2008-03-03_PERMIT FILE - C2006085 (32)

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• Introduction This addendum reports on the results of additional surface inventory within the area of potential effect (APE) for the Northfield Partners, LLC proposed Northfield Coal Mine surface facility, which is located entirely on private land in Fremont County. More specifically, Metcalf Archaeological Consultants (MAC) conducted a surface investigation of a propose powerline, mine shaft fan, and an existing road proposed for access to the mine shaft fan location. A total of 4.2 acres was surveyed for these additional areas. An existing road proposed for access to the mine shaft fan location runs southeast from County Road 79 to the location of the proposed shaft fan and is 200 ft long. A 90 by 90 ft area was surveyed for the proposed mine shaft fan. The survey area for the power line is approximately 700 ft long and 100 ft wide, with the portion north of CR 79 crossing a proposed access road surveyed for the original project (Figure 1). Surface sediments are medium-grained sand with alluvial deposits on the floor of the canyon and colluvial sands on the talus slopes. Vegetation consists of bunch grasses, pinyon and juniper trees, as well as prickly pear and cholla cacti. Approximately 75 percent of the ground surface is visible on the side slopes and upper elevations of the project area. Only 10 percent of the ground surface is visible on the lower surfaces where much of the project is located. The investigations reported herein follow the methods detailed in the original cultural resources report for the project (Slaughter 2007). The survey took place June 5, 2007 by staff archaeologist Randall Turner. Inventory Results Site SFN2217.1 is the only cultural resource crossed during this inventory. This site is an abandoned railroad grade located along the south edge of Chandler Creek and was recorded during the original survey for the Northfield Coal Mine (Slaughter 2007). The proposed power line will cross the site on a northwest bearing and is approximately 23 meters northeast of the proposed access road previously surveyed for the Northside Coal Mine. The railroad grade was recommended as not eligible for the NRHP. MAC found no reason during the survey of the current project area for a change in eligibility. No further work is recommended. Summary and Management Recommendations Inventory of the proposed power line, mine shaft fan, and access road resulted in a revisit to a previously recorded site (SFN2217.1), which is recommended not eligible. No additional cultural resources were located. MAC recommends a finding of "no historic properties affected" for the areas inventoried for this addendum.