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A PHASE I DIRECT EFFECTS AND VISUAL EFFECTS CULTURAL RESOURCES SURVEY FOR THE PROPOSED ROCKY PLAINS CELLULAR TOWER NEWTON COUNTY, GEORGIA: Addendum 2020; Trileaf Project #650768/HP-190528-002

Author(s)
Report Number
14105
Year of Publication
2020
Abstract

Trileaf Corporation is in the process of completing a NEPA Review at the referenced property. Our client initially proposed to construct a 155-foot self-support communications tower and associated equipment within a 100-foot by 100-foot (10,000-sguare-foot) fenced compound area. The project originally included an access and utility easement, measuring approximately 30 feet wide, extending approximately 2,459-feet away from the lease area generally northeast. then generally west intersect with Highway 162. The original proposed access and utility easement and proposed tower compound lease area are located within an existing sand and gravel road, and wooded land. The antenna will be licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

In a new survey drawing dated September JO, 2019, the client proposed an alternate access and utility easement. The new survey includes a proposed access and utility easement, measuring approximately JO feet wide. extending approximately 1.443-fee_t away from the lease area northwest, then south west then generally west to intersect with Highway 162 (see site plans below). The antenna will be licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Based on the new survey drawings Trileaf determined that additional archaeological fieldwork be conducted within the project area. Trileaf initially determined, based on the new proposed dimensions of the project area, that 29 additional shovel tests within the proposed approximate 1,443-feet by JO-feet wide access and utility easement would be an adequate sampling of the proposed project area. However, portions of the proposed access and utility easement were located within an existing graded two-track road with undulating slope to the north of the road, and steep slope to the south of the road, only three shovel tests could be completed in this area. Soils in the project area generally consisted of a reddish brown 2.5YR 4/4 sandy loam matrix over a matrix of compact red 2.5YR 4/8 clay loam.

No prehistoric archaeological materials were recovered as a result of this investigation. In the event of artifact recovery, all cultural materials recovered would have been delivered to Trileaf Corporation's laboratory in Marietta, Georgia for processing. Here, materials are sorted by provenience, cleaned, and analyzed. All project records, photographs, and maps produced while conducting the investigation are housed for curation at Trileaf Corporation's laboratory in Marietta, Georgia, and all cultural material recovered from the investigation are returned to the landowner upon project completion. Total archaeological field time: 1.5 person-hours.