Archaeological Assessment of Project STP-030-3 (22), Wheeler-Montgomery Counties

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project STP-030-3(22), Wheeler-Montgomery Counties 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 shoulder paving on S. R. 30 in Wheeler-Montgomery Counties. The proposed project would begin inside the city limits of Alamo at milepost 8.76 and would continue easterly to an ending point at milepost 2.32 inside the city limits of Mount Vernon. Shoulder paving on S.R. 30 would add 0.6 m (2 ft) of paved shoulders to the left and right sides of the existing pavement. No additional right-of-way would be required for the proposed project. All construction is limited to the existing pavement and shoulders on S.R. 30. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed project's rights-of-way was conducted for the entire 15.57 km (9.68 mi) project corridor. 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 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.