Archaeological Reassessment of Project BRS-854(10), Fannin County

"In compliance with Section I 06 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project BRS-854( I 0) in Fannin County 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 proposed project's area of potential environmental effect. Proposed project BRS-854(10) in Fannin County would replace the narrow bridge on SR 60 over Skeenah Creek and replace culvert on SR 60 over Chapel Branch. Project BRS-854( I 0) was originally surveyed and cleared by GDOT archaeologist Sherry Moore in April of 1999. In September the project changed s lightly on the Chapel Branch culvert replacement to add I 0 feet of additional required right-of-way and I 0 feet of additional temporary easement on the west side of SR 60. No changes have been made to the original project description of the Skeenah Creek bridge replacement. The current survey covers the additional APE on the Chapel Branch culvert replacement that was not covered by the original archaeological survey. An archaeological survey (Level II) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archaeologists in consultation with DNR Historic

Preservation Division 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 work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. No existing or eligible National Register archaeological resources were located within the project's area of potential environmental effect. 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."