This report addresses (1) expenditures for the recruitment, retention, training, licensing, and tracking of homes maintained by foster parents; (2) an assessment of whether the Department’s contract process of home recruitment, study, and supervision is the most appropriate means to provide these services; and (3) best performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of these services. Although contracting appears to be an appropriate method for obtaining foster home recruitment-related services, the Department should improve how it contracts for these services.

This request for a Physical Map Revision is for a reach of Camino de Oeste Wash from Foret Road to Camino De Oeste Road. This PMR is to reflect improved topographical data available subsequent to the Flood Insurance Study of this area, and to establish base flood elevations for the floodplain.

Originally, the purpose of the study was to obtain either a Letter of Map Revision or a Physical Map Revision from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Unfortunately, during the initial stages of the investigation, it became apparent that FEMA's guidelines for these types of map revisions could not be accommodated, primarily due to flow-distribution conflicts.

Acquisition of this property in northeastern Pima County will prevent development of this property, conserve an important tributary to the San Pedro River, conserve riparian habitat associated with an intermittent stream and springs, and further goals of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan. The acquisition is ideally located to expand the emerging reserve system in the San Pedro watershed, which is anchored by the County's A7 Ranch, and complemented by the existing Buehman Canyon Preserve. This report provides preliminary biological and cultural information on this acquisition. Additional biological and cultural resource information will be available after County staff and consultants complete surveys of the property.