Archaeological Assessment of Projects IR-85-2(117) and FR-002-6(46), Jackson County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, projects IR-85-2(117) and FR-002-6(46) Jackson County have 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 projects' corridors. Project FR-002-6(46) would widen and reconstruct us 129/ SR 11 from the eastern end of the proposed Pendergrass Bypass (at the bridge over the Middle Oconee River) to the western end of the proposed Jefferson Bypass (approximately 0 . 85 miles west of CR 229). This proposed project would include widening the bridge over the Middle Oconee River to four 12 foot lanes with a 20 foot raised median; project length is approximately 2.75 miles. The bridge/ overpass over Interstate Route 85, project IR-85-2(117), is a separate project in the middle of project FR-002-6(46), however. Project IR-85-2(117) would provide four 12 foot lanes with a 28 foot median over Interstate Route 85 for approximately 1 mile. Required right-of-way varies between 100 and 300 feet. The archaeological survey (Level I) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/ FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Archaeologists in consultation with DNR Historic Preservation Section Staff and concurred with 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 significant archaeological resources were located within the proposed projects' corridors. It is concluded, therefore, that the projects will not affect archaeological resources on or eligible for inclusion in the NRHP provided that the projects conform to that described above.