2013-12-12_REVISION - C1982056 (12)

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231.7) became known as the Craig Branch, which was essential to the coal- mining industry (DRGW.net 2013), and this 12.2 -mile branch of rails is known as the Energy Spur. This spur travels between the Energy Station, the site of a large coal mine, just south of the intersection of County Roads 27 and 33 and connects to the main Bond -to -Craig railway near Milner at the Adams Station (milepost 199.5; DRGW.net 2013). Tracks for this spur were first laid in 1962. Eligibility and Management Recommendations. The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (5RT1396), originally the Denver and Salt Lake Railroad and of which this spur is a part, was previously recommended as NRHP- eligible with OAHP concurrence in 2000. That railroad is of state and local importance, especially to the coal mining industry. MAC recommends 5RT3259.1 as not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Although the segment is related to the larger Denver and Rio Grande Railroad which is NRHP eligible, it was not in operation during that railway's historic period of significance (early to mid- 1900s). The Energy Spur was built in 1962 and has operated in its current location ever since. Therefore, the newly recorded spur is not associated with known significant historical events or persons, and it does not possess additional research potential. A section of the corridor for the proposed access to Core Hole WC002 crosses a portion of the railroad; however, a fence separates it from the proposed access, and construction of the access road will not impact the site. Since no development for the current project will occur within the railroad easement, the integrity of segment 5RT3259.1 will not be compromised. No further work is recommended. EVALUATION OF RESEARCH Based upon the current and previously conducted cultural inventories, the likelihood of identifying cultural resources, both prehistoric and historic, was considered moderate. Results for this study were fairly consistent with the expectations. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc. conducted a Class III cultural resource inventory for Twentymile Coal Company's proposed core holes, pipeline with a core hole and well pad, and access roads in Routt County, Colorado. The project area is located on State of Colorado surface, split estate with privately owned surface and minerals administered by the BLM, Little Snake Field Office; and privately owned surface. Existing unimproved two -track roads were inventoried for cultural resources; existing maintained roads were not. Inventory for this project resulted in the discovery and documentation of one segment (5RT3259.1) of a newly recorded spur of the historic Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (5RT1396). MAC recommends 5RT3259.1 as not NRHP eligible. The railroad does retain integrity of location, design, workmanship, and association since it still serves its historic function of transporting coal for the local mines. However, its integrity of setting, feeling, and materials have been somewhat compromised by modern upgrades to the railroad itself and in the surrounding landscape. A section of the corridor for the proposed access to WC002 crosses a portion of the site; however, a fence separates the site from the proposed access, and construction of the access road will not impact the site. Since no development for the current project will occur 12