Madera Canyon Threatened

Birders around the world know Madera Canyon as one of the best birding sites in Arizona and in North America. Explosive development around Green Valley has greatly changed the approach to the canyon, as recent visitors can attest; now, however, a new housing development threatens the canyon itself.

 

George West, for the Friends of Madera Canyon, writes:

“The glorious Santa Rita Mountain sky island offers a scenic view for residents of Green Valley and surrounding communities. Next time you step outside for a look, let your eyes drift downslope to the golden alluvial fan of grasslands that forms the base of the Santa Ritas. The open space that you are viewing is one of the few remaining unfragmented desert grassland habitats in Pima County. A substantial majority of Pima County residents voted that such open spaces be protected and the Conservation Acquisition Commission classified the grasslands at the base of Madera Canyon as High Priority Private Habitat. Unfortunately, some of the high priority private lands, such as the two square-miles owned by the Kettenbachs, remain in private hands. Pima County has offered to purchase the property and keep the open space intact, but the Kettenbachs have thus far refused to even negotiate a sale. “Why should we agree that a family from Massachusetts, who will never have to see what their development will do to our lands, has the moral right to begin the large-scale removal of some of our last remaining open space for private financial gain? Incredibly, the developers of Cielo Madera Estates want us to believe that there will be no visual or environmental impact from a cluster of 288 homes, some two stories high. The Friends of Madera Canyon know better, and common sense supports our view that a cluster development on the Kettenbach property will forever change the character of the Santa Rita Mountains. 

“The visual impact on the unbroken open space is not the only problem we have to be concerned with. We are all aware that the Santa Rita Mountains is one of only a few sky islands in southeastern Arizona. The biological importance of the sky island ecosystem is unique. It contains a mixture of northern and Mexican species of birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, and plants not found elsewhere in North America. Besides being a world-class birding area that draws hundreds of birders and tourists each year, the Santa Ritas and Madera Canyon in particular have been designated a globally important bird migration area. This unique ecosystem does not stop at the Coronado National Forest boundary, but extends throughout the mesquite grasslands below the canyon. Nesting birds including 15 species of hummingbirds and the Elegant Trogon turn east and fly up the arroyos through the grasslands to nest there and in the canyon.  “Madera Canyon is accessible by a single paved road with three one-way bridges. The developer predicts that traffic flow will increase from about 300 trips per day to over 3,000 once the 288 homes are occupied. Each summer the Forest Service watches the weather and as the vegetation dries out and the monsoons begin, it is concerned with lightning strikes or a wayward campfire or cigarette to launch another forest or grassland fire. When the next fire occurs, rapid evacuation of canyon and Cielo residents over Madera Canyon Road could prove to be impossible. 

“We are also concerned about the availability of water. If a home uses only 4,000 gallons of water per month, then the annual water requirement for homes alone would amount to almost 14 million gallons. Where will the water for this development come from? Where will the waste water and sewage go? The Kettenbachs’ plan is to build a sewage treatment plant on site. What will be the downstream consequences?

“The Friends of Madera Canyon has sponsored natural history field trips for fourth-grade students from schools in the Santa Cruz valley to Madera Canyon for 15 years. We have taught the students to respect their environment and to protect not only the natural elements within the canyon, but the sky island ecosystem as a whole. As a first step in this battle for the integrity of the ecosystem of which Madera Canyon is a part, we are asking former students, parents, grandparents, and local residents to join with us to keep the Santa Rita sky island ecosystem intact by telling the planning commission NOT to approve the variance request for this cluster development and at every opportunity, reject proposals for development within this ecosystem. Join with us and help the Friends lead the fight to keep Madera Canyon and the Santa Ritas from being sacrificed on the altar of development. Future generations will thank you!”