Archaeological Survey of Project BRST0-0076-01(136), Lincoln and Columbia Counties

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, the project BRSTO-0076-01(136), Lincoln and Columbia Counties, 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 consist of the replacement of the bridge on State Route 47 over Little River (J. Strom Thurmond Lake). The project would begin at approximately Mile Post (MP) 16.25 in Lincoln County and end at approximately MP 0.85 in Columbia County. Permanent easements would be required from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the construction and maintenance of slopes. These easements would vary in width from 8-ft. to 35-ft. in width. Additional right-of-way would not be required for this project. The overall project length would be 1.34 miles. All of the area for permanent easement for this project is located on land owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Panamerican Consultants conducted two surveys covering the entire project area. One report, Phase I Cultural Resource Survey of 7,245 Acres, Thurmond Lake, Columbia and McDuffie Counties, Georgia, was completed in 2000. The second report, Cultural Resource Survey of 8,000 Acres of Timber Harvest Areas, was completed in 1996. Neither survey found any potentially eligible resources within the proposed projects' area of potential effect. These reports were both reviewed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who concurred with their findings. Please see the attachment for more information on this clearance. By agreement, since no archaeological resources were located within the project's area of potential effect, no signed concurrence form the State Historic Preservation Officer is required. 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.