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TASK AREAS The Roundtable's steering committee, the Core Working Group, has set four primary task areas as the foci of Roundtable efforts. These were developed from listening to discussions over the course of the first 6-8 months of meetings:
A State-wide Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program Two full meetings of the Roundtable have been devoted to education on PDR and PDR programs, and discussion of whether a state-wide PDR program would be appropriate in Arizona. In October '98, the Roundtable focused on learning about PDRs and conservation easements at the individual property transaction level. At a January 15, 1999 meeting, the Roundtable hosted Erik Vink of American Farmland Trust in California, and C.J. Mucklow from Routt County, Colorado. They provided information about programs in California and Colorado. The rest of the meeting then was devoted to envisioning what an appropriate program for Arizona might look like. On February 8th, the results of these discussions were presented to the Governor's Smart Growth Commission's subcommittee on PDR. To learn more, take a look at the information paper on PDR programs.
Toolkit for Ranchers The Toolkit provides sources of information to ranch families who may be faced with having to sell their ranch for real estate development, but who would rather remain in ranching. A webpage full of links to sources of information on conservation easements, estate planning, alternative sources of ranch income and more has been developed. It's called the Toolkit for Ranchers.
State Trust Lands Issues The legal framework guiding State Trust Land policies was developed when Arizona become a state in 1912. It was crafted to meet the needs of a new and sparsely populated state. The framework needs to be made more viable for the 21st century. Because of the potential for real estate development on State Trust Lands as well as the fact that they encompass much of the grassland areas in Arizona, this topic is of concern to the Roundtable. We plan to focus a future meeting on this topic and coordinate efforts with other groups in the state who are looking at this type of policy reform.
Federal Issues The Endangered Species Act (ESA) and other laws and regulations were designed to protect bio-diversity and habitats on which all life depends. However, there have been difficulties in reconciling the single-species management approach that currently characterizes the administration of the ESA with the need for a more systemic approach to insuring healthy ecological processes and systems. We need better science to inform decision-making concerning endangered species protection. And, an adaptive management approach that allows for and accommodates natural fluctuations in ecological systems may be the most effective approach to sustainable use of landscapes, at the same time as it allows for the continual accrual of scientific information that deepens our understanding of ecological systems. The August, 1998 meeting of the Roundtable focused on issues of concern to Roundtable participants with respect to the administration of laws and regulations on federal lands where ranchers hold grazing leases. Upcoming meetings of the Roundtable will focus on thinking through the best ideas for policy reform that will ensure protection of both native species and livelihoods that sustainably protect open space, including ecologically-sensitive ranching operations. For
further information contact:
Mette Brogden The
University of Arizona
Phone (520) 884-4393 * The Udall Center acts as a neutral convener and facilitator of the Arizona Commonground Roundtable. As part of this support role, the Center is temporarily hosting this web site. |