Sonoita Crossroads Community Forum

Meeting of March 31, 2007

An open community meeting of the Sonoita Crossroads Community Forum was held at Pioneer Hall (Fairgrounds) from 9:30 to noon on 31 March, 2007.

The agenda included:

• Introduction, meeting goals and recent Forum activities (Steve Strom: 930-945 (this page)
• Reports from SCCF Partners: 945 - 1030
  • Comprehensive Plan Implementation Team (CPIT: our friends from the west side of the Santa Ritas who are working on a similar range of issues as the Forum)
    • Focused on land use issues on the west side of the Santa Ritas to ensure the integrity of the SCC Comprehensive Plan (2004)
    • Informal, but highly active and visible organization
    • Broad expertise and experience
    • Works closely with Planning & Zoning and Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors
    • Recent issues include:
      1. Provide analysis of several proposed Plan changes (e.g. PADs)
      2. Tubac Historic District
      3. Tumacacori Highlands
      4. Integrated housing for various income levels
      5. Bike and walker-friendly routes
  • Cienega Watershed Partnership (CWP - a new umbrella organization whose goal is to ensure the continued health of the Cienega watershed)
    • Encompasses land surrounded by Cienega Creek and bounded by the Santa Rita, Whetstone, Canelos and Rincon Mountains
    • The Cienega Watershed contains one of ArizonaÕs last & most intact grassland
    • Cienega Creek is a key recharge source for groundwater
    • CWP was formed to:
      1. Help maintain the integrity of rural landscapes
      2. Work with citizens, land managers, ranchers and developers to preserve and protect the watershed's natural and cultural assets
    • As a 501[c]3 corporation, CWP can raise funds to achieve these goals, and educate local, state and federal officials
    • It will serve as an umbrella organizations for multiple "informal" groups such as SVPP and CCCC
  • Sonoita Valley Planning Partnership (SVPP: who will provide update on the status of the Las Cienegas NCA and other issues re the Cienegas Watershed)
    • Voluntary association of federal, state and local agencies, & groups with a common interest in the future of public lands in the Sonoita Valley
    • Agencies included are the BLM, Coronado National Forest, USGS, AZ Game and Fish, AZ Land Department, Natural Resources Conservation Service, AZ Water Resources
    • Supporting/interested groups include conservation organizations, biking and hiking clubs, grazing and mining interests
    • Purpose: Allow groups to come together to achieve community-based resolution to local and national issues affecting public lands
    • Focus: Allow groups to come together to achieve community-based resolution to local and national issues affecting public lands
• Planning activities in Patagonia - Jeffrey Cooper 10:30 -10:45
• Brief announcement re mines (A. McGreevy)

Special Presentation:
Educational Session focused on the newly established Fire District

• John Rowlinson - Arizona State Fire Marshal
• Bill Miller - Area representative for the Arizona Fire District Association and Fire Chief for the Fry District in Sierra Vista
• Kevin Keeley - Fire Chief, Tubac Fire District
• Pete Daniels - Chair, Board of Directors, Sonoita-Elgin Fire District
• Weekly Bulletin story on the meeting [PDF]

Current Forum Activities

• Working with SSVEC to ensure that new power line placement is consistent with the ForumÕs 2002 plan objectives
• Working toward a landholderÕs meeting
• Working toward a land use "tools" meeting
• Developing a "frequently asked questions" resource guide for newcomers
• Appeal to people to join SCCF

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