Archaeological Assessment of Project PR-8530-39(091), Dodge County

"In compliance with the Georgia Environmental Protection Act (GEPA), and Article 9, Section 12-3-621(a) of H.B. 457 (Georgia), and under the provisions of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments there to, the proposed project 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 project's area of potential environmental effect. The proposed project would construct on new location a connector between U.S.341/S.R.27 and U.S.23/S . R. 87 in the city of Eastman. The proposed project would begin at a point approximately 1,750 feet west of the intersection of U.S.341/S.R. 27 and Ninth Avenue then would extend northerly along new location for approximately 0 . 913 miles before tying into U.S.23/S.R.87 approximately 1,400 feet west of the intersection of U.S.23/S.R.87 and Fourteenth Avenue. Required right-of-way for the proposed project would be approximately 80 feet. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed project rights-of-way was surveyed for the entire length of the proposed project corridor. An archaeological survey (Level III) was conducted based on the "GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff archaeologists in consultation with DNR Historic Preservation Section 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 proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. No existing or potentially eligible National Register archaeological resources were located within the proposed project's area of potential environmental effect as described in paragraph two above. 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.