Archaeological Reevaluation of Project STP-0000-00(408), Spalding County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project STP-0000-00(408), Spalding 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. The proposed project would improve the intersection of SR 16, CR 35, and CR 507 in Spalding County. Existing right-of-way on SR 16 is 80 feet and would require a maximum right-of-way corridor of 120 feet. Existing right-of-way on CR 35 is 60 feet and would require a maximum right-of-way corridor of 120 feet. Existing right-of-way on CR 507 is 40 feet and would require a maximum right-of-way corridor of 100 feet. The widening on CR 35 and CR 507 would be approximately 500 feet in length from the intersection on each road. The widening on SR 16 would be approximately 1850 feet in length. This reevaluation was concerned with the extension of the project limits and increases in required right-ofway. The project limits along SR 16 would now be 2,500 feet in length and would require a maximum right-of-way corridor of 170 feet. The project limits along CR 35 have increased to 1000 feet in length and would require a maximum right-of-way corridor of 130 feet. The project limits along CR 507 have increased to 1000 feet in length and would require a maximum right-of-way corridor of 150 feet. To tie into Leach Road a maximum of 100 feet of right-of-way would be required. To tie into Briarcliff Road up to 80 feet of right-of-way would be required. 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. By agreement, because no archaeological resources were located within the project's area of potential effect, no signed concurrence from the State Historic Preservation Office 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.