Archaeological Reassessment of Project MLP-87(45), Dodge County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project MLP-87(45), Dodge County 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 (APE). Project MLP-87(45) would widen US 23/SR 87 beginning at CR 8/Log Cabin Road in Dodge County and terminate at the Cochran Bypass in Bleckley County, Georgia. The project was subjected to two previous surveys by Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. in 1999 and Teresa Lotti in 2004 (HPD# HP990408-002). Since that time, the project APE has changed to include several small changes along the mainline including very small increases in right-of-way in various locations, with a maximum of an additional five feet, and decreases in right-ofway in various locations with a maximum of ten feet. Also, Gresston Baptist Road/CR 352 is to be realigned where it ties into US 23/SR 87. Gresston Baptist Road/CR 352 will be moved 100 feet west of its current location at its intersection with US 23/SR 87 and, after 400 feet, tie back into the existing road. In addition, sediment basins were added throughout the project. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed project description 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.