A Phase I Archaeological Direct Effects and Visual Effects Survey for the Proposed Webbs Creek-E Cellular Tower, Banks 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 WEBBS CREEK-E cellular tower in Banks 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 1,269.4 ft (386.9 m) in length by 30 ft (9.1 m) in width to connect with Marshburn Drive to the west. A separate utility easement is 603.4 ft (183.9 m) in length and 10 ft (3.05 m) in width and connects to an unimproved road to the southeast. The proposed tower will be self-supporting and constructed to a height of 290 ft (88.4 m). The total area of the direct effects APE including the lease area and access and utility easement amounts to 1.24 acres (0.50 hectares). Background research and the field survey followed guidelines established under the FCC Programmatic Agreement. No previously recorded archaeological sites exist within the 0.75-mile radius. There are two previously recorded historic resources situated 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. One of the previously recorded historic resources was behind a locked gate and was inaccessible, but due to distance and intervening vegetation the proposed tower should have no effect on the resource. The remaining historic resource is not eligible for the NRHP due to unsympathetic changes and additions. The proposed WEBBS CREEK-E cellular tower is expected to have no effect on any historic or prehistoric resources that are listed in or eligible for listing in the NRHP.