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west Elk Drill Pads, Panels 16, 17, and 17S, Cultural Report <br />lis, <br />i~; <br />it <br />I <br />^: <br />persons significant in history, historical resources more than 50 years oId aze evaluated under <br />essentially the same criteria as prehistoric resources. <br />Based on information available from files searches and previous reseazch experience in the area, <br />Greystone anticipated that prehistoric and historic cultural resources would be unlikely, but might <br />include historic livestock grazing features or isolated prehistoric tools. <br />METHODS <br />Because of the rugged terrain and often dense brush, the cultural resource inventory of the area of <br />proposed drill pads was limited to ridgetop and drainage bottom areas. Areas of dense brush and <br />slopes greater than about 30% grade were not systematically inspected. The latter areas constitute <br />approximately 70% of the block area. These areas aze unlikely to contain significant cultural <br />resources and are generally undesirable settings for drill pads. Special attention was given to areas of <br />enhanced subsurface visibility such as erosion cuts, road ditches, anthills, and the backdirt of animal <br />burrows. <br />Surface visibility and weather were fair to good for the discovery, documentation, and evaluation of <br />cultural resources. Even in aeeas where brush was neazly impassible, surface visibility was typically <br />fair to good (30-60%). In meadows and more open brush on ridgetops, surface visibility was often <br />excellent. Weather was warm and clear. <br />~; <br />,,;F; Any discovered cultural materials were classified either as sites or as isolated finds, were <br />~"~" documented on appropriate Colorado Cultural Resource Survey forms, and their locations were <br />plotted on 7.5' USGS topographic maps. An isolated find consists of five or fewer surface artifacts <br />with no associated cultural features and minimal potential deposition. A site consists of five or more <br />artifacts within 50 meters of one another, or at least one cultural or structural feature. The full extent <br />of each site was established, a site sketch map was drawn, and photographs were taken of the site <br />azea and any distinctive features. <br />'iJ RESULTS <br />A total of 270 acres was surveyed for the presence of cultural resources. This included all level to <br />~~ gently sloping ridgetop areas and all drainage bottoms within the block area. Field conditions were <br />good for the discovery of cultural resources, and the project area did not contain any substantial areas <br />of Holocene deposition that might contain buried cultural resources. No cultural materials or features <br />~~ were found in the project area. <br />EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS <br />@?ar The project corridor as mazked at the time of cultural resource inventory does not contain any <br />i„~;,~ <br />~` significant cultural resources. Therefore, the proposed undertaking will not adversely impact any <br />significant historic properties. Cultural resource cleazance is recommended for the project as <br />"" surveyed. <br />~_'~:; <br />i;,,, MtnCoalWestElkPanelsl6.17-]7SCult(270-50)rptdoc -3~- - 10/29/2001 <br />~:,y <br />