Environmental Corporation of America’s (ECA) client, Southern Communications Services, Inc., d/b/a Southern Linc c/o Value Concepts, Inc., is proposing to construct a telecommunications facility as described in the following FCC Form 620, New Tower (NT) Submission Packet. ECA understands that Southern Communications Services, Inc., d/b/a Southern Linc c/o Value Concepts, Inc., plans to construct a 320-foot tall (overall height) selfsupporting lattice telecommunications structure within a 100-foot by 100-foot (30-meter by 30- meter) lease area. The proposed lease area would be accessible by a proposed approximate 341- foot long by 30-foot wide (104-meter by 9-meter) access/utility easement. ECA has identified and evaluated Historic Properties, if any, within the Area of Potential Effect(APE) for visual and direct effects as directed in Section VI.D.1 and 2 of the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement, effective on March 7, 2005. No properties were identified as listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) within either APE.
ECA researched the files at the Georgia Historic Preservation Division (GAHPD) on January 8,2020. During our research at the GAHPD we identified three historic resources listed in the Rabun County Survey Files (RA5, RA6, and RA7), one resource listed in the Identified Site Files (Blue Ridge/Black Diamond Railroad Historic District), and no historic resources in the Topical Files, Environmental Review Files, or the Centennial Farms Files within our ¾-mile APE for visual effects. Historic resources RA5, RA6, and RA7 have not been previously evaluated for inclusion to the NRHP. As a result, these resources were not assessed during ECA’s site visit.
After consulting with GAHPD about the Blue Ridge/Black Diamond Railroad Historic District, there is not a lot remaining from the resource and the NRHP nomination was never completed. Therefore, the Blue Ridge/Black Diamond Railroad Historic District has not been determined eligible for listing in the NRHP. During our research on the University of Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resource Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS), we identified no historic resources within the ¾-mile APE for visual effects. As a result, no Historic Properties that are eligible or listed in the NRHP were identified within the project’s visual APE.
An Archaeological Assessment was conducted within the APE for direct effects. During the database research, we identified four previously recorded archaeological sites (9RA6, 9RA450, 9RA451, and 9RA454) and two archaeological surveys (7617 and 12702) within our standard 1- mile background research radius, but outside of our APE for Direct Effects. During our fieldwork we uncovered no archeological cultural artifacts (see Attachment E-1c). Based on our findings, we recommend no further consultation under Section 106 Review of the National Historic Preservation Act for this proposed undertaking. Based on this documentation, prepared in accordance with the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement effective March 7, 2005, ECA believes that this proposed facility would have no effect on any Historic Properties identified in accordance with the NPA. Therefore, we recommend a finding of "No Effect" for the proposed undertaking.
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