Archaeological Assessment of Project PRP-1256-1(185), Lowndes County (P.I. No. 462590)

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project PRP-1256-1{185), Lowndes 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 wit~in the proposed project's area of potential environmental effect. The proposed project consists of the construction of the SR 38/US 84 Truck Bypass utilizing Savannah Avenue in the city of Valdosta. The proposed project would begin at the SR 38/US 84/Wells Street intersection the next end on new location southeasterly for approximately 213 meters (700 feet) to Savannah Avenue. From that point, the project would continue easterly along Savannah Avenue to Fry Street where the project would continue on new location northwesterly for approximately 304 meters (1000feet) before tying into Martin Avenue. The existing right-of-way on SR38/US 84 and Savannah Avenue varies throughout the project from 25 to 30 meters (82 to 98 feet). Additional required right-of-way varying from 30.5 to 91.4 meters (100 to 300 feet) would be utilized only for the new location sections of the proposed project. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed rights-of-way was conducted for the entire 2.1 kilometers (1.3 miles) 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.