Archaeological Assessment of Project IM-20-2 (146), Morgan County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project IM-20-2 (146), Morgan 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 building renovations and parking lot expansions at Rest Areas 52 and 53 in Morgan County. Rest Area 52 is located immediately south and adjacent to I-20 between the Walton County line and CR 249. Rest Area 53 is located immediately north and adjacent to I-20 between CR 69 and SR 83. Both Rest Areas will also be tied into existing public water and sewage lines. All construction is limited to within the existing right-of-way. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed project description was conducted for the entire 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.