A Phase I Cultural Resources Survey for Tennessee Valley Authority's Scenic Drive 161 kV Delivery Point Project in Fannin County, Georgia

Under contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Tennessee Valley Archaeological Research (TVAR) conducted a Phase I cultural resources survey in association with TVA’s Scenic Drive 161 kV delivery point project in Fannin County, Georgia. The investigation was largely performed between January 24 and February 1, 2022; the archaeological survey was completed on June 6, 2022, after a landowner issue was addressed. The 9.9 ha (49.1-acre) archaeological survey area consisted of a 5.2 km (3.2 mi) length of planned 30 m (100 ft) wide transmission line right-of-way (ROW), in addition to a 30 m (100 ft) radius surrounding each of proposed switch structures 501, 64A, and 65A and 2.1 km (1.3 mi) of associated access routes. Where the access routes do not traverse and existing paved or graveled road, their width was considered 15 m (50 ft) across. Portions of access routes that span existing paved or gravel roads conformed to the width of the existing roadway. The area of potential effect (APE) concerning the historic architectural resources survey consisted of a 0.8 km (0.5 mi) radius surrounding the proposed transmission line. Areas within the survey radius determined not within view of the planned construction due to terrain, vegetation, and/or modern built environments were not considered part of the APE.

TVAR’s background search utilizing Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources GIS (NAHRGIS) application identified eight previously identified resources in the survey radius; however, field investigations confirmed that obstructed visibility prevented their inclusion within the APE. The historic architectural resources survey occurred between January 26 and 27, 2022, and resulted in the documentation of three historic architectural resources: FN00001, FN00002, and FN00003. Resource FN00001 is a portion of the L&N Railroad, which TVAR recommends as eligible for NRHP listing under Criteria A and C. As the integrity of setting is not a critical component to the resource’s NRHP eligibility, TVAR recommends that the undertaking, as currently planned, will not adversely affect FN00001. Resources FN00002 and FN00003 are single family homes. Although FN00002 holds significance under Criterion C, a portion of the home was subject to arson, rendering its integrity compromised. FN00003 is a vernacular home, now partially dismantled and used as a livestock shelter. TVAR recommends both FN00002 and FN00003 as ineligible for NRHP listing under all four NRHP criteria. TVAR further recommends no additional aboveground surveys in connection with the proposed undertaking.

Previously recorded historic site 9FN55 was relocated and expanded during the archaeological survey, and five new lithic scatters (9FN590, 9FN591, 9FN592, 9FN593, and 9FN594) and one isolated find were also identified within the survey area. TVAR recommends that all of the resources investigated during the survey should retain an NRHP unknown status, since all investigations were confined to the survey area and none of the sites were fully delineated. Based on research potential, TVAR recommends that TVA’s project plans would pose an adverse effect to sites 9FN591 and 9FN594 and that the sites should be avoided. If avoidance is not possible, TVAR recommends that 9FN591 and 9FN594 should be further investigated to determine the NRHP eligibility of each. Based on a lack of integrity and research potential, TVAR recommends that TVA’s project plans would not pose an adverse effect to sites 9FN55, 9FN590, 9FN592, 9FN593, or the isolated find. Accordingly, no further investigations of these resources are recommended in connection with the proposed project.