Archaeological Assessment TCNS ID 20299 Proposed 280-Foot Guyed-Type Telecommunications Structure (290-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 approximately 100-foot by 100-foot compound and an approximately 620-foot by 30-foot access as shown on Attachment 12b. Clearing and grading would be necessary for construction of the proposed telecommunications compound and an approximate 135-foot by 30-foot section of access. The facility would include a 280-foot guyed-type telecommunications structure (290-feet with appurtenances) and associated ground level support equipment. The facility is located on the north side of Georgia Highway 17 Alternate, near Toccoa, Stephens 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 one archaeological report and six recorded archaeological sites were identified within our one-mile APE search radius.

The archaeology report, Report 1160, Cultural Resources Survey, Chattooga Ranger District, FY93, Stephens and Habersham Counties, Georgia, is a survey of 1,361 acres of the Chattahoochee National Forest that took place in several areas to the south and west of the project site. Three archaeological sites, 9ST204, 9ST205, and 9ST206, were identified within the one-mile search radius of this proposed project during the course of the 1993 archaeological survey for Report 1160. Archaeological site 9ST204 is a historic house site located approximately 3,400 feet northwest of the proposed project site, and archaeological site 9ST205 is a historic "still" located approximately 3,600 feet northwest of the proposed project site. Both of these sites have been recommended eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. However, due to distance and topography, this proposed project would have no visual or direct effect on 9ST204 or 9ST205. Archaeological site 9ST206 contained prehistoric lithic scatter, and is located approximately 3,400 feet south of the proposed project site. This site was recommended ineligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

Three additional archaeological sites are located within the one-mile search radius of the proposed project site. Archaeological Site 9ST210 is a late 19th century house site located approximately 1,825 feet northwest of the proposed project site. Archaeological Site 9ST212 is a site containing 20th century domestic artifact scatter located approximately 3,500 feet northeast of the proposed project site. Both of these sites were recommended ineligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Archaeological Site 9ST211 is located approximately 2,050 north of the proposed project site. This Site is late 19th century cemetery containing three marked graves. This site was determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. However, due to distance and topography, this proposed project would have no visual or direct effect on 9ST211. During the course of the Phase I intensive field survey portion of this archaeological assessment, no archaeological sites were discovered and no cultural resources were recovered by ECA.

We conclude 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. Therefore, for archaeological cultural resources, we recommend a finding of No Effect for the proposed undertaking.