The Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan Our Land, Our Home, Our Way of Life Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection
The Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan The Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan is a comprehensive planning initiative being developed by Pima County, to conserve the County s most valued natural and cultural resources, while accommodating the inevitable population growth and economic expansion of the community. Chuck Huckelberry, October 9, 2001 SDCP Progress Report and Update
Need for Growth Planning
Public Support for Conservation
Cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl
The Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP)
Ecosystem Protection: The mission of the Endangered Species Act To provide for the protection and conservation of endangered and threatened species of fish, wildlife and plants...(and) to provide a means whereby the ecosystems upon which endangered and threatened species may be conserved.
Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection OUR MISSION To achieve long-term conservation of the native biological diversity and ecological function of the Sonoran Desert through comprehensive landuse planning with primary emphasis on Pima County s Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan.
Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection (cont.) Neighborhood Coalition of Greater Tucson Northwest Coalition i for Responsible Development Oro Valley Neighborhood Coalition Pima Farms/Scenic Drive Nihb Neighborhood h Association iti Protect Land and Neighborhoods Safford Peak Watershed Education Team Saguaro Forest Associates Save the Scenic Santa Ritas Sierra Club-Grand Canyon Chapter Sierra Club-Rincon Group Silverbell Mountain Alliance Sky Island Alliance
Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest Arizona League of Conservation Voters Arizona Native Plant Society Buffers Center for Biological Diversity Center for Environmental Connections Center for Environmental Ethics Defenders of Wildlife Desert Watch Drylands Institute Emerald Resource Solutions Environmental and Cultural Conservation Organization Friends of Cabeza Prieta Friends of Sweetwater Friends of Tortolita Gates Pass Area Neighborhood Association
Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection (cont.) Sky Island Watch Society for Ecological Restoration Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute Sonoran Permaculture Guild Southwest Tucson Environmental Alliance Southwestern Biological Institute Tortolita Homeowners Association Tucson Audubon Society Tucson Herpetological Society Tucson Mountains Association The Wildlands Project Wildlife Damage Review Women for Sustainable Technologies
Increased Ecosystem Protection: Regional Multiple-Species Plan
Vegetative Communities
Riparian Areas
The Sonoran Desert is the most unique desert in the world
Sky Islands
The Sky Islands Network is critical to the basic needs of animals, especially large predators
FEDERALLY PROTECTED SPECIES WITHIN PIMA COUNTY ENDANGERED Jaguar Jaguarundi Ocelot Mexican Grey Wolf Sonoran Pronghorn American Peregrine Falcon Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl Masked Bobwhite SW Willow Flycatcher Lesser Longnosed Bat Desert Pupfish Gila Topminnow Pima Pineapple Cactus Huachuca Water Umbel Kearney s Blue Star Nichol s Turk Head Cactus THREATENED Bald Eagle Mexican Spotted Owl Chiracahua Leopard Frog CANDIDATES Sonoyta Mud Turtle Mountain Plover Gila Chub Acuňa Cactus
Mechanism for Community-Based Problem Solving
Progress Toward Other Community Priorities Science Cultural and Historical Ranch Conservation Recreation Science Commission
The SDCP and the Comprehensive Plan Stated simply, there is a compatibility of natural and built environment planning that is the essence of rational and meaningful planning. Draft Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update, October 2001
Streamlined Regulation County deals with HCP requirements in the plan details vs. each developer preparing and submitting site-by-site HCPs Consolidated land use regulations Increased ease for developers in interpreting and using code Increased ease for County in administration One-stop shopping for property owners in local and federal regulatory compliance
What Needs to be Done County to draft SDCP and accompanying technical documents (October 2003) Public opportunities for input on plan to both USFWS and Pima County USFWS approve County s plan Continue work toward broader goals of Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan
Economic Benefits of Conservation Increased Supply of Valuable Natural Resources Savings for Taxpayers, Utility Ratepayers, and Property Owners Stronger Local Economy Reinforcement of Efforts of Accomplish Other Goals
May 2004 Open Space Bond Election
The SDCP is a chance for us to directly shape the quality of life that we as current residents, the future generations of Pima County, as well as the desert wildlife, will share. While the concepts are laudable, the community must remain involved in the process to ensure that the SDCP truly provides adequate protection for our ecosystem and the well-being of our community.
Protecting our natural resources benefits us...
...the wildlife we cherish
and generations yet to come. What kind of world will we leave them?
How You Can Help Stay Informed News articles, www.sonorandesert.org, FOD, P&Z and BOS agendas, SDCP reports Be Vocal Friends and family, elected officials, local papers Attend Public Meetings Provide Financial Support Volunteer