Archaeological Assessment of Project BHF-051-1(16), Madison County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments, thereto, project BHF-051-1 (16), Madison 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 project corridor. The bridges on S.R. 72 over South Ford Broad River and Fork Creek will be widened. Construction for the South Ford Broad River widening will be confined to the 100' of existing right-of-way up to 300' west of the river, where right-of-way of up to 200' will be required for a distance of 700'. Right-of-way will return to the existing 100' east of the river. The construction for the Fork Creek widening will remain within the 80' of existing right-of-way up to 250' west of the creek. Here required right-of-way will be 200' for a di stance of 500', where right-of-way will return to 80' east of the creek. An archaeological survey (level I) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT Archaeological Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archaeologists and 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 of transportation projects. and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. No significant archaeological resources were located within the proposed project corridor 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.