Pima County is endowed with many mineral resources, not only copper mines, but also the important products such as sand, gravel, and limestone used everyday in supporting the infrastructure of our cities. It is essential that these mineral resources, and the lands where they occur, remain available for exploration and development. This report presents an assessment of the mineral resources of Pima County based on hard data derived from many experienced geologists working in the private sector and from publications of state and federal government agencies.

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.

This draft report results from Board direction to develop a comprehensive environmental based response to urban growth pressures. The draft plan itself is the merger of active citizen discussion regarding growth with the Coalition for the Sonoran Desert Protection Plan and others, along with integration of a number of past and present County activities that are natural resource protection oriented.

One of the most pressing growth related problems is the proliferation of wildcat subdividing, or lot splitting. It is generally defined as the proliferation of new residential parcels without the benefit of subdivision regulation. Often these areas are devoid of any basic infrastructure, standard environmental regulation, subdivision standards, or infrastructure requirements. This report addresses seven areas of concern.

To facilitate development of the Environmental Impact Statement which must accompany the Section 10 multi-species conservation proposal, a series of issue papers have been written. This study presents a brief look at outdoor recreation issues and describes the impacts of five alternative permit strategies might have on the County's ability to maintain recreation opportunities.