Trouble in Tortuga!
A Rangeland Conflict Simulation Exercise

Appendix 2
Personal Statement by
Becky Jordan, Arizona House of Representatives

BECKY JORDAN
1700 WEST WASHINGTON
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85007-2848
CAPITOL PHONE (502) 542-3376
_________________________
DISTRICT 16
Arizona House of Representatives
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
COMMITTEES: NATURAL RESOURCES & AGRICULTURE.
CHAIRMAN
RURAL & NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS
TRANSPORTATION

October 9, 1996

Private property rights and compensation for the perceived loss of those rights is the current battle cry of cattle growers and the Farm Bureau. This year's legislative candidates surveys asked the question "What government agency or department most imposes on private property rights?" or something to that effect. My answer to that is every homeowners' association codes, covenants and restrictions and every city and county planning and zoning commission. Even the new auto emissions law allowing only one waiver after a vehicle fails the test is going to take away someone's right to the use of his property. The only difference between the ordinary urban citizen and a farmer, rancher or logger is a matter of scale. We all pay some price for living in a civilized society and for the right to own property in that society. That is not a privilege universally enjoyed.

The process for compensation for development rights and conservation easements on private lands is in place and working effectively through private agencies such as the Nature Conservancy. I feel this is the appropriate route. The various levels of government already "own" enough land in Arizona. The common complaint is that too much of Arizona's land is government lands so placing more acreage in government ownership seems a step backwards.

Compensation for lost grazing allocations where grazing allocations are based on carrying capacity defies logic.

introduced the concept for conservation partnerships during this past session. I had hopes that these partnerships could not only resolve some ongoing conflicts between agricultural interests and various departments and agencies but also result in achieving conservation goals of benefit to all parties in the partnership and to all Arizonans.

These partnerships were to be initiated only by the land owner or lease holder to ensure that they were entered into fully voluntarily. Partners were to be the land owner/lessee and either a state agency or an organization such as the Arizona Antelope Society, Ducks Unlimited, the Audubon Society, etc. for the purpose of habitat restoration or preservation to meet the common goals of au parties. Terms of payment for conservation projects would be a part of the partnership and would be determined by mutual agreement. The purpose was to give long term assurance to the owner/lessee that objectives would remain unchanged so long as terms of the partnership were adhered to by all members.

Ever changing objectives seem to be a major source of confrontation so my attempt was to reach stability through a balanced effort from both sides of rangeland planners and users.