Overview:

SWCA was contracted by the City of Tucson to provide technical and process management assistance for the preparation of a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), which focuses on more than 65,000 acres and addresses endangered species conservation over 25 to 75 years. This multi-year project is still in progress and comprises two phases. SWCA is currently in Phase II.

Services Provided:

• Facilitated meetings with City’s stakeholders and biological advisory groups

Results:

SWCA continues to work with the City of Tucson staff, advisory groups and other agencies and local jurisdictions to develop and refine project implementation and funding mechanisms, including a proposal to the Arizona State Land Department for a development density transfer. SWCA helped draft a Section 6 HCP Planning Assistance grant proposal for the City to support this work. Once the additional funding is secured, SWCA will assist in drafting an environmental impact statement (EIS) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulatory compliance.