2002-06-05_PERMIT FILE - M2002004 ‎(3)‎

• Permit No: M2002004
• IBM Index Class Name: PERMIT FILE
• Doc Date: 6/5/2002
• Doc Name: Proposed Access Road, Overview Survey, and Predictive Model
• From: URS
• To: DRMS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Proposed Limestone Quarry Access Road and Overview Cultural Resources Inventory

A segment of this ditch located to the east of the project area was previously recorded and
evaluated as being not eligible for the NRHP. The Colorado SHPO has concurred with this
evaluation. This segment also appears to lack integrity and significance criteria. It is
recommended that Site 5PE1915.2 be considered not eligible for the NRHP, and no further
work is required.
5LN4162.2 Colorado and Southern Railroad
This site consists of the segment of the former Colorado and Southern Railroad (currently
Burlington Northern and Santa Fe [BNSF]) located within the proposed project area and crossed
by the proposed access road. This segment of the railroad is an active double-track line that is
jointly owned and operated by the BNSF and UP railroads. The eastern track is historically
associated with the Colorado and Southern Railroad. The alignment of both tracks runs for
about 1-% miles through the northwest portion of the project area. Much of this segment is
dominated by a large berm formed on the approaches to the St. Charles River. The river itself
is crossed by a reinforced concrete, filled, double-arch structure:
On December 18, 1898, the Colorado and Southern (C&S) Railway Company was incorporated
for the specific purpose of acquiring by purchase through foreclosure proceedings properties of
the Union Pacific Denver and Gulf Railway Company and the Denver, Leadville and Gunnison
Railway Company. The C&S commenced operating the system under this name on January
11, 1899. In 1911, the D&RG and the C&S constructed adjacent lines between Southern
Junction (just south of Pueblo) and Walsenburg and operated this section as paired double
tracks. A common grade was constructed but each railroad had the responsibility of laying its
own track. The C&S track was constructed under the Colorado Railroad Charter. The addition
of this section, along with another isolated section in northern Colorado, completed a continuous
north-south C&IS line through Colorado (Wilkins 1974).
The entire C&S system, which at that time extended from the Gulf of Mexico to Seattle, was
purchased by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad in 1914, and made a constituent of
that system. The C&S was the only north-to-south railroad in the Intermountain West spanning
the continent. On March 2, 1970, the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy was one of the railroads
merged to form the Burlington Northern Railroad, which subsequently merged with the Colorado
and Southern on December 31, 1981. In 1995, the Burlington Northern and the Santa Fe
Pacific agreed to a merger that would produce one of the largest railroad systems in the United
States (Colorado and Southern Railroad 1999).
The previously recorded segment of the Colorado and Southern Railroad has been determined
eligible by the Colorado SHPO. This segment is of similar quality and character, and the bridge
over the St. Charles River appears to represent a type of construction that enhances the
significance of this segment. It is recommended that Site 5PE4162.2 be considered eligible for
the NRHP and the Colorado SHPO be consulted prior to any impacts to it.
5LN4191.1 Edson Ditch
This consists of the diversion structure, headgate, and first 3,500 ft of the Edson Ditch. This
' segment is located within the proposed quarry area and crossed by the proposed access road.
The ditch begins at the St. Charles River just to the east of the railroad crossing and just west of
the proposed access road alignment. A concrete weir extends across the river and serves to
' divert water to a small diversion channel. The channel delivers water to a contemporary screw-
type gate housed in a structure made from stacked courses of limestone encased in cement.
UM