Archaeological Reassessment of Projects EDS-441 (44) (45), Morgan and Putnam Counties

The following is being furnished to you for inclusion as written. in the appropriate environmental document: "In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, projects EDS- 441(44)(45), Morgan and Putnam Counties have 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 projects' area of potential environmental effect. Projects EDS-441(44)(45) would widen and reconstruct US 441/SR 24 in Morgan and Putnam Counties, Georgia. The projects begin in the town of Madison, in Morgan County, and extend south to Eatonton in Putnam County. The proposed projects were subjected to an archaeological survey in 2001 by Brockington and Associates, Inc. (HP# HP010710-007). Since that time, the proposed alignment has been changed to include mainline widening and aa intersection improvement. The first section of mainline widening begins approximately 600 feet south of CR 174/Glenwood Drive and terminates 0.53 mile south of Hipp Road. The second mainline widening begins 0.7 mile north of CR 147/Bethel Church Road and terminates at the US 441/SR 24/Harrnony Road intersection. The third mainline widening portion begins 60 feet south of the US 441/SR 24/CR 1/Price Road intersection and terminates 0.24 mile south of CR 126/Halls Lane. The fourth portion of mainline widening begins 0.53 mile north of Seven Islands Road and terminates 0.38 mile north of CR 123/Maddox Road. The intersection of US 441/SR 24/Seven Islands Road would be improved by realigning Seven Islands Road to create a 90-degree intersection. East of US 441/SR 24 Seven Islands Road would be shifted up to 150 feet south of its current alignment, on the west the road would be shifted 100 feet to the north of its present alignment. The existing right-of-way for US 441/SR 24 varies with a maximum of 250 feet. The required right-of-way for US 441/SR 24 varies with a maximum of 150 additional feet. The existing right-of-way for Seven Islands Road is 50 feet. The required right-of-way for Seven Islands Road is 50 feet on new location. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed project descriptions was conducted along the entire length of the project corridors. An archaeological survey (Level II) was conducted in accordance with "GDOTIFHW A 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.