We recently lost our legal effort in the State court system to prevent the SunZia infrastructure corridor from being routed through the most remote and ecologically sensitive portion of the San Pedro Valley, despite the existence of alternative routes through Arizona that would have been 100% co-located with existing power line corridors. We faced strong headwinds, because the Southwest Chapter of the National Audubon Society endorsed this extremely inappropriate and avoidable route without first consulting with local volunteer conservationists and Tribal Nations during SunZia's recent amendment process.
However, local Tribal Nations continue their fight in the Federal court system to gain recognition of lower San Pedro Valley as a traditional indigenous cultural landscape. We will soon be posting more about this effort and the remarkable legal support being provided by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD). Meanwhile, please donate to the Lower San Pedro River legal programs at CBD, or feel free to donate directly to us.
Legal representation is necessary to overcome the lobbying efforts of various interests that seek to irresponsibly exploit the lower San Pedro region's remarkable ecological and cultural landscape. In our first 11 years of existence, our all-volunteer organization learned that excessive academic efforts and repeatedly talking with stakeholders at meetings is far less effective at protecting this special landscape than partnering with organizations and tribal governments that are willing to take legal action. This is why we have narrowed down our mission statement, as presented on our home page.
Please consider joining our efforts. Have any questions? Feel free to contact us at LowerSanPedro@gmail.com