PERMFILE128908

• Permit No: C1981047
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 12/11/2001
• Section_Exhibit Name: SECTION 2.04 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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PLATE .3
CENTURIES RESEARCH INC.
BOX 1895 MONTROSE, COLORADO 81401
303/249-6517
To Whom It May Concern:
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October 14, 1977
On October il, 1977. this cM ~ i9n ~~d~ct/ed a cultural resource survey in
the project area of the Blu~~~iP' iFie ~'e~~ Paonla, Delta County, Colorado,
as per attached map. Thls pro ~ ~s a~ ~orized by and conducted in behalf
of Sunflower Energy Corporation 6'~~er.
As explained to us, the area surveyed was located entirely on ground privately
owned by U.S. Steel and Sunflower Energy Corporation. The project area does,
however, abut the Gunnison National Forest boundary and the Hubbard Creek drain-
age. The area surveyed consisted of a 400' by 400' tract and approximately
one-half mile of access road. This ground is destined fora portal development
and an access road at the Blue Ribbon Mine. The land location for the 400'
by 400' tract is as follows: the SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section
2, Township 135, Range 91W. The mine access road is that for which plans have
been provided to Hr. Paul Storrs, Area Mining Supervisor, with the U.S.G.S.
in Denver. The tract in question consists of a steep 30 to 40$ slope covered
with oak brush and mainfesting vertical and quite rugged outcrops of sandstone.
Two men intensively covered the 400' by 400' portal development area, and the
flagged route of the road right-of-way was walked in its entirety. These areas
were found to be entirely free of cultural resources except for those associated
with [he original Blue Ribbon Mine, which was active there in relatively recent
decades. The road will folow an old road right-of-way through the mine workings
of the old Blue Ribbon Mine. The Blue Ribbon HTne is not considered to be a
significant cultural resource due to its late date. tt is our recommendation,
therefore, that federal review agencies consider the portal development area
and access road to be free of cultural resources.
Sunflower Energy has been informed that they are responsible for ceasing their
operations and contacting appropriate authorities in the event that their opera-
tions do reveal Indian artifacts or other antiquities. This corporation has
recently checked with the site files of the State Historic Preservation Officer
and the National Register regarding possible significant cultural resources
in the area. This was done as part of the archaeological clearance operation
for Colorado Westmoreland's project at Paonla in 1977. The records search and
the surface reconnaissance suggest that Sunflower Energy Corporation should
he allowed to proceed with its development plans without further consideration
of cultural resources.
Sincerely,
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%SAteven G. Baker
President