On January 13, 2022, ERM archaeologist Price Laird conducted a site visit at 305 South Hilliard St, Union Point, Greene County, Georgia for a proposed Viasat, Inc. (Viasat) communications project. The project consists of a proposed satellite access node (SAN) facility with an overall height not to exceed 10-feet and a total footprint of 9,861-ft2 (916-m2; 0.2-acres; 0.08-ha) including the proposed lease area, access/utility easement, and utility easement. The project footprint is considered the Area of Potential Effects (APE) for direct effects. The visual APE is considered to be a 500-ft. buffer from the proposed project location. The buffer size was determined with consideration of the proposed tower height (not to exceed 10-ft.) and developed in consultation with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) (Appendix F, VDHR Approval of APE Modification).
The proposed project is located within a manicured grass area adjacent an existing cell tower compound immediately to the north, and at the end of a gravel driveway extending east off of Hilliard St. The project area is immediately east of the Union Point Waste Water facilities in Union Point, Greene County, Georgia. The surrounding viewshed, including the visual APE, consists of semi-rural residential properties. Maps and photographs depicting the project location are presented within Appendix A and Appendix C of this report respectively.
No previously or newly recorded archaeological sites or historic properties listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) were located within the direct or visual APEs. Furthermore, no previous cultural resource surveys appear to have been conducted within the direct or visual APEs of the proposed project.
In conclusion, there are no archaeological sites or historic properties within the direct APE. Furthermore, there are no historic properties within the visual APE. ERM recommends that the proposed project be allowed to proceed without further consideration of cultural resources.
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