Archaeological Reassessment of Project IM-00MS(175)

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project IM-OOMS(175), Columbia 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 reconstruct the eastbound and westbound truck weigh stations adjacent to Interstate 20 in Columbia County. The reconstruction would consist of replacing the weigh station buildings, connecting the stations to the county water/sewer source, replacing the scale computer equipment, static scales, weigh-in-motion scales, and installing an automatic vehicle identification communication system. The exit ramps would be extended to provide longer deceleration lengths and more truck storage. The entrance ramps to the interstate would be reconstructed to meet current design standards. Most work would be done within the existing right-of-way, although the eastbound weigh station would require a maximum of 125 feet of additional right-of-way for the parking area and exit ramp. The total project length would be 2.35 miles. 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 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.