1987-12-01_PERMIT FILE - C1981017 (183)

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Modern �14ma: and Biota • Average annual precl of td 1 on is-1 r.-GG i nches^or more , with 50-6'0`: Mean annual tempereture ranges _tweer� 0° ^.CG = and the falling as snow. - frost-free periCd is usually less than BC days . the optima,,, growing season is short, occurring from early June through late July (U .S.D.A. Soil CGrser- vation Service 1976) . The route Gf the pro'Dosed mining road goes through both forested areas and Open meadows. i The forested areas are dominated by Ence imaT',n Spruce encelmannis) and subalpine fir (Abies iasiocaroa) ; understory veaetation here inciuces currant (gibes inebriansi , aaoseberry (gibes montiaenum) , wheatgrass (A.dropvron sop. ) , and brome (Bromus sop. ) . The oxen "park;" areas y t -he timber Stands display fescue Festuca sap. ) , sedges (Carer Sap-„ adjacen� o rushes (Juncus spp. ) , and various wildflowers. Ground cover in the trees is approximately 2C that in the ooen areas about 3C Fauna Sighted Or inferred for the area 1nCluCle deer (Odocoileus hemic, elk (Cervus canadensis) , black bear (Ursus americanus ) , porcuoine (Erethizon dorsal,m mountain lion (Ee1is concoo o, fox (VuiGeS fulva) , sno:vshoe hare L_pu5 americanus) , various small rodents , and arouse (Yocum et all 1966) . General Env- ronm_ntal N.ssess,=nt The }goer Of he Dutch Creek, drainage would probabl v have peen conducive to prehistoric use/occupation only during the Summer montn's . There is an abundance cf came and edible flora in the area , and wafer occurs year-round • in the Dutch Creek drainage due to numerous seeps and springs . F,oweverl„^ because of the rather harsh weather one encounf.ers here from early autumn t0 late Spring. it is possible that prehistoricare peoples used the Study a only as a seasonal hunting ground. The saddle where the existing steel company road and new road meet (see map) may have been used as a high pass by aboriginals . In .recent times , the pass has been used by sheepherders , and the high bench where the new road is to be located was grazed (personal communication, Doua Bowman) . Known Cultural Resources A search of the Colorado Archaeological Site Inventory, the Colorado Inventory of Historic Sites , and nominations pending or on the tdational Register produced no known archaeological and/or historical/architectural re- sources in the impact area of the proposed road construction. (See Appendix A for Documentation of Files Search. ) RESEARCH RATIONALE Because there is little information available concerning either the archaeology of this particular geographic area or that of high altitudes in general . the search for potential archaeological Sites in this region is Scientifically imperative for the development of a comprene.. data . base for western Colorado.