Archaeological Survey of Project EDS-545(37), Stephens County

Department of Transportation State of Georgia: July 17, 2007 Archaeological Survey of Project EDS-545(37), Stephens County: In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project EDS-545(37), Stephens 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 widen and reconstruct SR 17 in Stephens County. The project would begin at CR 24/Scott Road and end at CR 190/Memorial Drive. The project length is approximately 3.04 miles. This reevaluation was concerned with a design shift of approximately 20 feet to the south of the previous alignment. This shift was approximately 1 mile in length. A small amount of additional right-of-way is also being required in the vicinity of Wal-Mart's detention pond. 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.