Archaeological Assessment TCNS ID 13875 Proposed 195-Foot Monopole Telecommunications Structure (199-Feet overall with Appurtenances) Within A 100-Foot By 100-Foot Compound

Environmental Corporation of America (ECA) has completed an Archaeological Assessment for the federal undertaking at the subject site. The subject site includes a proposed 100-foot by 1 00-foot compound and a proposed approximately 50-foot by 20- foot access off an existing path as shown on Attachment 12b. Clearing and grading would be necessary for construction of the proposed telecommunications compound and final fifty-feet of access. The facility would include a 195-foot monopole (199-feet with appurtenances) telecommunications structure and associated ground level support equipment. The facility is located on a steep mountain slope northeast of Bowling Gap Circle (off Highway 76), near Blairsville, Union County, Georgia

This archaeological assessment was conducted in order to ascertain whether the proposed undertaking, on the project site, might directly or indirectly affect cultural resources, if any such resources exist. Through our review of available cultural records and databases five recorded archaeological sites and two archaeological reports were identified within a ½ -mile APE search radius.

Archaeological sites 9UN56 and 9UN58 have been recommended ineligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. No eligibility determination was made for archaeological sites 9UN65 and 9UN67. Archaeological site 9UN57 is the only identified archaeological site that in 1991 was recommended eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Archaeological site 9UN57 is located over 2,000 feet north of the subject site. Due to distance and topography, this proposed project would have no visual or direct effect on 9UN 57.

Two archaeology reports, Report 1431 and Report 1841, that extend into the Y2-mile APE were identified. One of the identified archaeological reports, Report 1431, covers an extensive area and extends into the APE for direct effects. No archaeological cultural resources were encountered within the Y2-mile APE (of this proposed project site) during the survey of Report 1431. Archaeology Report 1841 is located within the ½ -mile APE but outside of the area of direct effects. Survey results for report 1841 were that "artifact occurrence is not significant" and that "the salvage project may proceed as planned and no significant sites will be impacted" (2/21/96). During the course of the Phase I intensive field survey portion of this archaeological assessment, no archaeological cultural resources were encountered by ECA.

We conclude that the proposed undertaking would have no affect on any historic or prehistoric archaeological resources that are listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Therefore, for archaeological cultural resources, we recommend a finding of No Effect for the proposed undertaking.