With the passage of the Federal Endangered Species Act in 1973, the stage was set for a confrontation between urban development and the provisions of Federal Law. Language was amended to the Act that established standards that a plan would have to meet before the Fish and Wildlife Service could approve it and issue a permit for the take of a listed species. In those jurisdictions that have adopted this approach, conservation of natural resources is no longer an afterthought but a major element that has to be considered during the regular land use permitting process.

Identifies transportation infrastructure investments that may help leverage the economic potential of the study area and foster future land development. Describes the study area’s existing and future transportation conditions and presents transportation framework recommendations based on planning by Aztec Land & Cattle Company, the Town of Snowflake and Taylor, and Navajo County. It presents findings from case studies on inland ports and rural industrial developments and discusses possible funding sources and strategies for infrastructure investment.