Archaeological Reevaluation of Project STP-00MS(7), Gordon County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, and the Georgia Environmental Policy Act of 1991, project STP-OOMS(7), Gordon 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 would begin at SR 53 just south of CR 113 and would proceed on new location to the west before tying back into SR 53 approximately 2.7 miles southeast of the current SR 53/1-75 interchange. Required right-of-way would vary between 250 and 350 feet. The project length is approximately 6.7 miles. This reevaluation was concerned with alignment shifts. The first alignment shift was for CR 68. CR 68 was shifted just east of the previous location. The second alignment shift was along the main alignment between CR 65 and CR 62. The alignment was shifted just to the south. All changes were surveyed for cultural resources. 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 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 archaeological surveys based on the type/scope of work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. 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.