2013-05-23_PERMIT FILE - M2013031

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Exhibit Page 41 Personnel have received and will continue to receive training on procedures in case of discovery of archeological or paleontological resources to protect such finds, even though they are not expected. BRIEF HISTORY OF THE AREA: The Dolores River valley between Rico and Dolores has been a prehistoric and historic transportation route into the San Juan Mountains, for nomads, explorers, and fur trappers. Fur trappers are first documented as having used this route in 1832 -33, and obtained beaver and other furs in the valley itself. This area gained importance as a travel route following the discovery of gold in the Rico area in 1866, although significant mining (and travel) did not take place until 1878 when the Ute gave up their land in the San Juan Mountains. Lost Canyon has also been a prehistoric and historic transportation route allowing convenient communication between the Dolores River and the upper watershed of the Mancos River and the western and southern portions of the San Juan mountains and the streams to the east. Fur trappers and later ranchers used this route, extensively, and ranches were established early to the south, between Hay Camp Mesa and Mesa Verde. With the discovery of silver in the Rico area in 1879, the Rio Grande Southern Railway was constructed from Durango and Mancos, up Chicken Creek and then down Lost Canyon to the Dolores River and up river to the mining towns of Rico and other camps in the mountains. Grazing claims (homesteads) were established on the ridges between the Dolores River Valley and Lost Canyon, although cultivation was extensive only on the highlands south of Lost Canyon. The railroad was constructed up Lost Canyon between Dolores and Mancos in 1891 -1893, and abandoned in 1951. None of the site was used for anything related directly to the railroad, but was used for grazing (the Wallace Ranch and predecessors) Later the Work Area (southeastern portion of permit area) was chained and converted to cropland. Historic Themes germane to this site include: Southwestern Mountains: The Gold Rush and Territorial Period (1859 -1876) Post WWII Mining Period (1940- Present) Ranching since 1880 Engineering Context: None SCENIC VALUES AND VIEWSHED ISSUES Although the pit is located on the south side of a high ridge between the Dolores River Valley and Lost Canyon, the operations are not expected to be particularly noticeable from Highway 184 (Dominiquez- Escalante Memorial Highway) or developed areas to the south. While there are locations along County Road S (Forest Highway 556) and Highway 184 where the site can be seen, these are areas sufficiently distant for the view not to be impacted significantly by operations. The site is not visible from the Town of Dolores or from developed areas such as Summit Lake. The most direct view of the site from Highway 184 is mostly blocked by the Aspenwood saw mill industrial operation.