2022-08-25_PERMIT FILE - C1981012 (13)

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New Elk Mine Bridge Repair and Replacement Project arcadis.com New Elk Mine Cultural Report_TB_Rev030722 NOT FOR PUBLIC DISCLOSURE 10 4. To investigate other existing sites with boundaries that intersect the ROW to ensure that there were no artifacts or features in the ROW that could be affected by proposed Project activities (i.e., 5LA.1099, 5LA.1211, and 5LA.2202). Arcadis therefore expected to fully document three sites: 5LA.5913, 5LA.7112, and 5LA.9878. Cursory updates would be made for the three sites with boundaries crossing the ROW (5LA.1099, 5LA.1211, and 5LA.2202) and for the three apparently destroyed sites (5LA.1452, 5LA.1472, and 5LA.1522). Therefore, Arcadis expected to document at least nine previously recorded sites. Given the presence of prehistoric sites in the Records Search Area, Arcadis knew that there would be some potential for undiscovered prehistoric cultural resources in the ROW. However, because the ROW has been heavily used and modified (e.g., graded, filled, constructed, cliff walls blasted, etc.) for more than 100 years, the potential for undiscovered prehistoric resources was deemed to be very low. Arcadis therefore planned to have a cultural resources specialist who is familiar with both prehistoric and historic resources walk the entire length of the ROW. The primary goal of the survey would be to address Arcadis’ four research goals; however, this cultural specialist would also investigate any areas in the ROW with the potential for harboring undiscovered resources, whether prehistoric or historic. 2.3 Field Methods An Arcadis archaeologist, Mr. Dallin Webb, M.A., RPA, surveyed and documented the entire ROW between December 7 and 10, 2021. Mr. Webb was chosen for this work due to his years of experience with prehistoric and historic cultural resources throughout the western U.S., including Colorado. Mr. Webb conducted an intensive-level pedestrian survey of the entire ROW, using the existing railroad grade as a guide. Arcadis also prepared field maps and shapefiles prior to survey that depicted the ROW, the railroad grade, and previously recorded cultural resources to facilitate survey, site documentation, and the relocation of previously recorded cultural resources. Mr. Webb brought all existing site records with him in the field to aid in the update of previously recorded cultural resources. Mr. Webb used the ArcGIS Field Maps application on a mobile device to conduct survey and relocate sites. The mobile device was connected to a Trimble R1 Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver via Bluetooth, which provided sub-3-meter accuracy throughout the entire survey. All spatial data were recorded using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates in Zone 13 S, North American Datum 1983 (NAD-83). Photographs were taken using a 12-megapixel camera on a Samsung S21 5G smartphone; these photographs were automatically embedded and saved using the Field Maps application. Mr. Webb documented all sites on hardcopies of the appropriate OAHP forms in the field, which were then reviewed and edited by Ms. Tegan Baiocchi after field work. Original copies of the field notes are housed at Arcadis’ Reno, Nevada office.