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-2- <br />_ All such sites were to be recorded. Floyd Patterson, Ph.D. <br />• served as Principal Investigator, performed the historical <br />research, and administered the project. Robert Williams <br />supervised the archaeological field work, assisted by Kirk <br />Butterbaugh. Field work was performed November 1-6, 1978. <br />The proposed mining operation is to take place in.south-central <br />Weld County, Township 3N, Range 64W, 5 4/5 Sec. 25, Sec. 26, <br />NE '~ Sec. 35, and Sec. 36. The project area was surveyed oa <br />foot, generally in thirty meter transects. Some areas were <br />inspected more intensively, iii particular 'blowouts,' ridge- <br />lines and all areas of high erosion or high ground visibility. <br />Topographically the project area Lies in the Great Plains between <br />4800 and 4900 feet elevation; it is generally quite flat but <br />includes some areas of gentle sand hills. Subsurface water' <br />is indicated by numerous windmill-driven pumps in the area. <br />The nearest surface water supply is Box Elder Cr"eek; approiti= <br />mately four miles to the west. It i3 a seasonal stream and - <br />was dry at the time of survey. No evidence was noted of any <br />water erosion effects on the ground surface: At the time of <br />survey the project area was free of any standing. or flowing <br />water, stream beds, or gullies. Wind erosion, however, is <br />• clearly present in the form of sand dunes and 'blowouts,' <br />depressed areas where the surface has lowered by erosion. <br />Ground cover consists largely of sagebrush (Artemisia), and <br />tumbleweed (Cycloloma Atri~plicifolium), with some cactus <br />(Opuntia) and grasses. Ground visibility avefages about 54°x, <br />varying from about 207. in same grassy areas to'1007. in eroded <br />areas. The surface is a fine, readily wind blown sand. <br />No sites are recorded for the projec-t area iri the State <br />Inventories of Archaeological and Historic-Sites, or in the <br />National Register of Historic Rlaces. No evidence of cultu=ai <br />resources was observed during the field survey. Extensive <br />signs of recent human activity were noted, in particular, wind= <br />mills, water tanks, fences, r-cads and cattle herds: 'these were <br />judged to be of no significance due to their moder-ri construction. <br />This lack of prehistoric materials contrasts with some areas of <br />Weld County, such as ttie Rawnee Grassland area, where sites <br />are relatively common .• Ir is l~i~kely List in' aliorl:ginal times <br />the Project Area was as unsuita$tie for oci`il~Yetion as it is <br />now, offering neither cover,-water, aor stable food resources. <br />It may have been exploited seasonally"in the pursuit of game, <br />but no surface indication of such use remaina.~ <br />