AZT#15 reroute comment period ends March 21

[CannondaleKid]

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released a draft Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Tailings Storage Facility project which "would severely impact the Arizona National Scenic Trail in the Ripsey Wash area along the Tortilla Mountains Passage south of the Gila River."

The Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), which is basically a huge pile of mine tailings (such as the Ray Mine along Hwy 177) and will cover the 'tail' end of the Tortilla Mountains AZT #15 passage.
(Too bad the latest trailhead parking improvement project will be for naught)

Here's the link to view the Environmental Impact Statement pdf file.

Most relevant to the AZT: APPENDIX G - ARIZONA TRAIL RELOCATION ANALYSIS pdf file.

Good view of where and how high the TSF will be: FIG 2 - SITE PLAN LAYOUT - RIPSEY WASH TSF

"Please send your comments before March 21, when the Corps will close the official public comment period."

[DallinW]

So they're going to destroy the best looking part of passage #15? Glad I got to see it before it goes. Sad.