PHASE 1 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY LETTER FOR TRILEAF CORPORATION Project # Cohutta (310976) Cohutta, Whitfield County, GA

This report documents the results of the archaeology survey for Trileaf Project # Cohutta / 310976, located

in Whitfield County, Georgia. The survey was conducted to ensure that resources eligible for or listed in the

National Register of Historic Places located within the Area of Potential Effect (APE) are not adversely

affected by the proposed project. This work is being done as required by Section 106 of the National Historic

Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended) and its implementing regulations, 36 CFR Part 800. In addition, this

document is being submitted in compliance with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

“Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for Review of Effects on Historic Properties for Certain Undertakings

Approved by the Federal Communications Commission” (FCC 2004).

Based on field observations, five Shovel Test Pits (STPs) were placed in the project area. The fieldwork was

performed by Abigail Heller, Archaeologist of JMT working under the direct supervision of GarrettW. Silliman,

Registered Professional Archaeologist of JMT with over 20 years of experience. Fieldwork was performed

on December 21, 2016 and one day was spent in the field. No artifacts were uncovered, no archaeological

sites were identified, and no additional archaeological testing is recommended at this location.

The subject property is approximately located around 469 Wheeler Dam Road, Cohutta, GA 30710 at

coordinates 34° 55’ 46.6” N, 84° 58’ 7.6” W. The proposed project consists of the construction of a new

monopole telecommunications tower and associated equipment within a 80-foot by 80-foot fenced enclosure

within a 100-foot by 100-foot lease area. The estimated height of the proposed installation is 190-feet. The

project will be accessible via a proposed 30-foot wide access and utility easement that will extend north and

northwest from the tower location along an existing dirt access road to Wheeler Dam Road. The entire

project footprint was included in the survey as well as a 50-foot buffer around the proposed lease area

(Photographs 1 through 16). The APE for this undertaking includes all areas discussed above.

Field Conditions

The project area is located in a rural and wooded area the at northwest area of Stockburger Ridge. It is

bordered on all sides by wooded land, though some agricultural plots and residences lie to the north and

east beyond the wooded areas. The surrounding area at a greater distance consists of rural land, wooded

land, and agricultural plots, intermixed with small commercial plots, typically associated with agricultural plots,

and scant residences. Wheeler Dam Road runs circuitously approximately 1.3 km (4,340 ft) northwest of the

proposed project location. The proposed tower center, lease area boundaries, and proposed access and

utility easement were easily identified at the site as well as from maps and site sketches.

Background Research

Background research was performed to assess the archaeological potential of the APE. Resources consulted

included historic maps and atlases, as well as soil surveys and aerial photography. A cultural resources

records search was done using information provided by the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF). All

previously recorded sites within one mile of the direct APE were considered, and all locations within the APE

were examined.