Public Meeting Transcripts
Throughout the 90-day public comment period, the Forest Service offered multiple ways – including website submissions, written comments and public hearings – for interested parties to comment on the analysis and findings in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
The Forest Service hosted six public hearings across three counties in towns and cities where the proposed mine and tailings facility would have a greater impact.
Public hearings were held in Superior, San Tan Valley, Kearny, Globe, Queen Valley, and Tempe.
Each meeting was structured as follows:
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sign-in and Open House
6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Video Presentation
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Public Hearing and Open House
Two court reporters recorded oral comments from attendees. Some attendees also submitted written comments.
These are the public comments from each public hearing.
Other Meeting Materials:
- Draft EIS Public Meeting Presentation
- Draft EIS Public Meeting Transcripts
- Draft EIS Poster Packet
- Draft EIS Release Newsletter
Email Address Created for Land Exchange Questions
The Southwestern Region Office of Lands and Minerals Management is overseeing and administering the land exchange and appraisal process which includes the 2,422-acre Oak Flat Federal Parcel. All questions about the land exchange and appraisal process should be emailed to SM.FS.rcexinfo@usda.gov
Programmatic Agreement Info
To comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Tonto National Forest developed a Programmatic Agreement (PA) and included it in Volume 5, Appendix O of the final EIS. The PA was created in cooperation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the State Historic Preservation Office, tribes and other consulting parties. The PA contains an agreed upon process for identifying, evaluating and addressing adverse effects to historic properties associated with this undertaking.
To review Volume 5 and the PA, Download Vol 5 PDF, 27 MB.
Forest Service Point of Contact
John Scaggs
Tonto National Forest
john.scaggs@usda.gov
Apache Leap Special Management Area
Apache Leap SMA website