Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEl), under a contract with Holt Consulting Company (HCC), conducted a Phase I archaeological survey for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) project to replace GDOT Bridge 065-0024-0 on State Route (SR) I 68/Nashville Highway over Camp Creek in Clinch County, Georgia (GDOT P.I. No. 00 I 3822). The survey sought to identify archaeological sites and resources in compliance with Section I 06 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The fieldwork was conducted in April 2018.
The project will replace the existing bridge that was built in 1958 over Camp Creek 15 miles (24.1 kilometers) northwest of Homervi Ile. The proposed bridge wi II consist of one I I-foot (3.4-meter) lane in each direction with 6-foot (1.8-meter) rural shoulders on both sides. The roadway approaches will consist of one I I-foot lane in each direction with I 0-foot (3.1-meter) rural shoulders, 6.5 feet (1.9 meters) being paved. SR 122/SR 168 is on the State On-Street Bicycle Route Network which is known as Route IO or the Southern Crossing, an east-west route from Jekyll Island to Lake Seminole. The proposed bridge will be constructed on the existing alignmnent. The off-site detour will require vehicles to travel approximately I 7 additional miles (27.4 kilometers) from State Route to State Route, however local traffic can utilize local roads during construction. The project length is approximately .2 miles (.3 kilometers).
The survey area for the proposed project includes all areas within an Environmental Survey Boundary (ESB) provided to EPEi by HCC. The ESB measures approximately 2,430 feet (740.6 meters) and is designed to specifically encompass all areas of potential effect (APE) which is any area that may experience possible/foreseeable ground disturbance as a result of the cun-ent project.
A review of the Georgia Archaeological Site Fi le (GASF) and Georgia's National, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS) online database indicates that there are no previously discovered sites within or adjacent to the ESB; however, one previously conducted survey was recorded which intersects the current survey area. In 1998, GDOT staff archaeologists completed a Phase I archaeological assessment of STP-1220 (6) in Barrien, Lanier, and Clinch counties in Georgia. No existing or eligible National Register archaeological resources were dentified. One Isolated Find, a piece of precontact debitage, was found in a single shovel test. In addition, an historic cemetery, Camp Creek Cemetery, was examined and designated as Site 9CR2 I 4. Isolated Finds are not evaluated for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). No excavations were conducted within the apparent boundaries of the cemetery. EPEi decided to consult with GDOT archaeologists before conducting additional work there. Subsequently, HCC informed EPEi that the ESB had been reduced, and both of these resources were no longer in the proposed project area. If the project design remains the same, no further investigations are recommended.
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