The Coconino National Forest has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the APS Oak Creek to McGuireville 69kV Power Line Project. This project includes the authorization of a long-term special use permit to construct, operate, and maintain a 13.7 mile long 69kV power line between the existing Village of Oak Creek substation and the existing McGuireville substation. The purpose of this project is to connect the power grid in the Verde Valley region, which would increase power flexibility and availability while also reducing risk of power outage for communities in the Verde Valley. This project is located just south of the Village of Oak Creek and extends south to within a few miles of McGuireville in central Arizona.
The preliminary EA and other project related documents are available on-line at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56977. Additional information regarding this action can be obtained from project manager, Mike Dechter at michael.dechter@usda.gov.
The proposed project is an activity implementing a land management plan and not authorized under the HFRA and is subject to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B.
How to Comment and Timeframe
Specific written comments (ยง218.2) on the proposed project will be accepted for 30 calendar days following publication of a legal notice in the Arizona Daily Sun, which is anticipated for December 15, 2021. If the comment period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, comments will be accepted until the end of the next Federal working day. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the comment period. Those wishing to comment should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source.
Only individuals or entities (as defined by 36 CFR 218.2) who submit timely and specific written comments (as defined by 36 CFR 218.2) about this proposed project or activity during this or another public comment period established by the Responsible Official will be eligible to file an objection. Other requirements to be eligible to submit an objection are defined by 36 CFR 218.25 (a)(3) and include name, postal address, title of the project and signature or other verification of identity upon request and the identity of the individual or entity who authored the comments. Individual members of an entity must submit their own individual comments in order to have eligibility to object as an individual. A timely submission will be determined as outlined in 36 CFR 218.25 (a)(4). It is the responsibility of the sender to ensure timely receipt of any comments submitted. Names and contact information submitted with comments will become part of the public record and may be released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Comments should be within the scope of the proposed action, have a direct relationship to the proposed action, and must include supporting reasons for the Responsible Official to consider (36 CFR 218.2).
Written comments may be submitted by email to, comments-southwestern-coconino@usda.gov; or via mail to Coconino National Forest, 1824 S Thompson St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Electronic comments may be submitted in Word (.doc or .docx), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), portable document format (.pdf), or HyperText Markup Language (.html). Names, addresses, and other submitted materials by commenters will become part of the public record and available for public inspection.