Living Desert Alliance
Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving
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Marana Rejects Data Center Referendum Petitions
Cites legal descriptions of properties missing from applications
The Town of Marana announced yesterday that it has rejected both referendum petitions aimed at overturning the recent rezoning approval for a proposed data center campus by Beale Infrastructure, the same developer behind Project Blue in Pima County.
In its statement, the Town explained that the petitions—submitted by Arizonans for Responsible Development and sponsored by Worker Power PAC—were legally invalid because they failed to include the required legal descriptions of the affected properties. For any zoning-related referendum, those descriptions are mandatory. Without them, the petitions cannot proceed; thus, Marana voters lose their chance to weigh in on the data center project at the ballot box.
The rejection came on the heels of an unexpected twist. On Tuesday, February 17, the law firm Barton Mendez Soto, representing Arizonans for Responsible Development, submitted a letter requesting that the petitions be withdrawn. The firm stated that Worker Power, led by executive director and doard member Fred Yamashita of the Arizona AFL-CIO, “no longer supports placing these measures on the ballot.” No explanation accompanied the reversal. The Town denied the withdrawal request, noting that state law provides no mechanism to remove referendum petitions once filed. The town clerk was obligated to complete the statutory review.
Then, in a move that surprised many, the petitions were rejected anyway—this time because they lacked the required legal descriptions. That omission raises serious questions. How did such a basic, well‑known requirement go unnoticed by both the sponsoring organization and its legal counsel? What happened during their review process that allowed such a fundamental error to slip through?
For Marana residents who signed both petitions, the outcome feels like a breach of trust. Thousands participated in good faith, believing their signatures would give the community a voice in a major land‑use decision. Instead, they now find themselves sidelined without a clear explanation for why the effort collapsed.
To many, this episode feels less like a procedural misstep and more like a public betrayal—one that silences a community at the very moment it sought to be heard.
The LDA is disappointed in this outcome and will keep you posted on future developments. Click here for additional information
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Oppose State
Land Auction Now!
It's Not Too Late!
It’s not too late to voice your opposition to the April 29th auction of 160 acres of state land to Toronto-based Hudbay Minerals. You can do so by sending a letter to Governor Hobbs requesting the auction be withdrawn until after Hudbay releases its Final Feasibility Study, expected in the middle of this year. (Click here for sample letter and additional information as contained in last week's LDA newsletter).
Want to learn more?
A Community Town Hall Meeting, sponsored by the Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, will be held on Saturday, February 28th from 1 - 3:00pm at the Corona Foothills Middle School, 16705 S. Houghton Rd. Vail, AZ.
All are invited to attend this informative event to learn about the open-pit mine, its impact on water, the environment, and the Town of Sahuarita. It will also include the latest information about the State Land auction, as noted above. If Hudbay gets that parcel, it gives them an open path to their planned northern tailings storage area less than two miles from a 1000-home subdivision and an elementary school!
Now is the time to send your letters to Governor Hobbs and please,
plan to attend this important community meeting.
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US Food and Drug Administration
Working to Reduce
Food Waste 50% by 2030.
Did you know the US Food and Drug Administration has set a goal of reducing food waste 50% by 2030?
That’s right, in May 2024, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed the formal agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to renew their Federal Interagency Collaboration to Reduce Food Loss and Waste (FIFLAW).
According to the USDA website, food waste is estimated at between 30–40 percent of the food supply and is the single largest category of material placed in municipal landfills, representing wasted nourishment that could have helped feed families in need.
Additionally, water, energy, and labor used to produce wasted food could have been employed for other purposes. Effectively reducing food waste requires cooperation among federal, state, tribal and local governments, faith-based institutions, environmental organizations, communities, consumers, and the entire supply chain.
Here are steps you can take right now to get started:
We can all play a part of achieving this 50% reduction goal by using these tips to reduce waste, save money and protect our environment.
Together we can make a difference
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River Run Network Arundo Removal
Arcadia Wash
Tonight... Thursday, February 19th
4:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Looking for something meaningful—and fun—to do tonight? Join Watershed Management Group for a hands-on community effort to help protect and beautify our local waterways.
Carmina Diamente, Community Engagement and River Restoration Apprentice, and Henry Schon, Restoration and Outreach Intern, will be leading an evening of invasive‑species removal along our creeks.
Small patches of Arundo have been spotted in the Arcadia Wash, and with your help, they can be removed before they spread and threaten the health of our arroyos, rivers, and creeks.
All tools and supplies will be provided, and you’re welcome to bring your own gloves, water bottle, or loppers if you prefer. No experience is needed—just a willingness to pitch in and enjoy time outdoors with neighbors who care about our rivers.
This event is part of WMG’s River Run Network, a community of people who learn about and steward our waterways through walks, restoration projects, clean‑ups, and workshops. If you’re not yet a member, you’ll be added when you register. Membership is free and includes a regular e‑newsletter with upcoming events.
They’d love to have you join them for this important and rewarding evening of river care.
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Marana 2026
Hiking Challenge
Saturday, February 21st
Marana’s 14th Edition MOVE Across 2 Ranges Hiking Challenge is set for Saturday, February 21st.
As their website states, “This event is an awesome way to explore nature and get active. Hit the trails and experience the challenge and beauty of Southern Arizona's Tortolita and Catalina Mountains in one day! Trail run, hike, or stroll through this fun event. Join them for another year of fun and adventure.”
Starting at the Wild Burro Trailhead - 14810 N. Secret Spring Road, (trailhead located inside the Ritz-Carlton gate) attendees can register for different participation levels ranging from Mighty to Major to Mega to Massive, depending on skill levels and experience.
Register now to reserve a space for this exciting Sonoran Desert event.
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Days of Connection Santa Cruz River Cleanup
Saturday, February 28th, 9 AM to 12 PM
Mark your calendar for the third annual Days of Connection Biodiversity Fiesta, part of Save Our Saguaros month.
Join Tucson Clean and Beautiful, the Arizona‑Sonora Desert Museum, Pima County, Tucson Bird Alliance and many more partners on Saturday, February 28th from 9 AM–12 PM at 2405 S. Cottonwood Ln., Tucson, for a morning packed with hands‑on activities and lively community energy.
Expect music, snacks, and plenty of green space to explore. Roll up your sleeves to help care for the Santa Cruz River by picking up litter with Tucson Clean and Beautiful and the Sonoran Institute, or learn how to spot and remove invasive plants with experts from Pima County Cooperative Extension and Tucson Bird Alliance.
You’ll also meet live animals from the Arizona‑Sonora Desert Museum, enjoy nature‑inspired art activities, and discover the ongoing community work led by Las Milpitas and the Southern Arizona Community Food Bank. Educators from Pima County Conservation Lands and the Regional Flood Control District will be on hand to share how they’re protecting our public lands.
Join in to celebrate, connect, and make a difference—Fiesta style!
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