TO THE Editor

Support state-trust-land bill

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.10.2007

A very fine article in the Arizona Daily Star, April 30, "Proposed reserve gains political support," by Tim Ellis. This is one example of grass-roots efforts of citizens trying to preserve a little state trust land for conservation.

The Arizona Legislature is currently considering legislation that would permit government entities to purchase selected state lands (less than about 2 percent of all state lands) at appraised value. Current regulations require all state lands to be sold at open auction, which makes them nearly impossible to preserve.

This legislation includes important parcels of state lands in Pima County and jurisdictions that need to be protected for open space, parks or preserves. Currently, not enough of our legislators are supporting this legislation.

We citizens who want some open space preserved need to contact our representatives now to encourage their support. All of Pima County and Southern Arizona need to encourage our Arizona legislators to fix this problem so that some open space can be protected while Pima County rapidly grows.


— Bill Adamson