Archaeological Reassessment of Project STP-9252(6) & STP-9250(1), Fulton & Cobb Counties

In compliance with Suction 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project STV-9252(6) & project STY-9250(1), Fulton and Cobb Counties, have. 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 projects' area of potential environmental effect. STP-9252(6) proposes to widen and improve approximately 1.24 miles of Johnson Ferry Road in Cobb and Fulton Counties from Columns Drive to Abernathy Road and includes the widening of the bridge spanning the Chattahoochee River, STP-9250(l) proposes the widening and improvement of approximately 0.93 mile along Abernathy Road in Fulton County from Johnson Ferry Road to Roswell Road, The proposed right-of-way on Johnson Ferry and Abernathy Road would vary from 100 to 116 feet. This project (HP021028-002) was Originally surveyed in June and July 2002 by Thomas J. Pluckhahn of Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. Since that time the project has been changed to include variable lengths of casement for construction and maintenance of slopes, for drainage, for the removal of structures, and for other construction 4ctivitics. Additionally, small amounts of right-of-way (10 and 20 feet) have been added on parcels along Abernathy Road and the ending project limits have been extended from Roswell Road to Cherry Tree Lane (approximately 1,037 feet east). A portion of the project area includes federally owned land of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA). Consultation was undertaken with the CRNRA, and ii was determined that no further survey work was necessary on NPS property, based on previous archaeological survey results (see attached). It was also determined that archaeological site 9CO652, located on park property during the survey by SAS and recommended potentially eligible, would not be impacted by the project changes. This site will be protected by the establishment of an environmentally sensitive area (ESA) at that location; a special provision has been written to place this ESA on the project plans. An archaeological survey consistent with the project revisions was conducted along the remaining portion of the project corridor. 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.