Archaeological Survey of Project NH-009-2(93), Chatham County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project NH-009-2(93), Chatham 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 replace the structurally deficient bridge on SR 404 Spur/US 17 over the Back River. This bridge connects Hutchinson Island, Georgia with South Carolina. The proposed bridge would consist of a four-lane divided road with 12-foot lanes, 4-foot inside shoulders, and 10-foot outside shoulders. The roadway approaches to the new bridge would be widened from two lanes to four lanes on both sides of the bridge. The project length is 0.8 mile from mile marker 2.6 to mile marker 3.4. Existing right-of-way varies from 200-300 feet and no new right-of-way would be required. No terrestrial archaeological resources were identified within the APE for this project, however the APE does contain an underwater archaeological resource that is eligible for the NRHP. This site, 9CH800, was identified and evaluated as eligible for the National Register by Tidewater Archaeological Research in 1992 during an underwater archaeological survey for the US Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District. Currently avoidance alternatives and/or measures to minimize harm are being studied by the Department. An Assessment of Effects document will be submitted in the near future, if necessary, for site 9CH800.

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 terrestrial 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 terrestrial archaeological resources on or eligible for inclusion in the NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above.