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15 <br />Research problems for the Historic period can be dealt <br />• with according to a number of different themes. For the <br />theme of exploration and the fur trade, questions can <br />be raised about the lack of recorded sites dating to this <br />period, and the affect of the fur trade on the settlement <br />of northwestern Colorado. Contacts between Native Americans <br />and Euro-Americans can be examined, along with the events <br />which led to the Meeker incident and the removal of the <br />Utes from the area. The impact of railroads on the economy <br />of this region is another topic to be examined. Combined <br />_ with this could be the study of urbanization on the West <br />Slope, and how communities grew in the Grand Valley and <br />along the Yampa River. Questions about agriculture could <br />deal with the difference between ranching and farming <br />sites, the extent of irrigation, and the relationship <br />between agricultural activities and the development of <br />northwest Colorado. While precious metal mining played <br />a major role in the San Juans, it was not very important <br />in the Yampa River Valley, where coal was mined. The <br />impact of mining and the energy industry in this area <br />could be addressed (Husband 1984; Mehls 1984). <br />5.0 RESEARCH DESIGN <br />The research design provides the framework for the interpre- <br />• tation of the data collected during this project. It <br />consists of a statement of objectives, the research hypotheses <br />to be examined, the kinds of data to be collected to test <br />those hypotheses, and the expected results. <br />5.1 OBJECTIVES <br />The objectives of this project ace to locate, identify <br />and evaluate all of the cultural resources within ttie <br />survey area. This includes the proper recordation of <br />all sites, and their assignment, as possible, to specific <br />cultural periods and functional types. These sites will <br />then be interpreted within the context of what is known <br />about resources in the region (see Section 9.0). Lastly, <br />their significance must be evaluated against the criteria <br />for nomination to the NRHP. Site significance will be <br />determined by noting the potential for a site to yield <br />information important to a better understanding of local <br />history or prehistory. This includes the ability of a <br />site to produce data which could be used to fill in gaps <br />or address prominent research problems mentioned in the <br />RP3 documents (Grady 1984; Guthrie et al. 1984; Husband <br />1984; Mehls 1984). If significant sites are found, then <br />it is our responsibility to assist in their management <br />by offering recommendations Eor future work. In the case <br />. of sites which are determined eligible for the NRHP, the <br />recommendations could range Erom avoidance to monitoring <br />to excavation. <br />