2025-04-09_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (3)

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RULE 2 PERMITS The approximate underground mining limits are shown on the Existing Structures - South Map (Map 22). Existing Land Use and Land Use Classifications Under Local Law The Moffat County Commissioners,in conjunction with the Moffat County Planning Commission, have designated the lands within the permit and adjacent area for uses of agricultural (rangeland). The land use in the permit area is rangeland used mainly for domestic livestock and wildlife use; no commercial forestry work has ever been conducted within the permit area. Colowyo currently holds special use permits from both Moffat County and Rio Blanco County to conduct mining and reclamation activities. 2.04.4 Cultural and Historical Resource Information The objectives of this section is to meet the requirements of Rule 2.04.4 et seq by furnishing Cultural and Historic Resource Information for the proposed permit revision area in sufficient detail to determine the presence of cultural and historic resources listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and known significant archaeological sites. Archaeological Resources During the summer of 1975, an intensive cultural resource survey and literature search was conducted under the direction of Dr. Joseph Lischka from the University of Colorado. Despite the abundant faunal and floral food resources available on the mine site, only two prehistoric sites (5MF401 and 404) were found within the boundaries of the mine site, while one site (5MF402) was discovered just outside the south boundary of the mine site as shown on the Historical and Archaeological Site Map(Map 16). Both 5MF401 and 5MF402 are located on a terrace edge about half way down the canyon. This pattern of site distribution suggests that lack of water was of primary importance in listing more substantial occupation of the area. The principal aboriginal activities in the mine site area probably consisted of relatively short term visits by hunting parties. All three sites contained surface finds of lithic materials (worked stone) including several chert flakes, projectile points, and knife tips. The survey work of Dr. Lischka is found in Exhibit 5, Archaeological Information. The Northwest Colorado Coal Environmental Impact Statement(EIS) states on page GIII-5: "Given the nature of these archaeological values (see Exhibit 5), projected impacts would not be significant locally or regionally". Extensive archaeological investigations have been conducted along the route of Colowyo's railspur, and a final report for this work was prepared by the Laboratory of Public Archeology at Colorado State University. Rule 2 Permits 2.04-4 Revision Date: 12/20/19 Revision No.: TR-135