Phase I Archaeological Survey for the Bridge Replacement on SR 32 over Bear Creek Coffee County, Georgia

New South Associates completed the archaeological survey portion of the Cultural Resource Survey for the bridge replacement on SR 32 over Bear Creek under contract with CDM Smith. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is in the planning stages of a proposed bridge replacement project to upgrade the existing bridge over Bear Creek in Coffee County(Contract No. TOOELENV080387, GDOT PI No. 0010407, HP# 120723-004). The work for this survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (36 CFR 800), and was intended to determine the presence of significant archaeological resources in the project's area of potential effect (APE). As per the Scope of Work, background research was conducted at the Georgia State Archaeological Site Files. At the time of survey, the estimated APE for the current archaeological survey was defined as the proposed 200 feet (60 m) of right-of-way (ROW) for a length of 2,000 feet, and an additional 100 feet (30 m) on each side of the APE known as the Expanded Survey Corridor (ESC) as required by GDOT in the Environmental Procedures Manual; this 2,000x400-foot area totals 18.37 acres. However, after the field survey was conducted, New South received revised and official design plans on August 21, 2012, which reduced the length of the APE to 1,098 linear feet, although the width of the ROW and ESC remained the same, thereby totaling 10.08 acres. Over the course of the survey, no new archaeological sites were identified. However, three isolated finds were discovered. The isolated finds include one chert flake (Find 1), two whiteware sherds (Find 2), and two very large nails (Find 3). None of these isolated finds meet the requirements to be defined as an archaeological site and, therefore, are not considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The aforementioned reduction of the project length alters the number of isolated finds included in the APE, so that Isolated Find 1 is no longer within the ESC and will no longer be affected by road construction. As currently designed, the bridge replacement over Bear Creek will not disturb archaeological sites on or eligible for the NRHP. No further work is necessary to satisfy Section 106 requirements, and it is recommended that the planned undertaking may proceed. However, any changes to the design plans will require additional survey.