SALT has identified the land most in need of conservation, but little can be done to preserve it without public and government action.  140 acres in the proposed preserve area are under private ownership.  One of SALT’s priorities is to buy or obtain conservation easements on that land, a project that may cost more than $1,000.000.

Pinal County has identified the recommended preserve area in it Comprehensive Plan.  However, under current Arizona, Law, State trust lands can still be sold or leased by the State Land Department for development.  SALT is working with other groups to change state law to allow preservation of state trust land not possible under current Arizona statuets.  Until changes to state law allow for perservign stant trust land without expending tens of millions of dollars for even small parcels, the rapidly vanishing Sonoran desert will continue to disappear under asphalt and rooftops.