Action 10.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Community Development
- Meeting Date:
- 09/11/2012
- Title:
- Approve a letter to US F&W re: Comments on Lower San Pedro Collaborative Conservation InitiativeLower San Pedro Collaborative Conservation Initiative
- Submitted By:
- Katie Howard, Board of Supervisors
- Department:
- Board of Supervisors
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Document Signatures:
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
n/a
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
n/a
Mandated Function?:
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
[Item Tabled at August 28, 2012 Board meeting]: Approve a letter to US Fish & Wildlife communicating comments on the Lower San Pedro Collaborative Conservation Initiative.
Background:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is exploring the idea of a collaborative conservation and management initiative along the Lower San Pedro River involving interested landowners, land managing agencies, local communities, non-profit organizations, businesses and the public who share a vision of a healthy river system while contributing to the local economy and livelihoods of area residents. The Lower San Pedro River Collaborative Conservation Initiative (initiative) would build on the success of existing cooperative landowner groups along the lower San Pedro River. This collaborative venture would be landowner/land manager driven; the Service would contribute an array of various tools that landowners could voluntarily and freely choose from, including technical assistance, cooperative agreements for management, grants, conservation easements, or fee title acquisition for what would ultimately be a national wildlife refuge. In Cochise County, the proposed National Wildlife Refuge would begin at “the narrows” near Cascabel and run northwestward to and beyond the County line. Two miles on both sides of the river’s banks would be included.
Any potential land or easement acquisition by the Service would only be from willing sellers or donors -- the initiative would be entirely voluntary, have no regulatory power, and would be guided by a steering group of landowners and land managers with support from agency/organization liaison representatives. The establishment of a national wildlife refuge would be through voluntary participation by landowners in sale or donation of property or conservation easements to benefit their financial condition or leave a conservation legacy. The initiative would embrace and continue to honor the working landscapes in the area by supporting working ranches and farms; landowners would remain free to manage their lands as they wish. The Service would coordinate resources to help landowners restore, improve, manage, or conserve their lands to maximize returns while contributing to a healthy river ecosystem. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected in late 2012 or early 2013.
Any potential land or easement acquisition by the Service would only be from willing sellers or donors -- the initiative would be entirely voluntary, have no regulatory power, and would be guided by a steering group of landowners and land managers with support from agency/organization liaison representatives. The establishment of a national wildlife refuge would be through voluntary participation by landowners in sale or donation of property or conservation easements to benefit their financial condition or leave a conservation legacy. The initiative would embrace and continue to honor the working landscapes in the area by supporting working ranches and farms; landowners would remain free to manage their lands as they wish. The Service would coordinate resources to help landowners restore, improve, manage, or conserve their lands to maximize returns while contributing to a healthy river ecosystem. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected in late 2012 or early 2013.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Send signed letter
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
Cochise County's input would not be considered.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Send signed letter