Archaeological Assessment of project EDS-545 (1), Hart County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project EDS-545 ( 1), Hart 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 project corridor. The proposed project would construct on new location a north-south bypass east of Royston. The project would begin at SR17 approximately 0.4 mile northwest of CR124 then would extend northeasterly along new location crossing Old Elbert Road, CSX Railroad and US29/SR8. From this point the project would continue northerly along new location for a short distance before turning northwesterly to tie back into SR17 near CR160 north of Royston. Required rights-of-way would be approximately 250 feet. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed rights-of-way was surveyed for the entire 2.4 mile length of the project corridor. An archaeological survey (Level III) 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 archaeological resources were located within the proposed project corridor as described in paragraph two above. 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.