2009-02-10_PERMIT FILE - C1981022 (5)

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Seaicn - 2.04.4 Cultural and Historic Resource Studies • Based on review of file documentation from the Colorado Historical Society and several site-specific cultural resource investigations, there are no known cultural or historical resource sites or values within the mine permit area which are or would be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The following summarize the research and investigations and related findings for cultural and historic resources in the mine permit area. Documentation for all file searches and site investigations is provided in Exhibit 2.04-E2; Cultural Resource Information. On October 11, 1977, Centuries Research, Inc., conducted a cultural resource survey in the project area of the Blue Ribbon Mme near Paonia in Delta County, Colorado. This project was completed on behalf of Sunflower Energy Corporation of Denver. The tract consisted of a 400' by 400',area and approximately one-half mile of access road. The area surveyed is located on ground owned at that time by the United States Steel Corporation and Sunflower Energy Corporation. Documentation for the 1977 survey is included in Exhibit 2.04-E2. Supplemental information is provided by a December 1977 file search and a July 1981 report prepared by Nickens and Associates, also included in Exhibit 2.04-E2. The areas surveyed were found to be entirely free of cultural resources except for those structures associated with the original Blue Ribbon Mme. The Colorado Historical Society was contacted on Match 20, 1980 requesting a search of the Colorado Archaeological Site Inventory and the Colorado Inventory of Historical Sites, as well as nominations pending or on the National Register of I-Lstoric Places. The search was conducted for T 13 S, R 90 W, and, R 91 W and T 12 S, R 91 W, 6th PM State of Colorado. Results of the 1980 file search are included in Exhibit 2.04-E2. The file search indicated that there are no known archaeological resources in the permit area. Two previously documented resources were reported by the Colorado Historical Society, the Dominguez- Escalante Expedition, and the Somerset Cemetery. • The new West Valley haul road was constructed in the vicinity of the Somerset Cemetery. The cemetery has been evaluated and determined to not be a historic feature. Road construction did not disturb the cemetery and provides improved access. Evaluation of the Somerset Cemetery is addressed by Exhibit 2.04-E2. Although these resources have not been evaluated for inclusion in the National Register, they must be considered until a formal determination has been completed. Since the Somerset Mine surface disturbance already exists, no incremental adverse impact on archaeological, historical, or other cultural resources is anticipated. The Colorado Historical Society was contacted on April 3 and June 20, 1990 requesting file searches of the Colorado Inventory of Cultural Resources for T13S, R90W, Sections 3, 4, 9 and 10. Two sites were located in Section 10 and one site was located in Section 3. The Sanbom Creek Mme's surface facilities are located in Section 9, so these sites were not impacted by these surface facilities. See Exhibit 2.04-E2 for the results of the file search. In addition to the file search, on December 4, 1990, Centuries Research Inc. conducted a cultural resource survey in the area to be disturbed by the Sanborn Leek Mute, results of which were published in a January 1991 report. No Register Eligible Cultural Resources were apparent in the project area. See Exhibit 2.04-E2 for a copy of the report. On November 22, 1991, Grand River Institute performed a Cultural Resource Inventory on the areas to be disturbed by the Elk Creek coal stockpile area. This survey covered the areas affected by both the initial Phase 1 stockpiling activities and the 1997 stockpile expansion and conveyor modifications. Grand River Institute's Declaration of Negative Findings is included in Exhibit 2.04-E2. During March 1992, Grand River Institute prepared a Class I and Class lI Crltural Resource Inventory Report for the Sanbom East Tract. No cultural resources were encountered during the field study and the sites recorded by the previous studies are not expected to be adversely affected by the proposed mining project. Grand River Institute's Declaration of Negative Findings is included in Exbibic 2.04-E2. PR04 2.04-5 Revised August 2000