Thursday, April 10, 2008

Public Comment Sought For Pine Mountain Mine

The Mesa Ranger District, Tonto National Forest, is requesting public comment on the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) Report for the Pine Mountain Mine Site.

The approx. 7-acre site contains over 7,800 cubic yards of tailings left over from mining for mercury. It is located on the Mesa Ranger District in the East Sycamore Creek Watershed. The EE/CA was prepared by United Nuclear Corporation (UNC) as part of an Administrative Order on Consent with the USDA Forest Service due to UNC’s role in the original mining of the site.

The purpose of the EE/CA is to present a detailed analysis of reclamation alternatives that can be used for decision-making. The report also includes a risk assessment, a discussion of regulations, & information on background conditions.

The EE/CA concludes that the mercury at the Pine Mountain Mine Site does not represent an unacceptable risk to the occassional recreational user of the area. The UNC recommended alternative is to not take any action at the site.

Prior to a final decision by the Forest Service, agency officials are seeking public input to provide new information or to help clarify existing information. Following this comment period, a final decision will be made by the Regional Forester, Southwestern Region, & the decision will be documented in a Removal Action Approval Memorandum identifying the removal action decision. Public comments will be accepted until the close of business June 5th, 2008.

Copies of the EE/CA & Administrative Record are available at the Tonto National Forest Supervisor’s office (2324 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ) and the Mesa Ranger District office (5140 E, Ingram Street, Mesa, AZ). Please call ahead to the Mesa Office (928-474-7900) or Anne Fischer (602-225-5389) during regular work hours to schedule a time to view the documents. The EE/CA & a Fact Sheet may also be found on the forest website:
fs.fed.us/r3/tonto.