Bar V Ranch and Pima County’s 2004 Conservation Bond Program
Background
Pima County has the opportunity to preserve the Bar V Ranch property, which includes over
1,763 acres of fee land and 12,674 acres of state grazing leases (Figure 1). The Ranch
includes a significant portion of Davidson Canyon - a rare confluence of desert and riparian
habitat that contains a stretch of perennial water and provides habitat for numerous
vulnerable species. The majority of the property is located east of Sonoita Highway 83 and
south of Interstate 10. The northern most fee parcel connects to the Cienega Creek Natural
Preserve, under Interstate 10, and state lease land extends north of I-10 bordering the
Cienega Preserve.
Acquisition of the Bar V Ranch will preserve an important wildlife corridor under Interstate 10,
rare riparian habitat for numerous vulnerable species, drainage that flows into the Cienega
Creek and the Tucson Basin, areas with high archeological potential, a planned equestrian
route for the Arizona Trail, and unique scenic views of Davidson Canyon and the Empire
Mountains. Because this property is unique in so many ways, it has been identified in
numerous planning documents and conservation lists, from the proposed Davidson Canyon
Natural Preserve - a preserve proposed in the Preliminary Mountain Parks Element of the
Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan to protect the high-quality riparian habitat of Davidson
Canyon and ultimately provide a biological linkage and wildlife corridor between the Rincon
and the Santa Rita Mountains - to one of seven “Endangered Cultural Landscapes” recently
identified nation-wide by the Cultural Landscape Foundation (Appendix A).
The Ranch is currently proposed for acquisition by Pima County as part of the 2004
Conservation Bond Program, with the main objective of protecting and preserving the natural
biological resources of the property. The Ranch was identified in the 2004 Bond Ordinance
as high priority private and state land within the Habitat Protection Priorities. The Habitat
Protection Priorities are one of four categories of open space bond projects and were
developed to guide implementation of the County’s Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan.
As part of the proposed acquisition agreement (Appendix B) the current owner of the
property, Martin Cattle Company, will continue to manage the majority of the Ranch for Pima
County. It is likely that the County will manage the 300 acres of fee lands, which adjoin the
County’s Cienega Creek Natural Preserve and contain perennial water, as an extension of the
County’s preserve. The State Trust lands north of the freeway are part of the Cienega Creek
Natural Preserve, as established by the Pima County Flood Control District Board of Directors
in 1986-FC10. The lands within the Preserve are subject to the management goals and
policies adopted by the Board on March 3, 1987 (Appendix C).
Biological Resources
The proposed acquisition includes one of the most important wildlife movement corridors in
the area, and is part of a critical landscape linkage designated in the Sonoran Desert
Conservation Plan. Interstate Highway 10 is a barrier to the movement of many terrestrial
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animals, except at rare locations like Davidson Canyon, where the freeway passes high
overhead on a bridge (Figure 3).
The Ranch, fee and lease land, is designated as Biological Core and Important Riparian as part
of the County’s Conservation Lands System, and is accorded a high priority for acquisition
as part of the 2004Conseravtion Bond Program (Figure 2). The Biological Core area that
Davidson Canyon is located
in consists of a large area of
undeveloped land interposed
between
the
Rincon,
Whetstone, Empire and
Santa Rita Mountains. One
of the Bar V Ranch fee
parcels adjoins the Cienega
Creek Natural Preserve, as
do several State Trust land
grazing lease parcels. The
proximity of the land to
areas already administered
by Pima County will benefit
all involved and further
protect the plant and animal
habitats found there.
Figure 3. I-10 bridge over Da vison Cany on, looking north. February 20 04 pho tograph by EP G.

As part of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan planning process, a list of 55 Priority
Vulnerable Species (PVS) were identified. Bar V Ranch provides potential habitat for at least
34 of the 55 priority vulnerable species. The Ranch also includes category 1 Priority
Conservation Areas for the Lowland Leopard frog, Bell’s Vireo, Swainson’s Hawk, Abert’s
Towhee, Lesser Long-nosed Bat, Pale Townsend’s Bat and Needle-spined Cactus. Category
1 Priority Conservation Areas are areas that species experts determined must be included in
the reserve system for a particular species.
The Ranch land along Davidson Canyon contains reaches of perennial and intermittent stream
flow (Figure 4). Davidson Canyon originates on the slopes of the Santa Rita and Empire
Mountains, so it receives both snowmelt and precipitation.
Populations of Longfin Dace and the Lowland Leopard frog, both Priority Vulnerable Species,
have been observed in the streamflow portion of Davidson Canyon contained within the fee
acres of Bar V Ranch. The shallow groundwater conditions support wetland and riparian
vegetation, including the rare yew-leafed willow. The yew-leafed willow is one of the unique
plants which occurs in Davidson Canyon but does not occur within the existing Cienega Creek
Natural Preserve. Appendix D contains a flora list for Davidson Canyon. The uplands are a
stronghold for the Needle-spined Cactus, also a Priority Vulnerable Species. There are many
know locations for this species in the area surrounding the acquisition, and it most certainly
occurs on the site.

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Figure 4. N ear the sprin g on fee land south of I-10, lo oking south. N ovember 2004 photograph by
Gloria Brown e.

A biological assessment of the
603 acres along Davidson Canyon
was prepared by EPG, dated
February 2004. According to the
report, there’s a high likelihood
that at least six other Priority
Vulnerable Species are present on
the property, including California
Leaf-nosed Bat, Lesser Long-nosed
Bat, Pale Townsend’s Big-eared
Bat, Abert’s Towhee, Bell’s Vireo,
and Swainson’s Hawk. Special
e l e m e nt s
include
I n t e r i or
Southwest Riparian Forest and
Mesquite.
Figure 5. Vie w from middle parcel looking northeast into Davidson Canyon. November 2004 photograph
by Gloria Browne.
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The vegetation and tilted sedimentary rocks which are exposed in the canyon contribute
greatly to the scenic character of the land (Figure 5). This is one of the few places where one
can see both the juniper and the saguaro cactus growing in close proximity, another factor
which contributes to the visual attractiveness of the landscape.
Access to the Ranch is currently available through a grandfathered entrance on the south side
of the interstate (just east of mile post #284) and a series of perpetual easements obtained
across state land from the Old Sonoita Highway. At present, access is being abused by offroad vehicle enthusiasts, who are damaging the riparian area (Figure 6).

Figure 6. N ear the sprin g on fee land south of I-10 (southern parcel). 2 00 3 photog raphs by D enn is
Caldw ell.

Water Source for Cienega Creek and Tucson Basin
Davidson Canyon is an important source of water for Cienega Creek, even when dry, because
water continues to flow underground at shallow depths. A study by Pima Association of
Governments (PAG) in 2003 showed that 8% to 24% of the flow in Cienega Creek at the
Marsh Station Road bridge originated in Davidson Canyon. The relative contribution from
Davidson Canyon was found to be highest in months when flows in Cienega Creek were at
their lowest. PAG’s 2003 report recommended that future plans for protecting water quality
in Cienega Creek include efforts to maintain the quality of flows in Davidson Canyon, because
of its significant contribution to perennial streamflow in the Cienega Creek preserve. The
report noted that perennial and intermittent flows in Davidson Canyon are lower in total
dissolved solids than Cienega Creek’s flows, thus helping to dilute the water in Cienega
Creek. Acquisition of the Bar V Ranch parcels would be a key part of an effort to protect
water quality in Davidson Canyon.

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In addition to protecting the water quality of Davidson Canyon, this acquisition would be
beneficial from a water quantity standpoint. The Bar V Ranch parcels are in an area without
access to renewable water supplies such as Central Arizona Project (CAP) water, suggesting
that if the area were to be subdivided in the future, water would be supplied by local
groundwater pumping. Future pumping in the area could diminish flows in Davidson Canyon,
which would in turn diminish flows in Cienega Creek.
Arizona’s Groundwater Management Act does not protect Davidson Canyon or Cienega Creek
from the effects of groundwater pumping. Although lower Davidson Canyon and much of
the Cienega Creek Natural Preserve are just within the Tucson Active Management Area
(TAMA) boundaries, the upper reaches of Cienega Creek, including part of the preserve, are
outside the TAMA (Figure 7). Regulation of groundwater development outside AMAs is
minimal.
Even within the TAMA the groundwater code does not prevent streamflow in riparian areas
from being diminished by groundwater pumping. Although new subdivisions in the TAMA
are required to comply with the Assured Water Supply Rules, these rules do not prohibit
water table declines in local areas. Groundwater can be withdrawn legally at a given location
in the TAMA, as long as it is replenished somewhere in the TAMA. This replenishment
obligation can be met through recharging water far away, where it would not replenish the
local aquifer, via membership in the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District
(CAGRD).
The State’s Unique Water rules do not provide any water quantity protections either. Cienega
Creek is designated as a Unique Water, but this designation only protects the creek’s water
quality; it does not provide any protection from the potential impacts of any future
groundwater pumping along the creek or its tributaries. Given the lack of protection from
State laws, Pima County’s acquisition of the Bar V Ranch parcels for habitat preservation
would provide the greatest assurance that groundwater pumping along Davidson Canyon is
minimized in the future.
Trails
The Davidson Canyon Trail is a favorite with hikers and equestrians. Davidson Canyon is
listed as Trail #56 on the Eastern Pima County Trail System Master Plan, and crosses all of
the Bar V Ranch private parcels encompassing the Canyon, north to south (Figure 8). The
Trails Master Plan, which was first adopted by the Pima County Board of Supervisors in
1989, is a formal county ordinance (#1996-75).
In addition to the Davidson Canyon Trail, Trail #278, the Gas Line Trail, crosses the
northernmost private Bar V Ranch parcel (east to west) encompassing Davidson Canyon, and
is an important regional connector trail. Also, the upper leg of Trail #248, the Davidson Loop
Trail, crosses the middle private parcel in Davidson Canyon. The southernmost private parcel
encompassing the Canyon is crossed by Trail #244, the Andrada Ranch Link, and the lower
leg of Trail #248, the Davidson Canyon Trail. These trails are particularly popular with
equestrians and bicyclists.

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Two key portions of the Arizona Trail cross the subject ranch property. The Arizona Trail is
an 800-mile long cross-state shared-use recreational trail that begins at the Utah border and
ends at the Mexican border, and will eventually become a National Scenic Trail. The main
corridor of the Arizona Trail leaves Pima County’s Cienega Creek Natural Preserve at its
southwestern corner just north of I-10, enters the ranch (State lease land) and passes under
I-10 in an existing concrete culvert. South of I-10, the trail takes a southwesterly course
across the ranch (State lease land), eventually crossing Highway 83 at its intersection with
Sahaurita Road. In addition, a proposed “bypass” alignment for equestrian users of the
Arizona Trail who prefer not to utilize the existing culvert under I-10 crosses the northernmost
private parcel. The equestrian portion of the trail will cross under I-10 in Davidson Canyon and
enter the property immediately south of the Interstate, and connect with the main corridor
of the Arizona Trail on the western boundary of the northernmost private property.
Cultural Resources Assessment of the Bar V Ranch
The Bar V Ranch lands are located within a broad corridor following the Cienega Creek that
historically has been used for transportation linking the Santa Cruz River Valley on the west
with the San Pedro River Valley to the east. Historic trails
known to have followed this corridor include the route
taken by the Mormon Battalion between 1846 and 1847,
and the Butterfield Overland Mail Company stage line
operated between 1858 and 1861. The Butterfield stage
line maintained a stage stop on the Cienega Creek located
just to the north and west of the state trust grazing lands
associated with the Bar V Ranch. Later, the Wells Fargo
Company ran their pony express along portions of the old
Butterfield Trail. In 1880 the Southern Pacific Railroad laid
their line following the Cienega Creek, and a second line
was built by the El Paso & Southwestern Railroad in 1912.
During the 1920s, US 80 followed this corridor providing
a paved road surface for vehicular traffic. In the 1950s,
the nation began constructing the interstate highway
system, which passed through Pima County south of
Cienega Creek. Today, Interstate 10 is the modern
descendant of this earlier highway.
Figure 9. A num ber of sites with mortars in bedrock have been found in Cienega Creek. Similar sites
could be found on the Bar V R anch.

Research conducted for the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan reveals that the Cienega Creek
Valley is also rich in archaeological resources. Archaeologists from the University of Arizona
began to investigate the Cienega Creek area beginning in the 1920s focusing on sites
occupied by the Hohokam people, the ceramic bearing culture that settled the region between
A.D. 750 and A.D. 1450. During the 1950s, survey and testing along the Creek identified
pre-ceramic (Archaic) sites buried under the deep alluvium covering the Cienega Creek flood
plain. In 1982, a number of these ancient sites were excavated to investigate the origins of
agriculture in prehistory.
More recently, beginning in 1995, a doctoral student at the
University of Arizona surveyed thousands of acres along Cienega Creek and several of its
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tributaries. As a result, hundreds of new sites have been reported representing human
occupation along the creek between approximately 6000 B.C. to the present day. The
Cienega Creek Valley is recognized as one of the most archaeologically important areas in
Pima County.
Records indicate that very little of the Bar V Ranch lands have been surveyed for cultural
resources. Surveys are currently underway as part of the requirements for the ADOT Scenic
grant and general due diligence for the proposed acquisition. Even so, all three private land
parcels along Davidson Canyon are in an area characterized as having a high sensitivity for
archaeological sites because of their association with Davidson Canyon.
There are two known archaeological sites within state grazing lease lands north of I-10.
Parcel 306010270 has within its limits site AZ BB:14:161 (ASM), the “Davidson Canyon
site,” a medium size village site that was occupied repeatedly between A.D. 200 and A.D.
1500. Site AZ BB:14:553 (ASM), a Hohokam site occupied between A.D. 1300 and A.D.
1500, is reported on a portion of parcel 306010250. Portions of parcels 306010270,
306050070, 306060040, and 30601025A fall within the “Cienega Creek Archaeological Site
Complex” defined during research conducted for the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. Site
complexes are large areas that contain multiple archaeological resources that are collectively
considered to be of extraordinary value. All four of these parcels are considered to have a
high sensitivity for archaeological sites.
An old woodcutter’s house does exist on the southern private parcel along Davidson Canyon
(figure 10). This structure will be assessed after the potential purchase of the property.

Figure 10. Woodcutter’s house on property. November 2004 photograph by Gloria Browne.

Development Pressures, Zoning and Planned Land Use
The Bar V Ranch is at risk of sale for purposes other than conservation. Per the attached
acquisition agreement, Martin Cattle Company is offering to sell the Bar V Ranch property to
Pima County. If Pima County does not purchase the property, the property will continue to
be marketed for development.

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Zoning:
All eight parcels are zoned Rural Homestead (RH) - a low-density, rural residential zone with
a maximum density of one residence per ±4.1 acres. No applications to rezone these parcels
have been submitted. The properties were previously designated “General Rural” (GR) until
1985 when the GR zone was discontinued. With one exception, all of the properties abutting
the subject parcels are also zoned RH. The property to the north, across Interstate 10 from
Parcel 002A, is zoned Institutional Reserve (IR). Currently, there are no active or pending
rezoning applications in the area surrounding the subject parcels. Across Interstate 10 to the
north is the southern boundary of the Vail Posta Quemada Plan, a zoning plan adopted in
1959. Based on a recent Board of Supervisors decision, the zoning plan will expire in 2005
(or 2006 subject to certain conditions). The zoning plan had proposed residential,
commercial, and industrial conditional zoning subject to submittal of an acceptable subdivision
plat.
The Gateway Overlay Zone (Ch. 18.78 - Pima County Zoning Code) extends eastward
overlaying Interstate 10 until approximately 1.25 miles west of Parcel 002A. The overlay
zone is intended to protect the scenic quality of entry points to metropolitan Tucson and
nearby public preserves. Interstate 10 is also a designated “Scenic Route” according to the
Major Streets and Scenic Routes map.
Parcels 306-07-001A and 002A are within the Buffer Overlay Zone (Ch. 18.67 - Pima County
Zoning Code) that requires specific development standards for properties near public
preserves.
Planned Land Use:
The area surrounding and including the subject parcels is designated Low Intensity Rural (LIR)
and Resource Transition (RT)– planned land use designations each with a maximum density
of one residence per ±3.3 acres. The Resource Transition designation is intended for private
land with environmentally sensitive characteristics that include wildlife corridors, natural
washes, floodplains, peaks and ridges, buffers to public preserves, and other environmentally
sensitive areas.
The three northernmost parcels (306-07-002a, 306-15-001a & 010a) are subject to a special
area policy - “S-19 Trail Access, Rural Equestrian Routes, National Historic Trail” which is
intended to protect equestrian trails. The planned equestrian trail, running north/south,
bisects all three parcels.
Transportation Enhancement Funds
In April 2004, the State Transportation Board unanimously approved Transportation
Enhancement funding in the amount of $500,000 towards the acquisition of the 600 acres
of Bar V Ranch fee land along Davidson Canyon. This funding was approved under the
category of Scenic Easement/Acquisition to preserve view sheds along State-designated
scenic roads and highways.
During the application process for these Enhancement funds, Arizona Game and Fish
Department, Arizona Trail Association, Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, Sky Island
Alliance, the Tucson Herpetological Society, the Sonoran Institute, and the Arizona Native

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Plant Society submitted letters of support for Pima County’s acquisition of these 600 acres.
These letters are attached in Appendix E.
Conclusion
This is a one-time opportunity to preserve an area that provides countless benefits. From
landscape connectivity for wildlife, to an significant water source for Cienega Creek and the
Tucson Basin, to important riparian habitat crucial for the survival of several vulnerable
species, to stunning scenic views, the preservation of Bar V Ranch is exceptionally important
acquisition. In the context of the County’s effort to attain an incidental take permit under
Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act via a Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan, this
acquisition will prevent loss of habitat for numerous priority vulnerable species.
The proposed funding source for the purchase of the Bar V Ranch is 2004 Bond funds and
the Transportation Enhancement funds awarded by ADOT. The Conservation Acquisition
Commission, a Commission appointed to oversee the spending of the 2004 Question 1 Bond
funds, will review this acquisition and make a recommendation to the Pima County Board of
Supervisors, who will make a final decision on whether to preserve this property.

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