2019-10-08_PERMIT FILE - M2019054 (64)

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FIELD METHODS An intensive Class III cultural resources inventory of approximately 127 acres of State Board land was carried out roughly ten miles east of Blue Mountain in Moffat County, Colorado. The block acres were inventoried by two archaeologists who walked a series of transects spaced approximately 15 meters apart. Steep slopes were contoured. Cultural resources were to be sought as surface exposures and will be 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 shards that remain. All cultural resources that qualify as sites, such as prehistoric open camps, open lithic scatters, occupied overhangs/rock shelters, and evidence of historic occupation, were recorded and evaluated for inclusion on the NRHP, according to standards set by the State Historic Preservation Officer(SHPO). Sites newly recorded were documented using the following methods of mapping and note taking: 1) UTM coordinates (NAD 83 Datum) for artifacts and features were recorded using a Trimble Geo XT; 2)photographs were taken at each site and include general views and/or views of specific artifacts and features; and, 3) site maps were to be created using differentially corrected GPS data and ArcMap. No artifacts were collected. STUDY FINDINGS The intensive Class III cultural resources inventory newly identified six prehistoric resources (two sites and four isolates). Sites 5MF8727 and 5MF8728 are open camps and the remaining resources, 5MF8729-5MF8732, are prehistoric isolates. Additional detailed information for the sites and isolates is provided in the attached OAHP Forms (only in the State copy). 5