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West Elk one from development related to West Elk Mine. Field studies, and associated laboratory operations and report preparation were completed by professional archaeological teams as documented in Exhibits 10, 10A, lOB, IOC, IOD, and 10E. An azchaeological reconnaissance was conducted for the Refuse Pile Expansion (RPE) area in September 1995, as documented in the RPE exhibit (Exhibit 70). Areas previously investigated included the main mine surface facilities area, azeas immediately adjacent to the surface facilities azea, the Sylvester Gulch Test Adit and access route, the Sylvester Gulch Facilities Area, potential waste rock disposal sites, the Lone Pine ventilation facilities azea, the RPE area, Methane Drainage Well pads, and the access routes to all surface facilities, methane drainage wells, and exploration sites. More recent cultural resource investigations include seven field studies within and in proximity to the South-of-Divide permit revision area that included portions of the permit area and were conducted for exploration and assessment of the coal deposits (Spath 1995a, 19956, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999a, and 19996). These inventories covered a total of approximately 222 acres of small blocks and linear corridors for exploratory drill holes, access corridors, and seismic corridors. The inventories were completed prior to potential ground disturbance by these exploration activities. A professional archaeologist completed field studies and report preparation. Maps 7, 7A, and 7B illustrate the areas surveyed. Exhibit lOD includes an illustration of the Sylvester Gulch facilities areas surveyed. A summary listing of the cultural resource investigations completed within the West Elk Mine permit area and previously documented cultural resources is provided in Exhibit 10E. • Literature Search The National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties were checked for listed sites in the vicinity of the permit area. No listed sites were found. The archaeological sites and surveys files of the OAHP were reviewed for previous surveys and previously documented sites within or near the permit area. As previously noted, the files search listed 17 cultural resource investigations that included portions of the legal sections containing the permit area. The identified investigations are listed in Exhibit 10A. Several of the more recent investigations were for activities associated with the current mine permit area. The files search also listed one previously documented prehistoric site and two prehistoric isolated finds in the permit area. The cultural resources are not recommended as potentially. eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. Therefore, there are no known sites that are listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in the permit area. Archaeoloeical Clearance Reports of archaeological surveys for the permit area have been forwarded to the USFS, Gunnison National Forest, and to the OAHP for their review and clearance. To date, no agencies have determined that preservation or mitigation efforts are warranted for any identified cultural resources in the permit area. If the OAHP determines that preservation 1.04-8 Revised Jwie 1005 PR70