Laserfiche WebLink
Concerns raised by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have been resolved and this correspondence <br />is included in the Exhibit. <br />• <br />Archaeological survey and excerpts from the "Final Environmental Impact Statement Northwest Colorado <br />Coal". Archaeological survey sites referenced in this report have been located on the Known <br />Archaeological Sites Map (Map 5). One major archaeological site (SMF 281) which was affected by the <br />Colorado Coal Company's railroad construction was excavated by Colorado State University, <br />Archaeological Department Personnel during the summer of 1978. <br />Colorado Historical Society- File search 1986 <br />RAG EC has committed to contact either the Regional D~ector of the District Mining Supervisor if any archaeological <br />or cultural resources are discovered during RAG EC's mining activities. <br />Past Mining Activity <br />Information concerning past and present mining activities is presented on Table 2, Past Mining Acivity Information. <br />It is apparent from this table that coal mining has been conducted in the general area since the 1930's. The locations of <br />active and abandoned mines within the permit boundary are shown on the Active/Abandoned Mine Map (Map 4). <br />Regional History <br />The first known white explorers to visit the area known as "The Moffat Country" were Father Escalante and Father <br />Garcia, two (2) Jesuit priests. They conducted their exploration of the area during the Revolutionary War. Father <br />Escalante and Father Garcia are also credited for the discovery of the Green River, and records of their journey <br />• indicate they also visited Split Mountain Canyon, which is now part of Dinosaur National Monument. <br />During the next 50 years, there were minor expeditions inb the area by mountain men. In 1837, Davy Crockett and <br />his party passed through the area and established a trading post on the Green River near the mouth of Vermillion <br />Creek. The trading post was active for two (2) to three (3) years trading with the Utelndians. <br />In 1844, Jim Fremont, with Kit Carson as a guide and scout, crossed "Moffat Country" from west to east. Fremont set <br />up a trading post across the Green River from the abandoned Dary Crockett trading post. <br />In 1861, W.A. Doyle, Joseph Hahn, and George Way made the first gold discovery in the area. The discovery was <br />near a mountain peak, which is today called Hahns Peak. In the years that followed, many miners were attracted to the <br />area and took up the task of developing placer mines. <br />In 1869, the most important event in the early history of Moffat County occurred when the Union Pacific <br />Transcontinental Railroad was completed. The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad paved the way for an <br />increasing number of settlers to come to the area b develop the wilderness into ranching and farming communities. <br />The city of Craig, Colorado was established in 1878 and incorporated in 1908. <br />Today, the most notable industries in Moffat County are ranching, farming, energy production, and coal mining. <br />2.04.5 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF HYDROLOGY AND GEOLOGY <br />The Geology Map (Map 7) and the Geologic Cross-Sections presented in this permit were prepared by Amuedo and <br />• Ivey, Consultants, unless otherwise identified in the title block of the maps. The GeologyMap (Map 7) was prepared <br />by Photogeologic Evaluation and a brief field review. Spot checks were made of data points using electric logs and <br />the logs were interpreted in a reconnaissance manner (without lithologic data) to determine predominant sandstone <br />Permit Renewal No. 3 2.04-2 Revised 7/10/00 <br />