2012-06-20_PERMIT FILE - C2010089 (76)

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Buffer Zone Recommendations The Office of Surface Mining currently requires that a one -mile "buffer zone" surrounding any study area proper be taken into consideration when assessing cultural resources and their vulnerability to blasting, heavy equipment, etc., during the daily operation of a mine facility. During the August 21 and 22,and September 25, 1979, records check (see Survey Procedures), WCRM, Inc. found only three aboriginal open lithic scatters and campsites which were previously recorded within either the Nucla Mine Study area or the surrounding one -mile buffer zone (see Map 2). In addition, during fieldwork for the Nucla Mine on September 16, 1979, it was observed that the area surrounding the mine had either experienced disturbance through farming and ranching or previous coal mining. If surveyed, much of the undisturbed surrounding environment would undoubtedly yield a considerable amount of archaeology in aboriginal sites such as rock art and rock shelters, as well as possible historic sites. The types of archaeological sites and their relative numbers could only be absolutely established after conducting an intensive pedestrian survey of the study area in question. As a preliminary statement, however, WCRM, Inc. is of the opinion that the one -mile buffer zone surrounding the Nucla Mine be considered a low risk area regarding archaeological sites endangered by any blasting occurring on the Nucla Mine Facility property. This is assuming that of all the possible types of archaeological sites, blasting has the least adverse effect upon aboriginal lithic scatters and campsites, whether they be surface and /or subsurface in content. Likewise, structures and rockart can be particularly vulnerable to the effects of blasting, depending, of course, on their distance from the blasting. 14 OR 9 map