Cultural Resources Survey of the Middleground Road Widening Corridor Chatham County, Georgia

In June 1996 and January 1997, a cultural resources survey of the Middleground Road Widening project in Chatham County, Georgia was conducted by Brockington and Associates, Inc. for Hussey, Gay, Bell, & DeYoung Environmental, Inc. The purpose of these investigations was to locate any cultural resources which might be impacted by the proposed project, to determine their significance with regard to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria, and to determine the effect the proposed highway improvements may have on these resources. A cultural resources study is required to comply with cultural resources management provisions of the 1969 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA 1969). Also, because wetlands are being affected by the proposed road improvements, a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) is required; the COE permit requires compliance with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA 1994). Additionally, a small section of the corridor enters Hunter Army Airfield property, requiring compliance with the 1979 Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA 1979). To satisfy NEPA, Section 404, and ARPA requirements, a cultural resources investigation was conducted in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (NHPA 1992). The project corridor extends the entire length of Middleground Road, a total distance of 4.25km (2.6 miles). The project corridor begins at the intersection of SR 204 and Middleground Road (near Armstrong State College) and ends at the intersection of SR 204 and Montgomery Crossroad (SR204 Extension). At the northern and southern intersections of Middleground Road and Abercorn Street Extension, SR 204 will also be widened. In addition, Tibet Avenue will be extended. A 1.0 km (.621 mile) section of Perimeter Road within the boundaries of Hunter Army Airfield will also be relocated west of its current location. As a result of archaeological survey, one site (9CH869) was identified within the project corridor. The site consists of a low-density scatter of prehistoric ceramics, and is recommended ineligible for the NRHP. Architectural survey resulted in the identification of thirteen historic buildings adjacent to the project corridor. None of the buildings recorded in the Middleground Road Widening project corridor meet the requirements for NRHP consideration. A summary of cultural resources identified within the project corridor is presented in Table 1. Because no significant archaeological sites or historic structures, buildings, or objects were identified within the Area of Potential Effect of the proposed project corridor, no further cultural resource management consideration is recommended.