Sierra Club Intervenes in Red Rock Crossing Lawsuit
On April 24, 1998, CFAR filed a complaint for special action in Yavapai County Superior Court, attempting to force Yavapai County to build a crossing at Red Rock Crossing, southwest of the City of Sedona, Arizona.
On June 30, 1998, Yavapai County Deputy Attorney M. Randolph Schurr responded by filing a motion to dismiss CFAR’s complaint. He stated the county’s duty to build, repair or replace a crossing is discretionary and not mandatory.
The Sierra Club seeks to intervene on the side of Yavapai County and oppose CFAR’s demands.
The original crossing washed out during the floods of 1978 and was never replaced. In a recent Sedona Red Rock News interview, Shurr said there is not sufficient evidence to show the old crossing was ever part of a county highway in the first place.
"The Sierra Club is making a powerful statement in opposing any kind of structure at Red Rock Crossing," said Bennie Blake, Grand Canyon Chapter Red Rock Crossing Committee Co-Chair. "The beauty and tranquility of the Crossing must be protected for those who use and love that site – for today and for the future."
Tom Slaback, the other Committee Co-Chair, agrees. "For all those who love Red Rock Crossing, we are glad to have the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest representing the Sierra Club in this case that we believe is so important to preserving wild and scenic places in Arizona."
CFAR’s Phoenix attorney Cameron Artigue doesn’t think much of Yavapai County’s reply to CFAR’s complaint. "The county motion to dismiss has no merit whatsoever," he told the Red Rock News. "I have seen it. I have read it, and I am preparing a response."
Since Yavapai County is the defendant, the lawsuit was moved to Maricopa County to avoid a potential conflict of interest. The case will be heard by Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Robert D. Myers.
No court date has been announced.
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