Staff Reports
SAFFORD — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is inviting public comments on a proposal by the City of Safford to expand the Graham County Regional Landfill onto approximately 280 acres of public land under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act (RPPA).
The expansion aims to support growing solid waste disposal needs in Graham County amid population growth in Safford and surrounding communities.
“This site would provide solid waste disposal to the increasing population in Graham County and continue to address the needs of current and future residents within Safford and the surrounding areas,” said Safford Field Manager Sharisse Flatt.
The City of Safford currently operates the landfill at 2755 North Landfill Road, which serves the entire county. The proposed additional acreage would allow for infrastructure improvements, including a fenced drop-off area with designated dumpsters for different types of waste. Plans include potential facilities for recycling, household waste, and green waste, helping to streamline operations and manage materials more efficiently as the existing landfill approaches capacity in the coming years.
A formal notice detailing the specific lands included in the application is scheduled to appear in Thursday’s Federal Register. The public can submit written comments on the proposal by emailing blm_az_sfoweb@blm.gov (mailto:_az_sfoweb@blm.gov) or delivering them to the BLM Safford Field Office, ATTN: Clara Gauna, at 711 14th Ave., Safford, AZ 85546. The comment period closes on June 15.
For more information, including project details, interested parties can visit the BLM National NEPA Register or contact BLM Realty Specialist Clara Gauna at 928-348-4400.
The Recreation and Public Purposes Act authorizes the BLM to convey or lease public lands to state and local governments for public uses, such as waste management facilities, when the proposal aligns with local needs and federal land-use policies. This application reflects ongoing efforts to balance community growth with the responsible management of federal lands in southeastern Arizona.
Public participation is encouraged to ensure all perspectives on the potential environmental, economic, and recreational impacts are considered before any decision is made.
