Archaeological Survey of Projects BRG-0005-00(876)(873)(877), Mitchell County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project BRG-0005-00(876) (873) (877), Mitchell County, has been surveyed with respect to archeological 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 archeological resources within the proposed project's area of potential environmental effect. The proposed project would replace the existing bridges over Wethington Slough, Raccoon Creek and Raccoon Creek Overflow located on CR 307/Old Georgia Highway 3, approximately 1.3 miles south of Baconton, Mitchell County. The existing 9-foot travel lanes and 5-foot shoulders would be replaced with 12-foot travel lanes and 8-foot shoulders. Existing right-of-way is 50 feet and would be expanded to approximately 170 feet of required right-of-way. An archeological survey (Level II) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archeologists 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 archeological 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 archeological resources on or eligible for inclusion in the NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above.