This report documents the results of the cultural resources survey for Trileaf Corporation Project 676451 Sturgeon Creek, located in Ben Hill County, Georgia. The survey was conducted to ensure that resources eligible for or listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) located within the Area of Potential Effect (APE) are not adversely affected by the proposed project. This work is being done as required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended) and its implementing regulations, 36 CFR Part 800. In addition, this document is being submitted in compliance with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) “Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for Review of Effects on Historic Properties for Certain Undertakings Approved by the Federal Communications Commission” (FCC 2005).
Project Description and Field Conditions
The subject property for the project is located at Flint Road, Fitzgerald, GA 31750, at coordinates 31°45’03.70” N, 83°08’16.13” W (Figures 1 and 2; Photographs 1-13). The project proposes the construction of a new guyed telecommunications tower and associated equipment within a 60ft-by-60ft fenced compound within a 100ft-by-100ft lease area. The proposed tower has an estimated height of 335ft, including all appurtenances. The project will be accessible via a 30ft-wide access and utility easement that extends south-southeast approximately 262ft from the project area to where it intersects with the U.S. Highway 319 right-of-way (ROW). The total project area measures approximately 0.9 acres (0.36 hectares).
Scope of Work
The cultural resource survey for the project consists of an archaeological survey and a viewshed analysis in which all known standing historic resources within the APE were analyzed.
The archaeological survey for the project consisted of background research, a cultural resources records search, and fieldwork. Archaeological potential was assessed as low. Following this assessment, the archaeological fieldwork was conducted on March 3, 2021 by Madison Ramsey Archaeological Technician of JMT, and May 22, 2021, by Michell Gilman Archaeological Technician of JMT, working under the direct supervision of Abigail Heller, Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) of JMT. Archaeological fieldwork included visual inspection, pedestrian search, and the systematic use of shovel tests within the APE. Eleven shovel tests were placed in the APE. No artifacts were uncovered, no archaeological sites were identified, and no additional archaeological testing is recommended.
Sara McLaughlin, Senior Architectural Historian of JMT, conducted the background research and evaluation for standing historic resources.
Additional figures and photographs can be found in the appendices following this report.
The project is located in a partially wooded area. It is primarily surrounded by undeveloped woodland and agricultural fields interspersed with scattered residential and recreational development. The project location was marked in the field and easily identified from maps and construction drawings.
Area of Potential Effects
The APE for direct effects is defined as the area of potential ground disturbance and any property, or any portion thereof, which will be physically altered or destroyed by the undertaking. The entire project footprint was included in the survey as well as a 50ft buffer around the project lease area and access easement. The APE for direct effects for this undertaking includes all areas discussed above. JMT investigated all areas within the proposed APE.
The APE for visual effects is the geographic area in which the project has the potential to introduce visual elements that diminish or alter the setting, including the landscape, where the setting is a character-defining feature of a historic property that makes it eligible for listing on the NRHP. The presumed APE for visual effects for construction of new facilities is the area from which the tower will be visible. Due to the overall height of the proposed undertaking (335ft) the presumed APE for visual effects for this project is a 0.75-mile radius from the tower site.
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