Preserve the desert

Editorial

Phoenix and Scottsdale voters are being asked to approve funding for expansive desert preservation in separate measures on Sept. 7.

The Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative authorizes a 1/10-of-1 percent sales tax increase, 60 percent of which would be used to acquire 15,000 acres of choice desert land, with the remaining earmarked for new parks and to renovate existing parks.

The Scottsdale measure would OK the sale of $200 million in low-interest general obligation bonds to expand the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Scottsdale voters enthusiastically approved a 2/10-of-1 percent sales tax increase four years ago to acquire preserve land. The new measure would allow the city to buy land now rather than wait for needed sales tax revenues to accrue.

If passed, the two measures will preserve precious desert land and protect the quality of life that open space represents. The Phoenix initiative would complete a circle of desert lands surrounding the city, creating a Sonoran Desert Preserve on the north side to buffer noise and congestion and provide a tranquil sanctuary for indigenous desert denizens and their human counterparts. Scottsdale aims to do the same, increasing land set aside for public space to a significant 30 percent.

Buying today makes good sense. Waiting would allow eager developers to blade and build on fragile desert acreage, and further burden future taxpayers with prohibitively high land prices putting the most desirable parcels beyond reach.

As the metropolitan area grows and the frenetic pace of contemporary life escalates, serene open space becomes not only more inviting but vital. Expanded preserves will provide many more miles of hiking and biking trails, and room for wildlife to roam; the development of nine regional parks and expansion and improvement of neighborhood parks will enhance community and family life.

Vote "yes" in Phoenix for Proposition 101 and support Question 1 on the Scottsdale ballot.

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