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• A Class I inventory of selected portions of the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation has just been completed <br />by CASA under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation. This report, while presenting an overview of the <br />cultural history of the region, also details all sites recorded and projects completed on a large portion of Ute <br />Mountain Ute Lands through 1993 (Errickson 1994). The Section 31 parcel is not within that portion of Ute <br />Mountain Ute lands reviewed in this report. <br />The records search conducted at the Colorado Historical Society, indicated that only one site had been <br />previously recorded within a mile radius of the project area. This site, SLP1417, the Durkan Mine, is located <br />in the NW%a NW%. of Section 31 and consists of tailings and tunnels. The site was determined as field not <br />eligible. <br />PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND INVENTORY METHODOLOGY <br />The purpose of this cultural resource inventory was to identify, evaluate, and avoid all cultural <br />resources which might be present within the survey area. There would be no impact to any sites if sites were <br />found. Sites, if found, were evaluated according to criteria set forth in the RP3 Planning documents prepared <br />by the Colorado Historical Society for various areas throughout the state. Those concerning the project area <br />are Southwest ,Colorado Prehistoric Context (Eddy, Kane, and Nickens 1984) and Colorado Plateau Historic <br />Context (Husband 1984). Due to the location and elevation of the project area, no prehistoric sites were <br />expected, however, historic sites could be present. <br />The survey parcel was plotted on copies of the Kline, Colorado USGS maps prepared by Tom Bird. <br />Mr. Bird also accompanied the archaeologist to the survey area indicating the boundaries. Access to the parcel <br />• is over a series of ranch roads on private lands. Access agreements were secured in advance by National King <br />Coal. The survey parcel was inventoried by one archaeologist walking parallel transects spaced no greater than <br />15 meters apart over the mesa top. The upper slopes were inventoried by selected walking of areas where the <br />ground was not overly obscured by heavy oak brush or oak duff. Ground visibility was good on the mesa top <br />and poor to non-existent on the slopes. <br />SUMMARY AND RECONASF.NDATIONS <br />Approximately 60 acres were inventoried for the project. No sites were recorded which confirms to <br />project expectations. Cultural resource clearance is recommended underground mining below that portion <br />of Section 31, T35N, R11W as described in this report. <br />• <br />5 Jtme 1995 <br />