Picacho Peak vs UP...

John Barnhill Nov 6, 2006

  1. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    Picacho Peak Railroaded By Union Pacific
    TUCSON, AZ -- "We get from 40 to 60 trains a day now. They say that's gonna go from 120 to 150."
    For 13 years, DC "Rooster" Cogburn's been the subject of feel good stories and tourist attractions at his popular ostrich ranch near Picacho Peak.
    But when the conversation turns to the proposed Union Pacific switching station just across the interstate from his ranch--Cogburn's smiling eyes and easy-going demeanor suddenly turn serious.
    "Is there a switching yard need? Most definitely, there's a need for it," Cogburn says. "We don't argue that. But they just happened to take one of the most pristine valleys that you ever saw...and that's Tucson's future over there."
    Right now there are two tracks through the red rock area just south of Picacho Peak. But if this plan passes, this all will become the industrial jungle approximately three times the size of Union Pacific's switching station on 22nd Street.
    While Union Pacific is tight lipped about specifics, the railroad giant is hoping to purchase about 1500 acres of state land now zoned development sensitive.
    Last week, the Pinal County Zoning Commission turned down a request to rezone the land for industrial use.
    This, after state land trust representative Jack Newbeck informed the commission about the plan's economic benefits.
    "Immediately, there would be 175 on site permanent jobs, with approximately half of those relocating from the Tucson job market and the other half anticipated coming from Pinal County," he said.
    Jobs aside, a lot of people fear what the sixth-largest switching yard in North America would do to this largely untouched, desert landscape.
    "We're all concerned about really the unknown at this point," says Robert Young, Park Mgr. of Picacho Peak State Park. "There's a lot of questions to be answered certainly."
    Supporters of the plan say Union Pacific would give Pinal County a long-lasting economic engine and identity.
    Indeed, the county stands to earn millions on taxes and construction.
    But DC Cogburn still wonders what might be lost in the process.
    "I don't know what's going on. I'm 68 years old. I'm not gonna live long enough that it's going to have a major impact on me," he says, shaking his head..."but for the future of Arizona, some smart people should be giving this a hard, hard look."
    As a public utility, Union Pacific may find a way to build its switching station even if the plan is shot down. Either way, the Pinal County Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on the matter November 29th. - Som Lisaius, KOLD-TV13, Tucson, AZ
     
  2. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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  3. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Picacho Peak is the site of the only (pretty much) civil war battle in Arizona, when scouting parties ran into each other. It is a stunning piece of rock, too!
     
  4. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    Picacho Rail Yard Voted Down

    FLORENCE, AZ -- A busload of residents from Picacho Peak RV Resort made the 40-mile trip to Florence Thursday, trying to stop a rail yard from being built in their back yard.

    Some 50 people traveled to have their voices heard before the Pinal County Planning and Zoning Commission, which was considering an approximate 10,472-acre parcel along Interstate 10 for a comprehensive plan amendment, changing it from "development sensitive, transitional, natural resource and interchange mix" to "urban, industrial and rural community." The land is owned by the State Land Department and will go up for auction and be sold to the highest bidder, be it Union Pacific Railway or another party.

    The railroad wants the yard as a means of expanding freight service in this part of the state.

    The Land Department manages vast areas, leasing or selling them to benefit an education trust that was set up when Arizona became a state.

    The commission recommended denial of the amendment by the Board of Supervisors, on a 5-3 vote, with Mary Aguirre-Vogler absent. The matter is tentatively set to go before the supervisors in late November.

    Many of those who make their home in and around Picacho Pass do so because of the uninterrupted desert vistas, the quietness of the desert and the ability to see a roadrunner or other desert creature running by.

    Ann Hoffman, who lives at the resort, southeast of Picacho Peak along I-10 with her husband Robert, said she loves the beauty of the desert, and each morning when she looks out her kitchen window she is thankful for the peaceful nature of her home and the surrounding area.

    "The saguaros will probably be the first victims if this thing gets passed, then the wildlife will move or be killed because of the fumes," she said. "What we will get an abundance of is rats and roaches. Then people will start to leave because people with breathing problems won't be able to stay.

    "What I would do is turn it into a state park because it's that beautiful, but unfortunately I'm not the one who makes those decisions."

    Ron Ruziska, a representative of the Land Department, said growth is coming to the Picacho Peak area.

    "This is inevitable, ongoing growth to the state and country," he said. "We have real estate here in Arizona where other parts of the country have timber or oil. Land is our life blood. It is in our best interest to work with our neighbors and ourselves to benefit the public schools from the inevitable sale of this land whether it be a switchyard or a Wal-Mart or a housing development. But, the majority of the Picacho area will be developed."

    With its 5-3 recommendation for denial of the comprehensive plan amendment, the commission was divided in this case.

    Commissioner Scott Riggins said he did not want to see the Picacho Peak area developed.

    "I think it would have a large, large impact on a state treasure, the Picacho Peak," Riggins said. "To develop something on this spot would be a darned shame."

    Chairwoman Kate Kenyon said more industry is needed in Pinal County, so she voted for the proposal.

    "Pinal County is nothing more than a bedroom community with a 20-year supply of houses. We have no industry coming in," she said. "All bedroom communities do is ask for facilities like parks and entertainment. If a railroad comes in, so will other industries."

    Herb Kai, who operates Kai Farms near the proposed site, said he was born and raised in southern Arizona. As a farmer and a businessman, he said he realizes the need for this project. He just wishes it could be built somewhere else.

    "This could have many negative effects including on the groundwater, it could be contaminated," he said. "... Union Pacific has enough income it can afford to build it somewhere else - anywhere it won't affect so many landowners." - Kris Walkinshaw, The Eloy Enterprise, Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc.
     
  5. sd70mac

    sd70mac TrainBoard Member

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    It is always impressive to see people who not only can't see beyond their own individual interests and see to the interests of those around them, but also how poorly educated some people are on issues and how strongly they stick to the opinions they have formulated on no apparent factual basis. Ah well.

    Here's an aerial photo of the area in question. This is a good place for a yard.

    http://local.live.com/default.aspx?...15272&style=a&lvl=13&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000
     
  6. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well obviously a case of NIMBY, and that is going to happen no matter what project we talk about or where from now on. There's too many people.
    I would submit, however, (being a local resident) that there are nearby but much less scenic grounds UP could build on. A lot of people retire to that area near the peak precisely because there IS no industry nor city, and it is very pretty. The area around the peak is stunning and unique. Several miles out it turns into pretty bleak flatland that has already been disturbed. Also, I sure do not pretend to know anything about UP traffic, so I don't know what their specific needs are.
    The funny thing about this is the UP main goes RIGHT BY the trailer parks already.
     
  7. sd70mac

    sd70mac TrainBoard Member

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    Campp: What you said makes sense and I can go along with that.
     
  8. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    PINAL COUNTY SUPERVISORS VOTE IN FAVOR OF UP RAILYARD PLAN

    TUCSON, AZ -- The Pinal County Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 Wednesday in Florence in favor of clearing the way for Union Pacific Railroad to build a switching yard three miles from Picacho Peak, by amending the county's land use plan.

    Now, the State Land Department is expected to decide in about a year whether to sell more than 1,500 acres to the railroad for the 585-acre switching yard, with the extra land earmarked for future expansion and a buffer for neighbors, many of whom oppose the construction. - The Arizona Daily Star
     
  9. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Took this sign today. That's the peak in the background:
    [​IMG]
     
  10. AZBigDog

    AZBigDog TrainBoard Member

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    The downside of course is the job loss here in Tucson. Looks like half of the people here would be sent up there.
     
  11. BALOU LINE

    BALOU LINE TrainBoard Member

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    April 15th, 1862

    The only civil war battle fought in Arizona was at Picacho Peak. Ok, it was hardly more than a dozen men on each side firing a volley or two at each other, 3 Union soldiers were killed. Of those only Lt. Barrett's grave, near the present railroad tracks, remains unmarked and undisturbed.
     

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