Archaeological Assessment of Project M004109, Tift County

Due to the emergency nature of the repairs, the following project was completed prior to environmental clearance. The project consisted of the replacement of the triple barrel 10 ft. X 7 ft. culvert located along Whiddon Mill Road over Heard Creek in Tift County (see attached location map). The culvert was replaced with a triple box 10 ft. X 7 ft. culvert due to undermining of the structure. Project implementation did not require any additional right-of-way or easements; the existing pavement in the area of the culvert had to be removed and replaced at the same width as the existing roadway. Also, there were no changes that occurred to the slopes in the area of the culvert. An archaeological survey (Level I) 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.