Archaeological Assessment of Project IM-16-1 (126), Laurens/Treutlen County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project IM-16-1(126), Laurens/Tretlen 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 will consist of 24.27 km ( 15.08 mi) of shoulder rehabilitation and concrete slab undersealing on SR 404/ Interstate 16. The project begins at SR 31 in Laurens County and continues easterly to SR 29 in Treutlen County. All construction will be limited to the existing pavement. No slope work will be necessary for the completion of this project. An archaeological survey consistent with the project description was conducted along the 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 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.