Arizona Open Land Trust Involved With Arizona Town Hall on Land Use
Last November, voters narrowly defeated dueling propositions on Arizona State Trust Land.  Representatives of the groups behind these propositions gathered with other state leaders to discuss what to do with state trust land and how best to manage land development in the face of a statewide population that is expected to double in 45 years.

Arizona Open Land Trust served as a Supporting Sponsor of the 91st Arizona Town Hall on “Land Use: Challenges and Choices for the 21st Century.”  About 150 Arizonans, representing a cross section of leaders from around the state, gathered at the Grand Canyon on Oct. 28-31.  Bill Roe attended on behalf of the Arizona Open Land Trust and the Pima County Conservation Acquisition Commission.  Participants developed consensus–based recommendations that included enacting state trust land reform that gives the State Land Department adequate funding and authority to be a true asset manager, and diversifying revenue sources for Smart Growth planning and implementation.

Governor Janet Napoli Governor Janet Napolitano presented her thoughts on Arizona land issues via video. Former U.S. Interior Secretary and Former Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt posed questions to the group about the appropriate balance between developed areas and the natural landscapes in which they are set.  Babbitt worked to get many Western lands designated as conservation areas under former President Clinton and has recently joined actor Edward Norton and others to create the National Conservation System Foundation. Dr. Arthur (Chris) Nelson, Director of the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech and one of the nation’s leading authorities on growth management and metropolitan development, presented new research indicating the magnitude of future development facing Arizona. The Arizona Town Hall is unique throughout the nation in its longevity, its discussion process and the broad spectrum of issues it has addressed over the last five decades.  The goal of the Town Hall, first established in 1962, is to build consensus on key issues.  While the Town Halls have no law making power, they have often served as the catalyst for significant innovations and changes to public policy throughout the state.  For further information visit the Town Hall website at www.aztownhall.org or contact the Town Hall President, Tara Jackson, at 602-252-9600.