Living Desert Alliance

Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving

June 5, 2025 Having trouble viewing this newsletter?      View it as a Web page


NEWS FLASH! 

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LAWSUIT AGAINST ASLD MOVES FORWARD

 

Lawsuit challenging Copper World mining waste pipelines across state-protected land advances after court rejects motions to dismiss


A lawsuit brought forth by Save the Scenic Santa Ritas and Farmers Investment Co, challenging the Arizona State Land Department’s (ASLD) Board of Appeals approval of the right-of-way to Hudbay’s Copper World Inc. to transport mining waste across protected state Trust Land will be allowed to proceed after a Phoenix court rejected requests by the state and Hudbay to dismiss the case.


“This is a major step forward in our effort to stop Copper World from depleting our groundwater, polluting our air, destroying critical habitat for endangered species, and turning the 123-year-old experimental range into an industrial corridor where 40,000 heavy trucks a year will destroy the sensitive environment while threatening the lives of Sahuarita area residents,” said Thomas Nelson, SSSR Board President.


Click here to review the entire bulletin!

June 2025 Rally for Public Lands

Saturday, June 7th, 8:00am-9:00am


Join the Friends of the Ironwood Forests in their rally to celebrate the anniversary of the 1906 Antiquities Act and the 25th anniversary of Ironwood Forest National Monument.


The goal of the rally is to create strong visual messages for the media – and to send a clear message to decision-makers, that Arizona stands united for public lands.

This is your opportunity to be involved and provide a voice to protect this valuable monument.


Click here for detailed rally information


Photo courtesy of Discover Marana AZ.

ADEQ

Permits in Process Map


Want to learn more about the many permits in process and under review by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality?

 

If so, check out their Individual Permit in process (PIP) Interactive on-line map.

 

The ADEQ, whose mission is "To protect and enhance public health and the environment in Arizona," provides an interactive on-line map showing the locations of individual permits in process across Arizona allowing the public the opportunity to dig in and learn more about an application status.

 

The PIP report, which is updated nightly to keep the data current, includes information related to the most complex permitted facilities that ADEQ oversees, such as:

  • municipal wastewater treatment plants that treat your household sewage,
  • industrial sites that treat or store the by-products of an industrial process,
  • landfills and other waste storage facilities,
  • copper mines, copper smelters,
  • power facilities, and
  • other manufacturing operations.

Access to this information is important especially for those living in areas currently being developed or altered and interested in a permit's status for their own knowledge, protection, ability to monitor, or to ask questions of the ADEQ or other public officials if needed.


Click here

for an informative YouTube Video outlining

the many facets of this important interactive map.



The ADEQ also sends monthly notices about PIP via email.

Click to subscribe

Tucson Repair Cafe

Helping The Environment

One Item at a Time


The Tucson Repair Cafe is a volunteer-run space where you can get broken items fixed for free. They want to help reduce waste, decrease consumption, and teach community members how to repair items on their own. 

 

If you're looking for a way to help the environment, find friends, or just get your lamp fixed, stop by at any of their upcoming events


Special thanks to City of Tucson Council Member Kevin Dahl for providing this important information in his weekly news bulletin. Click here to learn more about Councilman Dahl’s personal on-site visit.


Shout out to Tucson Repair Cafe for doing their part to

Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving

Thinking About

Removing Your Backyard Pool?



Is your backyard pool rarely or never used? Are you tired of all the ongoing costs of pool ownership?


If so, you are not alone. According to Poolremoval.org, one in six pool owners surveyed wish they could get rid of their backyard pools.


So, why don’t people remove their pool? It’s simple… lack information and concerns about cost. So, to help you determine the benefits of pool removal, refer to any of the links below:


Click here to learn more

from a homeowner who took the plunge.

REMINDERS

Pima County

Climate Plan

Open sessions end in June


Pima County and its coalition partners have held five of seven Climate Input Sessions dedicated to focusing on reduction measures for greenhouse gas emissions from seven different sectors. Click here to review last week's LDA Newsletter for more information.


The final two sectors will focus on:

  • Natural & Working Lands: Thursday, June 5: 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. - Virtual 


  • Agriculture: Tuesday, June 10: 2 p.m.- 4. p.m. - Virtual


All sessions are free and open to the public.


To register, visit: www.pima.gov/ClimatePlan.

ADEQ

Nonpoint Source Management

Five-Year Plan


The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) whose mission is "To protect and enhance public health and the environment in Arizona, is seeking public input on the draft 2025–2030 Nonpoint Source Management Five-Year Plan, which outlines the strategies for reducing pollution and improving water quality across the state. Click here to review information from the LDA Newsletter


Submit comments ONLINE or by mail to:


  Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

   Attn: Caitlin Burwell

   Watershed Improvement Unit

   1110 W. Washington St. 

   Phoenix, AZ 85007


Comments must be postmarked or received by ADEQ by close of business Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum


SAVE OUR SAGUAROS!


Beat Back Buffalograss and Stinknet


Join the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM) and volunteer to combat invasive plants such as buffelgrass, stinknet and arundo.


Upcoming Events:

June 11th, 21st and 25th.

6:00 am - 9:00 am


Buffelgrass out-competes saguaros for space, nutrients and water. It also poses a serious fire risk both in the desert and in our city. Join others in their efforts to combat this weed. There will be live Desert Museum animals, tasty pastries and more.


Click here for links to multiple invasive plant removal events.


Click here to learn Stinknet from Stinket.org, a community of volunteers working in tandem with the ASDM to fight and stop the spread of this weed.

Living Desert Alliance