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 1 1 INTRODUCTION In October 2020, Allegiance Coal Limited (Allegiance Coal) acquired the New Elk Mine in Las Animas County, Colorado. Allegiance Coal initiated production at the New Elk Mine in July 2021 and has relied on Colorado State Highway 12 (SR-12) since that time to convey coal from the mine to Trinidad, Colorado, for distribution farther afield. A railroad right-of-way (ROW) exists between the New Elk Mine and Trinidad that contains a decommissioned railroad (i.e., the Colorado and Wyoming Railroad [C&W]). Allegiance Coal also acquired this ROW in 2020 and proposes to refurbish and use it to transport coal between the New Elk Mine and Trinidad. The majority of the railroad today is nothing more than a railroad grade lacking any rail or railroad ties (although there are small stretches with fragments of dilapidated ties and rail). The railroad ROW also contains several concrete culverts and steel through-truss bridges that were constructed at various points throughout the early- and mid-twentieth century. Allegiance Coal proposes to return this railroad to operational viability. To do so, some concrete culverts must be reinforced or replaced, and the foundations and decks of the through-truss bridges must be reinforced. Importantly, the currently proposed replacements and improvements to the railroad bridges will not alter the railroad’s course or height. In effect, the proposed bridge replacements and repairs will bring the railroad one step closer to its original form and originally intended use. Together, this comprises the New Elk Mine Bridge Repair and Replacement Project (Project). The route and height of the railroad grade will not be altered during this Project, and any reinforcements to through-truss bridges will not affect their aesthetic or historic integrity. Because the railroad grade, the culverts, and the bridges are more than 50 years old, and because small segments of the railroad have previously been recorded—and recommended eligible for the National Register—Allegiance Coal requested that Arcadis U.S., Inc. (Arcadis) document the entire railroad grade, the culverts, and the bridges to determine their eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This report presents the findings, NRHP eligibility recommendations, and management recommendations to support and maintain the railroad’s historic value. An Arcadis cultural resources specialist and Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA), Mr. Dallin Webb, documented the entire railroad grade, the culverts, and the bridges between December 7 and 10, 2021. A professional architectural historian, Ms. Tegan Baiocchi, performed archival research, provided project support, and served as Principal Investigator for this project. This historic and architectural survey of the railroad grade resulted in the update and documentation of three historic sites that fall within the railroad ROW: 5LA.5913 (C&W Depot), 5LA.7112 (C&W railroad grade), and 5LA.9878 (Martinez and Medina Ditch). All three sites have been previously documented at least in part but were fully re- documented for this Project. 1.1 Project Area The Project will occur completely within the railroad ROW between the New Elk Mine and Trinidad, Colorado (Figure 1). Going from east to west, the ROW begins just west of Trinidad south of SR-12, after which it veers to the southeast around the southeast corner of Trinidad Lake. From there, it runs along the south shore of Trinidad Lake through parts of Trinidad Lake State Park, crossing the mouths of Long and Madrid Canyons (Photograph 1). West of Trinidad Lake, the ROW follows the course of the