Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan February 2003 OVERVIEW OF NATURAL RESOURCE BASED OUTDOOR RECREATION IN EASTERN PIMA COUNTY 1 2 CONTENTS Acknowledgements......................................................................................................................................4 Introduction and Purpose...........................................................................................................................5 Activity Description Birding ...........................................................................................................................................................................8 Camping, Developed (tent/RV camping in designated campgrounds or sites)................................................10 Camping, Dispersed (including driving to, backpacking to camp site).............................................................12 Caving / Mineshaft Exploration................................................................................................................................14 Cultural / Historical Resources Observation ..........................................................................................................16 Dog Walking ...............................................................................................................................................................19 Equestrian Use ...........................................................................................................................................................22 Fishing .........................................................................................................................................................................24 Hiking (including trail running, orienteering, etc.)...............................................................................................26 Hunting........................................................................................................................................................................29 Mineral Collection / Rockhounding .........................................................................................................................31 Mountain Biking (including variations such as fat-tire in-line skating).............................................................33 Native Plant and Animal Collecting.........................................................................................................................36 Natural History Study (wildlife and native plant study, photography, etc.) .....................................................38 Off-Highway Vehicle Use (dirt bike, 4-wheel drive, ATV) ...................................................................................39 Picnicking....................................................................................................................................................................41 Rock Climbing.............................................................................................................................................................43 Scenic Driving.............................................................................................................................................................45 Stargazing / Astronomy.............................................................................................................................................47 Swimming – Wading - Water based activities (in creeks, pools, lakes) .............................................................49 Target Shooting..........................................................................................................................................................51 Activity Maps..............................................................................................................................................53 Findings, Conclusions & Recommendations..........................................................................................54 Land Managing Agencies .........................................................................................................................56 Recreation User Organizations................................................................................................................57 References...................................................................................................................................................65 OVERVIEW OF NATURAL RESOURCE BASED OUTDOOR RECREATION IN EASTERN PIMA COUNTY 3 Acknowledgements We wish to acknowledge help in research, writing, editing and preparation of the maps from the following members of the Recreation Technical Advisory Team, Pima County staff and others interested in recreation issues: Larry Audsley, Steve Anderson, Joe Barr, Carolyn Campbell, Sue Clark, Neva Connelly, Kevin Dahl, Brian Dolan, John Fleming, Dallas Ige, Randy Gimblett, Ken Kingsley, Vera Kornylak, Jeff Kreamer, Debby Kriegel, Ken Langton, Larry Liese, Sonja Macys, Don McGann, Francisco Mendoza, Judy Nicholson, Brian Priest, John Regan, Sherry Ruther, Susan Shobe, Pete Tescione, LeGrand Velez, Meg Weesner, Frances Werner, and Lori Woods. 4 Introduction and Purpose Introduction: The Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP) is being developed with the goal of protecting the habitat needed to ensure the survival of several special-status wildlife species in eastern Pima County. To accomplish this goal, the Draft SDCP recommends that large tracts of land surrounding the Tucson metropolitan area be retained in an undeveloped natural condition. The conservation of these lands will facilitate wildlife species sur- vival. Conserving these lands can also provide other public benefits. One of these benefits is the continuation and expansion of opportunities for natural resource based outdoor recreation. Natural Resource Based Outdoor Recreation: Natural resource based outdoor recreation encompasses those activities that occur within a natural setting or that directly involve observation of, or interaction with, the natural environment. Hiking, birding, and rock climb- ing are representative activities. Excluded from natural resource based outdoor recreation are activities such as tennis or golf, which occur outdoors but within constructed environments. Also excluded are illegal activities, such as poaching, pothunting, and other activities that are prohibited on any particular piece of land. Mention of illegal occurrences of otherwise legal natural resource based recreation activities in this report is intended only to highlight issues and should not be taken as an endorsement of such occurrences. This report focuses exclusively on natural resource based outdoor recreation. This is due to the fact that the areas where these activities typically occur are often the same areas that are under consideration for inclu- sion within the SDCP planning boundary. Understanding the relationship between recreation and conservation will be important to the success of the SDCP. Conversely, a broad multi-faceted approach to conservation can enhance opportunities for natural resource based outdoor recreation. Benefits of Natural Resource Based Outdoor Recreation: The benefits of natural resource based outdoor recreation are numerous. One such benefit is public health. The provision of opportunities for local residents to engage in physical exercise in a clean and healthy environ- ment has a positive impact on the health of the community. Quality of life is also impacted by natural resource based outdoor recreation. Opportunities to engage in these activities, particularly in close proximity to neighborhoods where individuals and families live, enhance the quality of life for Pima County residents. The relatively low cost associated with participating in most natural resource based outdoor recreational activities makes this quality of life benefit available to a broad range of indi- viduals living in eastern Pima County. Natural resource based outdoor recreation also supports and strengthens the local economy. It benefits the economy through direct employment at businesses that sell related goods and services and through sales tax revenue generated by these businesses. Opportunities to engage in these activities also make Tucson and Pima County an attractive destination for visitors from other states and countries. These visitors support the hotel and tourism industry, an important component of Pima County’s economy. An additional and important benefit of natural resource based outdoor recreation is resource protection. This can be achieved through the voluntary stewardship that results from enhanced public knowledge, understand- ing, and appreciation of the natural environment and the community’s cultural heritage. OVERVIEW OF NATURAL RESOURCE BASED OUTDOOR RECREATION IN EASTERN PIMA COUNTY 5 Position of the Recreation Technical Advisory Committee: The Recreation Technical Advisory Team (RecTAT) believes that recreation must be given full consideration in the final version of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. To ignore the inevitability of natural resource based recreation within the SDCP planning boundary would be short-sighted. Attempts to impose widespread exclusions on recreational activities within the planning boundary will inevitably fail and, in the short term, may undermine public support for adoption of the SDCP. In light of the above, the Recreation Technical Advisory Team (RecTAT) advocates full consideration,