Second Addendum to the Phase I Survey of the Proposed Improvements to I-75 from SR 155 to SR 138, Henry and Clayton Counties, Georgia

In January, February, May, and June 2011, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a second addendum archaeological survey for the proposed improvements to Interstate (I) 75 from State Route (SR) 155 to SR 138 in Henry and Clayton counties. The proposed project involves the construction of managed lanes along 1-75 from SR 155 to SR 138 in Henry and Clayton counties. At present, two alternatives are under consideration for this project. The concurrent lane alternative would construct two new travel lanes, one in each direction, within the existing median of 1-75. This alternative was addressed in EPEI's addendum survey conducted in 2010, which was concurred with by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The other managed lane alternative would construct a reversible lane system and project limits vary slightly from the projects limits for the concurrent lane alternative. Specifically, the reversible lane alternative would extend to SR 138 along 1-675, rather than 1-75, Also, the existing Mt. Camel Road bridge over 1-75 would be replaced. The current survey covers the reversible lane alternative, which includes these two locations. The preferred alternative for this project will be chosen later in the environmental process. In association with the managed lane project, Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) signs, cameras, and transmission lines would be required; these proposed locations were also surveyed. A more detailed project description is provided in the body of the report. An examination of the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) at the University of Georgia (UGA) showed that two previously recorded archaeological sites are located within a 1 -kilometer radius of the Mt. Camel Road portion of the survey area. None are located within a 1-kilometer radius of the 1-675 portion. A total of 22 sites are located within a 1-kilometer radius of the ITS survey area. No previously recorded archaeological sites are in the current survey corridor. During EPEI's investigation, three previously unrecorded sites, 9HY501, 9HY502, and 9HY504 were identified through visual inspection and shovel testing in the Mt. Camel Road portion of the project area. No previously unrecorded sites were identified in the 1-675 or ITS portions. Site 9HY501 is a late nineteenth to mid-twentieth century artifact scatter with associated structural remains and a prehistoric isolate. The site is located east of 1-75 and north of Mt. Camel Road. A small section of an old road cut, likely an old alignment of Mt. Camel Road, is located southwest of the site. The structural remains at the site consist of a collapsed wooden structure with a partial double-hearth chimney. Since the site has an intact and potentially unique feature, retains apparent spatial and temporal integrity, and has the potential to yield significant information regarding regional research issues, EPEI recommends the investigated portion as potentially contributing to the eligibility of the resource for the National Register of Historic Places (TRHP) under Criterion D. However, the overall eligibility and significance of the site remains unknown as the boundaries likely extend beyond the portion examined during the survey. The site is not located in the currently defined area of potential effect (APE) but was discovered in the expanded survey corridor (ESC) and will not be affected by the project as currently designed. Site 9HY502 consists of an early to mid-twentieth century artifact scatter with associated structural remains and modem debris. This site was identified in a wooded area north of Mt. Carmel Road in the ESC. The site has been graded and its spatial integrity appears to have been undermined in the ESC. As a result, materials ranging from early twentieth century to the modem day were recovered in the same provenience; no investigated portions of the site retained stratigraphic integrity. Based on the lack of spatial and temporal integrity, it does not appear this portion of the site possesses good data potential, and therefore lacks the ability to yield significant information needed to meet the standard of potential eligibility for the NRHP under Criterion D. EPEI recommends that the portion of 9HY502 in the survey area does not contribute to its eligibility and no further work is needed. However, as the boundaries of the site have not been fully defined, its overall eligibility under Criterion D is unknown. The site is not located in the currently defined APE and will not be affected by the project as presently designed. Site 9HY504 consists of an early to late twentieth century artifact scatter with an associated chimney feature. The site was identified in the southwestern quadrant of the Mt. Carmel Road and Mill Road intersection. Overall, the site lacks spatial and temporal integrity. The site was identified in the ESC and does not extend into the APE. The identified portion in the ESC is non-contributing to its overall NRHP eligibility as the investigated deposits are unlikely to provide significant archaeological data concerning the historic occupation of the area. However, as the boundaries of the site have not been fully identified, the site's overall eligibility under Criterion D is unknown. The site is not located in the currently defined APE and will not be affected by the project as presently designed.