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MG <br />ABSTRACT <br />MetcalfArchaeological Consultants (MAC) conducted amodified Class III inventory ofland <br />in the valleys of Fish Creek, Grassy Creek and Scotchman's Draw south of Hayden, Colorado for <br />Twentymile Coal Company as part of their continuing coal mining operation. The project calls for <br />the subsidence of approximately 8676 acres, and while little information has been published on the <br />effects of longwall mining and the subsequent subsidence, the initial step was to provide information <br />on the types of cultural resources present within the project area. In order to accomplish this in an <br />efficient manner, MAC proposed a modified inventory strategy to locate and record sites that are <br />of a type, or that are located in a setting, where there is reasonable expectation that subsidence may <br />have an effect on the integrity of the site. The inventory strategy focused on landforms and <br />topographic features where there is a potential for surface disturbance, slumping, or collapse. <br />Standing structures were also specifically identified in this survey. <br />Approximately 4675 acres were proposed for Class III inventory. These lands included all <br />sandstone escarpments, ridge and hill crests, and all areas within 150 m of defined drainages within <br />the project area. Inventory resulted in discovery and documentation of 18 new sites and the visiting <br />and updating of an additional 19 previously recorded sites. Of the total 37 sites, 25 are prehistoric, <br />nine are historic, and three have both prehistoric and historic components. Of these, 24 have <br />recommended evaluations of "not eligible" for the NRHP. Four sites are evaluated as eligible, and <br />nine sites remain in the "need data" category. One need data site, 5RT139, was not relocated within <br />the project area and requires no further work for the current project. No subsurface testing was <br />conducted as part of this inventory. Forty-nine isolated finds (43 prehistoric, six historic) were also <br />recorded as part of this inventory. All of these isolated resources are recommended as "not eligible". <br />The inventory was conducted as a "non-collection" inventory with field analysis/documentation of <br />all artifacts. <br />One historic site, the, Hockett Farm granary (5RT519), is an eligible, previously recorded, <br />historic site. This site is in deteriorating condition and is recommended for BLM/OAHP Level II <br />historic documentation (Athearn 1990:26) prior to any mine related activities occurring nearby. The <br />other three eligible sites and' all eight need data sites are open prehistoric sites where the potential <br />effects from mine facilities and subsidence are not yet defined. Should any of these sites be <br />threatened by surface facilities, it is recommended that the surface facility be designed to avoid the <br />site, or that a treatment plan! be implemented to fully evaluate and, if necessary, address "adverse <br />effects" to the site. <br />Some, if not all, of the eligible or need data sites will be in areas where subsidence will <br />occur. To evaluate and address potential adverse effects resulting from subsidence, a pilot testing <br />and monitoring program is recommended. Implementation of this program would constitute the first <br />step in the longer term plan to determine effect and, if necessary, in developing a treatment plan to <br />address the effects of subsidence. <br />ii