Another milestone was achieved this week in the process to acquire the 250 acres of US Forest Service (USFS) land that remains the preferred site on which to build the university campus in Payson. The Sales Implementation Strategy (SIS) document was forwarded from the USFS Albuquerque Regional Office to the USFS Washington Office.

The SIS officially outlines the process and terms under which the land will be sold for the purpose of building of the campus.

Once the Washington Office has approved a direct sale of the property, as outlined in the SIS, the document will go back to Albuquerque Office. There, the Tonto Forest Supervisor will finalize the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) approval. A 45-day public appeal period follows, once the NEPA decision is completed.

In follow up to the last update, the cultural mitigation Treatment Plan is currently in the 30 day review period by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the Advisory Commission, and the Indian Tribes of Arizona.