The subject site includes a proposed approximate 100-foot by 100-foot (30-meter by 30-meter) telecommunications facility. The proposed lease area would be accessible by a proposed approximate 687-foot long by 20-foot wide (209-meter by 6-meter) access/utility easement. The access/utility easement would traverse an existing dirt road, extending from Highway 136 towards the proposed lease area in a northwesterly direction. The proposed telecommunications facility would include a 199-foot (overall height) tall monopole telecommunications structure and associated ground level support equipment. The subject site is located at 8404 Highway 136 West, Talking Rock, Pickens County, Georgia. Environmental Corporation of America (ECA) initially completed an Archaeological Assessment for the federal undertaking at the subject site in July of 2013. At that time, the proposed facility compound was planned to be located approximately 230 feet (70 meters) to the northwest. ECA determined that no archaeological resources would be affected by the proposed undertaking and submitted this finding as part of Section 106 Review documentation dated June 26, 2013. In a letter dated August 1, 2013, the GA HPD concurred with a finding of "No Effect" for the proposed undertaking (see Appendix C). Since that time, the proposed facility has been relocated, which required an archaeological assessment of the new area of potential effects. This archaeological assessment was conducted in order to ascertain whether the proposed undertaking might directly or indirectly affect cultural resources, if any such resources exist. During our database research, we found no previously recorded archaeological sites, but one archaeological survey report (5896) within ¾-mile of the subject site. During the course of the field survey portion of this archaeological assessment no archaeological sites were identified. ECA believes that the proposed undertaking would have no effect on any historic or prehistoric archaeological resources that are listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Based on our findings related to archaeological resources, we recommend no further consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for this proposed undertaking.
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