Conservationists meet Saturday

Green Valley News

Conservation organizations will hold a free public forum Saturday to discuss the proposed copper mine in the Santa Rita Mountains, a planned housing development near Madera Canyon east of Green Valley and the West Desert Preserve, open space southwest of town.

The event will be start at 10 a.m. at the Community Church at the northwest corner of Esperanza Boulevard and La Canada Drive.

The event was arranged by the Santa Rita Mountains Conservation Coalition.

Speakers will represent Defenders of Madera Canyon, Save the Scenic Santa Ritas and Save the West Desert Preserve.

Augusta Resource proposes to develop an open-pit copper mine on the east side of the Santa Ritas east of Green Valley - Sahuarita.

Among other things, opponents say the mine would disturb the area’s scenic beauty and harm the local aquifer.

Madera Canyon defenders are worried about the proposed construction of 180 upscale houses just north of the entrance to Madera Canyon.

Among other things, they object to is the expected increase in traffic and damage to the viewshed, the scenic beauty.

The Save the West Desert Preserve group would like to have the State Trust lands there preserved as undeveloped natural desert for hiking, biking and bird watching.

Under state law, the State Land Department is mandated to sell its surplus land, such as the west desert area, to the highest bidder and can’t preserve it for general public use.

Besides the three sponsoring organization representatives are expected from the Tucson Audubon Society, Sky Island Alliance, Committee for Responsible Growth, Friends of Tumacacori Highlands, Cactus Huggers, Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists and Borderlands Jaguar Detection Project.

jlamb@gvnews.com | 547-9749