The Proposal
The U. S. Forest Service controls the easement where the proposed bridge would be built. Forest Service "permission" has to be given before any construction can begin. In order to get that approval, the whole issue has to go through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.
On September 19, 1996, the Sedona Alternative Crossing of Oak Creek project officially began its way through NEPA with the publication of a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register.
On September 25, 1996, the Forest Service conducted a Public Information Meeting in Sedona. Yavapai County Public Works Director Richard Straub and Sedona District Ranger Ken Anderson were available to explain what NEPA would involve and answer questions.
On October 21, 1996, the County approved $165,000 to hire a consultant to perform the required Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Forest Service estimated this amount would be sufficient for the study.
Next, the Forest Service sent out a Request for Proposal (RFP) to a list of consultants to get proposals and bids.
Over the next few months, the situation began to change dramatically.
Carlton Camp, the Yavapai County Supervisor who was the driving force behind the Red Rock Crossing bridge project, did not run for reelection.
He was replaced by A. G. "Chip" Davis, who won the fall election, taking office in January 1997.
In the meantime, the Forest Service continued receiving a massive quantity of public comment on the proposed bridge.
Ranger Anderson was not happy with the quality of the bids that were coming back. "We weren't satisfied with any of the proposals," he told The Villager newspaper.
Another problem was the cost. The minimum bid came back at $265,000. Others estimated the price could exceed $500,000.
Additionally, some bridge advocates and opponents indicated they might file lawsuits if they didn't like the way the NEPA study turned out. Average court costs in such a case could run between $250,000 and $1 million.
Finally, due to the complexity of this particular NEPA, the whole process could take years to complete.
On January 24, 1997, Ranger Anderson met with Supervisor Davis and informed him of his concerns about the quality and cost of the submitted bids.
In early February, Davis decided to temporarily suspend everything. He told the Sedona Red Rock News he wanted to find out "if this is a real thing we are doing or just throwing money into a bottomless pit."
He began a thorough review of the entire situation. He wanted to determine if the planned Red Rock Crossing route met the stated criteria for relief from traffic congestion and movement of emergency vehicles. And he needed to know if the county could really pay for it without sacrificing other much-needed road improvements in his district.
On April 11, 1997, Supervisor Davis held a news conference to announce how he intended to proceed. He issued a white paper, Working Towards a Cooperative Solution, which explained his proposal in detail.
Referring to the 1995 Sedona-Red Rock Alternate Route Corridor Evaluation study, produced by the Phoenix engineering firm of Dibble & Associates for Yavapai County, he believed that another of their recommended routes scored higher than the Red Rock Crossing alternative.
He concluded that the routes identified as [El/E2] West Airport Mesa Corridor, were actually less invasive to established neighborhoods, more cost-effective, and could be completed in a shorter period of time than the Red Rock Crossing route. See Route Map or details.
This route branches off SR 179, north of milepost 309.
Following an existing jeep trail through an area south of the Back O' Beyond subdivision, it crosses Oak Creek north of Red Rock Crossing. Continuing up the west side of Oak Creek, it joins Chavez Ranch Road.
About a quarter mile up Chavez Ranch Road, it branches into [El] and [E2].
[El] continues along Chavez Ranch Road, joining Upper Red Rock Loop Road, and connecting with SR 89A.
[E2] proceeds north along the west side of Airport Mesa, northeast along Carroll Canyon and connects with Shelby Drive in Sedona's industrial center.
From there, motorists could continue north, via either Shelby Drive or Sunset Drive to SR 89A and the major shopping centers of West Sedona.
The "new road" portion would be built entirely on U. S. Forest Service land. It would not pass through established neighborhoods or by existing schools. There would be no negative impact on the Red Rock Crossing area.
According to the April 11th Yavapai County Board of Supervisors News Release, Sedona District Ranger Ken Anderson called the proposed route a strong alternative and a high priority.
And Supervisor Davis has promised that any agreement with the Forest Service would not allow land exchanges or private development along the route. It will remain a "limited access" roadway.
The cost of the entire route was estimated at $18.6 million.
With governmental interagency cooperation, Mr. Davis hoped the whole project could be completed within four years.
By contrast, the proposed [D2] Red Rock Crossing/Verde Valley School Road route, including the necessary road upgrades, was estimated at up to $28 million, in the same county-financed Dibble Report, with a "phasing in" period of unknown duration. It would go directly through established neighborhoods and past existing schools in the Village of Oak Creek. And it would forever alter the special qualities and unique environment of Red Rock Crossing.
Rather than "go it alone," Supervisor Davis also sought to involve other governmental agencies in both the development and financing of the West Airport Mesa Corridor route. Included were Yavapai and Coconino Counties, the City of Sedona, Arizona Department of Transportation and the U. S. Forest Service.
He formed a Citizens' Alternate Route Task Force, to provide input and help guide the process. Included were representatives from the Responsible Residents of the Red Rocks, Citizens for an Alternate Route, Sedona-Verde Valley Sierra Club, Red Rock Pathways, Trail Resource Access Coalition of Sedona, Keep Sedona Beautiful, Friends of Carroll Canyon, Big Park Regional Council and the Sedona Chamber of Commerce.
The Citizens' Alternate Route Task Force began weekly meetings on April 28, 1997. During the next four months, they reviewed numerous past studies, solicited public input and sought advice from experts on transportation, wildlife, the environment and National Forest issues.
On May 27, 1997, the Sedona City Council passed a Resolution Supporting the Need for an Alternate Route, including Supervisor Davis' proposal, and on June 2, 1997, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors passed a similar Resolution Expressing Support.
On September 25, 1997, Yavapai County received the Final Position Statement from the Task Force. You can review it by going to Citizens' Task Force Final Report.
On October 27, 1997, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors voted to restart the Sedona Alternative Crossing of Oak Creek NEPA.
The two primary routes to be reviewed this time were [D2] Red Rock Crossing/Verde Valley School Road and [E1] West Airport Mesa Corridor. The [E2] section of West Airport Mesa Corridor was not included in the study. See Route Map for details.
More information on the Yavapai Board of Supervisors meeting can be retrieved by going to NEPA Restarted by Yavapai County.
At their March 16, 1998 meeting, the Supervisors questioned the continued funding requirements of the Alternate Crossing of Oak Creek NEPA. Additional facts and figures are available by going to Yavapai County Questions Red Rock Crossing NEPA Funding.
On April 20, 1998, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors finally decided to withdraw from further involvement in the alternate crossing issue. Their actions can be more fully reviewed by going to Yavapai County Votes to Withdraw from Red Rock Crossing Controversy.
On April 24, 1998, Citizens for an Alternate Route (CFAR) filed a lawsuit against Yavapai County in an attempt to force the County to put a crossing at Red Rock Crossing. Details are available by going to Bridge Promoters Sue County and Try to Bypass NEPA.
On July 24, 1998, the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club filed a motion to intervene in CFAR's lawsuit. The issues and arguments can be read by going to Sierra Club Intervenes in Red Rock Crossing Lawsuit.
On August 12, 1998, CFAR challenged the Sierra Club's motion to intervene. Their arguments and the Sierra Club's response can be reviewed by going to Sierra Club Intervention in Red Rock Crossing Lawsuit Challenged.
On September 29, 1998, the Sierra Club's intervention motion was denied. The court's reasoning behind this decision is explained by going to Sierra Club Intervention in Red Rock Crossing Lawsuit Denied.
On October 23, 1998, CFAR's lawsuit was dismissed. Details are available by going to Red Rock Crossing Lawsuit Dismissed in Superior Court.
On December 3, 1998, CFAR filed its formal notice of appeal with the Arizona Court of Appeals. More information is available at Red Rock Crossing Bridge Boosters Appeal Court Verdict.
On March 29, 1999, CFAR filed its appeal brief in Division One, Arizona Court of Appeals. Their arguments and the Sierra Club response can be reviewed by going to Red Rock Crossing Bridge Appeal Filed.
On June 30, 1999, the Sierra Club and Yavapai County filed their answering briefs, in response to CFAR's appeal brief, with the Arizona Court of Appeals. Additional details may be read by going to Red Rock Crossing Answering Briefs Filed.
On November 2, 1999, arguments for and against the mandatory rebuilding of Red Rock Crossing were presented before the Arizona Court of Appeals. A review of the proceedings is available by going to Red Rock Crossing Oral Arguments Heard by Court of Appeals.
On November 26, 1999, the Arizona Court of Appeals upheld the lower court's decision. Details of their ruling and CFAR's reaction can be reviewed by going to Court of Appeals Refuses to Force Rebuilding of Red Rock Crossing.
On December 27, 1999, CFAR filed a petition for review with the Arizona Supreme Court. Go to Red Rock Crossing Bridge Controversy Headed to Supreme Court for the latest developments.
On April 18, 2000, the Arizona Supreme Court denied CFAR's petition for review. More information, including reactions to the decision, can be read by going to Supreme Court Lets Red Rock Crossing Ruling Stand.
You can read Supervisor Davis' Guest Editorial, describing his philosophy and goals, reprinted from the Sedona Spectrum.
You can share your thoughts or comments with him by going to Actions.
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