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by Peggy Dierking
for the Bulletin
from the Weekly Bulletin, 9/8/99
Two issues of local interest, the denial of the Sierra Grande Land Exchange appeal, and the philosophy of "open space," were discussed during the September 1 meeting of the Sonoita Crossroads Forum, held at the Sonoita Elgin Emergency Services Inc. (SEESI) facility, before an audience estimated to be at 30 people.
Shel Clark, president of the Forum, board of directors would decide whether or not to seek legal advice as the result of the denial of the Forum's appeal of the proposed Sierra Grande Land Exchange. Earlier, the Regional U.S. Forest Service Supervisor, Coronado National Forest, had rejected the Forum's appeal to stop the land exchange, amounting to about 500 acres, located west of Sonoita.
The audience raised many questions regarding the proposed land exchange, including who the new land recipient would be after the proposed exchange took place, the possibility of other environmental groups taking an interest in the Sonoita and also concerns about the out-of-date US. Forest Service management plan.
Since the U.S. Forest Service was not represented at the meeting, both George McKay, Forest Lands Officer, and the Public Afffairs Officer (PAO), Gail Aschenbrenner, Coronado National Forest's Tucson office, were contacted. McKay said,"Sometimes it isn't possible to make certain meetings," although he indicated that Sonoita was important to them. Aschenbrenner indicated that "the Regional Forester upheld the Forest Supervisor's decision regarding the Sierra Grande Land Exchange." John McGee, Forest Supervisor, wasn't immediately available for comment.
During the second half of the meeting, Lee Nellis, the Forum's planner, led the group in a discussion of "open space" philosophy, an integral component of planning for land development.
Nellis said that land protection approaches tended to revolve around the buying of property, and the procurement of conservation/scenic easements. Using map illustrations, he explained the pros and cons of fragmenting verus clustering patterns of lot developments, citing examples from other states.
He said it was possible "to achieve a reasonable return rate on property and also to be able to use incentives to get exactly what one wants." Nellis encouraged the group to consider the choices, preferences, priorities, and visions that they wanted to see happen for the community of Sonoita, and to bring their ideas to the next Forum meeting.
Clark said, "We welcome new members." His phone number is (520) 455-4711. Other members of the board of directors include: Chris Peterson, vice-president ((520) 455- 9388); Roger Ball, secretary; Pat Carnevale, treasurer; and Mick Davidson, Bill Branan, and Jane Woods, members.
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