Why We Need the SDCP
We can't afford not to have a conservation plan any longer…
Pima County is one of the fastest growing regions in the country, and loses 1 acre of desert every 2 hours to development. It is estimated that by 2025, there will be more than one million people living in Pima County.
In the words of Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry, "The Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan is a comprehensive, local planning initiative to conserve the county's most valued natural and cultural resources, while accommodating the inevitable population growth and economic expansion of the community."
It is true that for development to continue, the County needs to meet obligations of the Endangered Species Act. But the County is using the SDCP as an opportunity to take a bigger look at the impacts of growth on the entire region and the community as a whole.
The SDCP is being developed to plan for future growth in a way that makes sense for the ecosystem as a whole and for people by guiding development away from environmentally-sensitive areas and better utilizing the infrastructure and other urban services that we currently have. The final plan is intended to protect 55 species and their habitats and meet the requirements of the Endangered Species Act -- and simultaneously address other relevant community needs pertaining to urban growth, cultural, and quality-of-life issues.
The Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan is not about stopping development cold. It's about doing things smarter and better, so that our community can continue to grow without destroying the things that make Pima County special.
Because Pima County has issues with endangered species, the alternative to the SDCP would be to either halt development entirely in areas where these endangered animals could occur, or to require each individual development in those areas to undergo its own habitat conservation plan. The SDCP is a regional approach that will take this burden off of the developer and ensuring that we truly protect our desert by using sound science and planning.
The Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP) aims to put sensible guidelines in place that will protect our natural treasures. In doing so, our local economy will be strengthened by maintaining and enhancing the qualities that make Tucson and Pima County an attractive place for individuals, employers, and families to live, work, and play.
We've already seen the unintended consequences of unplanned growth -- in our traffic problems, our overcrowded schools, and the irreversible destruction of some of our most treasured cultural, historic, and natural places. Without careful planning for the future, we stand to lose more than our endangered species - we stand to lose our way of life.
Protecting our Sonoran Desert ecosystem protects our air and water resources, the recreational opportunities that bring visitors from all over the world, and the special features that make us proud to call this place "home." The SDCP will benefit the environment and the communities of Pima County.
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