2010-05-14_REVISION - C1980007 (7)

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Limited-Results Archaeological Survey Form (page 6 of 10) VIII. RESULTS 30. List Ifs, if applicable. Indicate IF locations on the map completed for Part III. No isolated finds were located. 31. Using your professional knowledge of the region, why are there none or very limited cultural remains in the project area? Is there subsurface potential? The two historic cultural resources identified in the project area, including the East Deep Creek to Coal Creek Road and the US Trail to Paonia could not be relocated likely due to extremely dense, ground obscuring vegetation. Several portions of the road and trail were surveyed but no traces were evident. It would seem that the primary reason that no cultural resources were found during the inventory is the presence of dense forest, brush, and vegetative ground cover that precluded the discovery of any sites or isolated finds that may be present in the area. There are, however, several areas that were examined where cultural resources should have been visible if they were present, such as open ridge tops and benches adjacent to streams. The lack of sites in such areas is puzzling. The findings of this project, however, are similar to those of previous inventories in the area, most of which also found few or no cultural resources. One factor that may partially explain the paucity of sites is the unsuitability of much of the steep, rugged terrain for habitation or even limited activities. Yet, a number of areas - primarily along drainages - are both readily accessible and would have been suitable for prehistoric occupation and resource procurement. The lack of evidence for the prehistoric use of such locales is, therefore, difficult to explain. It is possible that geomorphological processes have rendered such sites, if they exist, difficult to see. Favorable areas may retain intact, buried cultural deposits for which no surface indications are present, but this cannot be confirmed. Recommendations The drill pad parcels and proposed access road routes have been adequately inventoried and no further archaeological work is recommended for these areas. The drilling program and road construction will result in no historic properties affected. References Cited Applegarth, S. M. and R. W. Biggs 1977 Arco Stream Measuring Devices. Letter report. Department of Anthropology, Fort Lewis College. Collins, S. M., F. A. Patterson and E. S. Cassells 1979 Dry Fork Oakbrush Burn, Gunnison National Forest, Final Report. Cultural Resource Consultants, Inc. Crum, Sally 2006 Class III Cultural Resource Inventory of the Minnesota Ditch (Canal) Repair, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison National Forest. Gunnison County, Paonia District. DeCeaser, M. 1981 Minnesota Creek and Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek Gauge Stations. Negative Cultural Resources Report. USDA Forest Service, Gunnison National Forest. Greubel, Rand 2007 A Cultural Resource Inventory of Mountain Coal Company L.L.C.'s E Seam MDW Drilling for Panels 10, 11, 12, El, E2, and E3, Gunnison County, Colorado. Alpine Archaeological Consultants, Inc., Montrose, Colorado.