Phase I Archaeological Survey of SR 75 at SR 17, White County Georgia, GDOT Quick resposne Project No. S014967

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) contracted New South Associates, Inc. (New

South) for a Quick Response Project through a Menu-of-Services (MOS) contract for the purpose of conducting a Phase I Archaeological Survey in White County. Quick Response Project No. SO 14967 calls for the installation of a right turn lane from SR 75 northbound onto SR 17. A temporary easement of approximately 0.117 acres within the Hardman Farms State Historic Site property is required in the area of the outcast quadrant at the intersection of SR 75 and SR 17. GDOT applied for and received a permit from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Historic Preservation Division (HPD) in May 2018 to conduct archaeological survey within the casement. Construction includes widening SR 75 with a standard 12-foot-widc right turn lane, grading existing right-of-way (ROW) for proper slope to support new guardrail, as well as the removal of current fencing and replacement to accommodate the slope. In consultation with GDOT, the area of potential effect (APE) for this survey project was developed by New South from files (" 13-0001 ", "ROE Area") and a PDF depicting the proposed improvements. The archaeological survey was conducted within the APE, defined as the existing ROW on both sides of SR 75 and on the south side of SR 17, as well as the proposed temporary easement. The existing ROW measures approximately 100 feet along the SR 75 and SR 17 centerlines. The 0.117-acre temporary easement is southeast of the intersection, making the APE a total of 1.04 acres. An Expanded Survey Corridor (ESC) was not required for this project.

Surveyors followed the survey transects and searched for archaeological remains through a combination of visual examination and systematic shovel testing. Because the APE was adjacent to two known archaeological sites (9WH3 and 9WH111), it was tested at 15-mctcr intervals. Twenty-four shovel test locations were examined representing full survey coverage of the APE at 15-metcr intervals. Of these, 17 were positive for archaeological materials, six were negative, and one was not excavated due to excessive disturbance at the foot of the road embankment on the west side of SR 75. The known boundaries for 9WH3 were expanded because of this survey. The site was previously suspected to extend to the west side of SR 75 but had been unconfirmed until the current survey. The full extent of the site is still not known because it has not been fully delineated in any direction. The portion within the APE contained intact deposits with chronologically diagnostic artifacts associated with 9WH3. Although the site likely extends beyond the APE, New South recommends that the portion within the APE be considered a contributing part of 9WH3 and the NRHP-listed Nacoochee Valley Historic District. This archaeological survey identified a previously untested extension of 9WH3 that contains significant data potential and integrity. New South recommends avoidance of 9WH3. No evidence of 9WH I 1 I was identified. However, since the time of the Phase I survey, Quick Response Project No. SO 14967 has been cancelled and avoidance considerations are no longer needed.