ADDENDUM TO THE PHASE I ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE PROPOSED SR 66 OVER BRASSTOWN CREEK IMPROVEMENTS AND PHASE II TESTING OF THE HIGH BANK SITE (9TO20), TOWNS COUNTY, GEORGIA. GDOT PROJECT NO. BR-0000-00[304], P.I. NO. 0000304 HP. NO. 010525-005

This addendum report addresses design changes made in 20 17 to the proposed bridge replacement and right-of-way (ROW) realignment of State Route (SR) 66 over Brasstown Creek project (Georgia Department of Transportation [GDOT] Project BR-0000-00[304], P.I. No. 0000304) with respect to archaeological coverage of the project corridor and previously recorded archaeological sites 9T020, 9T025, and 9T0294. These sites were identified and investigated by Edwards-Pitman Environmental (EPEI) and Southeastern Archeological Services (SAS) while conducting nearly concurrent archaeological studies for two separate GDOT projects, P.L Nos. 0000304 and 122900, respectively (Ledbetter et al. 20 13; Lewis 20 12). This document readdresses changes to the Area of Potential Effect (APE) and potential impacts to National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligible sites for P.I. No 0000304, and incorporates the results of the two previous archaeological projects conducted within the survey area in Towns County.

Two unrelated, yet nearly contemporaneous archaeological studies were conducted by EPEI and SAS between 2008 and 2013 for two partially overlapping GDOT projects. EPEI revisited and clarified the boundary of 9T020 within the survey area of GDOT Project No. BR-0000-00[304 ], P.I. No.0000304. SAS identified archaeological sites 9T025 and 9T0294 within the survey area of the improvements of SR 515/US 76 and bypass of Young Harris project, GDOT Project No. APD00-0056-02[029], P.I. No. 122900. The P.I. 122900 project crosses the realignment of SR 66 over Brasstown Creek project southeast of the crossing of Brasstown Creek, and just southeast of a water treatment facility. The overlap area measures approximately 120 meters by I 00 meters within the survey area for P.I. No. 0000304, and includes portions of sites 9T025 and 9T0294 as depicted in Figure 1.2 of this report The previously recorded sites are Precontact period sites with minor Historic components. Site 9T020 was subjected to Phase II testing, which indicated that deposits within the study area lack preservation and depositional integrity, though the overall NRHP eligibility of the site remains unknown because its full boundaries could not be defined. Sites 9T025 and 9T0294 are both Precontact period soap tone quarries and petroglyph sites recommended eligible for NRHP inclusion by SAS after Phase Il archaeological testing.

In April2017, EPEI reassessed the most recent project design revisions with respect to EPEI's 2011 survey area, as well as the resources identified by SAS during their 2013 investigations of an overlapping project. Based on this review, no additional fieldwork was required within the study area for changes along the corridor or within sites due to prior coverage of EPEI's and A 's previous studies. Impacts to site 9T020 are covered by EPEI's original fieldwork and assessment, which found that deposits in the survey area lacked integrity and would not be adversely impacted. Construction designs would have no impact on site 9T025, as it is outside of construction limits and will be avoided. Changes have occurred in the area of site 9T0294, and given this site's eligibility, the proposed implementation of construction in this area will be addressed in a forthcoming Assessment of Effects (AOE).