In January and February 2005, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted additional survey at the site of the proposed bridge replacement over the Withlacoochee River, Lowndes County, Georgia. The new bridge would reconnect Staten Road over the Withlacochee as the previous wooden bridge burned. The total length of the redesigned project is 0.58 miles. The goal of the survey was to locate and evaluate archaeological sites within the Area of Potential Effects (APE) of the proposed undertaking, so that potential effects to any resources identified could be evaluated in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The project was conducted under a contract with Kun-young Chiu and Associates, Inc., and is an addendum to the original survey conducted by New South Associates, Inc. (NSA). A review of the state site files at the University of Georgia in Athens showed that no previously identified archaeological sites have been reported in the proposed project area. NSA found no sites or isolated finds during their investigation. One archaeological site, 9LW86, was identified by EPEI staff in the redesigned APE. The site is located on a terrace directly south of the Withlacochee River. Site 9LW86 is recommended as of unknown eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The portion of the site within the current project's APE exhibits relatively low artifact density. No diagnostic materials were recovered. Overall, the research potential of this portion of the site is low. Therefore, the portion of 9LW86 within the APE does not contribute to the site's eligibility. It is recommended the project be allowed to proceed as planned within the APE. However, 9LW86 appears to continue to the east undisturbed, and that portion of the site has not been investigated during the course of this project. Until the boundaries of the site are defined, no clear eligibility recommendation for 9LW86 is possible.
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