Tonto National Forest officials seek public comments on Sunchief Mill Site report

Sunchief Mill Site public comments wanted

Tonto National Forest, Globe Ranger District

Globe, Ariz. (March 16, 2012) – Tonto National Forest officials are requesting public comment on the Draft Report of the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) for the Sunchief Mill Site, located on the Globe Ranger District, Globe, Ariz.  All public comments are are due by close of business, Monday, April 16, 2012. 

      The purpose of the EE/CA report is to present a detailed analysis of remediation (cleanup) alternatives that can be used for decision-making.  In addition, the analysis presented in this EE/CA includes discussion of background information, waste characteristics, applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARAR), a risk assessment, and the development and screening of cleanup alternatives.

The EE/CA concludes that the site has environmental concerns related to arsenic, asbestos, chromium, and lead.  The recommended alternative for the site is to remove structures, excavate waste sources and dispose at appropriate licensed facilities.

Following this comment period, a final decision will be made and the decision will be documented in a Removal Action Memorandum identifying the alternative selected for the cleanup of the site.

Copies of the EE/CA and Administrative Record are available at the Tonto National Forest Supervisor’s Office (2324 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, Ariz.) and the Globe Ranger District Office (Globe, Ariz.).  The EE/CA is also available on the Tonto National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.  Select “Forest Projects” under the “Quick Links” column on the right-hand side of the page.

To review the EE/CA and the Administrative Record at the Globe Ranger District, please contact Brad Johnson at (928) 402-6234 for an appointment.  To review the EE/CA and the Administrative Record at the Supervisor’s Office, please contact Anne Fischer at Anne Fischer (602) 225-5389.  Appointments must be made in advance and scheduled during regular office hours.   

Comments may be mailed or hand delivered (weekdays, 8 am – 4:30 pm):

Sunchief EE/CA Leader

Tonto National Forest

2324 E McDowell Rd.

Phoenix AZ, 85006

or sent by e-mail to: comments-southwestern-tonto@fs.fed.us  (please reference “Sunchief EE/CA” in the subject line).