2013-04-10_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (16)

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Historic Properties Treatment Plan, Collom Mine, Colorado 14 the site should be avoided until subsurface testing evaluations and data recovery excavations are completed. The scope of work is included in Section 4.1 below. Based on the research design, questions concerning subsistence patterns and site activities may be addressed at the site. 3.2 SITE 5MF3996 Site Description: Site 5MF3996 was originally recorded on August 5, 1995, by Metcalf Archaeological Consultants for the Colowyo Coal Company 1995 lease and exploration project. The site was originally described as being located along a stretch of cutbank on the West Fork of Jubb Creek (Figure 3.2). Sediments at the site consist of alluvially derived, dark brown, silty loam. Vegetation at the site includes sagebrush, serviceberry, rabbitbrush, and grasses. Total vegetation coverage at the site is 50 -75%. At a narrow section of the valley through which the West Fork of Jubb Creek flows, three areas of burned bone and charcoal were discovered eroding out of the east and west cutbanks of the creek. Area A consisted of a charred medium -sized mammal rib fragment and charcoal eroding at 1.3 m below surface. Area B consisted of 60 cm of charcoal and unburned wood eroding at a depth of 0.5 -0.6 m below surface. Area C was a large mammal vertebral fragment at 0.4 m below surface and a medium -sized mammal long bone fragment at 0.3 in below surface. No cultural material such as flaked stone tools was discovered at the site, and at the time it was uncertain whether the site is archaeological or natural. On August 25, 2005, Site 5MF3996 was revisited as part of the current Collom Mine Expansion project. The site appears to have been impacted by the blading of the road that passes through the site. Neither the datum nor the original three areas described in 1995 could be relocated, probably due to the road either covering or destroying them. During the revisit, eight large mammal bones were discovered along the bladed road and the creek. Light staining and a single piece of charcoal were observed in two areas on the western edge of the road cut. The revisit did not determine if the material is of cultural or natural origin. 47599 TRC Mariah Associates Inc.