Saguaro National Park encompasses two geographically distinct areas: Rincon Mountain District and Tucson Mountain District. Of the two, only Rincon Park has significant riparian habitat due to Tanque Verde Ridge. The scope of this study includes Rincon Creek, its tributary riparian areas and Tanque Verde Creek riparian tributary areas within or immediately adjacent to the Park. Both of these creeks have riparian resources that will likely be impacted by proposed development adjacent to the Park boundaries.

In February of 1998, the Pima County Board of Supervisors launched what has evolved into the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP) -- a comprehensive effort to protect the Sonoran Desert, guide growth and rationalize land development in the metropolitan Tucson region. Proponents of this planning process maintained that the project would reconcile conflicts between human activities and conservation, providing benefits for both wildlife and economic development. Critics, however, have increasingly alleged that implementing such an initiative will adversely affect land and housing markets, increase taxes and create problems of housing affordability. Over time a pressing need has consequently grown for objective information about the possible fiscal and economic impacts of the conservation programs being assembled by Pima County. This report addresses that need. It is a tool in the form of an impartial framework for assessment that government officials, environmentalists, business people and the general public can use for debate and decision-making.