2023-07-24_PERMIT FILE - C1981019

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2023 Cultural Resource Site Assessments for Collom Expansion Project Colowyo Tetra Tech June 2023 6 For Official Use Only: Disclosure of Site Locations Prohibited (43 CFR 7.18) 3.0 CULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY Tetra Tech conducted the third round of cultural resource site assessments from May 16 and 17, 2023. Mark Karpinski served as Principal Investigator and supervised all work. Elizabeth Karpinski served as Field Director and directed field work and assessed each site. Elizabeth Shikrallah served as the assisting archaeological field technician. The field work was completed in good weather conditions with no adverse weather days and very minimal snow coverage limited to shaded wash bottoms. All applicable Colowyo health and safety protocols were followed during field work. The site assessments were accomplished by the field crew using the literature search data, Colowyo provided maps and shapefiles, and a Trimble GPS unit to relocate each site. Each site was assessed per Colorado OAHP state-wide standards and Colorado OAHP and DRMS specific criteria for the Collom Project. To assess each site, Tetra Tech used the available OAHP original and re-visitation site forms as applicable along with the Collom baseline report (Lowe et al. 2006) and initial round of site assessments (Karpinski and Dugmore 2015). The reported information on the forms and report were used as baseline data for assessing each site’s current condition and composition. Recorded changes in condition included but were not limited to new artifacts and/or features, missing artifacts and/or features, significant changes due to new impacts, and significant changes due to known impacts. Assessment findings were recorded in the appropriate sections of the Colorado OAHP Cultural Resource Re-Visitation Form. Each form was completed with appropriate attachment forms, maps, and photographs as applicable. Mapping of changes to a site was accomplished using a Trimble GPS. The GPS had real time differential correction were utilized to maintain accuracy when recording information during field work. GPS positional accuracy was within 3 meters and the Position Dilution of Precision (PDOP) was less than or equal to six. UTM coordinates were recorded in NAD83, Zone 13 North. The GPS had the site locations uploaded into it prior to field work to assist in relocation. Photographs for general overviews, features, artifacts, and any observed significant changes were taken using a digital camera with at least a 16-megapixel resolution. Two of the assessed sites have been evaluated for potential inclusion on the NRHP in accordance with guidelines provided in 36 CFR 60.4. Both sites were assessed for the elements of cultural integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. In addition to assessing the elements of integrity, each locality was evaluated for eligibility based on one or more of the following criteria: A) associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of national, state, or local history; B) associated with the lives of persons who have made a significant contribution to national, state, or local history; C) embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or represent the work of a master, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; and/or D) may be likely to yield information important in the prehistory or history of the nation, state or region. The remaining sites are listed as “Needs Data” and require additional information prior to determination of potential inclusion on the NRHP. The current undertaking does not include the NRHP evaluation of these sites. Colowyo avoided the sites as part of mining related activities and formal NRHP evaluations will only be conducted when/if it plans to potentially impact the sites.