2025-08-01_PERMIT FILE - C1981019

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RULE 2 PERMITS South Taylor – Rule 2, Page 8 Revision Date: 7/21/25 Revision No.: MR-267 Investigations listed as mine exploration typically included a number of small locations for stratigraphic cores. Portions of Sections 16, 17, 20, and 28 of T4N, R93W have not yet been surveyed. The remaining portions of the permit revision area, including all of the mining affected areas, have been adequately surveyed for cultural resources. Table 2.04.4-2 briefly summarizes the cultural resource sites that are within the permit revision boundary. Documented cultural resources within the South Taylor mining areas are shown on Map 16B. Sites located within the actual mining impact areas include a historic trash scatter, historic dugout and bridge, a prehistoric open architectural site and isolated feature, and a historic isolated collection of rock cairns. Of these, site 5MF 934 and 5MF 4005 are the only features that could be disturbed by mining activities. 5MF 934 is an unevaluated trash scatter that was considered not eligible for the Register (Pool and Spath, 1995). 5MF 4005 is an isolated collection of three rock cairns and an associated overgrown two-track; this site was considered not eligible for the Register (Pool and Spath, 1995). Documented cultural resources in the vicinity of the new road from the Wilson Creek road to the Gossard Loadout are shown on Map 16B. They include three prehistoric camps, a historic camp, and two prehistoric isolated finds. Of these, one prehistoric camp is eligible for the Register (5MF1935), one site is unevaluated (5MF4003), and the remaining sites are recommended as not eligible for the Register. The unevaluated site, 5MF4003 is located near the crossing of Wilson Creek on the access road to the Gossard Loadout. The current road alignment might impact this site; thus the site will be evaluated prior to impact. The eligible site is on the other (west) side of the Wilson Creek Road from the crossing, and as such, is not expected to be disturbed by mine development activities. If this site cannot be avoided it will require data recovery or some other form of mitigation. The likelihood that additional eligible resources will be found in the portions of the permit area that have not yet been surveyed is considered fairly low by the archaeologists. Documented cultural resources in the vicinity of surface disturbances at South Taylor include several isolated finds. These finds were all recommended as ineligible for the Register. 2.04.5 General Description of Hydrology and Geology A detailed description and maps, as required, of geology, hydrology, and groundwater and surface water quality and quantity of all lands within the South Taylor permit revision area, the adjacent area, and the general area, as defined in Rule 1.04 of the Coal Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board are provided below. Since 1973, detailed data and information have been collected, compiled, and analyzed by Colowyo on the geology and hydrology of all lands within the permit revision area, the adjacent area and the general area. This information is a compilation of previously-published reports, high-density exploration drilling, field investigations, geologic mapping, aerial photography reviews, topographic mapping, data from investigations by independent consultants, and climatologic monitoring data from on-site and the Craig and Meeker climatological stations. Colowyo has maintained close cooperation with many government agencies and has invited and allowed numerous agencies to conduct investigations and experiments within and adjacent to the mining area. These include but are not limited to the Water Resources and the Conservation Divisions of the U.S. Geological Survey, Colorado State University, Bureau of Reclamation, and the Bureau of Land Management. A list of government agencies, references, and consultants that provided information used in this application is provided in the discussion under Section 2.03.3.