Environmental Corporation of America (ECA) has completed an Archaeological Assessment for the federal undertaking at the subject site. The proposed undertaking would include a proposed l00-foot by I 00-foot (30-meter by 30-meter) lease area that would include a 420-foot overall height guyed-type telecommunications structure and associated ground-level support equipment. The facility would be accessible by a proposed approximate 1,619-foot long by 40-foot wide (493-meter by 12-meter) access/utility easement. Three proposed guy-wire easements would extend to the northwest, southwest, and southeast of the proposed tower center and would measure approximately 50 feet wide (15 meters) and between 222 feet and 230 feet long (68 meters to 70 meters). The proposed facility would be located off Highway 280, Leslie, Sumter 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. During our database research, we found no previously recorded archaeological sites or surveys within our standard 1-mile background research radius. During our fieldwork we identified one historic archaeological site (9SU267) located adjacent to the dirt road running through the proposed lease area, access/utility easement, and southeastern guy wire easement. This site consisted of a total of two pieces of whiteware and one brick fragment. The whitewares were collected on the ground surface near shovel test pits 7 and 8 and the brick fragment was recovered from shovel test pit 11 at a depth of 5-12 inches (13-20 cm) within the plow zone. We believe the site lacks integrity and context due to the disturbances from cotton farming activities and the use of the dirt road. We did not delineate the site because the artifacts appear to be redeposited. ECA believes that the identified site, located within the APE for direct effects, would not be eligible for inclusion to the NRHP due to a lack of research potential and a lack of significance.
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. Therefore, for archaeological cultural resources, we recommend no further consultation under Section I 06 Review of the National Historic Preservation Act for this proposed undertaking.
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