Public comment sought on draft report for Thorne Mill Site in Payson Ranger District

Thorne Mill Site public comments wanted

Tonto National Forest, Payson Ranger District

Payson, Ariz. (June 5, 2012) – Tonto National Forest officials are requesting public comment on the Draft Report of the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) for the Thorne Mill Site, located on the Payson Ranger District, Payson, Ariz.  All public comments are are due by close of business, Wednesday, July 11, 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, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury. The recommended alternative for the site is to remove building debris, excavate waste sources and dispose at approved 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 Payson Ranger District Office (Payson, 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 Payson Ranger District, please contact Angela Elam at (928) 474-7900 for an appointment.  To review the EE/CA and the Administrative Record at the Supervisor’s Office, please contact Anne Fischer at (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):

Thorne 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 “Thorne EE/CA” in the subject line). 

If you have any questions concerning this process, please contact Anne Fischer at 602-225-6386, or by email at afischer@fs.fed.us

For more information about the project, please visit the Tonto National Forest webpage at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto or call the Tonto National Forest Supervisor’s Office (602) 225-5200.