2008-03-21_PERMIT FILE - C1980007A ‎(49)‎

• Permit No: C1980007A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 3/21/2008
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2.04 Application for Permit for Surface or Underground Mining Activities
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

West Elk Mine
Field Investigations
Archaeological reconnaissance of the West Elk Mine study area (Figure 3) have been conducted to
assess the extent and nature of any cultural resources contained within areas of potential impact
from development related to West Elk Mine. Field studies, and associated laboratory operations
and report preparation were completed by professional archaeological teams as documented
in Exhibits 10, 10A, 1013, IOC, IOD, and 10E. An archaeological reconnaissance was conducted
for the Refuse Pile Expansion (RPE) area in September 1995, as documented in the RPE exhibit
(Exhibit 70).
Areas previously investigated included the main mule surface facilities area, areas innmediately
adjacent to the surface facilities area, the Sylvester Gulch Test Adit and access route, the Sylvester
Gulch Facilities Area, Sylvester Gulch Road, potential waste rock disposal sites, the Lone Pine
ventilation facilities area, the RPE area, Methane Drainage Well pads, and the access routes to all
surface facilities, methane drainage wells, and exploration sites. More recent cultural resource
investigations include eight field studies within and in proximity to the South-of-Divide permit
revision area that included portions of the permit area and were conducted for exploration and
assessment of the coal deposits (Spath 1995a, 1995b, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999a, and 1999b and
Susan Chandler, Alpine Archaeological Associates, 2007). These inventories covered a total of
approximately 250 acres of small blocks and linear corridors for exploratory drill holes, access
corridors, and seismic corridors. The inventories were completed prior to potential ground
disturbance by these exploration activities or drilling activities. A professional archaeologist
completed field studies and report preparation. Maps 7, 7A, and 7B illustrate the areas surveyed.
Exhibit lOD includes an illustration of the Sylvester Gulch facilities areas surveyed. A summary
listing of the cultural resource investigations completed within the West Elk Mine permit area and
previously documented cultural resources is provided in Exhibit 10E.
Literature Search
The National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic
Properties were checked for listed sites in the vicinity of the permit area. No listed sites
were found. The archaeological sites and surveys files of the OAHP were reviewed for
previous surveys and previously documented sites within or near the permit area. As
previously noted, the files search listed 17 cultural resource investigations that included
portions of the legal sections containing the permit area. The identified investigations are
listed in Exhibit 10A. Several of the more recent investigations were for activities
associated with the current mine permit area. The files search also listed one previously
documented prehistoric site and two prehistoric isolated finds in the permit area. The
cultural resources are not recommended as potentially eligible for listing on the National
Register of Historic Places or the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties.
Therefore, there are no known sites that are listed on or eligible for the National Register
of Historic Places in the permit area.
Archaeological Clearance
Reports of archaeological surveys for the permit area have been forwarded to the USFS,
2.04-8 Revised June 2005 PRIO; Rev. Mach 2006 ; Rev. April 2006 PRIO, Sep. 2007 PR12