YOUR VOICE COUNTS!

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SPEAK FOR THE LAND!

By: Carla/Executive Director/MSLT 

DO YOU WANT TO HELP SAVE OUR DESERT? Here are some "talking points" to help you do so!

The majority of land left to protect for the planned McDowell Sonoran Preserve is state trust land, which by law must be auctioned to the highest bidder – which is usually development interests. Scottsdale has applied to have these 16,600 acres of state lands in northern Scottsdale reclassified under the Arizona Preserve Initiative (API) process as "suitable for conservation" and then auctioned as such. A key part of the API reclassification process is the ONE public hearing where State Land Department officials take testimony on reclassifying the land.

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. A decision will NOT be made that evening – so we need to make an impression that is not easily forgotten as the process goes forward!

As noted in the reclassification criteria, the State Land Commissioner must determine why the API petition is in the "best interest of the Trust". The beneficiaries of the state Trust are mainly the public schools, however under the current system very little money actually goes to them from the sale of state lands - it instead goes into a "permanent fund" held in trust for the schools. But they (and some would say therefore –we- as the taxpayers who support the schools) are the legal beneficiaries. So we must show how conserving this land actually helps this broader Trust.

It can't look like this is just for "rich, north Scottsdale" which is something many folks in the rest of the state don't like.

From keeping our tourism industry strong; from the recreational sales tax dollars; to the increase in adjoining property values and therefore the property tax base AND anything else you keen business minds can think of!

#3. Note that developing this land will put an unbearable burden on our already overcrowded school system (the beneficiaries).

If anyone can help get the Cave Creek Unified School District to officially support this reclassification – that would be GREAT!

This connection to the Tonto National Forest is critical for healthy wildlife movement/populations.

#5. How this is critical to completing the full McDowell Sonoran Preserve vision

Which has broad community support as evidenced in 1998 when 69% of Scottsdale residents voted to expand the Preserve to include these 16,600 acres.

#7. Following that, talking about the importance of this area for future scientific research and habitat restoration projects –especially as the rest of the Valley is built upon.

#8. Stress the long history of public recreational access (trails) in this area and how it will disappear

if these lands are developed. BE SURE to note that this passive recreation (equestrian, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, etc.) can be compatible with conservation. (see 6 g & h in the criteria)

#10. Note the unique geologic features in the Granite Mountain area.

#12. Stress the importance of regional open space systems to maintaining the quality of life for us all!!

Talk about what is in your heart when it comes to saving this land. If everyone gets up and runs through the same points, it doesn't have as much power as taking the items you can relate to and sincerely making your case. There is no set time limit, however state staff has said if there is a large crowd they will ask folks to keep it to 3 –5 minutes each. So please come prepared for that.

If you are part of an organization, such as a recreational group that uses this land or a homeowners group or a business that will be affected by what happens to this land – we STRONGLY encourage your

organization to ALSO submit written comments that evening in support of the reclassification. These comments should be addressed to:

The Conservation Advisory Committee & Merv Mason, Hearing Officer, State Land Department, 1616 West Adams, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Finally, you will find the API reclassification criteria, which the state must follow in determining which lands are reclassified [Read More].

The McDowell Sonoran Lant Trust invites you to visit its Web site, www.mslt.org, to learn more about the preserve.

THANK YOU!

Note: This document was edited for the Web by Friends of the Scenic Drive.