Archaeological Reassessment of Project IM-20-2(176)

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project IM-20-2(176), Columbia 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 construct a sewer main to serve Rest Area No. 62 and Rest Area No. 63 adjacent to Interstate 20 in Columbia County. The proposed work will consist of the construction of 2,200 feet of eight-inch gravity flow sewer main and the construction of approximately 19,000 feet of combined six-inch and four-inch force main for the sewer for a total of 21,200 feet. The sewer main construction would begin at Rest Area No. 62, connect to Rest Area No. 63 and continue easterly to State Route 47. The construction would then continue south along State Route 47 and end at Harlem High School. The sewer lines would be constructed within existing right-of-way and no additional right-of way would be required. 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 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.