Section 106 Review TCNS ID 181059 Proposed 300-Foot Tall Guyed-Type Telecommunications Structure (320-Foot Overall Height Including Appurtenances)

Environmental Corporation of America (ECA) has completed an Archaeological Assessment for the federal undertaking at the subject site. The proposed undertaking would include a proposed 100-foot by 100-foot (30-meter by 30-meter) lease area that would include a 320-foot overall height guyed-type telecommunications structure and associated ground-level support equipment.

The facility would be accessible by a proposed approximate 857-foot long by 40-foot wide (261-meter by 12-meter) access/utility easement. There are also be three proposed 50-foot wide (15-meter) guy-wire easements that measure approximately 230 feet (70 meters) and extend to the southwest, northwest, and northeast. The proposed facility would be located off Georgia Kaolin Road, Dry Branch, Twiggs County, Georgia.

This archaeological assessment was conducted in order to ascertain whether the proposed undertaking, on the project site, might directly or indirectly affect cultural resources, if any such resources exist. During our database research, we identified one previously recorded archaeological site (9TW182) and two archaeological survey reports (5649 and 6731) within our standard 1-mile background research radius, but outside of our APE for direct effects. During our initial site visit on December 21, 2018, Shannon Lowman, MA, RPA, Project Archaeologist and Katherine Lane, MA, Project Archaeologist of ECA identified historic and prehistoric artifacts and debris related to a late 19th to mid-20th century house and a non-diagnostic lithic scatter within the APE for direct effects. A total of thirteen shovel test pits (STPs) were excavated within the project area. Of the thirteen excavated STPs, seven STPs were positive for artifacts. A total of 49 artifacts were recovered from the initial site visit and includes both prehistoric and historic artifacts. Due to the presence of former structures associated with a historic house that was demolished sometime between 1954 and 1973, and the presence of numerous prehistoric and historic artifacts recovered during the archaeological field survey, a second site visit was warranted. The second site visit was conducted by Matt Beazley, MA, RPA, Principal Investigator of ECA on January 19, 2019. During the second site visit, a total of fourteen additional STPs were excavated. Among those fourteen additional STPs, eleven were positive for prehistoric and historic artifacts. A total of 117 artifacts were recovered from the January 19, 2019 site visit. Four of the artifacts were recovered from the surface near excavated STPs. According to a 1954 historic aerial, the historic house was once located near the proposed access/utility easement. Another historic aerial dated 1973 shows that the historic structure had been demolished sometime between 1954 and 1973. All of the historic cultural materials that were recovered are believed to have belonged to the historic house. All of the prehistoric materials were found at a deeper stratum than the historic artifacts. Due to the number of artifacts recovered from shovel test pits excavated during both the initial site visit and site delineation, an archaeological site form was submitted to the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) and an official site number of 9TW212. Other than a pile of bricks from the now-demolished structure, no other cultural features were identified within the APE for direct effects. However, a shallow depression was identified south of the proposed access/utility easement outside the project APE for direct effects. This depression is approximately at the location of the former house and is mostly likely a feature related to the 20th century house site. All artifacts were identified on the surface or recovered from a disturbed context from shovel test pits. As a result, ECA believes the site lacks significance or research potential and would not be eligible for inclusion to the NRHP. The proposed telecommunications tower will have no effect on any archaeological sites listed or eligible for listing in the NRHP.

ECA believes that the proposed undertaking would have no effect on any historic or prehistoric archaeological resources that are listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Therefore, for archaeological cultural resources, we recommend no further consultation under Section 106 Review of the National Historic Preservation Act for this proposed undertaking.