Archaeological Reassessment of Project BRZLB-F003-00(007), Atkinson County

The following is being furnished to you for inclusion ' as written, in the appropriate environmental document: "In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project BRZLB-F003-00(007), Atkinson 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. BRZLB-F003-00(007) proposes to replace the existing bridge on CR 42/Antioch Church Road over Pudding Creek, approximately 4 miles northwest of Pearson, in Atkinson County. The existing 285' x 22' concrete bridge will be replaced with a 325' x 32' reinforced concrete bridge on the existing alignment. Existing right-of-way varies from 80' to 150'. Maximum required right-of-way will be 175'. The total length of the project is approximately 2250' (0.426 mile). The original survey of this corridor was accomplished by Shawn Patch of the Department in April of 2006. The project has since been revised to include an additional 20 feet of right-of-way, to connect previous right-of-way requirements on the east and west side of the bridge. An archaeological survey consistent with the project revisions was conducted along 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. 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.