Archaeological Assessment of Project NHS-0000-00(931), Whitfield County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project NHS-0000-00(931), Whitfield 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. NHS-0000-00(931) consists of the reconstruction of the I-75 at US 41/SR 3 (Rocky Face) interchange located in Whitfield County. This interchange will be reconfigured as a partial cloverleaf with loop ramps located in the northeast and southwest quadrants. Included is the widening of I-75 and the bridges over US 41/SR 3 and Mill Creek to accommodate a future travel lane and shoulder. The northbound and southbound exit ramps will be reconstructed and a collector-distributor style ramp will be added parallel to each side of I-75. The northbound and southbound entrance ramps will be reconstructed to accommodate the reconfigured exit ramp geometry. To improve capacity, US 41/SR 3 will be widened with an additional lane in each direction. Minor improvements to side roads will also require the acquisition of additional right-of-way and easement areas. This area was previously surveyed by Eric Duff in 1998 for project IM 75-3(186); this survey was Level II and located no existing or eligible National Register archaeological resources. An archaeological survey consistent with the project specifications was conducted in the NHS0000-00(931) project area. An archaeological survey (Level I) 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.