Call to Preservation Action

Hello Friends: It is here –

The meeting EVERYONE who cares about our Preserve NEEDS TO ATTEND!

Our planned 57 square mile McDowell Sonoran Preserve [Read More] is now 45% protected. The bulk of the land left to protect is state trust land, which by law must be auctioned to the highest bidder – which is usually

development interests. The only current legal option to change that is the Arizona Preserve Initiative (API), which allows certain state lands to be reclassified as "suitable for conservation" and auctioned as such.

Scottsdale has applied to have 16,600 acres of state lands envisioned for the Preserve to be reclassified. A key part of the API reclassification process is the public hearing where State Land

Department officials take testimony on reclassifying the land. There are certain criteria they must use in determining which lands qualify –including unique scenic beauty: geologic and topographic features; wildlife and vegetation protection; cultural resources; watershed integrity; recreation; scientific education; tourism impact AND REGIONAL BENEFIT. This last one is why we need you all to attend.

Be it the climbers who train on Little Granite Mountain to the mountain bikers who hit the trails out of Pima and Dynamite every weekend to the equestrians, hikers, birders, hoteliers and so on…………THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SPEAK FOR THE LAND!

Because a final factor in the reclassification process is whether or not it is "in the best interest of the State Trust". That means the State Land Commissioner must find sufficient reason to determine that getting the high dollars that would come by auctioning this land for development does not outweigh the need to preserve it. The Commissioner has already – accurately – stated that some of this 16,600 acres is the most valuable state land in Arizona. We must show them why preservation is better.

The hearing will be held Thursday, February 15, 2001 at 6pm in the cafeteria of Desert Canyon Middle School in Scottsdale. It is located at 10203 E McDowell Mountain Ranch Road (go north on Thompson Peak Parkway off of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard over the bridge to McDowell Mountain Ranch Road then turn right to the school). Parking will be limited so we are encouraging homeowners and user groups to charter buses for your area or at least carpool. You do not have to speak if you attend (but it would be helpful) however your presence will be CRITICAL. We need a huge crowd to get the attention of the media and-most importantly- send a message to the State Land Department and the Governor (who appoints the State Land Commissioner) that all of the 16,600 acres should be reclassified. Every part of the planned Preserveis important!