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<br />Introduction <br />Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc. (MAC) has completed data recovery excavations <br />at SLA7186 in partial fulfillment of mine permit requirements and according to a treatment plan <br />prepazed for the site (McKibbin and Carrillo 1997). Proposed development of the mine, specifically <br />the construction of a railroad spur and haul road, as well as realignment of the existing Lorencito <br />Canyon road, will heavily impact the site, destroying most of the physical integrity of the structural <br />remains as well as the contextual integrity of the archaeological remains. SLA7186 had been <br />recommended to be eligible for inclusion on the National Register based on site integrity and on <br />criteria "a" and "d" of the National Register eligibility criteria. The site preserves information that <br />can be used to contribute to an understanding of the economies, social organization, and interactions <br />among the early non-Native occupants of the region, including Hispanic New Mexicans moving <br />north from New hfexico and Americans moving west from the eastern and midwestern parts of the <br />United States. This information is contained in both archaeological and structural remains at the site <br />and in historic records and informant sources. <br />This report summarizes the status of investigations at the close of field work. Its purpose is <br />• to provide sufficient information on the progress of investigations to allow agency review in <br />anticipation of issuance of a notice to proceed with construction at this location. It also briefly <br />describes the continuing records research, lab analysis and synthesis that will proceed in prepazation <br />of a final report addressing the site and the research issues described by McKibbin and Carrillo <br />(1997). <br />Management Summary <br />The field work phase of the treatment plan for SLA7186 has been completed. Excavations <br />totaling 34.5 square meters covered all portions of SLA7186 as recommended in the treatment plan. <br />Two collection transects were used to recover a sample of surface materials, and a designed surface <br />sampling focused on recovery of selected classes of diagnostic artifacts. The site has been <br />instrument mapped. Archival research is ongoing, as are informant interviews, though the bulk of <br />this effort is complete. Analysis of artifactual and sample remains is beginning and will continue <br />through the fall of 1997. There are no circumstances foreseen that would warrant a return to the site <br />for additional field investigations. For these reasons, MAC recommends that Lorencito Coal <br />Company be allowed to proceed with construction at the site with the only remaining stipulation <br />concerning the discovery of human remains, as is applied to the project as a whole (McKibbin et al. <br />1997:124). <br /> <br />