Archaeological Assessment of Project GIP-341(21), Houston County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project GIP-341(21), Houston 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 corridors. Project GIP-341(21), located southeast of Perry, would extend from Elko Road to approximately 2.2 miles south of Clinch field along U.S. 341. The proposed project consists of the construction of four-lane and five-lane facilities, with most of the widening occurring on the south side of the existing Limerick Road alignment. The total length of the project is 9.4 miles; required right-of-way varies between 100 feet and 200 feet. The survey area for the wetland mitigation site consists of gently sloping to hilly terrain with eroding clay hillslopes. Much of the area has been previously plowed; presently the ground cover consists of dense brush and secondary growth. Ground visibility ranges from 30% to 75%. An excavated drainage ditch is located in the mid-section of the survey area. High ground (including a field road) surrounding the drainage area was walked. Shovel tests in the upper areas revealed a 10cm to 30cm sandy clay plow zone above red-orange sub-soil clays. No archaeological sites or deposits were observed within the project boundary. An archaeological survey (Level II) 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.