Information for the Catalina Community

As the State Land Department considers the sale of over 40 square miles of undeveloped desert land on the east side of the Tortolita Mountains (now named Arroyo Grande project) we need to take into consideration the rapid development taking place just north and east of Oracle Junction in Falcon Valley, Willow Springs and Saddlebrooke Ranch. It is important that we consider the combined impact of all the development in the region on the sustainability of the area rather than considering these developments as independent "planned communities".

As scientists provide more and more evidence of continuing drought (see: Forecast Earth Video from The Weather Channel and be patient through the opening ad before the video...), (National Geographic Article on Southwest Drought) and federal agencies such as the Bureau of Reclamation prepare for an impending water crisis within the next 25 years (Potential Water Supply Crises by 2025) we all need to take a look at what we will be facing in the next 25-50 years. Articles from reputable sources like the USGS (Climatic Fluctuations, Drought, and Flow in the Colorado River Basin) and MSNBC (Report says Colorado River lower than during Dust Bowl) are pointing out that this is not a simple climate fluctuation that will correct itself in the next few years. Given the conclusive new scientific data now available and the narrow timelines being discussed, it is critical that we look at whether continued development of the region is sustainable or whether we need to switch focus instead to providing for the basic needs of existing residents of the region.

With sufficient CAP water supplies doubtful in the near future for the region, and new recharge concerns being studied (Recharging Treated Water May Alter Groundwater Quality ) the quality of our remaining groundwater is more critical than ever. And with water tables dropping yearly in Oro Valley, development that would increase the rapid depletion of the local aquifer is inadviseable. The regional aquifer flows south from the Falcon Valley (just north of Oracle Junction) where additional several new developments have been approved in recent years. In the map below the violet shaded area shows the underground water flow as it travels south under Oracle Junction, Saddlebrooke, Eagle Crest, Catalina, Oro Valley and into the Tucson Basin before flowing west into Avra Valley.

Note on the map at right that the Saddlebrooke Ranch development which is currently under construction wraps around the Page-Trowbridge Ranch Radioactive/Toxic Waste Dump. See the information at right and below for more details on this waste dump. Arroyo Grande would occupy the area southwest of this dump, west of Catalina and  north of Sun City Vistoso.

Page-Trowbridge Ranch Toxic Waste Dump Utilized over the years as an agricultural research center, the Page Ranch site became a radioactive and toxic chemical waste dumpsite operated by the University of Arizona from the early 1940s or 1950s until the EPA halted dumping in the 1980s and forced closure of the facility in the mid-1990s. The UA estimates that some 280 tons of radioactive waste was buried in unlined pits there prior to 1962 and in all, as much as 430 tons of radioactive and toxic chemical waste was dumped in unlined pits and backhoe trenches at the site causing many to be concerned about contamination of the underground water supply beneath the site. Municipal water wells for the region are within a few miles of the dump site adding to growing concern. Oracle residents who fought for closure of the site in the 1980s expressed concerns that down-draw from increased pumping of groundwater in the area could potentially increase the chances of migration of toxic chemicals from underneath the waste facility into the aquifer that supplies water to their community. It should be noted that an Air Force well drilled in the early 1960s for drinking water just 4000 feet from the dump site had to be closed and capped when radioactive materials were found in water samples taken from the 500 foot well.  Groundwater under the Page Ranch site is at about 700 feet. Ironically the Page Ranch land was turned over to the University by a retired street-car conductor who had lived on  the property and used it to demonstrate how water harvesting techniques could transform arid desert regions into green zones.

For more history of the site see the following news articles:
UA News Article On History of the Ranch Site  
Town residents slam UA toxic dump
 

An Oracle resident and freelance writer, Web Parton compiled an exhaustive 500 page report on the waste site detailing the extent of the dangers and included original documents and correspondence from University employees and state officials that he obtained under the freedom of information act. His entire report is available for download in PDF format below.

To download the following files, click on the links with your right mouse button and select Save Target As... to download and save a copy on your computer. Please note that the files are very large and the report has been broken into 5 parts to help with downloading. High speed internet is recommended to download these documents. 

Page Ranch Report Part 1   (15.4 MB pdf file)
Page Ranch Report Part 2   (73.1 MB pdf file)
Page Ranch Report Part 3   (64.0 MB pdf file)
Page Ranch Report Part 4   (44.5 MB pdf file)
Page Ranch Report Part 5   (74.3 MB pdf file)