2022-02-22_PERMIT FILE - C1980007 (4)

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West Elk Mine 2.04-8 Rev. 06/05- PR10, 03/06- PR10, 04/06- PR10, 09/07- PR12; 07/18- PR15; 01/22- MR459 Field Investigations Archaeological reconnaissance of the West Elk Mine study area has been conducted to assess the extent and nature of any cultural resources contained within areas of potential impact from development related to West Elk Mine. Field studies, and associated laboratory operations and report preparation were completed by professional archaeological teams as documented in Exhibits 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E and 10F. An archaeological reconnaissance was conducted for the Refuse Pile Expansion (RPE) area in September 1995, as documented in the RPE exhibit (Exhibit 70). Field investigations of the Sunset Trail exploration area were conducted by ERO (ERO) Resources Corporation during 2012 with no resources located. Additional block clearance surveys of the lands that overlie proposed E seam longwall panels SS1 through SS4 were conducted by ERO during July 2018. The findings of that investigation as well as the B seam MVBs investigation are documented in Exhibit 10F. Areas previously investigated included the main mine surface facilities area, areas immediately adjacent to the surface facilities area, the Sylvester Gulch Facilities Area, Sylvester Gulch Road, potential waste rock disposal sites, the Lone Pine ventilation facilities area, the RPE area, Mine Ventilation Borehole (MVB) pads (formerly called methane drainage wells), and the access routes to all surface facilities, MVBs, and exploration sites. More recent cultural resource investigations include field studies within and in proximity to the South-of-Divide and Sunset Trail lease areas and B Seam MVBs areas that included portions of the permit area and were conducted for exploration and assessment of the coal deposits (Spath 1995a, 1995b, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999a, and 1999b and Susan Chandler, Alpine Archaeological Associates, 2007, etc.) These inventories covered blocks and linear corridors for exploratory drill holes, access corridors, and seismic corridors. The inventories were completed prior to potential ground disturbance by these exploration activities or drilling activities. A professional archaeologist completed field studies and report preparation. Maps 7, 7A, and 7B illustrate the areas surveyed. Exhibit 10 series of exhibits includes illustrations of the Sylvester Gulch facilities areas surveyed. A summary listing of the cultural resource investigations completed within the West Elk Mine permit area and previously documented cultural resources is provided in the Exhibit 10 series of exhibits. Literature Search The National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties were checked for listed sites in the vicinity of the permit area. No listed sites were found. The archaeological sites and surveys files of the OAHP were reviewed for previous surveys and previously documented sites within or near the permit area. As previously noted, the files search listed 17 cultural resource investigations that included portions of the legal sections containing the permit area. The identified investigations are listed in Exhibit 10 series. Several of the more recent investigations were for activities associated with the current mine permit area. The files search also listed one previously documented prehistoric site and two prehistoric isolated finds in the permit area. The cultural resources are not recommended as potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. Therefore, there are no known sites that are listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in the permit area.