A Phase I Archaeological Direct Effects and Visual Effects Survey for the Proposed Jewell Cellular Tower, Hancock County, Georgia

TerraXplorations, Inc. (TerraX) of Mobile, Alabama was contracted by Trileaf Corporation of Marietta, Georgia to conduct a Phase I archaeological direct effects survey and a visual effects survey for the proposed Jewell cellular tower in Hancock County, Georgia. The Area of Potential Effects (APE) for direct effects includes a proposed 10,000 sq ft lease area with a proposed access road and utility easement. The access road measures 620 ft (189 m) in length by 20 ft (6.1 m) in width to connect with Ogeechee Road to the east. The proposed tower will be self-supporting and constructed to a height of 265 ft (80.7 m). The total area of the direct effects APE including the lease area and access/utility easement amounts to 0.54 acres (0.22 hectares).

Background research and the field survey followed guidelines established under the FCC Programmatic Agreement. Four previously recorded archaeological sites exist within the 0.75-mile radius. There is a National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) district and two previously recorded historic resources outside this district that are located within a 0.75-mile radius of the project area. During the course of the field survey

portion of this archaeological assessment, no archaeological sites or cultural material were encountered. The Jewell Historic District represents a nineteenth century mill village. Due to its proximity, the tower may be visible from portions of the district, particularly during the winter months when the trees are bare of leaves, but there will be no adverse effect. The Rock Mill Plantation is listed on the NRHP, and although the house itself is outside the 0.75-mile APE, the property boundaries are unclear and portions of the property may be within the Visual APE. However, TerraX is of the opinion that due to distance and intervening vegetation, the tower will not be visible from the house and there will be no adverse effect. Of the two previously recorded historic resources outside the district, one was determined to be no longer extant and one was in ruins and is not eligible for the NRHP. There will be no adverse effect to any historic properties by the Jewell cell tower.