Archaeological Reevaluation of Project EDS-545 (14)(17)(18), Toombs/Emmanuel Counties

In compliance with Section 1.06 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project EDS-545(14)(17)(18), Toombs/Emanuel Cos., 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 widen a 13 mile section of US 1/SR4 in Toombs and Emanuel Counties. The project corridor begins at the northern city limits of Lyons and extends north to the intersection of US IISR4 and 1-16. Existing right-of-way on US 1/SR4 is 100 feet. An additional 100-400 feet of required right-of-way would be required along the existing roadway. The alignment goes on new location to bypass the downtown portion of the city of Oak Park. The original alignment was surveyed by Brockington and Associates in 1993. The Oak Park Bypass portion was surveyed by Erica Schoenenberg in 1998. This reevaluation was concerned with slight alignment shift and intersection improvements throughout the entire corridor. All changes were surveyed for archaeological properties. An archaeological survey (Level 11) 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.