2008-09-29_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (31)

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RULE 2 PERMITS 2.04.4 Cultural and Historical Resource Information There are no known cultural or historical resources listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places within the permit or adjacent areas. This conclusion is based upon surveys of the mine plan and adjacent areas and on conversations with the Bureau of Land Management and the Colorado Preservation Office. Archaeological Resources The known archaeological resources in the permit and adjacent areas are limited. During the summer of 1975, an intensive cultural resource survey and literature search was conducted under the direction of Dr. Joseph Lischka from the University of Colorado. Despite the abundant faunal and floral food resources available on the mine site, only two prehistoric sites (5MF401 and 404) were found within the boundaries of the mine site, while one site (5MF402) was discovered just outside the south boundary of the mine site as shown on the Historical and Archaeological Site Map (Map 16). Both 5MF401 and 5MF402 are located on a terrace edge about half way down the canyon. This pattern of site distribution suggests that lack of water was of primary importance in listing more substantial occupation of the area. The principal aboriginal activities in the mine site area probably consisted of relatively short term visits by hunting parties. All three sites contained surface finds of lithic materials (worked stone) including several chert flakes, projectile points, and knife tips. The survey work of Dr. Lischka is found in Exhibit 5, Archaeological Information. The Northwest Colorado Coal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) states on page GIII-5: "Given the nature of these archaeological values (see Exhibit 5), projected impacts would not be significant locally or regionally". Extensive archaeological investigations have been conducted along the route of Colowyo's railspur, and a final report for this work was prepared by the Laboratory of Public Archeology at Colorado State University. To provide assurance that archaeological resources on all Colowyo lands are protected, Colowyo has a company policy prohibiting any employee from collecting artifacts, digging or otherwise disturbing any designated or potential archaeological sites. Historical Resources The Streeter Canyon area has been a coal mining area since 1914 when the Collum Coal Company opened a small underground coal mine. The coal was used by local people because the area lacked cheap and easy transportation to move coal to distance markets. The town of Axial (now abandoned) was located along the freight wagon and stagecoach line between Craig and Meeker. On October 25, 1924, Federal Coal Lease No. D-034365 was issued to Clifford G. Phelan. On December 31, 1945, the Lease was assigned from Phelan to Colowyo Coal Company; the Colowyo Coal Company changed the name from the Collum Mine to the Red Wing Mine, and operated as a small producer of local coal until December 1, 1973. In addition to the Red Wing Mine, there was a second underground mine in the same area known as the Streeter Mine. The Streeter Mine operated on private land adjoining the north side of the Red Wing Mine Rule 2 Permits 2.04.4-1 Revision Date: 6/23/08 Revision No.: MR-91