2016-10-20_PERMIT FILE - C1981035A (18)

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1960s. The USGS map indicates that portion of the ditch in the south edge of the survey area • and continuing downstream was constructed after 1968. During the early 1900s numerous families homesteaded 160 acre parcels for ranching . Many of these families opened small bituminous coal mines on their property, using manual labor. Remains of theses small mines can be seen along both sides of the valley, the nearest being the Wfitse and Tipotsche mines. The only currently operating mine in Hay Gulch is the National King Coal Mine, located on the southeast side of the valley to the east of the survey area. This mine was opened in 1935 and operated by Violet Smith and her husband. Previous research in the specific project area began in 1975 with Leidy's (1976) survey of proposed canals and reservoirs for the Animas -La Plata project. At that time the NW and SW 1/4s of the SE 1/4 and the SE and SW 1/4s of the SW 1/4, section 36, were inventoried for the proposed Hay Gulch Reservoir. One site, 5LP197, a collapsed historic building and prehistoric lithic concentration, was recorded within this area. This site is located southest of the survey area. The only other site recorded within section 36 is the Tipotsch Mine, 5LP1418. Several parcels have been inventoried within five miles on private and Ute Mountain Ute lands for expansion of National King Coal mines, with no significant cultural resources located (Hammack. L. 1994, Hammack, N. 1997) Based on previous inventories, few cultural resources were expected in the survey areas. Sites were expected to be limited to historic homesteads or prehistoric hunting losses or temporary hunting camps. Evaluatlon of prehistoric sites was based on Llpe, Varian, and Wilshuseris (1999) and Eddy, Kane and Nickens' (1984) regional research designs, while historic themes presented by Husband (1984) and Buckles and Buckles (1984) were used to assess historic resources. PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY The inventory was carried out to locate, record and evaluate any cultural resources within • the parcels proposed for mining activities. Sites are defined as a discreet locus of patterned activity that is presumed to be interpretable, as opposed to isolated fords which consist of one or a very few artifacts in a location which is judged as not representing patterned behavior. The survey areas were delineated on topographic maps by National King Coal and the boundaries were indicated on the ground by Tom Bird. The inventory was carred out by two persons walking parallel zig-zag transects approximately 15 meters apart. When cultural resources were located they were photographed, sketch mapped, and detailed notes were taken of the surrounding environment. Smithsonian numbers were assigned and Colorado Historical Society forms were completed. Field notes are on file at CASA offices in Cortez, Colorado. No artifacts were collected during the project PROJECT RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Two Isolated Finds were recorded. Neither of the IFs is considered to be significant or eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. This isolated find of unknown prehistoric affiliation and age was located on the southeast -facing lower slope of the rocky ridge overlooking Cochran Canyon. Vegetation in the area is pinyon juniper woodland. Two flaked Iltbic tools (Figure 4) were located within a 10 m area. Tool No. 1 is a cobble core that has been flaked on all sides and shows some evidence of being used as a scraper. The dense igneous material is a dark greenish gray with some brown cortex remaining. The core is spherical and app 5 cm in diameter. Tool No. 2 is an igneous cobble chopper with large flakes removed on three sides. It is greenish gray and measures 16 by 6 cm. Two primary igneous flakes were also associated with the two tools. •