The Georgia Department of Transportation proposes to improve the intersection of La Vista and Oak Grove roads, approximately 5.6 km (3.5 miles) north of Decatur, Georgia. Since at least some of these areas appeared to have the potential for reasonably undisturbed environments, a cultural resources survey was required. This report documents the design and results of this archaeological survey. It is intended to be in accordance with the requirements of and the regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended in 1980 and 1992, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Archeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974, the Georgia Environmental Policy Act of 1991, and Section 4 (f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966.
On 28 February 2009, personnel from Ground Truth Research conducted a survey for archaeological resources in the areas intended to be impacted by road construction. The fieldwork was preceded by a literature review of documents housed at the Georgia State Site Files in Athens, the University of Georgia Library and Special Collections in Athens, the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in Atlanta, and resources maintained at the offices of Ground Truth Research in Decatur.
The project area is located at the intersection of La Vista Road (GA 236) and Oak Grove Road (CR 5174) near the North Druid Hills community of metropolitan Atlanta. The roadway will be widened beyond the current right-of-way and a portion of Oak Grove Road will be realigned. From the La Vista Road and Oak Grove Road intersection, the length of right-of-way to be impacted by construction is approximately 610 m (2000 feet) along La Vista Road, 265m (870 feet) along Oak Grove Road, plus an approximately 25m (80 foot) cut for a right turn onto Oak Grove Road. While the proposed right-of-way ranges between approximately 18m (55 feet) to 38m (125 feet), the survey corridor is 50 m (164 feet) wide along both routes. The area of potential effect for this study will be confined to these survey corridors. Primary impacts for the construction of these roadways are expected to be restricted to this area.
The area of potential effect for archaeological resources is restricted to the area to be directly impacted by road construction. Indirect and cumulative impacts are beyond the scope of this project. All areas within the existing and proposed right-of-way were examined by means of testing and surface examination as conditions warranted. No shovel tests were performed as these were deemed unnecessary during the fieldwork. This survey identified a single archaeological site (9DA447), representing the remains of a historic house site. No significant archreological resources were discovered within the area of potential effect for the proposed roadway construction. Site 9DA447 appears to be ineligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. It is recommended that no further work should be required, and it is further recommended that the proposed undertaking as described above be permitted to proceed.
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