Archaeological Assessment of Project MAIM-75-1(228), Turner County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project MAIM-75-1(228), Turner 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 proposed project's area of potential environmental effect.

The proposed project consists of Phase II building renovations and parking lot expansions at Rest Areas 9 and 10 in Turner County. Rest Area# 9 is located on the west side of I-75 at mile point 2. 99. Rest Area # 10 is located on the east side of I-75 at mile point 12.25. The proposed project at Rest Area# 9 will utilize a maximum of approximately 30.4 meters (100 feet) of additional required right-of-way west of the existing rest area. The proposed project at Rest Area # 10 will utilize a maximum of approximately 24. 3 meters (80 feet) of additional required right-of-way east of the existing rest area.

Rest Areas 9 and 10 will be tied into existing public water and sewage lines. Water and sewer lines for Rest Area # 9 will be placed within the existing right-of-way along the west side of I-75 from milepoint 2. 99 northerly to milepoint 6. 83 (Bussey Road). From that point, water and sewer lines will be placed within the existing right-of-way on the south side of Bussey Road westerly to Hatfield Road. Water and sewer lines will continue northerly within the existing right-of-way on the west side of Hatfield Road. Both lines will be tied into existing lines approximately 762 meters (2500 feet) north of the Bussey Road/Hatfield Road intersection. Water and sewer lines for Rest Area# 10 will be placed within the existing right-of-way along the east side of I-75 from milepoint 12.25 southerly to SR 159. From that point, water and sewer lines will be placed within the existing right-of-way on both sides of SR 159 southwesterly for approximately 1767 meters (5800 feet) to Hill Avenue. Sewer lines only will continue westerly within the existing right-of-way on the north side of Hill Avenue to US 41 where they will tie into an existing sewer line. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed project description was conducted for the entire length of the project corridor.

An archaeological survey (Level II) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archaeologists in consultation with 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 based on the type/scope of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources.

No existing or eligible National Register archaeological 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.