2016-01-14_REVISION - M1983194 - Laserfiche WebLink

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the coal boom gave out -- causing a series of towns in northwest Colorado to lose population and the whole region fell into depression during the 1920s. STUDY OBJECTIVES / RESEARCH DESIGN The purposes of this project were to conduct a Class III (intensive) cultural resources inventory of the thirty-eight drill hole locations and related linear routes; to identify and accurately locate archaeological sites and/or districts and isolated finds; to evaluate these surface finds for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP); to determine the potential effect of the project on all NRHP- eligible resources; and to make recommendations for the mitigation of the adverse effects on those cultural resources. The presence of cultural and paleontological resources was considered likely based on previously recorded sites and localities within the vicinity. FIELD METHODS The project area consists of thirty-eight drill hole locations, and 5.7 miles of proposed access roads totaling 1232 acres. Within the specified project areas, 100 acres were previously, recently inventoried (Shell-GRI #2013-13,17,50, BLM #13-11-15, OAHP #RB.LM.R1350, and Daub-GRI #2013-82) and, per BLM could be omitted. A Class III, 100% pedestrian cultural resources survey of the inventory areas was made by crews of four to six archaeologists walking a series of transects spaced at intervals of 15 meters based on the topographic features of the study area. The field archaeologists worked from USGS 7.5 minute series maps. A total of 1132 acres (1114/BLM and 18/private) was subjected to intensive inventory. Cultural resources were sought as surface exposures and were characterized as sites or isolated finds. A site is the locus of previous human activity (50 year minimum) at which the preponderance of evidence suggests either a one-time use or repeated use over time, or multiple classes of activities. For example: a) Isolated thermal features such as hearths are to be designated as sites, due to the interpretable function of such utilization and the potential for chronometric and economic data of recovery, b) Single element rock art panels are to be designated as sites due to the interpretive nature of such an event and the potential diagnostic value of the motif, c) Similarly, isolated human burials are to be designated as sites, or d) Loci exhibiting ground stone and flake stone in association. An isolate refers to one or more culturally modified objects not found in the context of a site as defined above. Note that this definition makes no reference to an absolute quantitative standard for the site/isolate distinction. For example: a) A discrete concentration of flakes from the same material regardless of the number of artifacts present likely represents a single, random event and is properly designated as an isolate, or b) Similarly, a ceramic pot bust is to be recorded as an isolate, regardless of the number of sherds that remain. 48