Sedona, AZ (November 7, 2011) – The Forest Service is preparing to hold a public meeting to release a draft environmental assessment for the proposed access road to the Tobias Flynn property near Oak Creek Cliffs in Sedona. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 30, 2011, at the Red Rock Ranger District office, starting at 5 p.m. A brief presentation will be made at 5:15 p.m. along with an opportunity for the public to ask questions about the project.
Public comment on the project was gathered several years ago following litigation against the Forest Service to allow access across public land. The initial proposal included authorizing construction, use and maintenance of an access road from Oak Creek Cliffs drive, including a bridge over Oak Creek, to the private property. Many public comments were received that expressed concerns, including potential impacts to wildlife, archeology, scenery and recreation uses. The forest has since worked with the applicants and their consultants to develop a range of alternative access routes and to prepare an analysis to address potential effects.
It has taken more time than anticipated to develop feasible alternatives and to obtain sufficient design information to compare the relative effects of each alternative. Analysis documents will be available for public review on the Forest Service website within the next several weeks under the Tobias/Flynn Road Access, at
Comments on the assessment will be accepted for 30 days after a notice of availability is printed in the Arizona Daily Sun. Individuals who commented initially and are on the Forest Service mailing list will be receiving formal notification and updates of the project proposal.
For further questions concerning the project or the time line, please contact Judy Adams at 928-203-7506.