A Cultural Resource Assessment Survey of The Wilson Hammock Cell Tower Charlton County, Georgia

During May 2017, Environmental Services, Inc., (ESI) conducted a cultural resource assessment survey of the Wilson Hammock Cell Tower located in Folkston, Charlton County, Georgia (Figure 1). Specifically, the tract is depicted on the Newell, GA (1988) USGS quadrangle maps. The parcel number is 0045 002001 and has no specific address. A parcel directly to the south has the address of, 10830 US HWY 1, though this is not the address of the cell tower. This survey was undertaken at the request of the Nextower Development Group, LLC to comply with FCC regulation; this tower has been assigned TCNS: 157264. The tract is the proposed location for a 300-foot guyed tower within a lease area that measures 100 x 100-feet. The goals of the investigation were to locate all potential historic properties within the areas of proposed impacts and to assess their significance for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as mandated by federal laws and guidelines (Code of Federal Regulations [CFR], Title 36, Chapter VIII, Part 800 [36 CFR 800]). The NHPA requires the effect of a project on significant historic properties must be taken into consideration on all projects that involve federal assistance, licensing, and/or permitting, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation must be afforded an opportunity to comment on such effects. In order to meet these objectives, an intensive cultural resource assessment survey was conducted by ESI, the results of which are reported herein. In addition, all previously recorded cultural resources located outside the propose tower location but within the area of potential effect were also considered for visual effect. The term "cultural resources" as used herein is meant to refer to sites or objects that are archaeological, architectural, and/or historic in nature. "Significant" cultural resources are those meeting the criteria of eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, as defined in 36 CFR 60.4 and in consultation with the Georgia State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). This investigation included background research that focused on the history of the vicinity, as well as a review of cultural resource investigations conducted in the area to determine whether the tract contained previously recorded sites and/or structures. Records indicate there are no previously recorded cultural resources within the study tract. The current fieldwork was

conducted by ESI archaeologist Joshua Newman, under the direction of Brent M. Handley, who served as Principal Investigator. A pedestrian inspection was conducted to locate artifacts and/or historic structural remains in areas of exposed ground surface throughout the tract. In addition, nine shovel tests were dug within the lease parcel. As a result of the survey, no archaeological sites, isolated finds or historic structural remains were encountered. An assessment of cultural resources within the area of potential effect (APE) was also conducted. It was determined no nearby resources will be adversely affected by the proposed tower construction.