Arizona's fish story begins in 1904 with the publication of Morton Chambrlain's "Survey of Arizona Fishes", the first detailed study by an aquatic biologist of the area. He was able to count sixteen native species in Arizona. Today more than half are either extinct or listed as threatened or endangered, and most of the rest are considered to be imperiled. In Pima County, we count more extirpated native fish than remaining residents. The story, absent a fairly dramatic change in circumstances, will end with the extirpation or extinction of all native fish in the region. This report provides an opportunity to change the circumstances of aquatic and riparian systems in eastern Pima County.

Provides a snapshot of past and current conditions, and represents the very best of collaborative efforts between the expert community and County staff. This study was made possible by a gift from Dr. Wendell Minckley of a database that provided information about all known surveys of native fish within Pima County, including the species, river basin, drainage, date, number of specimens collected, collector, museum catalogue number, citations, locality, and any comments made.

Conservation of the Tortolita Alluvial Fan landscape has been promoted by Pima County and Town of Marana over the past two decades. An interdepartmental team was formed to evaluate flood and debris flow hazards and the potential to create an expanded Tortolita Fan Preserve. This report provides an overview of the alluvial fan characteristics and evaluates information on the significance of the biological and cultural resources to determine of the area meets the criteria to create a federal preserve.