Archaeological Assessment of Project IM-75-1(197), Monroe 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 IM-75-1 (197), Monroe 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 consists of Phase II building renovations and parking lot expansions at Rest Area 22 in Monroe County. Rest Area 22 is located immediately west and adjacent to I-75 between SR 18 and I-475.Approximately 2.43 hectares (6.021 acres) of additional required right-of-way will be utilized during project construction. An archaeological survey consistent with the project description was conducted for the entire length 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 Section 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 proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. No existing or eligible National Register archaeological 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.