in partnership with the Arizona National Guardpinaljlus.com/images/docs/pinal_county_jlus_report_public_draft... · The JLUS Report is a condensed portfolio of the key issues and

Joint Land Use Study

Public Draft December 2019

in partnership with the Arizona National Guard

This study was prepared under contract with Pinal County, Arizona, with financial support from the Office of Economic Adjustment Department of Defense. The content reflects the view of the key JLUS partners involved in the development

of this study and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Economic Adjustment.

PINAL COUNTY JOINT LAND USE STUDY

Public Draft JLUS Report

Prepared for

31 North Pinal Street Building F

PO Box 2973 Florence, AZ 85132

Prepared by

2020 North Central Avenue, Suite 1140 Phoenix, AZ 85004

December 2019

How to Read the JLUS Documents The Pinal County Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) consists of three separate documents that provide different levels

of information. These three documents are:

JLUS Background Report The JLUS Background Report provides a detailed technical background of existing conditions within the Pinal

County JLUS Project Area. It is separated out into five chapters. Chapter 1 provides an introduction and

overview of the Pinal County JLUS and why it was conducted. Chapter 2 introduces the communities that are

within the JLUS Study Area and gives an overview of their history and current statistics, including population,

housing characteristics, economic outlook, and past, present, and future trends of growth and development.

Chapter 3 provides an overview of Pinal County and its operational facilities, discusses the installation’s mission

and tenants, its strategic and local importance, and facility and training capabilities and operations. It concludes

with a discussion of the military footprints that go outside the installation boundaries. Chapter 4 provides an

overview of relevant plans, programs, and studies that are tools to address compatibility issues in the JLUS Study

Area. Chapter 5 presents the compatibility issues identified and a detailed assessment of each and how it

impacts Pinal County or the surrounding community.

JLUS Report The JLUS Report is a condensed portfolio of the key issues and strategies identified through the Pinal County

JLUS process. The report includes a user friendly reference of the JLUS that is accessible and easy‐to‐use for all

stakeholders. This report provides a brief discussion on the purpose and objectives of the JLUS, describes the

benefit of the JLUS, and provides an overview of the various JLUS partners that assisted in its development.

Finally, this document outlines the relevant compatibility issues accompanied by applicable strategies identified

in the Implementation Plan and provides summaries of the strategies separated by stakeholder.

Executive Summary Brochure The Executive Summary brochure provides a brief overview of the JLUS project and process and highlights the

key recommended strategies to address the compatibility issues identified. It also includes Pinal County Military

Compatibility Area maps and descriptions of each.

The Pinal County JLUS was prepared under contract with the Pinal County, Arizona, with financial support from the

Office of Economic Adjustment, Department of Defense. The content was developed through a collaborative

stakeholder process and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Economic Adjustment.

The Pinal County Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) was developed through a collaborative

partnership of representatives from varied stakeholders including local communities

Pinal County and other regional entities. Two JLUS committees – the Policy Committee

and the Technical Working Group – provided direction and technical oversight on the

document and were composed of representatives from the stakeholder groups.

Together, the groups worked toward a consensus on the issues and recommendations,

and participants provided comments at every stage of the drafting process. Individual

working group participants do not necessarily agree with or endorse any part or the

whole of the final document. The following pages identify the individuals that formally

participated in the development of the Pinal County JLUS.

Policy Committee The Policy Committee (PC) served an active and important role in providing policy

direction during the development of the Pinal County JLUS. The PC was composed of the

following individuals:

Local Representatives State Representatives

Gail Barney, Mayor and Alternate

Town of Queen Creek

Andy Biggs, State Representative 5th Congressional District

US Congress

Dorenda Coleman, Planning, Outreach & Encroachment Manager

Arizona National Guard

Jeff Flake, Senator

US Senate

Joseph Cuffari,

Military Affairs Commission

Raul Grijalva, State Representative 3rd Congressional District

US Congress

COL Raymond Garcia, Garrison Training Center Commander


Tom O’halleran, State Representative 1st Congressional District

US Congress

Simone Hall, Director of Policy

AZ State Land Department

Bill Hawkins, Council Member

Town of Florence

Ed Honea, Mayor and Alternate

Town of Marana

Pete Rios, Pinal County Board of Supervisors

Pinal County

Stephen Roe Lewis, Governor

Gila River Indian Community

Local Representatives (continued)

Anthony Smith, Pinal County Board of Supervisors

Pinal County

Tara Walter, Mayor

Town of Florence

Technical Working Group The Technical Working Group served a key role in the development of the Pinal County

JLUS. They provided the overall technical support, review, and guidance of the study.

The TWG was composed of the following individuals who represented local communities

and regional stakeholders.

Jason Angell, Planning Director

Town of Marana

Tim Kanavel, Economic Development Manager

Pinal County

Kimberly Antone, Land Use Planning and Zoning Director

Gila River Indian Community

Chuck Kmet, Emergency Management

Pinal County

Kyle Barichello, Planner

Town of Queen Creek

Jayme Lopez, Field Manager, Tucson

Bureau of Land Management

John Barrett, Land and Water Program Director

Arizona Land and Water Trust

Major Terrence McIntosh, Florence Military Reservation


Cameron Becker, Land and Water Program Manager, Stewardship Coordinator

Arizona Land Water Trust

Brad Meachem, Economic Development Manager

Central Arizona Governments

Tony Bianchi, Airport Planner

Phoenix‐Mesa Gateway Airport

Marcia Nesby, Water Resource Planner

Bureau of Reclamation

Randy Boles, Public Safety Leader

Arizona Public Service

Benedict Parsons, Realty Specialist

Bureau of Land Management

Jason Bottjen, Regional Planner

Arizona Department of Transportation

Robert Pate, Real Estate Manager, PW

Pinal County

Dana Burkhardt, Development Services Director

Town of Florence

Jim Petty, Airport Economic Manager, PW

Pinal County Airpark

Technical Working Group (continued) Brett Burningham, Planning Administrator

Town of Queen Creek

Chris Poirier, Deputy Planning

Pima County

Dorenda Coleman, Planning, Outreach & Encroachment Manager


Larry Robinson, Director

Tucson Electric

Dedrick Denton, Economic Development

Pinal County

Janeen Rohovit, Senior Government Relations Representative

Salt River Project

Jennifer Evans, Florence Economic Development

Town of Florence

John Schaff


Rosalio Fuentes,


Travis Schulte, Community Affairs Manager

Military Affairs Commission

Michelle Green, Project Manager

Arizona State Land Department

Tim Strow, Senior Transportation Planner

Maricopa Association of Governments

Floyd Hardin, Salt River Project Government Relations Representative

Salt River Project

Kent Taylor, Open Space Trails

Pinal County

Larry Harmer, Planning Manager

Town of Florence

Matthew Thomas, Chief Deputy

Pinal County Sheriff’s Office

Charles Hofer, Senior Research Biologist

Arizona Game and Fish

Angeline To, Engineer

Pinal County

Christopher Hyde, LTC


Skip Varney, Assistant Director, Development

Arizona State Parks

Melissa Johnson, Executive Director

Pinal Partnership

Jon Vlaming, Community Development Director

City of Eloy

Tracy Wieczorek, Supervisor, Land Services


Pinal County Pinal County served as the overall JLUS project management agency and the

administrator of the Office of Economic Adjustment grant that helped to fund the study.

Gilbert Olgin, Senior Planner and

JLUS Project Manager

Himanshu Patel, Community Development

Director

Steve Abraham, AICP, Planning Manager

Kelli Munroe, MSA, Budget Analyst / Impact

Fee Coordinator

JLUS Consultant / Technical Advisors Matrix Design Group, Inc. was the project consultant hired to conduct the JLUS project

through coordination with and assistance from Pinal County, the PC, the TWG, the public,

and other stakeholders.

Celeste Werner, AICP, Project Manager

Bren Cox, AICP, Deputy Project Manager

Mike Hrapla, Technical Manager

Stephen Werner, Lead Planner

Special Appreciation Pinal County wishes to recognize and thank all the residents, property owners,

community leaders, and other stakeholders for their participation in the workshops and

public open houses.

Public Draft Table of Contents i

1 Introduction .............................................................................. 1 What Is a Joint Land Use Study? ...................................................... 3 Why Prepare a JLUS? ......................................................................... 4 JLUS Stakeholders .............................................................................. 5 JLUS Project Area ............................................................................... 5

2 Community Profiles .................................................................. 7 JLUS Community Growth Trends ...................................................... 8

3 Arizona National Guard Profile ............................................. 11 Arizona Army National Guard Missions.......................................... 12 Florence Military Reservation .......................................................... 13 Silverbell Army Heliport .................................................................... 20 Picacho Peak Stagefield ................................................................ 26 Rittenhouse Training Site ................................................................. 29

4 Planning & Compatibility Tools ............................................. 33 Federal Programs and Policies ....................................................... 34 Arizona National Guard Plans and Programs ............................... 36 State of Arizona Legislation and Programs Relating to Military Compatibility ....................................................................... 37 Pinal County ..................................................................................... 39 City of Eloy ........................................................................................ 40 Town of Queen Creek ..................................................................... 40 Town of Marana ............................................................................... 41 Town of Florence ............................................................................. 42

5. Compatibility Assessment..................................................... 43 Compatibility Issue Identification and Evaluation ........................ 45 Compatibility Issues ......................................................................... 46

6. Implementation Plan ............................................................. 61 Implementation Plan Guidelines .................................................... 63 Coordination on Implementation .................................................. 64 AZARNG Military Compatibility Areas ............................................ 65 How to Read the Implementation Plan ........................................ 94

Pinal County Joint Land Use Study Public Draft ii

Figures and Tables

Figure 1 Pinal County JLUS Project Area ....................................................... 6 Figure 2 FMR Mission Footprint: Noise .......................................................... 15 Figure 3 FMR Mission Footprint: Safety Zones ............................................. 17 Figure 4 FMR Mission Footprint: Restricted Airspace ................................. 19 Figure 5 SBAH Mission Footprint: Airfield Hazard Areas ............................. 23 Figure 6 SBAH Mission Footprint: Tactical Flight Training Area .................. 25 Figure 7 Picacho Peak Stagefield Mission Footprint:

Controlled Airspace ....................................................................... 27 Figure 8 PPS Mission Footprint: Airfield Hazard Zones ................................ 28 Figure 9 Rittenhouse Training Site Mission Footprint:

Helicopter Flight Patterns ............................................................... 31 Figure 10 Rittenhouse Training Site Military Compatibility Area Overlay District ................................................................................ 67 Figure 11 Rittenhouse Training Site Land Use MCA ..................................... 68 Figure 12 Rittenhouse Training Site Helicopter Overflight MCA ................. 69 Figure 13 Florence Military Reservation Military Compatibility

Area Overlay District ...................................................................... 71 Figure 14 Florence Military Reservation Land Use MCA ............................. 72 Figure 15 Florence Military Reservation Impact Noise MCA ...................... 73 Figure 16 Florence Military Reservation Airspace Protection MCA ........... 75 Figure 17 Picacho Peak Stagefield Military Compatibility Area

Overlay District ................................................................................ 77 Figure 18 Picacho Peak Stagefield Land Use MCA .................................... 78 Figure 19 Picacho Peak Stagefield Aviation Safety MCA .......................... 79 Figure 20 Picacho Peak Stagefield Vertical Obstructions MCA ................ 80 Figure 21 Picacho Peak Stagefield Airspace MCA ..................................... 81 Figure 22 Primary Helicopter Training Route MCA ...................................... 82 Figure 23 Silverbell Army Heliport Military Compatibility

Area Overlay District ...................................................................... 86 Figure 24 Silverbell Army Heliport Land Use MCA ........................................ 87 Figure 25 Silverbell Army Heliport Aviation Safety MCA ............................. 88 Figure 26 Silverbell Army Heliport Vertical Obstructions MCA ................... 89 Figure 27 Helicopter Training MCA ................................................................ 90 Figure 28 Helicopter Night Training MCA ..................................................... 91

Public Draft Table of Contents iii

Table 1 JLUS Project Area Population Trends Between 2000 and 2017 ................................................................................... 9

Table 2 Population Projections by JLUS Community from 2010 to 2050 .................................................................................... 10

Table 3 Number of Housing Units Between 2000 and 2016 ..................... 10 Table 4 Florence Military Reservation Restricted Airspace Floors

and Ceilings .................................................................................... 18 Table 5 Implementation Plan Strategy Table ........................................... 97

Pinal County Joint Land Use Study Public Draft iv

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Public Draft Acronyms A-1

A

AASF Army Aviation Support Facility

ACUB Army Compatible Use Buffer

ADOT Arizona Department of Transportation

AGL above ground level

AME‐UP Arizona Military Energy Land Use Plan

APZ Accident Potential Zone

ARS Arizona Revised Statutes

ATCAA air traffic control assigned airspace

AZARNG Arizona Army National Guard

AZGFD Arizona Game and Fish Department

B

BIO Biological Resources

BLM Bureau of Land Management

C

CAP Central Arizona Project

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

COM Coordination / Communication

CPLO Community Plans and Liaison Officer

CR Cultural Resources

CZ clear zone

Pinal County Joint Land Use Study Public Draft A-2

D

dB decibel

DSS Dust / Smoke / Steam

E

ED Energy Development

ESQD Explosive Safety Quantity Distance

F

FAA Federal Aviation Administration

FAR Federal Aviation Regulation

FLPMA Federal Land Policy and Management Act

FMR Florence Military Reservation

FSI Frequency Spectrum Impedance / Interference

H

HMMWV high mobility multi‐wheeled vehicle


I

IE Infrastructure Extensions

IED improvised explosive device

J

JLUS Joint Land Use Study

L

LAS Land / Air Spaces

LEG Legislative Initiatives

LG Light and Glare

LI Light Industrial

LU Land Use

M

MAC Military Affairs Commission

MCA Military Compatibility Area

MIF Military Installation Fund

MOA Memorandum of Agreement


N

NCO Non Commissioned Officer

NDAA National Defense Authorization Act

NHPA National Historic Preservation Act

NOI Noise

O

OSD Office of the Secretary of Defense

P

P/I Public / Institutional

PC Policy Committee

PS Public Services

PT Public Trespassing

R

RA Rural Agriculture

RC Roadway Capacity

REPI Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration


S

SA Safety

SBAH Silverbell Army Heliport

SDZ surface danger zone

SONMP Statewide Operational Noise Management Plan

T

TFTA Tactical Flight Training Area

TWG Technical Working Group

U

UAS unmanned aerial systems

USC United States Code

USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

V

VO Vertical Obstructions


W

WAATS Western ARNG Aviation Training Site

WQQ Water Quality / Quantity

Public Draft Introduction

Military installations are critical to local economies, generating thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in economic activity and tax revenue annually. The growth of incompatible development around military installations, often referred to as encroachment, has been a leading factor in the loss of training operations at military sites across the country and has resulted in realignment of mission-critical components between installations.

1

Pinal County Joint Land Use Study Public Draft

Existing levels and types of encroachment are key factors that are evaluated by the Department of Defense and other federal agencies when considering future missions and the realignment of assets from one installation to another. To protect the missions of military facilities and the health of economies and industries that rely on them, encroachment must be addressed through mutual information sharing and joint planning efforts by installations and local communities. This Pinal County Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) identifies and strives to mitigate existing compatibility issues, as well as prevent future issues, while strengthening coordination between the Arizona Army National Guard (AZARNG) and communities near to AZARNG sites and training areas in Pinal County.

Along with Pinal County, four communities participated as stakeholders in this JLUS. These are the four closest communities to the four AZARNG sites that were a part of this JLUS. These communities are:

The Town of Queen Creek (closest to Rittenhouse Training Site;

The Town of Florence (closest to Florence Military Reservation);

The City of Eloy (closest to Picacho Peak Stagefield); and

The Town of Marana (closest to Silverbell Army Heliport).

The Pinal County JLUS advocates a proactive approach to encourage increased communication about decisions relating to land use regulation and airspace operations, AZARNG activities in Pinal County, conservation, and natural resource management issues affecting both the community and the military. This JLUS seeks to avoid land use and airspace operations conflicts by engaging the military and local decision-makers in a proactive, collaborative and multi-agency planning process.

2


What is a Joint Land Use Study? A Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) is a planning tool that is developed through the

collaborative efforts of a set of stakeholders from a defined project area in order to

identify incompatible uses, operations and activities on the land, in the airspace, and on

bodies of water within and adjacent to active military installations. This helps facilitate a

mutual effort to protect and preserve military readiness and defense capabilities while

supporting continued community growth and economic development. The goal is to

develop a set of strategies for mitigating identified incompatibilities that can be

implemented by the appropriate stakeholders. Stakeholders include:

Local, state, and federal government officials;

Tribal government representatives;

Government and non‐governmental agencies and organizations;

Local property and business owners; and

The military.

The general public also plays a vital role in the development and review of a JLUS.

JLUS Goal The primary goal of the Pinal County JLUS is to protect the viability of current and future

military operations, while simultaneously guiding compatible community development,

supporting regional economic viability and environmental health, and protecting the

health, safety, and welfare of local residents and military personnel around Arizona

National Guard sites and operational areas.

JLUS Objectives Three objectives are instrumental in achieving these goals.

Understanding. Bring together community and military representatives to

identify, confirm, and understand compatibility issues in an open forum that

considers both community and military perspectives and needs. Understanding

is facilitated through a cohesive education and outreach program that increases

public awareness regarding land use planning and provides opportunities for

input.

3


Collaboration. Encourage cooperative land and airspace use and resource

planning among the military and surrounding communities. Collaboration is

necessary as a way to both avoid incompatible community growth and

development and identify ways of reducing operational impacts on lands within

the JLUS Project Area.

Actions. Provide a set of mutually supported tools, activities, and procedures

from which local jurisdictions, agencies, the military, and other stakeholders can

select, prepare, adopt, and implement recommendations developed during the

JLUS process. The actions include operational measures that mitigate

installation impacts on surrounding communities, as well as local government

protocols that reduce community impacts on military operations. The proactive

strategies help decision makers resolve current issues and prioritize future

projects within annual budgeting cycles.

Why Prepare a JLUS? Although military installations and nearby communities may be separated by a fenceline,

they often share use of natural and manmade resources such as land, airspace, water,

and infrastructure. Despite the many positive interactions among local jurisdictions,

agencies, and the military and because so many resources are shared, the activities or

actions of one entity can unintentionally impact another, thus, resulting in conflicts. As

communities develop and expand in response to growth and market demands, they can

potentially locate incompatible development closer to military installations and

operational / training areas. Examples of incompatible development include residential

development near firing ranges being impacted by noise and tall structures, such as cell

towers, being located within helicopter flight routes and causing vertical obstructions.

Uncoordinated incompatible development can generate new or exacerbate existing land

use conflicts and other compatibility issues, often referred to as encroachment. Such

encroachments, as the baseline of discovery in this study, can have negative impacts on

community safety, economic development, and the sustainability of military activities

and readiness. These issues and their potential impacts can pose a significant threat to

military readiness activities, and identifying and addressing them is currently one of the

military’s greatest operational challenges.

AZARNG Economic Benefit The Arizona Army National Guard and Silverbell Army Heliport account for over

3,350 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, generating over $865 million in economic impact

throughout the State of Arizona, according to the Military Affairs Commission 2017

Economic Impact of Arizona’s Principal Military Operations. The AZARNG trains over

5,100 soldiers annually to prepare for deployment and respond to state emergencies. It

is not only important to support and protect AZARNG sites and training capabilities

4


because of the economic benefit they provide, but also to preserve their capabilities to

support local and regional communities during times of domestic and national

emergencies, wartime deployments, global humanitarian efforts, and other needs.

JLUS Stakeholders The Pinal County JLUS was developed as a community‐led effort through the

collaboration of a diverse group of stakeholders. The development of the Pinal County

JLUS was guided by two committees composed of representatives from Pinal County, the

City of Eloy, the towns of Florence, Marana, and Queen Creek, the Arizona Military Affairs

Commission, Arizona National Guard, and other local and regional stakeholders. The two

committees were the Policy Committee (PC) and the Technical Working Group (TWG).

These groups met together several times throughout the JLUS to discuss key milestones.

They were also charged with reviewing draft materials prior to public release. The public,

including residents, property owners, and business owners, also played an important role

in the development of the JLUS and recommendations. Three sets of public workshops

were held to present key findings and get public input at various stages of the project.

the public also had the opportunity to review the Public Draft JLUS documents and

provide comments before they were finalized.

JLUS Project Area The Pinal County JLUS Project Area was designed to consider land surrounding each of

the four AZARNG sites in Pinal County where land and airspace uses may impact current

or future military operations or be impacted by them. Figure 1 shows the Project Area.

5


Pinal County

Pinal County

Picacho PeakStagefield

RittenhouseTraining Site

SilverbellArmy

Heliport

FlorenceMilitary

Reservation

Maricopa County

Pima County

x387

x202

x287x84

x79

x87

x187

£¤60

§¦10

§¦8

Phoenix

Maricopa

SuperiorMesa

Kearny

CasaGrande

Chandler Gilbert

Tucson

OroValley

Coolidge

Florence

Eloy

Marana

QueenCreek

PicachoReservoir

CAP C

anal

CAP Canal

CoronadoNationalForest

TontoNationalForest

GilaRiver IndianReservation

Maricopa (AkChin) IndianReservation

TohonoO'odham Nation

Reservation

TortolitaPreserve

TortolitaMountain

Park

San Tan Park

IronwoodForest National

Monument

Sonoran DesertNational

Monument

Casa Grande RuinsNational Monument

Hohokam PimaNational Monument

SaguaroNational Park

BoyceThompson Arboretum

State Park

McFarland StateHistoric Park

Picacho PeakState Park

CatalinaStatePark

EloyMPA

Florence MPA

QueenCreekMPA

MaranaMPA

Source: AZ National Guard, 2018. USGS, 2017. Maricopa Association of Governments, 2018.

Pinal County JLUS Project AreaFigure 1

LegendAZ National GuardJLUS Partner City/TownJLUS Project AreaCounty BoundaryOther City/Town

InterstateHighway / FreewayRailroadWater BodyNative American ReservationPark/Preserve/National Monument

Pima County

GilaCounty

MaricopaCounty

Pinal County

0 105Miles

JLUS PartnerMunicipal Planning Area (MPA)

6

Public Draft Community Profiles

This chapter provides information about the communities surrounding Arizona National Guard facilities that participated in the Pinal County Joint Land Use Study (JLUS). These communities are:

Pinal County

The Town of Florence,

The City of Eloy,

The Town of Marana, and

The Town of Queen Creek.

7


Capturing and describing certain characteristics of these communities provides a baseline context from which informed decisions can be made when assessing compatibility strategies. The goal is to provide information that enables stakeholders to understand the relationships between the communities and the Arizona Army National Guard (AZARNG). This information is intended to be considered with other factors to help decision makers generate informed and coherent planning policies and to make decisions about future development and economic growth before compatibility issues arise.

JLUS Community Growth Trends The following section reviews trends in the Project Area’s population growth, housing,

and median home values. This information establishes a regional context for projecting

growth and development in the JLUS Project Area and for effective analysis‐based,

compatibility planning.

Population Trends Comparisons of population values through time in a given geographical area are used to

identify past growth or decline in a particular area and to predict future growth

dynamics. Population ultimately drives employment and housing growth. The population

data used in this section is based on information obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The information presented provides a comparison of the changes in population for the

communities that participated in the Pinal County JLUS.

The population figures represent the permanent population in the Project Area, but do

not consider the temporary population surges associated with the tourism industry and

migration due to seasonal employment. Table 1 shows the 2000 and 2010 Census totals,

2017 Census estimates, and percentage of change in the populations of jurisdictions

within the JLUS Project Area, as well as in the State of Arizona.

8

Public Draft Community Profiles

Table 1 JLUS Project Area Population Trends Between 2000 and 2017

Jurisdiction Population,

2000 Population,

2010

Estimated population,

2017

Population change, 2000 ‐ 2017

Percentage Change, 2000 ‐ 2017

Arizona 5,130,632 6,392,017 6,809,946 1,679,314 33%

Pinal County 179,727 375,770 405,537 225,810 126%

Town of Florence

17,054 25,536 26,066 9,012 53%

City of Eloy 10,375 16,631 17,412* 7,037 68%

Town of Marana

13,556 34,961 41,720 28,164 208%

Town of Queen Creek

4,316 26,361 33,298 28,982 572%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000; U.S. Census Bureau, 2010, and U.S. Census Bureau 2017 Population

Estimates Program; City of Eloy

*Estimated population include inmates

Future Population Projections The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity prepares population projections for

communities within the state. Table 2 shows the population projections for the JLUS

communities. All of the JLUS partner communities are projected to increase in

population by at least 150 percent from 2010 to 2050. These rates of change are greater

than the state, which indicates heavy population growth in the JLUS Project Area.

As projections, these population numbers are not exact, but are estimated to help cities

and counties to develop land use priorities to minimize impacts from future growth and

manage new development.

9


Table 2 Population Projections by JLUS Community from 2010 to 2050

2010 Census

Population Projections Population Change

2010‐2050

Percentage Change

2010‐2050 Community 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050

Arizona 6,401,569 7,346,787 7,944,753 8,535,913 9,128,899 9,706,815 10,265,015 10,820,872 4,419,303 69%

Pinal County 376,369 463,463 527,859 604,769 696,738 800,707 913,286 1,035,522 659,153 175%

City of Eloy 16,657 21,966 31,969 44,282 57,357 73,471 93,588 115,581 98,924 594%

Town of Florence

25,536 29,970 33,337 36,665 42,220 48,150 53,349 58,644 41,987 252%

Town of Marana

35,051 49,588 57,937 66,496 75,570 83,857 92,917 100,881 65,830 188%

Town of Queen Creek

26,448 43,200 55,900 59,200 62,400 64,100 65,000 66,000 39,552 150%

Source: 2010 population numbers are from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2010; Queen Creek and Eloy population projections developed by

Maricopa Association of Governments, 2016; all other communities developed by Arizona Department of Administration, Office of

Employment and Population Statistics, 2015

Housing Trends Housing trends indicate economic activity and vitality in an area through their

relationship to areas of population growth. In slower‐growing areas, housing data may

reveal population decline or out‐migration. These trends also represent market decisions

relating to home ownership or rental properties. The rate of housing development is a

strong indicator of the overall rate of development taking place in a region, which may

result in potential incompatible land uses in conjunction with operations at the AZARNG

sites. Essentially, housing trends have the potential to indicate future types of

residential and commercial development. The following information includes housing

market trends, median monthly gross rents, and median home values within the JLUS

Project Area.

Table 3 shows an increase in housing units between 2000 and 2016 in all jurisdictions.

The increase in attractiveness of the area is causing increases in both population and new

housing development.

Table 3 Number of Housing Units Between 2000 and 2016

Jurisdiction 2000 Census

2010 Census

2016 Estimate

Number Change

2000‐2016

Percentage Change

2000‐2016

Arizona 2,189,189 2,844,526 2,913,541 724,352 33%

Pinal County 81,154 159,222 166,455 85,301 105%

City of Eloy 2,734 3,691 4,194 1,460 53%

Town of Florence 3,216 5,224 7,639 4,423 138%

Town of Marana 5,702 14,726 15,747 10,045 176%

Town of Queen Creek

1,281 8,557 10,545 9,264 723%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000; U.S. Census Bureau, 2010; 2012‐2016 American Community Survey 5‐Year Estimates, City of Eloy, 2018

10

Public Draft Arizona National Guard Profile

This section provides an overview of the Arizona Army National Guard (AZARNG) sites that are located in Pinal County and are a part of this JLUS. These are:

Florence Military Reservation,

Silverbell Army Heliport,

Picacho Peak Stagefield, and

Rittenhouse Training Site.

11


Identifying and describing the various activities performed at the AZARNG sites and in the surrounding airspace provides valuable insight into the importance of the AZARNG as a regional, state, and national strategic asset and as a part of the fabric of the surrounding communities. The purpose of this information is to help stakeholders make informed decisions about future development and economic growth within communities around the AZARNG sites that could potentially impact their viability and future missions.

Arizona Army National Guard Missions The AZARNG has a unique dual mission, with both state and federal responsibilities. The

state mission is to protect the public safety of the citizens of Arizona by providing support

to civil authorities during natural disasters, civil unrest, and other emergencies. The

governor serves as the Commander in Chief for the AZARNG and is responsible for

mobilizing AZNG personnel as needed to fulfill the state mission. Mobilization is done in

coordination with the Adjutant General. The AZARNG’s federal mission is to maintain

properly trained and equipped units available for prompt mobilization in times of war,

national emergencies, or as otherwise needed. If and when necessary, the President of

the United States has the authority to mobilize the National Guard in support of its

federal mission. When federalized, National Guard units are commanded by the

Combatant Commander of the theatre in which they are assigned.

Arizona Army National Guard soldiers train year‐round in preparation for any mission,

foreign or domestic. National Guard members are required to attend one drill weekend

each month and one training period every year. These training periods usually last for

two weeks in the summer. Many AZARNG members serve in a full‐time capacity in a role

known as Active Guard and Reserve.

12


Florence Military Reservation Florence Military Reservation (FMR) is adjacent to the Town of Florence, part way

between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona’s two largest metropolitan areas. It provides a

centralized training and mobilization staging area. Florence Military Reservation’s

mission is to provide the facilities needed to train AZARNG units and other National

Guard troops, including firing ranges, maneuver areas, and other activity areas. It serves

as Arizona’s primary training site for individual weapons qualifications. Primary elements

of the mission include the administration of firing ranges and the operation of an

integrated training area for small arms, land navigation, and helicopter training. Florence

Military Reservation also supports the Arizona Regional Training Institute, Officer

Candidate School, Military Occupation Specialty, and Non‐Commissioned Officer (NCO)

Education System courses. Due to the nature of military training activities that occur at

FMR, there are no units based there. The facilities at FMR are adequately operated and

managed by four full‐time personnel on a daily basis, but other operators are present

when units are using the installation.

Florence Military Reservation is a Level V Training Center and serves as the Desert

Training Environment for the AZARNG. A Level V Training Center supports individual and

collective training up to company level. Florence Military Reservation is an important

asset to the AZARNG’s training capabilities because the environment is similar to areas

where troops are deployed, and it also provides realistic training grounds that facilitates

troops’ success in their respective missions. Florence Military Reservation’s training

capabilities include small arms ranges, grenade ranges, machine gun ranges, land

navigation courses, maneuver areas, mine detection lanes, improvised explosive device

(IED) defeat lanes, rock crusher training, drop zones, landing zones, high mobility

multi‐wheeled vehicle (HMMWV) driver training, bivouac, obstacle courses, an MOUT

mock village with 50 buildings, and restricted airspace to test and train unmanned aerial

systems. The installation also offers virtual combat systems in small arms engagement

skills, HMMWV vehicle rollover, and virtual convoy operations training. National Guard

use of FMR occurs primarily during weekend drills and two‐week annual training periods.

Approximately 5,100 National Guard Soldiers train at FMR each year, averaging

29,000 man use days (use by one person for one day) annually.

FMR Mission Footprints FMR’s overall mission profile reflects the following operational footprint components:

Noise

Safety

Weapon Surface Danger Zones

Explosive Safety Quantity Distance Arcs

Restricted Airspace

Florence Military Reservation Fast Facts

Size:

18,616 acres

Primary trainingarea used year-round – 7,751 acres (5,605 ac. owned / 2,146 ac. leased)

Limited use area leased for 22 days per year – 10,865 acres

Nearest Town:

Town of Florencedirectly south

Level V TrainingCenter:

Desert TrainingEnvironment for AZARNG

Training Areas:

Small armsweapons

Tactical urban combat

Land navigation

Maneuvering

Helicopter flight

Unmanned aerial systems

13


Noise Due to the training that occurs at FMR, only small arms noise contours have been

modeled. Small arms weapons typically refer to hand‐held and easily portable weapons

of .50 caliber or less that are primarily used against personnel and lightly armored or

unarmored equipment. The Small Arms Range Noise Assessment Model is the computer

program used by the Army to model small arms noise zones. It uses the peak noise level

and incorporates the most up‐to‐date information available on weapons noise source

models, sound propagation, ricochet barriers, noise mitigation and safety structures, and

the direction weapons are fired to create the noise zones.

The noise zones that were modeled for FMR represent a maximum small arms training

scenario where all ranges are actively firing. This event is unlikely to occur due to the

overlap of some ranges and their associated safety zones. However, there are also

individual events where noise generated is louder than the model that is generated

based on an average. Noise Zone III falls entirely within the boundary of FMR. Noise

Zone II extends outside the boundary for approximately 4,000 feet to the east, 2,300 feet

to the south, and 3,700 feet to the west. However, there is currently minimal

development in this area, and there are very few noise‐sensitive uses. The noise zones

are illustrated on Figure 2.

Safety Weapon Surface Danger Zones

A surface danger zone (SDZ) is an area around a weapons firing range from which the

access of all military personnel and civilians is restricted due to the inherent dangers

associated with the firing of live munitions. An SDZ can include the surface (and

subsurface) of land and water, as well as the air space overhead through which

projectiles are launched. An SDZ includes the weapons firing position, the target

impact area, and a secondary buffer area, which is an additional distance where errant

projectile / munitions fragments may land without risking harm to life or property.

Surface danger zones vary in size and shape depending on the type of weapon(s) fired,

their firing location, and the projectile trajectory.

14


FMR Mission Footprint: NoiseFigure 20 1½

Miles

_

_

Pinal County

Florence

x79

E Price Station Rd

E Diversion Dam Rd

Hiller

Rd

FlorenceMilitary

Reservation

CAP Canal

CAP Canal

Data is not legal grade and should be used for planning purposes only.Source: AZ National Guard, 2010.

LegendNoise Zones

Zone II (87-104 dB)Zone III (>104 dB)

AZ National Guard InstallationFiring RangeImpact AreaTown of Florence

Highway / FreewayLocal RoadRailroad

15


Each of the firing ranges at FMR has an associated SDZ based on the type of weapons

fired at that range. For simplicity, the SDZs are initially modeled on a 2‐dimensional

plane. Some of the 2‐dimensional SDZs at FMR extend outside the installation’s

boundary onto privately‐owned land. For this reason, the AZARNG has modeled

3‐dimensional SDZs that consider the terrain around these ranges. When terrain features

on FMR are factored in, the resulting terrain‐mitigated SDZs do not extend outside the

boundary of FMR. For example, the 2‐dimensional SDZs for .50 caliber weapons at FMR

fall outside the boundary, but the 3‐dimensional terrain‐mitigated SDZs do not. None of

the terrain‐mitigated SDZs for weapons currently used at FMR extend outside the

reservation borders. The SDZs are illustrated on Figure 3.

Explosive Safety Quantity Distance Arc

Explosive Safety Quantity Distance (ESQD) arcs encompass areas where risk has been

identified based on the potential impacts of explosives or munitions being stored in a

specific location. These arcs represent the setback distance from the ordnance storage

or handling where inhabited facilities cannot be located for safety reasons. The setback

distances are based on the quantity and type of explosives or munitions at the specified

location and represent the distance from the storage facility from which the potential for

injury and damage is greatly reduced. There are ammunition supply bunkers on the

DoD‐owned portion of FMR on the west side of SR 79. The bunkers have associated

ESQD arcs based on the type and amount of munitions stored there. As illustrated on

Figure 3, the ESQD arc extends almost to the edge of FMR’s boundary, but not beyond it.

16


FlorenceMilitary

Reservation

Mortar Pits

Practice HandGrenade Course

Automatic RecordFire Range

Combat PistolQualification Range

14.5 Field ArtilleryScaled Indirect

Range

30-Point, 60-Point Range

M203 GrenadeLauncher Range

Test RangeLight

Anti-armorWeapon

Range

MultipurposeMachine Gun

RangeMK-19 Grenade

Machine Gun Range

KnownDistance

RangeAT-4 Range

10 Meter Range

MOUT Site

E Arizona Farms Rd

Hiller Rd

E Price Station RdPinal County

x79

Florence CAP Canal

CAP Canal

FMR Mission Footprint: Safety ZonesFigure 3

Legend10 Meter Range SDZAT-4 Range SDZKnown Distance Range SDZMortar Pit SDZMultipurpose Machine Gun Range SDZ

Firing RangeMOUT SiteImpact AreaESQD Arc

Florence Military ReservationTown of FlorenceHighway / FreewayLocal RoadRailroad

0 ½¼Miles

FlorenceMilitary

Reservation

Source: AZ National Guard, 2018.

17


Restricted Airspace Restricted airspace designates areas where ongoing or intermittent activities create

frequent and often invisible hazards to aircraft. Restricted airspace is specifically

designated where flight or ground activities must be confined as they could be

considered hazardous to non‐participating aircraft, such as commercial and/or general

aviation aircraft. Restricted airspace is bounded by a floor (the minimum altitude a plane

can fly) and a ceiling (the maximum altitude a plane can fly). Restricted airspace is

designated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 73 and is utilized for

activities such as weapons firing, hazardous flight activity, and aircraft testing, including

high speed maneuvering, abrupt altitude changes, and other dynamic, non‐standard

aircraft activity, such as unmanned aerial system operations.

The restricted airspace above Florence Military Reservation is separated into three

different sections. These three sections are called R‐2310A, R‐2310B, and R‐2310C.

Restrictions can be activated during live‐fire weapons training activities to protect aircraft

by excluding them from the area where weapons firing is occurring. They can also be put

in place during training of unmanned aerial systems, so they do not interfere with other

aircraft. Table 4 identifies the altitude range that corresponds with each section; their

location is specified in Figure 4. R‐2310A has the largest footprint, with R‐2310B and

R‐2310C above it providing additional protected airspace when needed.

Table 4 Florence Military Reservation Restricted Airspace Floors and Ceilings

Restricted Airspace Minimum Altitude (mean sea level)

Maximum Altitude (mean sea level)

Effective Times of Use

R‐2310A Surface 10,000 feet Intermittent, by Notice to Airmen 48 hours in advance.

R‐2310B 10,000 feet 17,000 feet Intermittent, by Notice to Airmen 48 hours in advance.

R‐2310 C 17,000 feet 35,000 feet Intermittent, by Notice to Airmen 48 hours in advance.

R‐2310A Surface 10,000 feet Intermittent, by Notice to Airmen 48 hours in advance.

Source: Federal Aviation Administration‐Aeronautical Information Services, October 2017

18


FlorenceMilitary

Reservation

R-2310A

R-2310B

R-2310C

Florence

£¤60

x79

CAP Canal

CAP Cana

l

Source: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 2017.

FMR Mission Footprint: Restricted AirspaceFigure 4

LegendRestricted Airspace

R-2310A - Ground to 10,000 ftR-2310B - 10,000 ft to 17,000 ftR-2310C - 17,000 ft to 35,000 ft

Florence Military ReservationTown of FlorenceHighway / FreewayRailroad

0 1 2½Miles

19


Silverbell Army Heliport Silverbell Army Heliport (SBAH) is in southern Pinal County, just north of the Pinal‐Pima

County border and immediately adjacent to Pinal Airpark less than three miles west of

Interstate 10, the main north‐south corridor between Phoenix and Tucson.

Encompassing 160 acres, Silverbell Army Heliport is one of the Army’s premier aviation

training locations and serves as the AZARNG’s primary aviation facility. Its mission is to

conduct individual‐ and unit‐level aviation training, operate regional aviation simulation

facilities, and provide aviation support operations for the Army, the State of Arizona, and

international military customers. More than 300 helicopter pilots from the National

Guard, Active Duty Army, and Army Reserves are trained at SBAH annually.

One of the AZARNG’s two AASFs (Army Aviation Support Facility), AASF #2, is located at

SBAH. The other one, AASF #1, is located at Papago Park Military Reservation in Phoenix.

The primary function of the AASF is to maintain flight proficiency for AZARNG pilots

through training. Most AZARNG pilots must fly between 86 to 110 hours annually. The

AASF also provides aviation support, including hoist and fire bucket operations, as

required by the Adjutant General and the Governor to support state emergency

management operations. In support of the AZARNG’s federal mission, AASF units must

provide aviation support to airlift and combat operations whenever called into service by

the President. Other major activities supported by the AASF include refueling,

maintenance, and repair of aircraft and ground vehicles.

Silverbell Army Heliport is home to the Western ARNG Aviation Training Site (WAATS),

which provides year‐round training to all Army National Guard rotary wing units west of

the Mississippi River. The eastern counterpart to the WAATS is the Eastern ARNG

Aviation Training Site, located at Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania.

Helicopter training is conducted in the 3,600‐square mile Tactical Flight Training Area

that allows low level flights, nap of the earth terrain flights, emergency procedure

simulation, air‐to‐air combat training, and tactical and dust environment landing zones in

designated areas. Much of the Tactical Flight Training Area is outside the JLUS Project

Area. To the extent possible, low level overflight above populated areas is avoided to

minimize disturbances to people and animals. The nearby semi‐mountainous terrain

provides ideal tactical flight training as well and allows instructors to maximize their

efforts without loss of time due to traveling far away from their Silverbell Army Heliport.

Silverbell Army Heliport Fast Facts

Size:

160 acres, owned by the AZARNG

Nearest Town:

Town of Marana, 3.0 miles to the southeast

Primary AZARNG aviation training facility:

Western ARNG training site for UH-60 Black Hawk and UH-72 Lakota helicopters

3,6000 square mile Tactical Flight Training Area

Training Areas:

Low-level flight Night flight Simulated flight Academic Enlisted Foreign military Operations Maintenance

20


SBAH Mission Footprints Silverbell Army Heliport’s overall operational footprint includes the following

components:

Noise Impacts

Helipad Imaginary Surfaces

Helipad Accident Potential Zones

Tactical Flight Training Area

Noise Although helicopter flights at SBAH are a common occurrence, the total number of daily

operations is not high enough to generate noise contours based on DNL annual averages.

There are no Noise Zones II or III that extend outside the boundary of the installation.

However, individual flight operations may result in noise nuisance during flight activities

to and/or from SBAH that may impact property owners on the ground. For this reason,

No Fly Zones have been identified on flight maps, and pilots are advised to fly above

1,000 feet above ground level (AGL) in these areas and to avoid overflight whenever

possible.

SBAH Helipad Imaginary Surfaces The FAA and DoD have identified certain imaginary surfaces that are used to determine if

structures and facilities constitute a vertical obstruction, relative to the airspace around

runways and helipads. The levels of imaginary surfaces build upon one another and are

designed to eliminate obstructions to air navigation and operations, either natural or

man‐made. The dimension or size of an imaginary surface depends on the type of

runway or helipad around which it is based. For the type of helipads at SBAH, the

following imaginary surfaces are defined:

The primary surface immediately surrounds the landing surface offset by

150 feet and must be kept free of all obstructions not directly required for

airfield operations.

The approach‐departure clearance surface is symmetrically centered on the

extended helipad landing lane, beginning as an inclined plane at the end of the

primary surface and extending for 1,200 feet. The slope of the

approach‐departure clearance surface is 8:1. The width of this surface at the

primary surface is 300 feet, widening uniformly to a width of 600 feet at the end

point.

21


The transitional surface extends outward and upward at right angles to the

primary surface and extended landing lane at a slope of 2:1. The transitional

surface starts at the lateral edges of the primary surface and the

approach‐departure clearance surface. It continues outward and upward at the

prescribed slope to an elevation of 87.5 feet above the specified helipad. It then

rises vertically to an elevation of 150 feet above the helipad elevation.

The imaginary surfaces at SBAH extend approximately 140 feet past the northern and

114 feet past the western boundaries over undeveloped Arizona State Trust land that is

managed by the Arizona State Land Department, as well as roughly 1,160 feet to the

south over land that is part of Pinal Airpark. Figure 5 depicts the imaginary surfaces for

helipads at SBAH.

SBAH Helipad Accident Potential Zones The DoD has created safety zones around runways and landing areas based on historical

data identifying areas that are most prone to be impacted in the highly unlikely event of

an aircraft accident. These safety zones are divided into Clear Zones (CZ), Accident

Potential Zone (APZ) I, and APZ II. The zones are based on the dimensions and

classification of the associated runway or landing area. Helicopter landing pads such as

the ones located at SBAH do not have an APZ II because of their size. The orientation of

the safety zones is usually determined by typical flight patterns that aircraft take when

approaching a designated landing area. The safety zones start at the ends of the primary

surface.

For safety reasons, CZs should be entirely clear of any obstructions, whether man‐made

or natural, unless they are deemed necessary for aircraft landing. To ensure this, it is

generally the DoD’s strategy either to acquire the land, initiate a long‐term lease, or

establish an easement to prevent any development or growth. The guidelines for

development within APZ I are less stringent than in the CZ, but development should be

limited, and residential and other uses that congregate people are generally not

recommended. The primary surface encompasses all four landing pads. There are two

associated CZs that begin at both ends of the primary surface. The CZs extend to a length

of 400 feet and have a width of 300 feet. Starting at the end of each CZ, the two APZs I

extend an additional 800 feet with a width of 300 feet. The southern CZ extends outside

the boundary of SBAH over a portion of Pinal Airpark. The northern CZ is within SBAH’s

boundary. The entire southern APZ I is outside of SBAH’s boundary, over Pinal Airpark

property. Approximately 140 feet of the northern APZ I extends outside SBAH’s

boundary over undeveloped Arizona State Trust land managed by the Arizona State Land

Department. The CZs and APZs are illustrated on Figure 5.

22


SBAH Mission Footprint: Airfield Hazard AreasFigure 50 500250

Feet

Pinal County

SilverbellArmy Heliport

Pinal Airpark

Source: AZARNG Florence Military Reservation (Real Property Component 4) Proponent Strategy, October 2017Note: The imaginary surfaces were not available from the AZARNG and were mapped based on DoD Unified FacilitiesCriteria (UFC) 3-260-01 for the purposes of this project and are meant for informational and planning purposes only.

LegendImaginary Surfaces

Primary SurfaceApproach/Departure Clearance Surface (Slopes)Transitional Surface (Slopes)

Accident Potential ZonesClear ZoneAPZ 1

Silverbell Army HeliportPinal Airpark

23


Tactical Flight Training Area The biggest asset to training at SBAH is the 3,600‐square mile Tactical Flight Training Area

(TFTA), much of which falls outside the JLUS Project Area. The TFTA allows pilots to train

for low‐level flights, including terrain contour and nap of the earth flights, over different

types of terrain. Tactical training is conducted below 300 feet AGL, and other flight

operations are typically conducted between 500 feet and 1,200 feet AGL. The TFTA is

made up of several different training areas. These are:

Ninety‐Six Hills Training Area

Sombrero Butte Training Area

Newman Peak Training Area

Tortolita Training Area

Picacho Training Area

Sawtooth Training Area

Waterman Training Area

West Silverbell Training Area

Table Top Training Area

Vekol Training Area

Javelina Training Area

East Tac Training Area

The airspace within the TFTA is not restricted nor protected airspace exclusive to military

use. Pilots operating from SBAH using the TFTA must coordinate with local air traffic

controllers and aircraft that also use the airspace to ensure safe operations. The AZARNG

has identified various no fly zones within the TFTA to avoid flying over areas such as

ranches, neighborhoods, and other designated locations to minimize noise from

impacting human activities on the ground. Figure 6 illustrates the TFTA.

24


PicachoPeak

Stagefield


SilverbellArmy

Heliport

FlorenceMilitary

Reservation

CochiseCounty

Graham CountyMaricopaCounty

Gila County

Pima County

Pinal County

Phoenix

Maricopa

ScottsdaleCarefree

Mammoth

Goodyear

Kearny

Buckeye

Casa GrandeGila

Bend

SurpriseYoungtown

Gilbert

Sahuarita

Miami

Tucson

Tempe

Tombstone

Peoria

Oro Valley

Globe

Benson

AvondaleGlendale

CoolidgeFlorence

Eloy

QueenCreek

§¦19

§¦10

§¦10

§¦17

§¦8

£¤60

£¤70

PrescottNational Forest


TontoNationalForest

SitgreavesNationalForest

Salt RiverReservation

Fort ApacheReservation

San CarlosReservation

Fort McDowellYavapai Nation

Reservation


TohonoO'odham Nation

Reservation

TortolitaMountain Park

San Tan Park

Agua FriaNational

Monument

Ironwood ForestNational Monument


Monument

Organ PipeCactus National

Monument

SaguaroNational

ParkSaguaroNational

Park

LostDutchman State

Park

OracleStatePark

PicachoPeak State

Park

Source: AZARNG, 2019.Note: Helicopter training area boundaries on this map are meant forinformational purposes only and actual boundaries may vary from what is shown.

SBAH Mission Footprint: Tactical Flight Training AreaFigure 6

LegendAZARNG Helicopter TFTA AZ National Guard

JLUS Partner City/TownCounty BoundaryOther City/Town

InterstateHighway / FreewayRailroadNative American ReservationPark/Preserve/National Monument

0 10 205Miles

25


Picacho Peak Stagefield Picacho Peak Stagefield is a satellite facility located approximately 13 miles northwest of

SBAH that supports SBAH’s aviation training mission. Helicopter stagefields are an

important element of pilot training, including practicing emergency procedure landing

operations. Picacho Peak Stagefield’s current mission is to operate as necessary to

support the rotary wing and unmanned aerial system training mission of the Army

National Guard and Singapore’s Peace Vanguard. Its mission is to further provide for the

safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of all aircraft within its air traffic control assigned

airspace (ATCAA). Training flights typically consist of closed pattern flights at altitudes

ranging from surface level to 2400 feet AGL within a one‐ to two‐mile radius of the

stagefield. The facility can support up to 12 helicopters simultaneously, but only four to

six are typically in operation at a given time. There is also an instructor training course

for the RQ‐7 Shadow unmanned aerial system.

Picacho Peak Stagefield Mission Footprints Picacho Peak Stagefield’s overall operational footprint includes the following

components:

Picacho Peak Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace

Helipad Imaginary Surfaces

Helipad Accident Potential Zones

Picacho Peak Stagefield Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace The Picacho Peak Stagefield has designated Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace around

it in a four nautical mile radius from the center of the airfield and consists of all airspace

from the surface of the airfield up to and including 2,500 feet AGL, or 4,175 feet MSL.

The controlled airspace around Picacho Peak Stagefield is shown on Figure 7.

Helipad Imaginary Surfaces Picacho Peak Stagefield’s imaginary surfaces, shown on Figure 8, are similar in size to

those at SBAH, but since there are four landing lanes, the combined imaginary surfaces

are wider. While the imaginary surfaces go outside of the fenced area around the

landing lanes, the majority are contained within the footprint of the installation. The

approach‐departure clearance surface extends roughly 50 feet past the southern

boundary and less than ten feet past the northern boundary.

Picacho Peak Stagefield Fast Facts

Size:

320 acres, owned by the AZARNG

85 acres currently in use for normal operations

Nearest Town:

City of Eloy, 2.3 miles west

Support facility for Silverbell Army heliport:

Four paved helicopter landing lanes

Parking apron

Air traffic control tower

Supports up to 12 helicopters

26


e

e

e

ee

e

e

e

e e

e

e

ee

e

eee

Pinal CountyPima County

QueenCreek


SilverbellArmy

Heliport

FlorenceMilitary

Reservation

Marana

Eloy

Florence

Casa GrandeMunicipal

Airport

ValleyFarms

CoolidgeMunicipalAirport

SaritaAirport

EloyMunicipal

Airport

The Ultralight Strip

Pinal Airpark

FarmsAirport

Ak-ChinRegional

Airport

Twin HawksAirpark

PottersField

CarranzaFarmAirstrip

PalmValleyTucson Marana

RegionalAirport

La ChollaAirpark

El Tiro Gliderport

§¦8

§¦10

x387

x87

x287x84

x79

x587 x177x347

x187

CAP C

anal

CAP Canal


Picacho Peak Stagefield Mission Footprint: Controlled AirspaceFigure 7

Picacho Peach Stagefield Controlled AirspaceAZ National Guard InstallationInterstateHighway / FreewayRailroadJLUS Partner City/TownCounty

Airportse Public

e Private

Airspace ClassBCE

0 5 10Miles

Legend

27


PPS Mission Footprint: Airfield Hazard ZonesFigure 80 500250

Feet

PicachoPeak

Stagefield

Source: AZ National Guard, 2018.Note: The imaginary surfaces were not available from the AZARNG and were mapped based on DoD Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 3-260-01 for the purposes of this project and are meant for informational and planningpurposes only.

LegendImaginary Surfaces

Primary SurfaceApproach/Departure Clearance Surface (Sloped)Transitional Surface

Accident Potential ZonesClear ZoneAPZ 1

Picacho Peak Stagefield

28


Helipad Accident Potential Zones Picacho Peak Stagefield’s CZs and APZs I, shown on Figure 8, are similar in size to those at

SBAH, but since there are four landing lanes, the combined CZs and APZs I are wider. The

CZs are contained entirely within the fenced portion of the site. The majority of the APZs

are outside the fenced portion around the landing lanes but are contained within the

footprint of the installation. They do extend roughly 50 feet past the southern boundary

and less than ten feet past the northern boundary.

Rittenhouse Training Site Rittenhouse Training Site is a small facility approximately 12 miles southeast of

Phoenix‐Mesa Gateway Airport and six miles east of downtown Queen Creek.

Rittenhouse Training Site is an important support facility for different types of helicopter

training for the AZARNG. It is the closest helicopter training facility to Papago Military

Reservation and primarily used by pilots from that location. As such, it plays a critical role

in reducing fuel costs associated with training at sites that are further away. Types of

helicopter training that occur there include: touch‐and‐go landings, dust landings,

emergency procedures, multi‐ship training, slope operations, sling load transportation

(transporting supplies and equipment by suspending them from a rope or tether beneath

a helicopter), Bambi bucket training (transporting a 660‐gallon bucket of water

suspended beneath a helicopter), and some non‐live‐fire, small‐caliber weapons target

training. The proximity of the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal makes Rittenhouse

Training Site an ideal location for Bambi bucket training, and it is the only site in the

AZARNG’s inventory where this type of training is conducted. This training capacity is

important to firefighting training for the AZARNG’s Defense Support of Civil Authorities

mission. Rittenhouse Training Site also serves as a maneuver and training area for light

forces. It is especially important in supporting pre‐mobilization field training exercises as

it is easily accessed by soldiers at Papago Military Reservation during ramp‐up activities in

preparation of deployment.

Rittenhouse Training Site Mission Footprints Rittenhouse Training Site’s overall operational footprint includes the following

components:

Sling Load Pattern

Bambi Bucket Pattern

Rittenhouse Training Site Fast Facts

Size:

480 acres, leased from the Bureau of Land Management

Nearest Town:

Town of Queen Creek, 3.1 miles to the west

Closest helicopter training facility to Papago Park Military Reservation

Training Areas:

Touch-and-go landing

Dust landing

Emergency procedures

Multi-ship

Slope operations

Sling-loading

Bambi buckets

Target training

29


Sling Load Pattern During sling load training, Black Hawk helicopters fly clockwise in an oblong pattern north

and east of the helipad that is centrally located at the facility. The flight pattern forms an

approximately 33,100‐foot long loop over Pinal County and ASLD lands that are mostly

undeveloped and allows pilots to pick up loads on Rittenhouse Training Site and fly the

pattern to train in carrying and maneuvering the load. This goes roughly 3,000 feet north

and 8,100 feet east of Rittenhouse Training Site. The sling load flight pattern is illustrated

on Figure 9.

Bambi Bucket Pattern During Bambi bucket training, Black Hawk helicopters fly clockwise in an oblong pattern

south and west of the helipad that is centrally located at the facility to reach the

CAP canal to the east and return. The flight pattern forms an approximately 20,300‐foot

loop over Pinal County and ASLD lands that are mostly undeveloped and allows pilots to

collect water from the canal and transport it back to Rittenhouse Training Site for further

training. This goes roughly 5,000 feet east of Rittenhouse Training Site. The Bambi

bucket flight pattern is illustrated on Figure 9.

30


Rittenhouse Training Site Mission Footprint: Helicopter Flight PatternsFigure 90 1,000500

Feet

CAP Canal

Kathryn Sue SimontonElementary School

E Ocotillo Rd

Castl

egate

Blvd


Source: AZ National Guard, 2018. USGS, 2017.

LegendBambi Bucket PatternSling Load PatternRittenhouse Training SiteLocal Road

31


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32

Public Draft Planning & Compatibility Tools

This chapter provides brief summary of some of the key planning and compatibility tools that are either currently used or that are available for use when evaluating and addressing compatibility issues in the Pinal County JLUS Project Area. Relative to compatibility planning, there are many existing plans and programs that are either designed to address compatibility directly or that address compatibility issues indirectly through the topics they cover. A more detailed overview of the existing plans and programs can be found in Chapter 4 of the Background Report.

33


Federal Programs and Policies The federal programs and policies are administered by various agencies of the federal

government. These tools authorize other federal, state, and local agencies to implement

regulatory measures and policies to protect the resources that are involved in land use

and military planning. The intent of these measures and policies includes the

preservation of the quality of life and general welfare of the public and the protection of

natural resources, including land, water, and airspace.

Department of Defense Conservation Partnering Initiative In 2003, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) gave the DoD authority to enter

into agreements with eligible entities to address either incompatible development or

habitat protection. Eligible entities may be a state, a political subdivision of a state (e.g.,

a county, city, or soil and water conservation district), and/or a private entity with a main

purpose or goal of conserving, restoring, or preserving land and natural resources. This

authorization has been codified as 10 United States Code (USC) § 2684a (as amended in

2012), with the title Agreements to limit encroachments and other constraints on military

training, testing, and operations. This authority allows DoD services to use their

Operation and Maintenance funds and/or Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)

Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration funds to acquire real property

interests, such as conservation easements or development rights, in order to address

current and potential encroachment or compatibility threats to an installation’s mission.

Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration To implement the authority provided by the Department of Defense Conservation

Partnering Initiative, the DoD established the Readiness and Environmental Protection

Integration (REPI) Program. The REPI program grants the military the ability to enter into

agreements with eligible entities, such as local governments, non‐governmental

organizations, and willing land owners to secure conservation easements on property in

the vicinity of, or as may be ecologically related to, a military installation or military

airspace. The REPI Program Guide for Buffer Partnerships establishes policy, assigns

responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for executing REPI partnerships.

REPI funds are used to support a variety of DoD partnerships that promote compatible /

recommended land use. By relieving encroachment pressures, the military is able to test

and train in a more effective and efficient manner. By preserving the land surrounding

military installations, habitats for plant and animal species are conserved and protected.

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Federal Aviation Act The Federal Aviation Act was passed in 1958 to provide methods for overseeing and

regulating civilian and military use of airspace. The Act requires the Secretary of

Transportation to make long‐range plans that formulate policy for the orderly

development and use of navigable air space. The intent is to serve the needs of both

civilian aeronautics and national defense. Military planning strives to work alongside

local, state, and federal aviation regulations and policies, but sometimes must supersede

these due to national security interests. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was

created as a result of the Act and serves a variety of purposes, including the management

of airspace over the US. The prime objectives of the FAA are to promote air safety and

the efficient use of the navigable airspace.

Another important outcome of the Act is Title 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 77,

commonly referenced as simply Part 77, which provides the basis for evaluating if a

proposed structure or object will result in a vertical obstruction or flight hazard to

navigable airspace. Using a distance formula from this regulation, local jurisdictions can

assess the height restrictions near airfields. Additional information on Part 77 can be

found on the FAA website at http://www.faa.gov/. The FAA uses its Obstruction

Evaluation / Airport Airspace Analysis tool to generate Determinations of Hazards /

No Hazards for proposed structures or objects.

When FAA identifies concerns, it may require avoidance or minimization, lighting, or

other measures to ensure airspace safety for military and civilian purposes. If potential

impacts to military operations are identified, the project must also undergo either formal

or informal review by the US Department of Defense Siting Clearinghouse to ensure the

proposed project is compatible with military missions. The Part 77 review process by law

requires that military interests be addressed if a proposed project may impact them.

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) established the authority for the

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to manage its lands and plan according to national

and local interests. The law mandates that BLM lands identified for development shall

uphold and protect the scientific, scenic, historical, ecological, environmental, and other

values unique to specific geographies. This law provides the impetus for the various

resource management plans developed and prepared for the BLM.

Sustainable Range Program Encroachment on Army training and firing ranges has become a major concern in recent

years. Pressure from urbanization, environmental protection efforts, competition for

airspace and electromagnetic frequencies, and public perception of reduced national

security needs have limited mission capabilities and operations at multiple installations

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nationwide. Furthermore, open ranges are increasingly becoming “islands” of biodiversity

amidst urban development. These concerns, in addition to public nuisances such as

smoke, noise, and lack of accessibility have led to public apprehension of the nature and

use of military ranges.

The Sustainable Range Program is the Army’s overall approach to improving the design,

operation, use, and management of its ranges to ensure the long‐term sustainability of

these facilities. The Sustainable Range Program’s core programs are the Range and

Training Land Program and the Integrated Training Area Management Program, which

focus on the optimal use and capability of the Army's ranges and training land. To ensure

the accessibility and availability of Army lands for ranges and training, the Sustainable

Range Program core programs are integrated with facilities management, environmental

management, munitions management, and other relative safety program functions to

support optimal use and capability.

Arizona National Guard Plans and Programs The Arizona National Guard plans and programs provide guidance for land uses and

development activities within and around the various National Guard training and

operations sites throughout the State of Arizona. These tools govern land use decisions

for land holdings either inside the fence line or in the military’s area of influence outside

such installation(s). The plans and programs provide guidance and establish measures

for standard operating procedures during certain events (e.g., weapons firing). There are

various installation tools that are instrumental in assisting and guiding land use decisions

as they relate to the military missions.

Arizona Army National Guard Real Property Development Plan The Arizona Army National Guard (AZARNG) Real Property Development Plan is a

statewide plan that assesses the current status of AZARNG sites and develops future

scenarios for growth and development. The Plan serves as a roadmap to ensure

proactive statewide master planning of AZARNG sites to meet long‐term mission

requirements. It is composed of seven real property components for AZARNG

installations and facilities statewide. Among these components are the Florence Military

Reservation Proponent Strategy and the Silverbell Army Heliport Proponent Strategy.

The Site Development Plans are long‐range, integrated planning documents that balance

missions at each installation, space requirements, site capacity, and existing building

conditions. Such plans further identify strategic approaches to maximize the future of

the installations to support existing and future missions that will provide safe, efficient,

and enhanced capabilities for the AZARNG as a whole.

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Statewide Operational Noise Management Plan The most recent Arizona Army National Guard Statewide Operational Noise Management

Plan (SONMP) was completed in 2011, in accordance with the Noise Control Act of 1972.

Although this is a statewide plan, the only installation the SONMP covers in Pinal County

is the Florence Military Reservation.

This plan provides an educational overview about the methodology of assessing,

analyzing, and mapping noise generated by military training from the various AZARNG

facilities. The plan further establishes guidelines and procedures for managing strong

relationships and compatible development with neighboring communities. These

guidelines and procedures include both physical and procedural noise mitigation.

Physical noise mitigation primarily includes the location and orientation of high‐noise

producing ranges. Procedural mitigation measures include adjusting training hours to

avoid community conflicts, providing information about noise‐generating activities,

monitoring the noise environment, and mapping noise contours for land use decisions.

State of Arizona Legislation and Programs Relating to Military Compatibility

Arizona Revised Statutes The Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) are the statutory laws in the state of Arizona. The ARS

went into effect on January 9, 1956 and has been updated as needed since then. There

are 49 titles in the ARS. Statutes begin as bills submitted to the Legislature. Once the

Legislature completes their process and approves a bill, it is sent to the Governor’s Office

for his or her signature. The bill becomes law 90 days from the date it is signed, unless it

includes an emergency clause. In this case, it immediately becomes law.

Arizona is very proactive in protecting its military installations, and throughout the years,

it has enacted several legislative initiatives related to planning and development within

and around military operational areas. The following is an overview of the key pieces of

the Arizona Revised Statutes that guide community development and coordination with

Arizona’s military installations. Not all statutes are relevant to the Pinal County JLUS

Project Area or the AZARNG, but they are included to provide an overview of the

measures that the State of Arizona has taken to protect its military assets.

Arizona Military Affairs Commission In December 2003, the Governor’s Military Facilities Task Force put forth

27 recommendations to ensure long‐term retention of the State’s military facilities so

that they may continue to perform their vital national defense functions and maintain

their critical role in the Arizona economy. On May 17, 2004, Governor Janet Napolitano

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signed House Bill 2140, a comprehensive military support bill that included a number of

the recommendations of the Task Force, including the establishment of the Military

Affairs Commission (MAC). In 2014, Governor Brewer issued Executive Order 2014,

entitled Sustainment of Arizona's Military Installations, which reinforces the Military

Affairs Commission's mission and commitment to supporting the military in Arizona.

The specific responsibilities of the MAC are to advise Arizona’s Executive and Legislative

Branches on pertinent issues relating to the military and its installations throughout the

state, to protect the ongoing strategic military missions, and to prioritize property

applications as part of the administration of the Military Installation Fund (MIF). The

membership of the MAC is composed of 18 appointed commissioners representing the

military, local elected officials, and private property interests, as well as four advisory

members comprising the Arizona Adjutant General, the Arizona State Land Department

Commissioner, a representative from a federal land managing agency, and a military

installation commander representative.

Military Installation Fund The MIF was also established by House Bill 2140 in 2004. Beginning in fiscal year

2004‐2005 and continuing in each successive fiscal year, $4.825 million dollars will be

appropriated from the state general fund for the MIF. Arizona Revised Statute

§41‐1512.01 identifies specific disbursement components that must be adhered to, as

follows.

Eighty percent of the monies in the fund shall be used for private property

acquisition for the purpose of preserving a military installation, acquiring real

estate and rights to real estate and related infrastructure, and otherwise

preserving real estate from development or mitigating impacts associated with

development in high noise or accident potential zones and in areas as required to

support, preserve, and/or enhance a military installation. Twenty percent of this

amount may be awarded to cities, towns and counties for land acquisition

purposes.

Twenty percent of the monies in the fund shall go to cities, towns, and counties for

military installation preservation and enhancement projects. Monies in the MIF

may be awarded for debt service on bonds issued by a political subdivision for the

purpose of acquiring private property for preserving a military airport or ancillary

military facility.

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Pinal County

Comprehensive Plan Pinal County’s Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2009 and most recently updated in

2015. It covers all of Pinal County, but policies within it only apply to unincorporated

areas, as incorporated areas have their own general plans that guide development. The

plan is guided by a long‐term vision that promotes effective economic vitality while

ensuring environmental stewardship. The Plan also provides the county with guidance

and actions to manage growth, preserve the quality of life, and promote sustainability.

The Pinal County Comprehensive Plan further identifies and addresses AZARNG sites

within the county and their importance to the local community and economy. It specifies

Florence Military Reservation, Silverbell Army Heliport, and other ancillary military

facilities are separate land use designations.

Zoning Zoning regulations for Pinal County are outlined in Title 2 Zoning of the Pinal County

Development Services Code. The current Pinal County zoning ordinance was most

recently updated in August 2017. The zoning ordinance establishes two sets of zoning

districts. The first set of districts retains the zoning districts that existed before February

18, 2012. There are 22 districts established that fall under the categories rural zoning

districts, residential zoning districts, business zoning districts, industrial zoning districts,

and overlay zoning districts. A second set of districts was established for land zoned after

February 18, 2012. There were 31 zoning districts established, of which are grouped

under the categories rural zoning districts, residential zoning districts, activity center

zoning districts, office zoning districts, commercial zoning districts, industrial zoning

districts, overlay zoning districts, and other zoning districts.

There are three components of the zoning ordinance that relate to compatible land uses

and development around the AZARNG sites. The Outdoor Lighting section relates to the

preservation of dark skies that will support night time training. The Wireless

Communications Facilities section establishes regulations for wireless communications

towers, which have the potential to impact helicopter flight operations. The Residential

Photovoltaic Solar Energy Devices section establishes guidelines for small‐scale solar

energy development, including managing to glare that could impact helicopter pilot

safety.

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Pinal Airpark Master Plan Pinal Airpark is a public use general aviation facility that is owned and operated by Pinal

County. It is immediately south of Silverbell Army Heliport. The Pinal Airpark Master Plan

Update was completed in September 2015 to assess the airport’s current and future

potential and to identify specific opportunities for improving facilities at the airport. The

plan includes a vision for the future of the airport and goals to achieve this vision. It also

documents the extent, type, and schedule of development needed to support existing

operations, as well as a vision for future aviation demands.

City of Eloy

General Plan The City of Eloy General Plan was adopted in January 2011 by resolution number

10‐1224. The City of Eloy General Plan has undergone a series of major amendments

over the past several years in the form of updates to elements of the Plan. Currently, only

the Economic Development element and Parks, Open Space and Trails element have not

been updated; however, they are slated for updating in 2019. The Plan aims to create a

forward thinking, culturally diverse, and sustainable community that creates and

preserves parks, open space, trails and open vistas while providing a variety of

employment opportunities, entertainment and recreational activities, shopping and

other commercial or retail services and a variety of residential opportunities.

Zoning Ordinance The City of Eloy Zoning Ordinance was updated in 2018 and establishes 21 different

zoning districts, four of which are overlay districts. The Aviation Overlay District aims to

promote public health and safety in the vicinity of the Eloy Municipal Airport by

minimizing exposure to crash hazards and high noise levels generated by airport

operations. Noted updates also encourage future development that is compatible with

the continued operations of the airport, and also allows for growth of the airport.

Town of Queen Creek

General Plan Each element in the Queen Creek General Plan includes strategies and actions that

supports its vision and goals of implementation. The Land Use Element includes a Land

Use Map with 10 land use categories that describe the types and locations of land uses,

residential densities, and commercial intensities that are planned within the town. The

majority of the land use within the town limits is either rural, which is characterized by

low density, single‐family residential and agriculture, or neighborhood, which includes a

mix of single‐family and multi‐family residential, small scale commercial, and

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employment. The San Tan Mountain Regional Park in the southern part of the Municipal

Planning Area accounts for the majority of the open space land, but there are smaller

parks and trails scattered throughout the town. A large piece of land in the northeastern

Municipal Planning Area is identified as a special district for Arizona State Trust land. As

such, it is identified as a growth area for future potential development.

Zoning Ordinance The Town of Queen Creek’s Zoning Ordinance was most recently updated in August

2017. Efforts were started in 2014 to update and modernize the town’s zoning code that

was originally adopted in October 1999. The ordinance establishes 32 zoning districts,

broken into three categories–residential districts, non‐residential districts, and overlay

districts. There are 18 residential districts, 12 non‐residential districts, and two overlay

districts.

Town of Marana

General Plan The Town of Marana’s current General Plan was ratified in May 2011 and includes

14 elements across five different functional themes. The General Plan recognizes that

the AZARNG conducts operations at Pinal Airpark, but does not mention Silverbell Army

Heliport specifically. In fact, the plan identifies the area around Pinal Airpark and

Silverbell Army Heliport as being considered for a major intermodal hub facility that

would integrate freight transportation from air, rail, and truck along Interstate 10, thus,

identifying it as the Transportation Logistics Zone Economic Activity Center. Some of the

land adjacent to Pinal Airpark and Silverbell Army Heliport is designated as the Airport

future land use category and Industrial future land use category on the Land Use Plan

Map. The Airport category is intended for airport operations, as well as supporting uses

allowed in the Industrial and Commercial categories, such as employment‐based uses

and hospitality. The Industrial category includes both light and heavy industrial activities,

such as major manufacturing, research and development, institutions, as well as mining,

storage, and distribution. The Town of Marana is currently updating its General Plan and

is planned to be ratified in the Fall of 2020. The update provides an ideal opportunity for

the Town to include policies and guidance that support compatible development around

the AZARNG site.

Zoning Marana’s Land Development Code includes Title 5, Zoning, which organizes the land

within the Town into 32 zoning districts. Four districts were established in 2018,

however, they have yet to be included on the Town’s Zoning Map. Each zoning district is

associated with specific development regulations, including permitted, accessory,

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conditional, and prohibited uses, as well as with property development standards, such

as the minimum lot area, setbacks, building heights, building mass, lot coverage, and

underground utilities.

Town of Florence

General Plan The Town of Florence 2020 General Plan contains 12 elements that each consist of goals,

objectives, and strategies to guide future decision making by public officials as envisioned

by its residents. To manage future growth, the General Plan provides guidance for

growth and development within the town’s Municipal Planning Area. The Municipal

Planning Area covers 196 square miles, including approximately nine square miles of the

Florence Military Reservation’s southern end.

The Florence 2020 General Plan recognizes the Florence Military Reservation on its

Future Land Use Map, but does not contain any goals, objectives, or strategies that

support compatible development. The land uses abutting the Florence Military

Reservation are generally employment‐based uses, such as Light Industrial, Professional

Office, and Community Commercial. There is also a large portion of land designated as

Open Space southeast of the installation along the Gila River.

Development Code Title 15 Chapter 150 of Florence’s Code of Ordinances contains the Town’s Development

Code, which identifies zoning regulations. The Code establishes 20 zoning districts and

three overlay districts. Each zoning district has specific development regulations,

including permitted and conditional uses and property development standards, such as

the minimum lot area, setbacks, building heights, and parking requirements. The only

zoning district that permits military and armory uses is the Public / Institutional (P/I)

District. The Florence Military Reservation is identified on the Zoning Map, but the

boundaries are not identified. Additionally, the portion of the installation within the

town limits is not zoned P/I, but rather a mix of Rural Agriculture (RA‐10), Single‐Family

Ranchette (R1‐R), and Light Industrial (LI).

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Public Draft Compatibility Assessment

Compatibility, in relation to military readiness, can be defined as the balance or compromise between community needs and interests and military needs and interests. The goal of compatibility planning is to promote a collaborative environment in which both community and military entities communicate, coordinate, and implement mutually supportive actions. Such actions, in turn, would allow both parties to achieve their respective objectives. This collaborative approach will serve the basis for the resulting policies and actions recommended by the Pinal County JLUS.

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Several factors determine whether community and military plans, programs, and activities are compatible or conflict with community activities. For this JLUS, 25 compatibility factors were used to identify, assess, and establish a set of key compatibility issues that currently exist or have future potential within the Project Area. These issues prompted the resulting recommendations in the Implementation Plan. The 25 compatibility factors are shown on the following page.

An action undertaken by either the military or a community that minimizes, hinders, or presents an obstacle to the action of the other can be characterized as a compatibility issue. Issues resulting from military and community activities / operations are grouped according to the relevant factor and listed in this chapter.

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Compatibility Issue Identification and Evaluation The methodology for the development of Pinal County JLUS compatibility issues

consisted of a comprehensive and inclusive discovery process to identify key stakeholder

issues associated with the compatibility factors. During the beginning phase of the

project, a week‐long stakeholder interview process took place where representatives

from various stakeholder groups were interviewed to discuss the JLUS process and

identify any compatibility issues they felt were either existing or anticipated in the future.

Additional compatibility issues were identified through meetings with the JLUS Policy

Committee (PC) and Technical Working Group (TWG), at public workshops, and through

technical evaluation and related experience by the project consultant. Opportunities for

additional stakeholder input were provided through the project website at

www.PinalJLUS.com.

Ultimately, an extensive number of opportunities were provided for the public, local and

regional stakeholders, the JLUS committees, and the AZARNG to provide input. This

resulted in identifying key existing and potential future compatibility issues that had the

potential to impact the safety and growth of the community within the JLUS Project Area

and/or the AZARNG’s missions.

The development of strategies for addressing compatibility issues (see Chapter 6:

Implementation Plan) was both directly and indirectly affected by the evaluation process.

The Implementation Plan identifies the responsible party(ies) tasked with completing

each strategy with timeframes for completion.

When reviewing resulting assessment information provided in this study, it is important

to note the following:

The intent is to provide enough information for stakeholders to be sufficiently

aware of and knowledgeable of issues at hand and potential mitigation strategies

to develop specific and viable JLUS recommendations. The discussion was not

designed or intended to be utilized as an exhaustive technical evaluation of

existing and/or future conditions within the JLUS Project Area.

Of the 25 compatibility factors considered, seven were determined to be

inapplicable to the Pinal County JLUS based on stakeholder / public input and

team member background research indicating there are no issues relating to

those factors. The seven inapplicable factors are:

Air Quality

Anti‐Terrorism / Force Protection

Changing Climate

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Frequency Spectrum Capacity

Housing Availability

Scarce Natural Resources

Vibration

Compatibility Issues The following pages provide a summary of the compatibility factors and compatibility

issues that were identified for the Pinal County JLUS. More information on each of the

issues and how they impact the military mission or quality of life in the community can be

found in Chapter 5, Compatibility Assessment of the JLUS Background Report. The

recommendations in Chapter 6, Implementation Plan of this JLUS were developed to

address the following compatibility factors.

Biological Resources Biological resources include plant & animal species and their related habitat that are

listed by federal and/or state agencies as threatened or endangered. Biological resources

may also include ‘species of concern’ that are living organisms in need of concentrated

conservation efforts and areas, such as wetlands and migratory corridors, that are critical

to the overall health and productivity of an ecosystem. The presence of sensitive

biological resources in an area where either increased use or development is planned,

may prompt special considerations and protective measures that should be identified as

a concern early in the planning process. Two issues relating to Biological Resources have

been identified as part of this JLUS.

Endangered / threatened species and species of concern exist in the region

around Florence Military Reservation.

There are federally‐listed endangered or threatened species, such as the Acuna

Cactus, that are found in the area surrounding Florence Military Reservation.

There are also multiple species that are classified as Species of Greatest

Conservation Need by the Arizona Game and Fish Department located on or

near the Reservation and in and around Pinal County, including the Sonoran

Desert Tortoise, the Tucson Shovel‐nosed Snake, and the Common Black Hawk.

Future development around Florence Military Reservation may fragment

vulnerable species’ habitats, increasing the burden of AZARNG mitigation and

conservation obligations.

Invasive plant species can impact operations at Florence Military Reservation.

Increased vehicle usage on existing transportation corridors and off‐road trails

around Florence Military Reservation, as well as the construction of new roads in

the region, may increase colonization rates of invasive plant species and

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negatively impact native vegetation, wildlife, and fire regimes at Florence

Military Reservation.

Communication / Coordination Communication / coordination refers to programs, plans and partnerships that promote

interagency communication and coordination and dissemination of information to the

public and other stakeholders. Interagency communication serves the general welfare by

promoting a more comprehensive planning process, inclusive of all affected stakeholders.

Interagency coordination also seeks to develop and include mutually beneficial policies

for local communities and the military. Coordination is achieved in local planning

documents such as comprehensive plans. Providing relevant and timely information to

the public keeps them informed of activities and instills a sense of confidence and

support. Five issues relating to Communication / Coordination have been identified as

part of this JLUS.

There is an opportunity for enhanced communication protocols between

AZARNG and local communities.

There is communication between the AZARNG and representatives of the local

communities close to AZARNG sites, but there is no formalized communication

process. Additionally, not all communities engage in the same level of

communication with the AZARNG, which can negatively impact both the military

and the communities.

Increase public awareness of AZARNG activities.

The AZARNG has a limited program for increasing public awareness about the

AZARNG training sites and the activities that occur at them. Providing the

communities near the sites with information regarding the types of activities

that occur, the operations that may impact land use nearby, and the value of the

training facilities can improve relationships between the AZARNG and local

communities. Increased awareness will also support future land use planning

that minimizes or mitigates compatibility issues.

There is an opportunity for improved direct communication between AZARNG

and Arizona State Land Department.

Most of the land surrounding the four AZARNG sites in Pinal County, as well as

some of the land that makes up Florence Military Reservation, is managed by the

Arizona State Land Department through the Arizona State Trust. The

Department’s mission is to manage Arizona State Trust land to maximize fiscal

benefits for the Trust’s beneficiaries, the primary trustee being Arizona public

schools. State Trust Lands could be sold and developed in the future, and there

is no formal process in place to specifically notify the AZARNG of potential land

sales or development proposals.

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Increase awareness of Florence Military Reservation opportunities.

The AZARNG does not have a marketing campaign to inform communities and

non‐military users of the capabilities that exist at Florence Military Reservation.

Communicating potential non‐military uses that could enhance economic activity

in the region could benefit both the military and local communities.

Formalize communication between Silverbell Army Heliport and Pinal Airpark.

There is an opportunity for improved communication between Silverbell Army

Heliport and Pinal Airpark to better coordinate activities so as to minimize

conflicts between military and civilian flight activities.

Cultural Resources Cultural resources are objects, places, and practices that are especially representative of,

and/or meaningful to, a specific group of people, their worldview, belief system, or way

of life. Cultural resources include pre‐contact period and historic‐period artifacts,

archaeological sites, buildings, structures, districts, and landscapes, as well as

historic‐period records and photographs. ‘Historic properties’ are cultural resources that

are listed or eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are

protected under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and other federal and

state laws.

Under the NHPA and associated implementing regulations, federal entities must consider

the effects of their projects on historic properties and take appropriate actions to

mitigate negative impacts. The most common mitigation strategy is to avoid the

immediate area in which historic properties are found, which can limit the amount of

land that is available for development, but typically in negligible ways. In some cases, the

nature and/or location of a proposed project must be altered significantly, and in rare

instances, projects must be abandoned altogether to protect important cultural

resources. Because the presence of historic properties may constrain or alter

development plans, these properties and any needed compliance actions should be

identified early in the planning process. One issue relating to Cultural Resources has


There are culturally significant sites on and around Florence Military

Reservation.

There are a large number of culturally significant sites located on the Florence

Military Reservation and in the surrounding region. The AZARNG embraces its

stewardship responsibilities and protects sites that have been identified on land

they own or lease. Future development, recreation, and other land uses around

Florence Military Reservation may damage sites that are not within the

installation’s boundary.

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Dust / Smoke / Steam Dust results from the suspension of particulate matter in the air. Dust and smoke can be

created by fire (controlled or prescribed burns, agricultural burning, and artillery

exercises), ground disturbance (agricultural activities, military operations, grading),

industrial activities, and other processes. Dust, smoke, and steam are compatibility

issues if sufficient in quantity to impact flight operations, by reducing visibility, causing

equipment damage, or creating other safety impediments.

Particles of dust and other materials found in the air are referred to as particulate

matter. At certain concentrations, particulate matter can be harmful to humans and

animals can cause strains to the heart or longs if it is inhaled. Harmful particulate matter

(PM10 and PM2.5) can be caused by many activities, including driving on unpaved roads

and surfaces, wind, ground disturbance due to vehicle maneuvers, explosions, aircraft

operations, and other earth‐moving activities. One issue relating to Dust / Smoke /

Steam has been identified as part of this JLUS.

Activities at Florence Military Reservation sometimes generate dust.

Due to the desert landscape at Florence Military Reservation, dust is sometimes

generated from military operations such as vehicle maneuvering and weapons

firing on ranges and has caused some concerns for nearby residents. Dust could

become a larger concern if future development occurs closer to Florence

Military Reservation, or if there is an increase in regulatory oversight that

requires the minimization of dust emissions.

Energy Development Development of energy sources, including alternative energy sources such as solar, wind,

geothermal, or biofuels can pose compatibility issues related to glare (solar energy), or

vertical obstruction and radar operations (wind generation). It is in both the military’s

and community’s interests to support responsible alternative energy development for

energy security and economic reasons. The emphasis of this analysis is to identify gaps in

coordination and / or communication and to increase understanding of a community’s

pursuits in such matters, the opportunities sought by alternative energy developers and

the intersection with the military footprint, with the goals that these activities exist in

mutually compatible environment. Three issues relating to Energy Development have


There is potential for solar energy generation facility impacts.

There are several existing and proposed commercial solar energy generation

facilities within the JLUS Project Area that could cause glare impacts to

helicopter pilots. Coordination with the AZARNG on solar facility development

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can help ensure that the siting of facilities and the types of methods and

materials used in their construction are compatible with military operations.

There is potential for energy transmission lines impacting training.

Future transmission lines may impact low level training routes, if not properly

coordinated with AZARNG.

There is potential for wind turbine impacts.

Wind turbines can interfere with radar systems by inhibiting target detection,

generating false positive readings, and interfering with target detection. In

addition, the turbines can become vertical obstruction hazards to safe aircraft

operations. These and other impacts can affect military operations and must be

considered during the planning and siting phases for wind energy development.

Frequency Spectrum Interference / Impedance Frequency spectrum refers to the entire range of electromagnetic frequencies used for

communications and other transmissions, which includes communication channels for

radio, cellular phones, and television. In the performance of typical operations, the

military relies on a range of frequencies for communications and support systems.

Similarly, public and private users rely on a range of frequencies in the use of cellular

telephones and other wireless devices on a daily basis. Two issues relating to Frequency

Spectrum Interference / Impedance have been identified as part of this JLUS.

There may be increased unmanned aerial system training in Pinal County in

the future.

There is a potential for the DoD and defense contractors to increase testing and

training of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) at Florence Military Reservation, as

well as at other AZARNG. The use of UASs relies heavily on radio communication

between the UAS operator and the aircraft. Future growth in the region that is

not coordinated with the military may impact this communication.

Federal Aviation Administration relay towers have impacts to helicopter

avionics systems.

The FAA has proposed constructing relay towers in the flight corridor of AZARNG

helicopters. The proposed towers have an avionics impact radius that could

impact helicopter flight systems.

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Infrastructure Extensions Infrastructure refers to public facilities and services such as sewers, water, electric, and

roadways that are required to support development (existing and proposed).

Public facilities and services should be appropriate for the type of urban or rural

development they serve, but also limited to the existing and planned needs and

requirements of the area. For example, the provision of a safe transportation system,

including all modes of transportation (automobile, mass transit, railway, highway, bicycle,

pedestrian, air, etc.), is an important infrastructure component. Adequate transportation

infrastructure contributes to local, regional, and state accessibility.

Infrastructure plays an important role in land use compatibility. It can enhance the

operations of an installation and community by providing needed services. Conversely,

infrastructure can create encroachment issues if expanded without consideration of the

consequences of future development. The extension or expansion of community

infrastructure to areas proximate to an installation has the potential to induce growth,

potentially resulting in incompatible uses and conflicts between a military mission and

communities. Within general planning and through appropriate consideration and

guidance, infrastructure extensions can serve as a mechanism to guide development into

appropriate areas, protect sensitive land uses, and improve opportunities for

compatibility between community land uses and military missions. Two issues relating to

Infrastructure Extensions have been identified as part of this JLUS.

The proposed north‐south transportation corridor may impact Rittenhouse

Training Site and Florence Military Reservation.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has proposed a north‐south

transportation corridor between Apache Junction, State Route 287, and I 10.

Although the final alignment has not been chosen, this corridor could spur future

growth and land development near Florence Military Reservation and

Rittenhouse Training Site that is incompatible with AZARNG missions.

The proposed access road to Pinal Airpark could spur future growth and land

development.

The Pinal County Board of Supervisors has approved the acquisition of land to

construct an access road from the community of Red Rock to Pinal Airpark,

which could induce land development that may impact operations at the

Silverbell Army Heliport.

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Land / Airspace Competition The military manages and uses land and air space to accomplish testing, training, and

operational missions. These resources must be available and of a sufficient size,

cohesiveness, and quality to accommodate effective training and testing. Military and

civilian land and air operations can compete for limited land and air space, especially

when the usage areas are in close proximity to each other. Use of these shared resources

can impact future development and operations for all users. Seven issues relating to

Land / Airspace Competition have been identified as part of this JLUS.

Increased use of unmanned aerial systems in the future.

It is likely that both military and civilian use of unmanned aerial systems will

increase in the future. Currently, there are no local regulations in place to

support and manage these activities in the JLUS Project Area.

Helicopter flight areas are not protected.

Helicopter flight training corridors, training areas, and approach and departure

corridors throughout the JLUS Project Area are not protected from development

that could impact the safety of helicopter pilots and trainees during flight

operations, as well as the safety of land uses and the public below. Silverbell

Army Heliport and the AZARNG have implemented a program called, “Fly

Friendly,” for which they have identified “no‐fly zones” throughout their training

areas. Although not required, these AZARNG self‐imposed restrictions are

intended to minimize impacts over certain land uses, avoid complaints, and

reduce hazards to aircraft.

There is limited space at Florence Military Reservation.

The amount of land that currently makes up Florence Military Reservation is not

large enough to conduct collective live fire training or to accommodate the full

array of training capabilities that are needed to support potential AZARNG

training requirements.

Restricted airspace over Florence Military Reservation should be preserved.

The restricted airspace over Florence Military Reservation and over some of the

surrounding land is a critical asset for AZARNG and other organizations that use

the airspace for training. The land itself is not protected from potential

incompatible development that may impact the utility of the asset.

Commercial aviation activities are not coordinated with the AZARNG.

Commercial aviation activities such as parachute jumping and other recreation in

the JLUS Project Area have increased in popularity in recent years. These

activities occur regularly but are not coordinated with the AZARNG or Silverbell

Army Heliport and can impact military flight training.

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There are private airstrips in the JLUS Project Area.

There are existing private airstrips in the JLUS Project Area that have been added

to the AZARNG “Fly Friendly” areas for helicopters, but new airstrips have been

and may continue to be built in the area. Coordination of airstrip construction

with the AZARNG is needed to ensure safe military and civilian aircraft

operations.

AZARNG has a need to conduct specific types of helicopter flight and landing

operation training throughout Pinal County.

Helicopter operations and associated training activities require take‐off,

low‐level flight (nap‐of‐the‐earth), night operations, navigation, and rough

terrain landing (environmental‐based training). These operations are critical to

military readiness and must be conducted in a manner that minimizes

incompatibility with surrounding communities.

Land Use The basis of land use planning and regulation relates to the government’s role in

protecting the public’s health, safety, and welfare. Local jurisdictions’ general plans and

zoning ordinances can be the most effective tools for preventing or resolving land use

compatibility issues. These tools ensure the separation of land uses that differ

significantly in character. Land use separation also applies to properties where the use of

one property may adversely impact the use of another. For instance, industrial uses are

often separated from residential uses to avoid impacts from noise, odors, and lighting.

Six issues relating to Land Use have been identified as part of this JLUS.

Future development pressure may encroach upon Florence Military

Reservation.

The land surrounding Florence Military Reservation has been identified as a

growth area in the Pinal County Comprehensive Plan. Concepts have been

developed for a master planned community called Superstition Vista that could

result in incompatible development near the installation that could encroach

upon the AZARNG’s mission.

Current development is encroaching upon Rittenhouse Training Site.

There is existing development on the south and west sides of Rittenhouse

Training Site, as well as plans for new development around the site. The

development has the potential to impact the military training capabilities at the

site.

Future development pressure may encroach upon Silverbell Army Heliport.

Pinal County has plans for future development between Pinal Airpark and I‐10

that has the potential to impact military training at Silverbell Army Heliport if not

properly coordinated with the AZARNG.

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Future growth of Red Rock community may be impacted by helicopter

operations.

There are plans to expand Red Rock Village, a master planned community north

of SBAH. If not properly coordinated with the AZARNG, future growth could

occur under helicopter flight routes and be impacted by AZARNG operations.

Future development pressure may encroach Picacho Peak Stagefield.

Although there are no current plans for development around Picacho Peak

Stagefield, most of the land surrounding the site is currently undeveloped.

Existing land use policies for the area surrounding Picacho Peak Stagefield do not

identify considerations for compatible development.

Concern exists with the planned railroad classification / switchyard

construction near Silverbell Army Heliport.

Union Pacific Railroad has identified plans to construct a new railroad

classification / switchyard near Picacho Peak that would include hazardous cargo

transfer capabilities. The railroad hazardous cargo transfer operations have the

potential to impact flight training around this proposed facility and create safety

concerns for pilots operating in the area.

Legislative Initiatives Legislative initiatives are proposed changes in relevant policies, laws, regulations, or

programs that could have a significant impact on one or more substantive areas of

concern to both the facility and to stakeholder communities. The assessment of

compatibility issues that fall under Legislative Initiatives focused on initiatives with

general and broad implications. One issue relating to Legislative Initiatives has been

identified as part of this JLUS.

Arizona Revised Statutes do not address AZARNG sites.

The Arizona Revised Statues related to land use and development around

military aviation facilities do not identify Silverbell Army Heliport and Picacho

Peak Stagefield as military airports.

Light and Glare This compatibility factor refers to man‐made lighting (street lights, airfield lighting,

building lights) and glare (direct or reflected light) that disrupts vision. Light sources from

commercial, industrial, recreational, and residential uses at night can cause excessive

glare and illumination, impacting the use of military night vision devices and aircraft

operations. Conversely, high intensity light sources generated from a military area (such

as airfield lighting) may have a negative impact on the adjacent community. Three issues

relating to Light and Glare have been identified as part of this JLUS.

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Increase in electronic billboards may impact night training.

As electronic billboards are used with greater frequency in the JLUS project area,

they may negatively impact military night training operations in the future.

There is potential for future impacts to night training at Florence Military

Reservation.

There are currently no existing major impacts to night training at Florence

Military Reservation, but as new construction, infrastructure improvements, and

other types of growth and development continues around the installation,

increased artificial lighting may inhibit night vision goggle training.

Future growth may impact night training at Silverbell Army Heliport and

Picacho Peak Stagefield.

Night training occurs in the region around Silverbell Army Heliport and Picacho

Peak Stagefield. Future growth around the installation and operational areas,

especially near approach and departure routes, could impact night vision

training capabilities.

Noise Sound that reaches unwanted levels is referred to as noise. The central issue with noise

is the impact, or perceived impact, on people, animals (wild and domestic), and general

land use compatibility with noise‐sensitive uses such as residential, schools, and

hospitals. Exposure to high noise levels can have a significant impact on human activity,

health, and safety. The decibel (dB) scale is used to quantify sound intensity. To help

understand the relevance of decibels, a normal conversation often occurs at 60 dB, while

an ambulance siren from 100 feet away is about 100 dB. Noise associated with military

operations (overflight of military aircraft, firing of weapons, etc.) may create noises in

higher dB ranges. Three issues relating to Noise have been identified as part of this JLUS.

Noise from helicopter operations may cause impacts.

Helicopter operations, including training activities and the movement of aircraft

from one site to another, occur in much of the JLUS Project Area. Low‐level

flights generate the greatest potential concern for noise impacts. Future land

development near helicopter training areas and flight corridors may increase

noise impacts and complaints.

Noise complaints are sometimes received related to non‐AZARNG aircraft.

Some noise complaints have been received by the AZARNG regarding aircraft

that are not associated with AZARNG missions. This includes complaints

regarding noise from Phoenix‐Mesa Gateway Airport and from transient aircraft

operating throughout the Project Area (including military aircraft not associated

with AZARNG).

55


Noise is generated at Florence Military Reservation.

Noise generated by activities at Florence Military Reservation, such as weapons

firing and explosives detonations, can be heard outside the installation, but is

not a routine concern for current nearby communities. If additional

development occurs closer to Florence Military Reservation, noise impacts may

become a bigger concern. Complaints are more likely to occur if future

residential and/or other noise‐sensitive developments occur.

Public Services Public services include the assurance that adequate services such as police, fire,

emergency services, parks and recreation, schools, and water / wastewater / stormwater

infrastructure are of good quality and adequately available for use by the military and

surrounding communities. The supply and demand of these public services in the event

of emergency situations is an important consideration. One issue relating to Public

Services has been identified as part of this JLUS.

Emergency service coordination between the AZARNG and the Town of

Florence is not formalized.

The AZARNG currently has Memoranda of Agreement with Pinal County for

police and fire protection, but responders from the Town of Florence typically

have quicker response times due to their proximity. There are no Memoranda of

Agreement in place with the Town of Florence emergency service responders.

Public Trespassing Public Trespassing addresses both purposeful and unintentional public trespassing on a

military installation. The potential for trespassing increases when public use areas such

as hiking, off‐roading trails, and camping areas are in close proximity. Two issues relating

to Public Trespassing have been identified as part of this JLUS.

Public trespassing sometimes occurs on Florence Military Reservation.

Public trespassing occurs often on Florence Military Reservation, including by

off‐road recreationists, campers, homeless individuals, and illegal migrants from

Mexico.

Cottonwood Canyon Road may increase unintentional trespass on Florence


Cottonwood Canyon Road is located along the northern boundary of the Arizona

State Land Department holdings that are leased by the AZARNG through a

Special Land Use Permit. The road provides public access to the area north of

Florence Military Reservation and receives heavy use by OHV users,

recreationists, campers, and ranchers. Some nearby areas are also leased for

56


cattle grazing. Expansion or enhancement of Cottonwood Canyon Road could

result in additional users and increase encroachment concerns.

Roadway Capacity Roadway capacity relates to the ability of existing freeways, highways, arterials, and local

roads to provide adequate mobility and access between military installations and their

surrounding communities.

As urban development expands into rural areas, roads once used primarily to provide

access for agricultural uses and limited local traffic begin to function as urban arterial

roadways. These once rural roads often become the main transportation corridors for all

types of traffic – from residential to commercial trucking – and can assist or impede

access to military installations. As transportation systems grow and provide more

capacity, these facilities may induce and encourage growth as rural areas become more

accessible. Two issues relating to Roadway Capacity have been identified as part of this

JLUS.

Access to Florence Military Reservation from State Route 79 is not separated

from travel lanes.

State Route 79 is the main thoroughfare between the Town of Florence and

US 60 and has a speed limit of 65 miles per hour. The lack of turn lanes for

accessing Florence Military Reservation from State Route 79 results in potential

conflicts and safety concerns between military vehicles entering or leaving the

installation and civilian traffic using State Route 79. Additionally, there are no

signs to alert civilian drivers that military traffic may be entering or exiting the

highway.

Traffic congestion occurs during drill weekends.

Arizona Army National Guard drill weekends at Florence Military Reservation

typically involve convoys of military vehicles that come from other locales and

often drive under the posted speed limits. This may impact civilian traffic and is

of increasing concern for local law enforcement.

Safety Safety zones are areas in which development should be more restrictive regarding uses

by and concentrations of people due to the higher risks to public safety. Issues to

consider include aircraft operations and live fire weapons ranges.

Military installations often engage in activities or contain facilities that, due to public

safety concerns, require special consideration by local jurisdictions when evaluating

compatibility. It is important to establish compatible land use policies near military

57


airfields and live‐fire weapon ranges to minimize risk from potential accidents. Five

issues relating to Safety have been identified as part of this JLUS.

Future weapons surface danger zones may extend past the current

boundaries of Florence Military Reservation.

Currently all of the surface danger zones for the weapons fired at Florence

Military Reservation are contained within the installation boundaries. The

AZARNG is planning to use enhanced ammunition rounds that generate larger

surface danger zones that may extend outside the boundary onto land that is not

managed by the AZARNG.

AZARNG movement between east and west side of Florence Military

Reservation is unsafe.

State Route 79 bisects Florence Military Reservation. There are concerns for the

safety of AZARNG Soldiers traveling by foot and vehicles crossing State Route 79

because there are no traffic control mechanisms or alert systems in place.

Unexploded ordnance may exist outside the Impact Area.

There are unexploded ordnances within the impact area at Florence Military

Reservation. As a result of historic activity at Florence Military Reservation,

some unexploded ordnance has also been found outside the impact area,

including the area around Florence Military Reservation. These are instances of

historic activity, and not the current operations that occur there.

Vehicle crashes have occurred at the intersection of Arizona Farms Road and

State Route 79.

There have been recurring instances of eastbound traffic on Arizona Farms Road

failing to stop at State Route 79 and crashing through the fence onto Florence


Pinal Airpark’s Runway Protection Zone extends over a portion of Silverbell

Army Heliport.

Approximately 0.48 acres of the Runway Protection Zone for Runway 12‐30 at

Pinal Airpark extend over a portion of the Silverbell Army Heliport. If the Airpark

runway were enlarged or used by additional types of aircraft in the future, a

larger Runway Protection Zone that would affect more land on Silverbell Army

Heliport could be necessary.

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Vertical Obstructions Vertical obstructions are created by buildings, trees, structures, or other features that

may encroach into the navigable airspace or line‐of‐sight of radar signal transmission

pathways used by the military. These obstructions can be a safety hazard to both military

personnel and the public, with subsequent potential adverse impacts to military

readiness. Vertical obstructions can compromise the value of low‐level flight training by

limiting the areas where such training can occur. Obstructions can include a range of

items from man‐made, such as buildings, telephone poles, utility transmission towers,

and radio antennas, to natural, such as tall trees and land features. Vertical obstructions

can also interfere with radar transmissions, compromising the integrity of data

transmission between the transmitter and receiver. Though most critical near the

transmitter, the geographic area impacting the transmissions, or radar viewshed, can be

broad depending on the distance between the transmitter and receiver. Two issues

relating to Vertical Obstructions have been identified as part of this JLUS.

Future power transmission line projects could pose helicopter flight hazards.

As Arizona’s power grid continues to grow to support new development and

increasing demand, new power lines will need to be installed. New utility

corridor and power line construction should be coordinated with the AZARNG to

mitigate potential impacts to helicopter flight areas, especially those where

low‐level training occurs.

Cellular communication towers may generate obstructions to flight

operations.

Pinal County approves cellular communication towers within the JLUS Project

Area but does not coordinate with the AZARNG in order to identify their

potential impacts on military flight operations.

Water Quality / Quantity Water quality / quantity concerns include the assurance that adequate water supplies of

good quality are available for use by the military and surrounding communities to

support current needs and future planned growth. Water supply for agriculture and

industrial use is also an important consideration. One issue relating to Water Quality /

Quantity has been identified as part of this JLUS.

Limited water availability may constrain future capabilities and facility

expansion at Florence Military Reservation.

There is limited water availability and connectivity to support future

development at Florence Military Reservation. Water availability also limits

future development and growth in the region surrounding the installation.

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Public Draft Implementation Plan

This chapter identifies and organizes the recommended courses of action (strategies) that have been developed through a collaborative effort between representatives from, regional organizations, local, state and federal resource and regulatory agencies, the Arizona Army National Guard (AZARNG), the public, and other stakeholders that own or manage land or resources in the region. Since the Pinal County Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) is the result of a collaborative planning process, the strategies represent a true consensus plan; a realistic and coordinated approach to compatibility planning developed with the support of stakeholders involved throughout the process.

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The JLUS strategies incorporate a variety of actions that promote education, communication, compatible land use, and resource planning. Upon proper implementation, existing and potential compatibility issues arising from the civilian / military interface can be eliminated or significantly mitigated. The recommended strategies function as the heart of the JLUS document and are the culmination of the planning process.

Each of the JLUS strategies that are included in this chapter is meant to address the specific compatibility issues that are described in greater detail in Chapter 5 of the Pinal County JLUS Background Report document. The issues correspond to the compatibility factors in Chapter 5 of the JLUS Background Report document for easy reference and can be used to read additional information on the specifics of the issues. The issues are identified before each set of associated strategies as a point of reference to what the strategies are addressing.

The key to the implementation of strategies is to establish a Pinal County JLUS Implementation Committee (see Strategy COM-1A) to oversee the execution of the JLUS strategies. Through this committee, local jurisdictions, the AZARNG, developers, and other stakeholders can continue their collaboration to establish procedures, recommend or refine specific actions, and make adjustments to strategies over time to ensure the JLUS continues to resolve key compatibility issues into the future through realistic strategies and implementation. Appropriate local jurisdictions and local stakeholder groups, especially those engaged in a compatibility issue at the local level, will be formally invited to participate as committee members to ensure local input and social inclusion.

It is important to note that the JLUS is not an enforceable plan, but rather a recommended set of strategies which should be implemented by the JLUS stakeholders to address current and potential future compatibility issues.

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Implementation Plan Guidelines The key to a successful Implementation Plan is balancing the different needs of all

involved stakeholders. To produce a balanced plan, several guidelines were used as the

basis for strategy development. These guidelines include:

Recommended strategies must not result in a taking of property value, meaning

they do not render the property undevelopable or unable to achieve economic

gain by removing any development rights of the property, as defined by state

law. Some of the recommended strategies may involve establishment of a

conservation easement on private property, but only if the land owner is willing

and accepting to engage in such an action. The use of eminent domain, defined

as a government entity taking private property, with compensation, for public

use, is not included in any of the recommended strategies.

If any zoning or regulatory documents are amended, any existing land uses

should be grandfathered in so that they are not considered non‐compliant.

Any proposed changes to regulatory or policy guidance, such as zoning

ordinance or general plan amendments, should not affect any properties that

have existing entitlements or have been previously approved for development.

In some cases, the recommended strategies can only be implemented with new

legislation.

To minimize regulation, many of the strategies are only recommended within

the specific geographic area for which the issue they address occurs (e.g., within

identified AZARNG Military Compatibility Areas), instead of recommended

strategies for the whole JLUS Project Area.

Any strategy that involves the implementation of updated or new regulatory

measures, such as amending a zoning ordinance or adding a new zoning overlay

district to an existing zoning ordinance, or amends municipal guidance

documents such as the comprehensive or general plan, are required to go

through all legal processes as required by Arizona Revised Statute and local

regulations before being implemented. This may involve notification to affected

property owners of land managers, such as the Arizona State Land Department

and Bureau of Land Management, and holding of public hearings.

Similar to other planning processes that include numerous stakeholders, the

challenge is to create a solution or strategy to achieve a solution that meets the

needs of all parties. In lieu of eliminating strategies that do not have

100 percent buy‐in from all stakeholders, it was determined that the solution /

strategy may result in the further creation of multiple strategies that address the

same issue but tailored to individual circumstances.

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Since this JLUS is meant to be a “living document”, and state and federal

regulations are subject to periodic change, before implementing one of the

suggested strategies included in the Implementation Plan, the implementing

jurisdiction or party should ensure there is no conflict between the strategy and

any existing local, state, or federal law.

Coordination on Implementation In order to successfully implement the recommendations included in this JLUS, it will be

important for all affected stakeholders on any recommendation to coordinate to ensure

any proposed recommendations do not negatively impact property owners or land

management agencies. A large amount of the land within the JLUS Project Area is

Arizona State Trust land that is managed by the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD).

As such, it will be important to ensure that any of the JLUS recommendations that are

implemented to not affect or go against the ASLD’s constitutional directives. The Arizona

State Land Department’s mission is to:

Manage State Trust lands and resources to enhance value and optimize

economic return for the Trust beneficiaries, consistent with sound business

management principles, prudent stewardship, and conservation needs

supporting socio‐economic goals for citizens here today and future

generations. To act in the best interest of Trust for the enrichment of the

beneficiaries and preserve the long term value of the State’s Trust lands.

State Trust lands were granted by Congress, to be managed in perpetuity for the benefit

of its designated Beneficiaries, K‐12 Education receiving the largest distribution of

generated revenue. More than nine million acres remain within the corpus of the land

Trust, and a great number of those acres are non‐contiguous, interspersed among other

land ownerships, including AZARNG sites. As part of this mission, the ASLD manages the

land in a State Trust until sale is warranted. Sale of State Trust land is typically

determined through the assessment of potential development opportunities. The ASLD

has committed resources and assistance to the U.S. Department of Defense and the

Arizona National Guard missions through current land use agreements supporting

numerous military installations throughout the State. Some Trust lands are leased for

grazing activities or military uses, such as at Florence Military Reservation.

One of ASLD's greatest management challenges is the high standard of law, via the

Enabling Act of 1910, and the Arizona State Constitution, under which decisions are

made. The Arizona State Land Department’s mission ensures that all decisions and

actions do not subordinate the State's land trust to uses or designations that encumber

its value, or negatively impact the future state of the land. As such, it will be important

for all stakeholders involved in implementing any of the JLUS recommendations that

would affect State Trust land to coordinate with ASLD to ensure that its land

management requirements are not impacted.

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AZARNG Military Compatibility Areas For this JLUS, the term Military Compatibility Area (MCA) is used to identify a geographic

area where AZARNG operations may impact local communities, and conversely, where

local activities may affect the AZARNG’s ability to carry out its missions. An MCA is

described as the area in which the combined effects of different military operations and /

or activities occur, or could occur, and represents the spatial extent of an installation’s

impacts in a given region. The individual “footprints” of specific mission operations,

including associated noise, traffic, safety hazards, and air, water, and land use, etc., are

all considered when developing an MCA. The MCA constitutes a planning tool for

promoting awareness of military activities in surrounding communities, establishing

compatible development requirements and standards in designated areas, and

ultimately, for maintaining operational capability. If military missions change in the

future and any of the MCAs or operational areas are identified for additional future uses,

such as increased activity or training times, the AZARNG should notify the relevant

communities within and around the MCAs so that they can update their coordination

procedures and have the right information to make future planning decisions.

The recommended strategies within the MCAs are designed to accomplish the following:

Protect public health, safety, and welfare.

Promote an orderly transition between community and military activities so that

land uses remain compatible.

Maintain operational capabilities of AZARNG sites and training areas.

Promote an awareness of the size and scope of military activities to protect

areas outside the AZARNG site boundaries (e.g., flight training areas) used for

mission operations.

Inform the local community of compatibility recommendations within the

designated areas that are part of this JLUS.

The AZARNG MCAs are used to define the geographic areas where certain JLUS strategies

are to be applied. This technique ensures the strategies are applied to the appropriate

areas, and that locations deemed not subject to a specific compatibility issue are not

adversely impacted by strategies inappropriate for their location or circumstance. These

AZARNG MCAs are recommended under Strategy LU‐1A later in this chapter.

Each AZARNG site has a unique set of MCAs based on the missions and activities that

occur there. The MCAs are described on the following pages and are presented in order

of AZARNG site starting in the north and moving south by site. Each AZARNG site has an

associated Military Compatibility Area Overlay District (MCAOD) that illustrates the total

footprint for all MCAs for that site combined.

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Rittenhouse Training Site The MACOD for Rittenhouse Training Site is shown on Figure 10. There are two MCAs

identified for Rittenhouse Training Site.

Land Use MCA (Figure 11)

Helicopter Overflight MCA (Figure 12)

Land Use MCA (Figure 11) The Rittenhouse Training Site Land Use MCA is composed of all current parcels that have

at least 25 percent of the parcel located within ½ mile of the boundary of Rittenhouse

Training Site’s boundary. The boundary is based on existing parcel lines so that any

recommendations implemented within this MCA apply to an entire parcel instead of a

portion of it. The Land Use MCA consists of two subzone areas designed to provide a

transitional area relative to land use density and intensity transitioning from a less dense

area nearer the site to a denser area further from the site boundary. Strategies

associated with this MCA are related to land use planning, real estate disclosures (as part

of real estate transactions), including notes on platting documents, and providing

education and awareness to surrounding property owners. The Land Use MCA should

also serve as a notification area for the AZARNG on proposed developments.

Future development within this MCA should be characterized by lower density / intensity

development scheme, such as one dwelling unit per acre for residential and promoting

uses that are compatible with military activities, when considering its proximity to

military installations and activities.

Helicopter Overflight MCA (Figure 12) The Rittenhouse Training Site Helicopter MCA is composed of a half‐mile area around the

Bambi bucket and sling load helicopter flight patterns. This MCA is meant to minimize

incompatible development under helicopter flight routes that may be impacted by noise

or include tall structures that could jeopardize pilot safety. Although there are no noise

zones modeled for helicopter operations at Rittenhouse Training Site, the half‐mile buffer

was chosen as a general awareness boundary around where low‐level flights occur. This

MCA is meant to provide guidance on future development to manage heights of buildings

and structures such as communication towers so that they do not impact safe helicopter

flight operations. Due to the low‐level flight activity that occurs in this MCA, heights of

structures should be limited to 50 feet above ground level. Additionally, unmanned

aerial systems (UASs) should be regulated in this area so that they do not interfere with

helicopter operations or the safety of AZARNG personnel. Recommendations in this MCA

are meant to inform of potential impacts from helicopter operations and promote

appropriate types of development that are not impacted by or cause impacts to

helicopter flights.

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Rittenhouse Training Site Military Compatibility Area Overlay District

0 ½¼Miles

N Ja

ckrab

bit R

d

E Ocotillo Rd


CAP Canal

CAP C

anal

Source: AZ National Guard, 2018; Matrix Design Group, 2018.

LegendMilitary Compatibility Area Overlay District (MCAOD)Helicopter Overflight MCALand Use MCA

Rittenhouse Training SiteLocal Road

Figure 10

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Rittenhouse Training Site Land Use MCA0 ½¼

Miles

RittenhouseTraining SiteN Rattlesnake Rd

N Ja

ckrab

bit R

d

E Joy Dr

E Pima Rd

E Ranch Rd

N Coyote Rd

E Ocotillo Rd

E Southwood Rd

N Ke

nwort

hy R

dE Germann Rd

CAP Canal

CAP C

anal


LegendLand Use MCA Rittenhouse Training Site

Local Road

Figure 11

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Rittenhouse Training Site Helicopter Overflight MCA0 ½¼

Miles

CAP Canal

N Ja

ckrab

bit R

d

E Pima Rd

E Ranch Rd

NCoyoteRd

E Ocotillo Rd

Castlegate Blvd

E Joy Dr

E Southwood Rd

E Germann Rd

N Sc

hnep

f Rd

N Sie

rra Vi

sta D

r



LegendHelicopter Overflight MCA Bambi Bucket Pattern

Sling Load PatternRittenhouse Training SiteLocal Road

Figure 12

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Florence Military Reservation The MACOD for Florence Military Reservation is shown on Figure 13. There are three

MCAs identified for Florence Military Reservation.


Impact Noise MCA (Figure 15)

Airspace Protection MCA (Figure 16)

Land Use MCA (Figure 14) The Florence Military Reservation Land MCA is composed of all current parcels that have

at least 25 percent of the parcel located within ½ mile of the boundary of Florence

Military Reservation’s boundary. The boundary is based on existing parcel lines so that

any recommendations implemented within this MCA apply to an entire parcel instead of

a portion of it. The Land Use MCA consists of two subzone areas designed to provide a











Impact Noise MCA (Figure 15) The Impact Noise MCA includes all land that lies outside of the primary training area of

Florence Military Reservation (including land leased from the Arizona State Land

Department and Bureau of Land Management) and within the Noise Zone II (87 to

104 dB) area associated with live weapons firing ranges at Florence Military Reservation,

as described in the AZARNG Statewide Operational Noise Management Plan. While the

ASLD land leased as part of the impact area is included within the primary training area

boundaries, the Special Land Use Permit land that is leased from ASLD for 22 days per

year is not included. Due to increased noise levels in this MCA, noise‐sensitive land uses

such as residential, schools, and places of worship should be restricted in this MCA.

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FlorenceMilitary

Reservation

Florence

£¤60

x79

E Price Station Rd

N Mineral Mountain Rd

E Magma Rd

E Arizona Farms Rd

W Hunt Hwy

N Re

ymert

Rd

E Diversion Dam Rd

N San

dman

Rd

E Cottonwood Canyon Rd

N Whitlow Ranch Rd

Hiller

Rd

N Bo

x Can

yon R

d

CAP Canal

CAP Canal

Source: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 2017; Matrix Design Group, 2018.

Florence Military Reservation Military Compatibility Area Overlay District

LegendMilitary Compatibility AreaOverlay District (MCAOD)Airspace Protection MCAImpact Noise MCALand Use MCA

Florence Military ReservationPrimary Training Area(Year-round use)Special Land Use Permit Lease(22 days per year use)Town of Florence


0 1½Miles

Pinal County

Figure 13

71


Florence Military Reservation Land Use MCA0 1½

Miles

Pinal County

FlorenceMilitary

Reservation

CAP Canal

CAP Canal

Florence

x79

E Arizona Farms Rd

N Sand

man R

d

E Dive

rsion D

am Rd


E Price Station Rd

N Whitlow Ranch Rd

E Magma Rd

Source: AZ National Guard, 2018. USGS, 2017.Matrix Design Group, 2018.

LegendLand Use MCA Florence Military Reservation

Primary Training Area (Year-round use)Special Land Use Permit Lease (22 days per year use)Town of FlorenceHighway / FreewayLocal RoadRailroad

Figure 14

72


Florence Military Reservation Impact Noise MCA0 1½

Miles

Pinal County

FlorenceMilitary

Reservation

Florence

x79

E Price Station Rd

E Arizona Farms Rd N San

dman

Rd


E Mag

ma Rd

Gas Line Rd

E Dive

rsion D

am Rd

CAP Canal

CAP Canal

Data is not legal grade and should be used for planning purposes only.Source: AZARNG Statewide Operational Noise Management Plan, 2011; Matrix Design Group, 2018.

LegendImpact Noise MCANoise Zone II (87-104 dB)

Florence Military ReservationPrimary Training Area(Year-round use)Special Land Use Permit Lease(22 days per year use)Town of Florence


Figure 15

73


Airspace Protection MCA (Figure 16) The Airspace Protection MCA is meant to protect and preserve the restricted airspace

over Florence Military Reservation. Additionally, unmanned aerial systems or UASs

should be regulated in this MCA so that they do not interfere with military flight

operations or the safety of AZARNG personnel. The Airspace Protection MCA includes

two subzones.

Airspace Protection MCA Subzone A

The first subzone applies to the restricted airspace over Florence Military Reservation.

This subzone is meant to preserve the capabilities of the restricted airspace by managing

development underneath it to minimize impacts to the community from air operations

and impacts to the military from vertical obstructions and other flight hazards.

Airspace Protection MCA Subzone B

The second subzone is a one‐mile buffer around the restricted airspace. This subzone

serves as a transitional buffer around the restricted airspace. Any future development

plans in this subzone should take into consideration its proximity of military aircraft

activity. This subzone is not meant to be as restrictive as Subzone A but is meant to

provide awareness and promote transitional development between Subzone A and the

area outside the Airspace Protection MCA.

74


FlorenceMilitary

Reservation

Florence

£¤60

x79

CAP Canal

CAP Cana

l

Source: Federal AviationAdministration (FAA), 2017;Matrix Design Group, 2018.

Florence Military Reservation Airspace Protection MCA

LegendFMR Airspace Protection MCAAirspace MCA Subzone A (Restricted Airspace)Airspace MCA Subzone B (1 mile buffer)

Florence Military ReservationPrimary Training Area(Year-round use)Special Land Use Permit Lease(22 days per year use)Town of FlorenceHighway / FreewayRailroad

0 1½Miles

Pinal County

Figure 16

75


Picacho Peak Stagefield The MACOD for Picacho Peak Stagefield is shown on Figure 17. There are five MCAs

identified for Picacho Peak Stagefield.


Aviation Safety MCA (Figure 19)

Vertical Obstructions MCA (Figure 20)

Airspace MCA (Figure 21)

Primary Helicopter Training Route MCA (Figure 22) (Note, due to its size, this

MCA is not included as part of the Picacho Peak Stagefield MCAOD)

Land Use MCA The Picacho Peak Stagefield Land MCA is composed of all current parcels that have at

least 25 percent of the parcel located within ½ mile of the boundary of Picacho Peak

Stagefield’s boundary. The boundary is based on existing parcel lines so that any













Aviation Safety MCA The Picacho Peak Stagefield Aviation Safety MCA includes all land outside the installation

boundaries within the existing and potential accident potential zone (APZ) I associated

existing and potential future helicopter landing lanes. This MCA is meant to prevent the

development of incompatible land uses in areas with the greatest potential for an aircraft

mishap. These safety zones were identified as a result of military guidance that defines

APZs as areas where an aircraft accident is most likely to occur (if one was to occur). The

APZs follow departure, arrival, and pattern flight tracks and are based upon analysis of

historical data. Compatibility guidelines recommend land uses that concentrate large

numbers of people (such as residences, apartments, churches, and schools) not be

76



Eloy

§¦10

x87

CAP Canal


Picacho Peak Stagefield Military Compatibility Area Overlay District

LegendMilitary Compatibility Area Overlay DistrictAviation Safety MCAVertical Obstructions MCALand Use MCAAirspace MCA

Picacho Peak StagefieldCity of EloyInterstateHighway / FreewayRailroad

0 1 2½Miles

Pinal County

Figure 17

77


Picacho Peak Stagefield Land Use MCA

S Pica

cho H

wy

W Harmon Rd

Pretzer RdHotts Rd



LegendLand Use MCA Picacho Peak Stagefield

Local Road

0 ½¼Miles

Pinal County

Figure 18

78

Public Draft Implementation Plan 79

Picacho Peak Stagefield Aviation Safety MCA0 500250

Feet

PicachoPeak

Stagefield

Source: AZ National Guard, 2018; Matrix Design Group, 2019.Note: The Clear Zones and APZs were not available from the AZARNG and were mapped based on DoD Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC)3-260-01 for the purposes of this project and are meant for informational and planning purposes only.* Possible Additional Landing Lanes are not identified or approved by the AZARNG and are meant for illustrative purposes only.

LegendAviation Safety MCAClear ZoneAccident Potential Zone I

Possible AdditionalLanding Lanes*Picacho Peak Stagefield

Figure 19


0 500250Feet

PicachoPeak

Stagefield

LegendVertical Obstructions MCAVertical Obstructions MCA Subzone A(Approach/Departure Clearance Surface. Slope 8:1 up to 150 ft)Vertical Obstructions MCA Subzone B(Transitional Surface. Slope 2:1 up to 150 ft)

Possible AdditionalLanding Lanes*Picacho Peak Stagefield

Picacho Peak Stagefield Vertical Obstructions MCA

Source: AZ National Guard, 2018; Matrix Design Group, 2019.Note: The imaginary surfaces were not available from the AZARNG and were mapped based on DoD Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 3-260-01 for thepurposes of this project and are meant for informational and planning purposes only.* Possible Additional Landing Lanes are not identified or approved by the AZARNG and are meant for illustrative purposes only.

Figure 20

80



Eloy

§¦10

x87

CAP Canal


Picacho Peak Stagefield Airspace MCA

LegendAirspace MCA Picacho Peak Stagefield

City of EloyInterstateHighway / FreewayRailroad

0 1 2½Miles

Pinal County

Figure 21

81



SilverbellArmy

Heliport

Pima County

Pinal County

Eloy

Marana

§¦10

§¦10

x87

CAP Canal

CAP Canal

Source: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 2017; Matrix Design Group, 2018.

Primary Helicopter Training Route MCA

LegendPrimary Helicopter Training Route MCASubzone A (Primary Training Route)Subzone B (UAS 5-mile Buffer)

AZ National Guard SiteJLUS Partner CommunityCounty Boundary

InterstateHighway / FreewayRailroad

0 51 2 3 4Miles

Figure 22

82


constructed within the APZs. While the likelihood of an accident is remote, the military

recommends low density land uses within the APZs to ensure the maximum protection of

public health and property. Although the AZARNG has expressed interest in constructing

additional landing lanes at Picacho Peak Stagefield, no decisions have been made for a

location or orientation. This MCA illustrates a potential layout for the landing lanes, but

would need to be updated if they are eventually constructed to ensure accuracy.

Vertical Obstructions MCA The Picacho Peak Stagefield Vertical Obstructions MCA includes all land outside the

installation boundaries within the existing and potential imaginary surfaces associated

existing and potential future helicopter landing lanes. The purpose of the Vertical

Obstructions MCA is to manage the height of all structures and buildings within the area

defined by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and DoD guidance known as imaginary

surfaces. The imaginary surfaces are 3-D geographic areas comprising

approach‐departure airspace corridors and safety buffers. Vertical obstruction heights

are a major concern for flight operations and training due to the potential for a structure

to extend into navigable airspace, which could impede safe flight operations and put both

pilots and citizens on the ground at risk of an aircraft accident. Vertical obstructions that

can affect flight safety include, but are not limited to, cell towers, power lines, wind

turbines, buildings, and trees. Although the AZARNG has expressed interest in

constructing additional landing lanes at Picacho Peak Stagefield, no decisions have been

made for a location or orientation. This MCA illustrates a potential layout for the landing

lanes, but would need to be updated if they are eventually constructed to ensure

accuracy. This MCA has two subzones.

Vertical Obstructions MCA Subzone A

Subzone A is composed of the existing and potential approach‐departure clearance

surfaces for the landing lanes. Subzone A begins as inclined planes at the end of the

primary surface and extend for 1,200 feet. The slope of the approach‐departure

clearance surface is 8:1. The width of this surface at the primary surface is 300 feet,

widening uniformly to a width of 600 feet at the end point.

Vertical Obstructions MCA Subzone B

Subzone B is composed of the existing and potential transitional surfaces for the landing

lanes. The transitional surface extends outward and upward at right angles to the

primary surface and extended landing lane at a slope of 2:1. The transitional surface

starts at the lateral edges of the primary surface and the approach‐departure clearance

surface. It continues outward and upward at the prescribed slope to an elevation of

87.5 feet above the specified helipad. It then rises vertically to an elevation of 150 feet

above the helipad elevation.

83


Airspace MCA The Picacho Peak Stagefield Airspace MCA is composed of the designated Air Traffic

Control Assigned Airspace around the installation, which extends for four nautical miles

around the center of the airfield and consists of all airspace from the surface of the

airfield up to and including 2,500 feet AGL, or 4,175 feet MSL. Additionally, the AZARNG

has a desire to work with the Federal Aviation Administration to establish this airspace as

Class D Airspace in the future, which would encompass the same footprint. This airspace

is important for helicopter training activities that occurs around Picacho Peak Stagefield

and should be maintained to separate commercial and private aircraft operators when it

is in use. Further, development within it should be managed to maintain building heights

that will not interfere with aircraft operations.

Primary Helicopter Training Route MCA Due to its size, this MCA is not included as part of the Picacho Peak Stagefield MCAOD.

The Primary Helicopter Training Route MCA addresses the general flight corridor

between Silverbell Army Heliport and Picacho Peak Stagefield, as well as an additional

buffer around the general flight route and each installation. This MCA serves two

primary functions. First, it is meant to provide awareness to residents and property

owners about the areas that are commonly used for helicopter operations. Secondly,

through this awareness, it is meant to promote development in the area that is not

impacted by helicopter overflight (such as noise‐sensitive uses), or impactful to

helicopter safety (such as tall structures or uses that generate excessive light and glare).

Additionally, UASs should be regulated in this MCA so that they do not interfere with

military flight operations or the safety of AZARNG personnel. This MCA has two

subzones.

Primary Helicopter Training Route MCA Subzone A

Subzone A is composed of a three‐mile wide general flight corridor between Silverbell

Army Heliport and Picacho Peak Stagefield. It also includes a 1.5‐mile radius around the

center of each installation. Due to the nature of helicopter flight, there is not a specific

flight route that is used between the two installations. A majority of flight activity

between them occurs within this corridor, but operations may also occur outside

depending on training needs or other factors. This Subzone is meant to provide

awareness to property owners and potential property buyers that helicopter overflight

occurs in the area. This can be achieved through strategies such as placement of signage,

real estate disclosures, or requiring a note on plat documents of such activity.

Additionally, regulations prohibiting the usage of civilian or commercial UASs should be

enacted in this Subzone to protect pilot safety.

84


Primary Helicopter Training Route MCA Subzone B

Subzone B is made up of a five‐mile radius around the center of Picacho Peak Stagefield’s

and Silverbell Army Heliport’s airfields. The FAA has enacted regulations for the use of

UASs within a five‐mile radius of medium and large airports across the U.S. The purpose

of this subzone is for local municipalities to consider enacting UAS ordinances to regulate

the use of such devices around Picacho Peak Stagefield and Silverbell Army Heliport,

similar to FAA regulations around other airports.

Silverbell Army Heliport The MACOD for Silverbell Army Heliport is shown on Figure 23. There are five MCAs

identified for Silverbell Army Heliport.


Aviation Safety MCA (Figure 25)

Vertical Obstructions MCA (Figure 26)

Tactical Flight Training Area MCA (Figure 27) (Note, due to its size, this MCA is

not included as part of the Silverbell Army Heliport MCAOD.)

Helicopter Night Training MCA (Figure 28) (Note, due to its size, this MCA is not

included as part of the Silverbell Army Heliport MCAOD.)

Land Use MCA (Figure 24) The Silverbell Army Heliport Land MCA is composed of all current parcels that have at

least 25 percent of the parcel located within ½ mile of the boundary of Silverbell Army

Heliport’s boundary. The boundary is based on existing parcel lines so that any













85

Pinal County Joint Land Use Study Public Draft 86

Silverbell Army Heliport Military Compatibility Area Overlay District0 ½¼

Miles

Pima County

Pinal County

S Jet DrSilverbellArmy

Heliport

PinalAirpark


LegendMilitary Compatibility Area Overlay DistrictVertical Obstructions MCAAviation Safety MCALand Use MCA

Silverbell Army HeliportPinal AirparkLocal Road

Figure 23

Public Draft 87Implementation Plan

Silverbell Army Heliport Land Use MCA0 ½¼

Miles

Pima County

Pinal County Pinal Airpark

S Jet DrSilverbellArmy

Heliport


LegendLand Use MCA Silverbell Army Heliport

Pinal AirparkLocal Road

Figure 24


Silverbell Army Heliport Aviation Safety MCA0 500250

Feet

Pinal County


Pinal Airpark

Source: AZARNG Florence Military Reservation (Real Property Component 4) Proponent Strategy, October 2017.Matrix Design Group, 2018.Note: The Clear Zones and APZs were not available from the AZARNG and were mapped based on DoD Unified FacilitiesCriteria (UFC) 3-260-01 for the purposes of this project and are meant for informational and planning purposes only.

LegendAviation Safety MCAAviation Safety MCA Subzone A (Clear Zone)Aviation Safety MCA Subzone B (Accident Potential Zone I)


Figure 25

88


Silverbell Army Heliport Vertical Obstructions MCA0 500250

Feet

Pinal County


Pinal Airpark

Source: AZARNG Florence Military Reservation (Real Property Component 4) Proponent Strategy, October 2017;Matrix Design Group, 2018.Note: The imaginary surfaces were not available from the AZARNG and were mapped based on DoD Unified FacilitiesCriteria (UFC) 3-260-01 for the purposes of this project and are meant for informational and planning purposes only.

LegendVertical Obstructions MCAVertical Obstructions MCA Subzone A(Approach/Departure Clearance Surface. Slope 8:1 up to 150 ft)Vertical Obstructions MCA Subzone B(Transitional Surface. Slope 2:1 up to 150 ft)


Figure 26

89


PicachoPeak

Stagefield


SilverbellArmy

Heliport

FlorenceMilitary

Reservation

CochiseCounty

Graham County

MaricopaCounty

Gila County

PimaCounty

Pinal County

SantaCruz County

Phoenix

Maricopa

Scottsdale

Superior

Mammoth

SierraVista

Goodyear

Mesa

Kearny

Buckeye

Casa Grande

Chandler

GilaBend

SurpriseYoungtown

Gilbert ApacheJunction

Sahuarita

Miami

Tucson

Tempe

Peoria

OroValley

Globe

Benson

AvondaleGlendale

Coolidge

Florence

Eloy

Marana

QueenCreek

§¦19

§¦17

§¦10

§¦8

£¤60£¤70


TontoNationalForest

Salt RiverReservation

Fort ApacheReservation

San CarlosReservation

Fort McDowellYavapai Nation

Reservation

Gila RiverIndian

Reservation

Tohono O'odhamNation

Reservation

Tortolita Mountain Park

San Tan Park

Ironwood ForestNational Monument


Monument

Organ Pipe CactusNational Monument

SaguaroNational

ParkSaguaro

National Park

Lost DutchmanState Park

OracleStatePark

PicachoPeak

State Park

Source: AZARNG, 2019 (Some helicopter training area boundaries digitized by Matrix Design Group).Note: Helicopter training area boundaries on this map are meant for informational purposes only and actual boundaries may vary from what is shown.

Helicopter Training MCA

LegendHelicopter Training MCAPrimary Helicopter Training AreaAZARNG Helicopter TFTA

AZ National Guard SiteJLUS Partner City/TownCounty BoundaryOther City/Town


0 10 205Miles

Figure 27

90


Pinal County

PicachoPeak

Stagefield

SilverbellArmy

Heliport

FlorenceMilitary

Reservation

MaricopaCounty

Pima County

Pinal County

Maricopa

Goodyear

CasaGrande

Coolidge

Florence

Eloy

Marana

Queen Creek

CAP C

anal

CAP C

anal

CAP C

anal

Tonto National Forest

PascuaPueblo YaquiReservation


Maricopa (AkChin) IndianReservation

Tohono O'odham NationReservation

Tohono O'odhamNation Reservation

Tohono O'odhamNation Reservation

TortolitaPreserve

TortolitaMountain

Park

San Tan Park

Ironwood ForestNational

Monument


Monument

Casa GrandeRuins National

Monument

Hohokam PimaNational Monument

SaguaroNational

Park

McFarland StateHistoric Park

Picacho PeakState Park

Note: Helicopter data are generalized and should beused for planning purposes only.Source: AZ National Guard, 2018; USGS, 2017; Matrix Design Group, 2018.

Helicopter Night Training MCAFigure 28

LegendHelicopter Night Training MCANight Time Training Route

AZ National Guard SiteJLUS Partner City/TownCounty BoundaryOther City/Town


0 105Miles

91


Aviation Safety MCA (Figure 25) The Silverbell Army Heliport Aviation Safety MCA includes all land outside the installation

boundaries within the clear zone (CZ) and accident potential zone (APZ) I associated the

helicopter landing pads. This MCA is meant to prevent the development of incompatible

land uses in areas with the greatest potential for an aircraft mishap. These safety zones

were identified as a result of military guidance that defines CZs and APZs as areas where

an aircraft accident is most likely to occur (if one was to occur). The CZs and APZs follow

departure, arrival, and pattern flight tracks and are based upon analysis of historical data.

Within the CZ, most land uses are incompatible with aircraft operations. It is

recommended that no development be located within CZs. Compatibility guidelines

recommend land uses that concentrate large numbers of people (such as residences,

apartments, churches, and schools) not be constructed within the APZs. While the

likelihood of an accident is remote, the military recommends low density land uses within

the APZs to ensure the maximum protection of public health and property.

Vertical Obstructions MCA (Figure 26) The Silverbell Army Heliport Vertical Obstructions MCA includes all land outside the

installation boundaries within the imaginary surfaces around the helicopter landing pads.

The purpose of the Vertical Obstructions MCA is to manage the height of all structures

and buildings within the area defined by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and DoD

guidance known as imaginary surfaces. The imaginary surfaces are 3-D geographic areas comprising approach‐departure airspace corridors and safety buffers. Vertical

obstruction heights are a major concern for flight operations and training due to the

potential for a structure to extend into navigable airspace, which could impede safe flight

operations and put both pilots and citizens on the ground at risk of an aircraft accident.

Vertical obstructions that can affect flight safety include, but are not limited to, cell

towers, power lines, wind turbines, buildings, and trees. This MCA has two subzones.

Vertical Obstructions MCA Subzone A

Subzone A is composed of the approach‐departure clearance surfaces for the landing

pads. These begin as inclined planes at the end of the primary surface and extend for

1,200 feet. The slope of the approach‐departure clearance surface is 8:1. The width of

this surface at the primary surface is 300 feet, widening uniformly to a width of 600 feet

at the end point.

Vertical Obstructions MCA Subzone B

Subzone B is composed of the transitional surfaces for the landing pads. The transitional

surface extends outward and upward at right angles to the primary surface and extended

landing lane at a slope of 2:1. The transitional surface starts at the lateral edges of the

primary surface and the approach‐departure clearance surface. It continues outward and

upward at the prescribed slope to an elevation of 87.5 feet above the specified helipad.

It then rises vertically to an elevation of 150 feet above the helipad elevation.

92


Tactical Flight Training Area MCA (Figure 27) Due to its size, this MCA is not included as part of the Silverbell Army Heliport MCAOD.

The Tactical Flight Training Area MCA covers the 3,600‐square mile Tactical Flight

Training Area (TFTA) that is used by Silverbell Army Heliport pilots and students. The

TFTA is made up of multiple smaller training areas and allows pilots and students to train

for low‐level flights, including terrain contour and nap of the earth flights, over different

types of terrain. Tactical training is conducted below 300 feet AGL, and other flight

operations are typically conducted between 500 feet and 1,200 feet AGL. Although the

entire TFTA is used for training, there are certain training areas within its confines that

serve as the primary training areas. This is due to their proximity to Silverbell Army

Heliport that provides specialized training such as night training. The airspace within the

TFTA is not restricted nor protected airspace exclusive to military use. The purpose of

this MCA is to assert awareness to the public of the expanse of the TFTA used by the

AZARNG for helicopter training.

Helicopter Night Training MCA (Figure 28) Due to its size, this MCA is not included as part of the Silverbell Army Heliport MCAOD.

The Helicopter Night Training MCA is composed of the general flight corridors used for

specialized night training. The flight corridor is shown as a five‐mile wide corridor and

follows the typical night training routes used by the AZARNG. This MCA addresses areas

that may generate lighting levels that may affect night training missions and operations.

There are two types of light pollution that can impact military operations: point source

lighting and ambient lighting or background lighting. Light intensity decreases with

distance, therefore, the more distance between the light source and the military

installation, the greater the reduction of light pollution impacts. Lighting regulations

should be considered within this MCA that include fully‐shielded and/or full‐cutoff light

fixtures, and prohibit LED billboards.

93


How to Read the Implementation Plan The strategies presented in Table 5 on the following pages address the compatibility

issues that were identified while preparing the Pinal County JLUS and constitute the JLUS

Implementation Plan. The purpose of each strategy is to:

Avoid, where possible, future actions, operations, or approvals that would cause

a compatibility issue;

Eliminate or reduce the adversity of existing compatibility issues where possible;

and

Facilitate enhanced and ongoing communication and collaboration as

mechanisms for effective compatibility planning and avoidance of future

encroachment.

To make the plan easier to use, the strategies include information on when and how they

should be implemented. The strategies are grouped according to the compatibility factor

and issue that each strategy addresses. The following paragraphs provide an overview of

how to read the information presented for each strategy in the table.

Issue that the associated strategies address. Before each set of strategies is a tan colors

box that identifies the specific compatibility issue that the strategies following it address.

There is a column to the right of the issue statement that identifies the AZARNG the

compatibility issue and associated strategies are for. Some of the issues and strategies

cover multiple sites. For issues and strategies that are associated with the entire JLUS

Project Area, the term “Project Area” is used.

Strategy Rows. Each strategy is composed of two rows in the table. The first row of the

strategy contains the strategy text and the responsible parties. The second row identifies

the type of strategy, suggested timeframe for implementation, and area where the

strategy should be implemented.

Strategy Box. For the Strategy box, in bold type is a title that describes the strategy. Each

strategy starts with a unique alpha‐numeric number that provides a reference for that

individual strategy. A strategy’s reference number is composed of the compatibility issue

number and this alpha‐numeric identifier (e.g., COM‐1, COM‐1B, etc.). This is followed by

the complete strategy statement that describes the recommended action.

94


Responsible Party Column. At the right end of the strategy is a column that identifies the

strategies stakeholders that are would serve as either a “Primary Party” or a “Partner” for

implementing that strategy.

Strategy Type Box. This column identifies the type of tool (indicated by an icon) that the

identified strategy is (e.g., zoning ordinance update, communication tool, developing a

study, etc.). The icons for each strategy type are shown below.

Acquisition

Coordination /

Communication

Education /

Awareness

Easement

General Plan /

Comprehensive Plan Legislative

Partnership

Planning

Policies

Process

Real Estate

Disclosure Regulations

Study

Zoning

95


Timeframe Box. This box indicates the projected timeframe of each strategy. The

timeframes describe the year in which a strategy will be initiated or if it is an ongoing

action.

Short‐Term ‐ Strategy to be initiated within 1‐2 years following

JLUS completion.

Mid‐Term ‐ Strategy to be initiated within 3‐4 years following JLUS

completion.

Long‐Term ‐ Strategy to be initiated in 5 or more years following

JLUS completion.

Ongoing ‐ Strategy will be needed on a continuous, intermittent or

as needed basis.

Geographic Area Box. This column indicates the AZARNG MCA(s) where the strategy

should be applied. If the strategy is not tied to an MCA, the term “N/A” is used to

identify there is no applicable geographic area.

96


Table 5 Implementation Plan Strategy Table BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES (BIO) ISSUES

BIO‐1: Endangered / threatened species and species of concern exist in the region around Florence Military Reservation.

There are federally‐listed endangered or threatened species, such as the Acuna Cactus, that are found in the area surrounding Florence Military Reservation. There are also multiple species that are classified as Species of Greatest Conservation Need by the Arizona Game and Fish Department located on or near the Reservation and in and around Pinal County, including the Sonoran Desert Tortoise, the Tucson Shovel‐nosed Snake, and the Common Black Hawk. Future development around Florence Military Reservation may fragment vulnerable species’ habitats, increasing the burden of AZARNG mitigation and conservation obligations.

Location:

Florence Military Reservation

RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES

BIO‐1A: Coordinate the protection and conservation of sensitive species at the regional level.

The AZARNG, Pinal County, Town of Florence, BLM, ASLD, and regional conservation organizations, to the extent possible, should work with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) regarding the management of species and suitable habitats to ensure that military training operations are not unduly burdened by habitat protection. Emphasis should be placed on minimizing future habitat loss at the regional level as new development is considered, to ensure that actions such as habitat destruction or fragmentation elsewhere in the region do not result in Florence Military Reservation becoming a wildlife refuge island and a primary source of viable habitat.

Regional and local plans, such as the Pinal County Comprehensive Plan, Town of Florence General Plan, future wildlife connectivity assessments, habitat conservation plans for development and AZARNG natural resource plans should be prepared and revised in a manner that incorporates updates such as inclusion of recommendations provided in the Pinal County JLUS as part of addressing nuances in regional perspective on protecting wildlife and preventing habitat fragmentation.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

Town of Florence

AZARNG

ASLD

BLM

Partners:

Trust for Public Lands

Nature Conservancy

USFWS

AZGFD

Other regional conservation organizations

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

97


BIO‐1B: Explore Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) funding.

The AZARNG should work with regional conservation organizations and willing landowners to apply for REPI funding to promote the conservation of land to minimize development through acquisition of development rights or conservation easements. The efforts should focus on safeguarding AZARNG mission capabilities while protecting known or potentially important wildlife habitat areas adjacent to AZARNG sites. The REPI, is a tool for addressing encroachment that can limit or restrict military training, testing, and operations. With respect to encouraging partnership, regional and local entities should consider its incorporation in, but not limited to, public information resources and documents such as the Pinal County Comprehensive Plan, Town of Florence General Plan, future wildlife connectivity assessments, habitat conservation plans for development and AZARNG natural resource plans.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

Town of Florence

AZARNG

ASLD

BLM

Partners:

Willing landowners

Regional conservation organizations

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

FMR Land Use MCA

BIO‐1C: Expand existing environmental programs and outreach efforts.

Seek to initiate and / or expand partnerships with state and federal agencies, environmental organizations and regional conservation groups, to assist in the development, improvement, expansion, and implementation of wildlife and habitat conservation best management practices.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

Town of Florence

AZARNG

ASLD

BLM

Partners:

USFWS

AZGFD

Regional conservation and environmental organizations

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

98


BIO‐1D: Explore opportunities to protect environmentally‐sensitive land through the Sentinel Landscapes Program.

Since 2013, the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership Program has encouraged federal, local and private collaboration with the intention to promote natural resource sustainability in areas surrounding military installations. Under this program, partnerships are forged, and opportunities become available to benefit national defense, local economies and conservation of natural resources. Subsequent effects of partnership further intends to coordinate mutually beneficial programs and strategies in an effort to preserve, enhance or protect habitat and working lands near military installations; reduce, prevent or eliminate restrictions that may compromise effective military testing and training; and prevent incompatible development near our military facilities. The AZARNG should explore opportunities to leverage the Sentinel Landscapes Program to seek partnership opportunities with federal, state and local agencies, conservation organizations, and willing private property owners to secure conservation easements and to provide incentives to protect working agricultural land with intent of sustaining military readiness and protecting valuable natural resources in Pinal County.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

Town of Florence

AZARNG

Partners:

Willing landowners


ASLD

BLM

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

FMR Land Use MCA

BIO‐2: Invasive plant species can impact operations at Florence Military Reservation.

Increased vehicle usage on existing transportation corridors and off‐road trails around Florence Military Reservation, as well as the construction of new roads in the region, may increase colonization rates of invasive plant species and negatively impact native vegetation, wildlife, and fire regimes at Florence Military Reservation.

Location:



BIO‐2A: Develop invasive plant control educational materials.

Educational materials on invasive or undesirable plant control should be developed by Pinal County in coordination with the AZARNG and the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Such information should be provided to the public as a resource to encourage participation to minimize the spread of problem vegetation in the areas around Florence Military Reservation (e.g., agricultural and recreational areas). This initiative would benefit Florence Military Reservation and could assist county‐wide efforts to reduce the spread of invasive plants.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

AZARNG

Partner:

Arizona Department of Agriculture

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

FMR Land Use MCA

99


COORDINATION / COMMUNICATION (COM) ISSUES

COM‐1: There is an opportunity for enhanced communication protocols between AZARNG and local communities.

There is communication between the AZARNG and representatives of the local communities close to AZARNG sites, but there is no formalized communication process. Additionally, not all communities engage in the same level of communication with the AZARNG, which can negatively impact both the military and the communities.

Location:

Project Area


COM‐1A: Establish a Pinal County JLUS Implementation Committee.

Following completion of the JLUS, a Pinal County JLUS Implementation Committee should be established to maintain efficient and effective coordination among the JLUS partners and other affected stakeholders to oversee the implementation of JLUS recommendations, and to enhance long‐term coordination on military compatibility issues. The issues discussed and addressed by this committee would be focused on land uses and future development within the JLUS Project Area. The Implementation Committee’s focus may, however, be redirected to address other compatibility factors as appropriate. As a starting point, all members of the JLUS Policy Committee and Technical Working Group should be invited to be founding members of the JLUS Implementation Committee. The membership may evolve, and new stakeholder groups may be invited to join, as may be appropriate in the future. The Pinal County JLUS Implementation Committee should meet on a regular basis, as agreed upon by the Committee.

To continue the momentum produced through the JLUS process, it is recommended that Pinal County be the lead agency on developing and maintaining the JLUS Implementation Committee.

The Committee should review JLUS recommendations and track implementation efforts and accomplishments, as well as monitor emerging issues from both the community and AZARNG perspectives to ensure long‐term military operational utility and compatibility as missions evolve.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Pinal Airpark

AZARNG

ASLD

BLM

Partner:

Other stakeholder groups as appropriate to address land use issues

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

100


COM‐1B: Develop a charter for the Pinal County JLUS Implementation Committee.

Members of the Pinal County JLUS Implementation Committee (see Strategy COM‐1A) should develop a charter that formalizes the group, its purpose and objectives, and roles and responsibilities. The charter should contain information such as:

Committee purpose;

Committee membership;

Point of contact and contact information for each organization / partners and membership directory;

Agency / partner roles and responsibilities in addressing compatibility issues;

Members’ qualification based on knowledge, skills, and abilities;

Membership roles and responsibilities;

Meeting frequency and protocols; and

Triggers for coordination and communication (e.g., infrastructure planning, water resources planning, economic development, mission changes at AZARNG sites, etc.).

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Pinal Airpark

AZARNG

ASLD

BLM

Other stakeholder groups as appropriate to address land use issues

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

COM‐1C: Distribute general AZARNG activities schedule to local law enforcement.

When possible, AZARNG should prepare a monthly general schedule of any planned special or unusual activities or night activities to share with local law enforcement organizations.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partner:

Local law enforcement agencies

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

COM‐1D: Characterize the nature and volume of training.

AZARNG should develop an outreach campaign plan that identifies goals and action items, metrics and milestones for effective communication, and responsible AZARNG representatives for conducting outreach activities with neighboring communities. Outreach should focus on regular, on‐going, and consistent communications with jurisdiction leadership, local organizations and agencies, and the general public to educate them about the AZARNG missions and future mission changes that affect the AZARNG sites; and airspace usage.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

101


COM‐1E: Establish internal information liaisons.

The AZARNG and each JLUS partner jurisdiction should identify an internal liaison point of contact within their organization, responsible for receiving and internally disseminating information from external organizations to ensure there is a shared awareness of information that relates to potential compatibility concerns with associated action plans, when possible, with AZARNG sites.

Primary Parties:

AZARNG

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek


Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

COM‐1F: Prepare and execute a formal Memorandum of Agreement for development proposal review.

Each JLUS partner community should establish a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the AZARNG that formalizes a review process for certain types of development proposals, rezoning, and other land use or regulation changes for lands located within the AZARNG Military Compatibility Areas (see Strategy LU‐1A). The agreement should define an effective communication and coordination process that can be maintained and updated periodically on an as needed basis. The MOA would constitute a proactive approach to identify potential conflicts early in the proposed development application. Review timelines should conform to existing community processes for document review and comment. The component of the MOA formalizing AZARNG review and comment process should include:

Definitions of project types that require review;

Definitions of project types that require military participation at pre‐application meetings;

Points of contact necessary for coordinating reviews;

A formal procedure for requesting and receiving comments;

A standard timeline for responses, keeping in mind mandated review time periods as specified by state law and local procedures; and

Mandated notice to the AZARNG regarding all public hearings for projects that require review.

The MOA should also state that the AZARNG may provide technical information on items being considered, but shall not directly vote to approve, conditionally approve, or deny a project or development application/proposal.

The MOA in its entirety should also contain a review timeframe and updated as deemed appropriate by the JLUS Implementation Committee (see Strategy COM‐1A).

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Partner:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

All MCAs

102


COM‐1G: Develop a regional GIS‐web‐based portal to disseminate relevant information.

Pinal County, in collaboration with the JLUS Implementation Committee, local jurisdictions, AZARNG, and relevant federal and state land management agencies should work collaboratively to develop a publicly accessible and interactive GIS web‐based portal to share GIS data, such as military footprints, existing land use, zoning, and other pertinent JLUS‐relevant GIS data. The site should serve as a tool to promote enhanced, long‐range, and coordinated compatibility planning. Coordination should also be conducted with the Arizona Military Energy Land Use Plan (AME‐UP) for the purpose of providing appropriate mapping tools and data into the GIS portal. The AME‐UP program was developed to create interactive community planning and web tools to assist energy developers, communities, and the military in siting energy projects that will not impact military operations. In addition, a protocol for accessing and updating the information should be developed to ensure data and information accuracy and appropriate security measures are established to maintain systems’ integrity.

Primary Party:

Pinal County

Partners:

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Pinal Airpark

AZARNG

ASLD

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

COM‐1H: Develop an AZARNG community / military compatibility reference guide.

The JLUS partners should develop a brief reference guide providing information about the various agencies in the JLUS Project Area and their respective missions, responsibilities, and geographic service areas. This guide should contain at a minimum:

Map(s) identifying agency service and management areas, locations where each agency conducts activities, and land ownership / management within each jurisdiction;

Contact information for the agency representatives that would help manage instances of community‐military compatibility concerns;

Communication protocols for all levels of engagement; and

Names of other non‐governmental organizations committed to and involved with compatibility planning.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Pinal Airpark

ASLD

BLM

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

103


COM‐1I: AZARNG coordinate with Phoenix‐Mesa Gateway Airport regarding sharing existing compatible land use tools.

During the JLUS process, Phoenix‐Mesa Gateway Airport offered to share several tools that they utilize with neighboring communities to protect land around the airport from encroachment. These tools include airport property disclosure forms, avigation easement language, draft zoning overlay language, and signage requirements that were developed in the recent Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan. The AZARNG should coordinate with the Airport to review these tools and identify how it can be coordinated with the communities around the AZARNG sites to help guide future compatible development.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partner:

Phoenix‐Mesa Gateway Airport

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

COM‐2: Increase public awareness of AZARNG activities.

The AZARNG has a limited program for increasing public awareness about the AZARNG training sites and the activities that occur at them. Providing the communities near the sites with information regarding the types of activities that occur, the operations that may impact land use nearby, and the value of the training facilities can improve relationships between the AZARNG and local communities. Increased awareness will also support future land use planning that minimizes or mitigates compatibility issues.

Location:

Project Area


COM‐2A: Develop a public education campaign for local communities.

AZARNG should create an outreach plan to share information with nearby communities. The public outreach program should describe outreach activities, including possible installation tours / open houses, informational brochures to be distributed by mail and the AZARNG website, and other informational events and media, as well as provide contact information for public relations personnel at AZARNG. It should also include a military and community communication protocol directory that identifies the different communication channels between appointed and elected officials, jurisdiction staff, and AZARNG officials, as well as between representatives and the public.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

104


COM‐2B: Utilize multi‐media tools and methods to disseminate information.

The AZARNG should use a range of methods, including different media platforms to disseminate information about increased training missions that may produce atypical noise levels, other activities that have a community impact, and a point of contact for questions or concerns. This information should be made available on the AZARNG website and through JLUS partner jurisdiction’s public service announcement and media outlets, both traditional and social. When possible, the AZARNG should prepare a monthly general schedule of any planned special or unusual activities or night operations that may occur and publish it in in local media, as long as the information does not conflict with operational security procedures or is otherwise appropriate.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

COM‐2C: Consider developing a text alert system.

The AZARNG should work with the communities in the JLUS Project Area to develop a text alert system where interested individuals can sign up to receive text alerts when planned military activities will occur at the AZARNG sites.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Marana

Town of Queen Creek

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

COM‐2D: Establish an AZARNG Community Plans and Liaison Officer position.

The AZARNG should look into establishing a Community Plans and Liaison Officer (CPLO) program to facilitate enhanced communication and coordination efforts with the public and local communities surrounding AZARNG sites. This position would serve a statewide role.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

COM‐2E: Develop AZARNG informational news briefs and social media.

The AZARNG Public Affairs Office should develop short (1‐5 minutes in duration) promotional and informational video news briefs that provide an overview of the general mission and operations at AZARNG sites and some quick facts about recent or future military activities. The new briefs should be updated periodically to present fresh and current information. These video spots could be aired on local news stations, social media networks, at movie theaters, on appropriate web sites, and other venues. To reduce costs, existing coordination and media communication contracts should be leveraged.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

105


COM‐2F: Make local points of contact more widely known.

Advertise and increase awareness of the AZARNG Public Affairs Office and other contacts for community concerns and inquiries. Communication procedures, including methods for providing feedback and posting inquiries and general response times, should be posted prominently on the AZARNG's and other partners' websites, on social media, in newsletters, and in public facilities, such as community centers, public libraries, and municipal buildings.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

COM‐2G: Include links to the AZARNG website on all JLUS partner websites.

Each of the JLUS partner jurisdictions should include a link to AZARNG’s website on their respective websites.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Partner:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

All MCAs

COM‐2H: Conduct an AZARNG economic impact study.

The AZARNG should develop or commission an economic impact study that details the economic impacts of each AZARNG site in Pinal County, or statewide as applicable. The study should characterize the benefits of non‐DoD users of AZARNG facilities and include economic impacts of foreign military dollars, contractors, and the procurement of local goods and services.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

106


COM‐3: There is an opportunity for improved direct communication between AZARNG and Arizona State Land Department.

Most of the land surrounding the four AZARNG sites in Pinal County, as well as some of the land that makes up Florence Military Reservation, is managed by the Arizona State Land Department through the Arizona State Trust. The Department’s mission is to manage Arizona State Trust land to maximize fiscal benefits for the Trust’s beneficiaries, the primary trustee being Arizona public schools. State Trust Lands could be sold and developed in the future, and there is no formal process in place to specifically notify the AZARNG of potential land sales or development proposals.

Location:

Project Area


COM‐3A: Improve the notification process between AZARNG and ASLD.

The ASLD and the AZARNG should continue communication and coordination processes conducted during the JLUS project. Both organizations should explore options for developing a formal partnership, via a Memorandum of Agreement or other means as appropriate, so that the ASLD provides notification to the AZARNG when contemplating the sale of land or permitting activities on State Trust lands within an agreed‐upon distance of an AZARNG site. Such notification would provide information to the AZARNG of potential development activity and help identify potential impacts to the military mission. Through the agreement, AZARNG would also provide notification to ASLD if they were considering plans for additional mission activities that may affect ASLD land outside the installation boundaries. This agreement could also foster discussions for future use of ASLD land by the AZARNG, including discussing future land use agreements and fees for usage of the land.

Primary Parties:

AZARNG

ASLD

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

107


COM‐4: Increase awareness of Florence Military Reservation opportunities.

The AZARNG does not have a marketing campaign to inform communities and non‐military users of the capabilities that exist at Florence Military Reservation. Communicating potential non‐military uses that could enhance economic activity in the region could benefit both the military and local communities.

Location:



COM‐4A: Develop a marketing plan.

The AZARNG should develop a marketing plan to showcase the capabilities and opportunities available at Florence Military Reservation that can be utilized by other organizations through development of partnerships or other means. The plan should identify organizations that the AZARNG can reach out to, that may benefit from the use of Florence Military Reservation facilities when they are not in use for AZARNG training. The marketing plan should include the development of brochures and other informational materials that can be distributed to organizations on a regular basis. The marketing information should be sent to all organizations identified in the plan as potentially benefitting from using Florence Military Reservation facilities. The marketing plan should also include quarterly, biannual, or annual (as deemed appropriate) presentations to local communities and law enforcement agencies informing them of partnership opportunities to use the facilities at the Reservation.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

COM‐4B: Provide access for local law enforcement agencies.

The AZARNG should coordinate with local law enforcement and public safety agencies / organizations to gauge interest in the use of firing ranges at Florence Military Reservation and, as appropriate, develop partnerships or Memoranda of Agreement that facilitate use of the ranges when not being used for military training activities. Resources to be made available for local law enforcement agencies should include the use of law enforcement and public safety unmanned aerial systems, provided they are maintained within the boundaries of Florence Military Reservation.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partner:


Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

COM‐4C: Use JLUS as a marketing tool.

The AZARNG should use the completed JLUS as a marketing tool to inform outside organizations of the capabilities available for use at Florence Military Reservation and / or use information in the JLUS and other sources to help develop marketing materials.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

108


COM‐4D: Consider partnerships to develop enhanced use lease opportunities at Florence Military Reservation.

The AZARNG should work with Pinal County, the Town of Florence, and state and federal agencies to develop potential partnerships through either enhanced use leases or other joint use opportunities on DoD‐owned portions of Florence Military Reservation that are not usable for training activities.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

Pinal County

Town of Florence

Agencies or organizations operating in the JLUS Project Area

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

COM‐4E: Consider partnerships for in‐kind services.

The AZARNG should explore opportunities to develop P4 (public‐public / public‐private) partnerships with local entities for use of Florence Military Reservation facilities in exchange for in‐kind services, such as maintenance of roads, landscaping, weed removal, and emergency management response (to include wildland fires, floods, extended power outages, emergency shelters), or similar services.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

COM‐5: Formalize communication between Silverbell Army Heliport and Pinal Airpark.

There is an opportunity for improved communication between Silverbell Army Heliport and Pinal Airpark to better coordinate activities so as to minimize conflicts between military and civilian flight activities.

Location:

Silverbell Army Heliport


COM‐5A: Develop memorandum of agreement to communicate policy and / or operational updates.

The Pinal County Airpark Manager and leadership at Silverbell Army Heliport should develop a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that delineates procedures for sharing information on any updates to policy / regulations / protocols pertinent to their respective aircraft operations. The MOA should delineate the following:

Types of information about planned changes that will be shared;

Frequency of information sharing;

Planned development / construction;

Points of contact for each entity; and

Operational deconfliction procedures.

Primary Parties:

Pinal Airpark

AZARNG

Partner:

Pinal County

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

109


COM‐5B: Establish a military‐community airport partnership.

Pinal Airpark and the AZARNG should create a military‐community partnership that includes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representatives to discuss airspace and other operational capabilities to help identify and reduce conflicts between military and civilian aircraft and training activities.

Primary Parties:

Pinal Airpark

AZARNG

Partners:

Pinal County

FAA

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

Helicopter Training MCA l

COM‐5C: Consider opportunity to link SBAH and Pinal Airpark for joint use.

Pinal Airpark and the AZARNG should explore opportunities to link Pinal Airpark and Silverbell Army Heliport via an extended taxiway so that SBAH helicopters can use Pinal Airpark's runway for additional training activities. If viable, the two organizations should develop a Joint Use Agreement that includes use and scheduling policies for the joint use areas.

Primary Parties:

Pinal Airpark

AZARNG

Partner:

Pinal County Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

CULTURAL RESOURCES (CR) ISSUES

CR‐1: There are culturally significant sites on and around Florence Military Reservation.

There are a large number of culturally significant sites located on the Florence Military Reservation and in the surrounding region. The AZARNG embraces its stewardship responsibilities and protects sites that have been identified on land they own or lease. Future development, recreation, and other land uses around Florence Military Reservation may damage sites that are not within the installation’s boundary.

Location:



CR‐1A: Continue coordination with tribal governments and the State Historic Preservation Office regarding cultural resources.

The AZARNG should continue to consult with affiliated Native American tribal authorities and the State Historic Preservation Office when previously unknown cultural resources are identified at Florence Military Reservation.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

Native American tribal governments

Arizona State Historic Preservation Office

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

FOR OTHER STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, SEE STRATEGY LU‐1F.

110


DUST / SMOKE / STEAM (DSS) ISSUES

DSS‐1: Activities at Florence Military Reservation sometimes generate dust.

Due to the desert landscape at Florence Military Reservation, dust is sometimes generated from military operations such as vehicle maneuvering and weapons firing on ranges and has caused some concerns for nearby residents. Dust could become a larger concern if future development occurs closer to Florence Military Reservation, or if there is an increase in regulatory oversight that requires the minimization of dust emissions.

Location:



DSS‐1A: Inform local community of potential high dust activities.

To ensure the public is informed and can take the necessary precautions to protect health and property, employ outreach tools and methods such as public relations officers, public service announcements, and websites to inform the general public when and where high dust activities are planned.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

FMR Land Use MCA

DSS‐1B: AZARNG should continue to employ dust suppression methods on unpaved roadways.

The AZARNG should continue to implement dust suppression methods to minimize dust generation on unpaved roadways. Where appropriate, the AZARNG should continue to use milled asphalt on its primary unpaved roads to reduce airborne dust. Unpaved roads appropriate for paving should be prioritized based on applicable air quality regulations, frequency of roadway use and complaints or the potential for complaints from the public.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

DSS‐1C: Consider vegetative dust barriers.

AZARNG should consider using native vegetation as dust barriers along areas prone to high dust generation, such as roadways and maneuver areas. Any use of vegetative dust barriers should be of native variety vegetation and/or approved by local natural resource entities as controllable against spread of invasive plant species. Such barriers should also conform with AT / FP regulations and not contribute to wildfire hazards.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

111


ENERGY DEVELOPMENT (ED) ISSUES

ED‐1: There is potential for solar energy generation facility impacts.

There are several existing and proposed commercial solar energy generation facilities within the JLUS Project Area that could cause glare impacts to helicopter pilots. Coordination with the AZARNG on solar facility development can help ensure that the siting of facilities and the types of methods and materials used in their construction are compatible with military operations.

Location:

Project Area


ED‐1A: Develop local policies that facilitate military compatibility with alternative energy development.

The JLUS partner jurisdictions should consider updating their comprehensive / general plans to incorporate military compatibility policies for larger‐scale commercial renewable energy developments and to ensure the jurisdictions, AZARNG, and other relevant agencies are included in potential development discussions. The AZARNG should provide a map of areas and altitudes where helicopters operate for area electric companies and alternative energy developers.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Partners:

AZARNG

Renewable energy project developers

Electric utility providers

ASLD

BLM

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

All MCAs

ED‐1B: Coordinate with the DoD Siting Clearinghouse.

The DoD Siting Clearinghouse requirements and standards published in Title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 211 advise and guide early submission of renewable energy project proposals to the Siting Clearinghouse for military mission compatibility review. JLUS partner jurisdictions should amend or create applicable local planning documents (e.g., comprehensive / general plans, renewable energy regulations) to incorporate policies and procedure that help coordinate alternative energy development applications with the DoD Siting Clearinghouse process. If JLUS partner jurisdictions become aware of any alternative energy development projects within their jurisdiction, they should get contact information for the developer and inform them of the need to coordinate with the DoD Siting Clearinghouse.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Partners:


DoD Siting Clearinghouse Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

112


ED‐1C: Develop or update solar energy ordinances and solar siting guidelines.

The JLUS partner jurisdictions should develop or update guidelines for siting and use of appropriate solar technologies near AZARNG sites, flight corridors, and military restricted airspace. These guidelines should recommend zoning ordinances that specify non‐reflective panels for non–residential applications and requirements for developers to notify, coordinate with, and allow review by the AZARNG of proposed developments within areas used for helicopter operations, prior to permit approval.

As part of this, AZARNG should provide a map to the electric companies identifying the areas and altitudes where helicopters operations.

There should be different regulations for residential uses, small commercial installations for individual business use or net metering, community generation for distribution less than five megawatts, and utility‐scale facilities, so as to not unnecessarily over‐regulate individual residential and smaller scale solar energy projects.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Partners:

AZARNG


Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

All MCAs

ED‐1D: Utilize Arizona Renewable Energy Mapping Project.

The Arizona Military Energy Land Use Plan (AME‐UP) renewable energy mapping project was developed through collaboration between the Arizona State Land Department, Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State University, the City of Surprise, Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, and other stakeholders throughout Arizona. The findings and tools provided by the AME‐UP serves as great resource for JLUS partner jurisdictions. The outcomes and results of this project should be applied by all JLUS partner jurisdictions to assess future proposed alternative energy development projects and how they may impact AZARNG operations.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Partners:

AZARNG


ASLD

BLM

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

ED‐1E: Requirements to use Solar Glare Hazard Analysis Tool.

When a community receives a solar energy development proposal for an area within one of the MCAs, they should require the applicant to utilize the Solar Glare Hazard Analysis Tool and work with the AZARNG to determine if the proposed project will have any glint or glare impacts to helicopter flight patterns.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Partners:

AZARNG


Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

All MCAs

113


ED‐2: There is potential for energy transmission lines impacting training.

Future transmission lines may impact low level training routes, if not properly coordinated with AZARNG.

Location:

Project Area


ED‐2A: Ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 77.

For all new, redeveloped, or rehabilitated energy transmission lines or energy generation facilities, electric companies should continue to ensure compliance with FAR Part 77 height limit requirements in order to mitigate potential vertical obstructions.

Primary Parties:

Salt River Project


Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

ED‐2B: Notify AZARNG of proposed energy transmission line projects.

Salt River Project and Arizona Public Service should develop a Memorandum of Agreement with the AZARNG to notify the military of any proposed energy transmission line projects located within an area that may impact AZARNG helicopter flight operations. As part of this, AZARNG should provide a map to the electric companies identifying the areas and altitudes where helicopters operate. The notification should allow a response time for the AZARNG to provide comments on concerns or potential impacts.

Primary Parties:

Salt River Project


Partner:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

114


ED‐3: There is potential for wind turbine impacts.

Wind turbines can interfere with radar systems by inhibiting target detection, generating false positive readings, and interfering with target detection. In addition, the turbines can become vertical obstruction hazards to safe aircraft operations. These and other impacts can affect military operations and must be considered during the planning and siting phases for wind energy development.

Location:

Project Area


ED‐3A: Develop or update wind energy ordinances

The JLUS partner jurisdictions should develop new or update existing zoning regulations related to wind energy generation facilities. This should include a review of which zoning districts allow wind energy generation facilities; adding a requirement for consultation with the DoD Siting Clearinghouse and adherence to FAR Part 77 requirements, establishing height limits for wind energy generation towers; and adding a requirement for notification to, review by, and coordination with AZARNG prior to permit approval if the proposed development is within an area identified by the AZARNG as used for helicopter flight operations. As part of this, AZARNG should provide a map to the electric companies identifying the areas and altitudes where helicopters operate.

There should be a differentiation in regulations between residential uses, small commercial installations for individual business use or net metering, community generation for distribution less than five megawatts, and utility‐scale facilities, so as to not over‐regulate individual residential and smaller scale wind energy projects.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Partner:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

FOR OTHER STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, SEE STRATEGIES ED‐1A, ED‐1B, AND ED‐1D.

115


FREQUENCY SPECTRUM IMPEDANCE / INTERFERENCE (FSI) ISSUES

FSI‐1: There may be increased unmanned aerial system training in Pinal County in the future.

There is a potential for the DoD and defense contractors to increase testing and training of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) at Florence Military Reservation, as well as at other AZARNG. The use of UASs relies heavily on radio communication between the UAS operator and the aircraft. Future growth in the region that is not coordinated with the military may impact this communication.

Location:

Project Area


FSI‐1A: Identify test operation boundaries for local communities.

The AZARNG should develop maps that identify the operational boundaries that are used for existing UAS operations. These should be shared with local jurisdictions for planning purposes and identified in any public educational materials about UAS operations that are developed. If these boundaries change in the future, the maps should be updated and re‐distributed.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

FSI‐1B: Develop information on military mission needs.

The AZARNG should develop public educational materials on current and proposed future operational areas for UAS testing and training. This would include, to the extent it does not jeopardize mission requirements or security protocols, operational boundaries, impacts to training generated by competing frequencies, devices that are incompatible with UAS operations, and frequency of military use. This information could be developed as an online resource and / or as printed material.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

116


FSI‐2: Federal Aviation Administration relay towers have impacts to helicopter avionics systems.

The FAA has proposed constructing relay towers in the flight corridor of AZARNG helicopters. The proposed towers have an avionics impact radius that could impact helicopter flight systems.

Location:

Project Area


FSI‐2A: Develop maps that show where communication towers would impact military operations.

The AZARNG should develop maps that identify flight corridors and other locations used by helicopters that would be impacted by the construction of new communication towers. These maps should specify the type and location of towers that generate frequency impacts and show the estimated impact area around the towers. The data should be shared with local communities to help them assess impacts from proposed towers.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

All MCAs

FSI‐2B: Formalize coordination with the FAA.

The AZARNG and FAA should formalize coordination procedures as a mechanism to ensure the review of proposed communication towers and support the timely mitigation of impacts.

Primary Parties:

AZARNG

FAA

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

All MCAs

117


INFRASTRUCTURE EXTENSIONS (IE) ISSUES

IE‐1: The proposed north‐south transportation corridor may impact Rittenhouse Training Site and Florence Military Reservation.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has proposed a north‐south transportation corridor between Apache Junction, State Route 287, and I‐10. Although the final alignment has not been chosen, this corridor could spur future growth and land development near Florence Military Reservation and Rittenhouse Training Site that is incompatible with AZARNG missions.

Location:

Florence Military Reservation and Rittenhouse Training Site


IE‐1A: Develop a Memorandum of Agreement between AZARNG and the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the AZARNG should work together to develop a Memorandum of Agreement that formalizes a process for identifying potential transportation project impacts AZARNG missions, as well as solution sets to mitigate or prevent encroachment.

Primary Parties

AZARNG

ADOT

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

IE‐1B: Continue tracking Environmental Impact Study.

The AZARNG should continue to track the Environmental Impact Study process for the proposed north‐south corridor in order to review any proposed changes or updates and monitor if comments submitted were appropriately considered. If any new concerns arise, AZARNG should actively engage with the Arizona Department of Transportation to discuss potential impacts to AZARNG sites.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

IE‐2: The proposed access road to Pinal Airpark could spur future growth and land development.

The Pinal County Board of Supervisors has approved the acquisition of land to construct an access road from the community of Red Rock to Pinal Airpark, which could induce land development that may impact operations at the Silverbell Army Heliport.

Location:


FOR A STRATEGY THAT ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE, SEE STRATEGY COM‐1F.

118


LAND / AIR SPACES (LAS) ISSUES

LAS‐1: There may be Increased use of unmanned aerial systems in the future.

It is likely that both military and civilian use of unmanned aerial systems will increase in the future. Currently, there are no local regulations in place to support and manage these activities in the JLUS Project Area.

Location:

Project Area


LAS‐1A: Adopt ordinances regulating unmanned aircraft and no fly zones around AZARNG sites.

The JLUS partner jurisdictions should adopt local ordinances for the use of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) to establish and enforce rules and regulations of unauthorized UAS usage, including areas where UASs may or may not be permissible due to their potential impacts to flight operations and schedule of fines for offenders. The local ordinances should incorporate FAA regulations for recreational, commercial, and other uses.

New guidance on installation overflight and rules of engagement should be publicized on local community web pages. Overflight of UASs over AZARNG sites should be restricted.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Cree

Town of Marana

Partners:

Pinal Airpark

AZARNG

FAA Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

FMR Airspace Protection MCA; Picacho Peak Stagefield Airspace MCA; Primary Helicopter Training Route MCA; Rittenhouse Training Site Vertical Obstructions MCA

119


LAS‐1B: Develop a UAS Hazard Plan.

The JLUS partner jurisdictions should develop a UAS hazard plan or plans. The plan(s) would identify areas surrounding AZARNG sites where UAS operations could be detrimental to military operations and illustrate these areas on a UAS Hazard Map. The plan(s) should further identify "Drone Fly Zones" where recreational UAS operations would generally have no impact to military operations and can continue without strict restrictions. The plan(s) should also take into consideration civilian / commercial / general aviation facilities and flight paths.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Partners:

Pinal Airpark

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

FMR Airspace Protection MCA; Picacho Peak Stagefield Airspace MCA; Primary Helicopter Training Route MCA; Rittenhouse Training Site Vertical Obstructions MCA

LAS‐1C: Develop information on proper usage and regulations for the public.

The AZARNG should work with the FAA to develop information on proper usage of UASs near AZARNG sites. The information should include the distance away from AZARNG sites at which UAS usage could impact military operations or cause security concerns.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partner:

FAA Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

LAS‐1D: Enhance coordination efforts.

The AZARNG, FAA, and the State of Arizona should develop a formal communication / coordination protocol delineating points of contact and the responsibilities of each agency, establishing regular meetings, and identifying areas for coordination relative to UAS use in the JLUS Project Area. Partners should consider using the Arizona Military Affairs Commission through the State of Arizona’s Clearinghouse as a platform for coordination.

Primary Parties:

AZARNG

FAA

State of Arizona

Arizona Military Affairs Commission

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

120


LAS‐1E: Advertise the FAA B4UFLY app.

The JLUS partner jurisdictions should advertise the FAA B4UFLY app (mobile device application) to inform the public of the tool and help them identify areas where UAS operations are restricted or regulated, as well as areas where they are allowed freely.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Partners:

Pinal Airpark

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

LAS‐1F: Advocate for UAS no fly areas over Florence Military Reservation and Rittenhouse Training Site.

The AZARNG should advocate to and work with the FAA to establish no fly areas over Florence Military Reservation and Rittenhouse Training Site, similar to the areas over Silverbell Army Heliport and Picacho Peak Stagefield.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partner:

FAA

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

LAS‐1G: Advocate to State Legislature to consider state‐wide UAS ordinance around military installations.

The AZARNG should collaborate with other military installations in Arizona and the Arizona Military Affairs Commission to advocate to the State Legislature to consider enacting state legislation that would ban the use of unauthorized UASs over any military facility in the state.

Primary Parties:

AZARNG

Other military installations in Arizona


Arizona State Legislature Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

LAS‐1H: Post information on UAS regulations on relevant websites.

The AZARNG and JLUS partner jurisdictions should add information to their respective websites regarding requirements for unmanned aerial systems in the region, including FAA regulations and any local ordinances that may be adopted in the future.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Pinal Airpark

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

121


LAS‐1I: Advocate for state and federal legislation that establishes a military UAS corridor.

The AZARNG and U.S. Army should consider the need for and feasibility of state and federal legislation that establishes a military UAS special use airspace corridor between Florence Military Reservation and Fort Huachuca. This corridor would be used to safely fly Army UAS from Fort Huachuca to Florence Military Reservation to training and testing in restricted airspace.

Primary Parties

AZARNG

Arizona State Legislature

U.S. Army / Fort Huachuca

Partner:

FAA Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

FOR OTHER STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, SEE STRATEGIES FSI‐1A, FSI‐1B.

LAS‐2: Helicopter flight areas are not protected.

Helicopter flight training corridors, training areas, and approach and departure corridors throughout the JLUS Project Area are not protected from development that could impact the safety of helicopter pilots and trainees during flight operations, as well as the safety of land uses and the public below. Silverbell Army Heliport and the AZARNG have implemented a program called, “Fly Friendly,” for which they have identified “no‐fly zones” throughout their training areas. Although not required, these AZARNG self‐imposed restrictions are intended to minimize impacts over certain land uses, avoid complaints, and reduce hazards to aircraft.

Location:

Project Area


LAS‐2A: Leverage the Ironwood‐Picacho wildlife corridor.

To the extent possible, the AZARNG should explore opportunities with Pinal County and the Arizona Game and Fish Department to leverage the existing Ironwood‐Picacho wildlife corridor north and west of SBAH through formal land preservation agreements that would preserve existing wildlife linkage corridors, as well as support compatible land use with SBAH training operations.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Partner:

AZARNG

ASLD

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


LAS‐2B: Explore the possibility of recording avigation notices.

The AZARNG should look into the possibility of recording avigation notices with local jurisdiction recorders for land under the TFTA to publicize that military helicopter overflight may occur in the area.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Marana

ASLD

BLM

Pima County

other jurisdictions with land under the TFTA

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


122


LAS‐2C: Document Tactical Flight Training Area in the Federal Register.

The AZARNG should explore the process and feasibility of announcing the Tactical Flight Training Area airspace in the Federal Register to increase awareness of the area and of policies related to the use of the airspace. The intent is not to develop restricted airspace, but to preserve the usability and functionality of the airspace so the AZARNG can safely and efficiently conducts its missions.

Primary Parties:

AZARNG

Federal Register

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


LAS‐3: There is limited space at Florence Military Reservation.

The amount of land that currently makes up Florence Military Reservation is not large enough to conduct collective live fire training or to accommodate the full array of training capabilities that are needed to support potential AZARNG training requirements.

Location:



LAS‐3A: Explore the potential for leasing additional BLM land.

The AZARNG should coordinate with the BLM and Pinal County to explore opportunities for leasing additional BLM land to the south and east of Florence Military Reservation that the AZARNG can use for buffer areas or additional ground‐based activities. If additional BLM lands are identified that could support AZARNG training, but are not contiguous to Florence Military Reservation, the AZARNG should consider if such land may be appropriate to establish a lease with the BLM for use of the land. Consideration for appropriateness would include distance from Florence Military Reservation, accessibility, usability of the land based on terrain, and existing use of the land. Pinal County has identified some BLM lands for future regional park development, so it is important to include the county in the assessment process.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

BLM

Pinal County

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

FMR Land Use MCA

LAS‐3B: Explore land swap opportunities.

The AZARNG should explore opportunities to swap land with the BLM to acquire land adjacent to Florence Military Reservation for additional buffer or maneuver space. Agreements could be coordinated through the Department of Defense to facilitate a federal‐to‐federal land swap between the BLM and DoD. Additionally, the AZARNG could work with the BLM to see if there are opportunities for obtaining BLM lands no longer needed by the agency.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

BLM

Department of Defense

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

FMR Land Use MCA

123


LAS‐3C: Explore partnership opportunities for establishing buffer land.

The AZARNG should work with Pinal County and the Town of Florence to identify potential partnerships with willing landowners to use additional land outside the current boundaries of Florence Military Reservation for military buffer areas.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

Pinal County

Town of Florence

Willing landowners

ASLD

BLM

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

FMR Land Use MCA

LAS‐3D: Develop comprehensive strategies to demonstrate needs for training and buffer land.

The AZARNG should identify and outline a comprehensive approach for demonstrating the need for secured lands for military operations and buffers. The approach should include a report, such as a white paper, that includes potential implementing strategies and describes the strategic importance for AZARNG to prepare the nation’s forces for the future “knowns and known‐unknowns” of modern warfare. For example, live training with new and existing technology and expanded formation sizes (dismounted, wheeled, tracked, rotary winged, fixed winged, and unmanned aerial vehicles) that will be employed against a peer nation state in full scale combat requires more maneuver space than is currently available at Florence Military Reservation.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partner:

U.S. Army

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

LAS‐3E: Explore the potential for leasing additional ASLD land.

The AZARNG should coordinate with the ASLD and Pinal County to explore opportunities for leasing additional ASLD land to the north of Florence Military Reservation that the AZARNG can use for buffer areas or additional ground‐based activities. If this strategy is carried forward, it should be orchestrated in conjunction with strategy COM‐3A. If additional ASLD lands are identified that could support AZARNG training, but are not contiguous to Florence Military Reservation, the AZARNG should consider if such land may be appropriate to establish a lease with the ASLD for use of the land. Consideration for appropriateness would include distance from Florence Military Reservation, accessibility, usability of the land based on terrain, and existing use of the land. Any lease would require appropriate fees and processing.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

ASLD

Pinal County

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

124


LAS‐4: Restricted airspace over Florence Military Reservation should be preserved.

The restricted airspace over Florence Military Reservation and over some of the surrounding land is a critical asset for AZARNG and other organizations that use the airspace for training. The land itself is not protected from potential incompatible development that may impact the utility of the asset.

Location:



LAS‐4A: Add a zoning overlay for restricted airspace.

Pinal County and the Town of Florence should add an overlay zone to their respective zoning ordinances for any land within their jurisdiction that sits underneath the restricted airspace at Florence Military Reservation. The overlay zone should limit development heights to 199 feet so that structures do not encroach on minimum airspace altitudes, and also require a real estate disclosure stating the land may be affected by aircraft overflights as part of the development permitting for overlay lands. The overlay should also regulate communication towers to ensure that they do not generate vertical obstructions and that they do not cause frequency impacts that may interfere with the use of DoD UAS equipment.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

Town of Florence

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

FMR Airspace Protection MCA

LAS‐4B: Research the potential for purchasing avigation easements.

The AZARNG should consider the possibility and financial feasibility of purchasing avigation easements from landowners with holdings under the restricted airspace.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partner:

Willing landowners

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


LAS‐4C: Look into the possibility of recording avigation notices.

The AZARNG should look into the possibility of recording Avigation Notices with the Pinal County Recorder for land under the restricted airspace to ensure potential land users are aware of overhead aircraft flights.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

Pinal County

ASLD

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


125


LAS‐4D: Add policies to the comprehensive and general plans to support protection of the restricted airspace.

Pinal County and the Town of Florence should add policies to their respective comprehensive plan and general plan to promote compatible development or conservation of the land underneath the restricted airspace so that future development does not impact the use of the airspace. These policies should address height limits and uses that may interfere with safe flight operations, including communication towers and other uses that generate frequencies that may interfere with DoD UAS operations.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

Town of Florence

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


LAS‐5: Commercial aviation activities are not coordinated with the AZARNG.

Commercial aviation activities such as parachute jumping and other recreation in the JLUS Project Area have increased in popularity in recent years. These activities occur regularly but are not coordinated with the AZARNG or Silverbell Army Heliport and can impact military flight training.

Location:



LAS‐5A: Form partnerships with local airport operators and commercial air recreational organizations.

The AZARNG should work with surrounding airport operators and commercial air recreational organizations that operate out of the airports to establish communication protocols. The protocols should include sharing information about military training needs and commercial operators to identify times of regular operations and deconflict airspace operations. When possible, the AZARNG should coordinate with commercial operators in advance of planned activities to mitigate conflicts. The partnerships should formalize areas for coordination, including but not limited to:

Establishing procedures for integrated military and civilian aviation operations;

Identifying flexible use airspace (maximum utilization of airspace);

Sharing common navigation facilities and aviation services;

Consulting on avionics development to facilitate sustainable compatibility;

Expanding collaborative decision making between airports and the FAA to also include airlines and the military; and

Enhancing information exchange, data sharing, and automated prediction tools.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

Pinal Airpark

Airport operators and commercial air recreational organizations

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


126


LAS‐5B: Support a joint air traffic control tower for Pinal Airpark and Marana Regional Airport.

The Town of Marana and Pinal County should explore partnership opportunities for the construction of a joint air traffic control tower that could be shared by Pinal Airpark and Marana Regional Airport. The tower would provide a mechanism for controlled airspace around Silverbell Army Heliport that would help deconflict commercial and military operations.

Primary Parties:

Town of Marana

Pinal Airpark

FAA

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


LAS‐6: There are private airstrips in the JLUS Project Area.

There are existing private airstrips in the JLUS Project Area that have been added to the AZARNG “Fly Friendly” areas for helicopters, but new airstrips have been and may continue to be built in the area. Coordination of airstrip construction with the AZARNG is needed to ensure safe military and civilian aircraft operations.

Location:

Silverbell Army Heliport / Picacho Peak Stagefield


FOR A STRATEGY THAT ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE, SEE STRATEGY COM‐1F.

LAS‐7: AZARNG has a need to conduct specific types of helicopter flight and landing operation training throughout Pinal County.

Helicopter operations and associated training activities require take‐off, low‐level flight (nap‐of‐the‐earth), night operations, navigation, and rough terrain landing (environmental‐based training). These operations are critical to military readiness and must be conducted in a manner that minimizes incompatibility with surrounding communities.

Location:



LAS‐7A: Explore re‐establishing land use agreements with the Tohono O'odham Nation.

The AZARNG should investigate re‐establishing agreements with the Tohono O’odham Nation to use designated locations for helicopter landing zone operations.

Primary Parties:

AZARNG

Tohono O'odham Nation

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


LAS‐7B: Consult with Arizona Game and Fish Department for flight and landing plans.

Prior to any major changes to flight and landing areas, the AZARNG should consult with the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) to make sure that planned flight activities do not impact known bighorn sheep or other sensitive species populations.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partner:

AZGFD

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


127


LAND USE (LU) ISSUES

LU‐1: Future development pressure may encroach upon Florence Military Reservation.

The land surrounding Florence Military Reservation has been identified as a growth area in the Pinal County Comprehensive Plan. Concepts have been developed for a master planned community called Superstition Vista that could result in incompatible development near the installation that could encroach upon the AZARNG’s mission.

Location:



**PLEASE NOTE: Several of the following recommendations, while identified under a compatibility issues addressing Florence Military Reservation, are applicable to the other three AZARNG sites. To avoid duplication of the recommendations, they are listed here for simplicity and include primary parties and partners who are not directly associated with Florence Military Reservation.

LU‐1A: Define and establish AZARNG Military Compatibility Areas (MCAs) to incorporate into local planning policies.

The JLUS partner communities should establish AZARNG Military Compatibility Areas (MCAs) that reflect the types and intensity of military operations and associated compatibility issues. These MCAs should also be tied into the web‐based GIS tool identified in Strategy COM‐1G. The AZARNG MCAs should be used by local jurisdictions and land management agencies to identify areas where specific compatibility issues are more likely to occur. The MCAs are meant to provide information for future land planning decisions based on the likely location of AZARNG operational impacts and are used to identify where certain recommendations from this JLUS apply. Where appropriate, MCAs could be added to local zoning ordinances as overlay zones. Establishing the AZARNG MCAs and implementing strategies in these areas should:

Provide more detailed information for making sound planning decisions around military installations;

More accurately identify areas that can affect or be affected by military missions;

Protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare;

Protect military missions;

Identify a compatible mix of land uses for consideration; and

Promote an orderly transition and rational organization of land uses around military installations.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Partners:

AZARNG

ASLD

BLM

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

128


LU‐1B: Incorporate compatibility planning concepts into capital improvement plans and infrastructure master plans.

Incorporate compatibility planning concepts into capital improvement plans and infrastructure master plans for infrastructure extensions and improvements. When possible, avoid or discourage the extension of infrastructure into undeveloped areas around Florence Military Reservation to manage future development in those areas.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Partner:

ASLD

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

All MCAs

LU‐1C: Direct new growth into existing developed areas.

JLUS partner jurisdictions should encourage and direct new growth to areas that are already established and served through existing infrastructure.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Partner:

ASLD

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

LU‐1D: Develop a property owner compatible land use packet.

Develop an information packet for property owners that identifies compatibility issues arising from land development concerns that could impact or be impacted by AZARNG operations. The packet should include current recommendations and/or regulations that limit certain types of development that is incompatible with AZARNG operations. Include contact information for a community representative who can direct property owners to additional information.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

129


LU‐1E: Develop real estate disclosures.

The JLUS partner jurisdictions should work with the Arizona Association of Realtors and other local realtor organizations to consider developing real estate disclosure notifications for the sale or transfer of property within the AZARNG MCAs. The disclosures would provide future property owners with information about the missions and operations at the AZARNG sites and within Pinal County so they can make an informed decision about a property before acquiring it. The disclosures should state that the property for sale or lease is located within the region where AZARNG sites are located and that aircraft operations, weapons firing activities, and vehicle activities occur within the region and may impact the community through increased as noise or vibration.

Alternatively, the need for real estate disclosures could be brought to the state legislature for consideration as a legislative requirement, similar to Arizona Revised Statute 28‐8484 pertaining to fixed wing military installations.

Primary Parties:

Arizona Association of Realtors

local real estate organizations


Partners:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

All MCAs

LU‐1F: Pursue Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) Program opportunities.

The AZARNG, with support from local jurisdictions, appropriate federal and state agencies, willing property owners, and other interested stakeholders, should seek to establish an ACUB program for AZARNG sites in Pinal County. The program would promote mutually beneficial land conservation as a means of limiting or avoiding future compatibility issues.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

ASLD

BLM


Willing landowners

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

All MCAs

LU‐1G: Add a “Military Element” to comprehensive and general plans to include policies promoting compatible development around the AZARNG sites.

The JLUS partner communities should develop a “Military Element” to include in their respective comprehensive or general plans that describes the military installation(s) in their municipal planning area, the associated military activities that occur, relationship between the community and the military, and policies for coordinating with the military and promoting compatible development around the installations. This could be done when the community goes through the plan update or created independently of the plan update.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

130


LU‐1H: Pinal County should reevaluate the Mixed Use Activity Centers identified in the Comprehensive Plan to address military compatibility.

Pinal County should reevaluate the Mixed Use Activity Centers identified in its Comprehensive Plan to determine the appropriateness of relocating them to areas that are not within one of the MCAs identified in this JLUS. Of particular concern is the one located on the western side of Florence Military Reservation.

Primary Party:

Pinal County

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

LU‐1I: Require note on plat documentation.

The JLUS partner communities should consider requiring as a condition for approval of any new plats within the AZARNG MCAs, a not be placed on the plat documentation identifying that the property is within an area that may be affected by AZARNG military activity, including potential effects such as noise, vibration, and dust.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek


Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

All MCAs

FOR OTHER STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, SEE STRATEGIES BIO‐1B, BIO‐1D, COM‐1F, COM‐1G, LAS‐3A, LAS‐3B, LAS‐3C, LAS‐3D, LAS‐3E.

LU‐2: Current development is encroaching upon Rittenhouse Training Site.

There is existing development on the south and west sides of Rittenhouse Training Site, as well as plans for new development around the site. The development has the potential to impact the military training capabilities at the site.

Location:

Rittenhouse Training Site

LU‐2A: Conduct a cost benefit analysis to relocate missions from Rittenhouse Training Site.

The AZARNG should conduct a feasibility and cost benefit analysis of options for relocating the training missions at Rittenhouse Training Site to another AZARNG location. The analysis should identify the total cost associated with moving the missions, including increased travel time, training time, and fuel costs that would be incurred after relocation. The analysis should also identify benefits the community around Rittenhouse Training Site receives from the existing missions that occur there.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

131


LU‐2B: Consider relocating missions from Rittenhouse Training Site to another location.

The AZARNG should research alternate locations for the aviation training activities located at Rittenhouse Training Site. The research would be a proactive strategy to allow informed decision‐making in the event Rittenhouse Training Site becomes fully encroached upon and the installation is unable to support a safe and effective missions and training environment. If the aviation training component is moved to a different location, Rittenhouse Training Site could be maintained as a Readiness Center.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

LU‐2C: Leverage Phoenix‐Mesa Gateway Airport Overflight Area Zones.

Pinal County and the Town of Queen Creek should leverage the Phoenix‐Mesa Gateway Airport Overflight Area Zones, identified in the January 2017 Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan Update, to integrate a zoning ordinance overlay that also addresses Rittenhouse Training Site and includes the associated Overflight MCA.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

Town of Queen Creek

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

Rittenhouse Overflight MCA

FOR OTHER STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, SEE STRATEGIES COM‐1F, COM‐1G, LAS‐3A, LAS‐3B, LAS‐3C, LAS‐3D, LAS‐3E, LU‐1A, LU‐1B, LU‐1C, LU‐1D, LU‐1E, LU‐1F, LU‐1G, AND LU‐1I.

LU‐3: Future development pressure may encroach upon Silverbell Army Heliport.

Pinal County has plans for future development between Pinal Airpark and I‐10 that has the potential to impact military training at Silverbell Army Heliport if not properly coordinated with the AZARNG.

Location:


LU‐3A: Partner for continued protection of Santa Cruz River Corridor and Santa Cruz Flats.

The AZARNG should work with Pinal County and local conservation organizations such as the Sonoran Institute and Arizona Land and Water Trust to continue efforts to protect the Santa Cruz River Corridor and Santa Cruz Flats near SBAH and Picacho Peak Stagefield. There may be an opportunity to utilize REPI funding or other mechanisms to purchase conservation easements that would conserve the riparian areas and other habitats, as well as protect AZARNG's missions and training areas from incompatible development in the area.

Primary Part:

Sonoran Institute

Arizona Land and Water Trust

Partners:

AZARNG

Pinal County

ASLD Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


132


LU‐3B: Develop a 3‐D modeling tool for the imaginary surfaces at SBAH and Pinal Airpark.

Pinal County should work with the AZARNG to develop a GIS‐based 3‐D modeling tool that can be used to identify maximum structure heights for land under the imaginary surfaces for SBAH and Pinal Airpark. This modeling should be based on the elevations of the airfields and take into account terrain features. The final tool should be accessible to the public to determine maximum heights when considering potential development.

Primary Party:

Pinal County

Partner:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

SBAH Vertical Obstructions MCA

FOR OTHER STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, SEE STRATEGIES COM‐1F, COM‐1G, LAS‐2A, LAS‐3A, LAS‐3B, LAS‐3C, LAS‐3D, LAS‐3E, LU‐1A, LU‐1B, LU‐1C, LU‐1D, LU‐1E, LU‐1F, LU‐1G, AND LU‐1I.

LU‐4: Future growth of Red Rock community may be impacted by helicopter operations.

There are plans to expand Red Rock Village, a master planned community north of SBAH. If not properly coordinated with the AZARNG, future growth could occur under helicopter flight routes and be impacted by AZARNG operations.

Location:


FOR OTHER STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, SEE STRATEGIES COM‐1F, COM‐1G LAS‐3A, LAS‐3B, LAS‐3C, LAS‐3D, LAS‐3E, LU‐1A, LU‐1B, LU‐1C, LU‐1D, LU‐1E, LU‐1G, AND LU‐1I.

LU‐5: Future development pressure may encroach Picacho Peak Stagefield.

Although there are no current plans for development around Picacho Peak Stagefield, most of the land surrounding the site is currently undeveloped. Existing land use policies for the area surrounding Picacho Peak Stagefield do not identify considerations for compatible development.

Location:


LU‐5A: Develop a 3‐D modeling tool for the imaginary surfaces at Picacho Peak Stagefield.

Pinal County should work with the AZARNG to develop a GIS‐based 3‐D modeling tool that can be used to identify maximum structure heights for land under the imaginary surfaces for Picacho Peak Stagefield. This modeling should be based on the elevations of the airfield and take into account terrain features. The final tool should be accessible to the public to determine maximum heights when considering potential development.

Primary Party:

Pinal County

Partner:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

Picacho Peak Stagefield Vertical Obstructions MCA

FOR OTHER STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, SEE STRATEGIES COM‐1F, COM‐1G LAS‐3A, LAS‐3B, LAS‐3C, LAS‐3D, LAS‐3E, LU‐1A, LU‐1B, LU‐1C, LU‐1D, LU‐1E, LU‐1F, LU‐1G, LU‐1I, AND LU‐3A.

133


LU‐6: Concern exists with the planned railroad classification / switchyard construction near Silverbell Army Heliport.

Union Pacific Railroad has identified plans to construct a new railroad classification / switchyard near Picacho Peak that would include hazardous cargo transfer capabilities. The railroad hazardous cargo transfer operations have the potential to impact flight training around this proposed facility and create safety concerns for pilots operating in the area.

Location:


LU‐6A: Add railroad switchyard to No‐Fly map.

If the proposed railroad switchyard is developed in the future, the AZARNG should add it to the No‐Fly map used by pilots and students at SBAH.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


FOR OTHER STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, SEE STRATEGIES COM‐1F, COM‐1G LAS‐3A, LAS‐3B, LAS‐3C, LAS‐3D, LAS‐3E, LU‐1A, LU‐1B, LU‐1C, LU‐1D, LU‐1F, LU‐1G, AND LU‐1I.

LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES (LEG) ISSUES

LEG‐1: Arizona Revised Statutes do not address AZARNG sites.

The Arizona Revised Statues related to land use and development around military aviation facilities do not identify Silverbell Army Heliport and Picacho Peak Stagefield as military airports.

Location:

Project Area


LEG‐1A: Monitor and review existing and proposed state legislation.

In consultation with subject matter experts, the AZARNG and the JLUS Implementation Committee should review existing and proposed state legislation pertaining to land use, development, planning, and/or land use notification to determine if the legislation supports and makes more sustainable military missions or if revisions are warranted to more effectively reach this goal. The review should benchmark military‐related legislation from other states to identify the best legislative approaches and language in support of economic development and enhanced military planning coordination.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partner:


Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

134


LEG‐1B: Develop state legislation to protect AZARNG missions statewide.

The JLUS partner jurisdictions, the AZARNG, and the Arizona Military Affairs Commission should advocate to the state legislature to develop military compatibility legislation and broaden notification and planning requirements to provide protections to AZARNG missions. This legislation should be applicable to AZARNG sites statewide, not just in Pinal County, and could be applicable to all military installations in Arizona. The legislation would enhance compatible planning for new development and promote improved coordination and communication between existing property owners and AZARNG sites.

Items that should be considered for the legislation include, but are not limited to:

Establishing areas around military installations and operational areas where notification to property owners should occur;

Require policies, goals, and mapping to enhance compatible land use planning and zoning within the specified distance from military sites; and

Requiring coordination by developers, property owners, and municipal planning organizations with military installations prior to beginning projects within the areas.

Primary Party:


Partners:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

AZARNG


ASLD

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

All MCAs

LIGHT AND GLARE (LG) ISSUES

LG‐1: Increase in electronic billboards may impact night training.

As electronic billboards are used with greater frequency in the JLUS project area, they may negatively impact military night training operations in the future.

Location:

Project Area


LG‐1A: Develop LED billboard ordinances.

The JLUS partner jurisdictions should amend their zoning ordinances to include lighting standards for electronic and LED billboards that minimize light trespass. Restricting them from areas where the AZARNG conducts nighttime training, such as in the Helicopter Night Training MCA, should be considered.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Partners:

AZARNG


Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

Helicopter Night Training MCA

135


LG ‐1B: Update State Outdoor Advertising Control Laws and Regulations for electronic billboards.

The Arizona State Legislature should consider updating the ARS Title 28, Chapter 23 Highway Beautification, Article 1 Advertising Regulation to include requirements for electronic billboards to minimize or shield light pollution within 20 miles of a military installation or operating area. Alternatively, the legislation could ban electronic billboards in these areas.

Primary Party:


Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

All MCAs

LG‐2: There is potential for future impacts to night training at Florence Military Reservation.

There are currently no existing major impacts to night training at Florence Military Reservation, but as new construction, infrastructure improvements, and other types of growth and development continues around the installation, increased artificial lighting may inhibit night vision goggle training.

Location:



LG‐2A: Update outdoor lighting regulations to address military compatibility.

The JLUS partner jurisdictions should consider reviewing and updating their outdoor lighting regulations, or establishing outdoor lighting regulations if none exist, to accommodate nighttime training needs at Florence Military Reservation. Requirements should include downward directed lighting and shielding of light fixtures to minimize light trespass.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

Town of Florence

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

FMR Land Use MCA

LG ‐2B: Develop standard military compatibility lighting along roadways.

The Arizona Department of Transportation and the local jurisdictions should work together to implement (and potentially retrofit) lighting standards along roadways within Pinal County to balance driver safety with nighttime training at Florence Military Reservation. Requirements should include downward directed lighting and shielding of light fixtures to minimize light trespass. This would also minimize regional roadway light trespass.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

Town of Florence


Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

FMR Land Use MCA

136


LG‐2C: Educate communities on "Dark‐Sky" standards.

The JLUS partner communities should consider educating their constituents about light pollution and explore implementing "Dark‐Sky" lighting standards for all fixtures, through lighting regulations in zoning laws.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

Town of Florence

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

LG‐3: Future growth may impact night training at Silverbell Army Heliport and Picacho Peak Stagefield.

Night training occurs in the region around Silverbell Army Heliport and Picacho Peak Stagefield. Future growth around the installation and operational areas, especially near approach and departure routes, could impact night vision training capabilities.

Location:

Silverbell Army Heliport / Picacho Peak Stagefield


LG‐3A: Update outdoor lighting regulations to address military compatibility.

The JLUS partner jurisdictions should consider reviewing and updating their outdoor lighting regulations, or establishing outdoor lighting regulations if none exist, to accommodate nighttime training needs within the Tactical Flight Training Area. Requirements should include downward directed lighting and shielding of light fixtures to minimize light trespass.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Marana

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


LG‐3B: Develop standard military compatibility lighting along roadways.

The Arizona Department of Transportation and the local jurisdictions should work together to implement (and potentially retrofit) lighting standards along roadways within Pinal County to balance driver safety with nighttime training within the Tactical Flight Training Area. Requirements should include downward directed lighting and shielding of light fixtures to minimize light trespass. This would also minimize regional roadway light trespass.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Marana


Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


LG‐3C: Educate communities on "Dark‐Sky" standards.

The JLUS partner communities should consider educating their constituents about light pollution and explore implementing "Dark‐Sky" lighting standards for all fixtures, through lighting regulations in zoning laws.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

Town of Florence

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

137


NOISE (NOI) ISSUES

NOI‐1: Noise from helicopter operations may cause impacts.

Helicopter operations, including training activities and the movement of aircraft from one site to another, occur in much of the JLUS Project Area. Low‐level flights generate the greatest potential concern for noise impacts. Future land development near helicopter training areas and flight corridors may increase noise impacts and complaints.

Location:

Project Area


NOI‐1A: Install signs along key roads and in campgrounds indicating there may be low flying helicopters overhead.

The JLUS partner communities should work with AZARNG to develop signage alerting drivers on key roads that they are entering an area subject to impacts from AZARNG and that military operations which may cause noise, vibrations, and other disturbances are conducted there. Verbiage such as, “Proud home to AZARNG,” “Warning: entering a noise area,” should be included on the signage. Similar signage should also be placed at campgrounds or in recreational areas that may experience helicopter overflight.

Primary Party:

Pinal County

Partners:

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

AZARNG

ASLD

BLM

Arizona State Parks


Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

Helicopter Training Area MCA; Rittenhouse Training Site Helicopter Overflight MCA

NOI‐1B: Inform communities about the “Fly Neighbor‐Friendly” protocol.

AZARNG should continue to follow the policy, “fly neighbor friendly,” and route their rotary wing aircraft over rural areas and, when possible, avoid flying over residential areas. The AZARNG should develop informational materials for partner communities to alert them of these protocols.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


138


NOI‐1C: Foster enhanced public awareness of military flight areas.

Develop an AZARNG awareness program targeting property owners and residents to ensure they are aware of the potential noise caused by helicopter training operations in areas surrounding AZARNG sites. The program should be tailored to current and future property owners and land developers.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


NOI‐1D: Enhance online presence of the AZARNG Public Affairs Office.

Provide a highly visible link (e.g. pull‐down menu) to the Public Affairs Office on the AZARNG website as a tool to enhance public understanding of the organization and awareness of their activities and responsibilities. Update the Public Affairs webpage to identify operational activities outside of normal procedures that may impact the public and to clearly identify the point of contact for noise issues and complaints. Consider incorporating social media in the Public Affairs Office's outreach efforts to reinforce messaging and coordinating with Pinal County to include links to AZARNG media outlets on their website.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

NOI‐2: Noise complaints are sometimes received related to non‐AZARNG aircraft.

Some noise complaints have been received by the AZARNG regarding aircraft that are not associated with AZARNG missions. This includes complaints regarding noise from Phoenix‐Mesa Gateway Airport and from transient aircraft operating throughout the Project Area (including military aircraft not associated with AZARNG).

Location:

Project Area


NOI‐2A: Include a link to Phoenix‐Mesa Gateway Airport on AZARNG's website.

The AZARNG Public Affairs Office should include a link on their website to Phoenix‐Mesa Gateway Airport noise complaint resources, including a phone number and flight tracking software. The link would help direct the public with noise complaints to the correct organization for non‐military aircraft issues.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partner:

Phoenix‐Mesa Gateway Airport Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

139


NOI‐3: Noise is generated at Florence Military Reservation.

Noise generated by activities at Florence Military Reservation, such as weapons firing and explosives detonations, can be heard outside the installation, but is not a routine concern for current nearby communities. If additional development occurs closer to Florence Military Reservation, noise impacts may become a bigger concern. Complaints are more likely to occur if future residential and/or other noise‐sensitive developments occur.

Location:



NOI‐3A: Inform local community of explosives activities.

The AZARNG should inform the Town of Florence and local law enforcement offices when explosives disposal or detonations will occur so they can inform community members.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

NOI‐3B: Require information about military proximity be recorded on titles to real property as part of any discretionary development permit or approval.

Require information be recorded on titles for real property located within a mile of Florence Military Reservation as part of any discretionary development permit or approval. The information should state that the real property is located in close proximity to an active military training facility that performs day and night time training operations, including both ground and air operations. The military operations may produce noise, vibration, and dust generation.

Primary Party:

Pinal County

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

FMR Land Use MCA

FOR ANOTHER STRATEGY THAT ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE, SEE STRATEGY LU‐1F.

140


PUBLIC SERVICES (PS) ISSUES

PS‐1: Emergency service coordination between the AZARNG and the Town of Florence is not formalized.

The AZARNG currently has Memoranda of Agreement with Pinal County for police and fire protection, but responders from the Town of Florence typically have quicker response times due to their proximity. There are no Memoranda of Agreement in place with the Town of Florence emergency service responders.

Location:



PS‐1A: Consider incorporating Florence Military Reservation into town limits.

The AZARNG should consider the benefits and costs of requesting annexations into the Town of Florence limits to allow access to Town of Florence emergency services. If deemed to be of benefit, the AZARNG should formally request annexation into the town limits and pay any associated costs.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partner:

Town of Florence

ASLD

BLM

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

PUBLIC TRESPASSING (PT) ISSUES

PT‐1: Public trespassing sometimes occurs on Florence Military Reservation.

Public trespassing occurs often on Florence Military Reservation, including by off‐road recreationists, campers, homeless individuals, and illegal migrants from Mexico.

Location:



PT‐1A: Ensure property boundary demarcation with fences and signage.

The AZARNG should continue to fence the boundaries of the land it owns or manages year‐round. The AZARNG should also ensure adequate and highly visible signage that indicates where land is part of an active military range and trespassing is forbidden.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

141


PT‐1B: Develop educational materials for campers, hikers, and other outdoor recreationists informing them of the location and type of activities at Florence Military Reservation.

The AZARNG should work with the ASLD and BLM to develop educational materials for campers, day trippers, hikers, ranchers, and other outdoor recreationists to identify the location of Florence Military Reservation relative to recreation and other areas, provide information on the types of military activities that occur there, and emphasize the dangers of accessing the AZARNG‐managed lands. These materials could be posted at camp grounds, trailheads, and/or other relevant locations and be handed out when use permits are issued.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

ASLD

BLM

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

PT‐1C: Apprehend trespassers.

Conduct inter‐jurisdictional training with other public safety agencies and AZARNG to coordinate perimeter surveillance and trespasser apprehension using applicable police powers and authorities.

Primary Party:


Partner:

AZARNG Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

PT‐2: Cottonwood Canyon Road may increase unintentional trespass on Florence Military Reservation.

Cottonwood Canyon Road is located along the northern boundary of the Arizona State Land Department holdings that are leased by the AZARNG through a Special Land Use Permit. The road provides public access to the area north of Florence Military Reservation and receives heavy use by OHV users, recreationists, campers, and ranchers. Some nearby areas are also leased for cattle grazing. Expansion or enhancement of Cottonwood Canyon Road could result in additional users and increase encroachment concerns.

Location:



PT‐2A: Install signage along Cottonwood Canyon Road.

Pinal County should work with the AZARNG and ASLD to develop and install signage along Cottonwood Canyon Road on the northern boundary of Florence Military Reservation. The signage should indicate that the land is owned by ASLD and used by the AZARNG for military activities and that trespassing is prohibited.

Primary Party:

Pinal county

Partners:

AZARNG

ASLD Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

FOR OTHER STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, SEE STRATEGIES PT‐1A, PT‐1B, AND PT‐1C.

142


ROADWAY CAPACITY (RC) ISSUES

RC‐1: Access to Florence Military Reservation from State Route 79 is not separated from travel lanes.

State Route 79 is the main thoroughfare between the Town of Florence and US 60 and has a speed limit of 65 miles per hour. The lack of turn lanes for accessing Florence Military Reservation from State Route 79 results in potential conflicts and safety concerns between military vehicles entering or leaving the installation and civilian traffic using State Route 79. Additionally, there are no signs to alert civilian drivers that military traffic may be entering or exiting the highway.

Location:



RC‐1A: Integrate turn lanes and / or traffic signal control to improve access to Florence Military Reservation.

The AZARNG should coordinate with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to address safety concerns and discuss options that could be implemented to address them, such as a turn lane or signalized traffic control along SR 79 at the entrance to Florence Military Reservation. If these are considered feasible, AZARNG should develop the initial layout plan options for a turn lane or a traffic signal to control the entrance to Florence Military Reservation and improve safety. These options will then be presented to ADOT for review and consideration. The AZARNG will be responsible for funding the option that is decided upon.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partner:

ADOT

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

RC‐1B: Conduct a traffic study.

The AZARNG should procure a consultant to conduct a traffic study and assess high traffic times resulting from AZARNG vehicles and operations. The AZARNG and their consultant should work with the ADOT to collect relevant information and data to support the study. A feasibility study should be conducted first to determine if a full study is needed and to identify funding sources.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partner:

ADOT

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

RC‐1C: Prepare a traffic modeling study for the areas immediately surrounding Florence Military Reservation.

The AZARNG should procure a consultant to prepare a comprehensive traffic modeling study for the areas immediately around AZARNG sites to assess roadway capacity levels for egress and ingress to the various AZARNG locations. The AZARNG and their consultant should work with the ADOT to collect relevant information and data to support the study.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partner:

ADOT

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

143


RC‐2: Traffic congestion occurs during drill weekends.

Arizona Army National Guard drill weekends at Florence Military Reservation typically involve convoys of military vehicles that come from other locales and often drive under the posted speed limits. This may impact civilian traffic and is of increasing concern for local law enforcement.

Location:



RC‐2A: Use portable roadway signs during drill weekends.

The AZARNG should coordinate with ADOT, Pinal County, and the Town of Florence to set up portable roadway signs along SR 79 during drill weekends to alert motorists of potential traffic congestion and to be aware of military vehicles traveling at slower speeds.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

ADOT

Pinal County

Town of Florence

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

FOR OTHER STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, SEE STRATEGIES RC‐1A, RC‐1B, AND RC‐1C.

SAFETY (SA) ISSUES

SA‐1: Future weapons surface danger zones may extend past the current boundaries of Florence Military Reservation.

Currently all of the surface danger zones for the weapons fired at Florence Military Reservation are contained within the installation boundaries. The AZARNG is planning to use enhanced ammunition rounds that generate larger surface danger zones that may extend outside the boundary onto land that is not managed by the AZARNG.

Location:



SA‐1A: Establish a public safety agency advisory committee.

The AZARNG and local public safety agencies (law enforcement, fire departments, emergency responders) should work together to form a public safety agency advisory committee to coordinate potential public safety concerns related to activities at Florence Military Reservation as they arise. This advisory committee would meet as‐needed to discuss potential concerns associated with changes in activities at Florence Military Reservation, large military training events, or introduction of new ammunition types that could present public safety concerns.

Primary Parties:

AZARNG

Local public safety agencies

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

FOR OTHER STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, SEE STRATEGIES LU‐1A, LU‐1E, LU‐1F, LU‐1G.

144


SA‐2: AZARNG movement between east and west side of Florence Military Reservation is unsafe.

State Route 79 bisects Florence Military Reservation. There are concerns for the safety of AZARNG Soldiers traveling by foot and vehicles crossing State Route 79 because there are no traffic control mechanisms or alert systems in place.

Location:



SA‐2A: Evaluate the need for a signalized crosswalk.

The AZARNG should work with ADOT, Pinal County, and the Town of Florence to evaluate the need for a signalized pedestrian crosswalk along State Route 79, between the east and west portions of Florence Military Reservation to improve safety of pedestrian crossing. If a signalized crosswalk is deemed appropriate, AZARNG should work with ADOT, Pinal County, and the Town of Florence to coordinate installation of the crosswalk.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partner:

ADOT

Pinal County

Town of Florence Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

SA‐2B: Integrate grade separated crossing into trails planning.

When the Master Plan for the Pinal County segment of the Central Arizona Project (CAP) National Recreation Trail was developed in 2015, the AZARNG expressed support for a trail crossing at SR 79. Although the trail would primarily serve recreational users, it could also provide fitness training opportunities for Soldiers and would provide safer crossing between the east and west side of Florence Military Reservation separated by SR 79 for all pedestrian users. The mutual benefits constitute a partnering opportunity for Pinal County, the Town of Florence, the AZARNG, and others to develop a grade‐separated crossing.

Primary Party:

Pinal County

Partners:

Town of Florence

AZARNG

ADOT

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

145


SA‐3: Unexploded ordnance may exist outside the Impact Area.

There are unexploded ordnances within the impact area at Florence Military Reservation. As a result of historic activity at Florence Military Reservation, some unexploded ordnance has also been found outside the impact area, including the area around Florence Military Reservation. These are instances of historic activity, and not the current operations that occur there.

Location:



SA‐3A: Educate the public regarding unexploded ordnance.

Investigate methods and media for educating the public about the potential presence of unexploded ordnance, including providing examples of what to look for in areas of concern. Signage should be developed and placed along the boundary of Florence Military Reservation, especially where the public has access and there is a known potential for unexploded ordnance to be found.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Partners:

ASLD

BLM Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

FOR ANOTHER STRATEGY THAT ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE, SEE STRATEGY LU‐1F.

SA‐4: Vehicle crashes have occurred at the intersection of Arizona Farms Road and State Route 79.

There have been recurring instances of eastbound traffic on Arizona Farms Road failing to stop at State Route 79 and crashing through the fence onto Florence Military Reservation.

Location:



SA‐4A: Install roadway signs to reduce speed.

Pinal County should work with ADOT to enhance the signage on eastbound Arizona Farms Road that indicates motorists are approaching a stop sign. Additional signage that the road ends at the upcoming intersection with SR 79 should be added.

Primary Party:

ADOT

Partner:


Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

SA‐4B: Install roadway barriers with reflectors.

Pinal County should coordinate with ADOT to install breakaway barriers on the east side of SR 79. The barriers should have larger reflectors than the current signage to make it more obvious that the Arizona Farms Road ends at SR 79.

Primary Party:

ADOT

Partner:


Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

146


SA‐5: Pinal Airpark’s Runway Protection Zone extends over a portion of Silverbell Army Heliport.

Approximately 0.48 acres of the Runway Protection Zone for Runway 12‐30 at Pinal Airpark extend over a portion of the Silverbell Army Heliport. If the Airpark runway were enlarged or used by additional types of aircraft in the future, a larger Runway Protection Zone that would affect more land on Silverbell Army Heliport could be necessary.

Location:



SA‐5A: Implement DoD‐standard clear zones and accident potential zones for Pinal Airpark.

If plans move forward to develop a partnership for Air Force aircraft use of Pinal Airpark, the Airpark should coordinate with the Air Force to identify the requirements, dimensions, and locations of DoD‐standard runway clear zones and accident potential zones to use for planning purposes. These zones should be mapped and included in Pinal County and Town of Marana planning documents to promote compatible planning decisions in the future.

Primary Party:

Pinal Airpark

Partners:

Pinal County

Town of Marana

U.S. Air Force

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

VERTICAL OBSTRUCTIONS (VO) ISSUES

VO‐1: Future power transmission line projects could pose helicopter flight hazards.

As Arizona’s power grid continues to grow to support new development and increasing demand, new power lines will need to be installed. New utility corridor and power line construction should be coordinated with the AZARNG to mitigate potential impacts to helicopter flight areas, especially those where low‐level training occurs.

Location:

Project Area


VO‐1A: Ensure FAR Part 77 compliance.

For all new, redeveloped, or rehabilitated structures (including electrical transmission towers / lines, cellular and radio transmission towers, etc.), the reviewing / approving entity should require proof from the developer of compliance with FAR Part 77 height limit requirements to minimize vertical obstructions. As part of the FAR Part 77 review, the developments and structures should be determined as compatible with and not pose a safety hazard to air operations in the region.

Primary Party:

Power and utility providers

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

FMR Airspace Protection MCA; Helicopter Training Area MCA; Rittenhouse Training Site Vertical Obstructions MCA

147


VO‐1B: Continue coordination processes on utility infrastructure projects.

Electric utility companies should continue to coordinate with AZARNG on proposed new utility infrastructure, such as power lines and transmission corridors, to mitigate potential impacts on and minimize vertical obstruction concerns for AZARNG aviation operations.

Primary Party:

Pinal Airpark

Partners:

Pinal County

Town of Marana

U.S. Air Force

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

FMR Airspace Protection MCA; Helicopter Training Area MCA; Rittenhouse Training Site Vertical Obstructions MCA

VO‐2: Cellular communication towers may generate obstructions to flight operations.

Pinal County approves cellular communication towers within the JLUS Project Area but does not coordinate with the AZARNG in order to identify their potential impacts on military flight operations.

Location:

Project Area


VO‐2A: Incorporate FAR Part 77 review documentation as a condition for project approval.

The JLUS partner jurisdictions should update their communication tower approval process to require developers to submit proof that a proposed development was submitted through the FAR Part 77 obstruction evaluation process and was found to have no known impact on airspace navigation.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek


Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

FMR Airspace Protection MCA; Picacho Peak Stagefield Airspace MCA; Helicopter Training Area MCA; Rittenhouse Training Site Vertical Obstructions MCA

148


VO‐2B: Develop an official form for cell tower permits.

The JLUS partner jurisdictions should work together to develop a universal permit form, or update their existing permitting regulations, that could be used by all jurisdictions to capture information that would be useful to the military for evaluating cell tower impacts on the military mission. At a minimum, the form should require:

Contact information for the telecommunications company and its assigned representative;

Operating frequency information;

Coordinates of the location proposed for the telecommunications structure; and

Certification that the telecommunications company submitted the FAA Form 7460‐1 to the FAA, including a copy of the post‐date from the U.S. Postal Service or a delivery receipt from the FAA.

A copy of the completed permit form should be provided to the AZARNG for their review and comment prior to jurisdiction approval. Any comments received from AZARNG will only be used for consideration regarding potential impacts associated with the proposal and will not be meant to approve or deny the proposal.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Partner:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


VO‐2C: Include AZARNG in tower siting and review processes.

The JLUS partner jurisdictions should include an AZARNG representative in review processes and opportunities to comment on any proposed communications towers.

Primary Parties:

Pinal County

City of Eloy

Town of Florence

Town of Queen Creek

Town of Marana

Partner:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:


149


VO‐2D: Develop a publicly accessible map of low‐level flight areas for planning purposes.

The AZARNG should create a publicly available document or map of commonly used military low‐level flight areas and elevations, that communities can use to consider potential impacts from tall structures such telecommunication tower placement. The information could be used when considering comprehensive plan priorities and zoning amendments to identify suitable or unsuitable areas for vertical developments.

The document of maps should be incorporated into the web‐based GIS tool identified in Strategy COM‐1G.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

WATER QUALITY / QUANTITY (WQQ) ISSUES

WQQ‐1: Limited water availability may constrain future capabilities and facility expansion at Florence Military Reservation.

There is limited water availability and connectivity to support future development at Florence Military Reservation. Water availability also limits future development and growth in the region surrounding the installation.

Location:



WQQ‐1A: Continue to evaluate the potential for water conservation.

Conduct a comprehensive water usage audit and feasibility study to assess opportunities for indoor and outdoor water conservation techniques, including demand management strategies, water‐saving devices, and smart technologies, as well as programs and policies that support development that minimizes water consumption.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

WQQ‐1B: Consider a need for future water storage tanks.

If activities increase at Florence Military Reservation and there is a need for additional water resources, the AZARNG should consider constructing additional water storage tanks to store adequate potable water to ensure military operations are sustainable.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type:

Timeframe:

Geographic Area:

N/A

150


WQQ‐1C: Monitor outcomes of the Arizona Drought Contingency Plan.

The AZARNG should monitor the outcomes of the newly‐enacted Arizona Drought Contingency Plan to identify any changes to water availability in the region and any required modifications for water use by Florence Military Reservation.

Primary Party:

AZARNG

Strategy Type: Timeframe: Geographic Area:

N/A

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in partnership with the Arizona National Guard

Pinal County Community Development

Ph: 520.866.644231 North Pinal St., Building F P.O. Box 2973Florence, AZ 85132

Prepared by: