Archaeological Reassessment of Projects NH-018-1(60), Paulding County, HPD#HP970715-001

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, projects NH-018-1(59) and BRN-NH-018-1(60), Paulding County have 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. Projects NH-018-1(59) and BRN-NH-018-1(60) consist of the widening of SR 61 and the replacement of the bridge over the Silver Comet Trail in Paulding County, Georgia. This project was originally surveyed by Rick Richardson in May of 1993 and February of 1997 and by Eric Duff in March of 1995 (HP970715-001). Since that time the project has been changed to include small shifts in the mainline widening and intersection improvements along SR 61. Dallas Neebo Road will be realigned approximately 450 feet south of its present location. This new location segment will require 120 x 800 feet of right-of-way. County Square Trail would be realigned approximately 125 feet south of its present location. This shift would require 60 x 300 feet of right-of-way. Old Villa Rica Road will be realigned approximately 635 feet north of its current location. This shift would require 90 x 550 feet of right-of-way. Vernoy Aiken Road will be realigned on both the east and west sides of the intersection. On the east side of SR 61, Vernoy Aiken Road will be shifted approximately 370 feet north of its current location. On the west side of SR 61, Vernoy Aiken Road will be shifted approximately 160 feet to the north of its current location. Both segments combined will require 90 x 800 feet of new right-of-way. In addition to these intersection improvements, several roads, including Russell Lane, Ponderosa Drive, County Square Way, Alken Drive, Amber Way, and Mustang Drive will be widened for a total of 90 feet at their intersections with SR 61. Right-of-way along SR 61 varies with a maximum of 200 feet. The total length of the project is 4.5 miles. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed project description was conducted along the entire length of the 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. 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.