The Multi-Species Conservation Plan Community Outreach and Participation

The Pima County Office of Conservation Science and Policy held a series of public meetings to discuss the latest draft of the Multi-Species Conservation Plan. The meetings provided information on the plan, which furthers implementation of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and compliance with the Endangered Species Act. Most of the meetings consisted of a staff presentation, followed by questions and answers.

As of March 2nd, a total of 14 public meetings and presentations have been held throughout the Tucson area. Outreach included open house and presentation sessions in Oro and Green Valley, South Tucson, the Tucson Mountains, and at Academy Village on the far east side. Staff held a “brown bag” lunch presentation in the Pima County Public Works building. Other meetings had more specific audiences, such as presentations to the U.S. Forest Service staff, business leaders, the Regional Transportation Authority’s Wildlife Linkages Committee, the Tucson Basin Managers, the Environmental Planning and Advisory Committee, and the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan’s Science and Technical Advisory Team. The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection held an open house, where Pima County staff gave a brief overview of the MSCP and heard comments and concerns from members of the environmental community.

In addition to presenting information, Pima County solicited feedback that will help craft the final proposal of the plan. Public comment forms were available at the meeting, as well as online in various forms, including a survey that asked questions chapter by chapter.

Comments received are available for review below.

Public Comments

CSDP Pygmy Owl 4-9-09
Arizona State Land Dept. 3-02-09
Metropolitan Pima Alliance 3-02-09
Comments from Kristen Zimmerman 2-20-09
Dennis Parker on behalf of the Chiltons 2-17-09.pdf
SAHBA 3.02.09
Storm 1-13-09
Survey Monkey Summary_3-03-09
Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection - 3-3-09
Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection - 3-9-09

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Comments - 3-11-09

Staff Comments

Marc Fink 3-02-09
Krieski_Spiker 2-25-09
Reeve Wise 2-24-09
Iris Rodden 2-25-09