Land use trends surrounding Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Brown B. 1991. Land use trends surrounding Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Cooperative National Parks Resources Studies Unit Technical Report Series. No. 39; No. 40. Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit, University of Arizona/National Park Service. Tucson, AZ
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (ORPI) is situated in southern Arizona, near the geographical center of the Sonoran Desert. The northern boundary of ORPI begins approximately 20 mi south of the town of Ajo and extends south to the border with Mexico, a distance of about 25 mi. The monument encompasses a total area of 333,779 a. Although ORPI is adequately protected by law, there is continued concern about protecting and preserving the fragile desert biota. The monument is actively collecting information and data through several research programs and projects, with one of the largest being the Sensitive Ecosystems Program (SEP). The present study, entitled "Land Use Trends Surrounding Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument," is one of nineteen (19) research efforts within SEP and is concerned with agricultural development in the Sonoyta Valley and its impact on the monument. The Sonoyta Valley aquifer is a common water resource shared by the United States and Mexico. The southern portion of ORPI forms part of the Rio Sonoyta watershed as well as the northern portion of the groundwater aquifer. The Mexican portion of the Sonoyta Valley is a prime site for agricultural development. Over 30,000 a had been developed for irrigated agriculture in the valley by the end of 1987. A considerable number of wells have been drilled to provide irrigation water for these lands. The Mexican Government has invested in transportation and electrical infrastructure as well as in the administration of credit, production, and marketing programs to provide critical assistance for local farmers. A large proportion of the irrigated lands is adjacent to the southern boundary of ORPI, which has raised concerns about possible effects on the flora and fauna of the monument. A primary concern is that continued or increased pumping in Mexico may lower the groundwater table and also reduce hydrostatic pressure at certain locations within ORPI, such as Quitobaquito, Burro and Williams springs. Another concern is the intrusion of agricultural chemicals into the monument through air drift and transportation by insects.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Brown, Bruce
- Date of Issue
- 1991-07
- Publisher
- Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit, University of Arizona/National Park Service
- Units
- ORPI
- Keywords
- Agriculture, Development, Environmental Impact, Grazing, Land Use, Monitoring, Natural Resource Management, Photographs, Sonoran Desert, Sonoyta Valley (AZ), Water Supply