those 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".