Archaeological Assessment of Project MLP-19 (62), Laurens Co.

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project MLP-19(62), Laurens 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 drainage improvements at SR 19/US 80 and SR 257. Both drainage improvement sections are located over an unamed creek approximately 1.61 kilometers (1 mile) west of US 441 in the City of Dublin. The improvement at SR 19/US 80 will consist of adding a larger steel pipe beside the smaller inadequate concrete culvert. The improvement at SR 257 includes the replacement of an inadequate concrete pipe with a larger concrete culvert. All construction is limited to the existing right-of-way with the exception of approximately 15.2 meters (50 feet) of required right-of-way necessary for easement purposes. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed project description was conducted for the entire 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.