The Multimodal Planning Division (MPD) of the Arizona Department of Transportation has been tasked with identifying corridors throughout the state where improvements to the transportation infrastructure supports the greatest potential commercial and economic benefits. These "Key Commerce Corridors" represent a strategic statewide approach to leverage infrastructure improvements to enhance Arizona's competitive economic position. This document presents the basis for the identification and evaluation of the Key Commerce Corridors.

Concern has been expressed that mesquite bosques are disappearing or diminishing in quality, and that the survival of the mesquite mouse is consequently threatened. This study, funded by a grant from the Arizona Heritage Fund to the Pima County Regional Flood Control District, investigated the current distribution of the mesquite mouse by reviewing historical records from museum specimens, examining existing potential habitat at historic locations of the species and elsewhere in the county, and conducting a live-trapping study at 19 sites representing a range of ecological communities with mesquite as a major component.