Living Desert Alliance

Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving

January 9, 2025

ADEQ Grants

Contested

Open Pit Mine

Air Quality Permit


Despite opposition from local residents and numerous environmental groups detailing permitting flaws and misinformation spread by Copper World's open pit mine request, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality(ADEQ) announced it has granted an air quality permit to the project, clearing a regulatory hurdle for the controversial mine being planned for the beautiful Santa Rita Mountains. With this decision, the project has now received all three state-level permits.


In response, the Save the Scenic Santa Ritas website stated, “While we knew this moment was coming, it is no less disappointing. We have begun reviewing the terms of the permit and the responses received from ADEQ and are in active conversations about next steps due to this decision.

They went on to say, “In addition, we are proceeding with a lawsuit against the Arizona State Land Department and continue to advocate for a dust mitigation plan for Santa Rita Road and the project site.


Russ McSpadden, southwest conservation advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity, was quoted in a Tucson Sentinel article as saying: “The state’s flawed air permit for Copper World is another dangerous gift to the mining industry. It’s riddled with loopholes, it misclassifies controllable emissions as ‘fugitive,’ and it allows pollution beyond legal limits. We’re exploring all options to protect the Santa Rita Mountains and surrounding communities."


The Living Desert Alliance will continue to keep our members informed of ongoing issues concerning this matter, including how we can participate in actions to educate the public and methods to stop this environmental disaster from happening. More to come.


All key permit documents are linked below:

  • Final Permit | View >
  • Final Technical Support Document | View >
  • Responsiveness Summary | View >
  • Letter to Commenters | View >
  • Public Comments | View >


Note: Comments submitted to the ADEQ include:

Tohono O’odham Nation, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, the Center for Biological Diversity, Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, Sierra Club—Grand Canyon Chapter, Sky Island Alliance, Friends of Madera Canyon, Tucson Audubon, Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, Arizona Mining Reform Coalition, Patagonia Area Resource Alliance, Great Old Broads for Wilderness—Tucson Broadband, Calabasas Alliance, Living Desert Alliance, and Wild Earth Guardians.

Picture Rocks

Cell Tower Update


Last October the Pima County Planning & Zoning Commission voted to DENY the permitting of an 8-story cell tower next to homes on W. Massingale Rd., in Picture Rocks and adjacent to Saguaro National Park East. Saguaro National Park West. Now the matter has been moved to the Pima County Board of Supervisors (PCBS) for consideration.


The date of the PCBS review has not been finalized but is expected soon.


The Picture Rocks community is asking that once the date is determined, we participate in person. They hope to have at least 100 participants in the chambers to emphasize community rejection of this unnecessary tower.


A newsletter update will be issued as soon as the date is finalized with further information on the time, place and how we can attend.


Community support and attendance is crucial

to defeat the permit proposal at this meeting.



More to come!

Have You Spotted These

in Arizona?

They aren't saguaros!


A recent AZ Central on-line news article by Laura Daniella Sepulveda, reports that “Amid Arizona's cactus-dominated" landscape, some saguaros aren't what they seem — they're actually cellphone towers.


According to AT&T, the creator of these 30-foot desert imposters these cacti are "constructed with materials and colors resembling real cactuses, textures, and tones. Frequency-friendly fiberglass and faux plant coverings are used to make the disguise look authentic."


So, be on the lookout for these clandestine cacti. If you spot one let us know. Especially one that is eight stories high like the one planned for Picture Rocks. It will look a bit like a thorny sore thumb sticking well above the real ones and easy to see.


Click here to view the entire article.

Click here to view an Instagram video by Juliamccoy showing them up close.

2025

Desert Fence Busters Events



Help the Desert Fence Busters remove outdated barbed wire fencing for wildlife.


This important work removes barriers to wildlife movement, particularly between large intact habitat blocks. By participating, you assist in accomplishing a positive and lasting improvement to the landscape and directly help area wildlife by increasing connectivity between protected open spaces!


Current 2025 Schedule:

  • Saturday, January 18th
  • Friday, January 24th*
  • Saturday, January 25th*
  • Friday, February 21st*


If you are unable to assist, please forward this newsletter to someone you know who might be interested.

Upcoming Workshops and Classes


Explore water conservation strategies and join upcoming workshops and classes offered by Watershed Management Group, with opportunities to support their mission and learn sustainable management techniques.


  • Consider registering for the Water Harvesting Certification course here
  • Register for the In-Person Rainwater Harvesting Class here
  • Consider signing up for the Virtual Rainwater Harvesting Class here
  • Consider signing up for the Virtual Greywater Class here
  • Register for the In-Person Laundry to Landscape Greywater Class here
  • Attend the River Run Network Restoration Workshop here
  • Learn how to build healthy desert soils with the free class, register here
  • Register for the Living Lab & Learning Center Tour here
Living Desert Alliance Website.Stop by for a visit 

Living Desert Alliance