Residents Voice Concerns Over Picture Rocks Airport Proposal

More than 70 residents rallied together at the Picture Rocks Community Center on August 27th to voice their concerns about noise, environmental impacts, and potential home value effects of a proposed airstrip in the area.

The planned Marana Tactical Flight LLC development, located on approximately 410 acres three miles west of Picture Rocks, would be used as a "backup facility" for the current Marana Regional Airport due to increased activity at the airport, to include a dirt runway and small hangar, according to a letter to nearby residents. 

Attendees expressed frustration over noise implications, environmental impact and on-going unpermitted activities at the proposed site, such as trespassing on private property. “We’ve had them (military parachutists) land on our property. We’ve had them (military personal) parked on our property waiting for people to land.”

Currently, Pima County has not received an official application for the airstrip. Once submitted, the proposal will need to go through the aviation committee, the county’s zoning and planning commission, and the Pima County Board of Supervisors for approval.

The LDA first reported this in our July 3rd newsletter. At that time, the community had heard little of this proposal. Since then, they have rallied together to force what was to be a slam dunk approval for the Marana Tactical Flight LLC proposal to now being one being watched closely by the Picture Rocks community and Ward 3 Pima County Board Supervisor Jen Allen. Cheers to the residents who organized their neighbors and to all who attended. Your efforts are making a difference!

Click to review KVOA4 and KGUN9 videos of the meeting and hear directly from residents and county officials. 

Project Blue

The Monster That Won't Die!

Project Blue may not be dead as TEP files plan with ACC

The Project Blue data center plan shut down by the Tucson City Council just a few weeks ago appears to have a lifeline in a recent filing for electric service.

To the surprise of the Pima County Supervisors, and despite community objections, TEP has requested the Arizona Corporation Commission to approve an energy supply agreement for Project Blue. “I was flabbergasted when I received the news that this next iteration of Project Blue was coming our way. I think it was a slap in the face by Tucson Electric Power,” said District 5 Pima County Supervisor Andres Cano. Click here to view a KOLD13 report, including TEP’s rationale for moving forward.

Let's get real here. These gigantic data centers are being pushed forward not only in Pima County, but throughout the entire nation. They are water and electricity guzzlers, and the proposals submitted to municipalities are secretive, non-specific, and structured to be financial windfalls to investors such as Google, Amazon, Meta, TEP and more.

While they tout the many benefits of building these monsters, many times they prove to be financial drains on entire communities. Click here for an in-depth look at the hidden costs and effects of these giant data centers on communities throughout the United States, and what is pushing them forward.

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Pima County Board of Supervisors Meeting

Tuesday, September 2nd

Call to public and NDAs

Click here to review Tuesday's September 2nd, Pima County Board of Supervisors (PCBS) meeting (at approximately 00:32:55 min) where over 35 citizens spoke passionately against Project Blue during an extended "Call to Public" session. Each called on board members to vote against approving the sale for environmental, social, and moral issues, with many pointing out that the agreement is null and void due to the City of Tucson's unanimous rejection of extending water rights.

In an executive session that lasted three hours (also included in the above link at approximately 6:14:36), the PCBS voted to change the way they handle Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and clarifications that include providing 90 days of public notice before the board votes on an item that was under an NDA. Part of the public outcry over Project Blue was how long information was held secret under an NDA. The board approved it on a vote of four to one. Supervisor Steve Christie voted against it, as well as a policy for environmental impact review for large economic development projects that the board approved. Click here to view a KOLD 13 New report of this meeting.

Benson Residents Voice Concerns Over Aluminum Plant to ADEQ

A lack of transparency was at the top of Benson residents’ minds

On August 22^nd, ADEQ held a public hearing to review an air quality permit for a 200-acre aluminum recycling plant.

Kold 13 News reports that a lack of transparency was at the top of Benson residents’ minds as hundreds voiced their concerns to Arizona Department of Environmental Quality over the plant's construction. The biggest concern of the meeting surrounded air pollution, including where the plant will be located and how nearby residents could be impacted.

“Our government here locally is not transparent at all,” one resident said.

Kold 13 News interviewed City Manager, Greg Volter. He told them they have followed all rules and regulations in this process and that their hands are tied because the Mississippi-based company purchased land zoned for heavy industrial purposes. “Businesses have the right to come into a location that’s properly zoned. Volter went on to say the government is committed to Benson’s future, taking into consideration all that was said during the meeting.

Click here

for the full Kold 13 News Report.

Click here

to sign a petition opposing this plant.

Click here

for a water and air pollutant summary obtained from the projects permit proposal summarizing the overall negative environmental impact of the project.

We'll keep you posted!

Sonoran Institute's Annual

Santa Cruz River Dragonfly Festival

September 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025

Join the Sonoran Institute for their 7th annual celebration of dragonflies on the Santa Cruz River with a Dragonfly Festival. There are many fun ways to learn and explore, from a community science bioblitz, to making a dragonfly craft, to joining a tour with local experts.

Click here to find ways to participate that will be fun for you and the entire family all month long!

New Pedestrian Bridge Allows More Access for Loop Users

It's called the Suzanne Shields Santa Cruz River Pedestrian Bridge and is the first flood control bridge built over the Santa Cruz River. Spanning over 300 feet long and 18 feet wide, this $2.8 million structure is the longest bridge connecting the east and west segments of The Chuck Huckleberry Loop. Located near Sweetwater Wetlands Park and Danny Lopez Park, it allows users of the popular trail to safely cross the river. Stop by and take a look!

Click here to learn more about this wonderful addition to our community. 

SSSR Launches

New Column

Save the Scenic Santa Ritas is committed to sharing information with their members about Copper World, the proposed open pit mine and their impact on our local ecology, economy, and culture.

In keeping with this practice, they are launching a new column called, “What’s Hudbay Hiding?” The series provides a deep dive into the realities of the proposed open-pit mining complex.

In their first article, Executive Director John Dougherty reveals how Hudbay’s $600 million joint venture with Mitsubishi Materials undercuts the company’s marketing claims that Copper World’s production will be sold in America. With this new investment, Mitsubishi will have rights to export their share of copper concentrate to Japan, where it can then be processed into refined metal – something which cannot currently be done anywhere in the U.S. due to a lack of capacity. Click here to read the article and learn more.