2010-05-07_PERMIT FILE - C2009087A (3)

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volumes of homesteaders, ranchers, and small settlements. During this time period, the mining and logging industries were at the forefront of the Colorado economy. • Farming and ranching became established very quickly following the removal of the Ute people in. 1881. Homestead claims were made along the main rivers and streams through the 1880's and 1890's, with some claims made as late as the 1930's. Within the PSCM vicinity, both ranching and grain farming occurred. By the early 20 century, energy exploration was an important part of the economy in this corner of the state. Coal production boomed off and on in the Yampa Valley from 1900 -1930, and oil speculation was strong from about 1913 to 1930. Although Colorado, like the rest of the nation, experienced difficulties during the depression years of 1930 -1940 and during WWII (1941- 1945), oil and gas discoveries began to be developed in western Colorado in the late 1930's. By the late 1940's, the gas and oil fields of the area began to be exploited to their full potential. Within the PSCM vicinity ranching, limited grain farming, and coal mining are the dominant historic themes. Sites related to those show up in file searches and were expected during the cultural inventory. Cultural and Historic Resource Studies and Findings Based on review of the file documentation from the Colorado Historical Society and existing site - specific cultural resource investigations, known cultural and historical resource sites and values which are or could be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places have been • identified. Though sensitive resources have been identified, none were identified within portions of the mine permit area expected ground disturbance. A small portion of the mine permit area, expected to experience ground disturbance, is scheduled to undergo the necessary cultural resource investigations to meet SHPO compliance in the Spring of 2009. The survey results of the currently un- surveyed portions will be submitted as an amendment to the permit application in the future prior to the conduct of ground disturbing activities. The following summarizes the investigations, related findings, and proposed needs for cultural and historic resources in the PSCM permit area. On February 2009, Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc. completed a Class I and Class III cultural resource inventory of large portions of the PSCM permit area (Map 2.04.4 -M1, Cultural Resources Information). The survey was an investigation of cultural resources within identified subsidence zones. Cultural resources were identified as a part of this effort, though no resources were located within the disturbance footprint. This report is also included as a portion of this permit application process in Exhibit 2.04.4 -E1, Cultural Information - Subsidence (confidential). File searches were conducted using the on -line database, Compass, maintained by the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP) in Denver on August 15, 2008 and the BLM -LSFO on August 20, 2008. According to those sources, 17 previous inventories have occurred within the vicinity of the permit area and include cultural resource inventories for coal mining planning, Class II sampling projects, and Class III projects. These Class III inventories include surveys for seismic lines, coring sites, access roads, exploration activities, and transmission line corridors. A map of these previous inventories are included as part of Exhibit 2.04.4 -E1, Cultural Information • Subsidence (confidential). PSCM Permit App. 2.04 -13 6/15/09