On January 13 and 22, 2015, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of the proposed roundabout at Jodeco Road at Blackhall Road/Longwood Drive in Henry County, Georgia (Georgia Department of Transportation [GDOT] P.I. No. 0012642, HP No. 150130-002). The proposed project would create a roundabout to facilitate through traffic between Blackhall Road and Longwood Drive. This project’s area of potential effect (APE) includes everything within the proposed construction length and within the maximum extent of the existing right-of-way (ROW) as indicated by plans received from Heath and Lineback Engineers (HNL) on January 15th, 2015. The APE is typically 50-75 feet (15-23 meters) wide and includes 1,690 feet (515 meters) of Jodeco Road, 950 feet (290 meters) of Blackhall Road, and 475 feet (145 meters) of Longwood Drive. In addition, the widest part of the APE measures up to 230 (70 meters) in length and 260 (80 meters) in width in the area of the proposed roundabout, north of the intersection of Jodeco Road and Longwood Drive. This area was determined to be the maximum area of potential impacts based on the provided design plans dated August 11, 2015. EPEI archaeology staff also surveyed a 100-foot (30-meter) buffer or expanded survey corridor (ESC) in accordance with GDOT’s Environmental Procedures Manual (EPM). The combined APE and ESC will hereafter be referred to as the survey area.
Prior to the commencement of fieldwork, a review of the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) and Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS) database was completed. These data indicated that no previously identified archaeological sites are located in the survey area of the current study. In addition, no previously recorded sites are located within 1 kilometer of the survey area. Fieldwork included visual inspection, systematic and judgmental shovel testing, and metal detection.
The current survey resulted in the identification of one Historic period archaeological site, 9HY531. Site 9HY531 is a mid-twentieth century razed historic house site and artifact scatter located west of Blackhall Road and north of Longwood Drive. The site is located partly in the APE and partly in the ESC. The portion of the site within the survey area has suffered a loss of integrity due to the razing of the structure and the presence of modern trash. The site’s northwestern boundary could not be delineated beyond the survey area. The portion of site 9HY531 in the survey area lacks significant data potential; however, the overall eligibility of the site is unknown. Because the investigated portion of the site lacks significant data potential, EPEI considers there to be no potential adverse effect to the resource.
The establishment of Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) via orange barrier fencing is recommended for archaeological and historic resources with unknown NRHP eligibility. An ESA will help prevent adverse effects to the above resource during the proposed work.
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