Archaeological Assessment of Project EDS-565(11), Jenkins County

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, project EDS-565(11), Jenkins 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 widen and reconstruct US 25/SR 121 from Little Buckhead Creek to a point just north of the Burke/Jenkins County Line. The original project concept provided for a beginning point at the Millen Bypass. The project has now been changed to begin at Little Buckhead Creek, several hundred meters south of the original point. In addition, the original archaeological survey began approximately 1mile north of the Millen Bypass and did not cover the necessary right-of-way. The current reassessment covers all areas of new right-of-way as well as the portion that was missed during the original survey. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed changes· was conducted throughout 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 Division 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 work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. No existing or eligible National Register resources were located within the reassessment portion of 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 reassessment conforms to that described above.