Tuesday Feb 25th, 2020 meeting organized by Apache Trail Attractions; 
UPDATES ON THE APACHE TRAIL REPAIRS
We had about 30 people attend our meeting this past Tuesday - mostly locals with a love of the Apache Trail and Apache Lake, and who wish to see the Trail restored to its original condition.
The meeting was led by John Schempf (Superstition Mountain Museum Director and Chairman of the Apache Trail Attractions Committee.)
Summary of meeting:
Although we had heard talk that the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) were putting restrictions down as to how the reconstruction of the Trail would be done, we found out this was incorrect. After being declared an emergency area, there are no specific standards to adhere to when rebuilding. However, as the Apache Trail was designated Arizona’s first Historic Highway, it is protected in that it may not be radically changed.
As of this past week, the repairs on the west section of the Trail are still on schedule to be completed prior to the end of March (from Apache Junction up to the Fish Creek overlook). By doing so, the $5 million dollars from FEMA funds allocated, will be paid back to the State at 100%.
The east section (from Apache Lake to Roosevelt) has not had much attention, and these repairs will not be completed within the 6 month time period provided by FEMA. The $10 million in funds allotted by FEMA to repair the east section, will then be reimbursed back to the State at a rate of 94 – 95%.
There is no work currently being done in the Fish Creek section. An estimate of cost has been submitted, but we do not know what it is.
During the December meeting, the guestimate to repair this 8 mile section was in the range of $30 million. ADOT officials are concerned how winter rains and summer monsoons will affect this section and would like to see it remain closed until re-vegetation (from the burnout of Woodbury fire) occurs. Pictures were passed around showing that the re-vegetation is well under way, with new greenery sprouting up along with the wildflowers. Other concerns from ADOT are the costs involved of repairing this section; repairing this section to include improvements to eliminate the chance of a total wash out again; and liability issues if done without substantial improvements. (Which will lead to a higher cost to repair)
Our plan is to:
a. begin building a list and contacting any and all organizations who would want this Trail fixed. In entirety. SHPO, SRP, AOT, Maricopa County Sheriff’s office, County Supervisors, cities of Apache Junction, Mesa, Globe, Superior, Miami, and others.
b. Then we need to put down the story and get it out there to those who can make this happen.
c. Show them the Money!
Kelly Townsend has already requested a total of $30 million (to be used over a two year period) to make the repairs needed. ADOT questions why this is needed as they have already secured $15 million from FEMA. As we know now, the east section of the Trail will not be completed by the end of March, therefore the State will only recoup abt $9,500,000 of the $10 mil. (Leaving a $500,000 deficit) And if the estimate to repair Fish Creek is $30 million and hasn’t even began yet…..well….you do the math. We need that $30 million.
Kelly will be looking into acquiring funds, and also finding out if there are any Federal Programs or Funds which could possibly help out businesses which are affected. (Yeah Kelly!) and lastly….present our case to Governor Ducey - to have him understand what an important role the Apache Trail played in the development of Phoenix, and how this remotely primitive, yet spectacular Trail, has possessed the hearts and souls of those who have traversed it.
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