Its range within Arizona extends north to New River at elevations below 3000 feet. The Service believes its demise is largely due to destruction of habitat, caused by water pumping and diversion, dams, urban development and overgrazing. The proposed areas include most of the Santa Cruz River and Rillito Creek in the Tucson area and portions of the San Pedro, New, and Gila Rivers. A critical habitat designation primarily affects federal actions in the critical area. Private, state, and local government actions are unaffected, unless those actions require a federal permit or involve federal funding.
Comments range from strong support to strong opposition.
Some opponents believe listing the owl is unwarranted because the bird never was common in Arizona, and the Arizona portion of its range is not significant to the survival of the species.