Archaeological Assessment of Project STP-M000-00(071), Dooly, Houston, Lamar, Macon, Monroe, and Twiggs Counties

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments the re to, project STP-M000-00(071) in Dooly, Houston, Lamar, Macon, Monroe, and Twiggs counties, 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 proposed project's area of potential environmental effect. The proposed project consists of pile rehabilitation on 16 bridges. Ln each case, the existing precast concrete superstructures will be removed and the timber pi le bents and concrete caps will be replaced. The superstructure will then be reassembled and the bridge railing will be upgraded if necessary. All work will be conducted within the existing right-of-way. An archaeological survey (Level IT) was conducted in accordance with "GDOTIFHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guide lines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archaeologists in consultation with DNR Historic Preservation Division Staff and concurred in by the Federal Highway Administration and State Historic Preservation Officer. These guidelines provide general survey boundaries and methodological approaches to archeological surveys based on the type/scope of work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. Two archaeological sites were encountered during this survey. Site 9HT 163 is just east of a series of bridges over Big Creek and its tributaries (153-00233X-00 1.42E). Lithic debris was recovered from an eroded exposure along the north side of the road. Intact features or midden deposits along the right-of-way are unlikely. This site is recommended as ineligible for listing on the National Register. A bridge (289-001 88X-004.44N) in Twiggs County is adjacent to an earthen dam associated with Myrick's Mill (9TW79). This mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While the structure itself has collapsed, the archaeological component appears to be essentially intact. Although this modem bridge is not included, it is inside the area defined as part of the setting for the mill. For this bridge, the entire re habilitation will be confined to the limits of the roadway. The dam and mill area will be avoided. In order to ensure that unforeseen project impacts do not occur at this site, special stipulations restricting construction activities will be implemented. No existing or eligible National Register resources were located within the project's area of potential environmental effect. 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.