In the early 1990s, a study of the Tanque Verde Creek by Dr. Julie Stromberg and others described the relationship between the depth to groundwater and the health of the mesquite woodland habitat in the area. This report revisits the Stromberg study to describe variations in groundwater levels since the report was completed early last decade. They identified around 3,000 acres of riparian vegetation in the Tanque Verde-Agua Caliente shallow groundwater zone.

Elements of the comprehensive plan now include planning for water resources that must address the currently available surface water, groundwater, and effluent supplies and provide an analysis of how the future growth projected in the county plan will be adequately served by the legally and physically available water supply. This is the first study to be issued as part of the Water Resources Element and identifies a number of measures that can be taken to conserve water, including measures that can be taken by Pima County in the form of ordinance adoption.

On the County's behalf, the Arizona Open Land Trust has entered into two purchase agreements for the Buckelew Farms property. Under this conservation acquisition proposal, farming would continue in the areas currently farmed, grazing would continue on a seasonal basis, and the popular annual pumpkin festival would continue. However, the County and the Buckelew's would work together to enhance opportunities for wildlife habitat on the farm and grazing lands.

The Augusta Resources Corporation proposes to construct the Rosemont Mine project in the northern Santa Rita Mountains. This report is a reconnaissance analysis of the conceptual flow and water balance in the area. The conceptual flow model for the area is based on topography, geology and precipitation and identifies the likely flow paths in the watershed and aquifer system. The water balance includes estimates of recharge to and groundwater flow from the area; there is no evapotranspiration discharge from the regional groundwater.

During the planning process for the SDCP, concerns were raised regarding loss of property tax revenue as well as adverse tax base impacts of Pima County purchasing parcels for open space. This report assesses impacts in two ways. First, the net assessed values of the open space parcels before purchase are compared to the sum of the net assessed values of all parcels in Pima County and in each applicable school district. Second, the property taxes assessed by Pima County and applicable school districts on each open space parcel before purchase is compared to the sum of the property taxes assessed on all parcels within Pima County and applicable school districts.