From the Forest Service:

The Cave Creek Ranger District & Tonto National Forest, is seeking public comment on a plan to reclaim a former gold processing site located north of the Seven Springs Recreation Area. The Bearup Mine Site was shut down in 1999, but a recent site evaluation found the area has potential environmental concerns related to arsenic, copper, lead, & zinc. Previous actions by the Forest Service have removed all but a small cyanide leach pad & pond. Following an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis on the site, the agency has selected a preferred alternative to reclaim the Bearup Mine. This alternative involves conducting an on-site containment of any hazardous waste by consolidating contaminated material in one location, applying a layer of soil to cover the contaminated material, then diverting water from running onto the covered area. Prior to a final decision by the Forest Service, agency officials are seeking public input to provide new info or to help clarify existing info.

Copies of the Final Report of the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis, as well as the Administrative Record for this project, are available for public review. Copies of the Final Report can be viewed at either the Cave Creek Ranger District, 40202 N Cave Creek Rd, Scottsdale, or the Tonto Supervisor's Office, 2324 East McDowell Rd in Phoenix. The Administrative Record is maintained at the Supervisor's Office & is open for on-site review.

Please call for an appointment to review the documents with either Anne Fischer at the Phoenix office at 602-225-5389 or Kelly Jardine at the Cave Creek office at 480-595-3300.

The fact sheet about the proposed cleanup alternatives for the Bearup Mine Site can be viewed at: fs.fed.us/r3/tonto. Comments must be received by Aug 31st, to receive full consideration. For more info, contact Anne Fischer, on-scene coordinator, at 602-225-5389.