Cultural Resource Assessment Survey of the Scruggs Tower

On August 4, 2021, Terracon Consultants, Inc. conducted a cultural resource assessment survey the Scruggs Tower tract, located in Brooks County, Georgia (Figure 1.1). Specifically, this tract is located at Latitude N 30° 51' 22.29", Longitude W 083° 21' 40.17 which is located on Valdosta Highway, Valdosta, Brooks County, Georgia. It is located on the Valdosta, GA (2020) United States Geological Surveys (USGS) Quadrangle map. This survey was undertaken at the request of Verizon to complying with FCC regulations. The tract is the proposed location for a monopole tower (199-feet) with associated 20-foot wide utility/fiber easement, 30-foot wide existing gravel drive and improve as necessary, and multi gang meter rack.

The goals of the investigation were to locate cultural resources within the study area and to evaluate their significance regarding the eligibility criteria of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The term "cultural resources" as used herein is meant to refer to sites or objects that are archaeological, architectural, and/or historic in nature. All work complied with the cultural resource provisions of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (PL 89-190, as amended). "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).

The investigation included background research that focused on the history of the vicinity, as well as a review of cultural resources in the area. In addition, a pedestrian inspection coupled with nine shovel test locations, of which two were not able to be excavated due to disturbance. As a result of the survey, no archaeological sites, isolated finds or historic structural remains were encountered within the project area.