Ga. DOT project BRF- 009-2(57) involves the replacement of three bridges on U.S. 17 in Chatham County at the following locations: 1) Savannah River; 2) Middle River; and 3) Back River. As presently proposed each bridge will be replaced within the existing right-of-way so as to avoid the taking of land from the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge and thus avoid a 4(f) situation. The Wildlife Refuge itself consists of an extensive area of undisturbed marsh.
In accordance with "GDOT Archaeological Survey Guidelines", an archaeological field survey is generally not conducted for projects which do not require additional right-of-way. A memo to this effect was issued for this project by Chad Braley in the summer of 1979. However, because of a letter dated July 23, 1980 from Barbara Hogan of the Department of Natural Resources expressing their concern for possible effects to the area's cultural resources a field survey was conducted for this project.
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