2016-11-23_PERMIT FILE - C1981019 (2)

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Cultural Resource Site Assessments for Collom Expansion Project Colowyo 5MF.4008 — Historic Homestead and Prehistoric Lithic Scatter, Eligible under Criteria A & C Site 5MF.4008 was originally recorded in 1995 by Metcalf Archaeological Consultants for the Colowyo Coal Company Lease and Exploration Areas: Class III Cultural Resource Inventory project. The site consists of a historic homestead and a prehistoric component of two lithic flakes. As originally reported, the homestead is composed of three standing buildings (Features 1, 2, and 4) and two ruins (Feature 3 and 5). The homestead is associated with George W. Wright who patented the land in 1920. Feature 1 is a milled lumber outhouse. Feature 2 is a log cabin that was used as a storage shed or workshop. Feature 3 is the remains of a stick built brick and wood house that appears to have burned down sometime in the modern era. Feature 4 is a pump house with an electric pump. Feature 5 is the remains of a small log building that is theorized to be an outhouse. The generalized associated historic artifact scatter consists of bottle and window glass, aluminum cans, ceramic fragments, wire nails, and an assortment of domestic items. A number of corrals and fences occur throughout the site along with a few utility poles and a metal gasoline storage drum are also reported. In 2005, TRC revisited the site as part of the Colowyo Collom Mine expansion project. The revisit report noted that the integrity of the site had changed very little since it was originally recorded. Each of the recorded historic era features was relocated and the historic and prehistoric artifact scatters were observed to be as they were reported in 1995. Minor condition changes included the door to the cabin (Feature 2) was wedged open and minor weathering had occurred on the exterior of the structures. In 2015 Tetra Tech revisited the site as part of the current undertaking (Figure 12). Features 1, and 3, appear to be in similar condition as originally reported. Feature 2 has a few changes; however. The birdcage shown in 2005 site form photographs was not relocated. The electric pump housed inside Feature 4 appears to have been removed since 2005. Feature 5 could not be relocated during the revisit. Failure to relocate the feature is likely due to a lack of reported location information and dense ground cover. Two significant changes to the site were noted. A large bermed earthen cattle pond has been constructed at the southern end of the property southwest of the pump house (Feature 4). The pond does not directly impact any of the recorded features nor does it appear to have impacted the prehistoric and historic artifact scatters. A pit has been dug in the west -central part of the site at the entrance to the large field. Its function is unknown, but it has not directly impacted any of the recorded features nor does it appear to have impacted the prehistoric and historic artifact scatters. Neither of the prehistoric artifacts were located during the revisit. Failure to relocate the items is likely due to tall dense ground cover at the site during the revisit. New plastic signs with "Walk In Only" written in black Sharpie marker are located at the entrance to the homestead and may indicate that the area is visited by recreationalists on a semi -regular basis. In the south-central end of the site are several aspen tree carvings. The carvings say "2009", "9 Sep 11 ", "Hugo", "Hector", "Freddy", "hermanos", "Peru", and "USA". The carvings are likely from modern era camping during hunting season and not evidence of historic sheep herder activities. NRHP Status and Condition Assessment In 1995 site 5MF.4008 was recommended as eligible for the NRHP under Criteria A and C by Metcalf Archeological Consultants. The site is associated with the George W. Wright homestead and the influx of settlement to northwestern Colorado during the 1920's. Feature 2 was argued to be a good architectural example of log cabins during the 1920's. In 2005 TRC concurred with the recommendation. Tetra Tech also concurs with the recommendation. During 2015 revisit, the Tetra Tech July 25. 2016 15 For Official Use Only: Disclosure of Site Locations Prohibited (43 CFR T 18)