Vandalism originating from recreational target shooting is a major problem on public lands. Read this recent article written by AZCentral, Monument’s cactuses hit; target-shooting ban eyed, to learn about this issue facing the Ironwood Forest National Monument near Tucson.

Unfortunately, the actions of a few inconsiderate people have consequences for all of us and the land and its resources we cherish.

President Clinton designated the 486,400 acre Arizona monument in 2001. Since then, the federal agency has worked to update land use planning documents through a complex public participation and environmental impacts analysis process.” A draft document was released in August, with the public comment period closing last week. The BLM received nearly 5,000 comments that are currently being categorized and analyzed and will be addressed in the Proposed Resource Management Plan. The BLM expects to publish this document in May 2012. Rather than go back to court, the parties agreed to extend the deadline.

“We want BLM to provide the best, most well-considered, and thoughtful plan for the monument,” says Greta Anderson, Deputy Director of Western Watersheds Project. “If they need nine more months to review public comments, consider all the available data, and revise their proposed actions, we’re willing to give it to them. But we’re not going to wait forever.”

“After the August release of the Draft Resource Management Plan, we conducted meetings with the public and agencies representing many constituencies. We believe this extension of time to complete our planning process will enable us to adequately consider and address comments and craft the best plan for guiding management of the Sonoran Desert National Monument, as well as the other 930,200 acres of public lands within the Lower Sonoran Field Office for many years to come,” explains Emily Garber, the BLM field manager.

Anderson noted that conservation groups took issue with many parts of the draft plan, including issues relating to livestock grazing throughout the monument.

Until the management plan is completed, the settlement also mandates that sections of the monument currently closed to motorized traffic and off-highway vehicle use shall remain closed. In 2008, the BLM closed 88 miles of roads to restore damaged resources and protect the monument. All other stipulated agreements in the 2010 lawsuit settlement remain in effect.

Where: Participants will meet on the south side of the Interstate 8, Vekol Road Exit (Exit no.144). The Vekol Road Exit is about 28-miles east of Gila Bend.

Date: 21 January 2012

Time: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm

Details: Participants will drive between 5 and 8-miles south on the Vekol Road to the water catchments. The road is unpaved but maintained regularly.

Bring binoculars, telescopes, bird books and whatever you need to have a great experience. Dress for cold weather and bring snacks and water.

Registration: Pre-registration is required. Register at info@sonorandesertfriends.org.

Trail Map Directions

The group wants to preserve for future generations the ecology, cultural heritage and recreational opportunities in the Sonoran Desert west of Phoenix.

The public lands, whichare managed by the Bureau of Land Management, form a rough crescent stretching from the northwest edge of the Maricopa County to lands west of the White Tank Mountains and southeast of Estrella Mountain Regional Park.

The proposal would protect the Sonoran Desert environment, its open space, the varied plants and wildlife and the corridors used by wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mountain lions, mule deer, Gila monsters, Sonoran Desert tortoises and 350 species of birds.

Equally important, organizers said, is the preservation of open space beneath flight corridors used by Luke Air Force Base and other military installations that fly to the Barry M. Goldwater Range west of Ajo.

Matt Skroch, executive director of the Arizona Wilderness Coalition, said the main objective is to maintain a balance of economic development, growth and environment in one ofthe state’s fastest-growing regions. “Because of the vast landscape of public land . . . real discussion began about how to shape the destiny of parks and natural areas to complement the incredible growth,” Skroch said.

Protecting open space means millions of recreational dollars to the state, group members say. They say that outdoor recreation supports more than 15,000 jobs in the state, and hunting and fishing generate more than $1.3 billion. All outdoor-related recreation in Arizona, such as bird-watching, sightseeing and hiking, produces nearly $5 billion annually in services and retail sales across the state.

And Luke Air Force Base has 7,000 employees and an annual financial impact to the state of more than $2.1 billion annually.

Mike Quigley, Arizona’s representative for the Wilderness Society, said the group wants to preserve the heritage of the West Valley. “Our outreach efforts so far have included discussions with developers, business interests, cities and towns in the West Valley, utilities, environmental-conservation organizations, landowners and others to identify important public lands,” Quigley said. “Now, we’re casting a wider net and asking our fellow Arizonans to join us in this process.”

The plan requires congressional approval, which the group hopes to obtain by 2012. The conservation initiative must have Congress designate the lands as three categories that offer differing levels of protection to specific areas, such as making some land wilderness, some national-conservation areas and some special-management areas.

Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., who represents part of the area, said he is “very open” to the plan. “One of the more important benefits would be furthering the mission of Luke Air Force Base,” said Franks, adding that the proposal should be drawn up in a way that doesn’t hurt plans for the proposed Interstate 11, which would be a critical part of the Canamex Corridor, a highway and rail route that would connect Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. I-11 would connect I-10 to U.S. 93 near Wickenburg.

However, he wouldn’t commit to sponsoring a bill. Adam Sarvana, communications director for Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., whose district
includes some of the land, said the congressman supports the concept but won’t take the lead on the legislation.

Dennis Godfrey, a spokesman for the Bureau of Land Management, said the bureau can’t comment onthe proposal until there is specific legislation.
For more details, go to sonoranheritage.org.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/swvalley/articles/2011/05/26/20110526sonoran-desert-protection.html#ixzz1Nwv2HOit

Reptiles and Amphibians of the Sonoran Desert National Monument
Join the Friends of the Sonoran Desert National Monument for an evening of viewing and learning about nocturnal reptiles and amphibians that inhabit the area. These fieldtrips will focus on the northern part of the Sonoran Desert National Monument between Maricopa and Gila Bend along State Route 238.
When: Saturdays June 11 and 25
Times: 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Where: To be determined
Cost: Free
Register (required) at www.info@sonorandesertfriends.org or by calling 480.648.9864

Desert Tortoise Surveys
The Friends of the Sonoran Desert National Monument will assist the Bureau of Land Management in determining the population of desert tortoises in the northern portion of the Sonoran Desert National Monument.
When: Saturdays and/or Sundays from July 17 – August 21
Time: 5:00 am – 10:00 am
Where: To be determined
Cost: Free
Details: Exact times and dates will be determined by volunteer availability.
Register (required) at www.infor@sonorandesertfriends.org or by calling 480.648.9864
Reptiles and Amphibians of the Sonoran Desert National Monument
Join the Friends of the Sonoran Desert National Monument for an evening of viewing and learning about nocturnal reptiles and amphibians that inhabit the area. These fieldtrips will focus on the southern part of the Sonoran Desert National Monument south of Interstate 8 between Casa Grande and Gila Bend.
When: Saturdays June 11 and 25
Times: 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Where: To be determined
Cost: Free
Register (required) at info@sonorandesertfriends.org or by calling 480.648.9864

Public Lands Day 2011
Join the Friends of the Sonoran Desert National Monument for a day of showing our appreciation of the Sonoran Desert National Monument by helping restore degraded landscapes on the monument.
When: Saturday September 24
Time: 6:00 am – noon
Location: To be announced
Cost: Free
Register (required) at info@sonorandesertfriends.org or by calling 480.648.9864

Anza Trail Restoration
Join the Friends of the Sonoran Desert National Monument for a day restoring degraded portions of the Juan de Anza National Historic Trail.
When: Saturdays October 22 and November 12
Times: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: To be announced
Cost: Free
Register (required) at info@sonorandesertfriends.org or by calling 480.648.9864

Unfortunately the splendor of the Sonoran Desert National Monument has been disturbed again by criminal activities. As been reported in the media the Vekol Valley is a major route for drug smugglers.  According to law enforcement officials, smugglers will “rip off” each other given the chance. As the news story linked below reports, sometimes it turns deadly.

Read the full article on AZ Family

Mar. 2, 2011
The Arizona Republic

Arizona got a big parting gift in the final years of the Clinton administration: five national monuments.

With the president’s signature, Ironwood Forest, Sonoran Desert, Agua Fria, Vermilion Cliffs and Grand Canyon-Parashant were set aside for us to enjoy in their natural splendor. Their rich habitat, stunning scenery and archaeology are protected for future generations.

The 1906 Antiquities Act gives presidents the authority to designate national monuments. It’s a power that has served Arizona well. Theodore Roosevelt used it in 1908 to preserve 800,000 acres of the Grand Canyon . We have had 25 national monuments designated under the act – more than any other state. They’ve largely encompassed federal land, providing a higher level of protection; some later became national parks.

They range from Montezuma Castle (T.R. again) to Canyon de Chelly (Herbert Hoover) to Casa Grand Ruins (Calvin Coolidge).

Fifteen presidents – Democrats and Republicans, including George W. Bush – have protected natural, historic and prehistoric landmarks with monument status.

But three bills in Congress would undercut this authority, whether by requiring a congressional OK or by mandating approval from state legislatures and governors.

This is a guarantee for delay, politics and pressure from special interests. The Antiquities Act has been a valuable tool for more than a century. America should keep it.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2011/03/02/20110302wed2-02.html#ixzz1FeUXsE2e

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