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Frequently Asked Questions
This document has been prepared by the Town of Clarkdale, Arizona, in order to address the questions that are most frequently asked about the Clarkdale Sustainability Park. The questions and responses will be updated on a frequent basis to reflect new questions that arise, or new information that is developed, as the concept for the Clarkdale Sustainability Park continues to evolve. The date of the most recent update for each question is included for reference.
- Why is Clarkdale considering a sustainability park?
- Why does this concept make sense in our small town?
- What is the core concept of the Park?
- Although the White Paper and Executive Summary seem very complete, there are still many unanswered questions about this project. How will these unanswered questions be explored?
- Who serves on the Feasibility Study Scope of Work Committee?
- Why do we need a feasibility study that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and takes more than a year to complete?
- Why can't we just do nothing and leave well enough alone?
- What are the benefits to Clarkdale for undertaking this project?
- What sorts of general economic development will the Park create for Clarkdale? For the Verde Valley? For Arizona?
- Who supports the project, and why?
- Why is the Town soliciting support for the concept of the Park at this early stage in the planning process?
- Who will own the Park? How will the Town derive revenues from the Park, and how much will it create?
- How will we pay for the infrastructure and planning for the Park?
- How will the Park be managed?
- What do you mean by an “organic” business model?
- What are the time frames for the various stages of the Park's development?
- How will the energy produced in the Park be sold?
- Will Clarkdale residents get free electricity from the CSP?
- Some of the technology being discussed in association with the Park is not yet proven. Which technologies are you considering for the Park?
- Who will own the energy producers in the Park?
- What is a Plasma Converter and will it be located in the Park?
- What is the difference between a plasma converter and incineration?
- What is Photobioreactor/Algal Fuel?
- What is biodiesel?
- What sites in Clarkdale could be used for this project?
- What about noise levels associated with this project? How will the Town ensure that noise will not degrade our quality of life?
- How much additional traffic will the Park create for Clarkdale? For the Verde Valley?
- Why has the Peck's Lake area been identified as the preferable site?
- How will the Park impact our night skies?
- Why don't we just put a nature park on the Peck's Lake property, instead of this industrial park?
- How will the sensitive areas and bodies of water surrounding Peck’s Lake be protected if this site is chosen for the Park?
- How might the Peck’s Lake location impact the visitor experiences at Tuzigoot National Monument?
- How would locating the Clarkdale Sustainability Park near Peck’s Lake impact the Tuzigoot Important Bird Area? What impacts to wildlife and federally-listed endangered species would there be?
- How will we respect and preserve the archeological and historic assets in the Peck's Lake area, if that area is chosen for the Park?
- How will the educational component of the Park work?
- I’ve heard that the Park will positively impact our water resources. How will it do that, when it seems that the proposed commercial and industrial facilities will require water for operations?
- How can the Park help reduce our need to develop new water resources?
- How can I help make this Park a reality?
- I have concerns about the Park and its impact on my town. How can I best voice those concerns?
Questions and Answers
1. Why is Clarkdale considering a sustainability park?
Clarkdale and other communities across our nation and the world are faced with a new economic reality. Municipal incomes are shrinking in every category, but our citizens desire to maintain or improve upon the municipal services they are accustomed to receiving. Now, more than ever, our Town has a need for an economic engine that will help us meet the challenges of the new economy. The Clarkdale Sustainability Park provides Clarkdale with a focused economic development strategy that will provide us with a sustainable stream of revenue and allow us to enhance the quality of life in our community. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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2. Why does this concept make sense in our small town?
A small town is a perfect incubator for innovative ideas. There is a certain amount of equity in the status quo in larger communities that have long standing economic bases. In a larger community, it is often safer to continue to rely on the tried and true than to explore economies that could dramatically shift the dominant economic base of a community. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
In Clarkdale, however, we don’t have a dominant economic base, and the base that we do have would only be improved under this proposal. We have a community that is open to exploring change and innovation, a great location which includes a river and a railroad, and established industries (like Salt River Materials Group, Bent River Machines, Mold in Graphics and Clarkdale Metals Corporation) that could all benefit from the Sustainability Park and are not threatened by a new economic proposal. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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3. What is the core concept of the Park?
The core concept of the Sustainability Park is to produce energy, water and economic opportunities with as little environmental impact as is possible today. The Clarkdale Sustainability Park will be a model for municipal operations that will teach sustainability and enhance America’s energy and economic independence. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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4. Although the White Paper and Executive Summary seem very complete, there are still many unanswered questions about this project. How will these unanswered questions be explored?
A Feasibility Study, conducted to explore the many complex issues surrounding the development of the Clarkdale Sustainability Park is a critical next step in our process. A 7-member Feasibility Study Scoping Group (consisting of 5 community volunteers and 2 members of the Town staff) is currently developing a Scope of Work that will provide the framework for the Feasibility Study. This Scoping Group will develop a grant application to the United State Department of Commerce to fund the Feasibility Study once the Scope of Work has been completed. They expect to submit the grant application in the spring of 2010. The Feasibility Study is expected to cost approximately $500-800,000 and will take approximately 18 months to complete. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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5. Who serves on the Feasibility Study Scope of Work Committee?
The Feasibility Scope of Work Group is comprised of 5 local volunteers and 2 Town staff members who have expertise in energy, science, business, planning, administration, economic development and management. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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6. Why do we need a feasibility study that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and takes more than a year to complete?
We want to be able to look at as many scenarios as possible so that every choice is made from an informed decision. The final project will have a total capitalization (value) of about $400 million. If the Feasibility Study costs $500,000, that is only 0.125% of the total value of the project. This study is necessary in order provide appropriate decision making guidance from the earliest stages of the project. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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7. Why can't we just do nothing and leave well enough alone?
Unfortunately, ‘well enough’ is not good enough given today’s economic realities for Clarkdale. The Town must make a move forward economically. Our residents cannot afford continued increases in costs of services and decreasing revenues. The future dictates that the Town has to develop other revenue sources. Currently, weak economic development in Verde Valley creates low paying jobs that do not contribute to our economic future. The Clarkdale Sustainability Park will provide sustainable economic development that will improve the living standard of Clarkdale’s citizens. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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8. What are the benefits to Clarkdale for undertaking this project?
The Clarkdale Sustainability Park will provide a focused economic development strategy for our town. Initial estimates indicate it will also create approximately 200 permanent and 250 construction jobs, in addition to about 200-500 jobs from business development outside the park. The Park will improve our water portfolio and reduce our need to acquire expensive new water resources. It will also broaden our local tax base, allowing us to stabilize town revenues and keep local tax rates reasonable. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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9. What sorts of general economic development will the Park create for Clarkdale? For the Verde Valley? For Arizona?
Each one of the technologies which might be located in the Park would generate spin‐offs and support suppliers. Economic development studies have shown that for every major industry there are 7 support companies which locate near that industry. The research and educational nature of the Park opens a door for a broader technical base to be located in the Verde Valley. The leading edge nature of this project places Arizona in the forefront of sustainability.(Last updated March 24, 2010)
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10. Who supports the project, and why?
The broad support given to the Park’s concept to date has been generated from a variety of factors. Some who have seen the presentations about the Park appreciate its potential to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. Some are excited about the job growth potential. Many appreciate the reduction of atmospheric carbon and the reduced threat from climate change that this park and others like it will enable. Locally, leaders understand the general economic, cultural and environmental benefits the Park will provide. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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11. Why is the Town soliciting support for the concept of the Park at this early stage in the planning process?
Early understanding by and support of stakeholders is extremely important in any large project like this. It would be irresponsible to neglect the people and organizations who will be most impacted by the project. It is extremely important that all those affected have an early opportunity to voice their ideas and concerns as early in the process as possible. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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12. Who will own the Park? How will the Town derive revenues from the Park, and how much will it create?
At this point we are examining a variety of organizational structures for the park. However, we anticipate that the Town will own the Park, and generate direct revenues from rents to the privately owned companies that will be located in the Park. Very conservatively, rental revenues and other direct fees from the Park could generate $500,000 ‐$1,000,000 million for the town annually.(Last updated March 24, 2010)
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13. How will we pay for the infrastructure and planning for the Park?
We are looking at different options, with initial focus primarily on government grants and public/private partnerships.(Last updated March 24, 2010)
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14. How will the Park be managed?
The management structure of the park will be determined after several models have been thoroughly explored through the Feasibility Study.(Last updated March 24, 2010)
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15. What do you mean by an “organic” business model?
By "organic" we mean that the park will be organized and managed much like an organism, or an ecosystem. For example: In nature, the more diverse an ecosystem is, the more resilient it is--it responds to stressors and changes in it's environment more easily and with less damage. When a system, be it in nature or in business, becomes too dependent on a particular member of the system (such as a single energy producer, or a single crop) the system becomes fragile and less adaptable to unforeseen changes. Diverse systems are adaptable and continue to evolve to the betterment of the system. This is the basis for the organic model - diversity and adaptability must be fostered for that system to remain strong and healthy. The Clarkdale Sustainability Park will be created and managed using the organic model as it's framework. (Last updated April 5, 2010)
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. What are the time frames for the various stages of the Park's development?
We anticipate an 18 month time frame for the Feasibility Study. Application for funding and construction would take another 2 years. Any individual construction can take from 6 to 18 months after that. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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17. How will the energy produced in the Park be sold?
Arizona Public Service (APS) is the regional electricity provider and we anticipate that they will be the primary market for electricity produced in the Park. Other forms of energy, such as liquid fuels produced by the algae, photobioreactor and biodiesel facilities, will be sold through existing markets. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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18. Will Clarkdale residents get free electricity from the CSP?
No. As noted above, we anticipate that the energy produced in the CSP will be sold to existing energy providers (like APS, who is our regional electricity provider) and distributed by them to their customers through their existing markets. (Last updated April 5, 2010)
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19. Some of the technology being discussed in association with the Park is not yet proven. Which technologies are you considering for the Park?
While various technologies are being discussed for the Park, the emerging renewable energy field continues to rapidly change and evolve. Only after a lengthy feasibility process will the actual energy producing and water purifying systems be chosen. The systems that we allow in the Park will meet all applicable United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) standards and requirements. That said, some of the technologies that have been discussed to date include waste‐to‐energy products called Plasma Converters, Photobioreactor/Algal Fuel, Photovoltaics or Solar Concentrator Arrays, and Biodiesel facilities.(Last updated March 24, 2010)
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20. Who will own the energy producers in the Park?
We anticipate that individual, private companies will locate their operations in the Park and maintain ownership of their operations. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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21. What is a Plasma Converter and will it be located in the Park?
Generally speaking, plasma conversion is a technology that uses intense heat to convert waste materials to their elemental components. Though Plasma Converters can use almost any type of waste material, the most likely candidate in a setting like Clarkdale is for municipal solid waste (the garbage produced by our citizens and businesses on a daily basis). However, while Plasma Converters may someday be suitable for consideration in the Park, as of this writing, we feel that they are not quite "ready for prime time." There is still considerable research to be done on this “waste‐to‐energy” technology to demonstrate its economic efficiency, energy production, and most importantly to us, its environmental safety. Several companies, including a Waste Management/Westinghouse joint effort called “S4 Energy Solutions”, have entered that field and are in the process of testing and perfecting their systems. We believe they still have a way to go to prove themselves.(Last updated March 24, 2010)
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22. What is the difference between a plasma converter and incineration?
Plasma conversion uses intense heat to convert waste materials to their elemental components. This process of molecular decomposition differs from incineration which involves the combustion of organic materials. Since the process takes place in the near absence of oxygen, there is no combustion or incineration and no hazardous emissions are produced. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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23. What is Photobioreactor/Algal Fuel?
Algal fuel is a biofuel which is derived from algae. During photosynthesis, algae and other photosynthetic organisms capture carbon dioxide and sunlight and convert it into oxygen and biomass. In algal fuel production, algae are typically grown in a highly efficient, closed system (systems that are not open to the environment). Algae grown in the facility will produce oils that can be converted easily to fuel oil.
Photobioreactors are similar to algae facilities except that they use blue‐green bacteria (cyanobacteria) as the organism that collects sunlight and produces oils that can be converted to liquid fuels. Cyanobacteria and algae have different requirements and produce differing efficiencies. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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24. What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a fuel that is normally made from used cooking oil and other waste vegetable oils. This facility could be a perfect adjunct to the algal/photobioreactor fuel operation, converting not only waste cooking oil, but also the oils produced in those facilities.
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25. What sites in Clarkdale could be used for this project?
Three sites in and near Clarkdale will be evaluated through a Feasibility Study. The first site, which the Town has so far identified as its preferable site, incorporates approximately 900 acres of land in the Peck’s Lake area. The second site consists of 200‐400 acres of land in the Town’s existing industrial area, generally surrounding the historic smelter site. The third site is just west of the Town’s existing boundaries, on approximately 500 acres near the Phoenix Cement Company and Hanson Materials.(Last updated March 24, 2010)
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26. What about noise levels associated with this project? How will the Town ensure that noise will not degrade our quality of life?
Regardless of the Park’s eventual location, noise concerns will be a part of the Town’s decision‐making process. We are confident that the soundproofing we will demand will ensure minimal noise impact.
An excellent example of Clarkdale’s attention to auditory disturbance is the Clarkdale Metals slag recovery operation that takes place about a half‐mile from Clarkdale Town Hall. At no time has anyone heard objectionable sound from that operation at Town Hall, and no complaints have ever been received from the Town’s residents, many of whom live within 1000 feet of the grinding building.(Last updated March 24, 2010)
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27. How much additional traffic will the Park create for Clarkdale? For the Verde Valley?
Transportation requirements, regardless of the site chosen, are one of the primary concerns that will need to be adequately addressed in the feasibility process. As with all public roads, Clarkdale is committed to providing the access, safety and mobility needs of its citizens and businesses on any route that serves the Clarkdale Sustainability Park. We will also continue to work within the Verde Valley Region on transportation planning through the Verde Valley Transportation Planning Organization so that transportation requirements of the Clarkdale Sustainability Park are considered on a regional basis. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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28. Why has the Peck's Lake area been identified as the preferable site?
The Peck’s Lake area has several advantages that make it a very good candidate for the Park project. The old remediated tailings cannot be used for commercial or residential property without extensive additional remediation, but they may be suitable for such things as solar energy arrays, which have minimal traffic. The area adjacent to Tavasci Marsh was used as a barrow, or topsoil source, to cap the tailings, and that area is now practically unusable for anything but industrial applications. Since there is already a pipeline running from the current Clarkdale Wastewater Facility to the barrow area, that area could conceivably serve as a center for water purification and potable or non‐potable reuse facilities. The Park, if sited near Peck’s Lake, will enable the remediation of Peck’s Lake and the enhancement of the natural areas surrounding the lake. Peck’s Lake is currently closed to visitors, and has been for several years. If the Clarkdale Sustainability Park is located near the lake, we anticipate reopening the lake and its surroundings to the public.
Importantly, this area is currently subject to a development agreement originally written between Yavapai County and Phelps Dodge Mining Corp. in 1987, and assumed by the Town of Clarkdale when it annexed the property in 1991. Under that agreement Phelps Dodge’s successor, Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold, could place 900 homes and 52 acres of commercial properties on the land. The Town of Clarkdale sees the Sustainability Park as an attractive alternative to the type of development anticipated under the approved development agreement.(Last updated March 24, 2010)
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29. How will the Park impact our night skies?
The Town of Clarkdale has one of the strictest lighting ordinances in the State. Regardless of where the Clarkdale Sustainability Park is located, the enforcement of our dark skies ordinances will be strict. Our Planning Commission and our Design Review Board will apply our ordinances to ensure that Clarkdale’s dark night skies will be preserved regardless of the location of the Clarkdale Sustainability Park. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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30. Why don't we just put a nature park on the Peck's Lake property, instead of this industrial park?
The cost of remediating the lake and managing a nature park at that site is overwhelming to a small town, to a state, or even the Federal government. This area is not (naturally) an undisturbed nature park. The land has been degraded by past use. If left alone, the area will continue to degrade. If this site is chosen, the costs of remediating the lake and the park area will be financed by the income from the Park. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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31. How will the sensitive areas and bodies of water surrounding Peck’s Lake be protected if this site is chosen for the Park?
Certainly locating some types of industrial development near bodies of water can be problematic. We are confident in our ability to choose industrial partners that are both nonpolluting and environmentally conscientious. As previously noted, the siting of the Park has not yet been determined, but when it is, the occupants will have to meet all applicable requirements of the EPA, ADEQ, US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and others.(Last updated March 24, 2010)
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32. How might the Peck’s Lake location impact the visitor experiences at Tuzigoot National Monument?
In the event that the Park is located on lands near Tuzigoot National Monument, we believe that the impact to visitors will be overwhelmingly positive. The Park, if sited near Peck’s Lake, will be a vehicle for the remediation of Peck’s Lake and the enhancement of the natural areas surrounding the lake. Peck’s Lake is currently closed to visitors, and has been for several years. If the Clarkdale Sustainability Park is located near the lake, we anticipate reopening the lake and its surroundings to the public. This alone will add not only new visitors, but a quality experience to existing Tuzigoot visitors.
Furthermore, we believe that the juxtaposition of a technologically advanced, well‐planned sustainability facility will add an invaluable dimension to a visitor’s experience near Tuzigoot. The obvious comparison of prehistoric sustainability to the future of sustainable practices would add both interest and education to a visitor’s trip.
Innovative design concepts will take into consideration the proximity of Tuzigoot and any potential visual impact.(Last updated March 24, 2010)
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33. How would locating the Clarkdale Sustainability Park near Peck’s Lake impact the Tuzigoot Important Bird Area? What impacts to wildlife and federally‐listed endangered species would there be?
We believe that the diversity of all classes of wildlife would be enhanced and improved by locating the Clarkdale Sustainability Park near Peck’s Lake. The remediation of Peck’s Lake and its return to biological health will certainly improve both the species diversity and the individual numbers of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects in that area. Opening the rest of the area to appropriate management will help stabilize and improve the ecology of the area immensely.
Federally‐listed species will have to be considered in any area where we may locate the Clarkdale Sustainability Park. The Town of Clarkdale and any occupants of the Clarkdale Sustainability Park will have to meet the requirements of any federal agency/regulation with jurisdiction on the project, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), United States Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and others.(Last updated March 24, 2010)
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34. How will we respect and preserve the archeological and historic assets in the Peck's Lake area, if that area is chosen for the Park?
Regardless of the location of the Park, the Town of Clarkdale is committed to appropriately addressing historic, archeological and cultural sites. The Feasibility Study for the Park will be the first formal step taken to assess these impacts at all three sites. As the project advances and a specific site is selected, care will be taken to meet all applicable requirements and take steps to ensure that the historical and cultural foundations of this area continue to be preserved as a living part of our community. Among other steps, we hope to work in partnership with others to incorporate those foundations into the educational aspect of the Park. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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35. How will the educational component of the Park work?
Based on the initial responses to the presentation of the Park’s concept, we anticipate strong participation from educational institutions. We believe that the Park offers unique opportunities for collaborative efforts with universities and colleges and look forward to working with the educational institutions who are interested in developing proposals for the Park.(Last updated March 24, 2010)
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36. I’ve heard that the Park will positively impact our water resources. How will it do that, when it seems that the proposed commercial and industrial facilities will require water for operations?
One of the primary goals of the Park is to reduce water consumption by the Town of Clarkdale. This will be accomplished by employing state‐of‐the‐art water treatment facilities which will someday produce potable‐quality water from the Town’s wastewater. We are committed to allowing only those occupants who do not consume large amounts of water as part of their process.
The Town of Clarkdale is among the most responsible stewards of the water resources of the Verde Valley. We have reduced our per capita consumption of water on our town’s utility by nearly 40% in just 4 years. Our current consumption rivals the best in the State of Arizona, and we understand very well the impact of groundwater consumption on our local resources.(Last updated March 24, 2010)
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37. How can the Park help reduce our need to develop new water resources?
Water reclamation is a major component of the Park concept. Some energy producers actually recapture water as a byproduct of their operation. Energy produced in the park can also be used to reclaim and purify municipal wastewater for recharge or eventual potable use. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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38. How can I help make this Park a reality?
You can help by writing a letter of support for the project, and by letting us know your thoughts, your concerns, and your ideas about opportunities for the Park that we may not have considered yet. Letters of support will be used to document the support the Park has from all classes of stakeholders, from private citizens to legislators and industry. (Last updated March 24, 2010)
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39. I have concerns about the Park and its impact on my town. How can I best voice those concerns?
Please write and let us know about your concerns.While have considered many aspects of the Park, but we know that there are some we missed or have not yet considered.
Written comments can be mailed to:
Town of Clarkdale
ATTN: Clarkdale Sustainability Park
P.O. Box 308 Clarkdale, AZ 86324
Or email: Sustainable@clarkdale.az.gov
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