M. Behan indicated there was a range of options for each valley, and that each valley has its own characteristics, values, and constraints. Furthermore, the SDCP has to be economically affordable, and it has to meet ESA requirements to be successful. For example, the Desert Museum study indicates that the ironwood forest in the NW Avra valley may be more valuable than in the Tortolita area. The cost factor between these areas to save the ironwood forest is significant, and what is achievable is important. Economic value of the County is tied to what is allowed to happen in the urban area.
Outlying valleys are valuable to allow growth in areas that can support growth.
Question is how to guide growth to certain areas under a Section 10 permit, without ESA liabilities. N. Sayre stated that conservation mechanisms can be defined by this team as options for landowners. M. Behan agreed the Ranch team should generate suggestions for conservation, and added that Implementation team will deal with how to implement conservation mechanisms. Long-term state leases are critical, and legislature is likely to continue to support ranchers. Estate tax relief.