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INTRODUCTION <br />• An archaeological clearance survey was performed by Centuries Re- <br />search, Inc. of 20 proposed drill sites and associated access roads in <br />Delta Lounty, Colorado. Drill sites and access roads surveyed are in- <br />dicated in figures 1 and 2, and are all located due north of Paonia, <br />overlooking the North Fork of the Gunnision River. The survey of the <br />proposed impact areas was requested by Patricia Farnsworth of Colorado <br />Westmoreland, tnc., Paonia, Colorado. <br />Specific soil, topographic and vegetational information for each <br />of the drill sites is provided in .Table 1. In general, however, certain <br />qualities were held in common: soil was usually ~uite rocky, with ba- <br />salt outcrops common; slope was generally from 5 -20o with elevation <br />ranging from 7600 ft. to 9000 ft.; and vegetation was dominated by oak- <br />brush. <br />Fieldwork was conducted by Anthony L. Klesert, Senior Prehistorian <br />of Centuries, on August 17-19, 1981. At various times, Colorado West- <br />moreland employees accompanied Klesert, as locations were flagged or <br />relocated. This report and the field inspection were completed to meet <br />the requirements of applicable historic preservation laws and Executive <br />Order 11593• All work was performed under provisions of Federal Anti- <br />quities Permit NCO-81-3. Prior to fieldwork, a pre-field check was <br />made at [he Montrose BLM District Office on August l7, 1981. <br />SURI'EY METHODOLOGY <br />• The drill sites and access roads had been previously flagged. In <br />a few cases, locations were altered, in which case the archaeologist <br />was accompanied to the revised locale by a Colorado Westmoreland,lnc. <br />employee. Each drill site will involve an area 100' by 60'. Therefore <br />survey was conducted, in a series of back-and-forth sweeps, of an area <br />with a 200' diameter at the proposed location. The ground surface was <br />visually inspected (although visibility was generally only fair) for <br />any evidence of prehistoric or historic utilization of the area. Obser- <br />vations of the local ecology were made in order to briefly describe the <br />environmental setting of the impact area, Access roads were given a jpm (9$G) <br />rightrof-wiay, which was closely inspected, Originally, three additional <br />drill sites and associated roads (5$-6D) were to have been surveyed, <br />A pre-field check at the BLM Montrose District Office showed these to <br />be located in previously surveyed areas, so there is no need for further <br />survey prior to granting of clearance, <br />RESULTS <br />One prehistoric isolated find, 5DT549, was noted on the north edge <br />of drill site 62. It consists of a single dark gray quartzite bifacial <br />chopping tool, formed from a secondary flake, The platform exhibits some <br /> <br />