Archaeological Reevaluation of Project STP-001-1(58), Lowndes County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project STP-001-1(58), 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 within the proposed project's area of potential environmental effect. The proposed project would improve the intersection at US 41/SR 7 at Hahira Road/CR 868 just north of Valdosta. The proposed project would eliminate the current split configuration design and construct a conventional right angle intersection. Originally the project required approximately 150 feet by 260 feet of additional right-of-way in the northwest corner of the intersection. This reevaluation was concerned with the survey of additional right-of-way required in the southwest and southeast quadrants of the intersection. This additional right-of-way varies from 10 feet to 40 feet. The project length is 0.24 mile. An archaeological survey (Level II) was conducted in accordance with "GDOTIFHW A 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 work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. No existing or eligible National Register 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.