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LeBreck: Save the Superstition Mountain wilderness

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I am reaching out to you today regarding the Arizona State Land Trust’s decision to sell 11,700 acres of pristine desert land in Gold Canyon at the foothills of the Superstition Mountains.

The land in question is between the Peralta Trails and Entrada del Oro Communities.

Pinal County supervisors will be voting Oct. 1 on reclassifying over 8,000 acres from “residential” to “employment.” Shortly thereafter, the land will be put to action and sold to the highest bidder. We find this action to be completely irresponsible. It not only lacks thoughtful vision for the Gold Canyon community but for the Superstition Mountains that are a priceless Arizona asset cherished by people both within and outside of our beautiful state.

This recent decision is unprecedented and many community and business members believe it is not in the best of interest of the community’s future or to protect the Superstitions themselves.

By changing the Pinal County comprehensive plan from “residential” to “employment” this would allow for light-industrial opportunities to be placed on this land, meaning possible manufacturing, warehouses, commercial, power plants and the like right at the foothills of these treasured mountains.

Imagine local or visiting hikers as they climb up the mountains to take in the spectacular views only to look over their shoulders and see warehouses, business parks and/or smokestacks scarring our fragile Sonoran Desert at the base of the mountains.

This action will destroy sensitive desert landscape where fragile and endangered desert plants thrive, unique desert wildlife roam and enjoy their dynamic ecosystem, where Native American artifacts are embedded in rock, where some of the most desirable Arizona hiking trails — approximately 15 — exist and where stargazers embrace our dark skies.

While we recognize that economic opportunity and growth is necessary and practical throughout our state, this proposed location for a business development is painfully illogical on multiple levels. We urge your team to join us by reaching out to Todd House at thouse8591@aol.com for further information on the proposed master plan amendment so you can assist us in our strong opposition to the state’s plan.

The citizens of Gold Canyon need your assistance and a voice in this fight. Thank you.

Editor's note: Steve LeBreck is a resident of Gold Canyon.