Potential Catastrophe - Villages at Vigneto
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At the base of the Whetstone Mountains a classic bajada slopes gently downward, formed as streams from the steep canyons suddenly slow down and drop their sediment loads. For plants and animals this gentle incline between the low desert and mountain chaparral is a transition zone that supports species from both realms. Now imagine 29,400 new homes, golf courses, artificial lakes, shopping centers, and up to 70,000 people on this biodiverse and scenic plain. A town larger than Prescott - that's what someone wants to build. It would severely mar a classic American view, along with 20 square miles of wild habitat. And it could cause the death of the nearby San Pedro River, one of America's great riparian treasures. The Villages at Vigneto, as the new town would be called, could very possibly suck up so much ground water that the San Pedro would dry up and die. The issue is in the courts now. It seems the current administration in Washington never required the necessary research. Science still needs to answer with more certainty about the obvious risk. Caution is vital. The death of a river is a terrible thing.
One of the most vital riparian areas of the American Southwest could run dry and be useless to the countless plants and animals it supports if the mega development Villages at Vignetto is built and sucks the water table so low that the San Pedro looses it's water source. Scientists say it's very likely. There have been times when the river ran high. You can see the evidence where it scoured the banks.
One of the most vital riparian areas of the American Southwest could run dry and be useless to the countless plants and animals it supports if the mega development Villages at Vignetto is built and sucks the water table so low that the San Pedro looses it's water source. Scientists say it's very likely. There have been times when the river ran high. You can see the evidence where it scoured the banks.
One of the most vital riparian areas of the American Southwest could run dry and be useless to the countless plants and animals it supports if the mega development Villages at Vignetto is built and sucks the water table so low that the San Pedro looses it's water source. Scientists say it's very likely.
San Pedro River, AZ Reflection #1
One of the most vital riparian areas of the American Southwest could run dry and be useless to the countless plants and animals it supports if the mega development Villages at Vignetto is built and sucks the water table so low that the San Pedro looses it's water source. Scientists say it's very likely.
One of the most vital riparian areas of the American Southwest could run dry and be useless to the countless plants and animals it supports if the mega development Villages at Vignetto is built and sucks the water table so low that the San Pedro looses it's water source. Scientists say it's very likely
One of the most vital riparian areas of the American southwest could run dry and be useless to the countless plants and animals it supports if the mega development Villages at Vignetto is built and sucks the water table so low that the San Pedro looses it's water source. Scientists say it's very likely.
Deer Tracks in Slippery Mud #2
This mud may not appear in the future and deer might not survie in this land if the 28,000 houses in the mega-devleopment Villages at Vinetto suck the water table so low that the San Pedro riparian area will dry up and die
Deer Tracks in Slippery Mud #3
This mud may not appear in the future and deer might not survie in this land if the 28,000 houses in the mega-devleopment Villages at Vinetto suck the water table so low that the San Pedro riparian area will dry up and die
Deer Tracks in Slippery Mud #1
This mud may not appear in the future and deer might not survie in this land if the 28,000 houses in the mega-devleopment Villages at Vinetto suck the water table so low that the San Pedro riparian area will dry up and die
Turtle Tracks , San Pedro River #1
urtle tracks emerge on a San Pedro River sandbar. The San Pedro is a natural gem – a river in the desert. Imagine how important it is to the local critters. Just up the hill a developer imagines 29,400 new homes, golf courses, artificial lakes, shopping centers, and up to 70,000 people. The Villages at Vigneto as he calls it would be larger than the city of Prescott and draw down the water table that makes the San Pedro's turtles and turtle tracks possible. The matter is currently in the courts to decide if further study is needed. Stay tuned.
Turtle Tracks , San Pedro River #3
urtle tracks emerge on a San Pedro River sandbar. The San Pedro is a natural gem – a river in the desert. Imagine how important it is to the local critters. Just up the hill a developer imagines 29,400 new homes, golf courses, artificial lakes, shopping centers, and up to 70,000 people. The Villages at Vigneto as he calls it would be larger than the city of Prescott and draw down the water table that makes the San Pedro's turtles and turtle tracks possible. The matter is currently in the courts to decide if further study is needed. Stay tuned.
Turtle TracK. San Pedro Rver #2
urtle tracks emerge on a San Pedro River sandbar. The San Pedro is a natural gem – a river in the desert. Imagine how important it is to the local critters. Just up the hill a developer imagines 29,400 new homes, golf courses, artificial lakes, shopping centers, and up to 70,000 people. The Villages at Vigneto as he calls it would be larger than the city of Prescott and draw down the water table that makes the San Pedro's turtles and turtle tracks possible. The matter is currently in the courts to decide if further study is needed. Stay tuned.
Villages at Vigneto Site, Route 90 #1
Imagine a town the size of Prescott straddling highway 90 just east of the Whetstone Mts. That's what a developer wants to build. It would be a tragedy for the wild critters who pass this way between the mountains and the great valley of the San Pedro River. The San Pedro's water, big trees, and thick riparian growth are critical to their survival, as well as the survival of countless other creatures. But the Villages at Vigneto, as the intrusion would be called, would suck the already diminished water table down so low that the springs feeding the river would slowly shrink and possibly disappear. Javelina, reptiles, coyotes, bobcats, and all manner of birds would be diminished. Some species might fade away completely. The proper studies have yet to be done. So the matter is in the courts for now. Will keep you posted. (Aerial support provided by Lighthawk.)
Villages at Vigneto Site, Route 90 #2
Imagine a town the size of Prescott straddling highway 90 just east of the Whetstone Mts. That's what a developer wants to build. It would be a tragedy for the wild critters who pass this way between the mountains and the great valley of the San Pedro River. The San Pedro's water, big trees, and thick riparian growth are critical to their survival, as well as the survival of countless other creatures. But the Villages at Vigneto, as the intrusion would be called, would suck the already diminished water table down so low that the springs feeding the river would slowly shrink and possibly disappear. Javelina, reptiles, coyotes, bobcats, and all manner of birds would be diminished. Some species might fade away completely. The proper studies have yet to be done. So the matter is in the courts for now. Will keep you posted. (Aerial support provided by Lighthawk.)
Villages at Vigneto Site, Route 90 #3
Imagine a town the size of Prescott straddling highway 90 just east of the Whetstone Mts. That's what a developer wants to build. It would be a tragedy for the wild critters who pass this way between the mountains and the great valley of the San Pedro River. The San Pedro's water, big trees, and thick riparian growth are critical to their survival, as well as the survival of countless other creatures. But the Villages at Vigneto, as the intrusion would be called, would suck the already diminished water table down so low that the springs feeding the river would slowly shrink and possibly disappear. Javelina, reptiles, coyotes, bobcats, and all manner of birds would be diminished. Some species might fade away completely. The proper studies have yet to be done. So the matter is in the courts for now. Will keep you posted. (Aerial support provided by Lighthawk.)
Imagine a town the size of Prescott straddling highway 90 just east of the Whetstone Mts. That's what a developer wants to build. It would be a tragedy for the wild critters who pass this way between the mountains and the great valley of the San Pedro River. The San Pedro's water, big trees, and thick riparian growth are critical to their survival, as well as the survival of countless other creatures. But the Villages at Vigneto, as the intrusion would be called, would suck the already diminished water table down so low that the springs feeding the river would slowly shrink and possibly disappear. Javelina, reptiles, coyotes, bobcats, and all manner of birds would be diminished. Some species might fade away completely. The proper studies have yet to be done. So the matter is in the courts for now. Will keep you posted. (Aerial support provided by Lighthawk.)
Villages at Vigneto Site, Route 90 #4
Imagine a town the size of Prescott straddling highway 90 just east of the Whetstone Mts. That's what a developer wants to build. It would be a tragedy for the wild critters who pass this way between the mountains and the great valley of the San Pedro River. The San Pedro's water, big trees, and thick riparian growth are critical to their survival, as well as the survival of countless other creatures. But the Villages at Vigneto, as the intrusion would be called, would suck the already diminished water table down so low that the springs feeding the river would slowly shrink and possibly disappear. Javelina, reptiles, coyotes, bobcats, and all manner of birds would be diminished. Some species might fade away completely. The proper studies have yet to be done. So the matter is in the courts for now. Will keep you posted. (Aerial support provided by Lighthawk.)
Fissures southeast of Benson happened where the earth was weakened after agriculture pumped out large amounts of ground water. The thousands of homes of the planned Vignetto Villages would suck still more precious ground water, causing the earth to further collapse.