Archaeological Assessment of Denard Road, Wilkes County

The project proposes to grade, drain, base, and surface 0.8 km (0.501 mi) of new roadway (Denard Road) from the Washington Bypass to Andrews Road (City Street 612) in the City of Washington. There is 24.4 m (80 ft) of existing, cleared and grubbed right-of-way width in the Denard Road corridor. An additional 67.1 m (220 ft) to 82.3 m (270 ft) of right-of-way width will be required to implement project construction. The total right-of-way will vary from 91.4 m (300 ft) to 106.7 m (350 ft) in width. The required additional right-of-way is needed to provide for an acceptable grade tie-in of Denard Road to the Washington Bypass and for accommodating the front slopes of the proposed Denard Road roadbed. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed rights-of- way was conducted for 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.