Cultural Resources Survey for Toccoa River Access Site, Section 26a Permit, Blue Ridge Reservoir, Fannin County, Georgia

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), in partnership with Fannin County, Georgia, proposes to make permanent improvements to an existing undeveloped tract of property on Blue Ridge Reservoir to improve public access to the Toccoa River (34.784130, -84.259010). The project footprint measures approximately .51 acres and is located on Aska Road, on the left descending riverbank of the Toccoa River at river mile 67.7. The proposed activities include: 1) excavating approximately 6 inches of topsoil prior to installing approximately 117 cubic yards of base stone; 2) installing 210 tons of compacted base stone for roadway and parking area; 3) installing 12 foot by 12 foot launch steps consisting of treated timbers and concrete (4 cubic yards); 4) installing a gravel (20 tons) staging area for the launch steps; 5) installing a 12-inch diameter HDP drainage pipe; and 6) installing appropriate signage (Figures 1-3). Additionally, removal of underbrush and trimming of vegetation is proposed.

The project area consists of a narrow river terrace with minimal sloping (<5%), except for a road berm that runs along the east edge of the property (Figure 4). The ground surface along the river above the cutbank was obscured by manicured grass and several mature trees, while the surface below the cutbank was partially obscured by driftwood and grasses. This project is located entirely on TVA owned property. TVA recommends that the area of potential effects (APE) be considered for this project as the areas where ground disturbing activities would take place, as well as areas within a half-mile radius of the project within which the project would be visible, where visual effects on aboveground resources could occur (Figure 5).